- +44 (0)1603 485 153
- [email protected]
- Diamond Road, Norwich, NR6 6AW
Tapley Instrumentation, acquired by Bowmonk in 2006, traces its origins to Mr. William Tapley, the inventor of the Tapley Meter—the original and iconic decelerometer. Tapley was a prolific designer of measuring instruments, with his first device created in the early 1900s. He was awarded patent number 21,517 in Great Britain in 1910.
Among Tapley’s notable inventions was the Tapley Gradient Meter, as highlighted in this advertisement from March 1924 (image courtesy of Grace’s Guide):
The Tapley Meter, shown here mounted on a “floor block,” became the global standard for measuring the braking performance of road vehicles.
The iconic Tapley Meter, which we now recognize for measuring a vehicle’s deceleration, soon followed, with Tapley securing a U.S. patent in 1929. Below is an excerpt from his patent application (source and full text: United States Patent and Trademark Office):
Tapley was a relentless innovator. A subsequent U.S. patent, granted in 1938, details enhancements to his instrument designs to mitigate magnetic interference from nearby ironwork. This patent also references Tapley’s original 1910 instrument (source and full text: United States Patent and Trademark Office):
The Tapley Meter became so synonymous with brake testing that in the USA, the process of testing a car’s brakes was often called a “Tapley Test.” The following video from 1928 demonstrates the introduction of the Tapley Meter by the Detroit Police (note: the video is silent)
Established in 1966, Bowmonk has been a world-leading manufacturer of brake testing equipment for over 50 years, recognized by numerous global transport authorities. With the acquisition of Tapley Instrumentation and In-CarPC, Bowmonk has further solidified its position as a leader in vehicle safety and monitoring solutions. We are committed to enhancing driver safety, vehicle management, and customer satisfaction through innovative, reliable products.
