The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-12-31

For years electricians and mechani-
cal geniuses have been trying to devise
some kind of electric lamp which would
be practical for use on bicycles and
carriages and for the purposes to which
ordinary reflector lanterns are put. II
is worthy of note that in Scranton has
been established a company and
plant for the manufacture of such
lamp patented by G. J. Hubbell and the
first perfect lamp of the kind to be
put on the market. The lamps are now
being manufactured by the Hubbell
Electric Lamp company. at its plant,
1871 Capouse avenue.
Mr.. Hubbell is president of the COM
pany, DR.. L. NJ. Gates vice president,
William ID. Boyer secretary and treas
urer. and Harry C. Hubbell superin-
tendent These officers and +. =.
Mucklow and w. S. Boyd. jr.. are direc-
tors of the company which is capital
lied at 100000 and Incorporated under
the laws of this state.
LIGHT Is CHEAP.
Any person of ordinary intelligence
can in one minute charge the battery
and make it ready for use. 1t weighs
but "a ounces when charged, is about
will remain lighted for seven hours at
total cost of two cents
primary electric battery of carbon
anc zinc element is used. but the car
bons are made from gas retort and are
very dense. The method of attaching
the terminal to the carbon is by brass
screw with machine thread below and
- wood thread above. In the base of
"a hot ic do h,r 4;
mond drill and the terminal screwed
fast The carbon is treated by Sc
cret process to prevent capillary ac-
tion, or oXidization from the acid used
as an electrolyte in the inner cell. 9th
erwise, it would Derculate through the
carbon and attack the terminal as is
the case in all other batteries. So much
for the cathode of. the battery.
The zinc element is also peculiarly
constructed. The zines used are of the
best rolled material and are shaped by
hydraulic pressure, having a hole from
the bottom to midway of the zinc and
being so construct d as to fit over the
phospho-bronZe terminal This termi-
nal is stamped out at the time the
battery case is pressed and has a split
at the top which forms a spring so that
1t, it makes close contact and is held
in place by the spring. At the same
time what is termed as an air cham
Der connection is made thereby pre-
venting the electrolyte from coming in
contact with the contact point \ Pc
culiar feature Of this contact or connec-
tion is, that it is a central contact.
Thus the magnetic lines of force, so to
Dprmpltp a ,,t
thereby guaranteeing a uniform con-
sumption of the zinc element and af-
fording a larger amount of current
thereby.
ONE STRIKING FEATURE.
striking feature of this battery,
and the only one in existence, which
permits the use of fluid in a porta ole
battery, is its cover. The bottom of
the cover metallic disc has soft
rubber gasket of pure gum attached
to 1t. The cover is SurmOunted by four
domes. each having a small perforation
midway of the dome. In each of these
perforations is placed a small cellu-
loid tribe leading into the central
chamber. Each Of the domes is over
each of the subdivisions of the bat
terry. They are connected in the central
chamber by pure rubber gum tubes
from zing to carbon. The tubing has a
needle puncture which permits the cs-
cape of gas to the chamber and then
through perforation in the cover 10
the air. \ threaded collar holds the
rubber holds the rubber bottomed cover
tightly in place thereby preventing
any escape of the fluid while at the
same time, this ingenious device per-
! mits the escape of the gas generated
| during the action of the battery.
The battery case is of what is term
! ed "gorganite," made from Trinidad
asphalt. asbestos fibre and gutta per-
cha. The cover, case, collar and cap
are separately shaped by hydraulic
pressure over tool steel dies. The dies
were made by Bliss & Co.. of Brooklyn,
! the government diemakers, and are
| very expensive.
The battery operates a small incan-
| descent lamp in parabolic reflector
| from which light is furnished strong
enough to make possible the reading of