Improvements in or relating to Optical Lanterns.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Nov., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 16th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 26th Oct., 1895
Improvements in or relating to Optical Lanterns.
I, WILLIAM DOMMETT ASKEW, of 26 Solon New Road, Clapham, in the
County of London, Tailor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
In my Specification to Letters Patent No. 5174 of 1892 I described an improved
box for optical lanterns and the like, which box was arranged and adapted to act
as a portable receptacle for an optical lantern, and also as a support of the lanter.
when used for exhibiting slides. In this latter case, a swivelling base-attached
to the box-was adapted to be carried on the head of a tripod, and when the
lantern was taken out of the box it was placed upon a tilting board attached to
the top of the box so that the box acted as a support or stand.
The lantern was adjusted for angular position (vertically) by raising or lowering
one end of the tilting board, and (horizontally) by moving the box on its swivelling
base. The two opposite sides of the box were hinged at the bottom and adapted
to be laid horizontally upon the pivoted base, and to act as supporting tables for
carrying the lantern slides.
By my present invention I construct and arrange the parts of a box, and of an
optical lantern, in such a manner that the box itself forms an integral portion of
the lantern or frame of the lantern; and the parts that project outside the
lantern-such as the objective, and the rose chimney top, are either made to slide
within the box, or be removable and adapted for packing within the box or frame
A detachable handle is
of the lantern when out of use as an optical instrument.
also provided so that the complete apparatus may be carried by hand in the form
of an ordinary box.
In carrying out my invention, I provide a swivelling base piece, arranged to
stand upon the head of a tripod (or other suitable support), similar to the base
piece referred to in my aforesaid Specification. On this base piece I erect the
skeleton fiame of an oblong box. Two longitudinal side pieces are provided and
one is hinged to the base piece, on each side, and adapted to fit neatly into a rebate
formed in the skeleton frame to receive it; so that each side is capable of being
let down on a horizontal plane as a table, on about the same level as the base piece.
A short sliding board carrying a vertical front board and supporting brackets is
adapted to slide within grooves formed at the base of the front half of the box.
A hole is made in the vertical front board, to receive the objective or lens which
is fitted upon the same by a flange in the usual manner. The objective is thus
made capable of sliding longitudinally outwards for the purpose of focussing, and
inwards in order to be contained within the box when used merely as a receptacle.
A vertical front slide is also provided and adapted to slide within vertical
grooves in the front part of the skeleton frame, and when placed in position this
front slide encloses the objective and its support and forms the front end of
the box.
A vertical metal frame is firmly secured in the centre of the box so as to form
a strong stay or support to the skeleton framework thereof. The metal frame is
also adapted to carry the condenser, and lantern slides, troughs, or similar articles
in front of the condenser, for exhibition purposes. A metal groove and slide the
latter having a pin to carry the burner used is screwed at the bottom of the back

page_text: end of the box, and adapted for adjusting the position of the burner or jet with
reference to the condenser. Means are also provided on the sides (at the back end
of the box) to hang curtains which are intended to enclose the light when the
burner is used, and these curtains are movable, so that the burner or jet may be
manipulated readily.
Two rails are secured across the top of the skeleton framework, and form a part
thereof. These are so spaced as to divide the top into three divisions of about
equal dimensions. The two end divisions have grooves into which slides are fitted
to close their apertures when the box is used simply as a receptacle, while the
central one is fitted within a rebate and secured by a suitable fastening. When
used as a lantern, the top back slide is removed and the metal rose or chimney top
is inserted in its place; a short metal slide, carrying a curtain, fitting into the
grooves against it, and enclosing the light at the back end of the box.
A metal clip is secured to each of the two rails at the top of the skeleton
framework, and to these a detachable handle is attached and kept in position by
springs; and a vertical back slide is provided and adapted to slide within vertical
grooves in the back part of the skeleton frame, and forms the back end of the box.
Suitable slide holders are attached to the inside of the hinged side pieces, and
arranged so that when the sides are let down for use and the box used for lantern
purposes, the angle at which the lantern is tilted is compensated for by a false or
bevelled bottom to the slide holders.
It will be understood that on removing the slides or doors closing the orifices on
the top of the box, an opportunity is given to manipulate or arrange the objective,
or an article upon the science table placed on the sliding board which carries the
objective, or the stage or other part of the apparatus in front of the condenser ;
the back orifice being for the rose chimney as before stated. Also that the optical
part of the apparatus may be placed, or adjusted obliquely within the box, to
avoid tilting the tripod.
Furthermore, the improved apparatus may be used for photo-micrography.
Dated this 23rd day of November 1891
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433 Strand, London, Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to Optical Lanterns.
I, WILLIAM DOMMETT ASKEW, of 26 Solon New Road, Clapham, in the
County of London, Tailor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
In my Specification to Letters Patent No. 5174 of 1892 I described an improved
box for optical lanterns and the like, which box was arranged and adapted to act
as a portable receptacle for an optical lantern, and also as a support of the lantern
when used for exhibiting slides. In this latter case, a swivelling base-attached to
the box was adapted to be carried on the head of a tripod, and when the lantern
was taken out of the box it was placed upon a tilting board attached to the top of
the box so that the box acted as a support or stand.
The lantern was adjusted for angular position (vertically) by raising or lowering
one end of the tilting board, and (horizontally) by moving the box on its swivelling
base. The two opposite sides of the box were hinged at the bottom and adapted
to be laid horizontally upon the pivoted base, and to act as supporting tables for
carrying the lantern slides.
By my present invention I construct and arrange the parts of a box, and of
an optical lantern, in such a manner that the box itself forms an integral portion

page_text: of the lantern or frame of the lantern; and the parts that project outside the
lantern-such as the objective, and the rose chimney top, are either made to slide
within the box, or be removable and adapted for packing within the box or frame
of the lantern when out of use as an optical instrument. A detachable handle is
also provided so that the complete apparatus may be carried by hand in the form
of an ordinary box.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the invention, showing the side pieces or flaps let
down;
Fig. 2 is a plan, and Fig. 3 an end elevation of Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 4 is a plan of a metal slide piece adapted to carry a curtain and Fig. 5 is a
section thereof through the centre.
F
>
Referring to the drawings, 1 provide a swivelling base piece a, arranged to
stand upon the head of a tripod (or other suitable support), similar to the base
piece referred to in my aforesaid Specification. On this base piece I erect the
skeleton frame b of an oblong box so as to swivel. Two longitudinal side pieces or
flaps care provided and each one is hinged to the lower portion of the frame b on
each side, and adapted to fit neatly into a rebate formed in the skeleton frame to
receive it, to close the sides, so that each side is capable of being let down on
a horizontal plane as a table, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, on or about the same
level as the base piece a, the lantern, when in use, being turned at right angles.to
and upon the base a, as in Fig. 3.
A short sliding board d carrying a vertical front board and supporting brackets e
is adapted to slide within grooves formed at the base of the front half of the box.
A hole is made in the vertical front board, to receive the objective or lens which
is fitted upon the same by a flange in the usual manner. The objective is thus
made capable of sliding longitudinally outwards for the purpose of focussing, as
shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and inwards in order to be entirely contained within the
box or frame b when used merely as a receptacle. A vertical front slide g is also
provided and adapted to slide within vertical grooves g' in the front part of the
skeleton frame, (as indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3), and when placed in
position this front slide encloses the objective and its support and forms the front
end of the box, and by means of a pin at the bottom (not shown) locks the
swivelling base piece a when placed lengthways of the box.
A vertical metal frame h is firmly secured in the centre of the box so as to form
a strong stay or support to the skeleton framework thereof. The metal frame is
also adapted to carry the condenser lens, and lantern slides, troughs, or similar
articles placed immediately in front of the condenser, and between the guide plate
or stage i, for exhibition purposes. A metal groove and slide-the latter having
a pin to carry the burner used-is sometimes screwed at the bottom of the back
end or lantern portion of the box, and adapted for adjusting the position of the
burner or jet with reference to the condenser; but other arrangements may be used
for this purpose according to the light used. A metal slide j, (separately shown in
Figs. 4 and 5) carrying a rod j' and rings, is adapted to slide into upper horizontal
grooves when the lantern is used; but a wooden slide (not shown) is substituted
when the whole is closed up, the slide 1 being placed inside. The rings carry
curtains to enclose the light when the burner is used, and these curtains are
movable, so that the burner or jet may be manipulated readily, at the curtain cud,
or through the metal side doors of the lantern.
Two rails are secured across the top of the skeleton framework b, and form
a part thereof. These are so spaced as to divide the top into three divisions of
about equal dimensions. The two end divisions have grooves into which horizontal
slides are fitted to close their apertures when the box is used simply as a receptacle ;
the front slide k being partly drawn out in Fig. 1, and indicated by dotted lines
in Fig. 2, while the central panel indicated in Fig. 1. by dotted lines, is fitted
within a rebate and secured by a suitable fastening. When used as a lantern, the
top back slide (previously referred to as not shown) is removed, and the metal rose

page_text: 'or chimney top 1 is inserted in its place; the short metal slide j carrying a curtain,
fitting into the grooves against it, and enclosing the light at the back end of the
box, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Metal side doors , as shown in Fig. 1, enclose
the light on opposite sides.
A metal clip m is secured to each of the two rails at the top of the skeleton
framework b, and to these a detachable handle n is attached and kept in position by
springs, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3; and a vertical back slide o is provided and
adapted to slide within vertical grooves in the back part of the skeleton frame as
indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, and forms the back end of the box. Suitable
slide holders P are attached to the inside of the hinged side pieces c and arranged
so that when the sides are let down for use and the box used for lantern purposes,
the angle at which the lantern is tilted is compensated for by a false or bevelled
'bottom p to the slide holders, as indicated by the broken line in Fig. 1. The
slide holder may be made to fold up, but if otherwise, to be attached to the
g, Fig.
clit will be understood that on removing the slides or doors closing the orifices on
the top of the box, an opportunity is given to manipulate or arrange the objective f
or an article upon the science table placed on the sliding board which carries the
objective, or the stage i or other part of the apparatus in front of the condenser ;
'the back orifice being for the rose chimney as before stated. Also that the front
'optical part of the apparatus may be placed, or adjusted obliquely within the box,
to avoid tilting the tripod. Any suitable light may be employed for optical
purposes; and when an incandescent electric light is used the rose chimney I may
be dispensed with.
Furthermore, the improved apparatus may be used for photo-micrography.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. The herein described improvements in or relating to optical lanterns, con-
sisting of a base piece carrying a skeleton box frame, enclosed by hinged side
pieces or flaps, slides, and panel, with the essential parts of an optical lantern
mounted inside, 'the whole arranged and combined as a lantern for optical purposes
and as a box or receptacle for the same, substantially as and for the purpose shown
and specified.
2. In a combined lantern and box as hereinbefore specified, the combination of
a skeleton box frame b with a vertical metal frame carrying a lantern condenser,
an objective fadapted to slide within the said box frame, and means to close the
several openings of the skeleton frame as a box, substantially as and for the purpose
herein specified and shown in the drawings.
3. The combination of a box frame b with an optical condenser secured within
the said frame, an objective ƒ mounted within the box and made adjustable with
reference to the said condenser, and two side flaps c, c, adapted to close the sides
of the said box frame and also to be let down to serve as horizontal tables,
substantially as and for the purpose herein described and shown in the drawings.
4. A box receptacle for an optical lantern containing a mounting carrying
a lens and made adjustable within the box, and a removable end g placed immediately
in front of the said lens and enclosing the same, substantially as and for the purpose
herein described and shown by Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
Dated this 15th day of August 1895.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433 Strand, London, Agents for the Applicant.