IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE HEAD-LIGHTS
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I WILLARD OLIVER FELT (care of A. M. and W. Clark Patent Agents
53 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex) Engineer do hereby declare the
nature of my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTIVE HEAD-LIGHTS" and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This Invention relates to what are known as locomotive head-lights, being
lamps fixed in front of a locomotive to illuminate the road in advance of
the train.
-
With
The object of this Invention is to enable the engine-driver or other person in
charge of the lamp to light, trim and. adjust the light whilst the engine is running,
without having to open the large door forming the entire side of the lamp case,
which is very objectionable when the engine is running or in windy weather, as it
is almost impossible to light the lamp at all under these circumstances.
head-lights as at present constructed, it is necessary to light the same before
leaving the engine-house, the lamp although turned down low, remaining burning
for several hours before it is required for use. This is objectionable as it crusts
the wick and impairs the illuminating.qualities of the light when its full power is
required.
In these head-lights, the lamp burner is placed in the focus of a parabolic
reflector and is therefore only accessible from the front of or within the reflector,
and to enable access to the lamp to be had for lighting &c. without opening the
front of the case, the reflector and lamp are mounted to revolve on a vertical axis,
so as to enable the reflector to be turned round within the case opposite to a hand
hole in the side of the same, as will be more fully described with reference to the
accompanying Drawings forming part of this Specification, wherein :-
Figure 1 is a front view of the head-light, showing the reflector turned round as
in the act of lighting the lamp. Figure 2 is a side view of the case. Figure 3 is
a front view of the reflector and lamp as removed from the case. Figure 4 is a
plan view of the same. Figure 5 is a side elevation showing the oil reservoir,
and Figure 6 is a rear elevation. The same letters of reference indicate the same
parts in all these Figures.
a is the reflector of the ordinary parabolic form and b is the lamp burner placed
in its focus, the lamp burner and chimney passing through apertures in the upper

page_text: and lower sides of the reflector as usual. The reflector is fixed within a metal
hoop c which is provided with vertical pivots d'd at top and bottom, received in
bearings in the frame e which is a casting or bracket fixed upon a base board f and
rising at one side of the reflector.as shown in Figure G, so as to form no obstruction
to turning the reflector a quarter round. A spring latch g fixed to the foot of the
frame or to the base board engages with a lug h on the bottom of the reflector at
the front and locks the reflector firmly in position when facing forward, whilst a
stop on the base board prevents it being turned too far round towards the back
of the case. is the oil reservoir constructed on the principle of the well known
student lamp and is the receiver for the same. It is supported in a ring shaped 1
bracket securely fixed to the side of the hoop c and to a stud a brazed to the back
of the reflector. The reservoir is connected with the burner by a tube m through
which oil is supplied as fast only as consumed, so as to avoid splashing and
consequent unsteadiness of the flame, the oil being kept at a constant level and a
uniform supply being maintained to the burner. The valve n. of the reservoir is 1
spring closed and is opened by resting on a screw o at the bottom of the receiver,
which may be adjusted to give more or less opening as required. The reservoir
has a band provided with lugs p which engage in bayonet slots q in the supporting"
bracket, one of them also engaging with a. spring locking bolt to hold the
reservoir in position.
The lamp burner is supported in position by a bracket and fixed to the stud x at
the back of the reflector. wis a tray to catch any oil dripping from the burner in
whatever position it may be placed.
The case of the lamp has a hand holes at the side and another one t at the back
(both provided with doors or shutters), through which access is bad for unlatching
and turning the reflector and for lighting, adjusting and trimming the lamp.
The base board fis fitted to slide in grooves in the bottom of the lamp case, to
enable the lamp and reflector to be readily removed for cleaning &c.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1st In a locomotive head-light, the lamp and reflector, mounted to revolve
together on a vertical axis within the case, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
2nd In a locomotive head-light, the combination with a lamp and reflector
mounted to revolve on a vertical axis, of a case having hand holes at the back and
side substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3rd In a locomotive head-light, the combination of the lamp and reflector in one
structure for the purpose of rotating together, substantially as shown and
described.
Dated this 30th day of May A.D. 1884.