New or Improved Convertible Projecting Lantern and Apparatus in connection therewith, and other Lanterns.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Convertible Projecting Lantern and Apparatus
in connection therewith, and other Lanterns.
I, WILLIAM CHARLES HUGHES of Brewster House, Mortimer Road Kingsland,
in the County of Middlesex Manufacturing Optician 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. :-
The improvements constituting my present invention consist, Firstly-Of the
construction of a lantern capable of being used as an ordinary lantern for projecting
upon a screen images of objects or slides when held in a vertical position therein
in the usual way, or for projecting upon the same screen, and may be at the same
time and place, objects or subjects the nature of which necessitate that they remain
always in a horizontal position, and this without any structural alteration being
made in the said lantern, the object of which is its dual purpose as stated.
Secondly Of a manner of bending or curving the supply tubes of an ordinary
oxyhydrogen gas jet to enable the same to be used in connection with the said
lantern, in both positions, and the arrangement for the manipulation of the lime
cylinder during its consumption.
Thirdly Of the manner of locating the condenser employed, and
Fourthly Of an improved compound lever dissolving tap for use in connection
with the aforesaid lantern, or any single, biunial or triunial lantern, with any type
of jet, when the illuminant employed is derived from the combustion of oxyhydrogen
gas impinging upon a cylinder of lime, the object of said tap being that by the
employment of a separate plunger or valve for each gas before mixing, I am
enabled to avoid the slight explosions consequent upon the possible leakage
that may occur in the valves, when one plunger or valve is employed for both
gases.
In order that my invention may be fully and clearly understood I have annexed
hereunto two sheets of drawings, in which,
Figs. 1 and 2 are side and end elevation respectively of my said convertible
lantern when used vertically, and when the object being projected is placed
horizontally therein.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the same when placed horizontally and used in
the ordinary way of such lanterns for projecting objects or slides placed vertically
therein.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation of my said improved dissolving tap as it would appear
when in a position of rest, or when the valves therein are closed.
Fig. 5 is the same shewing the position thereof when in use and the valves
are open.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation of Fig. 4.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an ordinary jet constructed in the improved
manner constituting part of my present invention.
Similar reference letters are used to denote the same or like parts, throughout
the drawings.
In describing my invention I will first deal with Fig. 3.
I construct the said lantern by forming from any suitable material, but preferably
wood, a rectangular body or casing, two of the sides of which A B are solid
throughout, while the other two C and D, facing each other are formed frame-wise,
so as to provide two openings, of which, that in C is of sufficient size to admit
therethrough the insertion of the jet and tray, while that in D is for the purpose
of ventilation only. One end of said casing is screwed or otherwise firmly fixed
to a flat vertical piece E, of similar or other material, and formed at its lower end

page_text: with feet or legs a, 1, and upon the opposite end of said casing is screwed or other-
wise rigidly fixed a flat rectangular piece F of the same or other material as E,
provided with a central opening c, and within the said casing at a suitable distance
from c I fix an adjustable condenser G, partly seen in Fig. 3 through the opening c,
and further shewn by dotted outline upon the side A. A second flat rectangular
piece H, similar to F, and provided with a circular opening d similar to c, is
mounted upon F by the means of studs e, the length of which provide a space
between Fand H sufficient to admit the slide or other object to be projected.
Upon the outer face of H is screwed or otherwise fixed four hollow rods f, in
which slide four solid rods g, rendered adjustable by the means of thumb screws or
their equivalents h, and to the free ends of the rods y is connected a vertical
piece J, similar to E, and provided with legs or feet a¹ 61, and upon J is mounted
a suitable lens K, a circular hole being of course provided in J for the recep-
tion thereof. The apparatus is then complete ready for the reception of the gas
jet and tray therefor.
The said gas jet, shewn enlarged by Fig. 7, according to my invention, may be,
in so far as regards its outer or initial end, similar to those in general use, that is to
say, it is provided with curved ends j k for the reception of the elastic gas-tubes,
regulating taps l. m, tubes n. o, and connecting plate or plates L, and standard M,
but in order to render the said jet adaptable for use with the lantern previously
described, I bend the tubes n. o in an upward direction, as at no', the latter being
again bent at right angles as at o", while the former is curved as at n¹¹, so that
they converge and join into the jet N. A pair of plates O or their equivalents,
are soldered or otherwise connected to n¹ and o' which serves to retain them in
position, and to carry a rod 0¹, also borne by the standard M. One end of O¹ is
provided with a milled head p by which it may be rotated, the opposite end pl
being for the reception of the lime cylinder in the usual way. An external thread
is formed upon a portion of O₁ at p", and a like thread in the plates or their
equivalents O, through which it passes, so that the rotation of P, would rotate the
lime cylinder and convey it nearer to, or farther from, the plates or their equiva-
lents O. This provides for the regulation of the consumption of the lime
cylinder.
The jet Fig. 7 when mounted upon a tray in the usual way is slid into the
lantern Fig. 3 through the opening in the side C, and occupies the position shewn,
the tray being represented by the letter O", and this may be retained in position
by a clip, button or other suitable device if necessary, and the gas connected by
flexible tubes to j and in the usual manner.
The apparatus Fig. 3 when properly focussed by the adjustment of the rods g
in the tubes, and the proper adjustment of the lens K, the slide or other object
to be projected upon the screen is inserted between F and H, and its manner
of operation is the same as that of horizontal projecting lanterns generally.
As previously mentioned the object I have in view in constructing the lantern in
the form described is in order that the same may be used (without the very slightest
alteration, and without even disconnecting the gas tubes therefrom, and if needed
at the same entertainment) for projecting upon a screen objects or subjects that by
their nature could not be placed in a vertical position. To accommodate this I
have simply to change the position of the lantern from the horizontal as at Fig. 3
to the vertical as at Figs. 1 and 2, and resting upon the end E. The space between
F and H would then be in a horizontal position, and the object or subject to be
projected would be placed therein, and to enable me to project this horizontally
upon the screen, 1 mount upon the top of K an adjustable mirror s, and by fixing
this at an angle of 45° the object placed between F and H would be reflected
into s, and from this in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1 direct onto the
screen.
I am thus enabled to use the said lantern for the dual purpose of horizontal and
vertical projection by simply changing its position, and placing and displacing the
mirrors, without the very slightest structural alteration of the lantern being needed,

page_text: and to facilitate packing and removal from place to place the legs or feet a ba¹ b¹
may be hinged at or about the junction therewith of E, and J, so as to fold up
towards the body of the apparatus.
I have previously mentioned that the tubes j k upon the jet Fig. 7 could be
connected to the gas supply in the usual way, but according to my present inven-
tion I interpose anywhere within the lengths of elastic tubing usually employed
for this purpose, my improved dissolving tap Figs. 4, 5 and 6 which I construct
in the following manner.
I provide from any suitable metal a casting P, P1, P1 preferably of such a
shape that when viewed as at Figs. 4 or 5, P would be elliptical, P¹ circular
and P any shape desired, the purpose of the latter being to form a plate so that
the whole may be fixed by the means of screws passing through the screw holes p pl
in any suitable place or position, which may be if convenient or desired upon the
side A or B of the lantern previously described. From one end of the ellipse P
radiate two tubes R, R', and from the opposite end two tubes R R The
pair R R are closed at their inner ends by a tap or plunger S, in P, while R" R
are similarly connected by the tap or plunger S' also in P, both of which are
retained in position by a nut or the like screwed or otherwise fixed upon the back
end, a cavity being formed in P" to or about the depth of P to facilitate this. A
central pivot or plunger T is also provided in P and projecting or standing above
the face thereof a sufficient distance that, the arms or levers t t', connected thereto,
may be clear of the tops of S and S. Upon the outer ends of S, S', and connected
rigidly thereto, so as to be movable therewith, are mounted levers and vl
respectively, and a similar lever ¹¹ is connected to, and projects from, the central
pivot T, the free ends of all three levers being pivotally connected to a tie piece w,
that their movements and travel may be identical and together. From the fore-
going description it will be understood that when the lever arms tt', and consequently
the pivot or plunger T and lever v", are moved from the position shewn at Fig. 4,
to that shewn at Fig. 5, that the levers would by the agency of the tie piece w
be similarly moved, and consequently the taps or plungers S. S', to which v v¹ are
connected. A slot or groove in S opens connection between R and R¹, and a
similar slot or groove in S' opens connection between R" and R, when T is in
the position shewn at Fig. 5, but closes them when T is in the position shewn at
Fig. 4. Therefore if R be connected by an elastic tube to the bottle or the like
containing the oxygen gas, and R by a similar tube to the hydrogen bottle, and R
by an elastic tube to j of the jet, and R by the same means to k of the jet, it
follows that the movement of T, by t t¹, opens and closes the passage of both gases
simultaneously, but which are not permitted to mix, or unite, until they have passed
the regulating taps 7 and m, and eutered the jet N at Fig. 7, I am thus enabled to
prevent all possibility of explosions occurring by the union of the two gases before
reaching the point of combustion. A suitable stop is provided at the back of S,
or S', or both, in order that the travel of T may only be from that at Fig. 4, to
that at Fig. 5, and vice versa. A bye pass tap X connecting R R', and a similar
tap X' connecting R" R, are, when open, for permitting a small quantity of gas
to pass through each, when T is turned off, for the purposes usual to such lanterns
and dissolving taps.
ย
The dissolving tap as shewn is arranged for use with a single projecting lantern
such, as that already described, and forming part of my present invention, but the
same may be arranged to supply both gases to a biunial lantern if desired, by
providing additional radiating tubes R₁ and R' as shewn by dotted outlines in
Fig. 5.
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. The combination of a convertible projecting lantern constructed and arranged
+
Fi.. 2 and
noble of praienting on
image therefrom in a
horizontal

page_text: direction, or in a vertical and horizontal direction by the aid of a mirror when
arranged as at Figs. 1 and 2, and provided with a suitable condenser disposed
within the said lantern in the position shewn by Figs. 1. 2. and 3,-the gas jet
constructed as described and shown by Fig. 7, and a dissolving tap constructed as
described and shewn by Figs. 4. 5 and 6, the whole connected and operating in the
manner stated, and for attaining the ends set forth, substantially as herein described
and shewn:
2nd. The construction and use of the improved convertible projecting lantern
consisting of a rectangular body A, B, C, D, firmly connected to an end piece E,
provided with rigid or hinged legs or feet u h, and also connected to a slide or
object carrier F. H, having openings ed formed therein, and separated from each
other by studs e, with hollow tubes connected to and projecting from H, and
carrying therein adjustable rods y, connected to an end piece J, provided with
rigid or hinged legs or feet a' and and carrying a suitable adjustable lens K, in
combination with a suitable condenser G, situated between F and E, and curved
gas jet mounted upon a tray O", placed within the said body parallel with E, for
projecting horizontally the image of a picture or object placed vertically between F
and H when the apparatus is situated as at Fig. 3, or in combination with an
adjustable mirrors for projecting vertically and horizontally a picture or object
placed horizontally between F and H, when the apparatus is situated as at. Figs. 1
and 2, substantially as described and shewn by the appended drawings.
3rd. In combination with the apparatus described in the preceding claim, the
construction and use of a oxyhydrogen gas jet, having supply tubes bent or curved
in an upward direction as at o' n', and bent or curved therefrom so as to converge
into, and join the burner N, arranged to permit the flame to impinge in a down-
ward direction upon a lime cylinder, when mounted upon an adjustable rod O¹,
carried or borne by a connecting plate or its equivalent O, and standard M, and
having an external thread p" for regulating the consumption of the lime cylinder
when operated by a milled head p, substantially as described and shewn by Fig. 7
of the accompanying drawings.
4th. For employment in connection with the apparatus set forth in the preceding
claims, or any form of single, biunial or triunial lantern, illumined by the combus-
tion of oxyhydrogen gas impinging upon a lime cylinder, the construction and use
of a dissolving tap, consisting of a casting P, P, P, from any metal, with radiating
tubes R R', connected at their inner ends by a tap or plunger S, having a lever v,
and radiating tubes R", R, connected at their inner ends by a tap or plunger S¹,
having a lever ¹, with central pivot or plunger T, provided with arms or levers t t',
and projecting lever 1, with tie piece w pivotally connected to voll for operating
the movements of the taps or valves S and S¹ simultaneously with that of the
pivot T, with bye pass taps and c', the whole, connected, combined and operating
substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn by Figs. 4. 5
and 6 of the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 3rd day of June 1892.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.