Improved Method and Means for Exhibiting White, Colored, and Parti-colored Signals, Signs, and Devices.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 17th June, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method and Means for Exhibiting White, Colored, and
Parti-colored Signals, Signs, and Devices.
I, JOHN REILLY of Hurstville near Sydney in the Colony of New South Wales
Railway Guard 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:-
This invention relates to improved method and means for exhibiting by night or
in darkness white colored and parti-colored signals signs and devices and it has
special reference to railway and ship signalling and to advertising signs and devices.
By this invention signals and signs may be exhibited from the one lantern or frame
at the one time showing more than one color or showing parti-colors or colors
arranged in various devices as flags or discs used in signalling and arranged in
ornamental figuring of color as checks or other patterns.
This improved method and means for exhibiting by night or in darkness white
colored and parti-colored signals signs and devices consists first in the method by
which ordinary white light from oils gas electricity or other source of illumination
is reflected from colored or parti-colored opaque surfaces arranged in pattern or
devices or otherwise through required shape openings; and it consists secondly in
the combination and arrangement with lamps or lanterns containing sources of light
of a colored or parti-colored surface or background and transparent opening or
openings arranged and shaped as may be desired and set opposite to said background
and in the particular combinations and arrangements hereinafter set forth and
specifically claimed.
But in order that this invention may be clearly understood reference will now be
made to the drawing herewith in which
Figures 1 and 2 are cross sections respectively of signs constructed according to
this invention one using gas and the other oil as the illuminant.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the same using for sign or device my name shown
in angular strips of color.
Figures 4 and 5 are front view and cross section respectively of a railway light
or lamp having this invention applied thereto.
Referring to Figures 1 to 3 an ordinary frame or casing A has a prepared front
which may be wood leather metal glass or other rigid material B backed by a sheet
of transparent glass B' held to it as ordinarily. This front B is cut out or
perforated in the manner desired so as to leave the required transparent openings
which in the instance illustrated take the configurations of the letters making up
my own name. In Figures 1 and 2 from the gas pipe C rise series of jets C₁ and
behind them is a reflector C' throwing the light back over the jets. In Figure 3
are the oil lamps C with wicks C₁and these also have reflector C. Inside the
casing A at the back is a background D of rigid material which is shown as
removable taking from the top into grooves D'. This background D is prepared
on one face (or on both faces when it is reversible) by coloring in pattern or other-
wise in the instance shown there are diagonally set three parallel strips of color
divided from other three parallel strips by a white strip. In use a background D
of the color or pattern desired being placed in grooves D' and the gas or the lamps
as the case may be lighted the colors and white of the prepared face of the back-
ground will be reflected through the transparent openings of the prepared front B B¹
as seen in the left hand end of Figure 3 and show the openings in parti-color or
pattern.
Referring to Figures 4 and 5 the lamp is made up of sheet metal sides a front b
and back e and has ordinary door as well understood. The front has opening *

page_text: of the desired configuration say ircular as shown and affixed back or front of same
is transparent glass and it may also have grooves ³ for the reception of an
opaque day signal or sign. c is the ordinary oil lamp with wick or burner c¹ and in
front of it is a reflector throwing the light backwardly. Inside the lamp at the
back are a series of grooves d' for the reception of the prepared backgrounds the
outer face of the outer one of which gives the color or colors of the signal through
the front opening 2. These backgrounds are preferably constructed of colored
glass cemented back to back after having been painted or opaquely coated on their
said backs. In use with the lamp lighted the light is reflected from the front face
of background d through glass and opening and gives the color of said back-
ground to the signal or sign (as shown a cross of color is exhibited on the disc of
white light). In the day time or in the light the backgrounds may be withdrawn
from grooves d' and inserted in grooves 3 so that night and day signals will be the
same and be given by the same apparatus.
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 :-
First Improved method and means for exhibiting by night or in darkness white
colored and parti-colored signals signs and devices consisting in reflecting from
prepared backgrounds the colors &c. of said backgrounds through transparent
openings substantially as herein described and explained.
Second-Improved method and means for exhibiting by night or in darkness
white colored and parti-colored signals signs and devices consisting in reflecting
light from a prepared surface through transparent openings of varied configuration
or pattern substantially as herein described and explained.
Third In means for exhibiting signals signs and devices of the class set forth
the combination and arrangement with lights such as ee' in an appropriate casing
and a prepared front such as B having variously shaped openings and a transparent
backing such as B' of a background such as D preferably removable and reversible
and fitting in grooves such as D' substantially as herein described and explained
and as illustrated in the drawing.
Fourth-In means for exhibiting signals signs and devices of the class set forth
the combination and arrangement with a lamp or lantern such as a be* having an
opening such as 62 and glass such as and a lamp such as c with or without reflector
such as C2 of prepared backgrounds such as d preferably removable and reversible
and fitting in grooves d' substantially as herein described and explained and as
illustrated in the drawings.
Fifth In a lamp or lantern the combination and arrangement with parts
substantially as set out in the preceding claim of grooves such as on the face of
said lamp or lantern for the reception of backgrounds such as d as day or light
signals substantially as herein described and explained and as illustrated in the
drawings.
Sixth-The combinations and arrangements of the various mechanical parts
altogether going to make up improved means for exhibiting signals signs and devices
substantially as herein described and explained and as illustrated respectively in
Figures 1 to 3 and in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.
Dated this Ninth day of December One thousand eight hundred and
Witness,
FRED WALSH, Fel. Aust. Inst. P.A.,
Sydney.
JOHN REILLY.