Application of Electric Incandescent Lamps.
Year: 1885

page_text: Application of Electric Incandescent Lamps.
I PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents do hereby declare the nature of
the said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION
AND APPLICATION OF ELECTRIC INCANDESCENT LAMPS a communication to me
from abroad by Isaac W Heysinger Physician and Joshua Pusey, Attorney and
Counsellor at Law, both of the City of Philadelphia State of Pennsylvania United
States of America, 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 the construction and application of electric incan-
descent signs, advertising devices, ornamental designs clock dials, danger signals,
station or hotel annunciators, illuminated names of streets, street numbers of
houses, theatrical, political ecclesiastical or other mottoes or transparencies,
illuminated head-dresses, bouquets &c &c in which the continuous filament or
filaments of carbon or equivalent material are contained in a transparent vacuum
or gas chamber, and which filament or filaments become incandescent when a
current of electricity is passed along the same, the said filament or filaments being
formed in the shape of letters numerals, stars, flowers, crosses or other like figures
so that when a current of electricity passes, in addition to the illumination
furnished by the light of incandescence thereof the filament or filaments themselves
will exhibit words, letters or other designs adapted to convey a special meaning to
those who may see the light, whereby without additional cost and without loss of
light, the light subserves a double purpose first-that of illumination, and second-
that of directly conveying by words letters, numerals or other designs, a meaning
supplemental to said illumination, and which could not otherwise be conveyed
thereby without great loss of light.
I sometimes place a single letter or numeral in each vacuum chamber or bulb,
and then form a connected series of vacuum chambers all attached to the same

page_text: conductor, just as incandescent light bulbs are ordinarily attached except that the
letters into which the filaments are formed, are so arranged in the series that the
series of bulbs shall as a whole form a complete word, phrase or sentence; or
I place a number of these filaments formed in the shape of letters, or a single
filament formed into a number of letters, such as a word, phrase, or sentence or an
ornamental design in a single vacuum chamber into and from which a suitable
conductor passes and from which the currents are transmitted through the
continuous filament, or all the filaments simultaneously, and the whole made
incandescent.
To clearly explain the invention reference is made to the drawing accompanying
and forming a part of this specification in which
Figure 1 represents a front view of the dial of a clock with the hands in position,
said dial and hands exhibiting this invention in a form adapted thereto.
Figure 2. shows the invention as applied to the exit of a building in such
manner as to form the word "exit" in the filaments of one or more electric
incandescent lights which, when a current is passing is rendered visible to those
within the building, each letter of the said word in this figure being contained in a
separate vacuum chamber or bulb.
Figure 3. shows a similar application to a fire-escape in which a larger vacuum
chamber is employed, through which pass conducting wires, to which are attached
by suitable connections a series of continuous incandescent filaments each in the
form of a letter or design, the whole forming, when rendered incandescent by the
passage of an electric current the words "To the Fire Escape" with a hand pointing
in the proper direction.
Figure 4. shows a large design for the front of a theatre, having in addition to
letters aud words a series of ornamental designs in the form of flowers, stars &c.
This figure also shows along its lower edge a series of vacuum chambers of bell
shape into which the filament letters numerals or other designs are more easily
introduced when large, than with the contracted necks shown in some of the other
figures.
Figure 5, shows the construction of the letters into which the carbon or like
filaments are formed and also the conductors through which is transmitted the
current of electricity.
Figure 6. shows the same as in the form of an involved flower or other
ornamental design.
Figure 7. shows a light having its incandescent filament in the form of the
monogram of the proprietor; or other complicated design; and also exhibits the
opaque shield which I use to cut off the incandescent light from such parts of
the filament as would impair the symmetry of the letter; and it also shows
at d. d. d the means by which I cross the filaments in the loops of letters, without
diverting the current from said loops, and
Figure 8 shows a bar sign with a vacuum bell glass, a metallic or other reflecting
cover hermetically joined thereto, a series of filaments within said bell glass
forming a number of letters through which the current passes, and by which they
are rendered incandescent and also shows the opaque shield I which covers the
parts of the filament not required for the letters, and at d. the means by which
tilaments are crossed or overlapped without diverting the current across said
crossing or overlap.
Similar letters indicate like parts in all the figures.
Referring to the drawings, in Fig. 1 I show a clock dial in which the numerals
to indicate the hours from one to twelve are each contained in an hermetically
sealed vacuum bulb and are composed of filaments of carbon or of other suitable
substance used for incandescent lighting. Each of these filaments is formed into
the shape of a number, and in order to transmit the current through the numeral
and back to the conductor, I usually double the filament in such manner that
the double sides do not come in contact, and then join the ends to a conductor
which passes through the neck of the bulb in the ordinary way, and to the main

page_text: conductor F which surrounds the dial. I also form the hour and the minute hand of
double filaments b² be in the same way, and enclose them in the light transparent
bulbs aa The object of thus doubling the filaments is to secure an easy return
connection, and also to greatly increase the body and brilliancy of the incán-
descent letters, numerals &c.
The connection of the hands with the conductor is made through the arbors
upon which the hands rotate. The electric conductor B transmits the current to
the dial, and also actuates the mechanism of the clock, unless a mechanical motor
be preferred.
At E is a switch which cuts off the electricity from the dial and hands or
conversely and this switch E may be duplicated as at E¹ to furnish an independent
current to the hands. If now the current be turned on, the outline of the hands
will be clearly shown in lines of incandescence, and also the numerals around the
periphery of the dial, so that the hour of the night can be recognized at great
distance from tower clocks; or a simple turn of the cock E for shelf or office clocks
will illuminate the hands and dial, making the arrangement of great utility for
the sick room, where the clock can be controlled by the patient; or for many
other purposes.
In addition to the numerals formed by the filaments, I sometimes use a separate
series of numerals of the ordinary sort either outside or within the circle of
incandescent lights.
The special advantage of this illuminated clock over those illuminated through a
transparent dial face, which advantage equally pertains to the other forms of my
invention, is that there is no loss of light, all the light used for illuminating the
clock or sign being of the same value for general illumination as though no clock
or sign were used.
In Fig. 2 I show the invention applied to the exit of an hotel theatre, or other
place of assemblage. A. main conductor F supports a number of incandescent
bulbs substantially like those in general use, though sometimes the bulbs are made
oval, flat or square, in cross section and provided with round or elongated mouths
as may be most convenient for the form and size of the letters to be used.
Each bulb contains a filament formed in the shape of a letter and the four bulbs
shown side by side, when the filaments are made incandescent, exhibit more clearly
than can be done in any other way, and with no loss of light, the word "Exit,"
thus directing persons in times of darkness and danger from fire, panic &c to a
point of safety, from as far as the light itself is visible.
In Fig. 3 I form the letters which constitute the direction to the fire escape, out
of a series of filaments all of which are enclosed in a long glass vacuum jar, and
attached to the conductors which enter the jar and are at their outer end connected
with the electric supply cable.
In Fig. 4 in addition to the series of bulbs, each containing a single letter, I show
certain ornamental designs c. c. c. c. c, which may be varied at will when the
filaments are formed. At the lower part of Fig. 4 I show bell glass bulbs with
large openings sealed to the plugs carrying the conductors, whereby larger letters
and designs can be introduced than through more contracted necks.
A
In Figs. 5 and 6 will be seen the method by which the letters &c are formed.
continuous filament is cut, moulded, pressed or otherwise shaped into the form of
a letter or the like, and then baked between retaining plates until completely
carbonized, when it is attached to the conductors in the manner of the loops in
ordinary use It frequently occurs that the upper parts of letters will exhibit
incandescent stems likely to destroy the symmetry thereof. In such cases they
may be rendered non-luminous by increasing the weight of the conductor wire,
but it is simpler to use the shield shown at I in Figs. 7 and 8 which overlaps
without touching such parts, either on the front or on both sides, and effectually
conceals the same.
This shield I make of any light and opaque material, and clip it to a shape to
suit the letter or design with which it is to be used. Where the convolutions of

page_text: the letters &c require the filaments to cross or overlap each other, it would
evidently cause the current to pass from one to the other at such points if in
contact, leaving the parts beyond in darkness. To avoid this I deflect the filaments
which lie in the rear, at such points, into a different vertical plane, whereby a bend
is made sufficient to keep the overlapping parts out of contact with each other
This is shown
without impairing the effect of the letter when illuminated
at d. d. d. d in Figs. 7. and 8.
For a bar sign or other light over the door, I use a large bell glass turned
upward and covered by a reflector L, hermetically attached to it. I attach the
filaments forming the word, "Bar" for instance, to the conductor which passes
through the top of the deflector, and the device illuminates the letters most
beautifully and furnishes all the light which it could do, if a simple series of
incandescent loops were alone employed. I support these devices by means of
brackets or in any other well known way, and modify the applications of the
invention to suit the varying conditions met with, as for instance shop windows,
on shipboard, in factories, balls, churches, for altar pieces, in schools, for political
purposes &c &c or for ornamental work of every class either with plain or colored
glasses, and with all degrees of incandescence as a full current may be turned into
one portion of a design, and a low red on another, so as to vary the effect at
pleasure. When a low red light is turned on to a clock dial, it may be made barely
visible in a darkened room, and may glow thus all night, easily read, but entirely
harmless to disturb the occupant. As shown in the figures I prefer to form the
vacuum chambers a. with detachable air-tight stoppers G. G. G through which the
conducting wires are carried, and to which are attached the shield or shields I I
(see Figs. 7 and 8.)
The glass bulbs or chambers being thus provided with the detachable stoppers
which carry the incandescent filaments as shown the said stoppers may be readily
removed and the filaments be replaced with others showing different letters, designs
&c &c which may thus be kept in stock in a much less expensive and cumbersome
form than with the bulbs or chambers complete, and with the letters permanently
sealed in. The stoppers also admit of the ready replacement of worn out
filaments.
As shown in Fig. 1, the conductors which supply the peripheral series of
numerals, around the dial are controlled by the switch E while the conductors
which transmit electricity to the hands as shown in dotted lines, are supplied by
an independent set of wires, which are not, as shown, controlled by the same
switch, but by switch E¹. This allows the numerals of the dial or the hands, to be
illuminated both together or separately or one may be kept at a low red heat, while
the other is in a state of brilliant incandescence. The same is true of the other
designs phrases, &c shown which may be differentially illuminated, if desired by
the same system of independent currents, or uniformly illuminated by a single
switch and a single conductor. For general use, these incandescent light bulbs can
be made in factories for the purpose, all complete, and assorted into letters and
numerals in any desired proportion. The number of lights required to supply a
window, theatre, railroad, or other sign &c being known, the lights can be ordered
from the factory according to the letters requisite, when they can be readily
screwed into place on the conducting rod, as with ordinary incandescent lights and
the whole device will be complete and ready for use.
If one is broken it can easily be replaced, or they can all be removed or changed
at pleasure.
It will be seen that by means of the above described system, the incandescent
letters &c are placed either above, beneath or at one side of the conductors so that
the light may be emitted with perfect freedom both to the front, and to the rear,
whereby the whole effect of the light is utilized which would not be the case were
the back of the vacuum chambers closed by an opaque cover, or were the conductors
with their supports placed in the rear; the designs &c may however be placed in
any desired position,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated
to me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is
1. An electric incandescent light consisting of a series of transparent vacuum
chambers a. a. a. a provided with detachable stoppers, G. G. G. G. transmitting
electric conductors CD. connected with a series of incandescent filaments b. b. b. b
within the said bulbs or chambers said filaments being formed into various letters
or numerals so adapted to each other that the series shall form, when illuminated,
a word or phrase substantially as described.
2. In combination with the supporting rod F provided with the conducting
wires C and D, the vacuum chamber a³ into or through which the said rod F
extends, the bracket or brackets A, which support the same, together with the
incandescent electric filaments b. b. b in the form of letters &c connected with the
conductors C and D, and supported by the said rod F, and extending upwards or
downwards therefrom within the said chamber, so as to exhibit a complete word,
phrase, or design when viewed from the front, and to have the light thereof
unobstructed, when emitted to the rear, substantially as described.
3. In combination with the vacuum chamber a³ or chambers a. a. a. a the
conducting wires C and D, the switch E and supporting rod F, a series of incan-
descent electric filaments b. b. b. b extending along above the rod F and an opposite
series extending along beneath the said rod F, the upper series having their
connections with the conductors C and D, at the lower part of said letters and the
lower series at the upper parts thereof as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 substantially as
described.
4. In an incandescent electric light, consisting of a series of filaments formed
into a word phrase or ornamental design, the combination of the various filaments
with independent electric conductors, controlled by duplicate switches E E¹ by
means of which, one portion of the design is kept at a low red heat and the other
in a stage of brilliant incandescence, whereby various ornamental or useful effects
are produced, substantially as described.
5. In a clock dial, in combination with the ordinary numerals I, II III &c and
the rotating hands or pointers, the concentric, and parallel series of incandescent
electric filaments formed into numerals corresponding thereto enclosed in vacuum
chambers a, a. a. Connected with the conducting wires C and D and controlled by
the switch E or E¹ by means of which the said dial may be illuminated, and the
duplicate numerals rendered incandescent substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
6. A clock for chamber or other use having a dial provided with concentric
numerals, and an hour, and a minute hand in combination with one or more
electric incandescent lights forming an integral part of said dial, and controlled by
the local switch E to illuminate the said dial momentarily or continuously
substantially as described.
7. In a clock or other timepiece the hands b¹ and 63 provided with incandescent
electric filaments contained within the vacuum chambers a' and a² electrically
connected through the arbors or journals upon which said hands rotate; with the
conductors C and D or their equivalents, through which when a current of
electricity is transmitted, resistance thereof will be encountered in the said
filaments and 62 and the same be raised to a state of incandescence substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
8. The combination in a time piece of the concentric series of incandescent
electric filaments b. b. b. b formed into numerals one or more transparent vacuum
chambers a. a. a enclosing said numerals and provided with electric conductors
C and D by means of which a current of electricity is transmitted through the
said filaments; the main conductor B, and switch E together with the rotating
hour and minute hands having electric incandescent filaments b¹ and b² contained
within the vacuum chambers a' and a² and provided with electric conductors
connecting the said hands with the said main conductor so as to be controlled by

page_text: the switches E or E' through the centres of rotation thereof the whole constructed
to operate substantially as, and for the purposes shown and described.
9. In combination with the filament b. of an electric incandescent light, the
opaque shield I adapted to cover and conceal without touching such parts of the
filament as are not to appear illuminated substantially as and for the purpose
described.
10. A carbon or other filament or filaments adapted for use in an incandescent
electric light said filament or filaments being formed into the shape of a word,
letter, phrase, or ornamental design, in a plane surface or curve, or a series of such
planes or curves, one line or the other of each filament, at the points d. d..d. d
where they cross or overlie each other being bent to the front or rear, in an arc
or its equivalent, to prevent contact and deflection of the current, without inter-
ference with the general plane or surface upon which such letter or design is
formed substantially as described.
11. A letter, numeral, word, or ornamental design formed of carbon or its
equivalent, and adapted to be used as the incandescent filament of an electric light
said letter, word, or design consisting of a double filament or a series of double
filaments following the outlines of the said letter &c so that when rendered
incandescent, each letter, numeral, word, or design will be shown in a double
outline and produce a broader, more solid and brilliant effect, and may be read at
a greater distance, or with a lower power of incandescence, than could be otherwise
done, substantially as described.
12. An electric incandescent sign consisting of a series of transparent vacuum
bulbs containing a series of incandescent electric filaments, connected with electric
conductors, said filaments being constructed in the forms of words, letters, or
ornamental designs, erected upon or depending from a supporting rod above,
beneath or at the sides of said letters &c so that when viewed from the front,
a complete connected word, phrase, or design is exhibited, while, the emission of
light from the said incandescent filaments is unobstructed to the rear substantially
as described.
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