Improvements in Velocipede and other Lamps.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1391-Accepted, 19th Sept., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipede and other Lamps.
We, ALBERT HENRY OVERMAN, Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts United
States of America, Manufacturer and WILLIAM BOWN, 308, Summer Lane,
Birmingham in the County of Warwick Manufacturer 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 :-
Our invention relates to an improvement in cycle and other lamps and suspension
devices therefor, the object being to produce a lamp of simple, compact, and
cheap construction, adapted to carry in proportion to its size, a large quantity of
oil, and to keep the same at a low and uniform temperature, and so ensure a steady
combustion and good light. A further object of the invention is to provide a
simple suspension device which will securely support the lamp and cushion it
against the vibration of the machine.
In order that our invention may be better understood we have annexed the
accompanying sheet of drawings.
Fig. 1 is a rear view, in perspective, of a lamp and suspension device constructed
in accordance with our invention and shewn as applied to a steering-head which
may be that of a safety bicycle or a tricycle.
Fig. 2, is a similar front view of the lamp and suspension device with the bowed
glass removed.
Fig. 3 is an inside perspective view of the lamp cut in two on the line a-b of
Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a view of the lamp in transverse section on the line c-d of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a similar view shewing how the external contour of the lamp may be.
modified.
Fig. 6 is a rear view in perspective shewing the lamp reservoir detached and
adapted to direct draft instead of indirect draft as is provided for in the lamp shewn.
by the other figures.
Fig. 7 is a view of the lamp in transverse section in a modified form.
Under our invention the reservoir A, the combustion chamber B, and the
hood C of the lamp have continuous exterior lines, and form divisions of the body
portion of the lamp, the said body portion being oblong in form, substantially
uniform in transverse section, and consisting of a number of suitable plates per-
manently secured together by riveting, brazing, or otherwise. This forms a very
simple and compact construction in which the oil reservoir has greater capacity in.
proportion to the size of the lamp than it can have in constructions in which it is:
made independent of the lamp body and inserted thereinto; the reservoir is also
directly exposed to the air, and is therefore kept cool, and a steady and uniform
combustion secured, whereas inclosed reservoirs gradually heat, and cause an
unequal burning of the flaine. The said reservoir is provided with a filling cap D.
and burner E of any approved construction, the latter being provided with an
ordinary horizontal wick adjusting spindle F which projects outward through a
horizontal slot F formed in one of the side walls of the combustion chamber B
before mentioned. Preferably the reservoir and side edges of the reservoir are
provided with an oil retaining flange G, as shewn by Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings,
this flange holding any oil which might be spilled in replenishing the reservoir
or which might draw up therefrom. An opening formed in the combustion
chamber and extending between the forward edges of the reservoir and hood, is
inclosed by a single, bowed plate of glass H curved to conform to the general
form of the lamp and mounted in a light metal frame H' adapted to be hinged at
one edge to the said combustion chamber B, as at H2, and at the other end to be

page_text: fastened thereto as at H³. This bowed glass takes the place of the lens and the
two side lights ordinarily employed in cycle lamps.
The reflector I which is of ordinary construction, is set into an upright
partition J mounted in the rear portion of the combustion chamber, and located
in the plane of the edges of the reflector which it is cut away to receive, its upper
edges meeting the lower face of the horizontal, centrally perforated flat diaphragm K
which forms the upper wall of the said combustion chamber, its lower edges being
terminated above the top of the reservoir so as to form an opening under them
and under the reflector, for the draft of air which flows down behind the said
partition and reflector which together with the rear wall of the chamber forms a flue
for it, the air being taken in through fine perforations B¹ formed in the said rear wall
at a point about in line with the upper edges of the reflector and partition. A
draft guard M. secured to the upper face of the diaphragm K near the ends
thereof, arches over the central perforation Kformed therein and extends in line
with the length of the hood and hence at a right angle to the curve thereof. It
is made enough narrower in width and enough lower in its arch, than the hood to
permit the draft of the lamp to draw over its edges and top and to increase the
draft, the openings M M are formed in its edges virtually in line with the
openings C¹ C¹ formed in the ends of the hood. Under the provisions of the above
described construction, the draft will enter the perforations 13' and flow down the
back of the partition J and the reflector I, issuing to the flame under the edges
thereof. The draft will then be upward through the combustion chamber, thence
through the perforation of the diaphragm K, into the hood, where it will be
deflected by the draft guard and finally issue through the openings C¹ C' at the
ends of the hood.
If desired to employ a direct instead of an indirect draft, two upright tubes N N
open at both ends may be set into the reservoir as shewn at Fig. 6 of the drawings
and take air at their lower ends which open into a chamber N' formed by a false
bottom N of sheet metal extending below the bottom of the oil reservoir.
Fig. 4 is designed to shew the general form in transverse section of the lamp
shewn in the preceding figures. This form may however be varied to have square
corners, or, its corners may be made still rounder as shewn by Fig. 5.
As shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 the suspension device is composed of two long carriers
consisting of strap springs 00 bowed longitudinally and outwardly, and
respectively attached midway of their ends to the respective parts 01 and 2 of a
clamp having a binding screw O³ and adapted to receive a bent loop Os having its
ends secured to a clip 0, embracing the steering head 0 which may be that of a
tricycle or of a safety bicycle. Four radially arranged spiral springs P connect
the sides of the lamp with the ends of the springs O which spread considerably
more than the width of the lamp, so that the same is hung between them and
cushioned against shocks from any quarter.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that in carrying out our invention some
changes from the exact forms herein shewn and described may be made. We would
therefore have it understood that we do not limit ourselves to such forms, but hold
ourselves at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the
spirit and scope of our invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :
:-
Firstly A cycle lamp having continuous lines and containing an exposed
reservoir, a combustion chamber and a hood, all forming divisions of the same body
portion; an upright partition located in the rear portion of the combustion chamber,
a reflector also located in the said chamber, and a bowed glass constructed to
extend across the front and partially around the sides of the combustion chamber,
which is thereto appropriately formed, substantially as set forth.
Secondly-A cycle lamp having continuous exterior lines and containing an

page_text: exposed reservoir, a combustion chamber and a hood, all forming divisions of the
same body portion; an upright partition located in the rear portion of the combustion
chamber, a reflector set into the said partition and forming therewith a draft flue
supplying air to the combustion chamber, a diaphragm separating the combustion
chamber from the hood, and constructed with an opening into the latter; and a
bowed glass extending across the front and partially around the sides of the
combustion chamber which is thereto appropriately constructed, substantially as set
forth.
Thirdly-A cycle lamp having continuous exterior lines and containing an
exposed reservoir, a combustion chamber and a hood, all forming divisions of the
same body portion; an upright partition located in the rear portion of the combustion
chamber a reflector also located in said chamber, a horizontal diaphragm separating
the combustion chamber from the hood, a bowed glass constructed to extend across
the front and partially around the sides of the combustion chamber which is thereto
appropriately formed, and an upright flange located upon the edges of the upper
face of the reservoir which face is substantially on a level with the lower edge of
the said glass, substantially as set forth.
Fourthly A cycle lamp having continuous exterior lines of substantially
uniform cross section, and containing an exposed reservoir a combustion chamber
and a hood all forming divisions of the same body portion; an upright partition
located in the rear portion of the combustion chamber, a reflector set into this
partition, and co-operating therewith to form a draft flue supplying air to the
combustion chamber, a diaphragm separating the combustion chamber from the
hood, and constructed with an opening into the latter which is ventilated, and a
bowed glass extending across the front and partially around the sides of the
combustion chamber which is thereto appropriately formed, and conforming to the
upright lines of the lamp, substantially as described.
Fifthly-The combination with a cycle lamp, of a suspension device comprising
two or more tensionally opposed springs attached to the lamp on opposite sides of
the centre thereof, and constructed and connected with the lamp to permit the
restrained movement of the same in any direction, substantially as described.
Sixthly The combination with a cycle lamp, of a suspension device comprising
two or more springs attached to the lamp on opposite sides thereof, and diverging
therefrom in radial lines, substantially as set forth, and whereby the lamp is
permitted to move in any direction under the control of springs which are opposed
to each other in tension, substantially as described.
Seventhly-The combination with a cycle lamp, of a suspension device
comprising two longitudinally and outwardly bowed carriers, four radially arranged
and tensionally opposed springs respectively secured to the ends of the said carriers,
and to the lamp, and means for attaching the said carriers to a vehicle frame,
substantially as described.
Dated this 18th der of June 1801
ALBERT H. OVERMAN
WILLIAM BOWN.