Improvements in Lanterns.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 1st Feb., 1893-Accepted, 11th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lanterns.
I, VINCENT GROOM of Oaken, Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford,
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows :-
My invention has for its object improvements in lanterns and refers specially to
dark lanterns such as are used by policemen. Most of the lanterns now in use are
operated by turning round the upper portion and this is frequently so hot as to
burn the fingers. My invention does away with danger and accomplishes the
desired object more simply and at less cost. It is as follows:-
I form a conical or taper or other passage from the base of the glass or bulls eye
inside the door which extends to a position near the burner of the lantern or lamp
so that the entrance to the glass is contracted in its area. I then hang to the
upper part a pendulated lever with a disc or door sufficient in size to cover the
opening to the glass. This pendulated disc is operated by a bow or lever near
the hand at the back of the lantern as the pivot upon which it is hung pierces
the casing. It will however be obvious that the disc may be operated vertically or
diagonally with similar effect. Suitable stops or cushions are fixed to the door
and side of the lantern to limit the travel of the disc or door and those cushions
may be made covered with soft material to prevent noise when in action.
Dated this 30th day of April 1822.
GEORGE BARKER,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agent
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lanterns.
I VINCENT GROOM, of Oaken, Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford,
Gentleman, 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 :-
My invention has for its object, improvements in lanterns, and refers specially
to dark lanterns such as are used by policemen. Most of the lanterns now in use
are operated by turning round the upper portion and this is frequently so hot as to
burn the fingers. My invention does away with such danger and accomplishes
the desired object more simply, very rapidly, and at less cost. It is as follows:-
I form a conical or taper or other passage from the base of the glass or bull's
eye inside the lantern, which extends to a position near the burner of the lamp so
that the entrance to the glass is contracted in its area. I then hang to the upper
part a pendulous lever with a disc sufficient in size to cover the said opening to
the glass. This pendulous disc is operated by a double lever near the hand at the
back of the lantern. It will be obvious that the disc may be operated vertically
or diagonally with similar effect. Suitable stops or cushions are fixed within the
lantern, to limit the travel of the disc, and these cushions or stops may be made of
or covered with, soft material to prevent noise when in action.
In order to more fully explain this my invention, I have appended hereunto an
illustrative sheet of drawings, upon which are figures and numbers of reference,
similar numbers referring throughout the several views to the same thing or part.
In such lanterns the door is sometimes arranged at the front, and at other times
at the back, and in my Provisional Specification, I had described my invention as
applied to the former kind, but I now find it more convenicut and desirable to apply

page_text: it to the latter kind, hence I now describe and illustrate it accordingly, that is
having the door at the rear side.
Fig. 1, is a general rear view of a lantern, embracing this my invention in which
the door of the lamp is shown open.
Fig. 2, is a side sectional elevation of the same.
Fig. 3, is a sectional plan view of the invention on line A-B (Fig. 1).
Fig. 4, is a sectional plan view of the invention on line C-D (Fig. 2).
Fig. 5, is a part rear view showing a modification of this my invention.
Fig. 6, is a sectional plan view of the modification on line E-F (Fig. 5.)
Fig. 7, is a further sectional plan view of the modification on line G-H
(Fig. 5).
1, is the body of the lantern, which may be oblong (as shown) in sectional
plan, or round or other desirable shape. 2, is the oil container or lamp, which
is made removable by sliding or otherwise, in the ordinary manner. 3, is the
reflector which may be removably or permanently attached either to the lamp 2,
or it may be similarly carried upon the door 4. The door 4, is hinged at 5.
6, is an inwardly reflecting cone having the usual contracted aperture at 7.
Carried in suitable bearings at 8, 8, is a horizontal spindle 9, to which is con-
nected the pendulous disc 10, by means of the rod 11. This disc 10, as may
be seen, is arranged to cover the aperture 7, or to be removed clear of it. At
the other end of the spindle 9, is the double ended pressure bar 12, having the
tips 13, 13. 14, is a cam shaped piece upon the spindle 9, which in its irregular
or nonconcentric form impinges upon the spring 15, which latter is secured at
its one or both ends to the body of the lamp, so as to be slightly springy at
its centre. The object of this spring 15, and cam 14, is, that thereby, the open
or closed position of the disc 10 shall be maintained, without fear of unwilled
or accidental movement. The position of the pressure tips 13, and 13°, being
at the rear of the lamp body and also just above the handles 16, 16, is such,
that the person carrying the lamp, can readily effect the opening or closing of the
light through the lens 17, with one and the same hand. Suitable stop pieces 18, 18",
may be fixed as shown or otherwise to adjust the open or closed position of the
disc 10, and may if desired consist of or be covered with such material that will
be noiseless in action. Its manipulation and action will clearly be seen to be as
follows: Upon pressing downwards the tip 13, the aperture 7, is covered and the
light shut off, while by pressing downwards the tip 13, the said aperture is
uncovered and the light exposed.
A modification of this my invention is shown in Figs. 5, 6 & 7, in which the
disc 10, is made to move in an approximate vertical direction by means of the
arm 11*, connecting rod 19, and the crank 20, which latter is connected to or forms
part of the horizontal spindle 9. The manipulation and action of the modification
shown, is similar to that already described, that is to say, by pressing downward the
tip 13, the aperture will be covered, and the light hidden, while by pressing down
the tip 13, it will be uncovered and the light exposed. 21, is a belt hook and 22, a
gripping spring for same, but these have no reference to this my invention. The
usual and necessary perforations &c. for ventilation and other common details, may
be made and arranged according to requirement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In hand lanterns the combination with the body 1, lamp 2, lens 17, reflecting
cone 6, and aperture 7, of the pendulous disc 10, rod 11, and horizontal spindle 9,
having the double ended bar 12, with tips 13, and 13", constructed and operating as
described and illustrated.
2. In hand lanterns, the combination with mechanism by which a disc 10 or its
equivalent is operated, of the double ended bar 12, having tips 13, and 13ª, as and
for the purposes specified.

page_text: 3. The modified combination as herein described and illustrated, that is to say,
the combination with the aperture 7, and disc 10, of the arm 11", rod 19, crank 20,
spindle 9, bar 12, & tips 13, and 13ª, constructed and operating as described and
shown, in Figs. 5, 6 & 7.
Dated this 21st dew of Tanna 1802
VINCENT GROOM.