Improvements in or relating to Illuminating Apparatus.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Dec., 1896-Accepted, 23ri Mar., 1897
Improvements in or relating to Illuminating Apparatus.
I, HENRY HART of 2 Great Russell Mansions, Bloomsbury, London, W.C. Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to illuminating apparatus and has for its object to operate a
reflector or lens or both, and if necessary the light also, in such a manner as to cause
the resultant beain of light to be moved about and thereby made visible over a greater
area than is the case when the reflectors or lenses are stationary, as ordinarily.
According to this invention I may cause the beam of light to travel in various
directions, for example either in a straight path, or in a curved or more or less wavy
or spiral path.
To avoid unnecessary complication the illuminating apparatus is hereinafter
described as though constructed without a lens but it is to be understood that a lens
may be employed either in addition to or in place of the reflector.
The burner or lamp is arranged preferably at the focus of the reflector and the two
are so connected together or so mounted on a common support that while either or
both may be moved in any desired direction the focal relation between the reflector
and light will always remain the same.
In a simple arrangement of the apparatus I pivot the reflector or mount it in guides
so that it will move in a circular are at the centre of which the light is located, and I
may cause it to reciprocate in this path by means of a crank, eccentric or other device
suitably connected to it; or I may continuously rotate the reflector about the light.
In another arrangement I mount the reflector on a crank or otherwise connect it
eccentrically to a shaft so that when this shaft is rotated the reflector will move in a
circle and always be in proper focal relation to the light, the beam of light in this
arrangement describing as it were a cone. Instead of moving the reflector through a
complete circle as last described, I may cause it to reciprocate in a circular arc.
In a more complicated arrangement I may connect the reflector to an auxiliary or
secondary crank or shaft revolvably mounted in another or primary crank whose shaft
radiates, like the secondary shaft from the focus of the reflector. By this mechanism
the reflector is caused to gyrate in a spherical path, receiving as it were a compound
motion due to the independent rotation of the two shafts. I may rotate the primary
shaft by any suitable motor and the secondary shaft by means of, say for example, a
toothed pinion secured thereon, engaging with a toothed wheel which may either be
stationary or rotated.
Incandescent electric or other lamps may be used in connection with the reflectors
arranged as before described, said lamps being fitted either inside the reflectors as for
example when the latter are parabolic, or outside and preferably at the focus of them,
as when the reflectors are concave. The electric lamp may rotate with the reflector,
in which arrangement the shafts may be tubular and the leads or conductors passed
through them, suitable rotating contacts and brushes or equivalent being used where
necessary. In some cases I cause the reflector to both rotate on its own axis and
gyrate about, and independently of, the electric lamp; for this purpose I prefer to
mount the lamp on a tubular stem projecting into the mouth of the reflector, and
secured to a suitable plug or other contact, the two leads passing to the lamp through
this stem.
In other cases I find it convenient to allow the reflector to gyrate about the lamp

page_text: while preventing it from rotating on its own axis; for this purpose I may mount the
reflector in gimbals which allow it to move freely in all directions excepting a rotary
In this arrangement, an incandescent electric lamp may be secured inside the
reflector and the current supplied to it through flexible conductors.
I may operate the reflector through the medium of a fan or wheel rotated by the
heat of, say the gas-flame or other light from which the moving beam is derived, or it
may be operated by a spring, electric or other motor; two or more reflectors may be
operated by the same mechanism.
I do not confine myself to the herein described means for operating the reflectors
as these may be varied in many ways within the limits of the invention.
Dated this 23rd day of
1806
Improvements in or relating to Illuminating Apparatus.
I, HENRY HART of 2 Great Russell Mansions, Bloomsbury, London, W.C. Engineer
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 illuminating apparatus and has for its object to operate a
projector with or without a lens (and if necessary the light also) in such a manner as
to cause a wabbling, reciprocatory, wavy or other motion to be imparted automatically
to the light-rays issuing therefrom.
The burner or lamp is arranged preferably at the focus of a reflector and these two
parts are so connected together or so mounted on a common support that, while either
or both may be moved in any desired direction, the focal relation between the reflector
and light will remain the same.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in vertical section, shewing a combination of two
different arrangements of the apparatus, which may be used either combined as here
shewn, or independently of each other, as hereinafter more fully described.
Figs. 2 and 3 are separate plans of the two arrangements shewn in Fig. 1.
Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a view shewn partly in side elevation and partly in
vertical section, and a back elevation of the apparatus in a form for causing the beam
of light to describe, as it were, a cone.
Fig. 6 is a vertical section of an apparatus in which the beam of light, while being
made visible from all sides of the said apparatus is caused to ascend and descend.
Fig. 7 is a back elevation of the reflector shewn in Fig. 6, together with a portion
of its support.
Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively a plan and a horizontal section of two portions of the
apparatus shewn in Fig. 6.
Fig. 10 is a view partly in vertical section and partly in side elevation, Fig. 11 a
plan and Fig. 12 a vertical section on the crooked line 12-12 of Fig. 10, of a modified
or alternative arrangement of the apparatus shewn in Fig. 6.
Fig. 13 is a side elevation and Fig. 14 a diagram of a modification of the device
shewn in Figs. 10 to 12.
Fig. 15 is a vertical section and Fig. 16 a back elevation of one form of the
apparatus in which the reflector is caused to gyrate in a spherical path, and Figs. 17
and 18 are views respectively similar to Figs. 15 and 16 of another form of the same
class of apparatus.

page_text: Figs. 19 and 20 are respectively an elevation and a plan (the latter view partly in
section) of a form of the apparatus which may be adjusted to cause the beam of light
to travel in various pre-determined paths.
Like letters of reference indicate similar or equivalent parts throughout the various
figures of the drawings.
The apparatus shewn at the left-hand side of Fig. I comprises an argand,
incandescent or other gas burner A (or, it may be the burner of an oil or other
lamp) provided with, or surrounded by, a chimney a; it also comprises a reflector B
formed at its upper part with an opening through which passes the chimney a,
and, at its lower part, with a sleeve which is free to rotate about a ring or
frame a serving to keep the said sleeve concentric with the burner.
On the burner A, or on the pipe a² connected therewith is mounted a bracket c
provided at one part with a "footstep" bearing c (having an agate or other suitable
bearing-surface) and at another part supporting a standard or rod 2 at whose upper
end is provided a bracket arm with a bearing e' co-axial with the bearing cand
with another, bearing which is co-axial with the burner A. To the back of the
reflector B is secured a forked or slotted arm 12, upwards from which extends a
rod 63 which terminates at its upper end in a point resting in or on the bearing c.;
if desired, a suitable plate or guard may be provided for protecting the bearing c
against the direct action of the heated products rising from the burner A, this guard
being of such a shape or size as not to materially interfere with the ascent of the
said products.
Cis a vertical shaft supported, at its lower end on, or in, the before-mentioned
footstep-bearing c¹ and near its upper end, in the bearing c. This shaft is provided
with a crank which engages with the forked arm 62 on the reflector B as shewn
in Figs. 1 and 2. and, on its upper end is secured a vane-wheel (whose blades
or vanes are so. inclined that when the "light" or flame is burning at the burner A
the heated products arising therefrom will cause the said wheel, together with the
shaft C, to rotate whereby, through the crank ce and forked arm 3, the reflector B
is caused to oscillate in a horizontal plane, and the resultant beam of light is
caused to travel alternately in opposite directions.
Instead of the slotted arm and crank being provided at the back of the
reflector B, these may be at any other convenient part as for example, where indicated
in dotted lines in Fig. 1; or, instead of operating the reflector in the manner
previously described, the shaft C may be arranged at one side of the apparatus
and connected to the arm 62 (or its equivalent) by a link which may be adjustable
to enable the extent of travel of the light-beam to be adjusted; or, the last
mentioned link may be provided with teeth or a rack and engage with a toothed sector
or wheel secured on the shaft C.
The apparatus shewn at the right-hand side of Fig. 1, and in Fig. 3, comprises
an electric incandescent lamp D the mount or holder d of which is secured to the
reflector B at whose upper part is secured a rod 63 provided with a fork at its
upper end for embracing an eccentric crigidly mounted on the shaft C. The
last-mentioned rod 63 is provided with arms or branches which are supported on
or in the bearings cc' carried by the rod c²; the arms b' may be either in line
with, or at the front or back of the focal point of the reflector B. When the shaft C
is rotated as herein before described, the reflector B and lamp D, by means of the
eccentric and fork 2, are moved first in one direction and then in the opposite
direction. The electric current is supplied to the lamp D through the flexible
conductor D'.
Either of the two arrangements shewn in Fig. 1 may be used independently of
the other, and, if desired, the electric light portion may be operated through the
influence of a flame unprovided with a reflector, or by an electric or other suitable
motor.
Both of the reflectors shewn in Fig. 1 are so suspended or supported as to be
readily removeable for cleaning or other purposes.
In the apparatus shewn in Figs. 4 and 5 the reflector B is secured at an angle

page_text: to the end of a tubular shaft E mounted in ball or other bearings in a standard or
frame F and this shaft may be provided with a pulley e (or gearing) whereby
rotary motion may be transmitted to it from any suitable motor. The electric
lamp D is secured to a tubular stem d', which passes through the hollow shaft E
and is supported by a bracket d secured, as by a bolt d' and dowel pins d, to the
standard F. The leads for conducting the electric current to and from the lamp D
pass through the tubular stem d'. In this example I have shewn the lamp as
itself provided with a reflecting surface B' which may be employed in conjunction
with the rotating reflector B; in other examples, in which the electric lamp is
operated along with the reflector B, the reflecting surface B' may be used either
conjointly with, or in substitution for the reflector B.
When the shaft E is rotated, the reflector B revolves around the lamp D and the
resultant light-beam is caused to travel in a conical path. In the arrangement as
here illustrated the reflector B constantly changes its position in relation to the
lamp D, but if desired, the lamp may be universally-jointed to the stem d and so
connected to the reflector B that it will always remain at the focus of the said
reflector. In Fig. 4 the reflector B is shewn in full and dotted lines in two of its
different positions.
In the apparatus shewn in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive the reflector B is provided with
trunnions & which may be either directly in line with the focus of the reflector as
bere illustrated or out of line with it as shewn for example in Figs. 10 and 11
hereinafter described. By these trunnions the reflector is pivotted in a fork or
frame G the stem g of which is formed tubular and passes through, and is free to rotate
in, the frame or support G', a pulley e, or other suitable power-transmitting device,
being secured on the stem g to enable it and the reflector to be rotated from an
electric or other motor. The electric lamp D is supported by the socket d which is
secured to the reflector B and the electric current is supplied to the said lamp
through flexible conductors D' which pass through the hollow stem g and are
connected to a brush contact-device or equivalent G Figs. 6 and 9. To a convenient
part of the reflector B I secure an arm B2 provided with a ball or roller 6 adapted,
under the influence of a spring 66 or 67, to constantly bear against a cam g', by which
arrangement, the reflector B and lamp D will be caused to oscillate on the
trunnions, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 6, at the same time as the said
reflector and lamp are rotated about the axis of the stem g. If desired I may
form the cam g', independently of the support G₁ and provide gearing for
rotating it so as to cause the reflector B to oscillate a greater number of times
for each rotation of the stem g than would be the case with a non-rotating cam.
The apparatus shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12 operates somewhat similarly to that
last previously described, though the motion of the reflector is obtained by different
means. Here there are shewn two reflectors B connected together by bars 6 which
are pivotted to the fork G which may be constructed and operated in the same manner
as that described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. From one side of the fork G
projects a bracket-bearing g' in which is carried a revolvable shaft g' on which are
secured a crank or crank-dise g' and a spur or friction wheel g. The crank-pin " is
connected by a universal joint g' to one end of a link g" whose other end is similarly
connected to the bars 68. A circular rack or "race" g is provided on the support G
for engaging with the wheel y so that, as the said wheel is carried round by the
rotation of the stem g it will be caused to rotate upon its own axis, and, consequently,
through the crank g g, link 98 and bars & this operation will effect the oscillation of
the reflectors as indicated in full and dotted lines in Fig. 10. The bars may be
pivotted to the fork G either at a point centrally between the two reflectors B, in
which case both will have the same amplitude of oscillation, or, at a point nearer to
one than the other of the reflectors, as represented in Figs. 10 and 11, in which caso
one of the reflectors will have a greater range of motion than the other. The reflector-
oscillating-mechanism shewn in Figs. 10 and 11 may be applied to a single reflector,
and that shewn in Fig. 6 may be applied to a double arrangement such as that shewn
in Figs. 10 and 11. The leads for conducting the electric current to and from the

page_text: lamps may be passed through the stem g and connected to any suitable rotating
contacts, or they may be led from overhead conductors provided with rotating contacts.
If, instead of pivotting the bars 8 directly to the fork G, they are pivotted to a
gimbal trame or ring 6 which is itself pivotted to the fork G as shewn in Fig. 13, and
if, as represented in Figs. 13 and 14 the link be free to work in a pivotted
sleeve or fulcrum g10, the said link will act as a lever and the reflectors B, instead of
being oscillated rectilinearly as in Fig. 10, will receive a curvilinear motion such as
that indicated at X in Fig. 14.
In the apparatus shewn in Figs. 15 and 16 the reflector B is secured eccentrically
on a shaft H which is arranged to radiate from the focus of the said reflector, this
shaft is carried in a bearing h' formed in a bracket or crank h secured on a shaft H'
which also radiates from, or is co-axial with the reflector-focus. The shaft H has
secured upon it either a spur pinion h² to engage with a circular rack as shewn in
Figs. 15 and 16, or a friction wheel h' to engage with a "race" as shewn in Fig. 17,
and the shaft Hi has secured upon it a pulley or equivalent whereby rotary motion
may be transmitted to it from any suitable motor. When the shaft H' is rotated, the
reflector B receives a compound motion due partly to the rotation of the shaft H' and
partly to the independent rotation of the shaft H the result being that the reflector is
caused to gyrate in a spherical path of which the reflector-focus is the centre. The
path pursued by the reflector varies according to the respective diameters of the
pinion and rack h³ or friction wheel h" and "race" h (Fig. 17), and the rack or
66 race "h, instead of being arranged to engage with the pinion 42 or wheel /* at the
outer side as shewn in the drawings may be arranged to engage at the inner or
opposite side thereof.
The lamp D in Fig. 15 is shewn supported on a tubular stem D³ which projects into
the mouth of the reflector B and is so shaped as to escape coming into contact with
the reflector at any part of the latter's movement, and the leads for conducting the
electric current to and from the lamp D may be passed through the stem D³ and placed
in communication with the main conductors through a suitable plug contact D³. This
plug contact may be detached so as to enable the lamp to be withdrawn from the
reflector B for cleaning or other purposes. If desired, suitable counterweights may be
provided for balancing the reflector B and the crank hand parts carried by the crank.
The principal difference between the apparatus shewn in Figs. 17 and 18 and that
last previously described is that, whereas the reflector B in Figs. 15 and 16 is caused
to rotate about the axis of the shaft H, the reflector in this arrangement is prevented
from rotating and has only a gyratory motion imparted to it, though the results so far
as regards the paths of the light-beams in both of these arrangements may be identical.
For this purpose I mount the reflector B in Figs. 17 and 18 in gimbals I which allow
it to be moved through any desired angle and prevent it from rotating about either its
own axis or that of the shaft H, which latter, in this example, is provided with a
crank h' in the outer end of which is free to rotate a pin 8 secured on the reflector B.
The lamp D is secured in the reflector B in Fig. 17, in substantially the same manner
as that shewn in Fig. 1 and the electric current is supplied to it through the flexible
conductor D'
In Figs. 15 and 17 the reflectors B are shewn in full lines in their central positions
and in dotted lines in two of their outermost or extreme positions; by providing
suitable rotating contacts I may connect the lamps of these two arrangements, with
the main conductors by leads passing axially through the shafts H H or through only
the shafts H.
Instead of transmitting motion to the reflector B Fig. 17. by mechanism connected
to the back of the said reflector this mechanism may be connected to another part
thereof if found more convenient.
In the apparatus shewn in Figs. 19 and 20 the reflector is supported in gimbals I
(as in Figs. 17 and 18), and on the pin h are provided two spherical or approximately
spherical beads or sleeves j or j which are free to slide in guides J J₁ respectively.
These guides J J' are arranged at right angles to each other and they are moved
transversely by cams K K' and springs kk. The vertical guide J is connected to,

page_text: or formed in one part with, a bar which is supported by and free to slide in
standards, and is provided with an anti-friction roller which is constantly. pressed
against the edge of the cam K by the spring k; the horizontal guide J' is guided
in a vertical direction by bars and arms and is connected by a link to a lever j
pivotted at to one of the standards j³, the said lever being also provided with an
anti-friction roller, which, by the spring k', is constantly held in contact with the
edge of the cam K'.
The last described apparatus may be used for operating the reflector B in various
ways each particular operation depending upon the shape or arrangement of the
cams K K thus, for example, the reflector may be so operated as to cause the light-
beam to trace, on, say, the surface of a wall, partition or hoarding, any given design
or word, for advertising purposes, the light-beam following or not a similar design or
word which would be otherwise obscure or invisible. "During the return of the
reflector to its starting position the lamp-circuit may be switched off, the motor which
rotates the cams K K serving for effecting the switching on and off of the electric
current at the required times. Where two or more words are to be traced, two
reflectors may be provided to work alternately, each reflector tracing its particular
word while the other is rendered non-effective and being returned to its starting
position.
The various arrangements of apparatus hereinbefore described may be constructed
to throw the light-beams in directions differing from those for which they are shewn
adapted in the drawings, some of the devices being capable of operation in any
required position whether at an angle or inverted or reversed.
The devices hereinbefore described may be modified without departing from the
essential features of the invention for example in some cases I may arrange two or
more reflectors side by side and provide a single lamp, which would serve for all, by
projecting through openings in their adjacent walls.
Although in the drawings I have shewn my invention in connection only with gas
and electric incandescent lights, it may be applied to electric arc lamps, oxy-hydrogen
or lime-lights and others, each reflector or projector being composed of a material
best suited to withstand the temperature to which it may be exposed.
The rotating shafts of the before described devices may have the armatures or
revolving portions of the electric motors secured directly upon them, and where
practicable I may fit lenses to the reflectors or projectors, and on these lenses I may
depict any desired design or inscription to be projected on to the surface on which the
light beams fall.
The reflectors may be either parabolic as shewn in the drawings, or concave, or
partly parabolic and partly concave, or of any other desired shape.
By the term "projector" employed in this specification and claims, I mean a
source of light plus a device for limiting the rays therefrom to a desired direction or
path, whether this device be a reflector or not.
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 I am aware
of search-lights which, under personal control exercised either directly, or, by
electrical communication, from a distance, may be turned in any direction or towards
any desired object, and I wish it to be understood that I do not claim any such
apparatus, but what I claim is :-
1. The combination with a projector of devices whereby a wabbling motion is
-imparted automatically to the light-rays issuing therefrom, substantially as described.
2. The combination with a projector of devices whereby an angular reciprocatory
motion through a small arc is imparted automatically to the light-rays issuing
therefrom, substantially as described."
3. The combination with a projector of devices whereby such a motion is imparted
to the light-rays issuing therefrom that they "sweep out" a cone surface in space,
substantially as described.
4. The combination with a source of light and a reflector therefor of motor

page_text: mechanism for causing the reflector to travel or gyrate in a spherical path substan-
tially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 15 and 16 or Figs. 17 and 18
of the accompanying drawings.
5. The combination with a source of light and a reflector therefor of motor
mechanism for simultaneously moving the reflector in one direction and
reciprocating it in another direction substantially as herein before described with
reference to Figs. 6, 7 and 8 or Figs. 10, 11 and 12 of the accompanying
drawings.
6. The combination with a source of light and a reflector therefor of motor
mechanism for simultaneously imparting to the reflector curvilinear motion in
different directions substantially as herein before described with reference to Figs. 13
and 14 of the accompanying drawings.
7. The combination with a source of light and a reflector therefor of motor
mechanism connected with the reflector for operating it substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
8. The combination with a source of light and a reflector therefor of motor-
mechanism connected with the reflector substantially as herein before described with
reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 or Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
9. The combination with a source of light and a reflector therefor of cam
mechanism for operating the reflector in substantially the manner hereinbefore-
described with reference to Figs. 19 and 20 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1896.
HENRY HART..