Improvements in Illuminating Devices for Stage Scenery, Sky and Shop Signs, and for Advertising.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 26th Sept., 1892-Accepted; 26th Nov., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Illuminating Devices for Stage Scenery, Sky and
Shop Signs, and for Advertising. Purposes generally.
I, WILLIAM JORDAN, of 27 King's Road, Brighton, in the County of Sussex,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to illuminating devices for stage scenery, sky signs, shop
signs and for advertising purposes, and consists essentially in the employment of a
series of mirrors placed in certain positions, which when light is thrown upon them,
reflect upwards on to the sky signs or other objects to be illuminated, such sky
signs or other objects having a bright and burnished surface and being placed at
such an inclination as will readily attract the light.
In carrying out my invention I form a suitable frame having a plate glass top,
the inside of the ends and partly the bottom being inlaid with mirrors, from the
edge of the bottom mirror I place a mirror at an angle to the front of the frame
which will vary in accordance with the distance of the object to be illuminated; at
the back of the frame I have a number of incandescent lamps, or in the absence of
electricity, I may employ gas or petroleum; and attached to each lamp. I have a
specially shaped reflector which throws the rays of light on to the inclined mirror,
and this being reflected on to my burnished sign or other device, the object of my
invention is attained.
In order that the sign or device to be illuminated should have a coloured and
attractive effect, I place directly under the plate: glass top of the frame, a screen
composed of multi-coloured glass, or any other coloured substance or material that
will produce the same effect."
In applying my invention to shop signs, I form the frame referred to behind the
facia of the shop front, the plate glass cover going only over the reflecting portion
of the frame, and the cover which goes over the portion that encloses the lighted
lamps is constructed with ventilators to carry off the heat arising therefrom, the
whole being fixed at a slight inclination to allow of the wet to flow off into a
channel formed at the back of the frame.
The method of construction as above described may be applied to sky signs and
stage scenery, the shape of the frame varying according to the circumstances of
each case, but the principle of placing the mirrors so that the light is reflected in
an upward direction. is the same.
The shop signs, sky signs or other objects to be illuminated must be elevated
above the reflecting frame, and inclined at an. angle parallel to the inclined mirror
inside the frame, or at such an angle, whereby the rays of light are the brightest,
and when so ascertained the sign or other objects should be secured so as to retain
their position.
It will be understood that in order to maintain a brilliant and luminous effect,
every detail of the refiecting frame, and also the sign or object to be illuminated,
should be kept clean and bright.
Dated this 25th day of November 1891
THOMAS H. MELLOR,
110, St. James's Street, Brighton, Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Illuminating Devices for Stage Scenery, Sky and
Shop Signs, and for Advertising Purposes generally.
1, WILLIAM JORDAN of 27 Kings Road, Brighton, in the County of Sussex,
Mechanical 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 :-
My invention relates to illuminating devices by means of letters or other methods,
for stage scenery, sky signs, shop signs and for advertising purposes, and consists
essentially in the employment of a series of mirrors placed in certain positions,
which when light is thrown upon them reflect upwards or downwards on to the sky
.signs, or other objects, to be illuminated, such sky signs or other objects having a
..bright varnished corrugated or serrated, or otherwise suitably arranged, surface,
and being placed in such an inclination as will readily attract, or operate with,
the light.
In carrying my invention into practical effect I form a suitable frame or box,
. having a glazed top, the inside, either in whole or part, being lined with mirrors.
From the edge of the bottom mirror, I place an additional moveable mirror
supported by suitable bearings, arranged at an angle such as will vary in inclination
and position in accordance with the inclination and distance of the letters or objects
to be illuminated.
At the back of the frame I have an arrangement for illumination employing
electric light by means of incandescent or other lamps, or illumination by any
other suitable means, such as gas, lime light or oil. At the back of the lamps or
other mode of illumination, I provide a suitable reflector, which causes the rays of
light to pass on to the inclined mirror, and this being reflected through coloured
glass or other coloured material the sign or other device becomes illuminated and
the object of my invention is thus attained.
For the purpose of more fully explaining the nature of my invention and the
manner in which the same may be carried into practical effect, I refer to the
accompanying two sheets of drawings and to the figures or letters of reference as
marked thereon.
Figure 1 on Sheet 1 is a section shewing an arrangement of letters so as to be
illuminated.
Figure 2 on Sheet 1 is a plan in accordance with section referred to.
Figure 3 on Sheet 2 is a sectional elevation shewing the relative position of
the letters or objects to be illuminated and the inclined mirror conveying the
reflection.
In carrying out my invention I employ an electrical motor A or any other
mechanical arrangement actuating the spur and worm gear B, revolving the
bands C by means of the drums D. These bands C, in their revolution, carry
with them the series of coloured glasses or other coloured materials referred to
above, and indicated by the letters E. E. in Figure 2, Sheet 1. The letters F. F,
Figure 1, Sheet 1, indicate the objects to be illuminated.
The sectional elevation, Figure 3, Sheet 2, shews the moveable mirror G in a
position inclined in accordance with the frame H bearing the letters or other
objects to be illuminated. The lamp J shews the relative position of the illu-
minating power.
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 In advertising by means of coloured glass or other material, the mode or
method of passing the illuminating power through the glass on to the letters or
other chicots

page_text: Second. The arrangement of a mirror marked G in Figure 3 Sheet 2 bearing a
relative angle to the frame work H-containing the letters or other objects as and for
the purposes described.
Third. The apparatus for advertising by means of illumination as illustrated by
Sheets 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this. 26th day of September 1892.
EDV ARDS & & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.