Improvements in Lanterns.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 21st Oct., 1892-Accepted, 21st Jan., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lanterns.
I, SIDNEY AMOS SWITZER of 9, Derby Street, Grays Inn Road, London,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of lanterns for the use
more especially of policemen, postmen and others, but is applicable also to other
lanterns. It consists, firstly, in forming the lantern so that the inner cylindrical
casing which I utilize for holding the oil reservoir, can be rotated from the bottom
of the lantern-which remains cool-instead of from the top, secondly, to an
arrangement adopted for enabling atmospheric air to enter the lantern and promote
combustion without fear of the oil, should it overflow, reaching the exterior of the
lantern and thirdly, in the improved construction of the top of the lantern
whereby the discharge of the heated air takes place without emitting any light
whatever.
My improved lantern consists essentially of two parts, videlicit, an outer
cylindrical shell open at both ends and an inner cylindrical casing telescoping
therein which contains the oil reservoir at the bottom, where it is entirely closed
save only for the air inlets hereinafter referred to, it being also provided with a
specially constructed top as described hereafter.
To accomplish the first part of my invention I form the outer shell with a hinged
door, bullseye, handles and means for attachment to the belt as is common with
existing lamps, whilst the inner cylindrical casing is cut away sufficiently througnout
its length to permit the passage of the light therethrough. The oil reservoir may
either rest upon or be fixed to the inside of the bottom of the inner cylindrical
casing and a number of tubes pass through and project a sufficient distance above
the bottom or lower edge of the inner casing for feeding the burner with a constant
supply of fresh air, thus preventing any overflow oil escaping to the exterior of
the lamp.
The inner casing has a flange which takes a bearing upon the top circular edge
of the shell and is capable of rotary movement therein, its upward motion being
prevented by a spring or catch pressing on the top of the flange. The bottom of
the inner casing containing the oil reservoir projects when in place a sufficient
distance beyond the bottom of the shell: the light can thus be readily shut off
or vice versa by simply turning the inner casing from the bottom, the latter remaining
comparatively cool.
The construction of the top of the. lantern is as follows. Supported above the
tapering flanged top of the inner casing and at a suitable distance therefrom is an
inverted cone with its apex immediately over the lamp burner, a cap being placed
on the top of the cone and insulated therefrom. A guard ring surrounds the
annular opening left between the tapering top of the lantern and the cone, the ring
which is carried by projecting strips from the flanged top of the inner casing in
turn supporting the aforesaid cap and cone above the opening in the top casing a
suitable space intervening between the parts. The products of combustion from
the lamp pass upwards and are directed outwards by the cone when same pass
through the annular spaces between the guard ring, cone, and tapering top of the
inner casing without fear of the rays of light being seen through the top when the
lantern is closed.
Dated this 21st day of January 1892.

page_text: the cold air which may pass under the lower edge of the same without fear of the
rays of light being seen through the top when the lantern is in use.
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
(1) A lamp, the light from which may be made visible or vice versa by rotating
from the bottom a cylindrical inner casing working in an outer casing or shell
which carries the lens and other fittings in the manner herein described.
(2) A means of supplying air to the lamp burner through tubes capped at the
bottom to prevent the emission of light and carried into the lamp in such a way as
to prevent the emission of oil as herein described.
(3) A means of facilitating the removal of the products of combustion from
the body of the lamp by means of the inverted cone and guard as herein.
described.
Dated this 20th day of October 1892.
SIDNEY AMOS SWITZER.