Improvements in Signal Lamps applicable for Railways.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 9th Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Signal Lamps applicable for Railways.
We, ALEXANDER NIGHTINGALE, of Henderson Street, Preston, in the County
of Lancaster, Plate Layer, and FRANK TATTERSALL, of Haydock Street, Preston.
aforesaid, Engineman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:
This invention relates to lamps in which two or more coloured glasses (or an
obscuring shutter) are employed for signalling purposes and is designed to provide
for the easy and rapid changing from one colour to another by the signalman or
user without necessitating the use or application of two hands to the lamp.
It consists essentially in mounting in the base of the lamp a revolving platform
or turn table to carry the coloured glasses and connecting same to a handle ring
knob or the like near the lamp handle and within reach of the hand of the user
by raising or lowering which the turn table and glasses may be rotated in one
direction or the other to bring first one and then another of the glasses between
the lens and the burner.
It will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1. Sectional elevation of lamp.
Fig. 2. Side elevation of same partly in section.
Fig. 3. Sectional plan on line - Fig. 2.
Fig. 4. Plan from beneath.
Fig. 5. Sectional elevation of a modified form of lamp.
Fig. 6. Sectional elevation of another modification.
The casing A of the lamp is of any ordinary form of construction with lens 1
and handle C. In the bottom of the lamp I place a revolving platform or turn
table D upon which is placed a cylindrical frame or carrier E provided with one
two or more plates or pieces F of glass coloured red and green. The picces or
plates F may be made of any other suitable material such as mica gelatine or the
like and other colours than red and green may be used where required.
The cylindrical frame or carrier E is movably attached to turn table D by a
slot at the base sliding over a projecting piece or key d on the face of the turn
table.
The turn table 1) on its under side is provided with a drum G, upon which a
flexible band wire or chain H is wound. The end of the flexible band or chain H
is passed from the band up the side of the lamp casing A and has attached to it a
ring handle or the like K by which it can be manipulated. The pulling of the
hand moves the turn table D in one direction. It is moved in the opposite direc-
tion by a coiled or other spring L. The handle K is provided with one or two
or more notches k for holding it in any desired position against the pull of the
spring L.
Instead of a coiled or helical spring L on the spindle of the turn table D a
second flexible band H¹ may be connected thereto and to a spring L' at the side
of the lamp casing A see Fig. 5.
1
1

page_text: attached to the handle K gearing with a pinion n on a small cross shaft or
spindle n¹.
The burner 0 is movably fitted to a fixed stud projecting through the turn table
and is fitted with a reflector P.
When the turn table:]) is in normal position the lamp shows white light when
the handle K is raised to the first notch & the turn table is rotated to show one
colour say green, and when the handle is raised to the second notch the turn
table is rotated to expose another colour say red.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A signal lamp constructed with a revolving platform or turntable in its base
upon which is mounted a frame carrying one two or more panes or plates of
different colours the platform or turntable being connected to and rotated by a
handle or lever placed near the handle of the lamp substantially as and for the
purpose described.
2. A lamp constructed with a revolving platform or turntable placed in the base,
a cylindrical frame or carrier mounted thereon carrying one two or more panes or
plates of different colours, a handle or lever for rotating the platform or turn-
table in one direction connected thereto, by a flexible band chain or cord and a
spring to rotate it in the opposite direction substantially as described.
3. A signal lamp constructed. and arranged substantially as described and
shown with reference to either of the figs. of the drawings.
Dated this 10th day of October 1899.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.