IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AND EXHIBITING KALEIDOSCOPIC EFFECTS OR DESIGNS ADAPTED TO ADVERTISING AND OTHER USES
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Osborn Spong at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd April 1880.
JAMES OSBORN SPONG, of 28, King William Street, Strand, in the County of
Middlesox, Manufacturer. "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AND EXHIBITING
KALEIDOSCOPIC EFFECTS OR DESIGNS ADAPTED TO ADVERTISING AND OTHER USES."
The object of my Invention is to facilitate the production and exbibition of
kaleidoscopic effects and designs for advertising, amusement, or other uses.
.
For this purpose I provide a weighted foot or table, which at about its middle or
other suitable position is provided with a bearing for the support of a vertical rod
or axis, and this axis supports with capability of adjustment, by screw. or other-
wise, a circular tray or disc centred horizontally thereon for the purpose of holding
the object or objects which are to produce the changeable effects or design when
viewed in conjunction with their reflected images.
This foot or table also has affixed thereto one end of a frame which carries a
suitable bearing or eye for the support of the upper end of the vertical axis, and
upon this axis, at its uppermost end or other suitable position, is fixed a wheel
provided with inclined vanes or wings capable of being rotated by the force of a
current of air from or to a gas or other suitable flame from a burner placed in
position for the purpose.
In the case of a gas burner being employed, the supply tube burner and shade
with their accessories may be carried by an arm from the same framework that
supports the upper end of the vertical axis.
Upon two other pedestals or supports I provide standards and frames or part
frames carrying each a plate of silvered glass or other suitable reflecting material.
These reflecting surfaces by means of their supports I adjust in position over the
circular tray or disc, and in relation to each other and to the light thrown from the
gas flame or other source of illumination, to enable the object or objects carried by
that tray or disc or part thereof to be viewed in succession as in the rotation of the
fan wheel moved by the air current the tray or disc is moved.
The point of juncture of the two reflecting surfaces inay be somewhat in the
rear of the vertical axis, but their relative angles may be varied by turning them
on their axes of motion.
The direct view of the light may be more or less screened by a frame or sheet of
ground glass or other transparent or semi-transparent or other suitable substance

page_text: lettered or otherwise, for an advertisement desired, and to which attention is drawn
by_changeable effects produced.
In order to multiply the changes of effect produced by the rearrangement for
multiplication by reflection of the pieces or objects placed on the revolving tray or
disc, I provide an arm or arms from the supporting framework or otherwise
projecting over the revolving tray or disc, to which are suspended lengths of
india rubber, or chain, or rods, or other material adapted by their pendent ends or
other parts to come against and displace or rearrange the loose pieces or objects
exhibited on the disc.
For the pieces or objects I find small portions of different colored sheet gelatine
to answer well, but this may be varied.
--If-desired.a.check or break may be applied to the fan in the form of adjustable
vanes or of a small length of chain pendent from near the outer circumference.
thereof, and the pendent end of which chain may at one or more points in its
revolution with the wheel or fan come in contact with a fixed part or the frame-
work so as to produce a drag on such revolving parts, or the desired drag may be
otherwise obtained.
According to another arrangement, the circular tray in place of being supported
directly by the vertical axis carrying the vane wheel is supported in an inclined or
oblique direction upon a separate inclined axis carried by suitable supports, and
motion may be conveyed to such tray or support for the object to be reflected by
means of a pin wheel acting on other pins or other suitable projections or teeth
from the periphery of that tray, or supporting surface for the objects viewed.
The-reflecting-surface will then be supported in a direction suitably inclined to
the plane of the supporting table.
-
By these means I am enabled to produce and exhibit automatically many
beautiful or attractivo effects suitable for employment for advertising purposes,
Amusement, or other use.