IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ILLUMINATING PERSONS OR OBJECTS AND PRODUCING THEATRICAL EFFECTS
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Henry Frome and George
Cantrell Gibbs at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd
August 1880.
CHARLES HENRY FROME, of Earl's Court Road, London, in the County of
Middlesex, and GEORGE CANTRELL GIBBS, of Claro Terrace, Finborough Road,
London, in the same County. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ILLUMINATING
PERSONS OR OBJECTS AND PRODUCING THEATRICAL EFFECTS."
This Invention has for its object the production of a more effective light than
has hitherto been produced for the purpose of stage effects.
In representing an effect such as would be produced on persons or objects that
have to be seen in a flash at intervals on different parts of the stage, we propose to
stretch a wire rope across the stage at any convenient angle, the ends being
secured to the walls to posts erected for the purpose, or supported in any convenient
manner; on this wire, at intervals, are arranged plates of metal communicating by
wires with batteries or electrical machines. Between each of the plates and the
rope we place an insulator or non-conducting material, so as to avoid any contact
with the rope, but allowing the wires in connection with the batteries or electric
machines to pass to the metal plate. On the rope we arrange a carriage, so that
The wheels of
is is capable of being pulled from one end of the rope to the other.
this carriage we propose to construct of three plates, the outside plates being of
metal, and the centre of a non-conducting material; and as the carriage runs over
the metal plates, which have a piece of non-conducting material between them, the
electric current will pass on either side down to a lamp fastened to the person, persons,
Thus, on
or objects, which we secure to the carriage by any convenient means.
drawing the carriage over the several plates on the rope, the communication would
be made with the batteries or electrical machine, and flashes would be produced, or
prolonged light could be made by stopping on the plate.
The effect of different coloured lights proceeding from the head or other parts of
the body or objects we propose to produce by a lamp in the shape of a glass
cylinder, sections of which we may make in different colours; on each end of the
cylinder are plates, on the centre of which are hollow journals resting on bearings
secured either to the head or the back of the reflecting plate, which is again sccured
to the head of the person or object in any convenient manner; on one end of the
hollow journal I secure a ratchet wheel with levers and pawl; thus, upon the

page_text: performers pulling a wire or string, the cylinder may be turned or made to revolve.
Instead of the rachet motion we may sometimes use coiled springs which are set
in motion by withdrawing a pin or pawl. Through the holes in the journals are
placed the carbon points, which are kept together by means of springs or other
convenient means. The outer ends of the carbon points are connected with the
wires, which are placed in any convenient manner about the body of the person,
so that they may be brought out at the hands or may be passed to the ends of
wands or properties. The performers join together the properties or hands, and a
current of electricity is passed through the wires and communicating through the
lamps, produces a bright and effective light. The wires and lamps are covered
with a non-conducting material, so as to cause no shock to the performers. We
may use the wires from the batteries or electrical machines from the top of the
room or theatre. In some cases we may generate the electricity from a small
battery concealed on the person of the performer and communicating to the lamp
by wires placed in any convenient position. The revolving light may also be
secured to the ends of wands or other objects, as may be required.
In lieu of using a wire rope as above set forth, we may find it desirable to place
plates at intervals upon the floor or stage, modifying the arrangement of the
connections in accordance therewith.