Improvements in Lightning Conductors.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Nov., 1893--Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1893
WORD MET DE BOITICATION.
Improvements in Lightning Conductors.
1, JOSEPH BALL, of York Castle, Oldham, in the County of Lancaster,
Lightning Conductor Manufacturer, 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 :-
This invention has for its object the construction of a continuous lightning
conductor, i.e. a lightning conductor which has no couplings or connections whereby
its efficiency is greatly increased.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood I have caused to
be appended hereunto one sheet of drawings marked with letters of reference
indicating like parts in the various figures.
Figs. 1 3 are side views and Figs. 2 & 4 respectively plans of lightning
conductors constructed in accordance with my invention detached.
Fig. 5 shows one form thereof applied to a chimney.
In carrying out my invention and referring to the figures generally I form the
point or points, termination, and the ribbon, rod or rope part of the conductor
between the point or points and the termination all in one continuous length whereby
the usual detachable points or couplings are entirely dispensed with and the
lightning conductor rendered more effective, simpler and easier to fix.
According to one form of my invention I roll from a bar of suitable metal, say
copper, a rod or ribbon a, see Figs. 1, 2 & 5, in length greater than the height of
the building, spire or chimney for which it is intended. However instead of
rolling the whole.of the said bar into rod or ribbon form, I leave a portion thereof
at one end its normal size, see Fig. 1, which I suitably split to a certain depth into
branches so as to form a central point a' and a number of side points c bent outwards,
thus producing the said points all in one part in lieu of in pieces as heretofore.
Instead of coupling the lower end of the rod or ribbon a to an earth plate as hereto-
fore I bend the same to the shape of a grid d which in function is identical with
that of the said earth plate.
In a similar manner I may form a continuous lightning conductor in rope form,
see Figs. 3 & 4, the centre strand forming the central point a' and the side points c
being formed by bending the exterior strands outwardly and the termination by
bending the lower end d grid like.
In lieu of bending the lower end of the rod, ribbon, or wire portion of the
conductor to the form of a grid as shown in the drawing, the same may be bent
spirally or in any other fasliion without departing from the nature of my
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim, is-
1st. A lightning conductor formed in one continuous length, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
2nd. A lightning conductor, the lower end of which is suitably bent or coiled to
serve as a termination and the upper end of which is divided into branches to serve
as points, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 1st day of November 1893.
F. BOSSHARDT & Co.,
4, Corporation Street, Manchester, Agents to Applicant.