IMPROVEMENTS IN CONDUCTORS OF LIGHTNING
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Otto Wolff, Patent Agent, of 12, Schloss Strasse, Dresden
A Saxony, German Empire, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CONDUCTORS OF LIGHTNING." A communication from William Michalk, of
Deuben, near Dresden, Saxony, Manufacturer of Brass.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Otto Wolff at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st May 1880.
OTTO WOLFF, Patent Agent, of 12, Schloss Strasse, Dresden A Saxony, German
Empire. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONDUCTORS OF LIGHTNING." A communication
from William Michalk, of Deuben, near Dresden, Saxony, Manufacturer of Brass.
This Invention is intended to prevent the damage, which is often very
considerable and caused by the lightning striking the conductors as they are at
present, and is owing to the point and rod being in one piece, or the former
fastened or screwed to the latter.
This Invention consists in introducing between the point and the rod to which it
is fixed a non conductor. All pieces to be fastened to one another must be shaped
slightly conical.
This Invention consists besides in introducing a malleable object between the
point and the non-conductor, and between the latter and the rod, or between
the point and the non conductor only, or between the non conductor and the
rod only.
Finally, this Invention consists in boring out the inside of the point, so that the
surface of the non-conductor pointing upwards comes in contact only with the
edges of the point.'

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Otto Wolff in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th November
1880.
"
OTTO WOLFF, Patent Agent, of 12, Schloss Strasse, Dresden A Saxony, German
Empire. IMPROVEMENTS IN CONDUCTORS OF LIGHTNING." A communication
from William Michalk, of Deuben, near Dresden, Saxony, Manufacturer of Brass.
The points were fastened up to the present to the rods merely by fitting or
screwing them on. The damage caused by lightning and owing to this construction,
has often been very considerable.
The purpose of the present Invention is to avoid this damage in future.
The single Figure given in the annexed Drawing represents the Invention in
elevation and partly in vertical section. a is the rod; b, the point; c, a non-
conductor; d, the conducting wire; e, a supple pliable body.
The construction is as follows:-Between rod a and point b a non-conductor c is
placed, whereby c is fitted on to or screwed on to a, and b on to c. In the former
case the parts fitting into one another are shaped conical, and the horizontal section
of the rod need not have a circular form.
In case the non-conductor c be of a brittle material, and therefore apt to break
by an unequal pressure occurring, and in order to avoid this occurrence a pliable
substance e, for instance, lead, tin, leather, gutta percha, putty, et cetera, is placed
between c and the rod a, and again between the point b and c. However, as
represented by the Drawing, the point b can be bored out so that of the upper
surface of the isolator c only the edges (periphery) come in contact with the inner
surface of the point.
The connection of the conducting wire d with the point b is effected by means of
the well-known process of soldering, or again by screwing together, as is represented
in the Drawing annexed, or in any other suitable manner.
I hereby claim as new and important features of the same,―
Firstly. The introduction of a non-conductor between rod and point in lightning
conductors, for the purpose of insulating one from the other in such a manner that
the point is fitted on or screwed on to the non-conductor, and the latter to the rod
again.
Secondly. In employing insulators of brittle material, the introduction of a
pliable substance between rod and insulator, and between the latter and the
point.
And, Thirdly. The inner construction of the point, by which of the upper surface
of the insulator only, the edges come in contact with the point.
In witness whereof, I, the said Otto Wolff, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
OTTO WOLFF. (L.S.)