Improvements in Magic Lanterns and Apparatus relating thereto.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 15th Feb., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Magic Lanterns and Apparatus relating thereto.
I, WILLIAM CHARLES HUGHES of Brewster House 82 Mortimer Road Kingsland,
in the county of Middlesex, manufacturing optician 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in magic lanterns, and apparatus relating
thereto, the objects thereof being to provide a shutter in connection with the focussing
tube which may be operated automatically by the introduction of a slide into the
place provided therefor, and also to improve the construction of slide carriers or
frames so that the glass slide or picture may be securely held therein and yet may be
easily released when necessary. A further improvement consists in the substitution
of a suitably arranged frame, and adjustable and removeable appliances for giving
and directing light, for the set of lantern bodies as hitherto inade and used for
dissolving views and other effects; thus rendering the whole apparatus more port-
able, and equally efficient.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I have appended the
accompanying two sheets of drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a focussing
tube fitted with the automatic shutter above referred to, and Figure 2 is a transverse
section of the same upon the line A B. Figure 3 is a front elevation thereof,
shewing the two positions of said shutter, and Figure 4 is an elevation of part of
the details, shewn detached, and drawn to a larger scale. Figure 5 is an elevation
of a slide carrier or frame, partly broken away to shew the grip, or holding mechanism,
and Figures 6 and 7 are details of the same drawn to an enlarged scale. Figures 8
and 9 are elevational and sectional views respectively of a form of guard plate
adopted by me in connection with the improved carriers or frames. Figure 10 is a
side elevational view of a triple set of portable apparatus according to my invention
and Figure 11 is a front view of the same. Figure 12 is a view of one of the
adjustable covers or shields, partly broken away to shew the internal arrangements,
and Figure 13 is the base plate, or adjustable bracket in connection therewith. These
details are shewn detached, and are drawn to an enlarged scale. Figure 14 is an
alternative arrangement to be used in some cases in substitution for part of the
details, hereinafter to be described. Similar letters of reference indicate corre-
sponding parts throughout the several views.
In carrying my invention into effect I support a spindle a Figure 1, upon and..
parallel to a focussing or lense tube A A' by means of bearing brackets 66 and a
bearing in or upon the back plate B. In order to allow said spindle a to follow
the elongation and retraction of said focussing tube A A¹, I form one part thereof
telescopic a', a guide pin or block c sliding in the longitudinal slot d transferring
the rotary movement of a¹ to a, and yet allowing of elongation and retraction,
corresponding to the necessary movement of A and A'. A pinion e is fitted upon
one end of the spindle a a', and a shutter D suitably weighted at E upon the opposite
end. Said pinion e engages with a rack f, fitted so as to travel laterally upon guide
pins within a slot. An angular projection g hinged or otherwise attached to the
rack is furnished with a set-screw h, which may be adjusted so as to be pressed by
the edge of the slide frame or carrier C when the latter is inserted, and before it
reaches its final central position. When this is attained, the rack f has been moved
laterally sufficiently to rotate the pinion e so that the shutter D is lifted to the
position indicated by the dotted outline Figure 3. The rack fis shewn detached and
drawn to a larger scale by Figure 4. In this manner, and by these means I am
enabled to render the action of the shutter automatic and dependant upon the
introduction of a slide into the apparatus so that. a. blank space, or disc of light is

page_text: never shewn upon the screen, and the weighted shutter D descends upon and
following the withdrawal of the slide. I do not confine myself to the operation of
an end shutter alone, as shewn by Figures 1, 2, 3, but I may place a shutter within
a suitable slot or opening in the tube A, as shewn by Figure 10, and either use this
alone, or in conjunction with the end shutter hereinbefore described.
In constructing the improved slide frame or carrier according to my invention, I
employ the mechanical grip shewn in detail by Figures 6 and 7, and the general
arrangement shewn by Figure 5. To bars z. ¹ with jaws jj are superimposed, one
upon the other between guide plates k k and a rack is cut upon the reverse edge of
each, so that both racks engage with the teeth of a pinion 7, one upon each side thereof.
A hollow plunger m with a press button q is forked at its opposite extremity, and
is jointed at n to j. An extension o upon the end of j¹ impinges upon a spiral spring p
within the hollow plunger m. When pressure is applied to q, the jaw and slider is
moved laterally, revolving the pinion and thereby causing the jaw j¹ to move in the
opposite direction thus extending the opening between j and j¹ for the admission of the
slide.
The compression of the spring by the extension o causes the jaws jj¹ to close
when the pressure upon q is relieved, and thus the slide is firmly held, either by
pressure against the plain edges thereof, or by suitable grooves or other equivalent
device. A slight pressure upon q serves to release the slide when required. A plate r
serves to retain the whole in place upon the frame or carrier.
In order to render the reflection of the picture upon the screen, sharper and more
definite toward the edge, I may chamfer or bevel the edge of the guard plate F, as
shewn by s Figures 8 and 9, and I may also coat it electrically or otherwise with any
metal admitting of a high polish, the rest of said plate being neutralised by a black
coating in the usual manner.
The general arrangement of a triple set is shewn by the side elevation Figure 10,
and the front elevation Figure 11, in which, according to my invention I dispense
with the lantern cases superimposed upon each other as hitherto made and used,
and substitute therefor a base F, with a vertically arranged front G, preferably of
the same dimensions as said base F. One, two, or more vertical bars H are attached
to said front G preferably by means of a cross bar or hars I, and fly screws, nuts
or other similar device, cross bars or cross ties J. J being similarly attached to
the vertical front G, the base F, and the main cross bar or bars I, in order to render
these perfectly rigid when coupled together. The front G carries the focussing or
lens tubes A, with the shutters as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1,
2 and 3. I do not however confine myself to the use of the improved automatic
shutter above referred to in combination with the portable device now being
described, but may use any kind of lens focussing tube, shutter or slide carrier. in
connection therewith.
If one vertical bar H be employed the three sets of oxy-hydrogen apparatus are
arranged so as to slide thereupon, as shewn by t t t Figure 10, but if more than
one bar H be used, one or more of said bars may be utilised as a guide bar to carry
the necessary lighting apparatus, and I may at this stage of the description of my
invention state that I may construct other than a triple set upon the principle herein
set forth, although for purposes of description and illustration I have elected to shew
a triple set. An adjustable shelf or bracket u u¹ u is furnished to each set of
lighting apparatus, for the purpose of supporting a shade or light iron cover K K' K",
the latter being shewn in section K" Figure 10, and shewn detached and drawn to
an enlarged scale by Figure 12, the shelf or bracket u being similarly shewn by
Figure 13. Said covers or shades K K K are furnished with slotted orifices for the
admission of the jets of the lighting apparatus, and suitable doors and sights for
necessary adjustment and observation and inay or may not be provided with a tubular
hood Las shewn upon the central cover or shade K' Figure 10, for the purpose of
preventing the radiation of light from the intervening spaces between the focussing
tubes A, or the front G and the covers K K' K".
By constructing a complete set in this manner I am enabled to detach the vertical

page_text: bar or bars H by means of the nuts or screws v, w. w¹ xx¹ Figures 10 and 11, and
remove the front G which being preferably of the same linear dimensions as those of
the base F may be laid thereupon when not in use, and the covers or shades K K' K",
brackets u u¹ u¹¹, oxy-hydrogen apparatus, or other appliances of a kindred nature t t thi
may be securely packed around and between the focussing tubes A when these are
uppermost in the position most suited for transit, and ac thus enabled to render the
whole apparatus more portable than other instruments of a like nature as hitherto
made and used, without in any way impairing the efficiency thereof while in use,
since the bar or bars H, and the cross bars or bars or ties I, J, J¹ reuder the structure
perfectly rigid when fitted together.
I may as an alternative device modify the conformation of the bar or bars H in the
manner shewn by Figure 14, in which angular pins or arbors are fitted, M M M¹¹,
to hold the shelves or brackets u uu" and also the lighting apparatus instead of
carrying these upon the bar H proper as hereinbefore described. Suitable dissolving
valves or taps N N N are also fitted upon the bar H or bars, whether the form
shewn by Figure 10 or that shewn by Figure 14 be adopted, and said dissolving taps
inay be of the kind or type in general use, or may be fitted with T junctions y y so
that a flexible tube may couple them together without interfering with the vertical
adjustment of the apparatus.
According to my invention, as set forth in the foregoing description I am enabled
to increase the utility and general efficiency of magic lanterns, firstly, by providing
an automatic shutter or shutters, secondly by an improved construction of slide frame
or carrier, whereby the slide is securely held in position, and may freely be gripped or
released at will, thirdly, by an improved guard plate for slides or carriers, by means of
which the edge or boundary of the reflected picture is rendered more definite
and sharper than is the case with other apparatus as at present made and used.
Fourthly, I am enabled to modify the general arrangement of a double, triple or other
compound set in such a manner that said set occupies less space when packed away, and
facilitates transport and storage without in any way impairing the efficiency or utility
of the apparatus for the purpose to which it is applied.
I wish it to be understood that each of these improvements, although preferably
employed together as a combination, may yet be used separately and distinctly with
any kind or type of magic lantern or set of lanterns.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is,
First. The combination of a portable set of magic lanterns as shewn by Figures 10,
11, 12, 13, 14 sheet 2, with the improved automatic shutter, shewn by Figures 1 2, 3,
sheet 1, and slide frame or carrier Figures 5, 6, and 7, and guard plate Figures 8 and 9,
sheet 1 substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.
Second. In a magic lantern the employment of a shutter operated by the introduction
of the slide carrier or frame into the groove provided therefor, or the withdrawal of
said carrier or frame therefrom, substantially as herein described, with reference to
Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, sheet 1 of the appended drawings.
Third. In a magic lantern the use or employment of a slide carrier or frame with
adjustable jaws or grips, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth with
reference to Figures 5, 6, and 7, sheet 1 of the appended drawings.
Fourth. In a magic lantern the use or employment of a slide frame or carrier the
guard plate whereof is chamfered, or bevelled and polished, substantially as and for the
purposes herein set forth with reference to Figures 8 and 9 sheet 1 of the appended
drawings.
Fifth. In a set of magic lanterns, the use or employment of a detachable front G, in
combination with a base F, a bar or bars H, with or without cross ties J J', but with
a cross bar I, and covers or shields K K' K", substantially as herein described with
reference to Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, sheet 2 of the appended drawings.

page_text: Sixth. In a set of magic lanterns the employment of a cover or shield K', with or
without a hood or telescopic tube L, Figure 10 sheet 2, substantially as herein described
and shewn by the drawings.
Seventh. In a set of magic lanterns the arrangement of dissolving taps or valves
shewn by Figure 14, sheet 2 substantially as described and shewn.
Eighth. In a set of magic lanterns the substitution of a bar or bars with angular
projecting arbors, shewn by M Figure 14, sheet 2, for the bar or bars H Figure 10,
or in connection with such bars if more than one be used, substantially as herein
described and shewn by the drawings.
Dated this 10th day of January 1890.
FREDK. WALKER & HYDE,
4, Little Moorfields, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.