IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LIGHT. SIGNALLING AND MEANS OR APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur Shippey, of Gaston House, 95, Ladbroke Grove
Road, Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LIGHT. SIGNALLING AND MEANS OR APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH,"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur Shippey at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st March 1881.
ARTHUR SHIPPEY, of Gaston House, 95, Ladbroke Grove Road, Bayswater, in
the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LIGHT SIGNALLING
AND MEANS OR APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH.”
This Invention relates to improvements in electric light signalling, chiefly
applicable for use at sea, for the purpose of assisting in the saving of life, also for
signalling for military and other purposes.
In carrying out my Invention I employ a balloon or kite, or other suitable
aërial machine of a kindred nature, to which is suitably suspended an apparatus
provided with an electric light lamp; the said apparatus may be also provided with
suitable mechanism for imparting a rotary motion to it.
On the ship (or other place, as the case may be) is a windlass on which is wound
the required length of wire or cord, preferably of the construction hereinafter
described; the free ends of this cord or wire (which serves as the conductor of
electricity) are connected to the said lamp and a suitable battery or other generator
of electricity is provided with which the said wire or cord may be easily connected
when required.
•
The said conductor may consist of the ordinary copper wire, but I prefer to use
hollow copper wire, through which passes a silk thread or cord or a combination of
catgut and silk.
By this arrangement, when it is required to give a signal the balloon or kite and
the hereinbefore described apparatus connected therewith is allowed to ascend to
the required height, which may be regulated by the quantity of cord or wire
unwound from the herein before described windlass. The wire or cord is then
connected with the battery or other generator of electricity so as to produce an
electric light in the herein before described lamp.
The hereinbefore described apparatus carrying the lamp may be charged with
a number of rockets or the like so arranged as to be discharged at fixed intervals
by the rotation of the apparatus.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Arthur Shippey in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st
September 1881.
ARTHUR SHIPPEY, of Gaston House, 95, Ladbroke Grove Road, Bayswater, in
the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LIGHT SIGNALLING
AND MEANS OR APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
This Invention relates to improvements in electric light signalling, chiefly
applicable for use at sea, for the purpose of assisting in the saving of life, also for
signalling for military and other purposes.
In carrying out my Invention I employ a balloon or kite, or other suitable
I aërial machine of a kindred nature, to which is suitably suspended an apparatus
provided with an electric light lamp ;- the said apparatus may be also provided with
suitable mechanism for imparting a rotary motion to such apparatus.
On the ship (or other place, as the case may be) is a windlass, on which is wound
the required lengths of wire or cords, either of the ordinary insulated copper wire
or of the construction hereinafter described, the free ends of which cords or wires
(which serve as the conductors of electricity) are connected to the said lamp fixed
as hereinbefore described to the said balloon or other aërial apparatus and a suitable
battery or other generator of electricity is provided on the ship or other place, with
which battery the said wires or cords may be easily connected when required so as
to convey the electricity to the suspended apparatus.
The said conductor may, as hereinbefore described, consist of the ordinary
insulated copper wire, but for the purpose of obtaining greater strength I prefer to
use hollow copper wire or tubing, through which passes a silk thread or cord, or a
· combination of catgut and silk twisted or otherwise.
•
When using my Invention for signalling at sea the return wire or cord may be
connected with a float of suitable construction to be thrown into the sea to a
distance from the ship for the purpose of discharging the current of electricity into
the sea.
By the herein before described arrangement, when it is required to give a signal
of distress or otherwise at sea, the balloon, kite, or other aërial machine and the
herein before described apparatus and electric lamp connected therewith are allowed
to ascend to the required height, which height may be regulated by the quantity of
cord or wire unwound from the hereinbefore described windlass. The wires or
cords are then connected with the battery or other generator of electricity so as to
produce an electric light in the hereinbefore described lamp attached to the floating
or aërial apparatus.
The bereinbefore described apparatus carrying the lamp may be charged with a
number of rockets or the like, so arranged as to be discharged at fixed intervals by
the rotation of the apparatus, thereby throwing off at each discharge magnesium
lights, rockets, or other well known signals.
In some cases it may be found necessary to employ an ordinary rope or cord to
operate the balloon or other aerial apparatus for the purpose of relieving the
conducting wires from unnecessary strain.
Having thus described my said Invention, and the best means with which I am
acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that I do
not confine myself to the precise details herein laid down, as the same may be
varied without departing from the peculiar character of my Invention, but what I
claim is,
Firstly. The method of electric light signalling herein described by the com-
bination of apparatus or means arranged and operating substantially in the manner
and for the purposes hereinbefore described.

page_text: Secondly. The employment in combination with an electric light, as herein
described, for signalling purposes, of an apparatus for discharging at intervals
magnesium lights, rockets, or other well known signals, substantially in the manner
hereinbefore described.
- Thirdly. The employment for electric light signalling at sea, as herein described,
of a float in connection with the return conducting wire, as and for the purpose
hereinbefore described.
Fourthly. The manufacture and use of electric conductors, consisting of hollow
copper wire or tubing, through which passes a silk thread or cord, or a combination
of catgut and silk, twisted or otherwise, as hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur Shippey, have hereto set my hand and
seal, this First day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
ARTHUR SHIPPEY. (L.S.)