IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ROOF LAMPS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Coleman Defries, of the firm of Jonas Defries and
Sons, Houndsditch, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ROOF
LAMPS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES."
Sealed the 3rd February 1857, and dated the 7th August 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Coleman Defries at, the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th
August 1856.
I, COLEMAN DEFRIES, of the firm of Jonas Defries & Sons, Houndsditch,
do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
RooF LAMPS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in improvements in the roof lamps of railway
carriages, and the improvements consist, in firstly, so placing the oil vessel
that the oil will not become heated by the flame of the lamp. For this purpose
the oil vessel is made of an annular form, and of such a size as to surround
the metallic body of the lamp, in place of fitting into the interior of the upper
part of the body, as heretofore.
Secondly, the Invention consists in supplying air to the burner by means
of a band of perforated metal let into the body of the lamp immediately
above the glass.
Thirdly, the Invention consists in attaching the glass to the body of the

page_text: lamp by means of a ring of metal, which embraces a flange on the glass, and
which screws on to the bottom of the body.
Fourthly, the Invention consists in arranging the reflector in such a manner
that it can be taken out (separately from the other parts of the lamp) when it
requires cleaning. For this purpose the metal of the reflector is turned up
into a collar round the hole in its centre, and there are two wires attached to
the oil tube of the lamp, which have a tendency to spring together, and they
embrace and hold the collar of the reflector; but it is easily removed by
springing these wires apart.
Lastly, the Invention consists in moulding lenses or bulls' eyes round the
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters-Patent, filed
by the said Coleman Defries in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th February 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, COLEMAN
DEFRIES, of the firm of Jonas Defries & Sons, Houndsditch, send greeting:
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Coleman Defries, Her special licence that I, the said Coleman Defries, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Coleman
Defries, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ROOF LAMPS
OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Coleman Defries, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Coleman Defries, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-

page_text: formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:-
This Invention consists in improvements in the roof lamps of railway
carriages, and the improvements consist, firstly, in so placing the oil vessel that
the oil will not become heated by the flame of the lamp. For this purpose
the oil vessel is made of an annular form, and of such a size as to surround the
metallic body of the lamp, in place of fitting into the interior of the upper part
of the body, as heretofore.
Secondly, the Invention consists in supplying air to the burner by means
of a band of perforated metal let into the body of the lamp immediately above
the glass.
Thirdly, the Invention consists in attaching the glass to the body of the
lamp by means of a ring of metal, which embraces a flange on the glass, and
which screws on to the bottom of the body.
Fourthly, the Invention consists in arranging the reflector in such a manner
that it can be taken out (separately from the other parts of the lamp) when it
requires cleaning. For this purpose the metal of the reflector is turned up
into a collar round the hole in its centre, and there are two wires attached to
the oil tube of the lamp which have a tendency to spring together, and they
embrace and hold the collar of the reflector; but it is easily removed by
springing these wires apart.
And in order that my said Invention may be most fully understood, and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawing hereunto
annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a vertical section, and Figure 2 an external view of a roof lamp
constructed according to my Invention. a, a, is the body of the lamp, and
b, b, is the annular oil vessel which surrounds the upper part thereof, and is
supported by an external case c, which is attached to the lamp body d, d.
The upper part of the body a and of the external case c of the oil vessel are
closed by a lid or cover e, in order to supply air to the burner. A band f of
perforated metal is let into the body of the lamp, and in front of this band,
and on the inside thereof, is a screen g, which prevents the wind blowing
through the lamp, and directs the air to the burner, as is shewn by the
arrows. Air is also admitted through holes in the case c, and passes into
the interior of the body, as is also indicated by arrows. The glass his
attached to the body of the lamp by means of a ring i, which embraces a
flange on the glass. This ring may either be screwed on to the lower part of

page_text: the body of the lamp, or it may be attached thereto in the method shewn in
the Drawing, videlicit, by a hinge joint j at one side and a strap k at the
other. In order to support the reflector 1, two wires m, m, are employed.
These wires are attached to the oil tube; as is shewn by the Drawing, and
they embrace 'the collar 1; formed on the reflector, but they can easily be
sprung apart, so as to release 'the collar, and 'allow the reflector to be removed
when required:
In witness whereof, I, the said Coleman Defries, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
Witness,
E. BARKER.
COLEMAN DEFRIES. (L.8.)-