CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LIGHTING, APPLICABLE TO TABLE, STREET, SIGNAL, AND OTHER LAMPS; AS ALSO FOR THE CONSTRUCTING, DENOTING, AND REGULATING THE SIGNALS AND BURNERS OF LIGHTHOUSES."
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Clark, Lamp Manufacturer, of the Strand,
London, in the County of Middlesex, and John Thomas Stroud, Lamp
Manufacturer, of Suffolk Street; Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LIGHTING, APPLICABLE TO
TABLE, STREET, SIGNAL, AND OTHER LAMPS; AS ALSO FOR THE CONSTRUCTING,
DENOTING, AND REGULATING THE SIGNALS AND BURNERS OF LIGHTHOUSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard-Clark and John
Thomas Stroud at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
. their Petition, on the 27th April 1855.
We, RICHARD CLARK, Lamp Manufacturer, of the Strand, London, in the
County of Middlesex, and JOHN THOMAS STROUD, Lamp Manufacturer, of
Suffolk Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, do hereby declare
the nature of our said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LIGHTING,
APPLICABLE TO TABLE, STREET, SIGNAL, AND OTHER LAMPS; AS ALSO FOR THE CON-
STRUCTING, DENOTING, AND REGULATING THE SIGNALS AND BURNERS OF LIGHTHOUSES,"
to be as follows:-
Firstly, an improvement in regulating the cotton holders of lamps in
general by a screwed wire within the burner regulated by a pinion; also by
screwing the outside of the air tube and the inside of the cotton holder, so

page_text: that the cotton holder by revolving on the air tube may rise or fall as required,
and which air tube may be screwed into the bottom of the burner, by which
it can be elevated at any time when the air tube becomes burnt away by use.
Secondly, an improvement in the stuffing box of table & other lamps, by
tapping the plug. which holds the pinion in its place so as to screw up the
plug and to screw on the outside of the stuffing box at the same time, by
which we insure simplicity and an entire absence of leakage.
:
Thirdly, the constructing of lamps applicable for warm climates of polished
silvor, with one or more flat wicks, surrounded by gauze work, & with holder
to carry dome, and perforated top, the aperture through which the oil must be
poured (in trimming) to open and close with a sliding plate.
Fourthly, our improvements consist in the use of what we term a safeguard,
to be used in trimming lamps, such safeguard being formed of two plates in
one piece, one plate to pass into the air tube and the other to rest on the
glass holder, by which means the air tube cannot become clogged, nor can tho
cuttings of the cotton in trimming fall into the lamp.
Fifthly, our improvements relate to what is called pressure lamps; and
consist in the use of a float of a cylindrical or other form, with a wire attached
projecting up through a hole near the burner; in supplying the lamp with oil
this float will rise, and indicate when sufficient has been poured in, thus
avoiding the disagreeable results of overcharging and wasting the oil. We
also attach to any suitable part of a pressure lamp an alarum or indicator, to
sound or denote when the lamp requires re-winding. And again, our improve-
ments in pressure lamps consist in having an aperture in the case, to facilitate
the cleaning of the lamp, and affording a ready means for removing or adjusting
the wire.
Sixthly, our improvements consist in making roof lamps for railway car-
riages and such like situations of a cylindrical form, ensuring. thereby great
simplicity of construction, the oil to flow from the reservoir of such lamps in
the same way as used in the common vase lamp, the cotton to be regulated by
a pinion, & beneath the pinion we fix a suitable cap or plate for preventing
the oil flowing out of the lamp, either from the irregular burning or from the
shaking or oscillation of the carriage; and also in the use of flat cotton wicks
to such lamps, such wicks being closely coiled up in the inside, so that in
trimming, the cotton would only need renewing monthly, or according to the
amount first supplied and the subsequent usage.
And, seventhly, our improvements in lighting relate to lamps for lighting
the outside of shop windows, and consist in forming jets radiating from a
centre and surrounded by polished zinc, thereby avoiding the use of glass.

page_text: Eighthly, our improvements in lighting refer to the mode of constructing
street lamps, and which consist in the use of two upright bars instead of four;
and also in the use of white enamel or opaque glass for glazing the top, by
which the light' will be deflected down and their usefulness greatly increased;
and under this head we, may also name an improvement applicable to street
or station lamps; & consist in so finishing by plating Argand burners used in
reflectors, by which the disc or dark shadow on the reflector is avoided, and
in combination with the use of a lantern constructed with mirrors, so that the
light is reflected downwards, where alone it is required, & thereby avoiding
the loss of light which would otherwise travel upwards, and by which a light
is afforded sufficient to light a large space, such as the centres of towns, large
street crossings, or railway stations.
Ninthly, relates to an improved lamp for the head & tail of railway trains,
the burners of which are so constructed; that by the use of flat wicks and
chimney a greatly increased light is obtained, and the reflector and bulls-eye
kept clear and bright by preventing any smoke from the light coming in
contact with them.
.)..
Tenthly, our improvements in lighting refer to lighthouses, and consist,
firstly, in the application thereto of the Argand burner, constructed with an
inner and outer chimney, without or in combination with guaze work, to
steady the flame, and by thus dispensing with the concentric wicks now in
use we effect a great saving in the consumption of oil, and at the same time
greatly increases the light. Also this arrangement (from its greater illumi-
nating power) enables us to dispense with the expensive dioptric principle as
applied to lighthouses. And our, improvements may be stationary or made
to revolve, so as to meet the general requirements of lighthouses by the usual
characteristics, to denote (without or in combination with the use of colored
glass, their locality when seen from the sea.
Eleventhly, our improvements consist in the use of plated burners when
employed in lighthouses, by which the yellow reflection from the usual brass
burner is avoided, and the reflector illumined with an increased brilliancy from
the burnished surfaces of the burner.
Twelfthly, our improvements consist in the use of a piston rod to regulate
the wick of the burner of lighthouse lamps, by which greater simplicity and
durability is attained, and the adjustment of the wick effected with greater
precision.
"
"
な
And, lastly, our Invention relates to 'signal lamps to be used at or near
the bows of vessels, and consists in constructing them (so far as regards the
burners) in the plan described under our "ninth head; and also in the adoption

page_text: of signals of one color for sailing vessels, & for steamers another color, that
by their distinctive colors each mariner will know the kind of vessel approach-
ing, and by the white side light or lamp being seen in relation with the
colored front glass the course of the vessel will be known; white lights to be
used at the sides to denote the side of vessels; at the mast head the same
colored lamp to be used as at the bow; when at anchor two colored lamps to
be used. one above the other.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Richard Clark and John Thomas Stroud in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 27th October 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, RICHARD
CLARK, Lamp Manufacturer, of the Strand, London, in the County of
Middlesex, and JOHN THOMAS STROUD, Lamp Manufacturer, of Suffolk Street,
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her. Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
Richard Clark and John Thomas Stroud, Her special license that we, the
said Richard Clark and John Thomas Stroud, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as we, the said Richard Clark and John Thomas
Stroud, our executors, administrators, or 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 "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN LIGHTING, APPLICABLE TO TABLE, STREET, SIGNAL, AND OTHER LAMPS; AS ALSO
FOR THE CONSTRUCTING, DENOTING, AND REGULATING THE SIGNALS AND BURNERS OF
LIGHTHOUSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Richard
Clark and John, Thomas Stroud, by an instrument in writing under our
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 we, the said, Richard Clark and John Thomas
Stroud, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, that is to say:-.
In our Provisional Specification we have stated the nature and object of
our various improvements as named in the title; but in order that we may
be thoroughly understood, as well as to exhibit the mode of construction, we
have annexed Drawings illustrating the novel parts relative to our Invention
in the same order as they are named in the Provisional Specification, and
which we will now proceed to describe.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Our improvement under the first head relates to the regulating of cotton.
holders, applicable to lamps generally, and is exhibited at Figure 1, Sheet I',
A, A, A, A, representing the outer case of a lamp burner, and B, B, the
inner tube or airway. (This burner may be united to a suitable stand' in
the ordinary way,) and the manner in which the lamp cotton may be raised
or lowered will be understood by the following description :-C, C, represents
a collapsible cotton holder (or any ordinary cotton carrier may be used); D, D,
is a vertical screw, tapped through the ring E of the cotton carrier, and at the
bottom end of the screw D is fixed a small bevel wheel F; G, G, is a stuffing
box, through which the pin H works, on the inner end of which and corre-
sponding with the bevel wheel F is a small pinion. Now, it is evident that if
this pinion is turned round by means of the knob I in the direction of the
arrow, a circular motion will be given to the vertical screw D, D, by which
means the cotton carrier E. will be brought down the barrel of the burner and
raised again by a contrary action of the knob I. In connection with this
Figure, we will further observe that we have found that the inner tube B, B, of
lamp burners (whether connected with this mode of raising the cotton or any
other) are liable to be burnt away by use at the top end, and as a means of
easy repairing such defects we prefer tapping the lower end, as at J, into the
base of the burner K, K, where it may be further secured by solder, which
when needed may be unsoldered, and the tube raised by means of the screw;
and again soldered to prevent leakage.
Secondly, our improvements relate to the stuffing boxes of table and other
lamps, by which leakage is entirely prevented; and this improvement is repre-
sented at Figure 2. A, A, represents the outer tube of a lamp burner, on
which is soldered a round piece of metal, tapped on the outside to receive the
outer cap B, B, and on the inside to receive the screw C and conical washer
or plug D. The use of these parts will be understood by the following descrip-
tion:-The parts being separate, we will proceed to put them together as here

page_text: shewn, and for this purpose the pinion Fattached to the axis (shewn in dotted
lines), and on which the plug D is placed, are put through the centre hole of
the part E and the screw G turned in, which has the effect of squeezing the
leather or other suitable washer D tight around its axis, and we next screw on
the cap B, (or the cap B may be united to the screw C, and both screwed in
simultaneously.) The knob His next placed on, and by which the desired
action. is given to the pinion F, which by working into the teeth of a vertical
rack, the lamp cotton may be raised or lowered; or this kind of stuffing box
may be applied to the lamp burner, as last described.
Our third improvement relates to lamps suitable for warm climates, and we
prefer making the head parts, in which consist our improvement, of- polished
silver, or polished or plated metal, and of a sperical form, as shewn at Figuré 3,
which represents a vertical section, shewing the reservoir for the oil or other
luminous material A, A, and the airway B passing, through the internal bottom
C, C. The manner in which we apply the burners to such, lamps will be best
understood from the top view, Figure 4, and to prevent confusion weiwill mark
the same parts as they occur in these two Figures with the samer letters of
reference. Crepresents (in edge view. Figure 3, and top view in Figure 4,) a
table placed over the air tube B (which air tube is shewn in dotted lines in
the last Figure), for the purpose of distributing the air to supply the flame,
which is here produced from four, separate and distinct cottons placed in the
holders D, D, D, D, and are regulated by the pinions. E, E, E, E, fastened on
to four axis, working through the gallery F, F, F, F, and through a support
formed out of the cotton tube, itself, as shewn at f', f', f, f, and put in motion
by the knobs G, G, G, G, thereby raising or lowering the cottons as desired.
The gallery, may be of open fretwork, or gauze, of sufficient strength to form a
steady rest for the chimney, and for; which we have found, a cylindrical form
most suitable, and represented at Figure 3 broken off for the convenience of
space. As this description of lamp is capable of some modifications, we will
further observe that in some instances regular Argand burners may be used in
place of the flat wicks, and in that case the cotton carrier must, be elevated. or
depressed by a pinion and thumb bit, giving motion to a outer tube by means
of a crown wheel or circular rack, as represented at Figure 5; and in situa-
tions where it may be desirable; either from economy or preference, to, use
grease instead of oil, we have found it. necessary to leave a small cavity in the
top of the lamp (surrounding the burner) for receiving a corresponding.iron
weight, represented at H, H, Figure 6, which may be made red hot, so that
by means of its great heat it shall melt the fat around the burner for first
lighting, the light afterwards generating sufficient heat to keep the grease in a

page_text: liquid state; or in place of the iron weight, a small quantity of spirits of wine
or other suitable inflamable fluid may be substituted and lighted, as a means
of liquifying the grease by the heat thus generated; and in some instances the
galley for holding the glass may have an open space all round it for admitting
the air, as shewn at Figure 6, and the cotton carrier may be raised by a pinion
and thumb screw, as at Figure 5; but instead of the pinion working up
against the crown wheel or circular rack, we in some instances place the
pinion above the rack, as shewn in this Figure, the pinion being shewn in
dotted lines.
Fourthly, our experience in the management of lamps has suggested the
propriety of providing suitable means by which lamps may be trimmed without
the parts of the charred wick (which are taken off in trimming) falling either
outside on the table or stand (on which the lamp may rest), or into the internal.
part or airway, and this we effect by a very efficient but simple mode. We
form a circular tray, as represented in section at a, a, Figure 7. This tray may
rest on the gallery or glass holder, as shewn, and is fitted with an upright
wire b, firmly secured to it by solder or otherwise, which wire upright may be
bent around in a circular form at the top, shewn in dotted lines, or into the
angular form, as shewn, and the depressed end being tapped, we are enabled
to screw on and adjust the small concave button or tray C, which fitting
exactly the airway of the burner, it is evident that in trimming the lamp any
particle falling in on the inside would be caught in the inner tray C, and if on
the outside on the tray a, a.
And the fifth part of our improvements relate to pressure lamps, and
consist, first, in providing a means for indicating when sufficient oil has been
supplied to the lamp; and, secondly, in providing such lamps with a self-acting
signal or alarm for indicating when the plunger or valve requires re--winding
up; and, thirdly, in further supplying such lamps with a screw plug in the
bottom of the oil chamber, by removing which the oil chamber may be
cleaned, as well as for removing or adjusting the wire which regulates the
flow of oil. The first of these improvements will be understood by the fol-
lowing description:-A, Figure 8, represents a section of the burner case,
and B a top view of the same; C is a bit of hollow tubing, closed at the ends,
and made of very thin metal and tightly soldered in all parts; this must be
sufficiently bouyant as to lift up the wire D, to which it is attached, when
sufficient oil is poured in; and Figure 9 represents a front and side view of a
burner suitable for a pressure lamp, and attached to the waste cup is. firmly
secured a steel wire, coiled into a spiral form, with the inner end pointed
inwards, as shewn at E, and the rack F being united to, the main valve or

page_text: piston, as it descends, and when near the bottom, the projection G coming in
contact with E, will pull it down until the spring frees itself, which will then
make an audible vibrating sound, thus indicating that the plunger requires
re-winding in order to provide the flame with a fresh supply of oil. And our
last improvement under this head we have exhibited in a flat and sectional edge
view at Figure 10, the plug being marked H, H, in each Figure.
The sixth part of our improvement, named in the Provisional Specifi-
cation, we entirely abandon, finding that it has already been embodied in
a Patent.
The seventh part of our improvements in lighting refers to the mode of
lighting and diffusing the same, applicable to shop fronts, and consist in
forming a ring of jets, the ring being placed in a vertical position and pro-
tected from the wind or atmospheric currents by an hemispherical reflector,
having a row of perforations immediately behind the ring of jets for supplying
it with air. This improvement we have exhibited in a front and vertical sectional
view at Figure 11; A being the supply pipe; B, B, the ring of jets; and C,
the reflector. This reflector may be made of polished zinc or plated metal, and
in this or other suitable form; but we prefer making them of thin sheet iron,
enammed on the in or both sides.
Eighthly, our improvements in lighting relates to lamps suitable to general
street purposes, railway stations, and such like out-door situations, and which
improvement we have exhibited in a vertical sectional view at Figure 12
without the oil chamber and burner, or jet when gas is used; and our
improvements consist in making the dome or top part of the lamp A of
sheet or cast iron, enammeled on one or both sides; and in connection with
such enammeled dome we form the body of the lamp B of one piece of glass,
held by its edge in a suitable rim or band, which band must be perforated
or formed with openings for the admission of air, and connected with one
or two straps of sufficient strength for supporting the lamp, either to a lamp
iron or post. By this construction of lamp the light is concentrated in the
dome and reflected downwards instead of passing away upwards in a useless
direction, as in the ordinary construction of street lamps, nor is there that
amount of obstruction in the diffusing of the light around and downward, so
objectionable in the ordinary square-formed lamp now in use. If it should
be preferred, the dome A may be of any other suitable shape, and made of
glass and painted on the outside, or of china or earthenware, but we think
thin sheet iron enammelled will be found the most convenient material, as
the lamp may be increased in size without materially increasing its weight.
Ninthly, our improvements relate to the mode of ventilating head and tail

page_text: lamps for railway trains, and is represented at Figure 13, consisting simply of
an internal tube, marked A, up into which the chimney B passes, thus entirely
preventing any smoke getting into the body of the lamp, thereby destroying
the brilliancy of the reflector placed behind the light, and the clearness of the
bulls-eye placed in front of it:
The tenth, eleventh, and twelfth heads of our improvements, as stated in
our Provisional Specification, relates to lighthouses, and consists, firstly, in the
application of an Argand burner constructed with an inner as well an outer
chimney, by which we are enabled to so direct the air to all parts of the wick
submitted to the action of the flame that the usual rapid carbonization of the
wick is entirely prevented. Monsieur Fresuel produced a burner with con-
centric wicks, using in some instances as many as four, which beyond a doubt
produced a great increase of light, and was an important improvement at
the time of its introduction; but from the great heat produced by his plan,-
the evil, namely, the rapid carbonization of the wicks, and the consequent
frequent necessity of trimming, was increased rather than diminished; for it
is a well-known principle that the supply of oil to the flame is in proportion
to the carbonized state of the wick; therefore it is necessary, nay indispensable,
for a continuous, clear, and brilliant light, that the air should be evenly and
regularly supplied to the wick to ensure this desirable effect, and this we
completely ensure by the introduction of the inner chimney, which also has
the effect of elongating the flame, and thereby greatly increasing its illumi-
nating power; thus we save largely in the cost of manufacture, as well as in
the supply of oil and attention in trimming, as our lamp will be found to
continue its brilliant power of light from eight to ten hours without trimming.
Secondly, our improvement consist in silvering and polishing or burnishing all
the metal portions necessary in and about the burners, or other internal parts
of lighthouses, as we have found the use of brass for this purpose highly
objectionable, as it deteriorates the brilliancy of the light thrown forward from
the reflector or reflectors. And the third part of our improvements in the
burners of lighthouses relate to the mode of regulating the cotton, but which
will be hereafter described. Figure 14, Sheet 2, represents a vertical section
of the burner and its appendages as applicable to a lighthouse, shewing the
outer chimney A, A, broken through for the convenience of space, as also is
the supply pipe B. C, C, C; C, is the outside case of the burner; D, D, D, D,
the inner case. The gallery for carrying the outer chimney, represented in
section at E, E, may be made in such a manner that it may be slid off, as here
represented, or permanently fixed. F, F, is the cotton attached to the circular
cotton carrier G, G, which is attached to two rods, marked H, H; these

page_text: rods pass through the stuffing boxes I, I, at the bottom of the burner, and
are united by means of adjusting screws J, J, and nuts K, K, to the cross
piece L, L, through which the screw M passes, working in the cross piece
L, L, by means of the collar N; and across the bottom of the burner is fixed
another cross plate, shewn here in section at 0, 0, through which the screw
works; and it will now be evident, that by turning the screw M by the knob P,
the rods H, H, may be worked up or down as desired, and by this means
lifting or regulating the cotton. Around that part of the cross piece O that
surrounds the screw is a raised boss, to which the gallery Q, Q, for carrying
the inner chimney-is-attached, the inner chimney being represented by blue
lines extending up to R, R: S, S, is a plate of gauze work or perforated
metal, for dividing. and regulating the current of air which passes up the inner
chimney. TT, is a waste cup, for gathering the overflow of oil that may run
down on the inside of the burner, and which may be conveyed to any suitable
receiver by means of the small pipe U; and V is a dome, with a ventilating
tube attached, for carrying off the smoke and heat arising from the lamp while
burning, indicated both' above and below by the arrows; and it will be
observed that we prefer the dome coming down some little way over the outer
chimney, as here shewn; and as a further use, the metal tube at the top of
the dome enables us to dispense with the ordinary throttle valve, commonly
used with the concentric burner. And Figure 15 is a top view of Figure 14,
with the dome and chimnies removed; and we will observe that the position
of the cross bars 0, 0, and L, L, are placed at right angles to the position
shewn in the above Figure, and to exhibit this we have removed the gange or
perforated plate, marked S, S. The bottom of the gallery for carrying the
outside chimney we form of gauze or perforated metal, shewn in an edge
view at W, W, Figure 14, with the arrows passing through it, but which
gauze work we have shewn broken off or removed from W to W in Figure 15.
Having thus described the general characteristics of this burner, we will
now: describe its further application to lighthouses. A, A, A, Figure 16,
represents a sectional view of a large parabolic reflector, the dimensions of
which and -size of the burner, also shewn, being regulated according to
requirements, (the proportions of this reflector to the burner as drawn at
Figure 14-would be from A" to A" about four feet in diameter; and it will
be seen that we put the dome V on the outside of the reflector, where it must
be held by suitable supports; independant, distinct, and free from the chimney
over which it is placed. One peculiar effect of the inner chimney is to increase
the length of the flame, and it will be observed that the position of the burner
must be such that- the focal centre of the reflector shall be level with the

page_text: centre of the flame. Figure 17 represents a transverse sectional view of as
much of a lighthouse as may be necessary for exhibiting our improved method
of concentrating the light, by which we are enabled to dispense with the
expensive dioptric principle as applied to lighthouses, and we do this by placing
a number of burners and parabolic reflectors as at A, A, A, &c. around the
interior of the lighthouse, secured to the upright divisional bars B, B, &c. in
such a way that the light shall be concentrated on C, which is a large polished
silvered sphere, or a sphere of glass silvered on the inside will answer well;
but in all cases the reflector must point-directly towards the centre of the.
sphere, and must be of such a size or number as to-entirely.illumine. the sphere,
as shewn by the arrows, with the exception of the top and bottom, on which
we place.two suitable reflectors, for the purpose of catching and reflecting back
the rays of light which would otherwise passy off in this direction, which
reflector, is marked D,.D, and shewn in, an edge, view, and denoted by the
same letter of reference at Figure 18, which is merely introduced for the pur-
pose of, shewing that in some instances we may dispense, with the sphere and
use in its place a fluted or corrugated, shaft, as represented at E, F, E, F,
and shewn also by the dotted lines around the sphere in Figure 17. And
before concluding our remarks upon lighthouses, we, will, further, observe,
that by reflecting the light direct from the sphere or polished surfaces, as, last
described, we obtain the full effect of the light, none being lost in transmission,
which is an evil attendant upon the dioptric principle,
"
1
. And, lastly, our improvements relate to signal lamps to be used on board.
vessels, and consist in constructing them, so far, as regards, the burners, on
the plan described under our third head; but principally, our Invention relates
to the adoption of certain understood colours in signal lamps to, denote, when
vessels are at anchor or when in motion;.,as also to distinguish the class of
vessel, as to whether propelled. by steam, in contradistinction to sailing, such
signal lamps, being placed at the bows or other suitable position. It will
be readily known to the mariner from the vessel or vessels approaching, their
course and description, in order that his own course may be shaped accordingly,
and thus avoiding the danger and lamentable consequences of a collission at
sea. It is well known that sailing vessels are unable to tack and shape their
course..with the. facility of steam vessels, but the character of the approaching
vessels being at once known and identified, by the colour of the signal, the
steamer can take the initiative, and give sea room to the approaching sailing
vessel; and so on in the case of vessels riding at anchor; that fact being
denoted by their signal, any approaching vessel, will know, how...to steer her
course. And as to the disposition of the colours, we recommend that vessels

page_text: at anchor should use two white lights; placed one above the other, and sailing
vessels a green; while steamers we would confine to red, these being the
denoting colours, which may be arranged in any suitable way. But for intri-
cate and crowded river navigation we think it important to provide a signal
for smaller craft, such as fishing smacks, and for which purpose we'recommend.
that a tricolour lamp shall be used, of white, red, and green.
Having thus described. the nature of our Invention, and the' manner in
which the same may be carried into effect, we wish it understood that we do
not confine ourselves to form or measurement or to the exact detail as herein
described; but what we do claim as our Invention is,-
Firstly, we claim the mode of raising and lowering the cotton by a screwed
wire, in the manner described in Figure One, as also the mode of making the
inner case of burners, as shewn in the same Figure.
Secondly, we claim the mode of constructing" stuffing boxes for lamps as
exhibited at Figure 2.
Thirdly, we claim the construction of the lamp described and exhibited at
Figures Three; Four; Five; and Six, as also the making of the spherical head
of polished silver.
Fourthly, we claim the safeguard for triming lamps as described and
exhibited at Figure Seven, without confining ourselves to the exact detail.
Fifthly, we claim the application to pressure lamps of an alarm for indi-
cating when they require winding, without confining ourselves to the form
of the alarm exhibited at Figure Nine; as also we claim the application of
a screw plug as applied to the bottoms of pressure lamps, as exhibited and
described at Figure Ten.
Sixthly, we claim the mode of constructing' outside shop lamps without
glass, as exhibited at Figure Eleven.
Seventhly, we claim the description of lamp drawn and exhibited at Figure
Twelve without any regard to the size or shape of the body or reflector, as-
both may be greatly varied without departing from the advantages of the
reflecting roof.-
Eighthly, we claim the improvements of head and tail lights for railway
trains, as described and exhibited at Figure Thirteen.
Ninthly, we claim the burner as drawn and described in connection with
the inner chimney, as exhibited at Figure Fourteen and Fifteen, without con-
fining ourselves to the exact shape and size.
Tenthly, we claim the application of the burner last described in connection
with a parabolic reflector, as exhibited at Figure Sixteen, without confining
ourselves to the exact form or size of such reflector.

page_text: Eleventhly, we claim the disposition of such reflector and burners, as
exhibited in Figure Seventeen, without any regard to the number that may be
used; we also claim the polished sphere or column, with a top and bottom
reflector used in connection, without any regard to their dimensions, or to the
shape and number of the flutes or corrugations that may be placed around
the column.
Lastly, we claim as our Invention the use of signal lamps to be used at
sea, by which from their colour the description of vessel, whether sailing or
steamer, as also whether stationary or in motion, may be seen or understood.
In witness whereof, we, the said Richard Clark and John Thomas
Stroud, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-fifth day
of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-five
RICHD CLARK.
(L.S.)
Signed in the presence of
J. S. COCKINGS, Patent Agent,
JOHN THOS STROUD. (L.S.).
26, Ann Street, Birmingham.