Improvements in Folding Lanterns.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Folding Lanterns.
I, KARL BÖCKLEIN, of 39, Reichenbach strasse, Munich, in the Empire of
Germany, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention consists in a folding lantern which is intended to occupy a small
space when folded and be easily unfolded for use or refolded afterwards.
It comprises four side frames and a compensation strip which are connected
together by strips of any suitable fabric or by hinge joints so that two of said
sides may be folded inwards and lie between the other two sides the compensation
strip lying across the back of the fold and serving as a connection to the two other
sides. To one of the sides is hinged at the top a top plate and to the bottom a
bottom plate each of the shape of the lantern in plane when erected. The top plate
carries a folding bail and has a hole for outlet of products of combustion and a
hinged flap for covering the said hole. The bottom plate has a hole through which
a candle may be pushed and is provided with a pair of serrated arms with spring
and fastener forming the two members of a clamp which will hold candles of various
sizes.
Dated this 11th dow of Mov 1807
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicant.
Improvements in Folding Lanterns.
I, KARL BÖCKLEIN, of 39, Reichenbachstrasse, Munich, in the Empire of
Germany, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
The lantern shown in the annexed drawings in two forms of construction is
more essentially intended for tourists, officers, hunters, and inhabitants of country
parts, and can be folded together in such a manner, that it can be easily carried
in the pocket without any inconvenience. In order to use it one has only to seize
077

page_text: the bail r, whereupon the lantern unfolds itself by means of its own weight; on
pulling down the bottom band sliding a candle through the bottom opening, the
lantern is ready for use.
The folding together and the unfolding in an automatic manner is rendered
possible by means of the hinge like connections a of the edges of the lantern walls
by means of strips of cloth, leather, asbestos, or the like, as shown in Figs. 1-4 or
also by corresponding hinge joints as shown in Figs. 5-7.
Fig. 1 shows the cloth connections in hatched lines. Further characteristic
construction details are the already mentioned movable bottom b and the movable
cover e, which are turnable on hinged joints respectively b¹ and c¹, and when un-
folded (Fig. 1) move against the wall h of the lantern and when folded together
are laid on the wall d.
Figs. 3 and 4 show in cross sections the manner of folding the lantern together
according to the construction of Fig. 1. The lantern is folded together in such
a manner, that after having turned the cover c and the bottom b on to the wall d
the lantern walls as in Fig. 2 are brought together in the direction of the arrow
Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4 a rail e makes the wall g in which it is placed
longer in proportion to the other walls (Figs. 1 and 2) and keeps the wall parts g
and d at one edge so far from one another that the walls and i can be folded
between the same. As shown in Fig. 4, the lantern when folded together requires
very little space, so that it can be inserted in a leather case or the like, and can
be put into the pocket very easily and comfortably.
When the lantern is opened, the cover presses against the wall h and is held by
means of the bent border m of the wall under the upper border of the lantern.
The bottom. lies on the border of the wall h and a complete stable lantern is
obtained which can only be folded again, when the bottom and the cover are
pressed inwards until they are lying against the wall d.
The cover has a smoke vent ? to be closed by the lid o and is provided with the
already mentioned bail or handle r, by means of which the lantern is carried.
This handle can be turned over on to the outside of the lantern, when the latter
is folded together. The bottom 6 has on its under surface a fastening device v,
which serves for holding a candle of any suitable size and which device can be
constructed in any suitable manner.
The lantern can be conveniently glazed with mica.
The rail e, which enlarges the wall g for allowing the lamp to be folded together
can of course also be replaced by a strip of cloth, asbestos, or the like.
In Fig. 5 the connection of the edges is effected by hinged joints a.
The cross
section of the lamp has the form of a trapezium (Fig. 6) and the lantern instead
of being foldable only in one direction as in Fig. 2, can be folded together in two
directions (Fig. 6). Fig. 7 shows the lantern when folded together. In Fig. 5
the one wall d of the lantern is provided with a door w, in order to facilitate the
insertion of the candle. The lantern can be closed by pressing the door w against
the snap u.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is:
1. An improved folding lantern opening automatically by its own weight,
having the bottom b and cover c to be folded inwards into the interior of the lantern
and having hinge like connections of the sides of the lantern walls d, g, h, and i.
2. In the lantern as in Claim 1 the connection of the walls by flexible strips of
cloth, leather, asbestos, or the like or by means of hinge joints.
3. In the lantern as in Claim 1 a strip or rail e which makes one wall g larger
than the other walls and which, keeps the adjoining walls 9 and d so far from one
another, that the other walls h and i can be placed between these two when the
lantern is folded together.
4. In the lantern as in Claim 1 the connection of the side walls by hinge joints a

page_text: placed as in Fig. 6, the one wall d being larger for giving a cross section to the
lantern of the form of a trapezium.
Dated this 31st day of January 1898.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicant, 18, Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., London.