IMPROVEMENTS IN KALEIDOSCOPES OR APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING KALEIDOSCOPIC EFFECTS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles McIlvenna, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KALEIDOSCOPES OR
APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING KALEIDOSCOPIC EFFECTS."
Sealed the 10th June 1879, and dated the 13th December 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles McIlvenna at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th December 1878.
CHARLES MILVENNA, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN KALEIDOSCOPES OR APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING KALEIDOSCOPIC
EFFECTS."
This Invention has for its object the adaptation of the principle of the kaleido-
scope to more extended usefulness.
It consists in doing away with the tube altogether, and placing the two vertical
mirrors or several pairs of vertical mirrors meeting at or close to one point at an
angle of 60 degrees. Immediately under this point I place a pivot on which a
horizontal disc or series of discs hang free to revolve; on these the patterns,
pictures, et cetera, are placed. To make the thing more perfect the mirrors can
have their lower edges rounded and bevelled to an edge at the mirror side or
darkened. By this means the lines formed in the image by the thickness of the
glass are not so apparent. Sometimes I place a vertical plate of glass equidistant
between the two mirrors of each pair to heighten the effect and multiply the
repetitions. The mirrors and pivot or bearing for the discs are attached to a stout
framework of wood, metal, or other suitable material, which also acts as a stand for
the apparatus or a place to hold it by. The discs at other points are fully exposed,
so that thin articles can be dropped onto them; but between the mirrors of each

page_text: pair they are protected by a plate of glass, and this glass is so cut, arranged, or
painted as to form the appearance of a perfect circle.
The object of having several discs one over the other, but each in the series of
larger diameter than those above, is that objects can be placed on each, and so one
set of objects be moved without the others, and a perspective effect be given. It is
not necessary in all cases to have discs, a simple fixed tray will do, but is a poor
substitute. Drawers, too, will take the place of discs or even travelling tapes upon
which the objects to be seen are fixed. The mode of using is as follows:-Scatter
ornamental paper or other designs on the tray or discs, and the front and top of the
mirrors being exposed, look between the mirrors, shifting the discs or patterns
about, a continued series of hexagonal images will result.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles McIlvenna in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
June 1879.
"
IM-
CHARLES M'ILVENNA, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster.
PROVEMENTS IN KALEIDOSCOPES OR APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING KALEIDOSCOPIC
EFFECTS."
Fig. 1 is a side view partly in section; Fig. 2, a plan; and Fig. 3, a back view.
This Invention has for its object the adaptation of the principle of the kaleido-
scope to more extended usefulness. It consists,-
In doing away with the tube altogether and placing the two vertical mirrors A, A,
or several pairs of vertical mirrors meeting at or close to one line at an angle of
60 degrees; on this line beneath the mirrors I place a pivot B on which a horizontal
disc or series of discs hang free to revolve; on these the patterns, pictures, et
cetera, are placed.
To make the apparatus more perfect the mirrors can have their lower edges
rounded and bevelled to an edge at the mirror side; by this means the lines formed
in the image by the thickness of the glass are not so apparent.
The mirrors A and pivot or bearing B for the discs are attached to a stout frame-
work F of wood, metal, cardboard, or other suitable material, which also acts as a
stand for the apparatus or a place to hold it by. This framework to strengthen it
is armed with side wings E, which also act as shields to hide the edges of the tray
from view. The discs at other points are fully exposed so that thin articles can be
dropped onto them; but between the mirrors of each pair they are protected by a
plate of glass D, and this glass is so cut, arranged, or painted as to form the
appearance of a perfect circle. This plate however is not necessarily of glass; it
can be of tin or other material, and be entirely open over the tray except in so far
as is necessary to cover the tray edges. In this case the inner edge must coincide
with a circle whose centre is on the line of junction of the mirrors.
The object of having dises one over the other, but each in the series of larger
diameter than those above, is that objects can be placed on each, and so one set of
objects be removed without the others and a perspective effect be given. It is not
necessary in all cases to have discs, a simple fixed tray will do, but is a poor
substitute.
The mode of using is as follows:-Scatter flowers, ornamental paper, or other
designs on the tray or discs, and the front and top of the mirrors being exposed,
look between the mirrors shifting the discs or patterns about, a continued series of
hexagonal images will result.
This apparatus can be applied to a variety of uses, such, for instance, as trans-
formation scenes in theatres; in such case the mirrors are placed slightly sloping
towards the audience, and the objects to be seen stand not merely on the tray but
the ground in front. In this way the apparent number of actors is sextupled.
Having now described my Invention, and the best mode known to me of carrying
it into effect and applying it to useful purposes, I wish it to be understood that
what I believe to be new and desire to protect under the herein before in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
I. The manufacture of kaleidoscopic apparatus with a revolving tray (or trays)
placed with its (or their) centre immediately below and in line with the junction
of two mirrors, open above and in front, for the purposes described.
II. The hereindescribed arrangement of the framework or attachments of kaleido-
scopic apparatus, open above and in front, covering the edge of the revolving tray
where otherwise exposed, namely, bounding the exposed area with an opaque
circular edge, having for centre the line of contact of the mirrors so as to present a
circular field, substantially as described.

page_text: III. The combination of the mirrors A, A, meeting at an angle of 60 degrees, the
tray C or other mechanism for holding and displaying the objects to be exhibited,
the circular edge of the framework bounding the field, covering the edge of said
tray or its equivalent so as to form by reflection a circular field, with or without
the wings E or their mechanical equivalent formed to shield the object holder from
view of the spectator and strengthen the frame.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles McIlvenna, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this 29th day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy nine.
Witness,
CHARLES M°ILVENNA. (LS.)
E. GARDNER COLTON,
Wm. P. Thompson & Co.'s Patent Agency,
6, Lord St.,
L'pool, &
323, High Holborn,
London,
W.C.