Improvements in Lanterns for use of Policemen and others.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1899-Accepted, 17th June, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lanterns for use of Policemen and others.
I, THOMAS WILLIAM DANIELS, of 47, Farrance Street, Burdett Row, London, E.,
Lamp Trimmer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in lanterns for the use of policemen
and others and the object is to provide an article of this kind by which it shall
be possible to throw the light downwards near the user's feet as well as ahead.
It also provides for catching any oil which may escape when the lantern is
inclined and it has the further advantage that when the user stoops for any pur-
pose the lantern swings outwards and consequently does not discommode him
by pressure like the present kind of lantern. I also arrange for good ventila-
tion, ensuring coolness to the lamp and reducing waste by evaporation of the
oil. In carrying my invention into effect I proceed in or in about the following
manner making reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section, Fig. 2 a side view, Fig. 3 a section at right angles
to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a half front and half back view and Fig. 5 a cross section through
the centre of the bulls-eye. The body a of the lantern is made with an arched
top and the hinged door c. The lower part of the door e contains the bulls-
To an
eye d which is covered by a shield or flap e hinged at f to the door c.
opening in the top of the door is attached the edge of the larger end of a hollow
cone y, the smaller end of which (when the lantern is closed) is against an
opening at the back of the lantern and is kept in position by a hook or bar
to be hereafter mentioned. Air holes are provided at h¹ in the back of the
lantern and further ventilation is provided for by short pieces of piping at the
sides and top of the back of the lantern. Within the lantern are the ledges j
under which is slid the oil reservoir k. This reservoir has a trough-like top
in which is a portion of waste or other material m to absorb any oil which may
escape from the burner n when the lantern is inclined. The waste is kept in
Weather shields
place by a plate o having an aperture to fit over the burner n.
are provided as at p round the top of the larger end of the cone g, and also up
At the back of the lantern are the
each side of the front of the lantern as at q.
wires r at each side and bent as shown or approximately so, and having cars
ats through which passes the spindlet from which depends the hanger u.
wearers belt is passed between the hanger and the upper parts of the wires r.
The hanger allows the lantern to swing out on the spindle when the wearer
stoops. To one of the wires r is attached one end of a chain w, the other end of
which carries a bar or hook a which is put through an eye y provided at the
smaller end of the cone and projecting through the back of the lantern by
which arrangement the door is kept from flying open. The spindle on which
is hinged the shield or flap e is prolonged and bent down at one end and fur-
nished with a ring in which may be hooked one end of a spiral spring A the
other end of which is attached to the back of the lantern. This spring permits
The

page_text: of the flap e being kept shut down over the bullseye or opened up flat against the
upper end of the door c.
The concave side of the flap e may be silvered or the
flap may be made of or lined with white metal to act as a reflector so that by
unhooking the spring A the flap may be moved by the prolonged end of its
spindle and so permit of the rays from the bullseye being intercepted and thrown
downwards according to the inclination at which e is held. Within the lantern
and resting against the ventilating tubes is the reflector B having a hole through
which the smaller end of the cone g can pass. This reflector is made somewhat
smaller in places than the lantern so that the air entering between itself and
the back of the lantern can escape into the interior. The cone is made of
white metal or may be silvered outside and is very easily cleaned if smoked by
the lamp below it. The general arrangement of the various parts may be used
for lanterns having other illuminating means than oil.
I do not confine myself to the precise shapes relative proportions or disposi-
tions of the various parts shown in the drawings as some variation is possible
in any or all of them without departure from the essential feature of the
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. Lanterns for the use of policemen and others the said lanterns having the
following essential parts: (a) A body provided with a door and bullseye in
front and with air holes and tubes at the back and sides. (b) A flap or shield
hinged to the said door in such manner that it can be moved on its hinge to un-
cover or more or less so the bullseye and having one of its surfaces silvered or
otherwise formed so as to act as a reflector for diverting downwards as and when
required the rays of light emitted from the lantern through the bullseye. (c) A-
hollow cone, the larger end of which is fastened to an opening in the upper part
of the door and the smaller end passed through an opening at the back of the
lantern and temporarily retained there by a pin or other suitable means.
(d) Handles behind the lantern and having depending therefrom a hinged hanger
between which and the handle is passed the belt on which the lantern is hung.
(e) An oil reservoir and a wick-tube the said oil reservoir having a trough like
top containing "waste" or other absorbent. (f) A cover to keep the said absor-
bent in position. (g) A reflector within and at the back of the lantern. (h)
Means for keeping out the weather, the whole substantially as described in the
above specification and exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
(2) Lanterns for the use of policemen and others and constructed and operating
substantially as described in the above specification and exemplified in the
accompanying drawings.
(3) The special form of oil reservoir referred to in the above Claim 1 and con-
structed substantially as described in the above specification and exemplified
in the accompanying drawings.
(4) The special form of handles and hinged hanger referred to in the above.
Claim 1 constructed substantially as described in the above specification and
exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 28th day of Anil 1900