Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 6th May, 1887
Complete Left, 4th Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 9th Mar., 1888
JOSEPH WALL, Vauxhall Villa, 68 North Road, Bristol, England, Master Mariner,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A lamp for signalling at sea or on land, by means of a Flashing light, the flashes
arrainged into Codes to represent Letters or Numbers.
The Lamp, to be constructed of any kind of suitable metal, in two or more
sections.
The Lower section consisting of the Base, on which is fitted the Luminating
Medium and Reflector. Vent holes through the lower part for air circulation. The
upper section consists of the main body, with Chimney and Handle at the top.
In one side of the body is fitted a lens for emitting parallel rays of light, and a
moveable opaque disc for exposing and eclipsing the light.
A "Direction Plate" made of a translucent substance fitted in the opposite side to
the lens.
A small bushed hole through the side convenient for a key-pin to regulate
the light.
The Chimney constructed to prevent back drafts of air, and throw out the hot air
horizontally.
The Handle is secured to the upper part of the Lamp casing.
A compound lever for operating the opaque disc, and connected with the Handle at
the top.
The upper and lower sections of the Lamp join below the lens, and are secured by
clamp fastenings.
The Lamp, large or small, when ready for use, can be transported to elevated
positions such as aloft on board of vessels-and the light flashed as required, by
operating the lever connected with the opaque disc, with one finger of the hand which
holds the Lamp, thus leaving one arm free for the signaller to secure himself. The
illuminated "Direction Plate" fitted in the Lamp, being his guide in times of
excitement.

page_text: The stand, consists of an upright, terminating at the top in a clamp attachment,
into which the lower part of the Lamp adjusts itself, and is secured, being sufficiently
free to allow turning, to focus the light as required.
The Flashes from the Lamp, can be of short, long, or of short and long duration,
and can have a corresponding meaning for Day use, by means of a hoisting or
collapsing ball.
The Codes by Flashes, can be adapted to known symbols, such as Flags or
Semaphores, now in use by Day on sea and land.
Dated thi. Dich
JM. 1007

page_text: I, JOSEPH WALL, of 68 North Road, Bristol, in the County of Gloucester, Master
Mariner, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
A lamp for signalling on sea, or land by means of a flashing light, the flashes
arranged into a code to represent letters, or numbers.
"
The lamp to be constructed of any kind of suitable metal, having two, or more
sections. The lower section consists of a base on which is fitted the illuminating
medium and reflector. Vent holes are provided in the lower part for air circulation.
The upper portion consists of the main body. It has a chimney and handle placed
in it at the top. In one side of the body is fitted a lens for emitting parallel rays of
light and a moveable opaqué disc for exposing and eclipsing the light. A "Direction
Plate made of a translucent substance is fitted in the opposite side to the lens.
A small bushed hole is provided in the side for a key pin to regulate the light.
The chimney is constructed to prevent back draughts of air and throw out the
heat liorizontally. The handle is secured to the upper part of the lamp casing.
A compound lever for operating the opaque disc is placed and connected with the
handle at the top.. The upper and lower portions of the lamp join below the lens,
and are secured by clamp fastenings.
The lamp whether large, or small when ready for use can be transported to
elevated positions such as aloft on board of navigable vessels and the light flashed
as required, by operating the lever connected with the opaque disc with one finger
of the hand which holds the lamp, thus leaving one arm free for the signaller to
secure himself. The illuminated Direction Plate” fitted in the lamp, being his
guide in times of excitement.
The stand consists of an upright terminating at the top in a clamp attachment
into which the lower part of the lamp adjusts itself, and is secured, being suffi-
ciently free to allow turning, to focus the light as required.
The flashes from the lamp can be of short, long, or short and long duration
They can have a corresponding meaning for day use, by means of a hoisting, or
collapsing ball.
The codes by flashes can be adapted to known symbols, such as
flags, or semaphores, now in use by day on sea and land.
The above description sets forth generally, the nature and object of my Invention,
but the description of it will now be proceeded with in reference to the Drawings
hereto annexed by way of explaining more fully the construction, operation, effects
and objects of the Invention.
The Drawings which form a part of this Specification-and the following
description of them set forth a special lamp, or apparatus designed to apply the
mode of signalling which has been above explained.
The same figures an letters of reference inarked on the Drawings refer to the
same parts wherever they occur in the various views.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows a sectional elevation of the lamp.
Figure 2 represents a view of the lamp partly in section.
Figure 3 shows the lamp in cross section through it just above the glass
chimney, and Figure 4 is a full plan of same.
With reference to the Drawings A designates the casing of the upper portion
of the lamp; B is the casing of the lower portion; c represents the oil vessel of
the lamp, supporting the burner el glass chimney and reflector c³. D is the
opaque disc, or shutter connected to the lever d¹, rod d and finger lever d³ and
sliding on the guide rods d'. E is the lens of the lamp. F is the glazed sight
aperture, and G is the translucent direction dial. H is a plate connected to the
casing B and provided with a flange having interspaced angle pieces h². I is a
ring of metal secured to the inner surface of the casing A and provided with segmental
flange pieces is a thumb screw for clamping and securing the flange pieces ¿¹
and together. k is the base, or foot of the lamp having a diaphragm k'. represent
apertures in the diaphragm k¹ and k³ are apertures in the case B for supplying air to
the lamp. are tubes passing through the oil vessel c also for supplying air to the
lamp. m represents a chain. m' and m² chain wheels mounted respectively on the
spindles m² m² and m³ is a milled thumb wheel. These parts constitute the gear for
adjusting the wick of the lamp. m designates a device of any known construction-
provided for disconnecting the chain when required. N is the upper casing of the
lamp and n n are tubes for the outlet of the burnt gases and air. n³ is a disc secured
to the tube n³ but having an annular space between its periphery and the tube. o is
an annular case and o¹ a disc both of asbestos. P is the handle of the lamp, of hollow
construction and formed of the plates p¹.
The functions and operation of the various parts above specified are as follows:-
The two portions A and B of the lamp are connected together by the pieces h² and i.
Assuming the portions to be apart and it is required to put them together and secure
them, the upper part A is placed on the lower one B, the segmental flange pieces i¹
resting on the flange and lying between the angle pieces h². Either the top, or
bottom portion of the lamp is turned-or both may be turned and the pieces i¹ are so
introduced and passed under the pieces 2 until they take the position shown in
Figures 3 and 4 when the thumb screw is screwed down into a hole in one of the
pieces and the two portions are thus secured together. No door is thus required in
the lamp and consequently all difficulties or objections incident to the use of the
ordinary doors are obviated. Some of these objections are (1) the liability of the
hinges of the door to become deranged and defective (2) liability to become easily
bent in use and consequent leakage of air into the lamp.
The wick and thereby the light of the lamp is controlled by turning the milled
thumb wheel m³ one way, or the other, the chain m communicating the movement to
the spindle m*. This is the ordinary regulating spindle. The condition of the
light is seen through the glazed aperture, or window F which is provided for this
purpose. The controlling wheel and gear are placed within the casing of the lamp as
shown so as to render it free from liability of injury, or derangement. This advantage
is not attained with lamps provided with their wick controlling device outside of
the case.
The air necessary to support the combustion of the oil is supplied to the interior of
the lamp partly through the apertures ³ and pipes partly through the apertures k²
and partly through the segmental apertures designated formed by providing the
ring I with curved channels as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The arrows indicate the
course of the air through the various apertures.
The exit for smoke and burnt gases from the funnel tube n³ takes place horizontally
that is after passing the annular passage lying between the periphery of the disc n
and the tube n² it has to pass out through the space lying between the upper edge of
the asbestos ring o and the disc o¹. The arrows show the direction of exit of these

page_text: gases. The asbestos is provided to shield the heat of the funnel and the waste gases
from the hand of the operator.
The opaque shield; or shutter D is operated by pressing the key d of the lever d³
that is to say when the key is pressed by the finger of the operator the shutter D is
raised and allows the light of the lamp to pass through the lens E and upon releasing
the finger the shutter falls and the light is again shut off. The shutter 1 slides upon
the rods d and the lever d¹ is bifurcated and catches the shutter at each corner as
shown. The return action of the shutter is caused partly by the weight of the shutter
itself and partly by the spring 9. The pin q¹ denotes to the signaller the proper
movement of the levers. ¹ designate a cup and tube employed to trap, or impede
either egress or ingress of air, or gases from, or to the interior of the lamp. are
vent holes in the handle.
On sheet 2 of the Drawings is shown a code of signals which correspond with the
flags in the "day book." The dark spots represent the flashes emitted by the lamp
and the spaces between the spots the intervals of time between the flashes. This sheet
needs no further description as it is of a known kind. The "single signals" shown
below the code and the "urgent signals" represent examples of a group of signals
similar to those used in the " Commercial Code book."
The translucent direction dial G is provided with symbols of the night code shown
on sheet two of the Drawings so that the operator of the lamp has the illuminated
code before him to refer to.
Having now described the function and construction of the various parts of the
lamp, I will now state generally some of the advantages of the lamp for signalling by
a short flash system and other features connected with it.
The object of my Invention has been to provide a lamp of either large, or small
size for producing flashing signals, using bright, or coloured lights and with interior
fittings of such a construction that will not easily get out of order and which when
required at sea can be easily adjusted at sea.
It often happens in storms, or times of danger at sea that a seaman has to seek
some safe elevated position to flash signals; now from the construction of lamp. for
producing the signals, namely all operating parts being inside the case of the lamp
and handle no outside, or protruding parts exist and consequently liability of the lamp
becoming entangled with, or injured by any ropes, or rigging of the vessel is avoided.
The operating end of the levers which operate the opaque disc for exposing and
eclipsing the light, is situated in the handle of the lamp directly under the signallers
thumb so that the lamp can be carried, or suspended and operated with the hand and
thumb which holds the lamp leaving the signaller one arm and hand free to steady
and secure himself. This is particularly important when a large size lamp is
used.
The lamp is constructed in two sections to dispense with the use of a door-which
often becomes defective and causes draughts of air which disturb the light-and also
to allow better access to the interior fittings of the lamp, and for manipulation of it.
The construction of means for connecting the upper section to the lower one is one by
which they may be connected quickly and simply and it can be done in a dark room.
It is also rigid and safe.
-
The air spaces between the two sections-where they join-also the vent holes k
and in the bottom of the lower section and the air tubes through the oil tank,
supplies the light and interior of the lamp with sufficient air to give a brilliant light
and keep the lamp cool.
By the lever attachments, namely the ends of the bifurcated lever being connected
with the opaque disc for hoisting and lowering there is provided a simple and easy
adjustment. The index pin (9) under the end of the lever d³ is to indicate to the
signal man, by feeling, the complete movements of the levers and disc and to force
the end of the lever up again, if needed.
The asbestos plates are provided about the chimney to protect it from becoming
over heated.

page_text: The usefullness of the lamp above described is greatest when shown in conjunction
with a suitable and efficient code, namely one easily learned and retained in the mind.
Thus for night, Time flashes of any duration settled upon may be used (such as
shown in sheet 2), the flashes representing certain symbols, such as those repre-
sented by the ordinary ball pennant flag, or semaphores at different angles, the
transposition of these symbols indicating letters, or numbers. The flashes from
the lamp may be arranged thus:-One flash is equivalent to the ball: two flashes
the pennant three flashes the flag, with an interval between each symbol equal
to about three flashes. A hoisting, or collapsing ball for signalling during the
day might be used, corresponding with the flashes at night. Thus a universal
system of day and night signalling would be provided and one that would come
within the reach of all classes and sizes of vessels.
Small class vessels and fishing boats at present have no means day or night-
of signalling whatever and larger vessels which carry flags often find them useless
in calms, adverse winds and at other times and have no night signals.
A vessel large, or small provided with a lamp according to my Invention and
a ball, or disc would possess every requisite for efficient signalling for day and
night.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :
First. In lamps of the type herein described the combination of the shutter for
exposing and eclipsing the light, the gear, or mechanism for operating such shutter
and the handle of the lamp whereby the said shutter can be operated when the lamp is
being carried in suspension, as or substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Second. In a lamp of the type herein described, the gear, or device for operating
the shutter disposed and arranged above the lamp and within the handle of it,
substantially as set forth.
Third. The shutter D lens E lamp burner c¹ lever d¹ rod d², lever d³ and handle
combined arranged and operating substantially as set forth.
Fourth. A lamp of the type herein described, constructed of two portions A and B
and connected together as, or substantially as set forth, whereby the use of a door is
obviated and facilities for access to the interior parts of the lamp are afforded.
Fifth. The construction by which air is introduced to the interior of the lamp
between the casings A and B at the portion where the said two parts are connected
substantially as set forth.
Sixth. In a lamp of the type herein described the wick adjusting device herein
described or its equivalent arranged within the casing whereby the facility for
adjustment and security against derangement are at the same time afforded, substan-
tially as set forth.
Seventh. In a lamp of the type herein described the aperture F provided in the
casing of the lamp, arranged as shown, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
Eighth. The particular arrangement, combination and construction of parts of the
lamp as a whole, set forth with reference to the Drawings.
1000