Year: 1887

page_text: I, GEORGE GRANT FRANCIS of 9 Queen Street Place, Upper Thames Street in the
City of London, Mining Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to signalling at night and can be used with equal advantage
either at sea, on land or from balloons.
The main object of the said invention is to provide means whereby the operator is
enabled by reflecting letters or other signs upon a screen or some other suitable object
near him to signal to persons at a distance.
For this purpose I employ an apparatus consisting of a lantern provided with a light
of any suitable description and stencils or perforated plates of the letters or other
signs to be reflected by the operator as hereinafter more fully described.
This lantern is made of tin, papier maché or any other suitable material, and has a
cylindrical or other suitably shaped compartment for a kerosine or other lamp which
is preferably placed with the flame edgeways towards the face of the lantern as the
smaller and brighter the light the more clear and distinct will be the reflection. The
said lamp compartment is ventilated at the bottom and provided with a wind proof
chimney; the face of the said lantern is made in two or more telescopic sections, the
first section is arranged on a fixed joint upon the lamp compartment and at a suitable
angle to the light so as to cast the reflection in an upward direction; by lengthening
or shortening the face of the lantern by means of the sliding telescopic section or
sections above described the size of the reflection thrown upon the screen or other
object is regulated. The face of the lantern or the last sliding section is fitted either
with or without glass, and is provided with a top and bottom groove to allow a sliding
frame arranged to hold in any suitable manner one or more rows containing any
convenient number of the stencils or perforated plates of letters or other signs to be
reflected upon the screen or other object by the operator; a suitable aperture smaller
than the sliding telescopic face of the lantern communicates between the said face and
the compartment containing the light. A rack for holding the stencils of letters or
other signs ready for use is attached to the top of the face or other convenient part of
the lantern the said stencils being distinguished by a light from the top of the lamp

page_text: compartment shining through a suitable frosted glass window upon counterparts of
the letters or signs represented by the stencils shown in luminuous paint on the upper
face of the same. A convenient strap is also provided to steady the lantern, with or
for the operator to hold it by when signalling standing.
In a modification of the said invention the face of the lamp is made conical the
smaller end of the cone being attached to the lamp compartment; in this case there
is no sliding joint, and the aperture communicating between the face and the lamp
compartment is made the full size of the smaller end of the conical face, the lamp
compartment is made of an oblong or other suitable shape, and one or more lamps
are employed; the size of the letters or other signs reflected by the operator upon the
screen or other object are obtained by shifting the lamp or lamps either to or from the
face of the lantern. Similar grooves and sliding frame for holding the stencils or
perforated plates of the letters or other signs to those above described are also
provided.
Another modification of the said invention consists of a lantern with a cylindrical
metal or other band for holding one or more rows of the stencils or perforated plates
of letters or other signs in a similar manner to the straight sliding frame above
described, and fitted to a frame of any suitable material round which it can be
revolved, the size of the reflection is also regulated in this arrangement by shifting
the lamp or lamps as above described. The upright stand or frame of this circular
lantern is bent in a suitable manner to avoid any obstruction of light when the lamp
or other light is in the rear part of the lantern.
Lenses such as those used in ordinary magic lanterns are also employed but in
cases where the reflection is thrown upon a sail or other object liable to flap and throw
the reflection out of focus their use is not desirable.
The stencils or perforated plates of the letters or other signs are like ordinary
stencil plates and are made of any suitable material but are preferably taper, or larger
at the top, so that they may slip down easily and expeditiously into the frame. A
counterpart of the letter or other sign represented by the stencil is also sometimes
placed upon the upper face of the latter in luminous paint for the purpose herein before
described.
The letter or other sign is reflected by the operator upon any suitable screen or
object such as a sail or funnel at sea, or a cliff, house or tent on land. For use in
cases where no convenient screen or object can be obtained a device is employed for
obtaining an apparent surface to signal on, consisting of a species of wind-mill the
arms of which are made of some light material and so constructed as to fold back
upon the handle when not in use. This arrangement whilst offering a minimum
amount of resistance to the wind, while in rapid revolution presents a good screen for
reflecting the signal upon.
The operation of this invention is obvious, and can be learned in a few minutes by
any person capable of reading. The words of the messages to be signalled can be
either spelt out in full, the size of the letters being only dependent upon that of the
screen or object upon which they are reflected, or the international code may be
employed, or any other signs that may be desired and the invention is equally applicable
to night signalling at sea, on land, or from balloons.
Although the said invention is herein described more especially in connection with
a light consisting of a lamp or lamps of the common kerosine or other type, it is
evident that lights of a more powerful description may be employed with advantage
such as a magnesium wire light, or an electric light the results obtained therefrom
being proportionally greater.
In some cases colored reflections may be used for special purposes.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: the telescopic section c¹ and retained in position by means of catches f. Suitable
washers and a division plate f2 are provided between the sheets or plates & the said
sheets or plates are, moreover, provided with projecting arms or extensions (so
arranged that the upper parts of all of the said arms or extensions are visible at the
same time. These arins or extensions d' have printed upon them in luminous paint
or otherwise, the letters, figures or other signs represented by the perforations in the
corresponding sheets or plates d. The said arms or extensions are, moreover,
provided with shoulders d which form stops to retain them in their proper position
relative to each other when not in use. Sometimes I arrange the above described
sheets or plates d at one side only of the section c¹ of the lantern.
In using the apparatus, the sheet or plate & perforated to represent the letter, figure
or other sign which it is desired to employ for signalling is brought in front of the
aperture of the telescopic projecting tube, by swivelling it upon the rod e by means
of the arm or extension d' of the said sheet or plate. A magnified image of the said
letter, figure or other sign is then thrown upon a suitable screen or other object such
for instance, as a sail or the funnel of a steam-boiler at sea, or a cliff, house or tent
on land. In this manner signals may be transmitted according to any desired code,
and the images or signs are visible from a great distance.
Figures 4 to 6 illustrate a modification wherein the projecting tube of the lantern is
made flaring or bell-mouthed. The arms or extensions d' of the sheets or plates d
are moreover placed in line, one behind the other and are adapted to bear against
projections d³ upon the side of the section c¹. Wires or cords d are attached to the
said sheets or plates d. The said wires or cords pass through holes d in the section c¹
and over guides or rollers de attached to the side of the section c¹. The said wires or
cords d then pass through loops or eyes d' attached to the upper part of the said
section c¹ and through holes c³ in a plate et attached to the upper part of the section c¹.
The extremities of the wires or cords are provided with knobs ds. Each of the
holes in the plate c* is provided with a letter figure or other sign corresponding with
that represented by the sheet or plate the wire or cord from which passes through the
said hole. The letters or figures or other signs upon the plate c can be distinguished
by a light from the top of the lamp-compartment shining through a suitable frosted
glass or other window provided with a suitable sliding door. By pulling the wires or
cords any of the perforated sheets or plates d may be brought in front of the
aperture of the lantern. I sometimes moreover form the letters, figures or other
signs in luminous paint.
carried in
Figures 7 & 8 show a modification in which I employ a roller or drum
suitable brackets h upon the upper part of the outer telescopic section c¹. The brackets h
are preferably carried in sockets upon the said section, so that they can be easily
removed if desired. Upon the lower part of the telescopic section c¹ is a roller or
drum preferably of smaller diameter than the drum g, carried in brackets hk attached
to the lower part of the said section c¹. The top roller or drum g is provided with a
crank handle by means of which it can be rotated and with a grooved wheel or
pulley m. The lower roller or drum j is also provided with a grooved wheel or
pulley m² and is connected to the top roller g by means of a suitable band or cord n,
so that the two rollers or drums g and j can be rotated together by the said crank
handle. The roller or drum g is, moreover, provided with a band o of paper or other
suitable material. Out of this bando are cut the letters, figures or other signs the
roller or drum is provided with a short band o' having hooks o² adapted to engage
with holes o³ in the band o; or other suitable means are provided for connecting the
band o to the roller or drumj so that the said band can be unrolled from the roller or
drum g and rolled upon the roller or drum j and vice versa. Thus either of the letters,
figures or other signs can be brought at will in front of the projecting tube of the
lantern A and its image thrown upon a screen or other object. I cause a narrow strip
or band p of any suitable material to pass over small rollers 9 placed at the sides of
the top roller or drum g and over another roller q¹ placed upon the top of the telescopic
section c¹ behind the roller or drum g carrying the perforated band o.
Extensions h¹
upon the brackets are moreover provided to act as guides for the said strip or band p.

page_text: The roller ¹ is fitted to revolve upon one extremity of a suitably curved or bent rod r.
The other extremity of the rod is carried in a sockets upon the top of the telescopic
section c¹. When the roller is in use the rod is supported in the bracket t, being
sufficiently drawn out of the sockets for that purpose. When not required the rod
is released from the bracket t by reinserting it in the socket 8, and is folded down
upon the section el out of the way. This narrow strip or band p is marked with
letters figures or signs, preferably in luminous paint, and is so arranged as to travel
with the perforated band o and to form an index by means of which the letter, figure or
other sign in front of the lantern face is conveniently indicated to the operator. In
some cases I mark the band n with letters or figures and so arrange the same as to
form an index to the perforated band o. The size of image of the letter, figure or
other sign projected upon the screen or other object by the operator is regulated in the
manner herein before described.
Figure 9 illustrates a modification wherein the sheets or plates d are inserted in a
rack or frame . The rack or frame u is arranged to slide in grooves u¹ in front of
the section c. The said rack or frame is provided with slides adapted to hold
the sheets or plates d.
Figure 1 shows a modification intended for use in cases where it is desired to signal
shorthand or other signs. A brush w dipped in whitewash or other suitable material
is placed in sockets attached to the side of the section cl; slides u¹ similar to those
above described are moreover provided in front of the said section c¹ so that a sheet of
plate or other glass can be passed into the same. The brush w is so arranged that it
bears against the sheet of glass as it is passed into the said slides u¹ and the said glass
is thus covered with a sufficient coating of wash to render the same impervious to light.
In some places I place pieces of wood w¹ or other suitable material at regular intervals
in the said brush w so that the said pieces of wood w¹ bear against the sheet of glass
and form lines upon it by rubbing off the wash. Shorthand or other signs are then
written by the operator upon the sheets of glass thus washed by removing the said
wash by means of his finger or otherwise. The said shorthand or other signs are then
signalled in a similar manner to that herein before described.
I sometimes, moreover further modify my apparatus by employing a dise with
letters, figures or other signs formed by perforating or cutting out the same.
This
disc is provided with a spindle carried in suitable bearings attached to the lantern so
that the said disc can be rotated by means of a crank handle fixed upon the extremity
of the said spindle, and any desired letter, figure or other sign can be brought in front
of the lantern face. Behind this perforated disc and upon the same spindle is a smaller
disc or dial having a facsimile of the letter, figure or other sign upon the same
preferably in luminous paint. A pointer is so arranged that it will indicate upon the
smaller disc or dial the perforated letter, figure or other sign upon the larger disc in
front of the lantern face at any time.
A rack for holding the stencils of letters figures or other signs ready for use is
sometimes attached to the top of the tube or other convenient part of the lantern when
an arrangement such as is illustrated in Figure 9 is employed. The said stencils are
distinguished by a light from the top of the lamp-compartment shining through a
suitable frosted glass window as hereinbefore described upon the counterparts of the
said letters figures or other signs represented by the stencils which are preferably
shown in luminous paint on the upper part of the same. A convenient strap is also
provided to steady the lantern with or for the operator to hold it by when signalling
standing.
In another modification of the said apparatus the projecting tube of the lamp is
made conical the smaller end of the cone being attached to the lamp compartment;
in this case there is no sliding joint, and the aperture communicating between the
tube and the lamp compartment is made the full size of the smaller end of the conical
face, the lamp compartment is made of an oblong or other suitable shape, and one or
moro lamps are employed. Grooves and a sliding frame for holding the stencils
or perforated plates are also provided as above described.

page_text: The size of the images thrown by the operator upon the screen or other object are
varied by shifting the lamp or lamps either to or from the stencil plate in tube of the
lantern.
Another modification of the said Invention consists of a lantern with a cylindrical
metal or other band for holding one or more rows of the stencils or perforated plates
in a similar manner to the straight sliding frame herein before described with reference,
to Figure 9 and fitted to a frame of any suitable material round which it can be
revolved, the size of the images is also regulated in this arrangement by shifting
the lamp or lamps as above described. The upright stand or frame of this circular lantern
is bent in a suitable manner to avoid any obstruction of light when the lamp or
other source of light is in the rear part of the lantern.
In some cases where no convenient screen or object can be obtained upon which to throw
the images, I sometimes employ a device for obtaining an apparent surface to signal
upon, consisting of a species of wind-mill the arms of which are made of some
light material and so constructed as to fold back upon the handle when not in
use. This arrangement although offering a minimum amount of resistance to the
wind, while in rapid revolution, presents a good screen upon which to exhibit the
signals.
The operation of my apparatus is obvious, and can be learned in a few minutes
by any person capable of reading. The words of the messages to be signalled can be
either spelt out in full, the size of the letters being only dependent upon that of
the screen or object upon which they are projected, or the international code may be
employed, or any other signs that may be desired.
Although the said invention is herein described more especially in connection with
a light consisting of a lamp or lamps of the common kerosine or other type, it is
evident that lights of a more powerful description can be employed with advantage
such as a magnesium wire light, or where available a gas, or an electric light; the
results obtained therefrom being proportionally greater.
Although I have hereinbefore described convenient and advantageous forms of
apparatus for carrying my method of signalling into practice, it is obvious that I
can somewhat further modify the construction of my said apparatus to suit the
different purposes for which it may be required without departing from the nature of
my said invention. For instance I can place a window of glass or other transparent
substance in the face of the lantern, or I can employ lenses such as those used in
ordinary magic lanterns. The latter however are not desirable in cases where the
images are to be thrown upon a sail or other object liable to flap, and thus interfere
with the distinctness of the image projected thereon. In some instances colored glass
is employed to project coloured signals for special purposes. In other instances I so
form the lantern that it will shew different letters at once to form any desired word
for such purposes say as projecting names on light houses or other buildings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood
that I claim
First. The above described method of signalling by the exhibition upon a screen or
other object of magnified images of letters, figures, or other signs for the purpose
specified.
Second. A signalling apparatus provided with a lamp or other suitable source of
light and with adjustable or removable plates or sheets having letters or other signs
cut therefrom, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Third. A lantern provided with one or more telescopic tubes or sections (with or
without glass windows or lenses) and with perforated sheets or plates arranged to
swivel at either side of the same, and means whereby either of the said sheets or
plates can be brought in front of the lantern-aperture, substantially as, and for the
purpose, set forth.

page_text: Fourth. The modification of my Invention wherein I provide for the use of short-
hand or other signs marked upon prepared glass, cubstantially as, and for the
purpose, set forth.
Fifth. The improved apparatus consisting of the parts constructed and combined,
substantially as described, with reference to either of the forms or modifications
shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this
day of July 1888.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.