Improvements in Boxes or Cases for Magic Lanterns.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 24th Sept., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boxes or Cases for Magic Lanterns.
I, HERBERT CHARLES NEWTON, Scientific Instrument Maker, of 3 Fleet
Street, London, E.C., 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 :-
It is usual for the makers of optical lanterns, to provide a box or case in which
the lantern can be transported from place to place, which case is employed as a
stand for the lantern when in use.
The case has generally been arranged so that one or both sides should let down
to act as a table on which to place the slides, the sides being supported by tapes or
chains.
But this has been found inconvenient, as the table takes up too much space, and
prevents free access to the lantern, and the chains or tapes are in the way, when
exhibiting, besides which, if both sides are let down, the framework of the case has
to be stronger and heavier than is absolutely necessary.
It has also been found desirable to have a tilting board, so that the lantern may
be more or less tilted without moving and wedging up the case, but the addition of
a tilting board adds weight to the case, which is undesirable.
Now the object of the present invention, is so to construct a case for optical
lanterns, that the above requirements will be provided for, and, at the same time,
the weight will be reduced to the minimum.
In the accompanying drawing,
Fig 1 is a perspective view of the lantern case open ready for use.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation.
Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line y. Fig. 2, looking to the right; and
Fig. 4 is a cross section taken at about the same line, and showing the case
closed.
A is a rectangular frame of suitable size, which forms the body of the lantern
box or case, the rigidity of the frame being ensured by a part B of one side which
is securely attached thereto. The other part B₁ of the side, is removable, and may
be used to form the tilting board (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3). For this purpose it is
provided at one end with pivot pins a a, which fit into suitable holes in the top of
the box, and at the other end with slotted plates bb, to receive clamping screws cc,
by which the board may be fixed at any desired inclination.
The other side C of the box is entirely removable, and is employed to form a
shelf, guides d d being placed across the frame A to receive it. D is a rectangular
frame, which will fit onto the shelf C, when the box is opened (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3),
to receive used slides, or for any other purpose, and will be stowed away at the end
of the box, or elsewhere, when it is closed, with the chimney E of the lantern inside,
as seen at Fig. 4.
It will be obvious that the frame D may be duplicated, if desired, in which case
the frames will be made to fit one within the other. The movable parts will be
secured in position by catches, or in any other convenient manner.
It will be seen that a lantern box constructed as above described, will give all
the accommodation to be found in other boxes, and in a much more compact form.
The space below the shelf will form a cupboard or receptacle for slides that have
been used; one side of the box will form a shelf, which can be easily reached by
the exhibitor from either side of the lantern, and will be provided with the
enclosures D, while part of the other side serves also as the tilting board.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation.
Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line y. Fig. 2, looking to the right; and
Fig. 4 is a cross section taken at about the same line, and showing the case
closed.
A is a rectangular frame of suitable size, which forms the body of the lantern
box or case, the rigidity of the frame being ensured by a part B of one side which
is securely attached thereto. The other part B' of the side, is removable, and may
be used to form the tilting board (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3). For this purpose it is
provided at one end with pivot pins a a, which fit into suitable holes in the top of
the box, and at the other end with slotted plates bb, to receive clamping screws cc,
by which the board may be fixed at any desired inclination.
The other side C of the box is entirely removable, and is employed to form a
shelf, guides d d being placed across the frame A to receive it. D is a rectangular
frame, which will fit onto the shelf C, when the box is opened (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3),
to receive used slides, or for any other purpose, and will be stowed away at the end
of the box, or elsewhere, when it is closed, with the chimney E of the lantern inside,
as seen at Fig. 4.
It will be obvious that the frame D may be duplicated, if desired, in which case
the frames will be made to fit one within the other. The movable parts will be
secured in position by catches, or in any other convenient manner.
It will be seen that a lantern box constructed as above described, will give all
the accommodation to be found in other boxes, and in a much more compact form.
The space below the shelf will form a cupboard or receptacle for slides that have
been used; one side of the box will form a shelf, which can be easily reached by
the exhibitor from either side of the lantern, and will be provided with the
enclosures D, while part of the other side serves also as the tilting board.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion & in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
--
1. A box or case for optical lanterns, constructed and arranged substantially as
herein shewn and described.
2. In a box or case for optical lanterns, adapting one side to form a shelf
supported at or about half the height of the box in guides, and part of the other
side to form a tilting board, as described.
Dated this 19th day of Awoust 1892
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.