Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1897-Accepted, 12th June, 1897
A communication from abroad by A. G. SPALDING & BROTHERS, a company
incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey, of Jersey City, in.
said State, and in New York, all in the United States of America.
I PHILIP MIDDLETON JUSTICE of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents 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:-
This invention relates to bicycle lamps or headlights.
The object of the invention is to provide a bicycle lamp of improved construction
wherein is obtained a bright steady light and which will not flicker or be
extinguished while in use. The features of improvement are designed mainly with
especial reference to this object, although concerned with different parts of the
lamp, such as means for giving a forced draft to the lamp, and means for securing
proper ventilation without permitting air to enter the lamp from the top. Other
features of improvement will also be described hereinafter which with those already
referred to, combine to produce a lamp of great value for the special use for which
it is designed.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a lamp constructed in accordance with the
invention showing means for attaching the same to the frame of a bicycle.
Figure 2 is a view in plan with the chimney and burner removed showing means
for effecting a forced draft.
Figure 3 is a view in vertical central section of the lamp shown in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 4-4, Figure 3, looking in the
direction of the arrows.
Figure 5 is a sectional detail view on the line 5-5, Figure 3, showing means for
regulating the flame.
Figure 6 is an inside face view of the glass front showing means for detachably
holding the same in place.
Figure 7 is a detail view in plan illustrating means for regulating the speed of
the draft motor.
Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8, Figure 1, illustrating a form
of lamp-holding clip or bracket and means for adjusting the inclinations of the
lamp.
Figure 9 is a detached detail inside face view of one of the lamp-clamping
jaws.
In the drawings 10 designates a suitable base comprising a chamber or receptacle
adapted to receive the illuminating oil. Arranged within this chamber or receptacle
so as to be wholly submerged in the oil therein, is a suitable motor for actuating
the fan, presently to be described more fully, and by which the forced draft is
secured. Any suitable, convenient or desirable arrangement or form of motor may
be employed. In the form shown the motor comprises an ordinary clock-work
arrangement of shafts and gears, 11, for rotating the fan shaft, 12, through which
a draft fan, 13, is actuated, and a suitable spring, 14, coiled upon a drum or shaft, 15,
Figure 4, serves as the motive force. Any suitable or convenient arrangement may

page_text: be provided for winding up the spring, such as a usual or ordinary form of pawl and
ratchet mechanism, actuated by a lever, 16, Figure 2.
The arrangement of the motor within the oil chamber or receptacle secures the
advantages of a constant lubrication of the motor gears and bearings and a noiseless
mechanism for actuating the draft fan, as well as a neat and compact arrangement.
In order that the winding pawl, 17, of lever, 16, may not form a lock for the
motor, thereby arresting its action, the said pawl, 17, is provided with an extended
heel projection, as clearly shown in Figure 2, and a stop is provided with which
said heel projection may engage when the lever, 16, reaches the limit of its back-
ward movement, whereby the pawl is rocked out of the path of its co-operating
ratchet teeth, thereby permitting the motor to continue its operation until it finally
runs down, when a forward movement of the lever, 16, releases the heel projection
of pawl, 17, from the stop, thereby permitting the toe of the pawl to engage and
actuate its ratchet wheel to wind up the motor. In practice, a supporting stud or
leg, 18, see Figure 3, of the fan chamber, is employed as the stop with which the
heel of pawl, 17, engages, as above explained.
19 designates the chimney, which may be of any suitable or convenient shape or
size. The chimney is preferably mounted upon the oil chamber, 10, in the following
mauner. The extreme lower end of the chimney is provided with a peripheral
flange, 24, which serves as a support for the chimney, and a cap plate, 20, is
arranged to engage the upper surface of said flange and to be bolted or otherwise
secured to the top of the oil chamber. In practice, and in order to prevent
the heat from the burner from being conducted to the oi! chamber, a strip or
ring, 21, of suitable material which is a non-conductor of heat, is interposed
between the cap plate, 20, and the flange of the chimney, as most clearly shown
in Figure 3, and a ring, 22, of similar material is arranged to rest upon the top of
the oil chamber, and upon this ring of non-heat-conducting material the flange
of the chimney is adapted to rest. The bolting of the cap plate, 20, to the
top of the oil chamber serves to clamp and hold the chimney firmly in place.
The ring, 22, is cut away to accommodate the pawl lever, 16, as indicated by
the omission of sectional shading of said ring to the right in Figure 3.
Upon suitable pins or legs, 18, only one of which is shown in the drawings, see
Figure 3, is supported the fan chamber, 23, in which the draft fan, 13, is adapted
to operate. This fan chamber is arranged to be enclosed by the lower end of the
chimney when the latter is mounted in place. Centrally through the bottom of
chamber, 23, the end of the fan shaft, 12, is arranged to project, and mounted upon
said shaft and located and arranged within said chamber is the fan, 13. The bottom
of the fan chamber is provided with an opening, as clearly indicated in Figure 3,
and the lower end of the lamp chimney is perforated, the perforations being
From this
protected by a suitable gauze, as indicated in Figures 1 and 3.
construction it will be seen that when the fan is actuated the air is drawn thereby
through the perforations in the lower end of the chimney and the opening in the
bottom of the fan chamber.
The construction and arrangement of fan, 13, by which a steady and uniform draft
of air is maintained, will now be described.
Mounted to rotate with shaft, 12, is a hub, 25, having a dish-shaped disc, 26,
soldered or otherwise secured thereto or formed integrally therewith. Upon the
under side of this disc are soldered or otherwise secured the fan blades, 27. These
blades are peculiarly arranged in the following manner in order to secure the most
efficient service: each blade is formed of a thin sheet of metal or other suitable
material and is arranged in a general radial direction with reference to the axis of
rotation of hub, 25, with the outer end thereof projecting slightly beyond the
periphery of the disc, 26, as clearly indicated in Figures 2 and 7. Each blade is
at the inner end thereof arranged in a plane slightly inclined forwardly with
reference to a plane containing the axis, 12, and thence towards the outer end of
the body of each blade is curved slightly in two directions, namely first slightly in
the direction of the radial length thereof and in the direction of rotation, and

page_text: second, in the transverse width thereof, as clearly indicated in the drawings, and
the outer, lower edge of each blade is rounded off, as clearly shown, while the
upper edge of each blade presents a squared corner at the outer end thereof.
Suitably soldered, affixed to, or otherwise mounted on or formed integrally with the
fan blades on the under edge thereof is a perforated ring, 28, and this ring and also
the lower edges of the fan blades, 27, lie parallel to the dish-shaped surface of
cap plate, 26, and hence are inclined with respect to the shaft, 12. If desired,
however, this ring may be omitted, said ring being merely for the purpose of
supporting the fan blades. It has been demonstrated in actual practice that a fan
embodying the principles of the invention as above pointed out and described, is
thoroughly efficient in performing the duties required of it in producing a steady
draft of air and maintaining such draft notwithstanding the jolts and jars to which
the lamp is subjected in actual use on a bicycle.
In order to secure thorough efficiency in the respect above noted it is important
to provide means for regulating the speed of the fau so that variations in the draft
will not result from a too rapid actuation of the fan when the motor is first
wound up.
In the particular form shown, a simple brake device is employed,
as shown in Figures 3 and 7, wherein a hub, 29, is mounted to rotate with shaft, 12,
and carried by said hub is a spring arm, 30, arranged in U-shape, with one leg
thereof extended in length and carrying a brake shoe, 31, arranged in proximity
to the inner wall of fan chamber, 23. From this construction it will be seen that
the shoe, 31, will be thrown by centrifugal force into frictional engagement with
the inner wall of the fan chamber upon an undue speed of rotation of shaft, 12, and
hence acts as a speed controller for the fan. A strap, 32, may be provided and
arranged to embrace the two legs of the U-shaped arm to regulate the throw of
the brake shoe.
The upper end of the shaft, 12, is journaled in a spider, 33, suitably mounted
on the top of fan chamber 23. Immediately under the spider, 33, is arranged a
disc, 34, which serves to deflect the current of air created by the fan outwardly,
such current being forced to pass around the outer periphery or edge of the said
dise. Arranged over the upper end of the fan chamber, 23, is an inverted cone-
shaped sleeve, 35, truncated and open at its upper and smaller end. This sleeve is
arranged to surround the burner, presently to be more fully described.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that the draft of air ascending
around the outer periphery of the disc, 34, strikes the inner inclined wall of the
cone-shaped sleeve, 35, and is guided upwardly thereby, and out through the
open, upper end of such sleeve. It has been found by experiment that the sheet of
air ascending around the outer periphery of disc, 34, tends to form whirls producing
eddy currents which exert a downward pull or draft in the space immediately above
the center of said disc, 34. Such eddy currents, and especially in the case where
a hollow open ended cylindrical burner is employed, cause a down draft through
the central opening of such burner, drawing downwardly therethrough the portion
of the fan draft which ascended adjacent to the inner wall of sleeve, 35, and out
through the upper end of such sleeve outside of the burner, thus not only
defeating the aim and object of a forced draft through the burner, but also
destroying the efficiency of the lamp by drawing smoke and other unconsumed
particles of the carbon down through the center of the burner. In order to
produce a thoroughly efficient lamp, free from the objections above noted, it has
been found to be of great importance to break up and dissipate the eddy currents
referred to. In the form shown, a deflector plate, 36, is mounted radially across
and above the disc, 34, said deflector consisting in the present instance of a thin
plate, set edgewise, and the upper edge extending into proximity with the lower
end of the burner. By this construction is produced an arrangement wherein the
eddy currents referred to are broken up and wherein, in case a hollow cylindrical
burner is employed, as in the particular form shown, a uniform draft is secured
both outside and through the center of the burner, the whirls produced in the
current of air ascending around the edge or outer periphery of disc, 34, being

page_text: broken up by striking such division or deflector plate, such plate serving to deflect
the current or draft upwardly therefrom and out through the central opening of the
burner. In order to still further divide and break up the eddy currents and to
evenly distribute the draft of air, a fine gauze or netting, 37, is arranged above the
deflector plate, 36, and in close proximity to the lower end of the burner. This
gauze also prevents charred portions of the wick or other matter from falling down
upon the fan and obstructing its operation.
By the construction set forth in the foregoing description, it is possible to arrange
the draft fan in close proximity to the burner to which the draft is supplied, and
this is a most desirable object in an apparatus of this nature, for the reason that
thereby it is possible to run the fan at a less speed than would otherwise be possible
and hence a less powerful and a more simple motor may be employed, and moreover,
it is possible thereby to produce a very compact construction and arrangement,
which is a desirable consideration in bicycle lamps.
In the form of burner shown, a cylindrical jacket, 38, is provided, in which the
lighting wick, 39, is placed. This jacket is arranged within an enclosing open
ended sleeve, 40, which sleeve is capable of movement endwise for a purpose
presently to be explained. The jacket, 38, may be supported within the cone
sleeve, 35, and adjacent to the upper or contracted end thereof in any suitable or
convenient manner. As shown, a tube, 41, is arranged to pass through a perfora-
tion or opening in the wall of chimney, 19, the inner end of said tube passing
through the wall of sleeve 35, and into the interior thereof and forming a support
for such sleeve. The inner end of this tube communicates with the interior
tubular jacket, 38, as clearly shown in Figure 3, the cylindrical sleeve, 40, being
slotted or cut away longitudinally on one side thereof, as shown in Figure 5, to
accommodate the tube, 41, and to permit free movement of said sleeve, 40, as
will presently more fully appear. The lighting or igniting wick, 39, may be
supplied with illuminating oil from the oil chamber in any suitable, desirable or
convenient manner. In the form shown, the oil chamber is provided with a tubular
extension, 42, which opens into the interior of such chamber, and the outer end of
the tube, 41, is arranged to telescope longitudinally into the tubular extension, 42,
as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3. A suitable wick, 43, is placed in said
tube, 41, having one end arranged to project into the oil chamber, 10, and the
other to contact with, form, or supply oil to the igniting wick, 39.
If desired, a
suitable wick, 44, may be arranged within the oil chamber and with which the
wick, 43, contacts or co-operates. In this manner the illuminating oil is supplied
to the igniting wick 39. In order to regulate the amount of flame produced by the
lighting of the lamp, the sleeve, 40, is arranged to slide longitudinally upon the
wick-carrying jacket, 38, whereby more or less of the top end of the igniting
wick, 39, may be exposed. For effecting the relative movement a short shaft, 45,
is journaled in bearings formed on the tube, 41, for convenience and compactness,
and the inner end of such shaft is provided with a crank arm, 46, Figure 5,
arranged to project between two abutments or projections, 47, formed on sleeve, 40.
From this construction it will be seen that a slight rocking motion imparted to
said shaft, 45, will effect a longitudinal movement of sleeve, 40, upon the wick
jacket to expose more or less of the upper end of the wick, 39. The shaft, 45, is
provided with a suitable head or nut, 48, whereby the same may be rotated.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that an exceedingly efficient burner
is produced, wherein is employed a tubular igniting wick and wherein a forced
draft is supplied both through the center and on the outside thereof, thereby
securing perfect combustion. It has been found in practice that the consumption
of the igniting wick is exceedingly slow where a combustible wick is employed,
that the perfect combustion resulting from the construction does not require
trimming of the igniting wick, that a strong, steady, bright flame is produced and
that the amount of flame may be easily and readily regulated. When it becomes
necessary, the igniting wick may be readily raised by means of a pen-kuife blade,
by inserting the point thereof in the upper and open end in the jacket and

page_text: prying the igniting wick, or in any other suitable manner. In the same manner
said wick may be entirely removed and a new one inserted. It has been found in
practice that where an asbestos or other form of incombustible igniting material
is employed, the raising of the wick is unnecessary:
A parabolic silvered glass reflector, 49, is arranged to be suitably supported in
position in the chimney, 19, to have the flame in the line of its axis. This
reflector is provided with the apertures 50, transversely therethrough to enable the
burner to project into the same and to permit of the maintenance of the draft
therethrough. In order to accommodate the reflector the chimney is provided with
an enlarged chamber or portion, as indicated at 51, Figure 1.
A suitable cap, 52,
preferably in the form of a glass lens is mounted over the base of the parabolic
reflector. In Figures 1, 3 and 6 is shown a convenient manner of detachably
mounting this lens or cap in place, wherein the periphery of the lens or cap is
provided with a rim, 53, having on the inner face thereof a grooved flange in which
is seated a suitable spring, 54. At diametrically opposite points this spring is
provided with the projecting knobs, 55, whereby by pressing said knobs towards
each other said spring may be contracted or compressed. The face or mouth of
the enlarged portion, 51, of the chimney is provided with an internally grooved
flange or rim, 56, and against the outer periphery of the same the flange of rim; 53,
is arranged to bear when the cap or lens is in place and when occupying this
relative position the spring 54, is in position to snap into the internal groove of
flange 56. By suitably pressing on the knobs, 55, 55, the spring, 54, may be
compressed to the end that the face plate or lens may be inserted or removed from
its place readily and easily.
The construction and arrangement of parts at the top of the chimney, whereby
the draft upwardly through the chimney may be efficiently maintained, and wherein
such draft may not be injuriously affected by the wind or by jars and shocks
to which the lamp may be subjected while in use on a bicycle will now be
described.
Arranged to fit over the top end of the chimney tube, 19, is a cap, 57, having
a sloping or convexed external surface terminating in a cylindrical rim or flange, 58,
at the upper and contracted end thereof. Fitting over this cylindrical rim or
flange, 58, and resting upon the shoulder formed by the convexed surface of the
part or cap, 57, is an outwardly and upwardly flaring cap piece, 59, or if desired
the cap pieces, 57 and 59, may be formed integrally. Over all and mounted
on the extreme upper end of the chimney proper is a cap, 60, having a closed
plate, 61, arranged to rest ou spring arms, 62, interposed above and preferably
supported upon the cap piece, 59, whereby said cap piece 59, is firmly held to its
seat and a sufficient clearance is secured between the under surface of plate, 61,
and the top rim of cap, 59, to enable the heated draft air through the lamp
chimney to pass out. The portion, 63, of the chimney which surrounds and
encloses the parts above described is suitably perforated, as indicated at 64, to
enable the draft through the lamp to escape to the outer air, and at the same time
air is prevented from entering the chimney through the top by reason of the
peculiar construction and arrangement shown and above described, whatever may
be the velocity of the wind encountered or whatever may be the jars or vertical
inovements of the lamp in actual use; the air entering the top portion, 63, of the
lamp chimney through the perforations, 64, strikes against the inclined walls of
cap plates, 57, 59, and is thereby prevented from entering the lamp chimney proper
through the clearance between the under surface of plate, 61, and the top rim of
part 59.
The construction and arrangement of holding clamp by which the lamp is
supported upon the bicycle frame and by which any desired angular adjustment of
the lamp may be secured, are shown clearly in Figures 1, 8 and 9. 65 designates a
head to which are hinged the arms, 66, 67, formed with co-operating clamping jaws
at their outer ends and adapted to embrace the front fork or other suitable or
convenient part of the bicycle frame. Through a perforation in the outer end of

page_text: .
one of said jaws passes a rod, 68, threaded at one end to receive a nut, 69. In the
other end of said rod is journaled an eccentric, 70, having an arm, 71, projecting
therefrom. The outer end of the other of said arms, 66 and 67, is slotted, as at 72,
to receive the rod, 68, therein. By this construction it will be readily seen that the
arms, 66, 67, when arranged to embrace the part of the bicycle frame between the
clamping faces thereof may be securely clamped together by rocking the rod into
the slot, 72, and adjusting the nut to secure a preliminary clamping and then finally
completing the clamping by turning the eccentric, 70, in the proper direction.
The arm, 71, may be held in proper position to secure the clamping effect of
eccentric, 70, by friction or in any other suitable manner. By simply rocking the
eccentric, 70, the clamping jaws may be released and by disengaging the free
end of rod, 68, from the slot, 72, the clamp may be readily removed from the
machine frame.
73 designates a casing, the sides of which constitute clamping jaws. This
casing is secured to head, 65, in the following manner: A headed bolt, 74, is
arranged to pass loosely through perforations in the said head and the web or base
of said casing, the head of said bolt bearing against the inner wall of said web or
base. A nut, 75, mounted on the threaded end of said bolt serves to clamp said
head and casing together while permitting rotary adjustment of said casing relative
to the axis of said bolt, 74. Each of the arms or sides of casing, 73, is faced with
a block, 76, the said blocks being suitably and correspondingly grooved on their
meeting faces to receive a suitable part of the lamp therebetween, such as the
tubular extension, 42, of the oil chamber of the lamp, as clearly shown in the
drawing, Figure 1. The blocks 76 are provided with curved slots, 77, through
which securing bolts, 78, pass, by which said blocks and the sides of casing 73 are
clamped together and upon cach other and the tubular extension, 42, of the lamp.
By making the part of the lamp which is embraced by the clamping blocks, 76,
cylindrical, it is possible to secure any desired angular adjustment of the lamp
about the axis of such extension or clamp engaging part, and by providing the
circular slots, 77, the rotary position of clamping blocks or jaws, 76, may be
adjusted, thereby securing any desired adjustment of the inclination of the lamp, as
will be readily seen and understood.
In order to light the lamp, the cap or lens, 52, is removed, thereby revealing the
igniting wick.
When it is desired to light the lamp without removing the cap or
lens, 52, it is possible to do so by providing the chimney and the reflector with
transverse apertures or openings, indicated at 79, Figure 3; an arm, 80, is pivotally
mounted upon the chimney, as at 81, and the free end thereof is arranged to form
a cover for said aperture or opening, 79, said arm being held in position to form
such cover by its own springiness.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is:-
1. A bicycle lamp having a burner, an oil chamber, 10, a fan, 13, for supplying
air to said burner, and a motor, 11, arranged within said oil chamber to be submerged
in the oil therein, for actuating said fan.
2. A bicycle lamp having a burner, a fan, 13, for supplying a draft of air to
said burner, a motor, 11, for actuating said fan, a spring arm, 30, mounted at
one end on the fan shaft, 12, and carrying a brake shoe, 31, at the other end
thereof..
3. A bicycle lamp having a burner, a fan, 13, for supplying a draft of air to
said burner, a motor, 11, for actuating said fan, and a deflector plate, 36, arranged
edgewise between said burner and fau.
4. A bicyle lamp having a burner, a fan, 13, for supplying a draft of air to
said burner, a motor, 11, for actuating the same, a disc, 34, interposed between
said fan and burner and a deflector plate, 36, superimposed edgewise upon said
disc.

page_text: 5. A bicycle lamp having a jacket, 38, adapted to receive the igniting wick, 39,
means for supplying the oil thereto, a sleeve, 40, arranged to enclose said jacket, 38,
said sleeve provided with projections, 47, and a shaft, 45, having a crank arm, 46,
arranged to operate between said projections.
6. A bicycle lamp having a shaft, 12, a hub mounted thereon, a disc, 26, carried
by said hub, fan blades, 27, carried by said disc, said blades being arranged radially
with respect to said disc and having their inner ends in a plane slightly inclined
relative to the axis of said shaft and the bodies thereof curved transversely
and in the direction of movement thereof, and a motor for rotating said shaft.
7. A bicycle lamp having a burner, a chimney, 19, enclosing the same, a grooved
rim, 56, forming a seat in said chimney adjacent to said burner, a cap plate or
lens, 52, having a peripheral flange, and a compressible spring, 54, carried by said
flange, said spring adapted to be received in the groove of said rim, whereby said
lens or cap plate is removably held in place.
8. A bicycle lamp having a burner, a chimney, 19, enclosing the same, reversely
arranged cone-shaped sleeves, 57 and 59, mounted upon the upper end of said
chimney, arms, 62, mounted upon the upper edge of the upper of said sleeves,
and a perforated enclosing cap, 63, for said sleeves, said cap having a plate, 60, to
rest upon said arms and forming a cover for said sleeves.
9. A lamp bracket for bicycle lamps, comprising a head, 65, having clamping
jaws, 66 and 67, mounted thereou adapted to engage a part of the bicycle frame,
a rod, 68, mounted in one of said jaws and carrying an eccentric, 70, said
eccentric being adapted to engage the other of said jaws to effect the clamping
action.
10. A lamp bracket for bicycle lamps having a head, 65, means for attaching the
same to a bicycle frame, a casing comprising spring arms, 73, a headed bolt, 74,
arranged to pass loosely through perforations in said casing and head, a set
nut, 75, for securing said bolt in place whereby said casing and head are clamped
together and rotatably adjustable on the axis of the bracket, and means, as
bolts, 78, for clamping said spring arms to the lamp.
11. A lamp bracket for bicycle lamps having a head, 65, means for attaching
the same to a bicycle frame, a casing comprising spring arms, 73, secured to said
head, jaws, 76, mounted in said arms for axial adjustment in a vertical plane,
said jaws adapted to engage and hold the lamp, and bolts, 78, for clamping said
jaws together.
Dated the 11th day of May 1897.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE.