Improvements in and connected with Electric Lanterns for Velocipedes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Oct., 1895-Accepted, 11th Jan.. 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Electric Lanterns for
Velocipedes.
I, HERMANN OTTO JOHNSEN, of Stotteritz, near Leipzig, Obere Mittelstrasse,
Germany, Electrician, 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 an electric lantern for velocipedes, the electric current
of which is generated by a friction pulley engaging with the pneumatic tyre, and
exciting the magnetism of a dynamo combined with it, so as to produce in this way
a light of efficient power.
The invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1, represents a section of the lighting arrangement along the line K-K
of Figure 3.
Figure 2, is a side view of same.
Figure 3, a front view.
Figure 4, shews the means by which the apparatus is attached to the
velocipede.
Figure 2, represents the lantern with its incandescent lamp.
Figure 5, the electro-magnet.
Figure 6, the front-plate with its small tube the latter forming the bearings to
the spindle.
Figure 7, the base plate with its arm.
Figure 8, a gutta-percha plate for properly fastening the copper brushes.
Figure 9, the bearings of bolt (w).
Figure 10, the I shaped armature, and the friction-pulley.
Figure 11, shews the coupling having the second bearing of bolt (w), set screws,
counter nuts, and spring.
In the drawing (A) (Figure 5) is the electro-magnet nade of malleable cast
iron.
(B) the I shaped armature (Figure 10).
(C) the collector or commutator (Figure 10).
(D) the friction-pulloy (Figure 10).
The above named essential parts of the apparatus are rigidly mounted upon the
spindle (a) (Figures 1 and 10) and rotate at the same speed as the spindle, which
has one bearing in the front plate (c) (Figure 6). The latter is provided with a
sleeve (6) and screwed to the front plate of the pole-pieces. The other extremity
of spindle (a) rests in an arm (b) (Figures 2 and 7) cast in one piece with the
plate (e), which is attached by means of counter sunk screws to the bottom faces
of the pole-pieces. The space (f) (Figure 1) found in sleeve (b) serves as a
grease box for the spindle (a).
The I shaped armature (B) shown in Figure 10 as well as the branches of the
electro-magnet are wrapped in an insulating band (d) and upon this band, the
wire (9) (which conveys current) is arranged in such a manner, that its ends are
attached by means of (h) to the commutator (C). By means of the brushes (i)
(Figures 2 and 8) which are held by the screws (k) in slits in the gutta-percha
plate (7) and placed edgeways on the collector with the view of obtaining a sliding
contact, the current is lead through the screws (k), and the small brass plates (m)
(which are fixed to the plate (1) by shellac or other insulating material,) and
further, through the screws (n) and the wire (o) (Figures 1 and 2) which is coiled

page_text: round the semicircularly shaped branches of the electro-magnet (A). From here
the wire (o) which carries the current is lead into the accumulator (E) (Figure 4)
attached to the frame of the vehicle. The incandescent lamp (F) (Figure 2) inside
the lantern communicates with this accumulator by a wire arranged below and
along the upper connecting rod of the lantern. The wire which carries the current
is secured to its place on said connecting rod by rings (j) of india rubber
(Figure 4).
The whole arrangement is fixed to the back fork of the velocipede by means of
couplings shown in (Figure 11). On the upper portion of the coupling is the
hinge (), in which the bolt () moves freely; with the help of this bolt, the
lighting arrangement may be directed either downwardly or upwardly the electro-
magnet being held in its place by set screws (t) which are provided with nuts (u)
(Figures 4 and 11).
In order to stop the working of the lighting arrangement, that is to say, to
prevent the pulley (D) from rotating upon the wheel tyre, another bearing (♥)
(Figure 9) is screwed to the plate (!) (Figure 7) for taking up the bolt, which
then on one hand rests in (r) and on the other hand has its bearings in hinge (s).
For this purpose however it will be necessary to turn downwardly the flat
spring (r) (Figures 4 and 11) which is fixed to the coupling (7) and which is for
the purpose of constantly pressing the apparatus, or better the said pulley (D)
towards the wheel tyre when the contrivance is in use.
The lighting arrangement is operated by the friction pulley (D) which rotates
upon the pneumatic tyre of the wheel, and by the magneto-dynaino (A), armature (B)
and collector (C), the wire which conveys current, and the brush device, altogether,
generate the electric current for supplying the incandescent lamp (F), thus lighting
the lantern of the velocipede.
This lantern as shewn in Figure 2A is provided with a fine cut glass reflector,
whilst the incandescent lamp (F) is arranged in a so called swan-setting, the upper
part (y) of which being connected to its under part (a) by a bayonet-catch (-) so
that it can be easily removed. Part (a') is also arranged in such a way, that it
can be used as a candlestick in case the incandescent lamp or the apparatus is
inoperative and an ordinary candle may then be lighted instead. For this purpose
the part (a) carrying a small tube (1) is put in the place of the upper part (y) the
candle being held in position in (b) by means of spring (c').
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed declare that what I
claim is:
Firstly. In electric lanterns for velocipedes; the small magneto-dynamo,
movable in two directions, and attached to the back form of the vehicle by means
of the coupling (r), the magnetism of this dynamo being excited by the rotation of
the pulley (D) upon the wheel tyre; the electric current being carried to a suitable
incandescent lamp, thus causing the electric light, the efficiency of which is
kept by the accumulator (E) substantially as herein fully explained and as
illustrated.
Secondly. By the special arrangement within the lantern (in case the apparatus
is inoperative) of the parts (a'), (b') and (c¹) forming a candle stick whereby no
ordinary candle may be used to supply a light, substantially as herein described
and as illustrated.
Thirdly. The special construction of the electro-magnet (A) substantially as
herein set forth and as illustrated in Figure 5 of my drawings.
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
7 Quality Court, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.