IMPROVEMENTS IN KALEIDOSCOPES
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Antoine Edouard Thomas, of the Butts, Brentford,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
KALEIDOSCOPES."
Scaled the 4th September 1874, and dated the 9th March 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Antoine Edouard
Thomas at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 9th March 1874.
I, ANTOINE EDOUARD THOMAS, of the Butts, Brentford, in the County
of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN KALEIDOSCOPES," to be as follows:
-
The object of this Invention is to improve the construction of
kaleidescopes, so as to obtain from them a greater variety of and more
-brilliant images than could be obtained from kaleidoscopes.as. heretofore.
constructed.

page_text: The mirrors are mounted within a tube fitted at one end with an eye
piece, whilst the mirrors project somewhat from the opposite end of the
tube; the mirrors are also made tapered, their larger ends being away
from the cyc piece, so as to obtain a better light. The tube containing
these mirrors is fitted within another tube so as to be capable of sliding
to and fro in it. This exterior tube is held in a clip jointed to the
pedestal or stand of the instrument, so that it can be set at any desired
inclination. The end of both tubes furthest from the eye piece is open,
and from this open end of the exterior tube light arms extend and
support a ring concentric with the other tubes, but at a distance from
them. The ring has holes or slots formed through it on two opposite
sides, through which are passed two pins extending from two opposito
sides of a disc, which is to form a back ground in rear of the objects
which are to produce the images. A hole is formed through the centre
of the disc, through which is passed a rod, this rod carries at one end a
glass case or box containing the objects. The other end of the rod is
formed with a milled head, and by this head the object box can be revolved,
or can be moved towards or away from the eye piece; sufficient friction
is placed upon the rod to retain it in any position it may be moved into,
but yet allow of its being revolved and moved up or down by hand, as
above described.
The object box can also be inclined to the tubes of the instrument by
inclining the disc which forms the background.
In order that either a white or dark background may be used, and
that one may readily be changed for the other, I place upon the face of
the disc before mentioned two thin discs each with a radial slit formed
in it; each is slightly bent so as to form it into a screw of extremely
small pitch, one of these thin screw discs is fixed at its edge to the
solid disc first mentioned, whilst the other screw disc is mounted so as to
be capable of being revolved on its axis, and it may thus either be
brought to lie over the face of the fixed screw disc, or by turning it
round it may be brought to lie at the back of it; the face of one screw
disc is white, whilst the face of the other is dark.
The object case is formed from two thin transparent glases, shaped
like watch glasses, and set back to back in a metal ring at a slight
distance apart from each other, and so as to open like a watch case. In
the space between these glasses the several objects are contained. To the

page_text: centre of one of the glasses is cemented a socket for the rod which is to
carry the box to be screwed into.
Other ways than that herein-before described may be adopted for so
carrying the object box, that light may be free to pass to it in every
direction, whilst at the same time it is free to be revolved and to be inclined
in any direction desired, as well as of being moved towards or away from
the inclined reflectors and eye piece:
As for example the rod carrying
the object box may pass through a socket carried by a jointed arm, so
that it can be shifted to and fro and brought into any position desired;
in this case the discs which are to form the background will be carried
by the rod which carries the object case. The instrument can also be
formed so that the object box may be carried in both of these ways.
By forming the object box as herein-before described of two
transparent glasses, and allowing light to come upon it in every direction,
much greater brilliancy is obtained, as the objects will be seen both
with the transmitted and reflected light, and also by shaping the
glasses like watch glasses, the objects contained between them tend to
keep in the centre of the case, and do not shift their positions so
suddenly when the case is revolved as when the objects to be viewed
are placed between two flat glasses.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Antoine Edouard Thomas in the Great: Seal
Patent Office on the 9th September 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ANTOINE
EDOUARD THOMAS, of the Butts, Brentford, in the County of Middlesex,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent bearing date the Ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-seventh
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Antoine Edouard Thomas, Her special license
that I, the said. Antoine Edouard Thomas, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, or such others as I; the said Antoine. Edouard
Thomas, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time

page_text: :
>
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN KALEIDESCOPES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Antonie Edouard Thomas, my executors or admini.
strators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly. describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Antoine Edouard Thomas, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, that is to say:-
The object of this Invention is to improve the construction of
kaleidescopes, so as to obtain from them a greater variety of and more
brilliant images than could be obtained from kaleidescopes as heretofore
constructed.
'I construct a kaleidescope, as heretofore, of two mirrors, inclined to
one another, and meeting together along one edge.
The mirrors are mounted within a tube fitted at one end with an eye
piece, whilst the mirrors project somewhat from the opposite end of the
tube; the mirrors are also made tapered, their larger ends being away
from the eye piece, so as to obtain a better light. The tube containing
these mirrors is fitted within another tube, so as to be capable of sliding
to and fro in it. This exterior tube is held in a clip jointed to the
pedestal or stand of the instrument, so that it can be set at any desired
inclination. The end of both tubes furthest from the eye piece is open,
and from this open end of the exterior tube light arms extend and
support a ring concentric with the other tubes, but at a distance from
them. The ring has holes or slots formed through it on two opposite
sides, through which are passed two pins extending from. two opposite
'sides of a disc, which is to form a background' in rear of the objects
which are to produce the images. A hole is formed through the centre
of the disc, through which is passed a rod; this rod carries at one end
a glass case or box containing the objects. The other end of the rod is

page_text: formed with a milled head, and by this head the object box can be.
revolved or can be moved towards or away from the eye piece; sufficient
friction is placed upon the rod to retain it in any position it may be
moved into, but yet allow of its being revolved and moved up or down
by hand, as above described.
The object box can also be inclined to the tubes of the instrument by
inclining the disc which forms the background.
In order that either a white or dark background may be used, and
that one may readily be changed for the other, I place upon the face
of the disc before mentioned two thin discs, each with a radial slit
formed in it. Each is slightly bent, so as to form it into a screw of
extremely small pitch; one of these thin screw discs is fixed at its edge
to the solid disc first mentioned, whilst the other screw disc is mounted
so as to be capable of being revolved on its axis; and it may thus either
be brought to lie over the face of the fixed screw disc, or by turning-it
round it may be brought to lie at the back of it; the face of one screw
disc is white, whilst the face of the other is dark. This construction of
dise background I call the eclipse.
The object case is formed from two thin transparent glasses, shaped
like watch glasses, and set back to back in a metal ring at a slight
distance apart from each other, and so as to open like a watch case.
In the space between these glasses the several objects are contained.
To the centre of one of the glasses is cemented a socket for the rod
which is to carry the box to be screwed into.
:
Other ways than. that herein-before described may be adopted for so
carrying the object box that light may be free to pass to it in every
direction, whilst at the same time it is free to be revolved and, to be
inclined in any direction desired, as well as of being moved towards or
away from the inclined reflectors and eye piece. "As for example the
rod carrying the object box may pass through a socket carried by a
jointed arm, so that it can be shifted to and fro and brought into any
position desired; in this case the discs which are to form the background
will be carried by the rod which carries the object case. The instrument
can also be formed so that the object box may be carried in both of
these ways.
By forming the object box, as herein-before described, of two
°

page_text: direction, much greater brilliancy is obtained, as the objects will be seen
both with the transmitted and reflected light, and also by shaping the
glasses like watch glasses the objects contained between them tend to
keep in the centre of the case, and do not shift their positions so
suddenly when the case is revolved as when the objects to be viewed are
placed between two flat glasses.
Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings hercunto annexed shew perspective.
views of a kaleidescope constructed as herein-before described.
In Figure 1 the object box and eclipse are carried in the manner
herein before first described, and in Figure 2 the object box is carried by
a jointed arm. In these Figures A is the stand or pedestal, at the top
of which is a clip B to hold the apparatus; C is the tube which contains
the triangular glasses, this tube can be, slid to and fro within the outer
tube D, which is held in the clip B; E is the cye piece at the end of the
tube C, the opposite ends of the tubes C and D are open; F, F, are
light arms extending from the end of the tube D and carrying a ring G;
Gare slots on opposite sides of the ring; H is the opaque disc, which
forms the back ground. In Figure 1 this disc is formed with two bosses,
which project from it on opposite sides; K, K, are pins, which are
passed through the slots in the ring G, and are screwed into the ends of
the bosses. The face of the disc is formed as herein-before explained,
so that it may form either a white or black background; M is the object
box, carried by a stem L which passes through the centre of the disc H,
and through a friction tube H' screwed on to the back of the disc.
Separate views of the object box are shewn at Figures 3, it is constructed
in the manner herein-before fully described, so that it is unnecessary to
give any further description of it. In Figure 2 this object box is
carried, as shewn, by a jointed arm N, and the disc background is also
similarly carried by a jointed arm O. In this case a larger disc is used,
and one side of it forms a dark and the other a light background; the
end of the arm which carries it can pivot freely, so that the position.of
the disc can be quickly reversed, and either background be readily
brought into use.
DIRECTIONS FOR USING THE APPARATUS.

page_text: the eye piece, a succession of beautiful stars, flowers, and such like, will
then appear as on a flat surface.
2. Incline the object box M towards the light, you will then obtain
a series of conical figures, which when the object box is slowly turned
give the appearance of ebullition.
3. Turn the tube C so as to bring the opening between the triangular
glasses a little upwards; you will then obtain stars of a-pyramidal
form.
4. Turn the apparatus towards the sun or the artificial light of a lamp'
so that both the upper and under sides of the object box M may be
illuminated, several of the most beautiful and brilliant effects will then
be produced. In order to obtain the full effect in this experiment the
tube Ċ should be withdrawn so as to bring the triangular glasses on a
level with the end of the clip B, so as to admit more light under and
above the object box.
'
· Remarks. In sunshine, or when artificial light is used, it is better to
use the black velvet ground, as the sun's light produces shadows which
cannot be easily avoided. With the diffused light the white ground
should be adopted as giving the best results.
5. On one of the branches which support the ring G are two scrow
holes P, Q, to allow of the object box being mounted in other positions.
First unscrew the object box from its stem L, and also unscrew the
small friction tube H₁ from the back of the disc and screw it into the.
hole P, then pass the rod L through the tube H', and again screw on to
it the object box. The figures obtained by mounting the object box in
this manner will assume a globular form, and decomposition of light
will be obtained from any cut crystals contained in the object box.
.
.N.B. To obtain a good effect in this experiment the tube C must be
withdrawn so that the triangular glasses should be at about half an inch
from the edge of the clip B, so as to admit the light under and above
the object box, and the object box should be inclined towards the
triangular glasses.
6. By screwing the tube H¹ into the other screw hole Q very pleasing
and brilliant effects may be obtained. Pass first the small tube H¹ right
through and screw it at the milled head, then bring the triangular glasses.
down to the object box C without touching it.

page_text: 7. Mount the object box and disc background in the manner herein.
before explained and shewn at Figure 2. Turn the apparatus so as to
receive the light on the disc, then look through the eye piece, when a
transpearent and most brillant effect will be obtained.
8. By turning the apparatus a little. obliquely against the full light
you obtain the same effect as at No. 4, but much more brilliant, and also
the decomposition of light by the cut crystals will take place.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner
of performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim,—
1. The combined arrangement of kalcidescope, substantially as herein
described and illustrated in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
"
2. Forming the object box of two transparent watch glasses, so that
the objects may be illuminated on all sides, and scen both by transmitted
and reflected light, an opaque background being used instead of forming
the object box with a ground glass on its outer side; by these means
much more brilliant effects may be obtained than was heretofore
possible.
3. Mounting the object box in such a manner that it can not only
be revolved but also inclined in any direction and moved towards or
away from the mirrors.
4. Forming the object box of glasses shaped like watch glasses in
order that the objects may keep towards the centre of the box and not
roll two quickly one over the other when the box is rotated.
4
5. The construction of the disc background in the manner herein.
before described with reference to Figure 1, and called the eclipse, so
that it may readily be used as a dark or light background.
;
In witness whereof, I, the said Antonie Edouard Thomas, have
hereunto set my hand and scal, this Ninth day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.