IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS FOR GENERAL AND SPECIAL PURPOSES AND IN PARTS CONNECTED WITH THE SAME
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Thomas Stroud, of Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Lamp and Chandelier Manufacturer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS FOR GENERAL AND SPECIAL PURPOSES AND IN
PARTS CONNECTED WITH THE SAME."
Sealed the 21st April 1868, and dated the 23rd October 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Thomas Stroud at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd October 1862.
I, JOHN THOMAS STROUD, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Lamp and Chandelier Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS FOR GENERAL AND SPECIAL PURPOSES,
AND IN PARTS CONNECTED WITH THE SAME," to be as follows (that is to say) :-
My improvements consist, firstly, in so constructing moderator lamps that
the overflow shall be conducted away at a suitable distance below the point of
combustion, thus effecting the great desideratum of being able to burn in such
lamps with perfect safety any of the ordinary oils or fluids now commonly used,
as well as the taking down of the overflow of such oil through a recess formed
on the inside of the burner where it descends (without exposure) to the body
of the lamp for continuous use, and although I have stated that the overflow
is taken down on the inside of the burner, nevertheless the same may be taken
down on the outside. This arrangement enables me to entirely close up the
top of the body of the lamp so as to confine the oil and prevent the escape of
the unpleasant vapour or smell that arises from the cheap fluids or oils now so

page_text: generally used. In this description of lamps I effect perfect combustion by
impinging the chimney at a suitable distance above the point of ignition. The
supplying of such lamps with oil I effect by the use of a supply pipe at the
top having a plug in order that when filled with oil or other fluid the same
may be confined by the plug, which plug I make hollow for the purpose of
introducing a float with a projecting wire that when the lamp is sufficiently
supplied the wire will rise with the float and project beyond the level of the
supply pipe to denote the same. In applying this principle to chandeliers
(with any suitable number of lights) I place my reservoir by preference
centrally, with the means of supplying and winding-up, and I conduct the
supply to the extended.burners, providing return pipes for bringing back the
overflow into the central reservoir to be again used.
Secondly, my improvements relate to the description of lamps that are
required to burn in confined situations, such as railway, ship, and such like
lamps, the lower portion being entirely protected with glass, and the air for
supporting combustion being admitted from above, and my improvements
consist in applying to such lamps what are technically called argand burners,
and I effect this by attaching to the burner an upward curved pipe through
which the air descends, this form of burner may be applied to a reservoir
suitably placed below or above the point of combustion or the burner with its
necessary parts such as rack and pinion, cotton and chimney holder, may be
applied to a small glass or other vessel of sufficient size for holding the
necessary quantity of oil so as to be placed within the outer glass which may
be of the ordinary shape or deepened and recessed at the bottom for receiving
the lamp as before described, or the burner and other parts may be applied to
this recess which may also form the reservoir for holding the oil, and by pre-
ference made opaque for obscuring the oil used for combustion.. By this
arrangement a greatly improved light is obtained which is so desirable for.
lighting railway carriages and for such like purposes.
Thirdly, my improvements relate to lamps suitable for vestibules or other
places where such lamps may be preferred, and consists, firstly, in a modifica-
tion of a lamp secured to Edward Curtis Kemp, in 1857, No. 1428, and
which Patent I am now the registered proprietor of and my modifications
consist, first, in using an annular weight guided in its action by two or
more rods held in the usual way; secondly, the so arranging of the supports
for carrying the pulleys over which the chains work (attached to the weights)
that in the action of opening and closing the lamp the weights shall not
descend beyond the centre ring of the globe, and thereby cast no shade
thirdly, in an arrangement by which I am enabled to dispense with balance

page_text: weights, by either dividing the lower from the upper portion of the globe by
& hinge or eccentric joint, or by causing the lower portion of the globe to turn
by the hand and actuate three pinions in connection with three quick threaded
screws or racks so that as the lower portion of the globe is turned in a
backward or forward direction, it will be raised or lowered for the convenience
of lighting or extinguishing the lamp. But as a simpler mode of opening
and closing the lamp for the purpose as herein-before stated, and the form of
my glasses being semi-spherical I prefer making the lower one larger than the
top and uniting them together on opposite sides to radial pins secured to the
metal portion that divides the upper and lower parts of such lamps or other
parts, and thus I obtain a swinging joint that permits the lower part to be pushed
aside when the lamp is required to be opened to be lighted or extinguished.
Notwithstanding the variations above stated in the construction of such
pendant lamps nevertheless my object of simplifying the construction and
increasing the utility of such lamps may be otherwise obtained as for instance
pulley wheels may be dispensed with altogether by the chain being passed
through a curved hollow tube or tubes in which one weight only is used as a
counterpoise while others may be added for uniformity and the general
balancing of the lamp. This I effect by connecting the lower semi-spherical
glass with a hinge joint that admits of the lower glass being opened down-
wards from the opposite side, which when freed will be again elevated by the
weight or weights used as a count poise; or the metal belt dividing the top
and bottom glasses may be used as a weight or counterpoise to the glass that
moves for admitting the lighting or extinguishing of such lamps, or the top
glass may be used as a counterpoise to the lower one; fourthly, my improve-
ments in vestibule lamps consist in connecting the body or outer rim and top
glass to two or more radial or pendant arms which gather in and are united
to a collar placed above or below the weight or counterpoise, and secured to
the main pendant tube of the lamp, the lower glass being attached to chains
which are carried up over pulleys to descend to be connected to an annular
weight or otherwise as preferred, this arrangement enables me to suspend a
perlefume underneath the main tube and right over the top of the lamp, and
thereby prevent the fumes that arise discolouring the bright metal work and
ceiling above.
Fourthly, my improvements refer to a lantern, and consist in so constructing
such lanterns as to avoid the use of external metal rings, and I effect this by
securing the glass planes or prisms to the internal metal frame by radial pins
top and bottom, this arrangement greatly improves the appearance of the
lantern as also economising the cost of producing the same.

page_text: Lastly, my improvements relate to a gimble gas; joint for suspending lamps
lit with gas on board ships or other situations subject to a moving or shifting.
plane, and consist in two rings fastened or connected one in the other by a
short tube of india-rubber or other suitable material which connects the lower
hollow ring to a flowway secured to the top ring and from the lower
ring, the gas may be conducted in any suitable way according to the purpose
for which the lamp is used.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Thomas Stroud in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 23rd April 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
THOMAS STROUD, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Lamp and
Chandelier Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of Her
reign did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Thomas Stroud, Her special license, that I, the said John Thomas
Stroud, my executors,. administrators, and assigns, or such others as I;
the said John Thomas Stroud, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time 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 LAMPS FOR GENERAL AND SPECIAL PURPOSES, AND IN PARTS
CONNECTED WITH THE SAME," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said John Thomas Stroud, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, 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 John Thomas Stroud, do hereby declare
the nature of my 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):-.

page_text: Since my application for Letters Patent for these my improvements in
lamps, I have discovered that some portion of my improvements described
under the first head in my Provisional Specification as connected with
moderator lamps, was provisionally secured to Henry Hedgley, on the 28th day
of July, 1862, No. 2140, and who has since completed his Patent, and fully
specified the same, which improvements are restricted to a general con-
struction or adaptation of what are called moderator lamps for the burning of
the ordinary mineral or volatile oils or spirits now so commonly used, more
particularly in his arrangement by which such fluids may be elevated to the
burner by pressure instead of capillary attraction, which has been the manner
hitherto practised of constructing lamps for burning volatile oils; but to such
kind of lamps I purpose supplying oil or fluid for supporting combustion
through a supply pipe conveniently placed at the top, having a plug fitted to
the same, and which plug I make hollow, for the purpose of introducing a
float, consisting of a cork or other light suitable material attached to a small
vertical wire, which passes through a cross-piece in the neck of the tube for
receiving the plug before mentioned, allowing the float to rise when full. The
use of this contrivance is an important addition to such kinds of lamps, as the
oil or spirit usually burnt in them emits a disagreeable odour not easily got rid
of when spilled or thrown about, and in charging such lamps from the top
through the supply pipe before named. When the vessel is nearly full the
float will rise and indicate a sufficient supply, thereby rendering overcharging
and spilling of the material a wilful act of negligence; this is applicable to
chandeliers where the light is obtained from oil from a central reservoir. And
to the chimneys of this description of lamps I purpose using metal caps, or
windguards, that will readily admit of the free escape of the rarefied air
generated below, but prevent any downward current calculated to extinguish
such lamps when lifted up or carried about in the hand, or subject to any
sudden elevation or forward motion; and such lamps may be provided with a
small inner vessel or screen of glass, perforated metal, wire gauze, or other
suitable material, permanently or loosely placed within the body of the lamp
or reservoir for holding the fluid to be burnt. This portion, which is referred
to under the second head of my Provisional Specification, should be of
sufficient size to allow the cotton and cotton holder to pass down within it,
for the use and purpose as herein-after described.
Secondly, my improvements relate to lamps required to burn in particular.
situations, such as railway carriages, ships, and a variety of other places or
uses subject to violent shaking or motion, and if required, to throw a down-
ward light, and the air for supporting combustion being admitted from above.

page_text: construct my lamps with, by preference, Argand burners, and I effect this
by attaching to the burner and cotton carrier a pipe in connection with a
central airway, curved, or angled outward at the bottom, and carried up to a
metal rim in connection with a perforated cap; by this means I am enabled to
supply air to the interior of the flame of such burners, which may be fitted
either to a reservoir placed above or below the point of combustion; or the
burner with its necessary detail parts, such as rack and pinion, spiral, and
cotton, and chimney holder may be applied to a suitable glass or other per-
forated vessel or screen of sufficient size or circumference for holding a
sufficiency of oil to permit of its free absorption by the wick to support
combustion. These important parts of the lamp may be placed within an
outer glass, or other body, according to the purpose for which the lamp may
be required; but if to be used for lighting railway carriages, and such like
places, the outer body must be essentially of glass, for its transparency, but
which may be so formed as to have a concentric well or deepened part formed
in the same for receiving the burner and parts before described; in that case
the deepened part will form the reservoir for holding the fluid to be burnt,
and which deepened recess I prefer being made of opaque glass, for the
purpose of obscuring the interior arrangement. Lamps thus constructed with
Argand burners will be found to give a more brilliant light than the ordinary
lamps used for such purposes, and by the use of the additional perforated vessel
or screen the intensity of the light will not be subject to fluctuate with the
shaking motion to which they are sometimes subject, which, in ordinary
moveable lamps has the effect of flushing or drowning the wick or flame with
an excess of the fluid from which it is produced.
Thirdly, my improvements refer to lamps suitable for lighting vestibules or
other places, where a pendant lamp not provided with the quality that permits
of the burner or light of such lamps being pulled down for the convenience of
lighting and extinguishing; and apply, first, to a modification of a lamp for
the purpose herein stated, secured by Patent granted to Edward Curtis Kemp,
in 1857, No. 1428, and of which patent right I am now the registered
proprietor, and my improvements consist in additional facilities for lighting
and extinguishing, for which purpose I use an annular weight, or arrange my
supports for sustaining two or more pendant weights, that in the action for
opening and closing the lamp neither of them shall descend beyond the centre
ring or middle of such lamps, thereby all downward shadow in such non-sliding
lamps is prevented; or by dispensing with weights altogether, by attaching the
lower glass shade to its upper portion by an eccentric hinge joint, either
moving laterally or vertically; but I bave found in practice the use of two or

page_text: more quick-wormed screws and pinions, or more properly speaking, collars
working in tubes in such a way that the screws revolve forward or backward
as the collars are pressed up and down necessary in lowering or elevating the
lower glass of such lamps, not efficient in action, and will not further refer to
it, but as a simple and inexpensive mode of construction for effecting the
object herein-before stated in such lamps, namely, the increased, facility in
opening and closing; I use glass shades of a semi-spherical or other suitable
shape, the one being slightly larger than the other, so as to admit of the lower
one by means of joints or radial pins in connection with the metal parts that
divide the upper and lower portion of such lamps; thus I obtain a swinging
joint, that permits the lower portion being laterally elevated either on the
inside or the outside of the top shade, thereby exposing the interior of the
lamp for cleaning, lighting, or extinguishing. This contrivance renders the use
of pulley wheels and weights entirely unnecessary; notwithstanding, pulley
wheels may be also dispensed with, by allowing the chain or chains to pass
through curved hollow tubes, and may be used when a weight or weights are
required for a counterpoise, and this same principle equally applies for the
dispensing with pulley wheels for the raising and lowering of chandeliers and
bracket lamps, which in situations where economy is an object I purpose using
a plain iron tube for the internal support, and forming the requisite amount of
ornamentation by casting the same in iron, spelter, or other inexpensive metal,
on or to the tube of the bracket before referred to. The said weights are
required for the opening and closing of the lamps above referred to, in which
latter case one weight and chain may be used, and an additional, one or more
applied for uniformity. But as the construction of lamps generally admits of
much diversification in design, so it may be necessary to mention that a
counterpoise for the moveable parts may be obtained from the weight of the
top shade, or metal annular mounting, and in some instances I purpose con-
structing vestibule lamps by uniting the outer rim and glass top to two or more
radial pendant arms, which gather in as they ascend above the lamp, and are
united to a collar placed above or below the weight or counterpoise, which
being of an annular form, works up and down over a centre pendant rod or
tube, the lower glass being attached to chains, which are carried up over
pulleys, and descend to be connected to the weight before referred to; this
arrangement provides the means for suspending a perdifume to a hook fixed at
the lower end of the central pendant rod or tube, thereby protecting the
ceiling and upper metal works of such lamps from the fumes that arise during
their burning. It frequently occurs that instead of using the description of
lamps lastly described for the lighting of vestibules, the description of lamps

page_text: technically called "lanterns" are frequently used, such as described under the
fourth head of my Provisional Specification, and my improvements in this
description of lamps consist in constructing them so as to avoid the use of
⚫ metal on their exterior; and I effect this by connecting the glass parts, usually
cut into prisms, to the internal metal frames to radial pins; this arrangement
greatly improves the brilliant appearance of such kind or construction of
⚫ lanterns, as also to simplify and economise the cost of their production.
Lastly, my improvements refer to the means by which pendant gas lights shall
- receive a swinging universal motion or action without the use of the ball-and-
socket principle now commonly used, this I effect and maintain an open gas
way, by using two rings, the upper one attached to the ceiling plate and the
lower one to the main tube through which the gas is conducted to the burner,
and from the periphery of the top ring and the upper periphery of the lower
ring two short bits of tube are applied, on to which I secure a short piece of tube
of india-rubber or other suitable flexible material, but which admits of being
made of various shapes, such as a hollow ball or otherwise, provided freedom
is left for the passage of the gas.
But as my various improvements will be best understood by referring to the
Drawings hereunto attached and the means for giving effect to the same, I will
proceed to the description, reference being had to the various figures and letters
marked thereon.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 represents a side view of the head and burner of a lamp possessing
certain improvements described under the first head of my Provisional
Specification and not referred to, described, or claimed in Hedgley's Specifi-
cation before mentioned.
A is the ordinary burner, cap, and gallery of a lamp suitable for burning
camphene, and B is the reservoir for holding the fluid, broken off in front
for the purpose of showing the circular tube C, which is secured to the cotton
holder, and allows the cotton to descend freely within, but which prevents
any violent motion of the lamp flushing the flame with an excess of the oil
or spirit used, and the manner of filling this description of lamp is instead
of unscrewing the burner and parts marked A from the neck D, D. I simply
remove the cap E, beneath which I place a funnel as exhibited detached at
Fig. 2, fitted with a plug principally shown in dotted lines by which means I am
enabled to readily supply such lamps with the material of combustion, and with
this contrivance I am also enabled to use a float that will rise on the surface
of the oil or spirit and indicate when a sufficient supply of oil or spirit has

page_text: been poured in so as to prevent overcharging or spilling of the material.
Fig. 3 represents such float with the front part of the tube removed, as also the
plug, for the purpose of showing its action; F is a cork or other suitable
material to wbich is fitted a small vertical wire, which passing through the
fixed cross piece at the top admits of the cork and the wire rising when a
sufficient quantity of oil has been supplied, the plug used in this case may
be drilled or made hollow at its bottom end to allow the wire to pass up within
it. The plug is represented in dotted lines, the vertical cavity for the wire to
rise in being also exhibited in the same way. Fig. 4 simply represents the
top portion of the chimney suitable for moderator or other lamps and to
which I apply a wind guard in the ordinary way such as are commonly
applied to vestibule and other lamps subject to draughts and currents of air,
this enables such lamps to be suddenly elevated or moved about without
endangering their being extinguished by such motion; the manner of applying
this to the top of the chimney is by simply vandykeing the rim or part
marked G so that it may readily expand or contract to suit the slight variation
that generally occurs in the diameter of lamp chimneys, in this case the
rarefied air generated within escapes through the openings indicated by the
arrows, the top having no openings or perforations but the concentric orifice.
marked . Fig. 5 represents as much of a lamp suitable for lighting
railway carriages and such like purposes, necessary to describe my improve-
ments; H, H, represents the glass body, and H¹, H', a well which I prefer
to be of opaque glass, for holding the burner and the oil to be burned, and
as this construction of burner is well known, I have only to describe the means
by which the air is conducted down to ascend through the interior of the
spiral shown principally in dotted lines; I, I, is a metal ring having a slight
projection to rest on the edge of the glass as here shown, the flat portion of
this part below may be perforated or open around the spiral or central part so
as to allow free passage for the air, the top part of the tube or central airway
K is soldered or otherwise secured to the rim I, and this tube is an angular
continuation (as indicated by the arrow) of the spiral, the cap L is perforated
to allow the air to pass down, not only through the tube K. but also to ascend
inside the part M, M, which supports and holds the chimney, indicated by
the dotted lines in the ordinary manner held down in position by the collar
N, N, which being tapped and screwed can easily be removed or applied, and
the turning around of the top part also turns around the cotton holder O for the
purpose of raising or lowering the wick by means of a cotton carrier in the
ordinary way in which the wicks of such kind of lamps are raised and lowered,
and by this kind of contrivance I am enabled to apply the argand principle to

page_text: .
lamps for purposes not hitherto obtained, and by which means a greatly improved
light is produced; and to prevent a flush of oil to the wicks of such lamps as
here exhibited when put into violent motion as by the rolling and tossing of a
ship at sea, or the shaking oscillating motion of a railway train, I use an
inner vessel, but more properly speaking, break or fence, represented in dotted
lines at a, a, a, a, shown separate at Fig. 6, with the opening in front to
permit of the tube or airway K to pass down, this portion may be made larger
or smaller as preferred, and of any suitable material so that the fluid that is
being burnt may readily pass from the outside to the inside, either by allowing
the bottom edge to be scalloped as here shown, or to be made of perforated
metal, wire gauze, or other such like material that when the fluid is put in
violent motion this part shall break its force and prevent it flushing or
drowning the flame; and this portion of my Invention is applicable to all lamps
subject to irregular motion, without reference to the manner in which the
burners of such lamps are constructed, as will be seen by referring to Figure 1
which is a flat wick burner, the tin or metal tube encompassing the lower
part of the wick effects the same object independent of the additional screen
for the purpose here referred to.
Fig. 7 represents a pendant hall or vestibule lamp mentioned under the
third head of my improvements. In this case the lower or bottom shade of
the lamp, marked P, is attached to a brass bezel, and held up by two or more
chains, secured to projecting hooks, as at b, b, and work, by preference, over
pulleys secured to the metal rim W, which pulleys are marked c, c; the chains
extend up and pass over the top pulley d, and descend to the annular weight Q.
From this description it will be readily seen that the lower shade P may be
easily lowered to the position indicated in dotted lines, and acting as a counter-
poise to the weight Q, will remain in that position for the ready lighting or
extinguishing of the gas, the course and manner of its introduction being
exhibited in dotted lines; the perdifume R is supposed to be hanging pendant
by a book and chain or rod from the top plate S.
Fig. 8 represents a similar description of lamp slightly altered in detail, and
the front rod in triangular position with the rods w, w, is removed for the
convenience of showing the concentric rod T, having a hook at its bottom end,
from which the perdifume U is suspended, the annular weight V working up
and down over the rod T.
Fig. 9 also represents a pendant hall lamp, with its perdifume suspended
from the top in the ordinary way. The lower glass or shade is, as before stated,
fitted to a brass rim or bezel, which is connected with a corresponding joint,
as at e, of the metal rim of the top part, and by attaching a chain at the

page_text: opposite side at f passing up through a hollow tube branching off at the top,
as at g, and descending for the purpose of receiving the weight h, it is evident
that when such lamps require to be lit or extinguished the lower shade. W
has only to be obliquely pulled down in the position indicated by the dotted
lines, when the object may be effected, and the weight h, which in that case
would be elevated to the position indicated by dotted lines, would readily
exercise its gravitating effect of descending into the position shown by a slight
effort of the hand in elevating or restoring the shade W', the weight i, chain
and curved tube j, is merely introduced for the sake of uniformity and
balancing the lamp, the tube K', K', being used for conducting the gas to the
burner. This mode of passing the chains through curved tubes, and thereby
dispensing with pulleys, is also applicable for chandeliers, as may be seen at
Fig. 10, which just represents sufficient to show the chains attached to the
lower slide, and passing through and extending below the curved tubes
marked I, l.
Fig. 11 represents as much of a simple and economic pendant lamp
necessary for showing that in this case the lower glass is fitted or united by
its metal rim to the rim of the upper glass by a vertical axis, as at m, shown
in plan at Fig. 12. so that by turning the bottom shade laterally in the desired
direction, ready means will be afforded for lighting, extinguishing, or cleaning
the interior of such lamps; but as a more efficient plan, and also simple in
action and economic in construction, the lower glass may be suspended by its
rim to the top rim or arms, as here shown, by means of two radial pins or
axes, as at n, n, Fig. 13, the lower glass being, as here represented, larger
than the upper one, and the centres being elevated permits the lower shade X
to be laterally elevated in either direction at right angles with the axes before
referred to, as will be seen by referring to Fig. 14. Y is the upper shade,
secured to pendant curved arms; one only can here be seen direct in front,
drawn for the purpose of showing a front view of the axes n, n, one or both of
the pendant tubes may be used for the conveying of the gas to the burner of
the lamp. I have not thought it necessary to exhibit other views of this
portion of my Invention, but it will be evident to any practical workman
acquainted with the production of such articles, that by making the lower
glass smaller or placing the axis below the metal rim, the lower glass may be
made to pass up the inside of the upper glass shade sufficient to allow of the
lighting, extinguishing, or cleaning of the lamp."
Fig. 15 represents a pendant lamp identical in action with Figure 9, the
lower glass or shade Z' being secured with a hinge joint, and counterpoised
with a weight, its position when opened being represented in dotted lines. The

page_text: chain works through the tube A' and the curved tube B¹, which, unlike
Figure 9, forms an addition to a bracket, not only showing that such kind of
pendant lamps are applicable to bracket lights, but also to exhibit a cheap and
economic mode of constructing such and other formed brackets; to effect this
I take an ordinary piece of iron gas or other tube, and after bending it into
the proper form, it being provided with suitable bearings, I lay it in the
matrix formed in sand, after withdrawing the pattern, in the process of
moulding, and by securing the moulds and pouring in the molten iron, it will
on opening the moulds assume the desired form, or be a cast from the matrix
before referred to. I have named iron for economy, but zine or spelter, which
is also an inexpensive metal, may be used, and either may be finished by being
bronzed, or lacquered, or in any other way as desired. At C' in this Figure
I have represented the outer or moulded part broken away for the purpose of
exhibiting the internal tube, which when gas is used for the illumination of
the lamp, is intended to form the gas way, which passes down as described in
the other Figures to a suitable burner within the lamp, notwithstanding the
use of the internal tube in this mode of making cheap brackets makes them
well adapted for the use of gas, nevertheless the same mode of manufacture is
applicable to branches and other parts of gas fittings where oil or spirit
illuminating material is used, as the inner tube affords much additional strength
and allows of the additional cast part to be light and yet of sufficient strength.
And in this Figure, as at Figures 9, 11, and 13, I have exhibited only two
sustaining rods, which is a novelty in such lamps.
Fig. 16 represents the skeleton or metal frame of a lantern constructed
for the burning of gas, the burner and conduct pipe being represented in
dotted lines, and the manner of lighting and extinguishing such lamps is by
fixing a metal rim to radial axes, on the same principle as desired at Figures
13 and 14, within which metal rim a plain or concave glass may be fixed, cut
or otherwise ornamented, and which has only to be moved into the slanting
position here shown, when the lantern may not only be readily lit or
extinguished, but the dust liable to collect on the interior of the bottom of
such open top lanterns may be readily removed; but my principal feature of
improvement is exhibited at Fig. 17, which represents the manner of applying
the vertical prisms, which is by drilling holes through the top and bottom of
the prisms in the right position to allow pins to project through radially from
the top and bottom rims, or for pins to be inserted with ornamental heads,
which pass through the prisms and screw into the rims; by this means the
metal rims for supporting the prisms are entirely hidden and prevented from
detracting from the brilliancy or general appearance of such lanterns.

page_text: Fig. 18 represents my universal ceiling joint for pendant lamps where gas
is used for illumination. p, p, is a hollow ring connected with a vertical hole
in the neck, joining the ceiling plate or part q, q, and centrally in the lower
side of this ring another hole is formed, and fitted with a short bit of tube;
the lower ring r, r, may or may not be hollow, provided it is fitted with a free
passage, caused by a bit of tube secured at 8, having an open way through the
part t, which is tapped internally to receive the other pendant parts connected
with the lamp to the part u of the top ring and the parts of the lower ring;
a hollow ball is applied readily, made of india-rubber, having vertical neck
openings formed in the same, which, passing over the projecting tubes u and s,
forms a connection for the gas to flow through, and yet allows the rings to
hang free one in the other.
Instead of using the india-rubber sphere v, as here shown, a short piece of
tube may be used, but I prefer the arrangement here described, but in both
instances the ends of the tubes or the tubular projections top and bottom of
the hollow india-rubber ball I secure to the metal tube of each ring by a
ligature of thread or otherwise; this arrangement may be as well applied
within the upper ring if preferred.
Having now given a general description of my Invention, and the manner
in which the same may be practically carried into effect, it must be understood
that I do not purpose confining myself to the details herein described and
exhibited, provided the spirit of my improvements is preserved; this is
particularly essential as no species of manufacture is subject to so much
variation in design and mode of construction as fittings for artificial light,
whether fixed or portable; but I claim generally as of my Invention, and to
be protected by these my in part recited Letters Patent, the improvements
herein described and exhibited.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Thomas Stroud, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
5
Witness,
JAMES S. COCKINGS, C.E.
Patent Agent,
Birmingham.
JOHN THOMAS STROUD. (L.S.)