IMPROVEMENTS IN SHADES FOR GAS LIGHTS, LAMPS, AND CANDLES, AND SUPPORTS FOR HOLDING THE SAME
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Louis Adolphus Durrieu, of 38, Soho Square,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SHADES FOR GAS LIGHTS, LAMPS, AND CANDLES, AND SUPPORTS FOR HOLDING
THE SAME." A communication from abroad by François Maurel, residing
at Paris in the Empire of France.
Sealed the 23rd August 1864, and dated the 24th February 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Louis Adolphus Durrieu
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
24th February 1864.
I, LOUIS ADOLPHUS DURRIEU, of 33, Soho Square, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN SHADES FOR GAS LIGHTS, LAMPS, AND CANDLES, AND SUPPORTS FOR
HOLDING THE SAME," a communication to me from abroad by François Maurel,
resident at Paris, in the Empire of France, to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in forming a framework of metal or other non-com-
bustible bodies, into which framework I arrange sheets or pieces of mica or
talc, which mica or talc I use either in the natural state as when split into
thin sheets or pieces, or I grind the surface of the same to give it a dull
appearance, like ground glass, or I colour or ornament it in any way that may
be practicable without interfering with its non-combustible properties.
The framework which holds this mica or talc has elongated points which
radiate from the glass or chimney of the light to which the shade is applied,
to which points or ends is fixed the paper, cardboard, cloth, silk, or other

page_text: material of which the shade is constructed. This shade requires in most cases
a support which I make with wire bent into one or more shapes or forms,
which shapes or forms will be drawn so as to be properly understood in my
Complete Specification.
The intention of the mica or talc is to prevent the heat of the flame or glass
of the light upon which the shade is used from burning the substance or
substances of which the other portions of the shade are made, and also to
allow light to pass through the upper part of the shade.
SPECI
in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
tem,
by the said Louis Adolphus Durrieu in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 24th August 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME; I, LOUIS
ADOLPHUS DURRIEU, of 33, Soho Square, in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Louis Adolphus Durrieu, Her special licence that I, the
said Louis Adolphus Durrieu, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Louis Adolphus Durrieu, my executors, adminis-
trators, 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 GAS LIGHTS, LAMPS, AND CANDLES,
AND SUPPORTS FOR HOLDING THE SAME," a'communication to me from abroad by
François Maurel, resident at Paris, in the Empire of France, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Louis Adolphus Durrieu, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and scals, 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 Louis Adolphus Durrieu, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to

page_text: be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
that is to say:-
My improved shades and supports for the same will be best understood
by reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Fig. 3 represents a shade which is composed at its upper part of pieces of
mica or tale of suitable form according to the size of the shade and the
angle at which the sides of it are made to incline; these are marked a, a, a,
and are held in their places by the metal ring c and the metal straps d, d, d,
which straps are riveted or fastened to the ring c and to the body of the
shade b. This part 6 of the shade máy be constructed in the usual manner and
of any suitable materials; these rivets or fastenings are marked é, e, e, in the
Figure. The mica or tale may be used in its natural state, but I prefer to
grind the surface with sand, glass paper, or emery, or any suitable tool, so as to
give it the appearance of ground glass. Mica and tale being of an incom-
bustible nature, shades made as above described cannot be destroyed by the
heat of the gas light, lamp, or candle, as is the case with shades made wholly
of paper. This semi-transparent upper part also transmits a soft and pleasant
light to the upper part of the room.
Figs. 1 and 2 represent a wire support, the form of which I claim as my
Invention; it will readily hold its position on any form of the glass or chimney
on which it is placed whether of increase or decrease of diameter.
Fig. 1 is a plan view, Fig. 2 a side view; the same letters represent the
same parts in both Figures.
a is the glass or chimney at its small diameter, a* the same at its larger
diameter; b, b, (best seen in Fig. 2) shows how the wire must be bent
upward to give it a flat hold on the glass, as at the dotted line e; the points d, d,
can touch the glass at a lower point and assist in keeping the support in its
proper position when the shade is placed upon it; e*, e*, e*, ex, are fastenings
which keep the wire in shape; c, c, c, c, shows the lozenge shaped ends which
I find the most suitable form for the shade to rest upon. Fig. 4 is a partial
upright view, and Fig. 5 is a plan view of another form of support, the novelty
of which consists in the peculiar form seen at b, b, where the wire is so turned
up as to fit the surface of the glass, and keep the support and the shade in
the desired position. In this case the ends of the wire only are soldered or
otherwise fastened together.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim.-

page_text: First, the use of mica or talc in making shades as described from Fig. 3
or any mere imitation of them.
Second, the forms of supports for shades as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5,
especially the upper parts which touch the glass.
In witness whereof, I, the said Louis Adolphus Durrieu, have hereunto 5
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of August, One thou-
sand eight hundred and sixty-four.
LOUIS ADOLPHUS DURRIEU. (L.S.)