Improvements in Signal Lanterns applicable to Tramcars and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 22nd Feb., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Signal Lanterns applicable to Tramcars and
the like.
:
I, CARL BREMER, of 39, Catharinenstrasse, Hamburg, in the Empire of
Germany, Merchant, 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 :—
The object of the present application for Letters Patent consists of a signal
lantern applicable for use in connection with electric street railway cars and the
like which is specially designed for a single line of rails, and wherein the usual
coloured signal lanterns are replaced in the following manner, namely, that in place
of the coloured signal glasses or signal discs, visible inscriptions appear which
indicate the direction of the cars at night, whilst in the day time the wooden walls.
of the box marked with similar inscriptions serve the same purpose.
Referring to the accompanying drawing in which my invention is illustrated :—
Figure 1 represents a longitudial section through the signal lantern together with
its adjusting mechanism.
Figure 2 a cross section on lines - through Figure 1.
My new signal lantern consists essentially of a rectangular box which can be.
taken out of the car and turned over, in which each two adjoining side walls a a' are
formed of wood and the other two adjoining walls bb₁ are formed of glass, which
latter are joined together by means of slotted angle pieces. The two glass sides b-
& bare provided with inscriptions and illuminated from within whereby
the names or indications of the streets are made visible, and have the object of
distributing the light when the lantern is in the position shewn in the drawing..
When the lantern is turned around 180 degrees the light is thrown through
the glass side downwards upon the cover of the car, the lantern will therefore
not emit a disturbing light. This arrangement also facilitates an easy and
convenient cleaning of the inner glass surfaces whereby the light can, by raising-
the lantern and turning sideways of the arm bearing the switch, be cut off from
the connection, and the glass serving as the cover can be folded down; after this,.
both glass surfaces lie in front of the cleaner in one plane. In cars propelled by
electricity incandescent lamps are arranged in the interior of the box whose light is.
thrown downwards by means of the reflector d placed in the interior of the box; at
the same time all escape of light upwards is prevented. The incaudecsent lamps are
provided with an automatic switch, and the contact is made with the electric
conductor of the motor car through the switch d" resting permanently in the casing el
and on the arm d' so that as soon as the waggon in the interior is illuminated the
lanterns will also be lighted. A removal of the switch from its casing need only
take place when the lantern is to be removed to another car or for purposes of
cleaning. In order to prevent disturbance through rain, snow or dirt the piece e¹
is protected by a cover f, the box is moreover provided with a gas tube e which
serves as a conductor for the connecting wires, and also forms the axis of rotation
of the box around which the same can be turned in order to cause the different
inscriptions to appear as well by day as by night. The gas tube is bent at a right
angle upwards to the left and right whereby the horizontally placed ends are
revolubly supported in the forked bearers ff attached to the cover g of the car.
For the better support of the box or lantern the gas tube e has its right end
revolubly and loosely supported in the space of the axle box el screwed to the box
го
1

page_text: which enables the box to be turned as the illumination may require. To the said'
axle box e the wheel is secured, which latter engages in a second gear wheel A
capable of being set in motion by means of the shaft i and the hand wheel k. By
means of this arrangement it is possible to revolve the signal lantern as desired
from underneath the car cover g consequently from inside the car. In order
to hold the lantern in a fixed position, a spring is fixed directly from the hand
wheel k to the roof g of the car which spring fits into corresponding recesses of the
hand wheel and thereby prevents the movement of the gearing wheels / h² and
consequently the turning of the lantern.
One advantage of this arrangement consists in that the direction of the journey
is clearly apparent to travellers and strangers unacquainted with the route so that
the same can select with certainty the required course.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The above described signal lantern for tramcars and the like consisting
essentially of a quadrangular box capable of being revolved and interchanged,
illuminated internally, (electrically or otherwise), two adjoining walls which are
formed of glass bb¹ and two adjoining walls of wood a a¹ respectively provided with
inscriptions clearly indicating the direction of the waggon in place of the usual
coloured signal discs and signal lanterns.
2. In a signal lantern of the type claimed in Claim 1 the tubnlar support e forming
a conductor for the electric wires which serves at the same time as the axis of
revolution of the lantern.
Dated this 24th day of December 1895.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
31, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.