Improved Apparatus for Producing Spectacular or Scenic Effects.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Aug.,
1890
Complete Specification Left, 16th May, 1891-Accepted, 18th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Producing Spectacular or Scenic Effects.
I, KENNETH M°LENNAN of 30 Devonshire Street, All Saints, Manchester in
the County of Lancaster Draughtsman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to produce brilliant spectacular or scenic effects by
the aid of rotary and other spiral tubes and metallic coils preferably perforated for
the display of jets of water, steam, illuminating gas or decorative material such for
example as tin or other foils, either with or without the use of the lime light.
The invention consists first in the construction and adaptation of spiral metallic
tubes preferably perforated for the emission of jets of water steam or other fluid;
which spiral metallic tubes are mounted upon and carried by vertical shafts to
which a rotary motion is given at the time of the display either by gearing actuated
by a winch handle or in any other convenient manner.
Secondly in the construction and application of similar perforated but non-
rotating spiral tubes connected to a water, steam, or illuminating gas supply pipe.
Inside the spiral tubes is arranged a conical or cylindrical inner part decorated
with tin or other foil glass, or other ornamental material which is caused to rotate.
Thirdly in the construction and adaptation of a non tubular spiral or coiled device
arranged so as to be suspended by a loop in rows, clusters, or otherwise, coiled
round an inner body for displaying any kind of brilliant or decorative material such
as tin-foil, coloured foil paper, glass &c., and in some cases a wax light or other
illuminant.
In some cases the rotary spiral tubes may be used without the fluid supply, by
being decorated with any suitable brilliant material representing fluid streams
or drops.
The rotation of the tubes may be effected either by hand gear or by any motor
operating locally or at a distant station, and water, compressed air, or heated air
from a gas jet suitably arranged may be caused to impinge on or against angular
vanes or blades, in order to impart rotary motion to the spire or cylinder.
The spires or cylinders may be mounted in a vertical horizontal, diagonal, or
other position, and mirrors or reflecting surfaces fitted around, a gauge or other
transparent or semi-transparent screen may be arranged in front according to the
effect desired to be produced and in the case of the revolving tubes with or without
water or other fluid supply the apparatus may be fitted with fluid tight union joints
having ball or other bearings.
Dated this 10th day of A1000
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Producing Spectacular or Scenic Effects.
I KENNETH MCLENNAN of 30 Devonshire Street All Saints Manchester in the
County of Lancaster Draughtsman 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 this invention is to produce brilliant spectacular or scenic effects
by the aid of rotary and other spiral tubes and metallic coils preferably perforated
for the display of jets of water, steam, illuminating gas or decorative material such
.
027

page_text: for example as tin or other foils, either with or without the use of lime or
electric light.
The nature of my said invention and the manner in which the same is to be
performed or carried into practical effect will be readily understood on reference to
the annexed sheet of drawings and the following explanation thereof.
The invention consists first in the construction and adaptation of revolving spiral
metallic tubes one of which is shown in side elevation at Fig. 1 on the drawings,
and plan view at Fig. 2.
These spiral tubes a are preferably perforated for the emission of jets of water
steam, or other fluid, and are mounted upon a frame b and carried by vertical
shafts c to which a rotary motion is given at the time of the display either by
gearing d driven by power, or by a winch handle, or in any other convenient
manner.
Secondly the invention consists in the construction and application of similarly
perforated but non-rotating spiral tubes a one of which is shown in elevation at
Fig. 3 carried by a fixed hollow bracket b.
These tubes are connected at c with a water steam or illuminating gas supply
pipe.
Inside the spiral tube a is arranged a conical inner part d decorated with tin or
other foil, glass, or other ornamental material which may be either stationary or
caused to rotate.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 3 the spiral may be formed by brazing together two or
more lengths of brass or other metallic tubing, the diameter and substance of each
being gradually decreased towards its pointed end or apex which is preferably left
open, or it may be made of one length only with the same diameter of tube
throughout the coiling commencing with a curl of any suitable diameter and
gradually decreasing upwards, and the distance apart of the coils or laps being
either regular or gradually decreasing as may be preferred.
The spiral tube a is perforated at intervals throughout its entire length and if
intended for the display of gas these perforations will be fitted with suitable jets or
burners.
The holes may be directed upwards as shown by the arrows or drilled obliquely
or otherwise as may be preferred.
The stand may be a frame of cast metal b as shown at Figs. 1 and 2 or it may be
a metal stand b attached to a wooden base e as shown in section at Fig. 4 and plan
view Fig. 5 and if water or other liquid is employed a metallic or carthenware
basin may be fitted thereto as shown in dotted lines at Figs. 1 and 4 and the
rotation of the spiral pipe may either be effected by hand or gearing, or as shown
at Fig. 4, by water acting in the direction of the arrows upon a turbine placed in
the base e and fixed on the bottom of the shaft e the water supply coming from the
basin or from a separate supply pipe.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing a ball bearing g applied to a part of
the hollow vertical shaft c which passes through the top of the cast iron stand b.
Fig. 7 shows an enlarged sectional view of the bottom water tight bearing of the
said shaft which is supported upon a steel pivot and provided with side openings i
corresponding with the inlet k.
Fig. 8 is a section showing the lower end of the hollow shaft c supported in a
water tight stuffing box on a ball bearing and open at the bottom the inlet pipe m
being in a straight line with it.
The third part of my invention is illustrated by Fig. 9 and consists principally
in the construction and adaptation of a non-tubular spiral or coiled device n arranged
so as to be suspended by a loop in rows, clusters or otherwise coiled round an inner
body o for displaying any kind of brilliant or decorative material such as tinfoil,
colored foil, paper, glass &c. and in some cases a wax light or other illuminant.
In some cases the rotary spiral tubes may be used without the fluid supply by
being decorated with any suitable brilliant material representing fluid streams
or drops.

page_text: The spires or cylinders, whether fixed or rotating may be mounted in a vertical,
horizontal, diagonal or other position, and mirrors or reflecting surfaces fitted
around or blended therewith, or gauze or other transparent screens may be arranged
in front according to the effect desired to be produced.
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 :-
The improved apparatus for producing spectacular or scenic effects substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings annexed, and especially I
claim :-
First. The construction and adaptation for such purposes of revolving spiral
metallic tubes, preferably perforated for the emission of jets of water, steam or other
fluid.
Secondly. The construction and adaptation for such purposes of non-rotating
spiral tubes arranged round a conical or cylindrical inner part either revolving or
stationary and
Thirdly. The construction and adaptation for such purposes of non tubular spiral
devices coiled round an inner body and arranged so as to be suspended in rows or
groups, all substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and
illustrated.
Dated this 15th day of May 1891
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.