IMPROVE- MENTS IN PORTABLE HAND OR POCKET LANTERNS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Frederick Lotz, of 19, Carter Lane, Saint Paul's
Churchyard, London, Lamp Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PORTABLE HAND OR POCKET LANTERNS." A communication from
abroad by James M. Dietz, of 120, William Street, New York, United
States.
Sealed the 9th August 1876, and dated the 10th February 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Frederick Lotz at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th February 1876.
WILLIAM FREDERICK LOTZ, of 19, Carter Lane, Saint Paul's Churchyard,
London, Lamp Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE HAND OR POCKET
LANTERNS."
This Invention of improvements in portable hand or pocket lanterns consists in
a lantern especially adapted for travellers, skaters, boat clubs, yachtmen, physicians,
miners, watchmen, railroads, farmers, firemen, &c. It occupies but little space and
is conveniently carried in the pocket. I make use of a moveable oil reservoir that
is received into the bottom of the lantern and below a plate to which is attached
a cone shaped piece of metal, through which an aperture is made for the wick and
flame to pass through, and which concentrates the air around the flame, thereby
causing a perfect combustion. The cone plate and oil well being detached from
each other prevents the heat from communicating to the oil well, thereby rendering
it more safe and unobjectionable in handling it. It is also more cleanly, as it
prevents dirt from accumulating between the cone and wick tube, which is the case
when they are attached to each other.
The outer case of the lantern is made principally of perforated sheet metal, and
plain or corrugated silvered glass or polished metal reflectors of a semicircular form
are inserted from the top, the sides of which are made to fit singly against the glass
or mica on the front of the lantern.
The outer face of the lantern being of a square and the reflector of a circular
form it allows a large space for air to freely pass between the two, thus preventing
the heating up of the lantern, or injury to the glass or metal reflectors.
The perforated metal acts to distribute the heat and to promote a regular current
of air between the reflector and perforated metal; neither is it exposed to sudden
blasts of cold air.

page_text: On
I also provide a front of mica or glass and a swinging cover or adjustable reflector
that acts as a protection when closed, and as a reflector and mirror when open.
the under sido of said cover or reflector may be securely placed a piece of silvered
glass, which would answer the double purpose of mirror and reflector, and I make
an opening at the side, covered with a gate or slide, to give access for lighting the
lamp or for taking a light for a cigar. The top of the lantern is made of two
pieces of metal perforated, the under one hinged at the side and upper hinged at
the back of the lantern, and may be used separately or independently of each
other.
When the lantern is used in doors the upper cover should be kept open; when
used out of doors it should be properly closed.
The reflector and glass may be removed or replaced by opening the hinged tops.
The handles are attached at the back, and the wires composing the same pass into
vertical loops, so as to allow the handles to be swung out for use or turned flat
against the back, and a spring tongue attached at its upper end to the back
serves to sustain the lamp when the tongue is passed through the buttonhole of a
coat or other convenient place.
A peculiarly constructed case of leather or similar material is also provided for
receiving the lantern previous to insertion in the pocket. The case is made to fit
over the lantern and inclose the same; it is preferably of leather and open at one
end, and is made sufliciently long to allow for the introduction of a metal match
holder in upper portion thereof, and this holder may be open at the end or side
and provided with a swinging cover that is closed by a spring and roughened
upon the outer surface, so that matches may be rubbed upon the same to ignite
them.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Frederick Lotz in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th August 1870.
WILLIAM FREDERICK LOTZ, of 19, Carter Lane, Saint Paul's Churchyard,
London, Lamp Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE HAND OR POCKET
LANTERNS." A communication from abroad by James M. Dietz, of 120, William
Street, New York, United States.
7
This Invention of improvements in portable hand or pocket lanterns consists in
a lantern especially adapted for travellers, skaters, boat clubs, yachtmen, physicians,
miners, watchmen, railroads, farmers, firemen, &c. It occupies but little space, and
is conveniently carried in the pocket. I make use of a moveable oil reservoir that
is received into the bottom of the lantern and below a plate to which is attached
a cone shaped piece of metal, through which an aperture is made for the wick and
flame to pass through, and which concentrates the air around the flame, thereby
causing a perfect combustion. The cone plate and oil well being detached from
each other prevents the heat from communicating to the oil well, thereby rendering
it more safe and unobjectionable in handling it. It is also more cleanly, as it
prevents dirt from accumulating between the cone and wick tube, which is the case
when they are attached to each other.
The outer case of the lantern is made principally of perforated sheet metal, and
plain or corrugated silvered glass or polished metal reflectors of a semicircular form
are inserted from the top, the sides of which are made to fit singly against the glass
or mica on the front of the lantern.
The outer case of the lantern being of a square and the reflector of a circular
form it allows a large space for air to freely pass between the two, thus preventing
the heating up of the lantern, or injury to the glass or metal reflectors.
The perforated metal acts to distribute the heat and to promote a regular current
of air between the reflector and perforated metal; neither is it exposed to sudden
blasts of cold air.

page_text: I also provide a front of mica or glass and a swinging cover or adjustable reflector
that acts as a protection when closed and as a reflector and mirror when open. On
the under side of said cover or reflector may be securely placed a piece of silvered
glass, which would answer the double purpose of mirror and reflector, and I make
an opening at the side, covered with a gate or slide to give access for lighting the
lamp or for taking a light for a cigar. The top of the lantern is made of two
pieces of metal perforated, the under one hinged at the side and upper hinged at
the back of the lantern, and may be used separately or independently of each
other.
When the lantern is used in-doors the upper cover should be kept open; when
used out of doors it should be properly closed.
The reflector and glass may be removed or replaced by opening the hinged tops.
The handles are attached at the back, and the wires composing the same pass into
vertical loops, so as to allow the handles to be swung out for use or turned flat
against the back, and a spring tongue attached at its upper end to the back
serves to sustain the lamp when the tongue is passed through the buttonhole of a
.coat or other convenient place.
A peculiarly constructed case of leather or similar material is also provided for
receiving the lantern previous to insertion in the pocket. The case is made to fit
over the lantern and enclose the same; it is preferably of leather and open at one
end, and is made sufficiently long to allow for the introduction of a metal match
holder in upper portion thereof, and this holder may be open at the end or side,
and provided with a swinging cover that is closed by a spring and roughened
upon the outer surface, so that matches may be rubbed upon the same to ignite
them.
In the accompanying Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the lantern, the
hinged tops shewn fully open; Figure 2, a view of the hinge for holding the reflector
and back of the lantern.
a is the cone attached to the perforated diaphragm b, beneath which is the wick
holder and oil reservoir; c, the wick holder; d, the aperture by which the lamp is
lighted; e, the sliding door covering the aperture; f, the perforated sides and back;
g, the reflector; h, the inner top of the lamp; i, the upper top of the lamp; j, the
handle of the wick raiser; k, the spring holding in the oil reservoir; l, the handles;
m, spring to attach the lamp to a belt; n, the sliding and attached support to retain
the adjustable reflector in place; p, the portion connecting the slider with the
adjustable reflector o; px, the glass front of lantern.
Having now described and particularly set forth the said Invention, I would have
it understood that I claim,-
First. As the Invention the particular lantern as described and set forth, substan-
tially as described.
Second. The detached cone for the lamp set in a perforated piece of metal,
substantially as described.
Third. The double-hinged covers for the top of the lamp, substantially as
described.
Fourth. The side aperture for lighting the lamp or taking a light and the sliding
cover for the aperture, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Frederick Lotz, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord Ono
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
WILLIAM FREDERICK LOTZ. (L.S.)