Improvements in or relating to Artificial Flowers, Plants, Fruit, and like objects.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Mar., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 31st Dec., 1897-Accepted, 26th Mar.,
1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Artificial Flowers, Plants, Fruit, and
like objects.
I, KATE CROMPTON DUNSMUIR, of 3, Station Road, Altrincham, in the County of
Chester, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as
follows:-
My invention consists of a miniature electric incandescent lamp concealed within
the calyx or behind the potals of an artificial flower or like object whereby such
flower or object may be rendered luminous and made to possess a life-liko or natural
appearance in color and shinde and be specially adapted for table and like decoration.
The flower is built up on the lamp, which is covered or jacketed by a thin fabrio
of the color of the intended flower or its calyx, to which the leaves of the flower and
petals are carefully pasted, glued or sewn in the required colors, forms and shapes.
The wires of the lamp are concealed in and form part of the stalk or stem of
the flower which is clothed or covered with paper or fabric in imitation of the real
stalk or stem. The said wires terminate in the flower vase, flower basket, or holder,
and are there provided with a suitable plug or like connector for connection with a
battery, or to an electric supply main with electric "cut-out" of fusible metal if
required concealed within or about the vase.
On the current being turned on the light illuminates the flower, and so gives a
real and life-like appearance to the flower, especially in the dark. To prevent the
lamp becoming over heated I prefer to use lamps of higher voltage than the current
at command.
It will be seen that the application of an illuminated flower affords a great scope
for decorations which may be carried out in various forms, and be applicable to all
kinds of situations.
Whilst chiefly applicable to flowers, my invention may be applied to artificial
fruit, plants and other objects of a similar nature used for decoration.
Dated this 30th day of March 1897.
Improvements in or relating to Artificial Flowers, Plants, Fruit, and
like objects.
I, KATE CROMPTON DUNSMUIR, of 3, Station Road, Altrincham, in the County of
Chester, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
[Price 8d.1

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
My invention consists of a miniature electric incandescent lamp concealed within
the calyx or behind the petals of an artificial flower or like object whereby such
flower or object may be rendered luminous and made to possess a life-like or natural
appearance in color and shade and be specially adapted for table and like decoration.
The flower is built up on the lamp, which is covered or jacketed by a thin fabria
of the color of the intended flower or its calyx to which the leaves of the flower and
petals are carefully pasted, glued or sewn in the required colors, forms and shapes.
The wires of the lamp form the stalk or stem of the flower, and are clothed or
covered with paper, fabric or moss in imitation of the real stalk or stem. The
said wires terminate in the flower vase, flower basket, or holder, and are there
provided with a suitable plug or like connector for connection with a battery, or to
an electric supply main, with electric "cut-out" of fusible metal if required,
concealed within, or about, the vase.
On the current being turned on the light illumines the flower and so gives it
a real or life-like appearance, especially in the dark.
And in order that my said invention may be more readily understood I have
herewith annexed a sheet of drawing shewing a flower and its stalk built up in
accordance with my invention and shewing the connection of the wires, and I
will now proceed to describe the same with the assistance of the figures and letters
of reference marked thereon.
A is an incandescent lamp forming the base or "calyx" of the flower. B, B' are
the insulated conducting wires forming the stem, which are connected direct to the
lamp, instead of to the usual lamp socket, which is dispensed with because of the
bulky appearance it would present if used. The said wires are surrounded by a
"lapping" or tube of india-rubber C upon which the moss E or like matter is pasted,
sewn or wrapped, and which serves to separate the said floral matter from the wires.
D are the leaves of the flower made of textile material (silk preferred), and of a
color suited to the style of flower. The lamp or calyx is covered with similar
fabric and the said leaves are pasted on to such covering at G, and at H aud
both calyx (lamp) covering and leaves are secured by a wrapping of fine wire at I.
Over these wires is a further covering J suited to the color of moss, or flowers, and
stitched or pasted in position.
The moss E covers the joining, and the general effect of the flower and its stalk
when built up is as shewn, on the left hand side of Fig. 1.
The flowers may be grouped or disposed in any desired fashion for use on a table,
wall bracket or other situation, and for convenience in connecting the wires B, B₁
I prefer to mount them on a base K through which the wires B, B' may pass to a
sel of contact plates I, to which also the main electric supply wire M may also be
secured from the plug switch N. The said contacts are provided with a series of
screws to afford connections for a group of flowers. The said plates and their
connections may be changed or varied to suit the voltage of the electric current.
In practise I prefer to use lamps suitable for a higher voltage than at command,
in order to prevent risk of overheating. For larger flowers or for the purpose of
the foliage I may encase the lamp A in a globe, suited to the flower required, and
leaving a layer of air between the two for keeping the globe cool. Similarly for
peculiarly shaped flowers, or for enhancing the life-like effect, I may use a lamp
or globe moulded or blown to the peculiar form.
Whilst I rely on the fabric for producing the color and gradations of light and
shade, I may employ a colored glass lamp, or apply paint or colors to the lamp, or
use both a colored lamp and colored foliage.
In some flowers, or for buds, the lamp will be entirely covered or enclosed by the
leaves.
The conducting wires are sufficiently rigid to sustain the lamp, but for
"creeping" plants they may be strengthened by additional wires.

page_text: For table decoration I prefer to mount the plant and conceal the base K in an
earthenware vase O whereby the lamps are effectually insulated from the table.
.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be understood
that the building up of the leaves or foliage on the lamp, or the manner of grouping
and fixing the same may vary according to the kind of flower to be illuminated
without departing from my invention, and what I claim is: —
1: The combination with an electric incandescent lamp and conducting wires,
of artificial foliage, as and for the purposes set forth.
.
"
2: The combination with an electric incandescent lamp and conducting wire?
of colored textile material mounted on said lamp, a rubber sleeve or "lapping
and artificial floral matter surrounding said wires, and means for connecting the
wires to the main supply of electricity, as and for the purposes set forth.
KATE CROMPTON DUNSMUIR.
By J. G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.
KATE CROMPTON DUNSMUIR.
By J. G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.