Improvements in Electric Lamps for Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Lamps for Vehicles.
I, JOHN ZIMMERMAN, Manufacturer, of No. 1416 Masonic Temple, Chicago,
Cook County, Illinois, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates particularly to that class of electric incandescent lamps in
which galvanic batteries are used, and especially batteries known as multiple cell
batteries, though the lamp portion may be used with other types and classes
of batteries.
The object of my invention is to provide a simple, economical, efficient and
compact primary battery, and combined therewith a simple and effective lamp
portion. The invention consists in the method of connecting the respective cells in
series with each other. It consists further in the method of placing and connecting
the negative electrodes in their respective cells. It consists further in composition,
manufacture and construction of the negative electrode; and it consists finally in
the features, combinations and details of the construction hereinafter described and
claimed.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1, is a vertical central sectional elevation taken on line 1 of Fig. 2,
showing an incandescent lamp in connection with my battery and diagrammatic
view of the connections of the different cells with the switch in dotted lines;
Fig. 2, a front view of the battery cell case with the lamp removed and showing
the switch mechanism;
Fig. 3, a rear end elevation of the lamp portion showing the mechanism used in
securing it to the cell case;
Fig. 4, a perspective view of the metallic pocket for receiving and holding by
spring contacts, a negative element;
Fig. 5, a diagrammatic view of the resistance coil hereinafter described; and
Fig. 6, a front elevation of the improved form of my negative electrode, shown
partly in section.
In the art to which this invention relates, it is well known that electric lamps for
vehicles especially for bicycles, have never been practicable or successful, owing
principally to the fact that an efficient battery has never been designed and that
efficient connecting mechanism had not been designed for coupling and uncoupling
the battery cell lamp.
There are various disadvantages attending the use of multiple cell batteries as
now constructed, principally in the connection between the different elements from
cell to cell. My invention therefore, has for one of its objects, the construction of
a battery in which the connections are made in an automatic manner each time the
battery is recharged, thus insuring a fresh and clean connection at all times.
Further it is well known that it has been practically impossible to obtain
satisfactory results from small primary batteries owing to the fact that the negative
elements have taken up considerable space and have not always been successful in
operation. My invention therefore is intended to obviate this objection by
providing a light and efficient electrode for use in single fluid cell batteries and
particularly in small batteries. This part of the invention therefore, has to do with
the oxide of metals such as oxide of copper which possesses the property of being

page_text: reduced to basic metal by electric chemical action when introduced in proper form
into primary battery cells. Heretofore primary batteries using metallic oxides have
been inefficient, owing to the fact that the oxide of such metals is in itself a non-
conductor of electricity. My invention removes this objection by placing the oxide
in contact with a supporting contacting plate thus reducing the external resistance
of the battery or the resistance of the element to the lowest possible point.
In constructing my improvements and adapting them specially for use in
connection with vehicle lamps, I use a case A, formed preferably of hard rubber or
other light insulating material. This case is preferably divided into any suitable
number of compartments, a, a¹ and a³, which form the individual cells of the
battery by means of the partitions A', which are also formed integral with the case,
and which also form an insulating and water-tight barrier between the cells. Each
of these individual cells-except cell a², is provided with a supporting piece which
I term a "metallic pocket" B, adapted to receive and hold the negative element C.
This metallic pocket is provided with a hook as at b, and which is passed over the
upper part of the partition and clinched thereto, while its lower portion may be
provided with projecting lugs b-as shown in Figs. 1 and 4-which are passed
underneath a false bottom. This metallic support or pocket is then secured to
the partition in such a manner as to form a part of it and aid in strengthening it.
To form the pocket proper, I stamp or cut out of the metallic piece, two angular
projecting flanges, B', that formn a saddle into which the negative element may be
forced, while a stop B' limits the insertion of the negative element and positions
the same. Two spring projecting contact pieces, 63, serve to firmly hold the
negative element in its pocket, and at the same time form an efficient electric contact
between the parts.
or
The positive element is formed of a zinc plate strip D, which is provided with
a hooked edge d, and is suspended in the individual cells from the other partitions
and on the opposite side from the metallic pocket; while its hooked edge is passed
over the partition on top of the pocket to form the electric connection between the
positive and negative elements of the adjacent cells.
The negative element C, is preferably made of a shape to fit the metallic pocket
and is formed of carbon and oxide of copper in the following manner :-The carbon
and oxide are preferably powdered and mixed with from 5 to 10% of syrup of
sugar, and afterwards pressed or molded into the desired shape and size and then
dried or baked. The baking removes the larger portion of the sugar and carbonizes
the residuum, leaving the plate very porous, which from being so rendered porous
presents a larger active surface to the exciting fluid, thereby reducing the internal
resistance of the cell.
By combining carbon with the oxide of copper the electric potential of the
negative element is increased in the following ways:-(1) By combining with the
oxide of copper, an element that stands higher in the scale of electric potential than
the copper; and (2) By combining with the oxide, a passive conductor of electricity
for reducing the resistance of the element. While it is true that only the oxide
of copper absorbs the hydrogen disengaged by the action of the battery, its
close union and intermixture with the oxide prevents the hydrogen from polarizing
the carbon particles. The exciting fluid that I prefer to use is a caustic alkali
solution, such as soda or potash.
In Fig. 1-in dotted lines-I show one method for regulating the discharge of
current from the battery when the battery has been fitted up with multiple cells.
Separate wires E, E¹ and E', are provided each leading from an individual cell to
independent switch points e, e and e, preferably located on the outer surface of the
battery case. A pivoted switch lever G,-as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 1, and
in full lines in Fig. 2,-is secured to the outer surface of the case and connected by
meaus of a wire g, with the negative element of the first cell; while the wire E,
leads to the positive element of the last cell.
The operation of this switch is such that when the lever G, is placed in electric
contact with the first switch point e, the full number of cells are placed in circuit with

page_text: the two terminals of the battery. When the lever-as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1-
is in contact with the switch point e', the electric circuit is broken with the cell a³,
and established with cell a¹-as the last cell of the series-through wire E'
metallic pocket of cell a², to the zinc of cell a'. When the switch lever is moved
to contact with switch point e, the cells a', and a², are cut out and electric current
established with cell a, only, through the wire E, metallic pocket in cell a', with
the zinc plate in the cell a, thus leaving this cell only in circuit with the two
terminals of the battery. The wires E, E and E2, in actual use are passed
between the false and regular bottoms of the battery case and fastened to the
projecting lugs, b', of the supporting pocket or plate. The space between these
bottoms is then filled with a wax substance which practically makes a solid,
hard rubber bottom.
In the dotted diagram of Fig. 1, an incandescent lamp G1, is interposed
between the terminals, so that the movements of the switch lever from one
point to another will give different degrees of light.
In cell a³, of Fig. 1, and in Fig. 6, of the drawings, I have illustrated an
improved modified form of negative electrode constructed as follows:-A metallic
conducting supporting plate H, of reticulated metal is provided, on which I place a
layer of oxide of copper H', or its equivalent-previously prepared and mixed with
a suitable proportion of resinous oil, so as to form a coherent paste. This paste is
preferably applied to the conducting and supporting plate by mechanical means,
such as by the use of a spatula. After the plate has been provided with this layer
of oxide, it is placed in the furnace and heated until the oxide is fused into one
solid mass, when it is withdrawn, allowed to cool, and is ready for use. A terminal h,
is provided which forms the supporting hook of the plate and may be secured to
the plate by soldering or any other desired means.
In Fig. 5, I show a diagrammatic view of another method-or modification-for
regulating the flow of current that may be desired to be drawn from the battery,
by interposing more or less resistance in the circuit between the terminals of the
battery instead of cutting out cells as herein before described. In this modification
it will be understood, the negative elements are not connected independently with
the switch board the only elements that are connected with the switch board or
switch points are the first negative element in cell a, and the positive zinc element
in cell a². In Fig. 5, 1, is the resistance coil, one end, being connected with the
positive element of cell a², as is the switch point . The switch point,, is con-
nected at any desired point of the resistance coil, so as to interpose in the circuit
a desired resistance between such point and the terminal of the battery; while the
switch point 3, interposes the entire resistance coil.
When this modification is used in place of that illustrated in Fig. 1, it will
be seen that when the switch lever contacts the first point i, the battery is in
circuit with minimum external resistance and furnishes the entire current strength
of the battery. When the switch lever contacts the point, a small external
resistauce is interposed between the terminals of the battery and a smaller
amount of the current generated by the battery is brought into use; and when
the switch lever contacts the point, the entire external resistance of the coil
is interposed and a minimum amount of current furnished.
Describing now the specific method for securing the lamp portion to the case;
I provide a supporting piece K,-see Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In order to secure the
lamp to this supporting piece, I provide the back of the lamp L, with a projecting
binge portion 1, at its upper end adapted to be inserted in the hinging perforation
or opening k, of the supporting piece and its lower portion as shown in Figs. 1
and 3, with a projecting tongue, adapted to enter the locking perforation, in
the supporting piece to position the lamp and bring it into contact with the battery
terminals. In order to lock the parts together and prevent displacement, I provide
the switch lever G, with an upper projecting portion M, adapted to pass over the
projecting tongue of the lamp and press more firmly against the supporting piece.
It will thus be seen that this switch lever acts as a locking lever so that when it is

page_text: contact with the switch points, the lamp is securely locked and the same cannot be
unlocked until the switch lever has passed out of contact with the switch point.
The incandescent lamp N,-see Fig. 1, has one terminal n, passed through its
socket n', so as to contact a spring piece 2, on the battery cell, while the other
terminal of the filament is electrically connected with the metallic portion N', of the
burner proper so as to make proper electrical contact with the metallic reflector
and casing and form one side of the lamp circuit, so that when the lamp portion is
in contact with the metallic supporting piece K, and the switch lever in contact
with any of the switch points, the electrical circuit is closed and current furnished
the lamp. The advantages of this structure are such that the lamp and cell case
may be easily coupled and uncoupled as desired.
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. A primary battery having two or more cells, partitions dividing such cells, a
metallic conducting piece hanging from and extending lengthwise with the
dividing partition; a negative element supported thereon, and a positive element
hooked over and supported by the negative element support to electrically connect
such cells in series, substantially as described.
2. In a primary battery having two or more cells, a partition dividing the cells,
a metallic conducting support for the negative element attached to, extending
lengthwise with and forming a part of the dividing partition, a negative element
removeably secured in the metallic support, and a positive element in the adjacent
cell hooked over and suspended from the negative element support to electrically
connect such cells in series, substantially as described.
3. In a primary battery provided with a false bottom having two or more cells
electrically connected in series, a switch located on and secured to the case, and
means disposed beneath the false bottom by which the flow of current is increased
or diminished by the movements of the switch, substantially as described.
4. In a primary battery having two or more cells, positive and negative elements
of adjacent cells joined together across the dividing partition to electrically connect
such cells in series, a switch located on and secure to the case, and the wire or set
of wires connecting the switch with the negative element of each cell individually
and arranged by the switch movements to cut one or more of the cells into and out
of action, substantially as described.
5. In a primary battery having two or more cells, elements of the adjacent cells
supported and joined on and across the dividing partitions to electrically connect
such cells in series, an incandescent lamp located on and secured to the battery case,
a switch located on and secured to the case, and a wire or set of wires connecting
the switch with the negative element of each cell individually and arranged by the
switch movements to cut one or more of the cells into and out of the electrical
connection with the lamp, substantially as described.
6. In a primary battery, a metallic conducting support provided with a spring
pocket for holding the negative element in position and permitting its free insertion
or removal, substantially as described.
7. In a primary battery, a negative element of carbon and oxide of copper pressed
or molded into desired shape, substantially as described.
8. As a new article of manufacture in primary batteries, a porous negative
element of carbon and oxide of copper pressed or molded into desired shape, sub-
stantially as described.
9. A negative element for primary batteries consisting of a reticulated supporting
conducting plate provided with a porous coating of baked copper oxide and a
carbonized binder, substantially as described.
10. A negative element for primary batteries consisting of a wire mesh supporting
conducting plate provided with a porous coating of baked copper oxide and a
binder of resinous oil, substantially as described.

page_text: 11. In combination with a battery cell having a metallic supporting piece, an
electric incandescent lamp having a metallic back portion, one of such portions
provided with a projecting hinge and the other with a hinging perforation and
means for positioning and locking the lamp on its supporting piece, substantially
as described.
12. In combination with a battery cell having a metallic supporting conducting
piece provided with a hinging perforation and electric incandescent lamp having a
back portion provided with a projecting hinge adapted to enter the hinging
perforation of the supporting piece and means for positioning and locking the lamp
on its supporting piece so that the parts may be readily coupled or uncoupled, sub-
stantially as described.
Dat
this 25th
1906
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.