Improvements in Illuminating Devices for Stage Scenery and for other purposes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 6th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 7th Nov.,
1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Illuminating Devices for Stage Scenery and for
other purposes.
We WILLIAM JORDAN of 27 King's Road, Brighton, in the County of Sussex,
Mechanical Engineer, and EDWARD BROADBRIDGE Junior, of 2 Powis Square,
Brighton, in the County of Sussex, Furniture Dealer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to illuminating devices for stage scenery and for other
purposes, and consists essentially in the employment of a cone filled with various
colours of glass or other transparent substances, and surrounded by an arrangement
of leaves or other suitable designs having a polished or burnished surface, and by
the aid of a light placed at the back of the cone in such a position, as to throw the
rays of light into the cone, and thereby produce a magnificent luminous effect.
According to one modification of our invention, we make a cone either circular or
polygonal in shape, the base of which is composed of a metal band or other suitable
material, to which is attached ribs, which we carry to the apex of the cone and
solder together, and around the cone at required distances between the base and
the apex we fasten other metal bands, the number varying in accordance with the
size of the cone.
In the spaces between the ribs and metal bands are placed panes of glass or other
substances that are transparent and of different colours.
To the metal bands above mentioned, are soldered, riveted or otherwise fastened,
leaves of flowers or plants, or of any other design cut out of tin, copper, or any
other suitable metal, but it is essential that the metal used shall have a burnished
or bright silvered surface, the object of which will be described hereinafter.
In another modification of our invention the cone is made separate and distinct
from the leaves or other design above referred to, so that by an arrangement of any
convenient mechanism, the cone and the leaves can be made to rotate in opposite
directions, or either part can be stationary whilst the other revolves.
In working our invention it is necessary that the light is placed at the back of
the device intended to be illuminated, and for this purpose the light is derived
from gas, petroleum or electricity (preferably the latter) which throws its rays into
the cone, and by this means the various colours of glass or other transparent
substances are thrown on to the backs of the leaves which having a burnished or
bright silvered surface reflect the colours on to the front of the leaves behind,
thereby producing the luminous effect which is the object intended by our
invention.
It will be understood that this invention can be used for various purposes other
than stage illuminations, and when adapted for bouquets or table decorations the
glass or other transparent substances used in the cone can be tinted, so that flowers
and leaves may be re-produced with all the delicate tints and shades of colour.
Dated this 9th day of February 1891.
THOMAS H. MELLOR,
110, St. James's Street, Brighton, Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in Illuminating Devices for Stage Scenery and for
other purposes.
1
We. WILLIAM JORDAN of 27 Kings Road Brighton in the County of Sussex
Mechanical Engineer and EDWARD BROADBRIDGE Junior of Powis Square
Brighton in the County of Sussex Furniture Dealer 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 :-
Our invention is intended to provide a method of and means for producing
brilliant effects in stage scenery decoration and devices used in connection with
dramatic and other entertainments the said invention being also applicable for
illuminating or decorative purposes of various kinds such as fêtes, garden parties
house decoration or illumination and is adapted for a variety of purposes."
Our invention mainly consists in so arranging with an illuminating agent, certain
hereinafter described devices that the rays of light shall be received from the rear
passed between the elements of the devices and shall be reflected plain or, variously
tinted to and from their burnished or equivalently prepared surfaces before finally
emerging in a forward direction.
The objects or devices to which our illuminating effects are applied may be of
any shape and size suitable for the purpose such as trees, shrubs, shells, flowers,
jewellery but preferably such as may be conveniently grouped. "In other cases a
single flower such as a rose or the like or a bouquet of flowers to be carried in the
hand may be advantageously employed.
For the purpose of more fully explaining the nature of our said invention and the
manner in which the same may be carried into practical effect we refer to the
accompanying two sheets of drawings and to the figures and letters of reference
marked thereon. We have shewn as an illustration of the many different effects or
devices to which our invention may be applied the representation of a full blown
flower for instance of a reddish tint surrounded at its base by say green leaves.
Figure 1 is a view somewhat out of shape or proportion so as to more clearly
shew the construction of an artificial flower or bouquet with the illuminating device
arranged to be carried by hand if constructed on a small scale but the same
arrangement would be equally applicable to a larger and fixed device.
Figure 2 Sheet 2 is a sectional elevation showing an arrangement for a hand
carried bouquet or flower fitted with an ordinary electric light.
Figure 3 is a diagram shewing a different arrangement for fixed or set pieces
capable of illuminating the device with a succession of different coloured lights.
In constructing a flower such as is represented by Figures 1 and 2 we provide
a cone shaped frame A of metal or suitable material either circular, square,
octagonal or the like on plan. This frame is constructed of several rings or
flat bars B secured together by vertical rods or bars the spaces between being
filled in by glass or other translucent material of any desired or convenient
colour.
For instance in the example shewn the upper spaces are filled in with say red
glass D. D. D and the lower space with say green glass E E or the glasses may
be in one piece for each section or division, circular on plan, tapering upwards
and fitting into sockets in the ribs B the whole being held together and secured
by straps wires or clamps.
To the ribs or bars B we attach the leaves or petals F of the flower or device and
these may be formed of bright metal or of any material faced with tinfoil, silver
leaf or any agent capable of reflecting light. The leaves may if desired be painted
with different tints.
In the example shewn the upper metallic devices F branching or spreading

page_text: outwards from the ribs or bars B are intended to represent the petals say of a poppy
and the lower ones G the green leaves of the same flower.
It will be seen that the frame when filled in with glass or other translucent
material forms a chamber A. The base of the frame may be formed with a flange H
which may be secured to a base or carrier I to which may be attached a handle J
for the purpose of holding the device.
On the base or carrier I we may mount an ordinary electric light bulb K for the
purpose of illumination, the wires leading to a battery in any convenient position
carried on the person of the holder as will be well understood.
Referring to the device as illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 and the construction
of which we have described it will be seen that before the electric current is
switched on the device presents the appearance of a white or golden flower
according to the nature of the material of which the parts F and G are com-
posed and may be illuminated or not from the front in the ordinary way by
lime or other light but as soon as the electric current is switched on and the
light within the chamber A in operation the stage or room may be darkened or
the light reduced when the light in the upper parts D. D. D passes through the
red glasses and is reflected from point to point and along the surfaces front
and back of the petals F producing a charming effect, at the same time the light
passing through the lower glasses E E diffuses a green glow along the lower
leaves G.
In Figure 3 we shew a method of illuminating a large set piece by one
colour only or by a succession of different colours and in this case the light is
fixed behind the chamber A and the rays of an ordinary gas jet M are pro-
jected into the chamber by a reflector N and if desired through a lens O in
front of which may be placed a wheel pivoted at P and divided into two, three
or more parts by cross bars each of these divisions being filled with a different
coloured glass or the like. In this arrangement the spaces D' E¹ between the
ribs or bars B¹ may be open or filled with clear glass.
Although we have described our invention in connection with the representation
of a flower and for a hand carried and a set or fixed device it is capable of applica-
tion to a great variety of objects and groups for stage effect or for illuminations
and the like such as an illuminated grotto or for illuminated flowers or groups in
gardens, parks and the like. For all these purposes we use the variously shaped
diminishing or equivalent chambers or frames so long as the rays of light, tinted or
otherwise shall be received and scattered as above described. The devices may be
illuminated by any description of illuminating agent such as candles, oil lamps,
night lights, gas or electricity.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that
what we claim is :
First In illuminating devices for stage effects or decoration the use of a cone-
shaped chamber or frame composed of a succession of circular or other ribs or bars
of decreasing diameter or size such as B in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying
drawings and between which ribs or bars are arranged coloured glasses or their
equivalent the said chamber or frame being capable of receiving and carrying
within it an electric or other convenient light substantially as and for the purposes
described.
Second: In illuminating devices for decorative purposes or stage effects the use
of a cone-shaped, tapered or equivalent chamber or frame round which may be fixed
the various portions of the device to be illuminated and within which may be fixed
a light or into which may be projected rays of light as and for the purposes
described.
Third: The device for stage or like effects substantially as described and as
illustrated by the Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

page_text: Fourth: The apparatus for illuminating, decorative or stage effects or devices
substantially as described and as illustrated by diagram Figure 3 of the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated this 6th day of October 1891.
POPPLEWELL & Co.,
17 & 18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.