A Method of and Apparatus for Producing Electrical Spectacular Effects.
Year: 1898

page_text: ค
Date of Application, 1st July, 1898
ALL
1000
1
Ou
1000
Date of Application, 1st July, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 4th Apr., 1900 Accepted, 6th May, 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Method of and Apparatus for Producing Electrical Spectacular
Effects.
I, CHARLES HORACE Cox, of 4, Hargreaves Road, Liverpool, Commercial
Traveller, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object, the production of novel electrical spectacular
effects for the purpose of theatrical and similar displays.
According to this invention I obtain electrical spectacular effects by high tension
electrical discharges. Such discharges may proceed from Leyden jars, or modifica-
tions thereof, condensers, or other suitable apparatus; and in conjunction with
such apparatus, I by preference employ Rhumkorf induction coils, or modifica-
tions thereof, so that there shall be no risk of injury to either spectator or operator.
In some cases I may employ transformers of any desired pattern for the purpose
of obtaining high tension electrical discharges.
High tension electrical discharges obtained in the manner above described, or
in a similar manner, are displayed so as to produce novel spectacular effects by
means of apparatus the nature of which I will now describe. Such apparatus
will comprise a metallic or partially metallic surface, and such surface will in
most cases be irregular so that projecting points or pinnacles, ridges, and similar
sharp formations are produced, the object of such formations being the utilisation
of the well known characteristic of the electric fluid to collect at and discharge
from such pointed or sharp formations. Such irregular metallic surfaces, over
or from which I cause high tension electrical discharges to take place, may take
various forms, of which the undermentioned are examples.
Floral or other designs may be arranged as scenic effects, or may be arranged
to be carried by the corps du ballet, and over or from such designs high tension
electrical discharges periodically take place.
Arches, columns, and other structures commonly used upon the theatrical stage
will possess an irregular metallic surface, or surfaces, from which such discharges take
place. In conjunction with the above described high tension discharges from
metallic surfaces, I may employ electrical incandescent or are-lights or lamps so
as to obtain a more interesting or elaborate effect.
I am aware that high tension electrical discharges have been displayed in the
lecture room for the purpose of illustrating the properties of the electric fluid,
but so far as I am aware it has not hitherto been proposed to employ such discharges
in conjunction with metallic designs such as herein above described for the pur-
pose of producing novel spectacular effects.
1000
J. A. COUBROUGH,
Chartered Patent Agent,
10, St. George's Crescent, Liverpool.
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Method of and Apparatus for Producing Electrical Spectacular
Effects,
I, CHARLES HORACE Cox, of 4, Hargreaves Road, Liverpool, Commercial
Traveller, 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:-
;-
This invention has for its object the production of novel electrical spectacular
effects for the purpose of theatrical and similar displays.
According to this invention I obtain electrical spectacular effects by high tension
clectrical discharges. Such discharges may proceed from Leyden jars, or "modifica-
tions thereof, condensers, or other suitable apparatus; and in conjunction with
such apparatus I by preference employ Rhumkorf induction coils, or modifica-
tions thereof, so that there shall be no risk of injury to either spectator or operator.
In some cases I may employ transformers of any desired pattern for the purpose
of obtaining high tension electrical discharges.
High tension electrical discharges obtained in the manner above described, or
in a similar manner, are displayed so as to produce novel spectacular effects, by
means of apparatus the nature of which I will now describe. Such apparatus
will comprise a metallic or partially metallic surface, and such surface will in
most cases he irregular so that projecting points or pinnacles, ridges, and similar
sharpe formations are produced, the object of such formation being the utilization
of the well known characteristic of the electric fluid to collect at and discharge
from such pointed or sharp formations. Such irregular metallic surfaces, over
or from which I cause high tension electrical discharges to take place, may take
various forms, of which the undermentioned are examples.
Floral or other designs may be arranged as scenic effects, or may be arranged
to be carried by the corps du ballet, and over or from such designs high tension
electrical discharges periodically take place.
Arches, columns, and other structures commonly used upon the theatrical stage
will possess an irregular metallic surface or surfaces, from which such discharges take
place. In conjunction with the above described high tension discharges from
metallic surfaces, I may employ electrical incandescent or are lights or lamps so
as to obtain a more interesting or elaborate effect.
The foregoing sets forth the general features of my invention, and the manner
in which it may be put into practical effect, and I will now proceed to describe
with the aid of the accompanying drawing, some details appertaining to the
practical application of my invention.
The annexed drawing illustrates a scenic archway, adapted for the display of
high tension electrical discharges. This archway is formed of a sheet of insulating
material, such as glass, ebonite, or the like, to which are attached, in any suitable
manner, a number of diamond shaped pieces of tin-foil or thin sheet metal, a.
The back of the insulating material is provided with similar pieces of tin-foil, or
with a sheet of tin foil. The insulating sheet of the arch may consequently be
compare with the glass wall of a Leyden jar. is an electrical battery which
excites the primary circuit of the Rhumkorf coil e, a switch & being provided in
this circuit. The secondary circuit of the coil e is connected up with the metallic
pieces on either side of the insulating material of the arch, that is to say, the
positive end of such secondary coil is connected to the lowermost metallic piece a
on one pillar of the arch whilst the negative end of the coil is connected to the
metallic pieces or sheet on the back of the arch. Upon closing the switch da
discharge of the electrical fluid will take place over the pieces a, that is to say,
the discharge will spark from piece to piece. A brilliant display of the electric

page_text: Huid is thus afforded and such display will be accompanied by the crackling
sound which is characteristic of such discharges. The fluid overflows from the
pieces a to the negative metallic backing of the arch and is thus discharged.
Instead of attaching tin-foil to both sides of the insulating material of the arch,
the metallic pieces a may be employed without a metallic backing. In this caso
the positive and negative ends of the secondary coil will be connected up with the
pieces a at the extremities of the surface over which the discharge is to take place,
so that the discharge passes from one extremity to the other.
In addition to fixed scenic surfaces such as the arch illustrated, the herein
described electrical discharges may take place over devices which may be held in
the hand, such as the star illustrated in the drawing. This star may consist of a
sheet of glass or ebonite provided with the metallic pieces a and a metallic backing.
An ebonite or glass tube e contains the positive and negative ends of the secondary
coil, and the controlling switch d may be operated by the foot of the artiste or
otherwise.
It will be evident that the contour, material, and general arrangement of the
surface over which high tension electrical discharges may take place, are sus-
ceptible of many variations to suit varying requirements. For instance, a large
surface such as the arch illustrated may be divided into sections, each section
having its own battery circuit, and any suitable number of devices of different
patterns, which may be discharged separately or in series, may be employed to
form tableaux, set scences, and the like.
I am aware that high tension electrical discharges have been displayed in the
lecture room for the purpose of illustrating the properties of the electric fluid,
but so far as I am aware it has not hitherto been proposed to employ such discharges
in conjunction with metallic designs such as herein above described for the pur-
Jose of producing novel spectacular effects.
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. The herein described method of and apparatus for producing electrical
spectacular effects, the characteristic feature of such method and apparatus being
the passage or discharge of electrical currents of high potential across a metallic
surface which has been specially formed to display such discharge, substantially
as described.
2. In combination, apparatus for producing electrical currents or discharges of
high potential, and a surface which is specially adapted for the display of such
discharges, substantially as described.
3. In combination, apparatus for producing electrical currents or discharges of
high potential, and a fabric consisting of an insulating material to which are
attached separated pieces of metal, said material having a metallic backing, said
pieces and backing being connected up with the positive and negative poles of said
apparatus, whereby the charging of said separated pieces is accompanied by a
sound and display, substantially as described.
4. In combination, apparatus for producing electrical currents or discharges of
high potential, and a fabric consisting of an insulating material to which are
attached separated pieces of metal, said pieces being connected up with the positive
and negative poles of said apparatus, whereby the passage of a discharge across
said pieces is accompanied by a sound and display, substantially as described.
Dated this 30th day of Vaal 1800
J. A. COUBROUGH,
Chartered Patent Agent,
10, St. George's Crescent, Liverpool.
Agent for the Applicant.
J. A. COUBROUGH,
Chartered Patent Agent,
10, St. George's Crescent, Liverpool.
Agent for the Applicant.