IMPROVED PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING PURPOSES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED
PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING PURPOSES a communication to
me from abroad by Gustave Trouvé of Paris, France, to be as follows:-
"
This invention relates to portable electric lighting apparatus whereby the
production and extinction of the light is effected automatically and by the mere
fact of the apparatus occupying the position in which (for the purposes for which;
the light is used) the light is required, or that in which it is not required to be
produced.
From this it will be understood that the arrangement whilst remaining unaltered.
in principle will necessarily be modified according as the apparatus is intended for
use as a miner's, or fireman's safety lamp for example or for domestic use as a hand
lantern or otherwise. Thus in the former example, the light is not required until
the lamp is hooked to the miner's belt or otherwise carried on the person, and
should be extinguished when the light is held in the hand, whereas in the other
example the light is required when the lamp is carried in the hand and should .be
extinguished when it is set down after being used.
This invention comprises the apparatus constructed and arranged to fulfil these
two conditions, and extends to various details of construction and to a safety
arrangement for the incandescence lamp all as hereafter described.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood I have illustrated
as an example in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, the
preferred mode of carrying the invention into effect and will proceed to describe it
with reference thereto.
Figure 1 represents a vertical section of the general arrangement of a miners or
fireman's lamp which is not required to furnish light neither when carried in the,
hand nor when set down. Figure 2 is a corresponding plan. These two figures
show the apparatus in working position. Figure 3 shows the apparatus when
carried by its handle and raised out of working position. Figure 4 is a plan of the
battery cell with diagonal partitions, the electrodes and their support being
removed. Figure 5 is a plan of the upper band supporting the lamp. Figure 6
shows the incandescence lamp with double safety envelope or bulk. Figures 7
and 8 are vertical sections of the same apparatus for domestic use and in and out
of working position respectively..
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the various figures,

page_text: The cell a containing the battery and supporting the lamp is divided if necessary
by partitions 6 to receive the electrodes (amalgamated zinc and carbon) mounted
on a plate c provided with terminals for connection with the lamp. The nature of
the electrodes and of the electrolytic liquid may be varied without departing from
the invention.
In the first arrangement which is specially designed for miner's and fireman's
use, the handle d is attached to the plate c so as to raise the electrodes out of the
exciting liquid of the battery when the apparatus is carried by this handle. The
band e which surrounds the upper part of the cell a is provided with two locking
pins which project through the sides of the cell a and form stops for the plate c
when raised as in figure 3 and also as locking bolts to retain the plate in the raised
position by engaging in holes in said plate and thus keep the electrodes out of the
liquid when the apparatus is not in use to avoid useless wear of the battery.
These locking pins are provided with rings for withdrawing them to release plate c
the band e acting as a spring to permit the motion.
The making and breaking of the current being effected without a commutator
all danger of sparking is avoided which is very important when the apparatus is
used in an explosive atmosphere.
The lamp herein represented is of the kind forming the subject of another
patent No 5714 of 1883 but I do not limit myself thereto and may use any
suitable lamp with or without a reflector as shown. in figure 9. The connections
with the battery are made by pins g inserted in the terminals h and the whole
system is arranged so as to be readily dismounted for cleaning. For this purpose
the electrodes are lifted out by the handle of plate c, the pin f being unlocked, and
the band e carrying the lamp i is then removed by disengaging the lugs k from
their notches in the cell a.
The connections with the lamp are made by pins fitting in spiral spring
sockets m which ensure perfect contact and enable the lamp to be readily connected
and disconnected without any joint in the conducting wires.
The apparatus is carried at the belt by a hook n fixed either to the band e or to
the cell a so that the electrodes are plunged in the liquid when the apparatus is set
down or suspended by the hook.
On the other hand in figures 7 and 8 the lamp does not illuminate when set
down but only when carried by the handle d. In this case the electrode supporting
plate c is connected by screws o or otherwise with a frame p passing down the sides
and under the cell a and formed with a foot at the underside of the latter whilst
the handle d is attached directly to the cell instead of to the plate c as before, so
that when the apparatus is set down the frame p will come first in contact with
the support on which it is placed whilst the cell will fall within it and thus raise
the electrodes out of the liquid. When the vase is raised by lifting the handle d
the electrodes plunge into the liquid and the light is established and remains so as
long as the apparatus is held suspended.
I prefer to employ the safety lamp shown in figure 6 having a double bulb or
envelope the space between them containing air or gas rarified or not so that if one
should be broken no explosion can occur.
The apparatus berein described may also be used for other than illuminating
purposes, for instance for lighting gas, for which purpose it is only necessary to
connect the electric torch provided with a switch with the terminals h of the
battery.
Tol 1
A
בז
1001

page_text: "
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED
PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING PURPOSES (a communication to
me from abroad by Gustave Trouvè of Paris, France) and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
This Invention relates to portable electric lighting apparatus, whereby the
production and extinction of the light is effected automatically and by the mere
fact of the apparatus occupying the position in which (for the purposes for which
the light is used) the light is required, or that in which it is not required to be
produced.
From this it will be understood that the arrangements whilst remaining unaltered
in principle will necessarily be modified according as the apparatus is intended for
use as a miner's, or fireman's safety lamp for example or for domestic use as a hand
lantern or otherwise. Thus in the former example, the light is not required until
the lamp is hooked to the miner's belt or otherwise carried on the person, and
should be extinguished when the light is held in the hand, whereas in the other
example, the light is required when the lamp is carried in the hand and should be
extinguished when it is set down after being used.
This invention comprises the apparatus constructed and arranged to fulfil these
two conditions, and extends. to various details of construction and to a safety
arrangement for the incandescence lamp all as hereafter described.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, I have illustrated
as an example in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, the
preferred mode of carrying the invention into effect and will proceed to describe it
with reference thereto.
4
Figure 1 represents a vertical section of the general arrangement of a miner's or
fireman's lamp which is not required to furnish light neither when carried in the
hand nor when set down. Figure 2 is a corresponding plan. These two figures
show the apparatus in working position. Figure 3 shows the apparatus when
carried by its handle and raised out of working position. Figure 4 is a plan of the
battery cell with diagonal partitions, the electrodes and their support being
removed. Figure 5 is a plan of the upper band supporting the lamp. Figure 6
shows the incandescence lamp with double safety envelope or bulb. Figures 7 and 8
are vertical sections of the same apparatus for domestic use and in and out of
working position respectively.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the various figures.
The cell a containing the battery and supporting the lamp is divided if necessary
by partitions b to receive the electrodes (amalgamated zinc and carbon) which
partitions may be pierced with a small hole near the bottom to allow of the liquid
attaining the same level in the several compartments of vessel a. The electrodes
are mounted on a plate c provided with terminals for connection with the lamp.
The nature of the electrodes and of the electrolytic liquid may be varied without
departing from the invention.
In the first arrangement which is specially designed for miner's and fireman's
use, the handle d is attached to the plate o so as to raise the electrodes out of the
exciting liquid of the battery when the apparatus is carried by this handle. The

page_text: band & which surrounds the upper part of the cell a is provided with two locking
pins which project through the sides of cell a and form stops for the plate c when
raised as in figure 3 and also as locking bolts to retain the plate in the raised
position by engaging in holes in said plate and thus keep the electrodes out of the
liquid when the apparatus is not in use to avoid useless wear of the battery.
These locking pins are provided with rings for withdrawing them to release plate c,
the band e acting as a spring to permit the motion.
The making and breaking of the current being effected without a commutator,
all danger of sparking is avoided, which is very important when the apparatus is
used in an explosive atmosphere.
The lamp herein represented is of the kind forming the subject of another patent
No 5714 of 1883, but I do not limit myself thereto and may use any suitable lamp
with or without a reflector as shown in figure 9. The connections with the battery
are made by pins g inserted in the terminals h and the whole system is arranged
so as to be readily dismounted for cleaning. For this purpose the electrodes are
lifted out by the handle of plate c, the pin f being unlocked; and the band e
carrying the lamp i, is then removed by disengaging the lugs k from their notches
in the cell a.
The connections with the lamp are made by pins fitting in spiral spring
sockets m which ensure perfect contact and enable the lamp to be readily connected
and disconnected. without any joint in the conducting wires.
The apparatus is carried at the belt by a hook n fixed either to the band e or to
the cell a so that the electrodes are plunged in the liquid when the apparatus is set
down or suspended by the book.
On the other hand in figures 7 and 8 the lamp does not illuminate when set
down but only when carried by the handle d. In this case the electrode supporting
plate c is connected by screws o or otherwise with a frame p passing down the sides
and under the cell a and formed with a foot at the underside of the latter whilst
the handle d is attached directly to the cell instead of to the plate e as before, 80
that when the apparatus is set down the frame p will come first in contact with the
support on which it is placed, whilst the cell will fall within it and thus raise
the electrodes out of the liquid. When the vase is raised by lifting the handle d
the electrodes plunge into the liquid and the light is established and remains so, as
long as the apparatus is held suspended.
1 prefer to employ the safety lamp shown in figure 6 having a double bulb or
envelope the space between them containing air or gas rarified or not so that if one
should be broken no explosion can occur.
The apparatus herein described may also be used for other than illuminating
purposes, for instance for lighting gas, for which purpose it is only necessary to
connect the electric torch provided with a switch with the terminals h of the
battery.
Figures 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 illustrate certain improvements in the electric
lighting apparatus before described. The improvements consist chiefly in the
application of means for regulating the intensity of the lighting current and in
a modified construction of the apparatus bereinbefore described as intended for
domestic use.
Figure 10 represents in sectional elevation an apparatus provided with a winch
for regulating the depth of immersion of the elements and consequently the
intensity of the light. Figure 11 is a plan of same. Figure 12 shows in sectional
elevation a spring current regulator, the apparatus being set down and the
connections terminals and other accessories being omitted for the sake of clearness.
Figure 13 is a plan of same. Figure 14 shows a sectional elevation of the
apparatus suspended by its handle in position for producing the light. The same
letters of reference represent the same parts in the several figures.
While reserving the right to employ any suitable means of regulating the depth
of immersion of the elements in the exciting liquid, I will proceed to describe two
arrangements which I prefer for the purpose.

page_text: In the first arrangement, figure 10 I suspend the plate a which carries the
elements, by a chain b which winds upon a spindle c forming a kind of winch; one
end of which is pivoted in one of the arms d before described, while the other end
is provided with a button for turning it and is received in a fork e where it is held
Bufficiently to prevent the spindle from turning except when operated by the button.
In this manner the plate a may be raised or lowered by means of the winch so as
to immerse the electrodes more or less in the liquid. By thus varying the strength
of the current, a light of different degrees of brightness may be produced, which
may even be lowered down to that of a night lamp, if it is not desired to
completely extinguish the light, when the apparatus is set down. Instead of
arranging the suspension frame d on the outside of the battery as in figure 12;
I preferably substitute for the same a single central rod f having a foot g and
a quick screw thread at its upper end. The plate a is suspended by a stirrup h
supported upon a spiral spring i placed on the upper end of rod f and adjusted by
a nutk. The spring serves the same purpose as the winch in the preceding
arrangement, that is to say, by turning the nut k the plate a carrying the electrodes
may be raised or lowered so as to move the latter into or out of the liquid in the
battery. The central rod ƒ passes through a tubular socket 7 moulded in one with
or fixed to the vessel. If the apparatus be grasped by the handle x attached to the
upper band e¹, the electrodes will be immersed in the exciting liquid and the lamp
be lighted (see figure 14.) y is a wing nut placed upon the upper end of the screwed
stem (figure 12) for locking the apparatus and thus enabling it to be carried about
unlighted. In some cases in order to simplify the apparatus and cheapen its
construction more especially when intended for domestic use, I dispense with the
frame d upon which the battery slides as represented in dotted lines in figure 10,
and fix said frame to the vessel so as to form bearings for the winch. This
regulating arrangement also serves for lighting and extinguishing by raising or
lowering plate a. I have before stated, that the invention may be applied to any
lamp and that the latter may be placed at any part of the apparatus either in
a horizontal position as in figure 11 or vertically as in figures 12, 13 and 14.
In some cases, the lamp may be enclosed in a protective wire casing m as shown.
Finally I would observe that this improved system of safety portable electric
lighting apparatus in which the light is automatically produced and extinguished,
is entirely independent of the nature of the source of electricity by which it is
supplied. It is evident in fact that any kind of primary or secondary battery may
be employed without in any way departing from the principles of the Invention ;
if an accumulator be used, a commutator would be of course necessary to close or
break the circuit in the lamp properly so called, but the several arrangements of
apparatus herein described will all serve without any modification, to effect the
opening and closing of the commutator and for making or breaking the connections
with the battery. A commutator would also be employed with those primary
batteries in which it is desired the electrodes should be constantly immersed in the
exciting liquid or liquids. The elements would in any case be mounted on a
special support and the movable cover before mentioned would serve to operate the
commutator either directly or indirectly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1st The improved portable safety electric lighting apparatus, consisting in the
combination with an incandescent lamp, of any kind of battery whose electrodes
are caused to be immersed in the liquid in order to generate the current, either by
the act of carrying the apparatus, or of setting it down, as hereinbefore described
and for the purpose specified.
2nd A portable safety electric lighting apparatus having a handle d attached to
plate c upon which are mounted the electrodes, terminals g 1 m, spring band e and
し
lug k, locking pins f and suspension hook n as described with reference to figures 1
to 5 of the drawings,

page_text: 3rd A portable safety electric lighting apparatus provided with a rigid frame p
connected to the electrode supporting plate c and passing down the sides and under
the vessel a of the battery, as described and shown in figures 7 and 8 of the
drawings.
4th A portable safety electric lighting apparatus in which the light is auto-
matically produced and extinguished as described, provided with a winch for
regulating the immersion of the electrodes and consequently the intensity of the
light, as described and shown in figures 10 and 11.
5th A portable safety electric lighting apparatus, provided with a central stem f
with foot to carry the electrode supporting plate a, a tubular socket to receive
said stem and a stirrup h, as described and shown in figures 12, 13 and 14.
6th In combination with the arrangement forming the subject of claim 5, the
employment of a spiral spring i supporting the stirrup h and nut k for regulating
the expansion of the spring and consequently the immersion of the electrodes as
described with reference to figures 12 and 14.
7th The application of the herein described mechanical arrangements for effecting
the automatic lighting and extinction of the lamp, in cases where a secondary
battery is employed as the source of electricity in combination with any suitable
kind of commutator.