Improvements in Head Lights.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 27th May, 1893
Improvements in Head Lights.
A communication from GEORGE WASHINGTON JACOBS, of 14, Arnold Park,
Rochester, County of Monroe, State of New York, United States of America,
Manufacturer.
I, FREDERICK GARLAND MYLREA, of Blounts Court, Peppard, Reading, in
the County of Berks., Gentleman, 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:—
According to this invention a head-light is constructed to be used more
particularly upon railway locomotives to cast a strong beam of light upon the
track in front of the train. The head-light consists of a prismatic or rectangular
box-shape case constructed preferably of cold rolled steel of about No. 24 gauge,
to hold the lamp with its oil fount and the reflector.
The head-light is usually perched high up in front of the locomotive, as upon a
shelf or brackets, just above the front end of the boiler. The reflector is parabolic
in form with the lamp flame or source of light at the focus, in consequence of which
the rays of light from the lamp are thrown in a solid beam along the track ahead
of the train. Above the rectangular portion the metal case is formed with a
reduced chainber the walls of which are preferably formed into ogee curves for
the sake of appearance. This chamber tapers upward and it provides necessary
space over the lamp, a well-guarded outlet for the products of combustion being
formed at the top.
The inlet openings through the walls of the case to supply fresh air to the lamp
are also guarded and formed with reference to supplying a steady and easy flow of
air to the lamp so that the latter shall not be unfavourably affected by high winds
or from strong currents of air resulting from the rapid speed of the locomotive or
train. The glass disc in front of the reflector is also set and held in the goggle in
a novel manner and with reference to protection against breakage and with reference
also to forming a tight joint with the case to the end that wind and rain may be
excluded therefrom.
In order that the said invention may be more fully understood and readily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe the drawings hereto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved head-light.
Figure 2 is a side elevation seen in the direction as indicated by arrow 2 in
Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a central vertical section of the case taken on the dotted line 3-3 in
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved head-light.
Figure 2 is a side elevation seen in the direction as indicated by arrow 2 in
Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a central vertical section of the case taken on the dotted line 3-3 in
Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a similar section of the case taken on the dotted line 4-4 in
Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section of the case taken on the dotted line 5-5 in
Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a view of the rear ventilator, the rear wall of the case being
omitted.
Figure 7 is a rear elevation of the main part of the case, the rear wall being
mostly broken away to show the contained parts.
Figure 8 is a side elevation of the holder for the lamp chimney upon the
reflector.

page_text: Figure 9 is a view of the chimney holder seen as indicated by arrow in
Figure 8.
Figures 10 and 11 show slightly different methods of setting and holding the
front glass disc, the parts being sectioned as on the dotted line 4-4 in Figure 1.
Figure 12 is a plan of a clip for holding the glass disc, seen as indicated by
arrow in Figure 11.
Figure 13 shows a simple modification of the holder for the glass disc some
of the parts being sectioned as on the dotted line 13-13 in Figure 11.
Figure 14 shows the method of securing the oil fountain to the supporting
standards, some of the parts being in vertical section on a plane coinciding with the
axis of the holding bolt.
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 are drawn to a scale of 14 inches to the foot;
Figures 6, 8 and 9 are drawn to a scale of 6 inches to the foot; Figures 10 to 13
inclusive are drawn to a scale of 12 inches to the foot, and Figure 14 is drawn to a
scale of 3 inches to the foot.
The head-light shown is what is called the "23-inch" head-light, it being the
largest size, and designed to be used on locomotives drawing express trains, and
also on freight engines. Smaller sizes as 16-inch and 20-inch are frequently called
for, which are supplied, the latter being used more particularly for shunting
engines. A is the steel case containing a parabolic reflector B, lamp C and oil
fountain D. The case is provided in front with a central conical goggle b,
Figures 1, 2 and 4, projecting say three or four inches from the case and holding
at its front end a vertical plain glass disc a, which is about twenty-three inches in
diameter. The reflector, the axis of which is horizontal, is secured to and held by
a wooden frame E, Figures 3, 4 and 5, which is formed to slide horizontally in
bearings in the floor c of the case. This floor is preferably made of wood and the
form of the bearings for receiving the frame is immaterial, a dovetail form being
frequently employed, as appears in Figure 4.
The reflector is made of sheet copper, silver-plated and burnished upon its
interior surface and does not differ materially from reflectors in common use.
The
mouth of the reflector is about the same diameter as the goggle and when the
reflector is in place in the case it is opposite the goggle glass a, and five or six
inches in rear of said glass as appears in Figure 4.
The frame E supports an oil fountain D for the lamp, Figures 4, 5 and 7, by
means of standards d d secured rigidly to the frame and the fountain. The manner
of securing the fountain to the standards is better shown in Figure 14, a securing
bolt being passed vertically down through a thimble u in the fountain and screw-
threaded into the head of the standard. Rigid with the fountain is a hanger e
which constitutes the rear bearing for the reflector. At its front end the reflector
rests in a concaved upright part of the frame, and at its apex, at the rear, it is
provided with a short rigid axial shaft resting in the hanger e.
The lamp C may be of any suitable kind or make (or any other source of light
may be employed) having a sufficiently strong or light-giving flame, the one shown
being an oil lamp, with the flame at the focus of the reflector. The reflector is
formed with an opening below its axis in which to receive the base of the lamp,
and it is also pierced above the axis for the chimney g. The lamp is supported in
place by means of a simple rigid pipe h, Figure 7, secured to its base and to the
lower side of the oil fountain. This pipe preferably is detachable from the lamp
and it serves when connected as a communication for oil between the fountain and
the wick of the lamp. The fountain is provided with the usual capped opening r³,
through which to fill it, and a conical air tube or riser s'.
Upon the upper side of the reflector is placed a holder for the chimney of the
lamp. This holder consists of a metal bracket i soldered to the reflector, Figures 8
and 9, which holds two horizontal spring arms k k reaching out to the opposite side
of the chimney. At their free ends these arms are provided with curved springs ll
formed to fit the convex sides of the chimney, as shown, and to securely grasp and
hold the chimney in a vertical position against the jarring due to the motion of the

page_text: locomotive. The spring-arms normally converge at their free ends but are sprung
apart to allow the chimney to enter between them.
Constructed and connected as above described the frame E, the reflector, the oil
fountain, and the lamp are joined as in one piece, and collectively they are herein-
after called "the reflector."
35
open
F, Figures 1, 2 and 3, is a door, at the side of the case which when admits
of the reflector being introduced into the case. The door turns on a vertical hinge n
and is secured by a simple lock o. The door is formed with an outer flaring or
raised sheet of steel and an inner plain sheet of steel rivetted together. A
rectangular opening is cut through both sheets of the door to receive a glass plate p
upon which to paint or place the number of the locomotive as "182," for example.
The glass plate is held usually by a simple cast-iron frame inserted in the
openings in the door and secured in place by some suitable and convenient means.
The glass plate may be secured in the frame by plaster of paris, or cement, or by
other simple means, suitable to keep out wind and water.
The door is further formed with a circular opening about five inches in diameter
below the glass plate, which is closed by a closely fitting vertically sliding shutters,
through which the hand may be thrust to light or regulate the lamp.
To supply air to the lamp the rear wall of the case is pierced low down with
holes, Figures 6 and 7. The passage of air through these holes is controlled by
a metal disc u, Figures 4, 5 and 6, contiguous to the inner face of the wall, and
held to turn upon a pivot pin x. The disc is pierced with holes y corresponding
with the holes so that when turned to bring the holes opposite each other a free
passage for the inflow of air is formed. But by turning the disc differently the
holes v may be wholly or in part covered to regulate the inflow of air. Within the
case and opposite the holes v is placed a deflector which breaks the inflowing
currents of air, and causes them to be deflected upward and distributed about
within the case.
The case is formed with an upper chamber G, Figures 1 to 4, over the reflector
up into which the products of combustion of the lamp ascend. This chamber is
enclosed by four reversely curved side walls and covered by a cap plate a¹ into
which is inserted a short vertical tube constituting an escape flue for the
emanations from the lamp. This escape flue is carefully guarded above and below
so that no sudden down-rush of air can occur to extinguish the lamp. That is to
say, beneath the tube is placed a guard c¹ the same being a convexo-concave sheet
of metal held horizontally with the concave side upward by means of straps d'
secured to the plate a¹. Above and surrounding the tube is placed a conical
guard e over which is turned an outer guard f1 constituting a roof for the whole.
This roof is substantially semi-circular and it is placed so that its longitudinal
line or axis is at right angles with the axis of the reflector and also with the line of
the advance of the locomotive. On account of its being thus relatively placed
when the locomotive is either going ahead or backing up the air encountered by
the guard or roof is broken and turned aside. This prevents both a tendency to a
downrush of air through the tube b', and an unfavourable uprush through the tube
from induction. By this arrangement of the guards rain is also effectually
prevented from entering the case through the tube b'.
The forward end of the goggle b is provided with an inwardly projecting annular
face flange g', Figures 10 and 11, seamed all around to the goggle the plane of the
At its inner edge the
flange being at right angles with the axis of the goggle.
flange is slightly beaded and turned inward, as shown at i'. The glass disc a is set
within this flange and may be secured in place by cement or plaster of paris but it
is preferred to cover its periphery with a cushion h¹ of soft yielding material as
indiarubber or felt, preferably the former. This cushion is lapped upon both sides
of the glass, as shown, and covers its entire edge. The part of the cushion outside
the glass lies directly against the inner face of the flange and fills the space between
The part
the flange and the glass inside of the inturned edge, of the flange.

page_text: of the cushion within the glass has pressing against it a metal ring k', preferably of
iron. This ring is commonly pressed against the cushion by means of a series of
movable clips, Figure 11, secured to the inner face of the goggle by clamping
bolts n passed through the wall of the goggle. The clips shown are formed with
longitudinal, slots o' through which the bolts pass. The faces of the clips which
bear against the ring are preferably formed slanting, as shown, by means of which
the ring may be readily centred or moved to a position concentric with the goggle
as well as pressed forward against the cushion.
The glass disc when the parts are arranged as shown, is separated all around
from the face flange g', the ring and the walls of the goggle. And when thus
cushioned and protected the jarring the glass is subjected to is deadened, and an
opportunity is presented for the easy expansion and contraction of the parts from
changes of temperature. This lessens the chance of breakage. The part of the
cushion in front of the glass is pressed against the flange but it is prevented from
spreading out edgewise on account of the inturned edge of the flange.
When the glass is thus set the joint between it and the goggle is rendered air
and water tight.
Eccentrics or cams like that shown in Figure 13 are sometimes employed instead
of the clips shown in Figure 11, to press the ring against the cushion and glass.
Holding bolts similar to those used with the clips are employed to hold the
eccentrics to place.
Also in case of the lighter head-light more particularly, both the clips and the
eccentrics are frequently dispensed with and instead screws, Figure 10, are
employed, these screws being passed horizontally through the flange into the ring.
These screws pass just outside of the cushion; and usually in this construction the
ring is made flat in cross section so as to present a broader face for the reception of
the screws.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is,-
1. A head light for locomotives consisting of an enclosing case such as A having
a glass front and a removable frame such as E within the case holding a reflector
such as B a lamp in the reflector and an oil fountain such as D means being
provided for the escape of the products of combustion of the lamp and for
supplying the lamp with air substantially as described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
2. A head light in which the case for holding the reflector is provided with a
flue such as over the lamp with a guard such as c¹ beneath the flue and a circular
guard such as el over the flue substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
3. A head light in which the enclosing case for the reflector is provided with a
flue such as 6 above the lamp with a guard such as c' beneath the flue a guard
such as e over the flue and an outer guard or roof such as f¹ above said guard over
the flue.
4. A head light in which the enclosing case for the reflector is provided with a
flue such as b' over the lamp a conical guard such as e¹ over said flue and a curved
or arched roof such as f¹ over the guard the axis of said roof being at right angles
with the axis of the reflector.
5. A head light in which the front glass has its periphery covered with a
cushion.
6. A. head light in which the edge of the front glass is covered with a soft
yielding substance such as indiarubber and a ring such as k' to hold the glass in
place with means to press or draw the ring towards the glass.
7. A head light in which the reflector is provided upon its upper surface with
spring clasps such as kl for holding the lamp chimney.

page_text: 8. A head light for locomotives in which the enclosing case is provided with a
front glass a through which the light is thrown by the reflector and a side glass p
upon which to place the number of the locomotive.
9. A head light having the goggle b provided with a face flange and a glass the
flange g¹ having its inner edge beaded and turned inward to nearly touch the glass
a peripheral cushion such as h¹ being provided for the glass and a holding ring
such as ¹ to press the cushion and the glass and movable parts or bodies to urge
the ring in a direction toward the flange substantially as described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Oth do of March 1802
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.