US1463183A - Lamp - Google Patents

Description

July 31, 1923- 1,463,183

s. G. WARNER LAMP Filed Feb. 24. 1920 v 517 1 M Wy- 55%0 Patented ,hay 31, leas.

Uniretitane sELDEN G. WARNER, OE WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, AssrGNoRTO NEW JERSEY PATENT COMPANY, OE WEsT ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, n coRPoRaTroN OE NEW JERSEY.

. LAMP.

Application led February 24,1920. Serial No. 360,697.

To @ZZ idiom-t may concern Be it known that I, SELDEN G. VYARNER, a citizen of the nited States, and a resident of lVest Orange, Essex County, New Jersey,.

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lamps, of which the following is a description.

My invention relates to lamps, and more particularly to Yan improved form of lamp designed especially for use in railway signailing although the same is applicable to many other'uses. f f

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved construction employing a lamp in conjunction with a lens for projecting the light emitted by the lamp, whereby the lamp may be readily, quickly and accurately adjusted to a positionwith its illuminating center atxa predetermined position with respect to the lens, as, for example, at the back focal pointy of the lens, and whereby after the adjustment of the lamp the latter will be rigidly maintained 'in fixed adjusted positionwith respect to the lens regardless of any deformation or Variation of the housing or casing in which the lens is mounted. s

My invention also consists in an improved i fixture or attachment for carrying the lamp and which is adapted to be rigidly and di` rectly attached tothe lens in conjunction with which the lamp is intended to be used. T his fixture or attachment is an important feature of my inventiomand it is especially applicable for use. as an adapter enabling.

the oil lamps of the standard form 'of railway signal'lamps to`be readily replaced by electric lamps with the illuminating center or iilament of the latter adjusted'to and rigidly maintained at anydesired point with respect to the lens, but preferably the back focal point of the lens. vPractically all elec-.

tric lamp adapters for this purpose nowon the market are designed to be mounted on or built up from the bottomor base of the lamp housing, and. accordingly provision must be made therein to compensate yfor the numerous variations which exist in the size, shape, etc. of the crudely and inaccurately made lamp housings even where they are supposed to be identical. Moreover, any variation in or 'deformation` of the lamp housing which takes place after the installay tion of an electric lamp adapterfmounted on ortica.. f

is likely to throw the electric lamp out of focus with the lens. With my adapter, however, these disadvantages are entirely obviated as the same is located directly fromland rigidly attached to thelens itselfthe only 'part of the complete lamp not subject tofunusual variations. i

Other features of my invention reside in the construction of parts and combinations of lelements hereinafter more specifically described and claimed.

Inorder that myinvention may be more clearly understood, attentionl is,v directed to the drawing accompanyingand forming a part ofV this specification and in `which :v

Figure l yis a viewin'side elevation, partly in section and partly broken away, ofa rail-l way signal lamp with one embodiment of my invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlargedyiew in perspective showing my improved fixture or attachment applied to a `lens such as is used in the type of signal lamp shown inFig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view on line 3 3 0f Figi, the lamp being omitted;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig; v

Fig. 5 is a lfragmentaljview of a modificationgand" Q Y i 1 Fig. 6 is aview similar to Fig. 5 of a further modification.

uReferring to the .drawing,`rand especially to Figs. 1.150 4,` referencecharacterpl represents the usual vsheet-metal housing .or cas-y ing of the standard f orm of railway signal lamp, provided with the usual bottomy or base 2 and the slidable door?) for rendering the interior Ofthehousing accessible.r The side or Vertical wall of the housing is provided with an opening surrounded by an annular flange 4 having aA shouldered rim 5,

the latter constituting a ybezel for thev reception of the usual corrugated spherical lens .6. Such a lens isl commonly known `as a.

semaphoreilens and will hereinafterbe so designated both in the y vspecilication and claims '.Thebezel 5 has rotatably mounted thereon, the usual split locking ring 7; pro-v -'vided with-a number'of spaced'pins 8 extending through inclined slots or openings 9 provided in the bezel 5, only one of each of such pins and slots being shown. The pins 8 are of such length as to engage the outer spherical surface of the lens 6 whereby the turning of the ring 7 Will grip or loosen the lens in the bezel according to the direction in Which the ring is turned. A screw 1() extending through opposed lugs provided on the ring 7 Where split, and having threaded engagement With one of such lugs, serves to lock the lens 6 in the bezel after the same has been securely gripped in position by turning .the ring 7. I

My improved attachmentor adapter con- `sists of a frame or fixture A comprising a -supporting member or ring 11 ably free at the-other end, and a lamp supsuitable rigidv supporting member, shown herein as a ring 11,-'thesubstantially rigid -rodsor legs 12 connected at one end to the and prefer- -port preferably formed integrally with the supporting member or ring 11 of the frame. I preferably employ three legs and prefer- `ably connect the same to the ring or supportingy member 11 at substantially equi-spaced points. It is thus apparent that the frame as shown constitutes a tripod. The rods or legs-12 are preferably, though not necessarily rigidly secured or fixed at one end to the ring -or supporting member 11, as shown in Figs. 1 'and 2. When so fixed to the supporting member 11, the-rods or legs employed though not necessarily, of

are slightly resilient, are preferably, substantially the 1 samelength and varel preferably attached to -the supporting member so as to diverge in 1 a 'direction away from such supporting inember. Where my attachment or adapter is designedto be applied to a semaphore lens, such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the rods or legs 12-thereof are rigidly fixed to the supporting member 11, these rods are so arranged or diverge to such a degree that a circlecircumscribed about the free ends vvthereof Whenthe rods assume their normal position, willbe of a diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the' outervmost annular groove 30 of the lens 6. Each of the rods 12 is provided adjacent its free end-,With a boss or kcollar 13 having a preferably somewhat resilient late-rally and out- Wardly extending projection 14. The support for the lamp preferably comprises an L-shaped bracket 15 attached to and preferably formed integrally with the supportingmeinber or ring 11, and the base 16 of Which'is provided With suitable means for supporting a lamp, such as a low-voltage incandescent lamp 17 having a small coil lilament 18. The base 16 is preferably vformed of slightly resilient material and is split or kerfed longitudinally and substantially centrally thereof as shown at 19. Intermediate `the ends of the split or kerf 19, the base 16 of the bracket 15 is provided With a ball socket 2O in which is mounted a ball 21 formed of slightly resilient material having a preferably central cylindrical opening 22 extending therethrough and provided with a split or kerf 23. The base 16 of bracket 15 is preferably substantially parallel to the axis of the tripod frame A and the axis of the socket 20 extends transversely of and preferably substantially at right angles to the axis of the said frame A. The cylindrical lamp-stem 24 through which the leads 25 and 26 extend, is mounted in and extends through the cylindrical opening 22 in the ball 21. The base 16 of the bracket is provided With opposed lugs 27 and 28 at the outer end of the split or kerf 19, a bolt 29 extending loosely through the lug 27 and being threaded into the lug 28. It Will be apparent that on sufficiently tightening the bolt 29, the lamp stem 24E, ball 21 and brachet 15 Will be rigidly locked together against all relative movement. It will also be apparent that upon loosening the bolt 29, the lamp 17 is universally adjustable with respect to the bracket 15, for it may then be pivotally moved in any direction and by reason of the engagement of the lamp stem 211 with the opening in the ball 21, the rlamp may also be turned and moved longitudinally in either direction in the ball 21. The construction just described constitutes a very eiiicient and simple mounting for the lamp whereby the same may be readily adjusted in any desired manner and whereby when adjusted the same may be rigidly locked in adjusted position by manipulation of a single member.

In applying my attachment or adapter to a semaphore lens such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the rods or legs 12 are forced towards each other a slight distance at their free ends and sprung into the outer annular groove 30 of the lens, and the adapter is then rigidly secured in fixed position with respect to the lens With the free ends of tlte rods in firm engagement with the bottom and side Walls of said gro-ove. 1n the construction shovvn in Figs. 1 and 2 this is accomplished by tightening the clamping ring 7` by turning the same in the proper direction. The tightening of this ring forces the lens 6 inwardly of the bezel 5, 'thereby forcing the frame A in the same direction which results in the flexing of the resilient lateral projections 14 of the legs 12 towards the outer peripheral portion of the lens by reason of the engagement thereof with the shoulder 5 of the bezel. It will be apparent that the frame A m-ay thus be very rigidly secured to the lens in fixed position vvith respect thereto. The lamp 17 may now be readily adjusted so as to bring the illuminating center or lament 18 thereof to any desired point With respect to the lens 6, such the lamp 17 is preferablj'f `adjusted so that the small coil lainent 18 Will bev substantially at right anglesl tothe axis of the lens or, in other Words, broad-side to the lens. liiith this arrangement, from an illuminating standpoint, I am enabled to obtain with a low-voltage incandescent lamp having a very small filament, results at least as effective as those obtained by the usual oil lamps the flames of Which are, comparatively speaking, very Wide.

An important feature of my invention is that once the illuminating center of the lamp has been adjusted to a certain posi-v` tion with reference to a lens andthe lamp secured in adjusted position to the'fiXture or attachment by tightening the bolt 29, the

" f attachment may be removed from the lens and then again applied thereto to any other similar lens with the assur-ante that the illuminating center or filament of the lamp will occupyv the same position With respect to such lens.

'While I have described the preferred form of attachmentor adapter embodying my invention, the same is subject to numerous modifications. For example, While the legs 12 of the frame of the adapter or attachment shown are rigidly attached at onev end to the supporting member or ring 11, this, as has been previously indicated, is not at lall essential Where a plurality of legs are employed for equally good results may be obtained by the use of any frame Which would be maintained rigid With respect to a lens When the legs or other parts thereof adapted to engage or coact with the lens aresecured to or against the latter in fixed position with respect thereto,

In Figs. 1 and 2 I show one form of 'my improved attachment, fixture or adapter applied to a semaphore lens. Adapters in accordance with my invention, however, are capable of being applied to other typesl of lenses and may also be secured t-o lenses in many Ways other than that shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and in Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown two Ways in which an adapter embodying my invention may be applied to an ordinary plano-convex spherical lens.

In Fig. 5 reference character 6 represents an ordinary plano-convex spherical lens intended to be mounted in a bezel in the same manner as the lens 6 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In order to secure an adapter such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to the lens 6, the latter may be provided on its inner side and adjacent its periphery either With an annular groove orv With spaced recesses corresponding 1n number to the lnumber of legs or rods of the adapter, forreceiving the free ends of the latter. f In this figure reference character 3l represents either such a groove 'or such a recess. Onpositioningx the free ends of lthe rods ory legs 12 (only one of which is shovvn) of the adaptery Within the annular groove or recesses 31 of the lens 6', and then tightening upithe clamping ring of the 'bezel in Which the lens is mounted, the lens Willbe secured firmly in the bezel and the adapter Will be firmly and rigj idly secured to the lens by reason of the shoulder of the bezel co--acting With the laterally extending resilient projections 14 carried by the collars or bosses 13 on legs 12, in the same manner asdescribed above.

in connection with the construction shovvny in Fig. '1.

In Fig. 6 reference character 6 represents a' lens similar tothe lens 6 of F ig. 5. The lens 6, however, is not provided either With an annular groove o1' With recesses for receiving the free ends of the rods or `legs of the adapter. In the form of adapter de'- Signed to be applied to the lens shown in this figure, each'ofthelegs 12 (only one of which is shown) is preferably substantially rigid and provided adjacent its free end yvvith a collar 13", having a peculiarly formedv substantially vrigid projection 111'.' Each of these projections 14 preferably extends out- Wardly from the corresponding rod 12 then forwardly 32a slight distance and then inwardly in theform of an arm 33 overlapping but spaced `from the; adjacent end ofI the ofthe projections 111', ther projections 14 e being so formed that when the lens is so positioned the edge thereof Will firmly engage the portions l32 'of .the projections Whereby relative lateral i'movement, of A the lens and' frame vis prevented. A f headed 4screvv 34 is threaded through each of the arms 33 and afterv the lens 6 is positioned as described, these screws are turned up tight. The legs 12 kmay be suf'iciently resilient to permit the lens 6 to be sprung.-

into position; or one or more of the collars 13 may be removably secured to the corresponding rod or rods 12, as by means ofa set-screw or set-screws, as indicated at l35, in order that the lens may be readily positionedbetvveen the free ends of the rods and the arms 33 of the projections 14. It Will be apparent that-the adapter Will `thusbe rigidly and directly secured to the lensG in fixed position With respect theretoand will be Wholly supported therefrom independently of the usual bezel or other mounting` for the lens. y

While I have shovvn and describedseveral modifica-tions of my invention, it is t0 be understood that the saine is also subject to numerous other changes and modiiications Without any departure from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having now :fully described my invention, What l claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is as follows:

l. ln combination, semaphore lens, a lamp iixture comprising a tripod the legs of which. are rigidly positioned at one endA in one of the annular grooves oic the lens, said iixture being thus supported directly and solely from said lens, and a lamp mounted on' said iixture, substantially as described.

2. ln combination, a semaphore lens, a tripod 'the legs of lwhich are slightly resilien and iiiied at one end only, said legs being sprung at the other end into one of the annular grooves of the lens, and a lamp mounted for universal adjustment on said tripod, substantially as described. i 3. ln combination, a semaphore lens, a lamp fixture having a pluigality olf legs connected at one end only, said legs being rigidly positioned at their other end in one of the annular grooves oi the lens, the lamp fn;- ture being thus supported dire-stl*7 and sole ly from said lens, and a lamp mounted on said fixture, substantially as described.

1l. ln combination, a semaphore lens, a lamp fixture having a plurality of resilient spaced legs rigidly connected at one end only, said legs being sprung at their other end into one of the annular grooves of the lens, andy a lamp mounted on said iiiiture, substantially as described.

5. ln combination,l a semaphore lens, a frame having a plurality of resilient spaced legs lined at one end only, said legs being `sprung at their free end into one oi the annular grooves of the lens, means for rigidly securing said frame in lined position to said lens with the legs thereotl at their 'free end positioned as speciiied, and a lamp 4mounted for universal adjustment on said frame, substantially as described.

6. ln combination, a semaphore lens, a bezel in which said lens is mounted, a lens clamping member cooperative with said bezel and adjustable to grip said lens firmly in said bezel, a frame comprising a plurality of legs connected at one end only, the free e2 of said legs being positioned in one oiE thc annular grooves of said lens, said legs bei g provided at their free ends With projections extending between said bezel and lens wherL by when said member is adjusted to grip said lens in the bezel said 'frame Will be idly secured to the lens, and a lamp mounted on said frame, substantially as described.

7. ln combination, a semaphore lens, a bezel in which said lens is mounted, a lens clamping member cooperative withv said bezel and adjustable to grip said lens firmly in said bezel, a frame comprising a plurality oi" resilient spaced legs fixed at one end only, the iiree ends oi said legs being sprung into one oi' the annular grooves or said lens, said legs being provided adjacent their free ends with projections extending between said bezel and lens whereby When said member is adjusted to grip said lens in the bezel said frame will be rigidly and a lamp mounted stantially as described.

8. ln combination, casing having a light emitting opening, a lens therefor, a frame having a plurality of spaced legs connected. at one end, said legs being iinedly secured at their other end to said lens, said frame being supported directly and solely from lens by having its legs thus secured to the lens, lamp mounted on said frame and means to `lasten said legs and lensv Within said light emitting opening, substantially as described.

This speciiication signed this 20th day ol February, 1920.

on said trame, sub- SELDEN G. WARNER secured to the lensJ7

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