US32377A

US32377A - Railboad signal-lantern

Info

Publication number: US32377A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1861-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 1878-05-21

Description

N. A. MENAAR.

Railroad Signal Lamp.

Patented May '21, 1861.

N. PETERs Phamulnogmp UNITED STATES VPATENT OFFICE.

I NICHOLAS A. MENAAR, OF BUFFALO, NEV YORK.

RAILROAD SIGNAL-LANTERN.

i Specification of Letters Patent No. 32,377, dated May 21, V1861.

To all whom 'it 'may concern:

Be it known that I,Y NICHOLAS A. MENAAR,

of the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie lantern showing a white light or a signal lantern showing a red or colored light.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention I will proceed to describe its construction and operation. Y

Figure I is an elevation showing the supporting stand or case with a slot therein and the lamp and colored glass (the top or globe part of the lantern being disconnected therefrom). Fig. II is a vertical section of the same showing more distinctly the springs and their connection to the metallic base of `the colored glass and the manner in which the springs press against the supporting stand to support the colored glass when the same is raised for a signal. Fig. III is a vertical section of the whole lantern all the parts being together and the colored glass cylinder being raised as a signal.

Letters of like name and kind refer to lik parts in each of the figures.

A is a colored glass cylinder. This is of a larger diameter than the lamp and slides over it. l

B is a metallic rim which. supports the colored glass and to which the springs are attached.

C represents metallic springs. These springs are soldered or otherwise fastened to the metallic base of the colored glass and are bent so as to occupy the space between the lamp and the supporting case. The springs press against` the supporting case with sufficient force to support the colored glass at whatever height it may be raised. A thumb piece m. ,is connected with the spring and projects through the slot D. When the glass is to be raised or lowered a gentle pressure of the thumb and linger upon these pieces will relieve the pressure of the springs against the supporting stand and the glass may be lowered or raised as desired.

D represents a slot which is made in the supporting stand for the purpose of admitting the thumb pieces to pass through the saine and connect with the springs and also to allow of a sufficient vertical movement of the colored glass to answer all the purposes required.

F is a supporting stand.

E is a lamp.

H is aI globe of white glass..

G represents wire fenders to the globe of white glass.

I is a chimney.

All parts of this lantern may be constructed by persons possessing ordinary skill in the art to which it appertains. It is particularly designed for conductors and employees on railroads. Its advantage over other lanterns consists. in the remarkable ease and facility with which it may be changed from one purpose to the other. All the employees on a railroad using these lanterns will at all times have a signal at hand so that in case of sudden or unexpected danger the signal can be instantly given; and when the danger is removed; with as great facility the signal can be changed and the lantern used for ordinary purposes. The expense and trouble of eXtra signal lanterns are avoided and greater safety secured. I design also to use this lantern as a local signal lantern in which case I purpose to make the outer glass adioptric lens.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The specific arrangement of the colored glass cylinder A (the same being connected to its metallic bottom B) with the spring O, and slot D, the said parts being arranged to operate relatively to each other (and to the supporting stand, lamp and globe of whie glass) for the purposes as herein set fort i.

NICHOLAS A. MENAAR.

Witnesses:

W. H. FoRBUsH, E. B. FonBUsH.