US579568A - Headlight for locomotives - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. E A.'EDWARDS. HEADLIGHT FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

No. 579,568. Patented Mar. 30, 1897 (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. E. A. EDWARDS.

HEADLIGHT FOR LOGOMOTIVES.

No. 579,568. Patentad Mar. 30; 1897.

w M agam A a J 7 m rares PATENT Lrrrca EDGAR A. EDWARDS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 579,568, dated March. 30, 1897. Application filed September 21, 1894. Serial No. 523,703. (No modelh To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDGAR A. EDWARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing in Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Headlights forLocomotives, of which the followingisaspecification.

My invention relates to headlights forlocomotives and similar devices, and while it is adapted for use with various kinds of lamps it is more especially intended and adapted for use in connection with locomotive electric headlights; and it has for its object toimprove and simplify the construction of said lights; and to these endsmy invention consists in the various features of construction, arrangement, and operation of the parts, substantially as hereinafter more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical transverse section of the headlight. Fig. 2 is a rear plan view of the same, a portion of the gear-case being removed. Fig. 3 is a side view, and Fig. 4. is a detail.

In the use of headlights, and especially in the use of locomotive electric headlights, it is desirable and even necessary that the headlight should be as compact and simple in its construction as practicable to furnish the largest amount of light for its size, and, owing to its location, it is desirable that it should be as light as possible, and at the same time of sufficient strength to withstand the shocks or jars to which it is subjected, and it is one of the objects of my invention to provide a headlight which is well adapted to accomplish these results. I'Ieretofore these headlights have been made with cases of sheet metal, which has some features of advantage in regard to lightness, &c., but which is also open to some objections, and in order to overcome these objections and to furnish an improved case to meet the requirements necessary to successful locomotive electric head lighting I make the case of cast metal. It is unnecessary to set forth all the advantages of such a construction, but I have found from practical demonstration that the case can be made of cast metal in such a form that it can be readily molded and cast, and that when so made it presents a very substantial case with a comparatively small amount of material. It

can be made of such a shape that the parts tend to support each other, so that the walls are relatively very thin and conform in substantial outline to the shape of the reflector, and such a case, when made, is far more durable, far less expensive, and in every practical way superior to the ordinary sheet-metal case.

lVhile the case may be made in various forms and ways out of cast metal, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings the preferred form or embodiment of my invention, and I Will now proceed to describe it more in detail.

The case A is preferably cast in one integral piece and comprises a base A, which is preferably extended, as at A to form a support for the motor and generator when they are used, but this extension of course can be omitted or changed according to the requirements of any particular case. This base is preferably open at the bot-tom for lightness and cheapness and is provided with suitable sockets a for bolts or other means by which it can be readily secured in position, these being formed integral with the base. Rising from the base-plate is a column A which in the present instance is shown as a circular tapering column, as that form presents many advantages of construction in that it is well adapted to the other parts of the lamp and presents the elements of greatest strength and rigidity for the amount of material contained therein. Above this circular column and forming a part thereof is a circular shell portion A, which is curved at the rear, so as to conform substantially wit-h the shape of the reflector to be used therewith and which is open in front for the projection of the lightrays. The upper portion of the shell is preferably extended to form a ventilator A and this extension is preferably circular and tapering and practically forms an extension of the circular column A". The circular shell has also formed with it cylindrical extensions A, which not only form openings for the headlight, but also aid in giving rigidity and strength to the whole case, and they assist in molding and withdrawing the casting from the flask. It will thus be seen that by using cast metal in making the headlightcase, substantially as indicated, I am enabled to produce a headlight-case which is far superior in all mechanical and practical features to an ordinary sheet-metal case and at a relatively very small cost.

The goggle-frame B is also made of cast metal, and formed integral therewith are the lugs I), which, together with the lugs a on the cylindrical shell, form hinges for the support of the goggle-frame, and this frame is preferably provided with a face-flange b and with an outwardly-flaring rear flange 12 which projects over the edge of the cylindrical shell when the goggle-frame is closed. As it is desirable that the goggle should tightly close the opening in the front of the case of the headlight, I form on the cylindrical shell a recess a which is of a form to conveniently receive and hold a gasket, which is preferably in the form of a rubber tube a and the outwardly-flaring flange b of the goggle will form a practicallydust-proof and water-tight closure for the case. It will be understood that the goggle-frame is secured in its closed position by any convenient and well-known form of catch or locking device. (Not shown in the present instance.)

In the use of headlights, and especially in the use of locomotive electric headlights, it is desirable that a portion of the rays of light should be projected upward in a substantially vertical direction, and for this purpose a reflector is arranged in front of the goggle. I provide such an auxiliary plane reflector D,

p which comprises a plate D, having bracket extensions D by means of which it can be secured to the front of the goggleframe, and in order to aid in holding this in its position I also provide a horizontal arm or connecting rod D which is secured to the upper-portion of the goggle and the auxiliary-reflector plate. This rod is made of a thin steel strip with its narrowest edge downward, so as to interfere in .the least possible way with the upward projection of the light-rays by the auxiliary reflector. The rear surface D of the reflector is polished, or, what is preferable, provided with an auxiliary reflecting-surface, and is arranged, preferably, at an angle of forty-five degrees (45) to the plane of the goggle-frame.

Connected to the frame D is a frame E, which is shown as hinged to lugs d, formed on said frame, and as being held in its closed position (shown in Fig. 1) by some sort of a catch or locking device 0?. This frame E is provided with some sort of a distinctive signaling device, as, for instance, with a red glass E, and when the frame is turned to the position shown in Fig. 3 it will be seen that the light-rays reflected upward by the auxil iary reflector will pass through the red glass and may be utilized as an emergency-signal.

to indicate danger or otherwise; but when in its normal position folded in front of the auxiliary-reflector plate it does not interfere in any way with its usual operation. hen it is in use, I preferably provide a cushion or stop 6, of rubber or similar material, on the upper surface of the goggle-plate, on which the frame E rests.

The glass F of the goggle conforms to the outline of the goggle-frame and is confined in position in any suitable way, as by the ring f at the rear, and preferably has a gasket or bed f, of felt or some'similar material, between-the glass and the flange I).

Then the headlight is used with an electric lamp, sometimes the light is so strong as to be objectionable under certain conditions, as, for instance, when two trains are approaching each other or a train is approaching a station, and it is desirable to intercept some of the light-rays or to soften or modify the light, and. for this purpose I arrange a screen which is under the control of the engineer or otherwise and which may be drawn in front of the lower part of' the opening in the case at pleasure. Thus I provide the front of the case with downwardly-extending portions G, which are cast integral therewith and which form pockets for the reception of a roll G, which is preferably of the ordinary spring-roller type and on which is automatic: ally wound a screen or curtain g, it being unwound by a suitable cord, or otherwise, under the control of the operator. This curtain or screen is preferably of some translucent material which will cut off or disperse the direct rays of light, but still show sufficient for the purpose desired, and it may be colored or otherwise formed so that it can be used as a signaling-screen.

It is well known that in headlights, in order that the light-rays may be projected in the proper direction and with the best effect, it is essential that the reflector should not only be of the proper form and shape, but should be properly adjusted with relation to the source of light within the headlight, and one of the features of my invention relates to means whereby the reflector may be accurately adjusted from the outside of the case. In order to accomplish this, I provide the cylindrical shell-like portion of the case with a lateral extension II, which is preferably formed integral with the body of the case, and which serves as a support for the reflector and the adjusting mechanism therefor. Mounted in IIO this extension is a block 11 which has a central spherical socket, in which is mounted an adjusting-rod 1 1 which is provided with a spherical portion fitting the spherical socket. The reflector R is secured to a suitable bracket R, which is preferably made of three arms, more or less, to furnish a substantial union with the reflector, and these arms are made to conform with the outline of the reflector to aid in maintaining it at its propercurve, and projecting from this bracketis a hollow extension R which is screw-threaded internally, and which externally is rectangular or, preferably, square. Mounted in the projection II are set-screws h h 77, h the inner ends of which bear upon the rectangular surface of the extension R \Vith this arrangement it will be seen that by properly manipulating the set-screws'the reflector can be adjusted up or down or laterally to any desired degree to accurately adjust it to project the lightrays in any direction desired, while by manipulating the screw-threaded rod II the reflector can be adjusted to and from the lamp to secure an accurate focal adjustment, the spherical portion of the rod in its spherical socket permitting these adjustments without strain. When the reflector is adjusted to suit, by tightening the screws they act as setscrews to lock the reflector in the desired position against accidental derangement or disturbance.

While, of course, any desirable lamp may be used in connection with the headlight, I have illustrated an electric lam p, the details of which need not be herein set forth, as they form no part of this present invention. This lamp L is mounted on a base, and this base is supported on a plate L, Which is preferably 'made of wood and is secured in a recess in the base of the case by suitable bolts or otherwise.

In order that the case may be suitably ventilated, Ipro vide this plate L with one or more openings Z, which are covered with a wire screen Z, and the top of the case is covered with a cap A which is secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by the rod a and is provided with downwardlyextending external flanges a projecting below the upper portion of the ventilating-tube, and the upper end of the ventilating-tube is provided with a series of projections a, on which the cap rests, and the spaces between the projections are provided with screens a of Wire-cloth or similar material.

The cylindrical extensions A are covered with name-plates a", which are provided with central openings covered with glass or other transparent material, furnishing a convenient place for the number of the locomotive or other indicatingqnarks.

hen the headlight is used with an electric lamp, I preferably arrange the base so as to furnish a support for the generator and motor driving the same, and for this purpose the extension A is provided, as above indicated. I mount on this extension the electric generator I and the motor J.

The generator may be of any desired type of electric generator, and the motor may be any suitable engine, but preferably is in the form of a steam-turbine, which rotates at an exceedingly high rate of speed beyond that at which it is practicable to rotate the armature of the generator. In order to overcome this difficulty, I connect the motor and generator by a suitable red ucin g-gear K, and this gear is mounted ina case K, also supported on the extension on the base of the headlight. This reduction-gear comprises a pinion 70, secured to the shaft of the motor, and is preferably a rawhide pinion or some other noisepreventing pinion, and the gear-wheel It is moun ted on the armature-shaft of the generator, and these are thoroughly protected by the casing K, one portion of which is removable, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, for the purpose of inspection or adjustment of the parts.

It will be observed that the motor J is also completely incased, as well as the generator I, so that all of the operative parts are protected from dust or dampness or other disturbing cause.

It will thus be seen that I provide a headlight-case having the various advantages and features of construction heretofore set out and which is exceedingly compact and strong and answers all the requirements of such a device in a thoroughly practical manner.

It is to be understood that While I have thus described and shown a complete headlight, including the lamp, generator, and motor, that various features of my invention may be used separately or in combination with each other or with other equivalent devices without departing from thespirit thereof.

What I claim is- 1. In a headlight-casing, a circular shell portion provided with a recess for the gasket, in combination with a hinged goggle-frame, a goggle mounted in the frame, the frame havin ga flaring flange projecting over the gasketrecess, and a gasket in the recess between the shell and the flange, substantially as described.

2. In a headlight-casing, the combination with the swinging goggle-frame, of the auxiliary-plane-reflector plate secured to the goggle and projecting at an. angle thereto, and the bar connecting the other portion of said plate with the goggle-frame and presenting a narrow edge to the line of reflection, substantially as described.

3. A headlight-casing provided with an inclined reflector adapted to project light-rays in a substantially vertical direction, in combination with an emergency-signal hinged to the inclined reflector, substantially as described.

4. A headlight-casing provided with an inclined auxiliary reflector, in combination with a frame hinged to the said reflector and containing a colored, transparent medium, substantially as described.

5. In a headlight-casing, the combination with the inclined auxiliary reflector, of a hinged frame connected thereto, means for securing the frame in position against the reflector, and means for supporting it in a position to intercept the rays of light from said auxiliary reflector, substantially as described.

6. The combination with the headlight-case having an extension, of a reflector having a bracket secured thereto, and adjusting devices between said bracket and extension whereby the reflector may be accurately adjusted in any direction, substantially as described.

7. The combination with the headlight-case,

IIO

provided with a rearward hollow extension, of a reflector provided with a bracket having a tubular extension, the adj listing-screws,

and the adjusting-rod, substantially as described.

S. The combination with the headlight-case having a hollow rearwardly-proj ectin g extension provided with a spherical socket, of a reflector having a bracket provided with a hol- 10w tubular extension with squared outer surfaces, the adjusting set-screws, and the adjusting-rod having a spherical enlargement, substantially as described.

9. A headlight-casing provided with a goggle-frame, an emergency-signal, and an auxiliary reflector secured in front of the goggleframe and arranged at an angle thereto whereby a portion of the light rays issuing from the casingare directed vertically through the emergency-signal substantially as described.

10. Aheadlight-casin g provided with a goggle-frame, an auxiliary reflector arranged in front of said frame in a substantially central position and a screen arranged at the bottom of the headlight-casing to be drawn upward whereby all or a portion of the light-rays issuing through the goggle-frame below the auxiliary reflector may be intercepted, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

EDGAR A. EDWARDS.

Witnesses:

A. N. DOBSON, F. L. FREEMAN.

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