US660639A - Bicycle-lamp. - Google Patents

Description

K L. c. Johnson.

BICYCLE LAMP.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFCE.

LOUIS C. JOHNSON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA;

BICYCLE-LAMP.

SPECIFIeATIoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 660,639, dated oetobe eo, 19oo. Application filed July 26, 1899. Serial No. 725,210. (No model.)

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS C. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycle-Lamps; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object is to provide a lantern, such as a bicycle-lantern, with draft mechanism of such construction and operating in such manner that the combustion-chamber will be thoroughly freed from smoke when burning oils and one in which the draft passing through the top cannot be deflected downward into the dame or come in contact with the countercurrents from without; furthermore, to effect a saving in oil by burning only the minimum when the lautern is at restor when the machine to which it is attached is not running.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, Figure l is a view in side elevation of a bicycle-lamp equipped with my invention. Fig. 2 is a View in plan displaying the top of the lamp. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail View of a modified form of forced-draft ue. Fig.

et is a detached detail View of a screen that may be employed, if desired, in connection with the draft-flue. Fig. 5 is a detail view in perspective of a delector that may be employed in connection with the draft-flue. Fig. 6 is a View in transverse section, taken on the line 6 6, Fig. l.

The invention consists in providing means whereby a current of air is forced directly through the top of the lantern from front to rear. This is effected by two Iiues or tubes A and B, which telescope in the interior of the lantern-top, the front or forced-draft Hue A being smaller in diameter than the rear or induced-draft ue B and extending into the latter part way of its length, thereby allowing air-space between lthe telescoping sections of sufficient size readily and effectively to .ert an exhausting action on the air in the combustion-chamber, causing fresh external air to be drawn into the chamber through the regular draft-openings at its bottom to a degree directly proportionate to the exhaust, thereby feeding oxygen rapidly to the flame, and thus augmenting its lighting power. When the machine is at rest, the rapid supply of fresh air ceases, resulting in a diminution of the power of the llame and colise- 4quent saving in oil.

In order that the combustion-chamber may be cleared of the unconsumed products of combustion when the lantern is idle, and thus obviate any accumulation of carbon or lampblack, I provide the top of the lantern with a plurality of escape-openings C, which may be closed by the imperforate portions of a disk D, suitably secured to the lantern-top.

The disk may be provided either with openings adapted to be brought into register with those of the lantern-top or with semicircular slots d of a length when moved to the proper position to free all the openings in the top. When the lantern is at rest, the disk will be moved to position to free enough of the openings to allow a sufficient draft through the combustion-chamber to supply requisite oxygen for perfect combustion and may so remain when in motion. Y

In addition to the function stated the disk D and slots d and openings O subserve a further and most important one-namely that of adapting the lantern to burn oils of different bodies. Thus for a light-bodied oil, such as a high grade of kerosene-oil, it will only be necessary to have, say, four of. the openings free, and the lamp will burn with uniformity and brilliancy; butif a heavy-bodied oil, such as lard-oil, be used all of the openings will have to be free.

The front tube may be provided with aflaring mouthpiece d, which operates to gather the wind and direct it through the tubes, this mouth, if desired, being `partially closed or rendered less powerful as an intake` by a screen a2, removably fitted to the mouthpiece a, which screen will act as a damper to check 2 ceo,

the passage of air through the front tube.- The rear tube may be provided with a deliecting-plate to obviate the entrance of moisture from without and also to prevent too great back draft, the deflector comprising a tubular portion b, adapted to fit over the tube B and carrying a plate b2, arranged at an angle to the tube B.

Any suitable means may be employed to separate the telescopic tubes A and B, as a cone-shaped collar CL3, mounted on the tube A and provided with arms t4 to iit within the tubeB,whereby ready adjustment of the parts may be effected. The cone-shaped collar a3 also operates to control the outtake from the combustion-chamber into the tube B, as by moving the collar to and from the tube B the amount of air escaping from the combustionchamber may readily be controlled.

As shown in Fig. l, the inner end of the tube A is constricted, thus to constitute, in connection with the tube B, an injector, and in Fig. 3 this tube is shown as bottle-necked for the same purpose. The mouthpiece a may be screw-threaded or otherwise connected with the tube A, and the tube B may be similarly held in place Within the lantern-body or may be provided with a flange or bead b3 to engage the inner wall of the lantern and with an extension b4, screw-threaded onto the outer extremity of the tube B, as shown in Fig. l, whereby to clamp this tube securely in place, the tube A being similarly held in place by a flange within the lantern-body.

In order to prevent the uptake from the combustion-chamber from causing a flickering or undue pull on the flame, I arrange in the upper portion of the lantern a draft-regulator E, which in this instance is shown as a concave plate provided With a central opening which may be covered, by a screen e.

In bicycle-lamps as heretofore constructed it has been necessary to employ large free openings in the body of the lantern-body for the ingress of air to support combustion; but by employing my improved top, as described, these bottom openings may be rendered less potent as draft-supporters by covering them With a fine-wire screen, and as a consequence the flickering of the flame is avoided and a steady and constant light is afforded. The openings thus screened are amply sufficient to supply all the air necessary to support combustion, the through or induced draft at the top operating to cause a constant updraft or suction from the bottom of the lamp upward, so that under the action of violent shocks or jars, which would with lamps of the ordinary construction tend to cause their extinguishment, the updraft referred to causes the flame to burn freely and constantly under all conditions when the wheel is in motion. In other Words, the updraft iin the combustion-chamber being practically the same whether the lamp is only slightly vibrated or is violently shaken jars or shocks will not affect its burning qualities, nor will they result in its extinguishment.

While I have described my invention as being peculiarly applicable to bicycle-lamps,it is to be understood that it may be used in connection with any form of lamp or lantern.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a lantern, the combination, with a casing, of a draft-inducing device comprising a forced-draft iiue and an induced-draft flue projecting through the casing at opposite sides, the inner end of the forced-draft flue extending into the inner end of the induced'- immediately above and in vertical line with the Hame of the lamp, the device causing a cross-draft from the front to the rear of the combustion-chamber and at right angles to the updraft, and operating, by suction, to augment the updraft while the lamp is in active use.

2. In a lantern, the combination, with the combustion-chamber, of a forced-draft flue extending outward beyond the front of the lantern, an induced-draft flue inclosing the inner end of the forced-draft ue and extending outward beyond the rear of the lantern, and means, substantially as specified, coacting with the two flues whereby to control the outtake from the combustion-chamber.

3. In a lantern, a top provided with openings and a disk adapted either to cover or to free the openings, a draft-regulator arranged below the lantern-top and provided with a screened escape opening, in combination with a forced-draft Hue extending outward beyond the front of' the lantern, and an induced-draft iiue of greater diameter than and inclosing the inner end of the forced-draft iiue and extending outward beyond the rear of the lantern. l

4f. In a lantern, the combination with the combustion-chamber, of a forced-draft flue extending outward beyond the front of the lantern, a mouthpiece arranged on the outer end ot' the flue and adapted to carry a screen, an induced-draft flue inclosing theinner end of the forced-draft ilue and extending beyond the rear of the lantern, and a deflect-orplate carried by the projecting end of the latter flue.

5. In a lantern, the combination, with the combustion-chamber, of a forced-draft flue projecting beyond the front of the lantern, an induced-draft flue inclosing the inner end lof the forced-draft flue and extending out- Ward beyond the rear of the lantern, and an adjustable collar carried by the forced-draft flue for controlling th e passage of air from the combustion-chamber between the two flues. 6. In a lantern, atop provided with openings, and a disk adapted to cove-r or to free the openings, a draft-regulator arranged below the vlantern-top and provided with an esdraft flue, and the two flues being located` IOO IIO

cape-opening, in combination with a forcedcombustion-chamber between the two lies, io draft ue extending outward beyond the front substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

of the lantern and carrying a mouthpiece, In testimony whereof I affix my signature and an induced-draft Hue of greater diamein presence of two witnesses.

5 ier than and inclosing the inner end of the forced-draft Hue and extending outward be- LOUIS C' JOHNSON yond the rear of the lantern, and an adj ust- Witnesses: able collar carried by the forced-draft flue ROBINSON WHITE for controlling the passage of air from the R. M. ELLIOTT.

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