US2243672A - Lantern reflector - Google Patents

Description

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LANTERN REFLECTOR Filed May 28, 1938 FIE-.5 5

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Patented May 27, 1941 LANTERN REFLECTOR Earl G. Grifith and Howard L. Johnson, Jamestown, N. Y.

Application May 28, 1938,.Serial No. 210,717

2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in reflectors for lamps, lanterns and the like.

The present embodiment of the invention is adapted to be used with gasoline lanterns. Lanterns of this type are formed with a base member and .a top. These elements are suitably connected and generally contained within a clear glass enclosure. The invention is generally semicircular in cross section, mounted-on a lantern of this type by means of suitable straps or brackets that engage the outer surface of the glass enclosure.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to produce a reflector that may be readily mounted on or removed from any of the lanterns of th type now in commercial use and of the general construction illustrated in the drawmg.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a reflector that may be mounted on a glass enclosure and adjusted to various positions in a circular path about the lantern.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a reflector having a. contour that serves to confine and redirect approximately half the rays of light of the lantern on which it is mounted.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a lantern reflector having means for holding it in spaced relation to the glass enclosure for the purpose of allowing proper radiation of heat generated in the lantern.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a reflector for gasoline or similar type lanterns, that is simple in construction, efficient in use and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be mor fully understood from consideration of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, and in which Figure 1 is a perspective View of a. lantern showing one embodiment of the invention mounted thereon;

Figur 2 is a plan View of the invention showing the means by which it is adapted to be positioned on and secured to the lantern; and

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the structure of Figure 2.

Referenc is now had to the drawing wherein the numeral is employed to generally indicate a lantern of a class to which the present invention may be applied. The lantern H) comprises a base I! having a reservoir adapted to contain fuel. The base ll curves inwardly to meet a small diametered portion l2.- The portion l2, as illustrated, is formed with a flat circular element IS on the edge-of which is a flange M. A glass enclosure it rests on the element l3 and is held against lateral displacement by the flange M. Above the glass enclosure I6 is a cover or top H that is provided with a suitable recess for receiving the upper circular. edge of the enclosure I 5. It is customary to connect the top ll with the portion l2 by'one or more rods or tubes. Certain of the tubes are frequently used toconvey fuel from the reservoir in the base I! to the burner unit.

A reflector i8 is shown mounted on and encloses approximately half of the glass enclosure it. This reflector is semi-circular in cross section and the vertical edges I9 may be terminated by return bent flanges 2 l. These flanges not only serve to give a finished appearance to the edges of the reflector but constitute rigidifying means as well for these unsupported edges. Adjacent the top and bottom of the reflector l8 are straps 22. These-straps are identical in construction and terminat at their ends in rolled flanges 23. These flanges are inclined slightly outwardly to facilitate mounting and removal of the straps on the glass enclosure IS without scratching or otherwise damaging said enclosure. The strap 22 describes a generally circular path about substantially the same center as the reflector and is formed with two or more lateral projections 24, these projections bridging the space between the strap and the inner face of the reflector and being welded or otherwise suitably joined thereto. Although the reflector l8 and straps 22 are formed of relatively light gauge metal, the 'projections 25, when joined to the reflector in the manner above described, tend to rigidity and prevent relative distortion of both reflector and straps. The straps 22 are preferably formed from material having a tendency to yieldingly maintain its original shape. The free ends of the straps may be spread apart to facilitate a partial encircling of the glass enclosure IS. The lowermost strap may rest upon the flange M of the lantern to give the reflector its proper vertical position with respect to the source of illumination.

It will be noted that the reflector, being semicircular, is adapted to confine approximately half the light of the lantern. By reason of this the light of th lantern is greatly intensified and concentrated. It will also be noted that by reason of the formation of the straps 22 the reflector is held in spaced relationship to the glass enclosure I6 and thus air may freely circulate around that portion of the lantern closed off by the reflector, between the reflector; and the glass enclosure. Thus the glass enclosure [6 does not become overheated and. heat will dissipate as readily as without the reflector in place.

The reflector above described is easily movable in a circular path about the glass enclosure 16 to direct the light of the lantern as desired. If it is desired. to practically entirely close off the light from the lantern, a second reflector of the type shown and described may be mounted on the glass enclosure, the straps thereof being positioned slightly above the straps of the previously mounted reflector.

Although applicants have shown and described only one modification of an extremely simple and efficient reflector for lanterns and particularly those of the type in which gasoline is gassified and burned in a mantle, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications of the invention may be made and are contemplated for application to other types of lanterns insofar as such modifications are Within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the hereunto annexed claims.

Having thus set forth our invention what we claim as new and for which we desire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. A reflector for lanterns having a centrally located unobstructed glass enclosure, said reflector comprising a send-cylindrical reflecting portion, a pair of straps adjacent the upper and lower edges of said reflector, said straps being spaced inwardly from and conforming generally to the contour of said portion, projections on said straps extending radially outwardly and being joined to said portion, and ends on said straps, said ends being spreadable to permit entrance of said glass enclosure into the space within said reflector and adapted to engage said enclosure to vertically locate and laterally space said reflector with respect to said lantern.

2. A reflector for a lamp comprising a troughlike reflecting portion adapted to redirect a considerable portion of the rays 'of light emanating from said lamp, a somewhat circular strap located within and adapted to position said reflector adjacent said lamp, at least two relatively small ofiset portions forming a part of and located remote from th ends of said strap, said ofiset portions being spaced from each other and extending outwardly toward and being joined to said reflector, the ends of said strap from adjacent said offset portions being resilient, said offset portions further serving to position all parts of said strap a substantially uniform distance from said. reflector whereby said strap, when engaged with a lamp, is adapted to space said re' flector a substantially uniform distance with respect to said lamp.

EARL G. GRIFFITH. HOWARD L. JOHNSON.

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