New Form of Sidewalk Light.
In the iron and glass pavements used on
sidewalks to light basements and cellars, the openings in the
iron frame or sash are filled with small pieces of glass, usually
rounded or crowned slightly on top, and flat, or perhaps slightly
pointed, below. A new shape has been recently given to these
glass lights that greatly increases their value. They are made
flat on top, and are designed to fit tightly into the openings in
the sash. Below the sash they are formed in the shape of long
pendants, flat on one side and rounded on the other, and bent at
a slight angle in the direction in which it is desired to send
the lights. In the apparatus examined the glasses, or lenses as
they are called, were designed to reflect the light in a horizontal
direction into the building. While all the light that count enter
the room was obtained from the sky directly overhead, the amount
of light obtained was remarkable. Each lens appeared to act as a
silvered mirror, reflecting nearly all the light that entered the
glass from above. Compared with the ordinary sidewalk sash, the
amount of light admitted to the room seemed to be at least double.
The design of the lenses examined seemed to be somewhat defective,
yet the results obtained were good. The idea is a simple one, and
if properly worked out will prove of value. Roof and wall lights
are also arranged in the same way, each lens in the sash acting as
a reflector to throw the light downward or horizontally as
required. The lenses can be fitted to any of the sidewalk or roof
sashes now in use, without disturbing the sash.
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