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271,854 · Ingalls · "Illuminating Roofs, &c." · Page 3 Home  > Prism Glass  > Patent Index  > Page 3

271,854: 3 of 5

A can be set at an angle so little inclined that they will still reflect the light. Even if this latter course be followed, as shown in the lower portion of the roof in this figure, a point will eventually be reached where it is advisable to substitute the lenses A' A'. When these steps or jogs become sufficiently well defined to have risers wide enough to admit lenses they are set with lenses A² or A³, depending upon the angle. If the risers are nearly vertical, lenses A³ are used. If more inclined, lenses A² are preferable, due regard being had to the direction in which it is desired to send the light. It is best in a curved roof to combine all four forms of lenses, as shown.     Fig. 17 shows a straight inclined roof or lean-to embodying two methods of arranging the lenses. The upper half is a straight inclined plate set only with lenses A' A'. The lower half is an angular plate broken up into partial steps or jogs, in which are set lenses A and A³ or A². Fig. 18 shows a fragment of a roof-plate of this angular construction, and illustrates one method of constructing or forming it. The pattern is made in strips or bars, each having a row of sockets in it, and which are set together edge to edge, as shown, and at any desired angles, according to the slope or curvature of the roof and the lenses to be used, and are supported, when the casting is made, on a follow-board, in the usual manner. They are shown as arranged at a suitable angle for lenses A and A².     I have described four lenses having their reflecting-faces arranged at different angles with respect to the lens-axis; but I wish it understood that these are only examples. I may employ lenses of this character having their reflecting-faces arranged at angles with their axes, varying from these according to the exigencies of the particular case.     I claim as my invention--     1. A reflecting-lens for an illuminating-plate, consisting of a section of a cylinder or other prismatic solid having a reflecting-surface extending in a plane obliquely to the axis thereof, and a top or outside surface meeting said reflecting-surface at an angle, substantially as set forth.     2. A reflecting-lens consisting of a section of a longitudinal half of a cylindrical or other prism, having outside and reflecting surfaces extending in planes crossing the axis thereof obliquely, substantially as set forth.     3. A reflecting-lens the oblique reflecting-surface of which extends entirely through the socket and meets the outside face of the lens, substantially as set forth.     4. A lens having flat reflecting-surface extending to and meeting its outside face, in combination with an illuminating-plate having a socket flat on one side to receive such

reflecting-surface, and otherwise conforming to the said lens, substantially as set forth.     5. The combination, with a reflecting-lens whose reflecting-surface extends through its socket, of a plate having a socket to receive such lens, and provided with a toe or bracket, e, to support the lens, substantially as set forth.     6. The combination of a plate having a half-round socket with a lens made half-round where it enters said socket, and having slender projections on its convex side opposite its flat side, substantially as set forth.     7. An illuminated front or rear area or basement extension-roof set with reflecting-lenses arranged to converge the principal reflected rays of light on or near a focusing line or level extending beneath the ceiling of the room and parallel with said roof, substantially as set forth.     8. An illuminating front or rear area or extension roof formed with alternate salient and re-entering angles or approximately vertical and horizontal portions, and set with reflecting-lenses in both such portions, the reflecting-surfaces of the lenses set in such approximately vertical portions presenting a different angle to their outside surfaces from those set in the approximately horizontal portions, whereby the light reflected by each row or series of lenses is sent in the same general direction as that from the adjoining rows, substantially as set forth.     9. A curved roof or other surface formed with alternate salient and re-entering angles, with alternating rows of sockets, the successive rows set with reflecting-lenses of successively different reflecting angles, whereby the light is reflected in varying directions to focus the rays thereof, substantially as set forth.     10. As an illuminating-plate or part thereof, a plate arranged vertically, or nearly so, formed with a row or rows of half-round lens-sockets, the bottoms thereof being straight and set with reflecting-lenses whose reflecting-surfaces extend into said sockets and rest on the flat sides thereof, substantially as set forth.     11. The improvement in the art of manufacturing a reflecting-lens from glass, which consists in casting it with its reflecting-surface out of contact with the surface of the mold, substantially as set forth, whereby the chilling and deadening effect of the mold on said surface and the after process of "fire-polishing" are avoided.     In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. JOSHUA K. INGALLS. Witnesses:     JAS G. COOPER,     HENRY CONNETT.