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Patents: 234 of 530	UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JACOB JACOBS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y. ILLUMINATING-TILE.	Jacob Jacobs 23 of 57
SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,468, dated July 1, 1890. Application filed February 18, 1890. Serial No. 340,882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:     Be it known that I, JACOB JACOBS, of New York city, in the county of New York, and in the State of New York, have invented certain 5 new and useful Improvements in Illuminating-Tiles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which--     Figure 1 is a perspective view of the body or frame of my tile from the upper side. Fig. 2 is a like view of the same from the lower side. Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the lens employed from the upper and lower sides, respectively. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the completed tile; and Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are sections upon lines x x, x' x', and z z of Fig. 4.     Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.     The object of my invention is to increase the efficiency and improve the appearance of illuminating-tiles; and to such end my said invention consists, principally, in the construction of the body or frame of the tile, substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.     It consists, further, in the combination of the lenses with the body or frame, said parts being constructed in the manner and for the purpose hereinafter shown.     In the carrying of my invention into practice I employ a metal frame A, that is provided with rows of round light-openings a and a, which openings are arranged, as shown, so that four contiguous openings are equidistant, and between the same is formed a smaller opening a', which is preferably square. At the points of intersection between the curbs a² and a² of the light-openings a and a each curb is provided with a rib a³, which in cross-section has preferably a half-round form, is formed vertically upon the inner face of the curb, and preferably increases in transverse dimensions from its upper end to its lower end. If desired, said vertical rib may have an angular shape in cross-section. Each light-opening a and a' is provided near its lower end with a horizontal ledge a4 for the support of a lens B, and from such ledge the metal is cut away upon outward and downward inclining lines, so as to form faces a5

and a5, that are arranged so as to be parallel to each other and to the faces of the contiguous light-openings, as shown in Fig. 2. The ribs a6 and a6 upon the lower side of the body A, between the light-openings a and a', are not materially weakened by the cutting away of the metal to form the faces a5 and a5, while in consequence of such removal of the metal light passing through the lenses B and B will be diffused laterally to an extent which would otherwise be impracticable. Within each opening a is placed a round glass lens B, which preferably has a decreasing diameter from its lower end upward, and within its sides, at its lower end, is provided with notches b and b, that correspond in size and shape to the like features of each of the vertical ribs a³ and a³. After said lenses are placed centrally within their openings the space around each is filled with a suitable cement C for the purpose of securing them in position and forming a tight joint at such point. The small openings a' and a' are preferably filled by correspondingly-shaped glass lenses B' and B', either plain or colored, but may, if desired, contain encaustic tiles, or any other material used for such purpose.     The general construction of the body or frame gives to it a marked degree of strength and rigidity, while the vertical ribs add to the general strength of the frame and materially improve its appearance, and also furnish additional security against the loosening of the lenses by use.     Having thus described my invention, what I claim is--     1. As an improvement in illuminating-tiles, a metal frame or body which is provided with round light-openings that are arranged in parallel rows and smaller square openings which are located midway between four contiguous light-openings, and at its lower side has around each of said openings outward and downward inclining faces, substantially as and for the purpose specified.     2. As an improvement in illuminating-tiles, a metal frame or body which is provided with parallel lines of round light-openings and at the intersection of the curbs of contiguous openings has within each opening a vertical rib, substantially as and for the purpose shown.