US288058A - James d - Google Patents

Description

(N0 Medal.)

J. D. HOLLISTER.

TAIL-LIGHT BRACKET FOR RAILROAD, TRAINS. No. 288,058. fatented Nov. 6, 1883,

I holder, and to prevent the jarring or shaking ends, when 'tion 5 of the bracket.

men TA -ES IATENT JAMES D, HOLLIS'IER, OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA.

SPEGIFICATIONibrming' part of Letters Patent No. 288,058, dated November 6, 1883, Application filed July 0,1883. (No model.)

I the convenient attachment and removal of the lantern, or lantern and flag, to and from its of the lantern by the movement of the car.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing the invention applied to and held by its pocket, and in a position to clasp and support the lantern, and also to hold a flag-staff. Fig. 2 shows the invention lifted or detached from the pocket and opened, for the removal of the lantern. Figs. 3 and etshow a modification, as hereinafter described.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in the respective views.

A is a pocket or rest, which is secured to the car, and which pocket, as it does not form any part of my invention, and has been heretofore used, need not be specially described.

D is the tail-bracket, which is made in two pieces, hinged ures. hen in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the two parts form an annulus or ring, 3), to encircle the lower or other portion of the lantern, while the straight parts a, at their united, form a vertical tongue, (2, which fits in the pocket A, the two halves of the bracket becoming locked in the act of inserting the tongue in the pocket. The interior oi the ring is preferably, but not necessarily, recessed, asshown ate, and in the groove so formed springs f are placed, one being shitably secured to each half of the annular porfree, are of a diameter less than that of the ring, but when the lantern is inserted the springs are D mately the diameter of theinterlor of the ring,

which is but slightly greater than that of the together at a in each of the rig The springs f, when distended and assume approxt.

cylindrical portion of the lantern to be clasped.

Thus the lantern is inclosed within an elastic ring and the jar of the train is softened and not fully transmitted to the lantern, and at the same time the lantern is kept from rattling. The use of metallic springs of the character shown produces an en'ect different from that produced by the employment of rubber clamps, constructed to entirely surround the lantern, my springs having free ends, which are dis.- tended in the act of closing on the lantern. My metallic springs, when holding the lantern, do not bear upon its entire circumference, but only have bearing at certain points in the circumference, thus giving greater elasticity than can be obtained by any elastic clamping device which entirely surrounds the lantern. Thev elastic ring as constructed by me also admits of the use of lamps of different diameters. It will be seen that by lifting the bracket from its pocket A and opening the bracket to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4 the lantern may be readily detached, and that the bracket n1ay afterward be replaced within its pocket,

and that the act of placing it in its pocket locks the two parts of the bracket together.

E shows a'socket in halves, intended to receive a flag-staff, so that the invention may be used either as a lantern or flag-staff support. The socket is set at an angle, to give the staff a suitable position. The invention may be used either with or without the flag support. V I am aware of devices forming elastic sockets, of substantially annular form, for holding various articles, and also of hinged fiagstaff and other holders. I am also aware of holders for signal-lanterns, both elastic and hinged, and, also, that such holders have been combined with a flag-staff socket, and such, therefore, I do not broadly claim; but,

Having described my invention, I claim 1. As an improvement in lantern-holders, the combination, with a bracket-ring in halves, hinged together, of metallic springs within the ring for holding the lantern in an elastic seat, said springs having free ends, adapting them to be distended in the act of closing upon the lantern, substantially as set forth.

2. In a lanternholder, an annular socket, a portion of which is adapted to open, combined with internal metallic springs for holding the i 2 essmss as set forth.

3. The combination, with a suitable pocket, of a bracket divided in two substantially duplicate parts, and hinged together to form, when closed, a seat for thelantern, said bracket being adapted to be locked in the'act of fitting it to its socket, and to'be lifted from the pocket and opened for the removal of the lantern, substantially as set forth.

4. A combined lantern and flag'staff-holder, consisting of a bracket in two parts, hinged together, in each of which is a half-ring for the lantern-holder and a half-socket for the.

flag-holder, Which halves, when the bracket is togetherfor the-pnrposeof producing a close fit, and preventing tially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my jar and rattling, substanhand this 18th day of June, A. D. 1883.

JAMES D. HOLLISTER.

. RVitnesses:

JNo. G. TELFER, THOS. J..BAOON.

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