Patent GB-190226335-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Oil Burning Safety Lamps.
Inventor: BOYCE JAMES WILLIAM
Filed: 1902-11-29
Granted: 1903-11-28
Abstract: 26,335. Boyce, J. W. Nov. 29. Extinguishing oil lamps.-Relates to means for automatically extinguishing oil lamps in the event of their being upset. A rod a, Fig. 1, slides through a tube i in the reservoir, or through ears or a tube outside the reservoir, and is fitted with a boss a<2> at its lower end, and a dished or other head a<1> at its upper end. The outer end of a lever v, which is pivoted to the gallery u, rests upon the head a', the other end of the lever being connected to the sleeve surrounding the wick-tube, or to a pivoted hood or extinguisher which may be swung over the wick-tube. The inner end of the lever is actuated by a spring j, which may be adjusted by a bolt k and nut k<1>. The light is extinguished on raising the lamp from the table, and thus allowing the rod a to drop. Or a spiral spring, in tension or compression, may be arranged to operate the lever when the lamp is raised. In a modification, the upper end of the rod a is bent at right-angles, and works in a slot in the end of the lever. The rod is operated, when the lamp is raised, by a spiral spring placed between a flange on the rod and the roof of the reservoir. Or a flat spring may be used, having one end fastened to the floor or roof of the reservoir, and the other passing through an eye in the rod. The spring may be replaced by a weight attached to the base of the rod, or to a chain, leather strap, or other connection which may be used instead of the rod. The rotary extinguisher is pivoted to ears on the wick-tube. The extinguisher may also be worked by an arm, pivoted on or near the wick-tube, passing over the lower part of the extinguisher, and provided at its outer end with a rod, chain, or other connection, which works through a tube or bosses on or in the reservoir. The rod is provided at its lower end with a tray carrying portable weights. When the weights leave the tray, the arm is operated by a spring. In another arrangement, a sleeve d, Fig. 3, surrounding the wick-tube is fixed to the upper part of the gallery u, and pivoted flaps g are pressed by springs j<1> against the wick-tube. The rods a<5> are connected to the wick-tube, and pass through tubes wherein are seated the operating- springs, When the lamp is raised or upset, the rods are forced downwards, carrying the wick-tube into the sleeve, and allowing the flaps to close over the wick. In another arrangement, a forked rod working through a tube in the centre of the reservoir, and actuated by a spring, has its upper end engaging with slots in ears on a rotary hood, which is swung over the wick-tube when the rod is depressed upon the lamp being raised or upset. The extinguisher is stamped from sheet metal, the parts being connected by ears and slots. The lamp may also be provided with a chamber rr, Fig. 5, upon the roof of the oil tank r. The chamber communicates with the tank through a flexible tube o carrying an annular weight p. The wick f has a series of filaments ff which pass through the tube o into the oil tank. Should the lamp be upset, the weight p deflects the tube o, and so prevents oil from flowing into the chamber rr and thus reaching the flame. In another arrangement, the upper end of a spring-operated rod, when in its normal position, holds a spring- actuated pivoted extinguisher clear of the wick. When the lamp is raised or upset, the rod is forced clear of the extinguisher, and the latter swings over the wick, extinguishing the flame. The rod may be held in its normal position, so that the lamp may be carried about without being extinguished, by a notch in the rod which engages a projection on a rotary ring. Or the rod may have a stud which works in a slot in the lamp body, the stud being held in position by the hand which carries the lamp. In another arrangement, the upper end of the rod is provided with teeth which engage with a pinion. A sleeve which surrounds the wick-tube is also provided with teeth which engage the pinion on the opposite side. The rod is also provided with arms which carry a plug. When the lamp is raised or upset, the rod descends and forces the plug down upon the wick, thus stopping the oil-supply, the sleeve at the same time rising over the wick-tube and extinguishing the flame. In a modification, the teeth on the rod are dispensed with, the rod being connected to one end of a lever the other end of which carries a toothed quadrant which engages with the toothed sleeve surrounding the wick-tube. Air inlets may be formed round the base of the lamp, and the rods may be made hollow throughout that portion of their length which extends to or beyond the roof of the oil tank, and may be perforated or slotted for a portion of their length. Portable trays may be provided so that the lamps may be carried about without being extinguished. The Provisional Specification also states that the dome, gallery, wick-tube, carrier, and surrounding parts may be fixed or free to revolve. The upper part of a fixed wick-tube may be portable and actuated so as to rise or fall, or rotate, by weights or springs. The dome may be made in two parts, the top of each being weighted, and a race or groove may be provided for a ball or shot for the purpose of operating the dome sections; or they may be operated by a small arm or lift. The wick-tube may be in the form of a series of hollow rings lying one upon another. A water chamber may be seated upon or below the oil tank, tubes being fitted so that, in the event of the lamp being upset, the water flows to the flame. Another chamber may be provided above the oil or water chamber, the wick-tube, which passes through the chamber, being cut away at the middle so as to expose the wick. The wick-tube may be lined or enveloped with cotton or other textile material, india-rubber, leather, metal, china, or other material. The lamp body below the oil vessel may be perforated to admit air. In one form of lamp, the wick is lodged in an annular chamber, the walls and bottom of which are perforated and lined or enveloped with textile or other material through which the oil passes. An extinguisher, operated by a thumb-piece, is fitted on the upper portion of the wick-tube. In another arrangement, the wick-tube is rotatable and has an elbow in the oil tank, and the end of the tube in the tank may be weighted, or an arm carrying a weight may be fitted on the opposite side to the elbow-piece. When the lamp is upset, the wicktube is rotated by the weight into such a position that oil does not enter the tube. A spring- actuated rod may also be arranged to work through the perpendicular part of the wick-tube and also through a continuation of the tube connected to the floor of the tank, so that, should the lamp be raised, an extinguisher is pulled over the wicktube.