Improvements in Apparatus for Lighting Cycle and other Lamps.
Year: 1898

page_text: A
Date of Application, 13th June,
1000
1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Lighting Cycle and other Lamps.
We, GEORGE WALTER MACGEORGE, of Annandale, Paignton, in the County
of Devonshire, Engineer, and ALFRED ST. CLAIR BUXTON, of 44, Devonshire
Street, Portland Place, London, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for lighting cycle and
other lamps and consists of a mechanical device-attachable to a closed lamp. This
device is so constructed that a match or its equivalent can at any time be loaded
into the lamp and there locked into position, and also that the striking of the match
and the ignition of the lamp wick can at any subsequent period be effected by
pressing an external button, or other equivalent.
For this purpose we provide a plunger which works either in or upon a cylinder
the latter being either fixed or hinged to the lamp and having one end protruding
through the casing into the lamp."
If the plunger is arranged to work within the cylinder it is provided with a
longitudinal hole within which a match or its equivalent may be inserted in such
a manner that it protrudes beyond the inner end of the said plunger and when
the latter is locked in position the head of the match rests near or against a striking-
plate within the lamp. Upon pressing the plunger in rapidly the match is ignited
by friction against the striking-plate and then reaches the wick which is thus set
alight.
The aforesaid striking-plate may be fixed within the lamp or within the cylinder
or else it may be hinged and so constructed that after the match has been ignited
the continued movement of the plunger causes it to be removed out of the way of
the match.
As an alternative the plunger may be arranged to slide over the aforesaid cylinder
in which case the latter is arranged to hold the match while a projection upon the
lunger working in a slot provided in the cylinder bears against the outer end of
the match which by means of the said projection can be struck and driven into the
lamp.
Untal thia Thintaan 41, ...I... 1000
Improvements in Apparatus for Lighting Cycle and other Lamps.
We, GEORGE WALTER MACGEORGE, of Annandale, Paignton, in the County
of Devonshire, Engineer, and ALFRED ST. CLAIR BUXTON, of 20, Rosemount
[Price 8d.

page_text: Road, Springfield Park, Acton, London, in the County of Middlesex, Surgeon, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for lighting cycle and
other lamps, and consists of a mechanical device, attachable to a closed lamp. This
device is so constructed that a match, or its equivalent, can at any time be loaded
into the lamp, and there locked into position, and also that the striking of the
match, and the ignition of the lamp wick, can at any subsequent period be effected
by pressing an external button, or other equivalent.
For this purpose we provide a plunger, which works in a cylinder, the latter
being either fixed or hinged to the lamp, and having one end protruding through
the casing into the lamp.
The plunger is provided with a longitudinal hole, within which a match or its
equivalent may be inserted in such a manner that it protrudes beyond the inner end
of the said plunger, and when the latter is locked in position the head of the match
rests near or against a striking plate within the lamp. Upon pressing the plunger
in rapidly, the match is ignited by friction against the striking-plate, and then
reaches the wick, which is thus set alight.
The aforesaid striking-plate may be hinged and so constructed that after the
match has been ignited, the continued movement of the plunger causes it to be
removed out of the way of the match.
To enable our invention to be more completely understood, we will proceed to
describe the same by means of the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Fig. 1, is a plan, part being in section.
Fig. 2, is a vertical section through part of a bicycle lamp fitted with our
improvements.
Fig. 3, is a general view of match holder.
Fig. 4, is an end view of apparatus, shewing the striking-plate in same position
as in Figs. 1, and 2.
Fig. 5, is a section through line a b, Fig. 3.
Figs. 6 and 6, are part sections shewing an alternative arrangement of a portion
of the working parts.
" detail.
Figs. 7 and 74, are side and end elevations shewing special" stop
In the drawings which are to a scale of twice the full size, A, is a box or shrouding
formed from a suitable metal such as tinned steel, or brass plate, and attached to
the lamp casing A'. The box or shrouding may be entirely detachable from the
lamp casing or part only may be detachable, the remainder being more or less
permanently fixed to the lamp. B, is a fixed tube, preferably soldered to the
box A. A slot of suitable dimensions is formed in its underside to allow the
point of the cam gl to pass through. C, is a frame piece which sits saddle wise over
the fixed tube B, the two ends being shaped to form lugs, these are perforated as
at c¹, and pass through slits formed in the box A, a key D, being employed to keep
the frame piece in place. E, is a piece of metal plate; this is soldered on to the
fixed tube B, and serves to hold the frame piece C, in place, when the key D, is
tightened up. F, is a pair of spring plates joined together by a tie f, near the
bend, so as to form a striking plate. The ends f¹ nearest the wick or flame are
bent upwards and outwards at the bottom, and are roughened on their inner sides
so that the head of the match O, when forced between them is ignited or struck.
G, is an axle with which is combined the pointed cam g', this axle is journalled
in the sides of the frame piece C, the forked striking plate being rigidly mounted
on the ends, which are formed with squares or are otherwise shaped or arranged
to secure its rigidity. The upper end of the pointed cam g¹ projects through the
slot a¹ formed in the under side of the fixed tube B, and engages with the V groove
on the plunger head H. Around the axle G, and on one or both sides of the cam
is coiled a wire spring gl, one end being attached to the frame piece C, the other
to the axle. In its normal condition the coil spring holds the striking plate in a

page_text: the striking plate F, as shown in Figs. 6 and 6. This bridge piece passes below
the fixed tube B, and enters it slightly through a sufficient slot or opening a,
functionally taking the exact place of the cam g'. When this alternative is
employed, one end of the coil spring " is secured to the inside of the striking
plate F, and the other end to a convenient part of the box case, the axle G, becomes
a fixed instead of a revolving one, and the frame piece C, with its lugs c', and
key D, is dispensed with, the smaller fixed axle G, Figs. 6 and 6, being now
rivetted into the sides of the box case A.
H, is the plunger head of the detachable and separate match holder, which is
formed so as to exactly fit the internal diameter of the tube B. A V-shaped
notch g is formed by turning near its inner end, and engages with the apex of the
cam g, (or with the edge of the bridge piece m, Figs. 6 and 64, as the case may be),
when the latter is forced into it by the reaction of the spring g",
I, is a push button at the end of the match holder.
K, is the hollowed tube of the match holder.
L, is the match extracting ring this slides over the tube K, between the push
button I, and the head H.
M, is a plug or plunger connected to the ring L, through the slot k, in tube K,
see Fig. 5, by pushing the ring inwards, the plunger forces the remainder of the
unburnt match out of the holder.
The match 0, is fastened securely into the holder by means of the screwed
collar N, threaded upon the tapering nozzle N', slit as at n. 0, is an ordinary
vesta match of length adapted to the size of the apparatus, and that of the lamp
to which it is fitted.
W, indicates the upper part of the metal of the oil burner or its equivalent.
We find that we obtain the best results when the wick of the burner, gas
nipple or equivalent is about 16 of an inch below the horizontal centre line of
the match.
When necessary we may attach to the box case A, pivoted on the pins P-P,
Figs. 7 and 7, a lever S, carrying a stirrup S. The long arm of the lever
when pulled forwards, by the finger causes the stirrup S to slightly overlap the
mouth, or entrance, to the fixed tube B, and thus temporarily stops the forward
motion of the match holder, by interposing itself between the inner end of the
extracting ring L, and the end of the fixed tube, until the long arm of the lever
is again pushed back. The object of this "stop" is to prevent the match holder
being pushed in too far in the first instance, or beyond the point where it is locked
in position, and thus avoid any premature ignition of the match.
The operation of our invention is as follows:-
The separate match holder having been first withdrawn from the tube B, a wax,
or other suitable match, is inserted into its bore, and is secured by screwing up the
collar N. It then presents the appearance shewn in Fig. 3. The holder carrying
the match is now put into the tube, which its head exactly fits, and the latter
soon encounters the point of the cam g', which in the normal position of the striking
plate (1, Fig. 2) projects slightly into the tube through the slot a. A continuation
of the forward motion of the holder causes the cam axle to revolve, the movement
bringing the cam point down to its lowest forward position at the end of the slot a'.
The same movement brings the striking plate down from the upright to the
horizontal position, and also brings the match head to the entrance of the roughened
head f, at the end of the striking plate.
This position of the parts is that shewn in the drawings, and the slightest further
forward motion of the holder causes the point of the cam (under the re-action of
the coil spring g¹¹), to engage into the V shaped notch g, turned at the end of the
plunger head H, thus firmly "locking" the match holder in place, and keeping it
ready for use at any subsequent time.

page_text: When the apparatus is in this "locked" position, the inner side of the push
button I, is at a fixed distance from the outer end of the tube, and this distance
constitutes the set stroke," or further possible motion of the match holder.
"
When it is desired to light the lamp the cycle rider, or operator, sharply pushes
the button home. By this operation the cam and striking plate is first forced a
little downwards (in the act of releasing the point of the cam from the V shaped
notch) and both are then held firmly down until the stroke is nearly completed.
During the stroke” the match head, driven through the head f', of the striking
plate, is ignited or "struck," and near the end of the stroke the cam point clearing
the back end of the plunger head H, and being now free to move, the reaction of the
coil spring causes the striking plate to rise, and resume its normal upright position
in the box case A, leaving the now lighted match lying obliquely across and
somewhat beyond the wick of the lamp.
The match now burns away as far as the end of the holder, lighting the wick as
it burns.
Subsequently, when the match holder is withdrawn from the tube for reloading,
the back end of the plunger head H, encounters the intruding point of the cam:
turns the axle (and with it the striking plate) slightly backwards, to the position
marked 2, Fig. 2, thus releasing the holder from the tube, and when all is clear
the cam, and striking plate return to their normal position, as at 1, Fig. 2.
The stump of the burnt match is now extracted by means of the extracting
ring L, and plug M, and the apparatus is again ready to be loaded up for use.
It is desirable that the striking plate be made of some tough metal, such as
phosphor bronze, or the like, and not readily oxidisable.
We find it advantageous to mount the casing upon the lamp in such a position
as that the match shall be held obliquely to the wick.
Our improvements are applicable to and may be used with any type of cycle,
miner's or other lamp of suitable construction, burning oil, hydro-carbon vapour,
acetylene gas or the like, and we may vary the details of our invention to suit the
different forms before referred to without departing from its spirit.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In apparatus for lighting cycle and other lamps, the combination arrangement
and use of the interacting parts shewn and described herein, and co-operating for
the purpose specified.
2. The combination in or with a cycle or other lamp burning oil, acetylene gas,
hydro carbon vapour, or the like of the cylinder B mounted as shewn. The
frame piece C, saddled thereon keyed to the case as at D), and the spring controlled
axle G, with cam g', journalled therein. The striking plate F, tied as at f, and
rigidly fastened to said axle. The tubular and detachable match-holder sliding
within said cylinder B, and grooved as at g for imparting motion to the cam, all
as described and co-operating as set forth.
3. The combination in or with a detachable match holder adapted for lighting a
lamp by means of a match and mounted in a tube in the manner herein shewn,
of the screwed collar N, threaded upon the tapering tube N', slit as at n¹ for
securing said match and the plunger M, attached to the sliding ring L, for
discharging the unburnt stump thereof in the way and manner shewn.
4. In combination with apparatus for lighting a lamp as herein described,
the particular arrangement of interacting parts whereby the striking plate is
automatically shifted to the vertical position on the fighting of the lamp.
5. The combination in or with a cycle or other lamp burning oil, acetylene gas,
hydro-carbon vapour or the like, of the bridge piece m, replacing the cam and the
modified arrangement fastening and operation of axle and spring_constructed
and operating substantially as described and shewn with reference to Figs. 6, 6^.

page_text: 6. The combination in or with a cycle or other lamp burning oil, acetylene gas,
hydro carbon vapour or the like, of the temporary stop action constructed aud
operating substantially as described with reference to Figs. 7, 74.
Dated this 10th day of March 1899.
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Agent for the Applicants, 21, Finsbury Pavement, London, E.C.