IM- PROVEMENTS IN LAMPS AND LAMP BURNERS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN LAMPS AND LAMP BURNERS." A communication from abroad
by Henry Albert Chapin and Sylvester P. Gilbert, both of New York, United
States of America.
Sealed the 22nd August 1876, and dated the 28th June 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th June 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS AND LAMP BURNERS."
A communication.
This Invention relates to improvements in lamps and lamp burners which preclude
the filling of the lamp while alight, increase the durability of the burner, provide for
the insertion of the wick from above, and for lighting and extinguishing the flame
without removing the chimney, besides improving the quality of the flame.
The said Invention comprises the combination of the body of a lamp burner, an
extinguisher, and a catch, whereby the burner is absolutely precluded from being
removed from the reservoir or fount to which it may be applied until the said
extinguisher is manipulated to put out the light.
Also the combination with a mouth or orifice in a filling tube provided in a
burner or reservoir of a lamp and a cover for such mouth or orifice, of an ex-
tinguisher, and an appliance for precluding the opening of such mouth or orifice
while the extinguisher is in its normal position. The said extinguisher is provided
with a rod, and so combined with the burner that it may be impelled horizontally
across the top of its wick tube from edge to edge thereof.
The said Invention also comprises the combination with the extinguisher
capable of being moved across and off the tip of the wick of a conoidal deflector
provided with hoods or extensions. This conoidal deflector provided with hoods
or extensions is adapted to occupy positions opposite the corners of the wick tube.
The said Invention also comprises the combination in a lamp burner of a convex
foraminated or reticulated air distributer, and separate and independent deflector
and chimney galleries.

page_text: Also a vertically extensible telescopic filling tube provided with a filling mouth
or orifice in its upmost section.
Also the combination with the fixed section of a filling tube of an upwardly
extensible section having a filling orifice in its side, a foraminated or reticulated
bottom, and a vent at the top, whereby the filling tube is made to serve the
purpose of a gas tube.
Also the combination with the wick tube of a lamp burner and an upwardly
extensible section of a filling tube of a rest, whereby the said section may be
supported on the tip of the wick tube while the lamp is replenished.
Also the combination with the upwardly extensible section of a filling tube of
a handle, whereby it may be conveniently manipulated.
It also comprises the combination in a lamp burner of an air distributer, having
on one side of the wick tube an opening of suitable size to permit the insertion of
a match or other means for lighting the wick, and a cover for such opening
preferably perforated like the said air distributer.
Also a removable wick tube tip provided with a tongue or strip at the bottom
for insertion between the lower portion of the wick tube proper, to which the
Baid tip may be applied and the adjacent parts of the body of a burner.
Also the combination with the body and hinged top of a lamp burner of an
extinguisher and a catch for fastening or locking the burner to its oil reservoir,
whereby the extinguisher must be applied to the flame before the burner can be
removed from the said reservoir.
Also the combination of the body of the burner with a hinged top and an
extinguisher, consisting of a sleeve adapted to fit snugly around the upper part of
the wick tube, and so attached to the said hinged top that the act of swinging
back the hinged top effects the extinction of the flame.
Also the combination with a filling tube in the body of a lamp burner of a
ventilating tube.
Also the combination with the ventilating tube in a lamp burner of an indicator
rod to be attached to a float to indicate the quantity of oil in an opaque reservoir.
And, finally. A deflector made circular at the base and parallel or nearly parallel
with the tip of the wick tube at the apex, and preferably provided with hoods or
extensions at opposite points.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th
December 1876.
"
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS AND LAMP BURNERS."
A communication from abroad by Henry Albert Chapin and Sylvester P. Gilbert,
both of New York, United States of America.
The object of one feature of this Invention is to absolutely prevent persons using
lamps from imprudently replenishing the reservoirs or founts with oil while the
lamp is alight, this act being always attended with great danger.
This feature consists in such combination with the body of a burner and a filling
tube, mouth, or orifice with or without a cover, of an extinguisher, and a catch,
that the said filling mouth, tube, or orifice cannot be uncovered to permit the
replenishment of the reservoir until the flame is extinguished.
Another feature consists in a removable tip for the wick tube, whereby provision
is afforded for raising the burner much longer than was formerly possible, and for
inserting the wick at the top of the wick tube proper, and thus obviating the
necessity for removing the burner and thereby soiling the hands.
Another feature consists in the combination of an opening in the air distributer
and a cover for the same, whereby provision is afforded for lighting the lamp with-
out removing the chimney.

page_text: Another feature consists in a flame reducer, wick trimmer, and extinguisher,
whereby the flame may be reduced in size without impairing combustion, and may
be put out without removing or blowing down the chimney.
Another feature consists in a deflector made circular at the base and parallel or
nearly parallel with the tip of the wick tube at the apex, and preferably provided
with hoods or extensions at opposite points, whereby the draft is improved and
provision afforded for the operation of the extinguisher.
Another feature consists in a filling tube composed of two or more telescopic
sections, and provided with a foraminated or reticulated bottom, one section being
capable of elevation to provide for the introduction through a hole in its side of oil
for the reservoir without tilting the oil can so as to endanger the spilling of the oil
over the lamp.
Other features consist in the combination with such filling tube of a vent,.a sup
porting catch, and handle, as will be more fully explained.
Another feature consists in a conoidal deflector, provided at opposite ends with
hoods or extensions which improve the draft and permit of the operation of the
extinguisher previously described.
The Invention also consists in other features of minor importance which will be
herein-after explained.
In the accompanying Drawing the Invention is illustrated as applied to flat wick
lamp burners, but it is not confined in its application to such burners; some or all
of its several features may be applied with advantage to argand or annular wick
burners. The following_description is, however, mainly confined to the illustration
of the Invention in the Drawing.
Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a lamp burner embodying the Invention
in its simplest form; and
Figure 2 is another vertical section thereof, but is taken at right angles to
Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a central vertical section of a lamp burner in which another and
somewhat more complex form of the Invention is embodied. Figure 4 is a vertical
section of the same taken at right angles to Figure 3, and on the plane of the dotted
lines x, x, Figure 6. Figure 5 is a plan or top view of the same burner. Figure 6
is a plan or top view of the same burner, the deflector being removed and the air
distributer broken away to reveal certain features. Figures 7 and 8 are plans or
top views of burners of modified form. Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12 are vertical
sections of burners illustrating other modifications of the Invention; and Figures
13, 14, and 15 are vertical sections of burners with hinged tops, embodying the
Invention.
Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, A. designates the body of a burner. It is
provided as usual with a screw threaded hub or neck a for securing the burner to
the collar B of a reservoir or fount. Its wick tube is represented as made in two
parts; one C, which is of ordinary construction, fixed in place, and another D,
termed a renewable tip, fitting over the former and extending above it. The re-
newable tip may be secured to the wick tube proper simply by friction, as illustrated
in the Drawing, or in any other suitable manner. When unfit for further use it
may be replaced by a new tip. The upper part of a wick tube is the part of a
burner which is usually first destroyed, therefore by providing for renewing this
part the durability of the burner is greatly increased. This renewable tip may be
removed at pleasure, and as the wick tube proper extends but slightly above the
wick operating mechanism, a wick can on the removal of the renewable tip be
inserted in the wick tube proper from above and can be forced down by the said
mechanism. This is very convenient, as it obviates the necessity of removing the
burner to insert a wick and lessens the liability of soiling the hands while engaged
in this operation.
E designates wick-operating mechanism of ordinary form, consisting of spur
wheels arranged on a rotating shaft projecting through the wick tube and engaging
with the wick, so that when rotated they will move the wick up or down. F

page_text: designates the air distributer. It is perforated with numerous holes in the usual
way, and at one side of the wick tube has an opening 6 provided with a cover g,
which is preferably perforated like the air distributer, and hinged in place, but
Thus provision
may be made to slide or operate in any other suitable manner.
is afforded for the insertion of a match to light the wick. When the cover g is
hinged in place it may be opened by pressing a match against it, and the latter
may then be passed onward to the wick. When the match is withdrawn the
door will automatically close. It may be serrated or roughened on the under
side to provide for lighting the match upon it. P is a deflector of conoidal form,
arranged in such position relatively to the wick tube as to deflect air upon the
flame as it rises from the air distributer. It is preferably circular at the base so as
to receive all the air as it rises, but at the apex it is preferably flattened (see
Figure 2) so as to be parallel or nearly parallel with the tip of the wick tube,
it being thus better adapted to maintain combustion uniformly across the wick,
and to produce an even and steady flame. At its base is a chimney holder, con-
sisting of a number of spring pieces p, adapted to press against the inside of the
chimney and hold it firmly in place, regardless of its size. G is an extinguisher,
consisting of a narrow piece of sheet metal affixed to a rod and having its upper
end bent, so that it may embrace the tip of the wick tube. By manipulating its
rod c this extinguisher may be moved parallel with and close to the wick tubes
in such manner that it may be impelled across the top of the wick to extinguish
the flame without removing or blowing down the chimney, thereby obviating the
latter practise and the great danger with which it is attended. This extinguisher
also serves as a wick trimmer for by moving across the top of the wick it removes
all the burnt carbon and other matter detrimental to the light. It also serves as a
flame reducer or regulator, inasmuch as when moved partly across the top of the
wick the uncovered part thereof only will burn. This is of advantage in the sick
room and other places where it is desirable to have a small light burning through
the night, because it provides for the perfect combustion of a portion of the wick,
and therefore obviates the escape of evaporated gases, and the consequent con-
tamination of the air incident to the old method of reducing the flame by turning
down the wick. H is a catch arranged on the extinguisher rod, so that when the
extinguisher is in its normal position (as in Figure 2) the former will project under
the shoulder of the reservoir or fount and will absolutely preclude the removal
of the burner from the reservoir until the extinguisher shall be impelled across
the top of the wick, whereupon all the light being put out the burner may be
removed. It will be seen that it is therefore impossible to fill the reservoir until
after the light is put out, and that the danger of air explosion or a conflagration
resulting from this imprudent act hitherto much practised is entirely removed.
Referring now to Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, A designates the body of a burner
provided like that already described with a screw threaded hub a, wick tube C, D,
wick operating mechanism E, air distributor F, extinguisher G, and catch. The
deflector P is in principle like that previously described, save that instead of being
elevated on supports it extends directly from the air distributer or chimney gallery
and has opposite the corners of the wick tube hoods or extensions Q, which afford
an increased draft to the corners of the wick, and permit the movement of the
extinguisher G.
I designates a filling tube or chamber extending upwards through the body A
and laterally outward under the air distributer and chimney gallery. It has a
perforated or reticulated bottom allowing oil but no flame to pass through into
the reservoir and air and gas to escape from the reservoir. Near its outer end
it has a mouth or orifice fitted with a cover J adapted to move over and past the
latter to close or open it, and a handle on such cover affording convenience for
manipulating it. This tube I provides for replenishing the reservoir or fount of a
lamp without removing the burner. Hence the liability of soiling the hands or
objects in the vicinity of the lamp is lessened. On the extinguisher rod c is a too d
which projects over the cover J and in the way of a lug e arranged on the same

page_text: preventing the said cover from being opened until the extinguisher is applied to
the wick. Thus the light must be put out before the reservoir or fount can be
replenished through this filling tube and all danger from this source is removed.
After putting out the light the extinguisher cannot be moved backward past the
wick tube until the cover J is closed, hence the wick can never be lighted while
the mouth or orifice of the filling tube I is open. If the cover J is left open it
will be closed by the toe d when the extinguisher is adjusted to its normal position.
It will of course be understood that the catch on the extinguisher rod c precludes
the removal of the burner until the flame has been put out. Wherefore it is
impossible to incur the danger of igniting the contents of the reservoir even if
the possessor of the lamp chooses to fill the reservoir through its mouth in the
ordinary way. The catch, however, is hardly necessary in this burner, as it will
be found much more convenient to fill through the filling tube.
Figure 7 represents a burner substantially like that last described, except that
its filling tube I has a hinged instead of a sliding or swinging cover J¹, and the
extinguisher is provided with a finger f, which, when the extinguisher is in its
normal position, holds down the cover and only releases it when the extinguisher is
manipulated to put out the flame.
Figure 8 illustrates a burner having a filling tube 12 substantially like the filling
tube I just described, except that its mouth or orifice is furnished with a cover J³,
which is opened by swinging it horizontally aside towards the wick tube. The
extinguisher rod is provided with a shoulder which prevents said cover from being
swung aside while the extinguisher is in its normal position. If after the ex-
tinguisher has been applied to the wick and the reservoir or fount been replenished,
the cover J is left open, the shoulder will close the same when the extinguisher
is moved back to enable the wick to be lighted, and hence all danger from this
source is removed.
Figure 9 represents a burner provided with a filling tube 13 which extends out
laterally beyond the edge of the air distributer and chimney gallery, and contains
an opening or orifice through which the reservoir or fount may be replenished.
This opening is closed by a cover J3 to which the extinguisher rod is so attached
or with which it is so combined that the former cannot be opened till the ex-
tinguisher is impelled over the top of the wick.
Figure 10 shows a burner whose extinguisher rod c is so constructed that it
bears against the cover J* fitting the mouth of a filling tube 1' arranged in a
reservoir or fount R and precludes the opening of the latter till the extinguisher
is applied to the flame. It may be well here to suggest that the laterally extending
portion of the filling tube may extend outwards away from one side of the wick
tube instead of parallel with it, as shown in Figure 9, and its mouth or orifice may
be furnished with a cover like that last described, in which case, if such cover be
provided with an upturned lug and the extinguisher rod be provided with a toe
adapted to engage with tho said lug when the extinguisher is in its normal position
the same results will be obtained as by the devices illustrated in Figure 9. Instead
of arranging a catch H on the extinguisher rod c a catch answering the same
purpose may be connected with the pivot of a swinging cover, such as that illus-
trated in Figure 8, and the cover may be held closed by the extinguisher rod
until the extinguisher is impelled across the wick, whereupon the cover may be
swung aside and the catch being thereby turned will be disengaged from the
reservoir or fount to permit the removal of the burner therefrom. Instead of the
catch H engaging with the interior of the reservoir or fount a catch may be
employed to engage with some part of the exterior thereof in such manner as to
preclude the turning or unscrewing of the burner when the extinguisher is in its
normal position and yet to permit the unscrewing of the burner after the extinguisher
has been manipulated to put out the light.
It is obvious that without departing from the principle of this Invention
extinguishers adapted to move bodily towards either side of the wick tube or to
swing or vibrate to and from the wick tube may be employed in connection with

page_text: a catch for precluding the opening of the filling mouth tube or orifice while the
lamp is alight. Numerous other modifications of the Invention may be made with-
out departing from the principle of the same.
Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a burner which differs from those previously described
in having its air distributer F made of convex form, separate galleries w and y for
the deflector and chimney, and a peculiar kind of filling tube I³.
The convexity of the air distributer affords abundant provision for the passage
of air to support combustion and enable the burner to be very much contracted
diametrically, wherefore it presents less obstruction to light reflected downwards.
The separate galleries w and y enable the deflector and chimney to be supported
independently of each other. Series of perforations between the two galleries and
notches or openings in the outer edge of the deflector admit a current of air close
to the interior of the chimney, whereby a nearly uniform temperature may be
maintained both inside and outside of the chimney, and its liability to crack from
unequal expansion and contraction is materially decreased. The filling tube Is is
of telescopic construction, consisting of two parts; one is a fixture in the burner
and the other fits loosely within the latter, and is capable of being elevated or
extended above it. This extensible section preferably has a foraminated or reticu-
lated bottom, like other filling tubes before described, and a filling orifice O in its
side. At the top it has a handle and also a rest.
The extinguisher rod c passes over the top of the extensible section of the tube
and precludes it from being opened till the extinguisher has been manipulated to
put out the light; then the extensible section may by means of its handle be raised
to the tip of the wick tube, and by turning it slightly around its rest may be made
to bear thereon and support the said sections while the reservoir is being filled
through the orifice O in its side. Afterwards the said section may be lowered into
its place, and the orifice O fitting within the fixed section of the filling tube is
closed. If desirable an opening may be provided in the top of this filling tube to
afford vent to gases which may be generated within the reservoir.
Figures 13, 14, and 15 illustrate the application of the Invention to burners in
which the cover to the body, the air distributer, chimney, and deflector gallery
form a top that is hinged to the body so as to be capable of swinging up as indi-
cated by the dotted outlines.
In Figures 13 and 14 the same extinguisher as that previously described may be
seen. In this example, however, its rod c, instead of bearing on a filling tube,
passes through slots or loops provided on the body of the burner and its hinged top,
and forms a positive fastening, whereby the hinged top is secured in place. As the
hinged top cannot be unfastened till the extinguisher is applied to the flame all
danger is effectually avoided. Below the hinged top of this burner is a filling tube
I, the cover of which is hinged in place and kept closed by the pressure of the
hinged top of the burner when the latter is closed.
Within this filling tube is a ventilating tube T. In addition to affording an
escape for gases generated in the reservoir it provides for the escape of air there-
from during the introduction of oil, because it is much higher than the bottom of
the filling tube. Passing through this ventilator tube is an indicator rod S to be
attached to a float in an opaque reservoir, to indicate the height of oil therein and
obviate the necessity of removing the burner to ascertain this. It preferably has
flattened sides, or its external contour is otherwise made different from the interior
of the tube to preserve spaces between them.
H' is a catch for securing the burner to its reservoir. It consists of a rod pivotted
within the body of the burner and having its ends bent, so that when the lower
projects under the shoulder of the reservoir the upper is locked from turning by
contact with the interior of the burner's body. This catch can only be operated
after the hinged top is swung up; then it has to be lifted before it can be turned.
If preferred a catch H may be used with this burner, as indicated in dotted lines.
In Figure 15 the extinguisher consists of a sleeve hugging the tip of the wick
tube, and arranged on the hinged top. Whenever the latter is raised the extin-

page_text: guisher is elevated above the tip of the wick and puts out the flame. The catch
securing the hinged top in place likewise retains the extinguisher in its normal
position.
Many of the features herein described, though jointly conducive to the improve-
ment of lamps and burners, are sufficiently independent of the others to be used
separately.
The advantages of this Invention may be summed up as follows:-The danger
of conflagrations resulting from the imprudent act of replenishing the oil reservoir
of a lamp while the burner is alight is avoided; burners can be used longer than
heretofore; the wick can be inserted in the wick tube from above, whereby the
soiling of the hands is obviated; the wick can be lighted and trimmed and the
flame extinguished without removing the chimney. The use of a filling tube
renders it unnecessary to remove the burner from the reservoir or fount as here-
tofore has been necessary, and hence the tendency to detach the collar from the
reservoir is lessened. This is an important advantage, as collars are never very
secure at the best. Also filling through a reticulated material such as wire gauze
within the filling orifice absolutely prevents the flame from coming in contact with
the oil in the lamp.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim-
First. The combination of the body of a lamp burner, an extinguisher, and a
catch, as herein described, whereby the burner is precluded from being removed
from the reservoir or fount to which it may be applied until the said extinguisher
is manipulated to put out the light.
Second. The combination with a mouth or orifice in a filling tube in a burner or
reservoir of a lamp, and with a cover for such mouth or orifice, of an extinguisher,
and an appliance for precluding the opening of such mouth or orifice while the
extinguisher is in its normal position, as above described and for the purpose set
forth.
Third. The extinguisher provided with a rod and so combined with a burner that
it may be impelled horizontally across the top of its wick tube from edge to edge
thereof, as herein described.
Fourth. The combination with an extinguisher capable of being moved across
and off the tip of the wick of a conoidal deflector provided with hoods or extensions,
as herein set forth.
Fifth. A conoidal deflector provided with hoods or extensions, adapted to occupy
positions opposite the corners of the wick tube, as above described and for the pur-
poses set forth.
Sixth. The combination in a lamp burner of a convex foraminated or reticulated
air distributer and separate and independent deflector and chimney galleries, as
above set forth.
Seventh. The combination with a lamp burner of a vertically extensible telescopic
filling tube, provided with a filling mouth or orifice in its upper section, as above
described and for the purpose set forth.
Eighth. The combination with the fixed section of a filling tube of an upwardly
extensible section, having a filling orifice in its side, a foraminated or reticulated
bottom, and a vent at the top, as above described and for the purpose specified.
Ninth. The combination with the wick tube of a lamp burner and an upwardly
extensible section of a filling tube of a rest, as above described, whereby the said
section may be supported on the tip of the wick tube while the lamp is replenished.
Tenth. The combination with the upwardly extensible section of a filling tube of
a handle, whereby it may be conveniently manipulated, as above set forth.
Eleventh. In a lamp burner the combination of an air distributer having on one
side of the wick tube an opening of suitable size to permit the insertion of a match
or other means for lighting the wick, and a cover for such opening preferably

page_text: perforated like the said air distributer, as above described and for the purpose
specified.
Twelfth. The removable wick tube tip provided with a tang or strip at the
bottom for insertion between the lower portion of a wick tube proper, to which the
said tip may be applied, and the adjacent parts of the body of a burner.
Thirteenth. The combination with the body and hinged top of a lamp burner of
an extinguisher and a catch for fastening or locking the burner to its oil reservoir,
whereby the extinguisher must be applied to the flame before the burner can be
removed from the said reservoir.
Fourteenth. The combination of the body of the burner, its hinged top, and an
extinguisher consisting of a sleeve adapted to fit snugly around the upper part of
the wick tube and attached to the said hinged top, as above described, whereby the
act of swinging back the hinged top effects the extinction of the flame.
Fifteenth. The combination with a filling tube in the body of a lamp burner of a
ventilating tube arranged therein, as above set forth.
Sixteenth. The combination with the ventilating tube in a lamp burner of an
indicator rod to be attached to a float to indicate the quantity of oil in an opaque
reservoir, as herein set forth.
Seventeenth. A deflector made circular at the base and parallel or nearly parallel
with the tip of the wick tube at the apex, and preferably provided with hoods or
extensions at opposite points, as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
די חנדז