IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Sydney Pitt, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey, for
A communication from
an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS."
abroad by William Burnet Robins, of Cincinnati, Hamilton, County of
Ohio. United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Sydney Pitt at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th November 1880.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS."
SYDNEY PITT, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey.
[A communication from abroad by William Burnet Robins, of Cincinnati,
Hamilton, County of Ohio, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to the construction of argand lamps adapted to the use of
kerosene and other mineral oils, for burning free of smoke or odor, and for the
production of light on a more extended and variable scale than has been heretofore
practicable, by a flame of more uniform and nicely adjusted height around its
circuit, from an exceptionally high maximum flame down to one just short of
extinguishment.
The Invention is also beneficial in enabling the use of cheaper and better
material and mode of making wicks for lamps than the materials and methods
customarily employed, and is also useful in affording a secure and convenient means
of promptly extinguishing the flame.
The oil font is preferably made of an annular form, so as to afford a central
vertical passage of a draft-way, and for the adjusting mechanism of a flame
regulating tube hereinafter described.
The wick is stationary, and preferably in two pieces and of two dissimilar
materials.
A portion of the wick-way or holder is stationary, but of considerably less height
than the top edge of the upper wick piece or section. It is composed of two tubes,
of which the outer one is fixed by its lower edge to the top of the oil font. The
inner tube is fixed at its lower edge to the bottom of the oil font, of which it
forms the inner wall. The upper edges of both tubes stand at the same level.
The wick space thus formed receives the permanent wick which extends from the
bottom of the font to about mid-height of the wick way. This permanent wick,
which may be of the customary woven or plaited material, never comes in contact
with the flame.

page_text: Resting upon the permanent wick, so that its lower half occupies the said wick
way, is the upper wick or wick section, which is preferably of bibulous paper
(blotting paper) of about one eighth of an inch thick."
As neither wick section is intended to be moved or shifted after its insertion in
the lamp, I provide, to enable the regulation of the height of the flame, two
slideable sheaths or regulating tubes, of which one tube closely surrounds the outer
fixed tube, and the other tube fits snugly within the inner fixed tube. The upper
edges of the regulating tubes are bent inwardly sufficiently without pressing to
hug the upper wick-section on both sides.
Each of these sheathing tubes has preferably its separate mechanism for moving 1
it up or down. For operating the outer sheath I give a portion or portions of its
lower edge a spiral form, which edge is made to ride upon the top of a wire (or
stump) which is soldered in a vertical position to the outer surface of the outer
fixed tube. Knobs or handles that project outwardly from the outer sheath enable
it to be rotated to the right or left so as to elevate or depress it at will. Any
desired rapidity of adjustment of this outer sheath is obtained by giving said
spiral edge or edges a corresponding steepness of pitch.
The inner sheath is preferably operated in a direct vertical line by means of
a central screw, which being tapped within a stationary cross bar is coupled by
swivel joint to another cross bar ipon the said sheath; or the screw rod may be
tapped within the upper cross bar affixed to the sheath and journalled in the lower
A knob or milled head at the lower
and stationary cross bar affixed to the font.
extremity of the screw enables the operator to turn it to right or left, and thus to
raise or lower the said sheath.
While the adjustment of the outer sheath is preferably somewhat rapid, that of
the inner sheath is relatively much slower, each complete rotation of the screw
operating to elevate said sheath only the pitch or height of the screw thread,
which may be of any desired fineness for that purpose.
The font has a customary screw capped feed neck. It may be upheld a
convenient distance above the base or foot by two or more legs or a pillar.
An annular gallery or bracket is provided for support of any suitable glass
chimney. This gallery, which is supported on pillars, has its inner edge so much
larger than the wick way or holder as to leave an annular opening between it and
the said wick way or holder.
A perforated air distributing diaphragm, and an air deflecting disc on a central
stem, are affixed to the cross brace of the inner sheathing tube.
With the exception of the chimney, the entire lamp proper, or portion above the
stand, is preferably composed of sheet metal.
The two sheathing tubes may be made of tinned sheet iron, each tube being.
constructed of a rectangular strip whose ends are so double seamed together as to
present smooth cylindrical surfaces at those parts of the tubes which come in contact
This mode of
and rub against each other in the operations of adjustment.
junction is preferred to soldering because not liable to be injuriously affected by
heat. That portion of the seam of the tube which constitutes the inner wall of
the font may, however, be closed with solder to prevent leakage. All of the tubes
may furthermore be made of cast metal, or of sheet copper or brass, or other metal
than iron, as found suitable.
The separate adjustability of the inner and the outer sheaths enables a great
variety of manipulations, resulting in as many diverse effects upon the flame. For
example, a condition of the respective sheaths in which the outer sheath is below,
and the inner sheath is slightly above the wick level, is accompanied by a high
and very brilliant flame.
.After insertion of the wicks, the sheaths are both elevated to the level of the
wick edge, and the wick is then trimmed to match the top edges of the sheaths.
The wick itself being undisturbed after being trimmed remains at a constant
true level, with a consequent even flame, forming a continuous ring of light of any
desired size or delicacy.

page_text: The inner sheath being elevated above the wick level, the lamp can be instantly
and safely extinguished by raising the outer sheath above the wick edge.
The described method of stationary wicks in two sections, one superposed upon
the other, in connection with the lateral supporting sheaths permits the employment
for the upper section of so cheap, and at the same time so efficient, a material as
bibulous paper (blotting paper), which can be manufactured in rectangular strips,
and put up and sold in blocks or pads at a lot figure, the user putting such a strip
into cylindrical form before inserting in the wick way on the holder. Such wick
may however be made and sold in cylindrical form ready for use. The wick, if of
bibulous paper, is preferably calendered on its outer surfaces, the interior being
left in a spongy and porous condition. After being formed the cylindrical wick
may be flattened, cut off in sections, and packed flat in bundles or boxes.
The separately adjustable sheaths in connection with a low wick way or holder,
and stationary wick in two sections have several obvious advantages, for example:-
Inequality of wick level, resulting in broken and irregular flame, is avoided,
the wick not being pressed or bent out of shape and position by the action of a
wick elevator.
The wick is enabled to be made of cheap non-textile material, such as paper or
felt, which is easily and perfectly trimmed to a smooth level edge, free of the
thready or ligamentous surface of woven wick edges.
Capacity for greater nicety of graduation of flame is afforded by the facilities for
separate and independent exposure of the interior and exterior surfaces of the wick,
each sheath by its separate movement effecting one half only of such uncovering or
covering, as compared with the ordinary wick movement in the common wick
way.
Facility for burning low for night use without imperfect combustion and without
noxious odors.
Facility for prompt and safe extinguishment.
The air channel formed by the annular opening in the gallery acts to conduct a
blast of hot air into the exterior of the flame, and to force it upwards, and also
operates to keep the wick tubes from over heating.
The construction is well adapted for use with wick ways or holders of various
sizes, from half an inch diameter of wick up to twelve inches, or even greater
size.
In some cases, especially for the larger sizes, the wick-way or holder may have
an elliptical, rectangular, oblong, or polygonal cross section, in which case the outer
sheath will be adjusted vertically instead of spirally. The double or composite
wick method in connection with adjustable sheaths, as herein described or otherwise,
is applicable also to flat wick ways or holders, but inasmuch as it is contemplated
to make such the subject of a separate application for Patent, I make no claim to
such special adaptation to flat wick ways in this.
While preferring bibulous paper as above for the material of the upper wick
section, I may employ other material, such as rolled cotton or wollen cloth, or felted
asbestos or mineral wool.
The arrangement of the stationary wick sections relatively to the wick holder,
and sheaths having been minutely described, and the preferable materials and
general struction of the lower feeding and upper burning wick sections, I do not
deem it requisite to specify here any further particulars respecting them; as it is
contemplated to file for the wicks to be used in this lamp a second application for
Letters Patent, and therefore I make no claim therefor in this Specification.
For greater security and stability, the outer stationary wick tube may extend
down and be fastened to the font floor, openings being formed in the said extended
portion for the passage of oil.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Sydney Pitt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th May
1881.
"
SYDNEY PITT, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey. IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS."
A communication from abroad by William Burnet Robins, of Cincinnati, Hamilton,
County of Ohio, United States of America.
This Invention relates to a construction of argand lamp adapted for the use of
kerosene and other mineral oils with safety and with freedom from unpleasant
odour, and the production of light on a more extended and variable scale than has
been heretofore practicable by a flame of absolutely uniform height around its
circuit from an exceptionally high maximum flame down to one just short of
complete extinguishment.
The Invention is further beneficial in enabling the use for actual contact with
the flame, of a cheaper and also better wick material than those customarily employed,
and is also useful in affording a secure and convenient means of promptly
extinguishing the flame.
In the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 represents partly in elevation and
partly in axial section a kerosene lamp embodying the Invention; Figure 2 is a
section on the line x, x.
The oil fount A has the represented annular form, so as to afford a central
passage B, which serves the double purpose of a draft way and room for the
adjusting mechanism of the inner movable tube hereinafter described.
The wick is stationary, and preferably in two pieces, and of two dissimilar
materials.
A portion of the wick way is stationary as usual, but of considerably less height
than that of the wick. It is composed of two tubes, of which the outer one C is
fixed by its lower edge to the top of the oil fount. The inner tube D is fixed at
its lower edge in the bottom of the oil fount, of which it constitutes the inner
wall. The upper edges of both tubes stand at the same level. The wick space
thus formed receives a permanent wick E which extends from the bottom of the
fount to about mid height of the wick way. This permanent wick (which may be
of the customary woven or plaited material) never comes in contact with the
flame.
Resting upon the permanent wick E so that its lower half occupies the said
wickway is the upper wick or wick section F, which is preferably of bibulous
paper of about one eighth of an inch thickness. As neither wick section is intended
to be moved or shifted after its insertion in the lamp, to enable the regulation of
the height of the flame, two slidable sheaths or regulating tubes are provided, of
which one tube G closely surrounds the outer fixed tube C, and the other tube H
fits snugly within the inner fixed tube D. The upper edges of the regulating
tubes G, H, are bent inward sufficiently to hug without pressing the upper wick
section on both sides. Each of these sheathing tubes has preferably its separate
mechanism for moving it up or down.
For operating the outer sheath G, a portion of its lower edge has a spiral form
given to it, as represented at g, Figure 1, which edge is made to ride upon the top
of a wire I, which is soldered in a vertical position to the outer surface of the outer
fixed tube C. Knobs or handles J that project outwardly from the sheath G,
enable it to be rotated to right or left, so as to elevate or depress it at will. Any
desired rapidity of adjustment of the sheath G is obtained by giving said spiral
edge a corresponding steepness of pitch.
The inner sheath H it is preferred to operate in a direct vertical line by means

page_text: of a central screw K, which being tapped within a stationary cross bar L is coupled
by a swivel joint M to another cross bar upon the said sheath. A knob or milled
head at the lower extremity of the screw enables the operator to turn it to right
or left, and thus to lower or raise the said sheath.
While the adjustment of the outer sheath G is preferably somewhat rapid that
of the inner sheath H is relatively much slower, cach complete rotation of the
screw operating to elevate said sheath only the pitch of the screw, which may be
of any desired fineness for that purpose.
N may represent a customary screw capped feed neck.
The fount A is upheld a convenient distance above the base or foot O by two
or more legs P.
Qrepresents an annular gallery or bracket for support of any suitable glass
chimney R.
I
This gallery which is supported on pillars W has its inner edge so much larger than
the wick way as to leave an annular opening 7 between it and the said wickway.
T represents a perforated diaphragm, and U a deflecting disc or button upheld
on stem V from cross brace.
With the exception of the chimney the entire lamp proper, or portion above the ⚫
stand O, P, is preferably composed of sheet metal.
The tubes C, D, G, H, are preferably formed out of tinned sheet iron, each tube
being constructed of a rectangular strip, whose ends are so double seamed together,
as at S, as to present smooth cylindrical surfaces at those parts of the tubes which
come in contact and rub against each other in the operations of adjustment. This
mode of junction is preferred to soldering, because not liable to be injuriously
affected by heat. That portion of the seam of tube D which constitutes the inner
wall of the fount may however be closed with solder to prevent leakage.
The separate adjustability of the inner and the outer sheaths enables a great
variety of manipulations, resulting in as many diverse effects upon the flame; for
example, a condition of the respective sheaths, in which G is below and His
slightly above the wick level, is accompanied by a high and very brilliant flame.
After insertion of the wicks the sheaths are both elevated to the level of the wick
edge, and the wick is then trimmed to match the top edges of the sheaths. The
wick itself, being undisturbed after being trimmed, remains at a constant true
level with a consequent even flame, forming a continuous ring of light of any
desired size or delicacy.
The inner sheath H being elevated above the wick level, the lamp can be
instantly and safely extinguished by raising the outer sheath also above the wick
level.
The described system of stationary wicks in two portions, one superimposed
upon the other, permits the employment for the upper section of so cheap and at
the same time efficient a material as bibulous paper (blotting paper), which can be
manufactured in rectangular strips and put up and sold in blocks or pads at a low
figure, the user putting each strip into cylindrical form before insertion in the
wick way. Such wicks may however be made and sold in cylindrical form ready
for use.
The wick, if of bibulous paper, is preferably calendered on its outer
surfaces, the interior being left in a spongy and porous condition. After being
formed the cylindrical wicks may be flattened, and being cut into proper lengths
be packed in suitable bundles or boxes.
The separately adjustable sheaths G, H, in association with a low wickway and
stationary wick in two sections have several obvious advantages; for example,
irregularity of wick level, resulting in broken and irregular flame, is avoided, the
wick not being pushed or bent out of shape and position by the action of the wick
elevator; the wick may be made of cheap non textile material, such as paper or
felt, which is more easily and perfectly trimmed to a smooth level edge than is the
thready or ligamentous structure of woven wicks; capacity for greater nicety of
graduations of flame is afforded by the facilities for separate and independent
exposure of the interior and exterior surfaces of the wick, each sheath by its

page_text: separate movement effecting one half only of such uncovering or covering, as
compared with the ordinary wick movement in the common wickway; facility for
burning low for night use without imperfect combustion and without noxious
odours; facility for prompt and safe extinguishment, the air channel formed by
the annular opening.q in the gallery acts to conduct a blast of hot air to the
exterior of the flame and to force it upward, and also operates to keep the wickway
cool.
The present illustration represents what I designate a "No. 4" lamp on this
plan, that is to say, a lamp possessing a wickway of four inches diameter. The
device is however well adapted for use with wick ways of various sizes, from half
an inch diameter of wickway up to twelve or more inches. In some cases,
especially for the larger sizes, the wick way may have an elliptical, rectangular,
oblong, or polygonal cross section, in which case the outer sheath will be adjusted
vertically instead of spirally.
The double or composite wick principle is applicable to flat wickways either with
two independently adjustable sheaths, as above described, or otherwise; but
inasmuch as I have made such the subject of a separate application for Patent, no
claim is made to such special adaptation of the idea in this.
While preferring bibulous paper as above for the material of the upper wick
section other material may be employed, such as rolled cotton or woolen cloth, or
felted asbestos, or mineral wool.
For greater security and stability the outer stationary wick tube, C may extend
down and be fastened to the fount floor, openings being formed in the said extended
portion for the passage of oil.
I claim as new,—
First. The combination with a low and stationary wickway or holder of the
outer and inner separately adjustable sheaths or regulators G, H, substantially as
set forth.
Second. The combination, substantially as described, of outer sheath having a
steep spiral edge for quick adjustment, and inner sheath provided with central
screw K for nice or slow adjustment.
Third. The combination of annular fount or reservoir A, fixed tubes C, D, and
euclosing vertically adjustable sheaths G, H, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Sydney Pitt, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
DUVn
SYDNEY IT. (L.S.)