IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO LAMPS TO BE USED ON RAILWAYS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Thomas, of 567, Caledonian Road, Holloway, in
the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
APPLICABLE TO LAMPS TO BE USED ON RAILWAYS AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Thomas at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th November 1880.
JOHN THOMAS, of 567, Caledonian Road, Holloway, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO LAMPS OT BE USED ON RAILWAYS AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
My Invention relates in the first place to lamps used mainly for signalling
trains on railways, and consists in constructing such lamps in the manner herein-
after stated. The body may be of any suitable shape. In one form of lamp it is
cylindrical. A bottom is connected to the body by a hinge joint and spring catch.
On this bottom is mounted the oil cistern, on the top of which is a platform sup-
ported by a band of perforated metal or legs of an insulating material. In the
centre of this platform stands the wick tube; on the platform rests a division plated,
which is fixed to the body. The centre of this plate is cut away to allow the wick
and tube to pass through. This division plate is so placed as to fill up the space
between the edges of the platform already mentioned and the sides of the body for
the purpose of dividing the flame chamber from the oil cistern, so as to allow of
the latter being ventilated and kept cool without affecting the light. An inner
casing or lining extends part of the way round on the inside of the body, such inner
casing having a bottom and top, and forming an inner or flame chamber, the said
bottom having an aperture in the centro for the wick tube to pass through, and
also supporting the cone or deflector over the wick, and the top having a short
metal tube to serve as a chimney. In the side of the body where there is no lining
is a door in which is fixed a suitable lens, under which there is a small window for
allowing some of the light to pass out in a downward direction. Between the lens
and the light is fixed a vertical frame containing coloured glass slides, such slides

page_text: being capable of movement up and down, running in grooves attached to the frame
for this purpose.
On the top of the body is a handle, underneath which are fixed
levers, which are connected by rods or bars to the moveable glass slides. The said
levers are actuated by the fingers of the hand that carries the lamp.
A metal rocking piece is so fixed in the before mentioned frame as that when
one slide is down it forms a stop for the other, thereby preventing more than one
slide being in front of the light at one time. The entrance and exit of air to and
from the lamp is at the top, and is arranged as follows:-On the top of the body is
a perforated cylinder having two rows of perforations. On the inside of this
perforated cylinder are a pair of plates fixed a short distance apart and between
the rows of perforations. These plates have an aperture in the centre, which is
filled by a conical shaped rim. In this rim are perforations which open into the
space between the plates already mentioned. On the top of the aforesaid conical
rim is fixed another conical rim, but in an inverted position. The short metal
chimney already mentioned terminates within the cones. A pipe or tube, which
also serves as a handle, is fixed to the perforated cylinder, and communicates with
the space between the pair of plates aforesaid, the lower end terminating in the
chamber under the flame.
Another form of lamp has a body of D shape in horizontal section, the door being
on the flat side. The oil cistern is removable entirely. On the top of this cistern
is a division plate, which divides the flame chamber from the oil cistern. The
entrance and exit of air to and from the lamp is arranged as follows:-In the top
part of the body are two rows of perforations. On the inside of the body and
between these two rows of perforations is a plate with an aperture in the centre,
such plate supporting a conical band, a similar band being fixed to the top of the
lamp, and thereby suspended over the aperture. The air from the lamp passes
up through these cones and out at the top row of holes, air entering by the bottom
row and passing down between the lining and the body to the flame chamber.
In other respects the parts in this form of lamp will be the same as in that above
described.
My Invention relates in the second place to lamps that are sometimes exposed to
violent winds and currents of air, and at other times are placed in positions where
the oil may become unduly warm, and consists in the mode hereinafter described
of increasing the ventilation of the lamp when the lamp is not in a current of air,
such extra ventilation immediately ceasing when the lamp is exposed to the wind.
This I accomplish by employing valves made as follows:- -A thin plate of mica or
tale or sheet metal is suspended between two thicker plates of metal, these latter
being fixed together in the form of a A, the thin plate of mica or sheet metal being
free to vibrate between them. The said thicker plates have apertures formed in
them for air to pass through, such apertures being liable to be covered or closed by
the vibrating plate. One or more of these valves is or are placed in the lamp case,
air being admitted thereto through the apertures of the valves; but should such
air be drawn or driven through at too great a velocity the suspended plate
immediately closes the aperture.
My Invention relates in the third place to a mode of regulating with precision
the size of the flame of a lamp, and consists in corrugating radially the inside
face of the milled edge, button, or thumb picce usually fitted to the spindle of the
wick holder, such button being made larger than usual for the purpose. A spring
with a projecting knob on the end is so fixed that the knob can force itself into
the indented parts of the corrugations, thereby limiting the movement of the
spindle within regulated distances, which correspond to the height of wick that
will produce the light required.
And my Invention consists in the last place in arrangements or means for
improving a light without the aid of a chimney to produce artificial draught. This
is accomplished by placing over the flame a cono or deflector, or two cones or
deflectors, made of an oval or oblong form in horizontal section, the slot for the
flame to pass through being cut transversely to its long axis.

page_text: Another method is to fix on to any cone or deflector a circular band of metal,
which I call a radiator, fixed with its axis horizontal and transversely to the flame,
the ends of the said bands being united to the cone or deflector just below the end
of the slot through which the flamo passes In the top part of the band or that
immediately over the flame, is an aperture for the products of combustion to pass
through.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Thomas in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th May
.1881.
"
JOHN THOMAS, of 567, Caledonian Road, Holloway, in the County of Middlesex.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO LAMPS TO BE USED ON RAILWAYS AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
"
My Invention of Improvements in and Applicable to Lamps to be used on
Railways and for other Purposes "relates in the first place to lamps used mainly
for signalling trains on railways, and consists in the mode or modes of constructing
such lamps hereinafter described.
My Invention relates in the second place to lamps that are sometimes exposed to
violent winds and currents of air and at other times are placed in positions where
the oil may become unduly warm, and consists in the mode, hereinafter described,
of increasing the ventilation of the lamp when the lamp is not in a current of
air, such extra ventilation immediately ceasing when the lamp is exposed to the
wind.
I
My Invention relates in the third place to a mode of regulating with precision
the size of the flame of a lamp, and consists in corrugating radially the inside face
of the milled edge, button, or thumb piece usually fitted to the spindle of the wick
holder, such button being made larger than usual for the purpose.
And my Invention consists in the last place in the arrangements or means herein-
after, described for improving a light without the aid of a chimney to produce
artificial draft.
In order that my Invention may be fully understood, and readily carried into
effect, I will proceed to describe it more particularly with reference to the accom-
panying Drawings, in which are represented the modes of constructing lamps and
different parts of lamps abovo referred to..

page_text: the "frame" carrying the slides; Figures 5, 6, and 7 are vertical sections of this
frame; Fig. 8 is a horizontal section of the same; Fig. 9 is an elevation of a
D shape lamp; Fig. 10 is a vertical section of the same; Fig. 11 is a horizontal
section of the same on line C, D, in Fig. 10; and Fig. 12 is a vertical section of
another form of the lamp.
The body A of the lamp may be of any suitable shape. In one form of lamp it
is cylindrical. A bottom B is connected to the body by a hinge joint and spring
catch. On this bottom is mounted the oil cistern C, on the top of which is a
platform D, supported by a band of perforated metal D', or legs of an insinulating
material. In the centre of this platform stands the wick tube E; on the platform
rests a division plato G, which is fixed to the body. The centre of this plate is cut
away to allow the wick tube to pass through.
This division plate is so placed as to fill up the space between the edges of the
platform D already mentioned and the side of the body A, for the purpose of
dividing the flame chamber from the oil cistern, so as to allow of the latter being
ventilated and kept cool without affecting the light. An inner casing or lining J
extends part of the way round on the inside of the body, such inner casing having
a bottom and top, and forming an inner or flame chamber H, the said bottom H
having an aperture in the centre for the wick tube to pass through, and also
supporting the cone or deflector K over the wick, and the top having a short metal
tube L to serve as a chimney. In the side of the body where there is no lining is
a door M, in which is fixed a suitable lens N, under which there is a small
window O for allowing some of the light to pass out in a downward direction.
Between the lens and the light is fixed a vertical frame P, containing colored
glass slides R (Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8), being capable of movement up and down,
running in grooves. R¹ attached to the frame for this purpose. On the top of the
body is a bandle S, underneath which are fixed levers T, which are connected by
rods or bars T¹ to the moveable glass slides. T' is a tube or case in which the rods
or bars work. The said levers are actuated by the fingers of the hand that carries
the lamp. A metal rocking piece W is so fixed in the before mentioned frame as
that when one slide is down it forms a stop for the other, thereby preventing more
than one slide being in front of the light at one time. In Fig. 7 this rocking
piece is shewn in its middle position, supporting both slides R, R. The entrance
and exit of air to and from the lamp is at the top, and is arranged as follows:-
On the top of the body is a perforated cylinder X, having two rows of perfora-
tions X¹, such perforations being protected from wind and rain by guards, as is
well understood. On the inside of this perforated cylinder are a pair of plates X*
and X3 fixed a short distance apart and between the rows of perforations. These
plates have an aperture in the centre, which is filled by a conical shaped rim X*.
In this rim are perforations which open into the space between the plates already 4
mentioned. On the top of the aforesaid conical rim is fixed another conical rim X*,
but in an inverted position. X is the guard over the inlet holes, and X' over the
outlet holes. The short metal chimney L, already mentioned, terminates within
the cones.
A pipe or tube Z, which also serves as a handle, is fixed to the
perforated cylinder, and communicates with the space between the pair of
plates X and X³ aforesaid, the lower end terminating in the chamber under the
flame.
Another form of lamp, Figures 9, 10, and 11, has a body of D shape in horizontal
section, the door being on the flat side.
The oil cistern is removable entirely. On the top of this cistern is a division
plate, which divides the flame chamber from the oil cistern.
The entrance and exit of air to and from the lamp is as follows :-In the top
part of the body are two rows of perforations ✗'. 'On the inside of the body and
between these two rows of perforations is a plate X³ with an aperture in the
centre, such plate supporting a conical band X*, a similar band X being fixed to
the top of the lamp, and thereby suspended over the aperture.
The air from the lamp passes up through the cone X, and out at the top row of

page_text: holes, air entering by the bottom row, and passing down between the lining and
the body of the lamp.
In other respects the parts in this form of lamp will be the same as in that above
described.
In
In another form of lamp, represented in Fig. 12, the rube handle, as in Fig. 2, is
dispensed with, and an ordinary handle substituted. A conical shaped ring X is
carried down so as to touch the top of the body A', the centre of which is cut away
in order to allow the air to pass down between the lining and the body to the
flame. In other respects the arrangements are the same as in Fig. 2.
Figures 13, 13ª, and 14 is represented the mode of regulating the ventilation of
lamps referred to under the second head of my Invention, which is accomplished
by means of valves made as follows:-A thin plate of mica or tale or sheet metal,
shewn in section at A, Fig. 13, and in elevation at Fig. 13ª, is suspended between
two thicker plates of metal B, these latter being fixed together in the form of A,
the thin plate of mica or sheet metal being free to vibrate between them. Fig. 14
is a section of the lamp, shewing the position of the valves A. The said thicker
plates B have apertures C formed in them for air to pass through, such apertures
being liable to be covered or closed by the vibrating plate. One or more of
these valves is or are placed in the lamp case, air being admitted thereto through
the apertures in the said thicker plates, but should such air be drawn or driven
through at too great a velocity the suspended plate immediately closes the
apertures.
In Figures 15, 16, and 17 is represented the mode of regulating with precision
the size of the flame of a lamp referred to under the third head of my Invention;
Fig. 15 is a plan of the wick regulator; Fig. 16 is a section of the same; and
Fig. 17 shews the inside face of the button.
A is the milled edge, button, or thumb piece corrugated radially on its inside
face. A spring B with a projecting knob C on the end is so fixed that the knob
can force itself into the indented parts of the corrugations, thereby limiting the
movement of the spindle within regulated distances, which correspond to the
height of wick that will produce the light required. In Figures 18 to 22 are
represented arrangements or means for improving a light without the aid of a
chimney to produce artificial draft, referred to under the last head of my
Invention. This is accomplished by placing over the flame a cone or deflector K,
Figures 18, 19, and 20, or two cones or deflectors, made of an oval or oblong form
in horizontal section, the slot for the flame to pass through being cut transversely
to its long axis; Fig. 18 is a plan or horizontal view of the cone; Fig. 19, a
vertical section of the same on its long axis; and Fig. 20 is a cross section of the
same.
Another method is to fix on to any cone or deflector a circular band of metal M,
which I call a radiator (shewn in vertical section in Fig. 21, and in end view in
Fig. 22), fixed with its axis horizontal and transversely to the flame, the ends of
the said band being united to the cone or deflector just below the end of the slot
through which the flame passes. In the top part of the band or that immediately
over the flame is an aperture B¹ for the products of combustion to pass through.
This radiator is also shewn in Figures 2, 3, 10, 11, and 12. In Figures 15 and 16 is
represented a combination of the wick regulator, a cone or deflector (Figures 18, 19,
and 20), and the radiator (Figures 21 and 22).
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that what I claim as of my Invention
is,-
First. The mode or modes of constructing signal lamps represented in Figs. 1 to
12, and described, whereby the lamp is adapted for burning petroleum or other
mineral oil, also whereby different colored glass slides can be conveniently worked
by means of levers by the fingers of the hand which holds the lamp, us herein before
described.

page_text: Secondly. The adaptation and application to lamps of the valves shewn in
Figures 13, 13, and 14, for the purpose described.
Thirdly. The wick regulator shewn in Figures 15, 16, and 17, and described.
Fourthly. The cone or deflector of oval or oblong form in cross section with
transverse slot, as shewn in Figures 18, 19, and 20, and described.
Fifthly. The radiator shewn in Figures 21 and 22, and described.
And, Lastly. The combination of wick regulator, cone or deflector, and radiator,
as shewn in Figures 15 and 16, and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Thomas, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, tho Tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty one.
Witness,
WILLIAM SPENCE,
8, Quality Court,
Chancery Lane.
J. THOMAS. (L.S.)