IMPROVEMENTS IN MINERS SAFETY LAMPS
Year: 1885

page_text: I JAMES MCKINLESS, Commercial Traveller of No 1 Gore Street, Greenheys,
Manchester in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of my said
invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN MINERS SAFETY LAMPS to be as follows:-
My lamp is so constructed that the oxygen or atmospheric air to support combus-
tion enters above the middle ring of the lamp and through a number of very
small holes in a belt or band advantageously of a much greater thickness than the
diameter of the said holes, and thence between this belt or band and an inner shield
into the combustion chamber where it passes around and through the flame.
The upper portion of the lamp above the middle ring is protected by a bonnet or
shield with perforations or holes at its base for the admission of air, and inside this
bonnet and attached to the middle ring of the lamp is a shield or band to protect
the inlet boles from the force of a strong current.
The carbonic acid gas arising from combustion passes into and through a chimney
or tube constructed as hereinafter described and through small holes in a horizontal
plate or cap fitting to top of said chimney, and then escapes near the top of the
lamp.
The lower portion of the chimney forms a Truncated cone and the upper portion
thereof a short inverted Truncated cone, reduced in its narrowest part to a diameter
only sufficient to pass the ordinary results of combustion, so that an atmosphere of
explosive gas-will produce an excess of carbonic acid gas which will immediately
choke the flame.
A small cap or bell is suspended from the horizontal plate fitting to top of
chimney, to receive the point of the heated column arising from combustion and
any unconsumed carbon or soot which may escape.
One or two glass cylinders may be used without altering the general construction
of the lamp and the locking arrangement may be either by lead plug, Magnetic
spring, or other approved method.
DL 11
T1007

page_text: Improvements in Miners' Safety Lamps.
I, JAMES MCKINLESS of N° 1 Gore Street Greenheys, Manchester in the County
of Lancaster, Commercial Traveller do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MINERS SAFETY LAMPS " and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
My improved Safety Lamp for Miners is so constructed that the oxygen or
atmospheric air to support combustion, enters through holes bored through and all
around the middle ring of the lamp at (A) and also through holes round the base
of the outer bonnet or shield at (AX) as represented in the drawings hereto annexed,
which shew a vertical section of a Miners Safety Lamp, arranged and constructed
in accordance with my invention. The air then passes upwards and over a band (B)
attached to the middle ring of the lamp (as indicated by the arrows) and thence
through a large number of small holes, bored through and all around a belt or
band (C) which forms the base of a cylindrical chimney (D) and then passes down-
wards between the said belt or band, and the lower portion of an inner chimney (E)
into the combustion chamber (F) where it passes around and through the flame.
The band (B) and the outer bonnet or shield (M) protect the inlet holes from the
force of a sudden draught or strong current of air.
The results of combustion pass upwards, through the inner chimney (E) and
through a number of small holes, bored in a horizontal plate or cap (H) fitting to
top of cylindrical chimney, and then escape near the top of the lamp at (J).
The inner chimney (E) forms a truncated cone, the top of which is only of
sufficient diameter to pass the results of combustion under ordinary conditions, and
is held in position by a diaphragm attached to it, secured at the juncture of the
cylinder, and the belt or band at its base.
A small movable hood (K) is fitted to the top of the said inner chimney,
to receive the point of the heated column arising from combustion, and any
unconsumed carbon or soot which may escape.
Or the outer chimney D (instead of being cylindrical) may form a truncated cone
in its lower part, and an inverted truncated cone in its upper part, so as to dispense
with the inner chimney (E) from the diaphragm upwards, without in any way
altering or affecting the principles and general construction of the lamp.
The inlet holes for the admission of air, and the outlet holes for the results of
combustion, are of such small dimensions as to render gauze unnecessary, and the
belt or band (C) and the cap (H) are of such thickness, that the said inlet and
outlet holes are advantageously of much greater length than their diameter rendering
the passage of flame impossible, and whilst the number of inlet holes are consider-
ably in excess of what is required, to feed combustion, (thereby securing the utmost
illuminating power) the outlet holes are only sufficient to pass the results of
combustion, under ordinary conditions, so that an atmosphere charged with gas, or
carburetted hydrogen will produce an excess of carbonic acid gas, for which there
is no escape, and immediately choke the flame.
The cap (H) containing the outlet holes passes through a ring (N) near the top
of the lamp, which prevents the results of combustion from falling down the inside

page_text: of the outer bonnet or shield, and re-entering the lamp, to the detriment of its
illuminating power; and it also enables the lamp to be examined at a glance, as
with the cap (H) in view, it is only necessary to see the lead plug (or other
arrangement for locking) securely applied.
The combustion chamber (F) is surrounded by a thick glass cylinder (G) which
is protected by a screen or guard of wire netting (O) which may be permanently
fixed around the standards surrounding the combustion chamber, or made removable
at will, by means of a clasp or other suitable appliance.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. I claim the arrangement and construction of Miners Safety lamps, in
which the air to feed combustion, is admitted above the combustion chamber,
through holes of such small dimensions as to render gauze unnecessary, the said
boles being advantageously of greater length than their diameter.
Second. I claim the arrangement and construction of Miners Safety lamps, in
wbich the results of combustion escape through holes of such small dimensions as
to render gauze unnecessary, the said holes being advantageously of greater length
than their diameter.
Third. I claim the arrangement and construction of the belt or band (forming the
base of chimney) through which the inlet holes are bored.
Fourth. I claim the arrangement and construction of the horizontal plate or other
suitably shaped cap to top of chimney, through which the outlet holes are bored.
Fifth. I claim the arrangement and construction of the movable hood (fitting top
of inner chimney) to collect the carbon or soot.
Sixth. I claim the arrangement and construction of the upper ring (through
which the cap containing the outlet holes passes) which prevents the results of
combustion from falling down the inside of the outer bonnet or shield and re-entering
the lamp.
Seventh. I claim the arrangement and construction of the wire screen or guard
(other than gauze) with or without clasps, which passes around the bottom
standards and protects the glass cylinder.
Eighth. I claim the improved arrangement, construction, and combination of
parts, forming my improved Miners Safety lamp-arranged to act in the manner
herein before described-and represented in the drawings hereto annexed.
In witness whereof-I the said James McKinless have hereunto set my hand
and seal this twenty sixth day of November 1885.