Improved Igniting Device for Lamps and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Aug., 1898-Accepted, 8th Oct., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Igniting Device for Lamps and the like.
1, FERDINAND KRIEGER, of 28, Bredowstrasse, Berlin, N.W., Germany, Elec-
trician, 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 an improved igniting device for lamps, lanterns and
the like, by means of which the ignition of the flame is effected by electrical
means upon pressing a knob or button, without its being necessary to remove
the chimney or to take the lamp apart in any way for this purpose.
The usual igniting devices of similar type which operate by means of an incan-
descent wire have the disadvantage that the incandescent wire is exposed to the
heat of the flame for a length of time that is injurious to the wire, hence its
capability of igniting rapidly diminishes so that the device soon becomes useless
as the igniting wire is readily burned away and must be renewed, and there is
also a large consumption of current which considerably adds to the cost of
working the lamp.
Now the present invention has for object to obviate these disadvantages which
is effected by the incandescent wire being kept in the flame only until the
ignition has been effected.
For this purpose there is employed a spring slide which, for the purpose of
ignition, is moved forward by hand, into proximity to the wick, whilst after
ignition has been effected, the said slide is caused by spring action to shoot
back and resume its original position, the arrangement being such that the
current is turned on only when the slide is in its forward or highest position,
and is interrupted at once on the release of the knob.
Furthermore, the wire is held by two igniting plates which are arranged in the
igniting slide and are insulated from each other in such a manner that short
circuiting cannot take place. This is the more important as most of
the lamps to which this device is applicable are usually intended to be taken
apart by non-experts, and there is the great risk of damaging the igniting
spiral in cleaning the lamp.
One construction of a device according to this invention is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of a lamp with the
igniting slide in vertical longitudinal section in the position of rest, that is to
say, when the electric circuit is open. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through
the igniting slide at the moment of ignition, that is to say, when the electric
circuit is closed. Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 1-2 of Figs. 2 and 4
and Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the igniting slide.
The slide is arranged laterally of the burner at a suitable level in a protecting
guide a, and it comprises a curved metal plate b (see Figs. 1, 3 and 4) which
surrounds an internal flat plate c, the plates b and c being kept separated from
each other by means of an insulating layer d. The plate has a bent over upper
edge which projects over the plate c, so that the plates b and c can be conveniently

page_text: connected by means of an igniting spiral e which may be of platinum wire.
The plate is provided at its lower end with a pin c¹ which on rising, strikes
against an insulated contact pin f. whereby an electric circuit is closed. The
slide is also provided at its lower end with a pressure knob and a spring h,
the latter tending to draw back the slide. The slide is connected by means of
the conducting wire i (which is readily removable) with the source of electric
current k, whose other pole is connected in any suitable manner with the metallic
exterior of the lamp.
The mode of operation of the device is as follows:-
When the slide is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the electric current is cut
off. But on pressing up the button g the slide is moved into the position shown
in Fig. 2, whereupon the pin & comes in contact with the contact piece f, and
completes the circuit. As the platinum spiral e is situated in proximity to the
wick the ignition of the latter can be effected instantaneously. On releasing
the knob y, the slide will be caused by the action of the spring h, to move back
into its original position.
It will be obvious that, in consequence of the arrangement of the electrode
plates which are situated one within the other, that the igniting spiral is
effectually protected against external contacts and therefore short-circuiting is
excluded. Further, the igniting device works with very little consumption of
current, in consequence of the return movement of the slide.
The igniting device is, of course, suitable for use with various kinds of burners
for lamps, lanterns, and the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. An igniting device for lamps, lanterns, and the like, comprising a slide
which carries the platinum spiral e and which is adapted to be moved back by a
spring, the said slide being composed of two parts and which are insulated
from each other and of which one part surrounds the other part the slide
being capable of sliding in a protecting casing or guide a, in order to close an
electric circuit through the spiral when moved in one direction and to break
such circuit when moved in the reverse direction the arrangement being such
that the consumption of current is reduced and short circuiting is prevented
substantially as described.
2. Igniting means for lamps and the like, constructed, arranged and operating
substantially as described with reference to and shown by the drawings.
Dated this 8th day of August 1898.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.