Improvements in Apparatus for the Lighting and Extinguishing of Gas Flames.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Feb., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 17th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 6th Jan., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Lighting and Extinguishing of
Gas Flames.
JOHN FREDERICK SIMMANCE, 40, Weltje Road, Hammersmith, Middlesex,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
To obviate the necessity for approaching the lighting torch sufficiently near
to the burner to be lighted to risk damage to the burner or its fittings by a
blow from the torch, I propose adding to the usual form of lamplighter's torch
a small tube which is fixed along the pole. The upper end of this tube is fitted
with a jet & this jet is directed at such an angle in relation to the flame of the
wick that anything ejected from the jet will impinge upon part of the flame.
The lower end of the tube terminates in a small reservoir, capable of being
compressed or so acted upon as to force a small portion of its contents in a
stream through the torch flame, &, a suitable aperture being provided, a jet of
flame can be spurted from the torch which will reach the gas burner at a distance
of several inches. The reservoir may simply contain air, which, injected into
the torch flame at a proper angle, will deflect it from its normal position, or
may contain spirit or light oil, the spray of which, passing through the torch
flame, is ignited & lights the gas without the nearer approach of the torch. A
guard is provided to prevent the torch coming in contact with the burner.
Or I may attach to the torch in a suitable manner a reservoir of compressed
coal or other gas, of which a small quantity can be liberated instantaneously by
a valve at such pressure as to direct the jet as desired, in which case the torch
may or may not have a wick, the gas from the reservoir being allowed to burn
in its place in a small flame, which can be momentarily enlarged & projected
upon the gas burner to be lighted. For burners which are fitted too high in
the lantern for convenient torch lighting, I propose arranging a tubular poised
arm, fitted with a jet at its upper end, attached by a swivel joint to a convenient
part of the gas supply pipe. The plug of the swivel is so pierced that when
the arm is swung out at one side of the burner, gas passes to the jet & can in
that position be lighted by the torch. Then, by thrusting the torch against
the poised arm, the jet of lighted gas is caused to swing over the burner at a
convenient height for igniting the gas. By further pushing with the torch the
arm swings past the burner &.shuts off at the swivel the gas to itself. In
extinguishing the gas light, the operator first brings the poised arm into its
original position & then turns off the main cock, leaving all ready for next time
of lighting.
Dated this 18th day of February 1899.

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for the Lighting and Extinguishing of
Gas Flames.
JOHN FREDERICK SIMMANCE, 40, Weltje Road, Hammersmith, Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, 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: ―
To obviate the necessity for approaching the lighting torch sufficiently near
to the burner to be lighted to risk damage to the burner or its fittings by a
blow from the torch, I propose adding to the usual form of lamplighter's torch
a small tube which is fixed along the pole. The upper end of this tube is fitted
with a jet and this jet is directed at such an angle in relation to the flame of
the wick that anything ejected from the jet will impinge upon part of the
flame.
The lower end of the tube terminates in a small reservoir, capable of being
compressed or so acted upon as to force a small portion of its contents in a
stream through the torch flame, and, a suitable aperture being provided, a jet
of flame can be spurted from the torch which will reach the gas burner at a
distance of several inches. The reservoir may simply contain air, which, injected
into the torch flame at a proper angle, will deflect it from its normal position,
or may contain spirit or light oil, the spray of which, passing through the torch
flame, is ignited and lights the gas without the nearer approach of the torch. A
guard is provided to prevent the torch coming in contact with the burner.
Or I may attach to the torch in a suitable manner a reservoir of compressed
coal or other gas of which a small quantity can be liberated instantaneously by
a valve at such pressure as to direct the jet as desired, in which case the torch
may or may not have a wick, the gas from the reservoir being allowed to burn
in its place in a small flame, which can be momentarily enlarged and projected
apon the gas burner to be lighted. For burners which are fitted too high in
the lantern for convenient torch lighting, I propose arranging a tubular poised
arm, fitted with a jet at its upper end, attached by a swivel joint to a convenient
part of the gas supply pipe. The plug of the swivel is so pierced that when the
arm is swung out at one side of the burner, gas passes to the jet and can in
that position be lighted by the torch. Then, by thrusting the torch against
the poised arm, the jet of lighted gas is caused to swing over the burner at a
convenient height for igniting the gas. By further pushing with the torch
the arm swings past the burner and shuts off at the swivel the gas to itself. In
extinguishing the gas light, the operator first brings the poised arm into its
original position and then turns off the main cock, leaving all ready for next
time of lighting.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention and I now proceed to
explain them in detail.
In Fig. 1, A is a lamplighters torch fitted with wick and a reservoir for oil
or spirit, B is the pole carrying same, C is an air tube communicating with the
jet D from the annular chamber E. F is a flexible covering preferably consisting
of a short piece of stout india-rubber tubing sprung on the pole and enclosing
space E.
The torch being lighted, it is used for turning on the main cock and is then
thrust into the lantern, the aperture G in the torch case being turned towards
the main burner. Then a compression by the hand of the chamber E drives
air along the tube C and out by the jet D and impinges it upon the flame from

page_text: the wick. This deflects part of the flame, which part issues in the form of a
blowpipe jet from aperture G and lights the main burner.
Fig. 2 shows an additional reservoir H, attached to the pole, which contains
spirit or light oil and in action a compression of the hollow ball J urges air
above the spirit surface and causes an issue of liquid at the jet D. This crosses
the flame and issues by G, being ignited in its passage. Should the spirit in H
get exhausted the working becomes the same as in Fig. 1, and should the
compression ball be injured, the breath can be used to blow through the tube
and deflect the torch flame.
Fig. 3 shows a manner in which compressed coal or other gas may be used
as a means of igniting by means of a torch, the gas issuing from the main
burner. The body of the torch is practically the same as in Figs. 1. and 2, but
no wick or spirit reservoir need be used, the compressed gas itself supplying
a permanent flash jet in the torch. A is the torch, B the pole, C the tube and D)
the jet. C communicates with a valve, consisting of a diaphragm K, and
spring L, plunger M, valve seating N, valve 0, regulating screw P. The gas
enters the valve from the cylinder R, in which gas has been compressed by an
ordinary compressing pump, follows the arrow course, issues at orifice S and
passing up the tube C forms a permanent flash light jet controlled in size by
Screw P. To light the main burner, the main cock is turned on, the torch placed
in the lantern in the proper position and the plunger M pressed, when the flash
jet is augmented and issues from the aperture G and so lights the gas at the
main burner. This arrangement may be modified by using a cock in place of
the valve just described, it being pierced with a permanent leak and turned on
momentarily more or less. Fig. 3 shews a lantern and torch representing the
effect produced by means shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Fig. 4 is a section of a
tubular poised arm fitted with jet at its upper end, and shows its connection
with the gas supply pipe running from main cock to main burner. Gas enters
at A from a main cock below the lantern bottom aa but cannot pass into the
arm B until this arm has been swung into such a position, by a thrust of the torch
on its lower end b, that the torch, entering the lantern by the door arranged
for the purpose can light the jet C. Thus the swivel joint 1) connecting the
arm B with the main gas pipe A. will be so turned that the perforation E in
the plug G will pass gas into arm B and the jet C will light. When the torch
is withdrawn another thrust causes arm B to move back to its first position,
lighting the main burner in its passage, and then shutting off the gas to itself.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 6, is the same poised arm, but
instead of working by direct contact with the torch at its lower end b, this
lower end is shortened and does not project beyond the lantern bottom a, a, but
is left at such a length that the torch can utilise the leverage of the lantern
door to actuate it. A projection H is attached rigidly to the hinge of the
lamp door, and when the torch pushes open the door, will come in contact
with and so swing forward the arm that the jet C may be lighted by the
torch, at the same time securing the passage of gas to it.
The arm is so weighted or urged by a spring that on its lower end being
released by the withdrawal of the torch, it resumes its original position (lighting
the main burner as it passes) and then shutting off the gas from itself. A is
the gas supply to main burner, B is the poised arm, D the swivel joint, J the
lantern door and H the projection mentioned. Fig. 9, Sheet 3, shows the poised
arm in the position of being lighted by the torch. Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate, in
side and front elevation, an arrangement by which the operation is shortened
by placing the main cock in a convenient position (we show it within the
lantern instead of below as usual) for being manipulated by the same movement
of the torch which actuates the poised arm. This main cock is, in this arrange-
ment, made without a stop and the plug is fitted with a disc the periphery of
which is cut into four ratchet teeth, but is otherwise constructed in the ordinary
manner,

page_text: Attached to the door J J of the lantern is a small projection K and to it is
hinged a pawl L which engages with the ratchet teeth M M M M and is urged
into engagement by the spring N. The plug of the main cock being drilled
at right angles to its axis, it naturally follows that on opening the door by
the torch (the door being fitted with a stop to regulate its stroke) the cock is
turned a fourth of its revolution and thus the opening of the door effects alter-
nately the turning on and off of the gas. In action, the torch pushes open
the door J J thus rotating the plug of the main cock and turning on the gas,
and causing the poised arm B to turn on its gas and swing into such a position
that the gas issuing from jet C comes in contact with the flame of the torch.
Then the torch is withdrawn, B swings its flame across the main burner P,
lighting its gas, and then turns itself out, the main cock being left full on.
To extinguish the burner the door must be pushed fully open and allowed to
reclose. In the accompanying drawings the main cock wherever shown is
marked T and the main burner U.
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:
1. A lamplighter's torch in which provisions are made for deflecting the
flame or part of it from its normal position or increasing it from its normal
length, so that gas burners with fragile attachments may be lighted without
a dangerous proximity with the torch being necessary, substantially as hercin
described.
2. The arrangement of a moveable tubular arm within the lantern so connected
with the main gas supply that it can be swung into a convenient position for
lighting by a torch and will, when so lighted, light in its turn the gas at the
main burner. Having so lighted the main burner it will become extinguished
by a further movement of the torch but at all times the passing of gas to, the
lighting or extinguishing of this tubular arm shall be under the control of
the torch by the means and in the manner as herein described.
3. The use in a street lamp containing an incandescent gas burner or burners
of the means substantially as herein described for effecting at one insertion
into the lantern and withdrawal of the torch, the passage of gas to, and the
lighting of, and when required the extinguishing of, the main burner and
the passage of gas to, the lighting and at the proper time the extinguishing
of, the pilot or flash jet.
Hotl
11
1
1000