An Improved Method of Lighting Safety and other Lamps, and Wicks for same.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 4th May, 1887
Complete Left, 4th Feb., 1888.
Complete Accepted, 4th May, 1888
. PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Lighting Safety and other Lamps, and
Wicks for same.
We JAMES BLACKBURN of Allerton Main Collieries, Colliery Manager, and
FREDERICK MORI, of Corn Exchange, Leeds, Electrical Engineer, both in the County
of York do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our improvements refer to the employment of electricity for lighting all kinds of
oil and spirit lamps, and this part of the invention is especially applicable for
instantaneously lighting miners and other safety lamps without removing the gauze,
safety protection, or unlocking the lamp.
The invention also refers to a specially constructed wick which is chemically or
otherwise prepared for all kinds of spirit and oil lamps.
The lighting takes place within the gauze whilst the lamp is locked thus making
such lighting absolutely safe.
We light the lamp as follows:
We provide an arm within the lamp carrying a piece of wire (platinum preferred)
the electric connection being made therewith inside the ganze of the lamp with the
electric apparatus, so that no sparks are given off outside. The electric current can
be obtained from any suitable source.
When a light is required the wire carried by the arm is brought in contact with
the wick, the electric current is then passed through, thereby bringing the wire to a
white heat which ignites the wick.
The wick for the above purpose is made by mixing a portion of asbestos, slag wool
and other fibres, treated with sulphuric or other acids, these are afterwards neutralized
and treated with camphor, nitrate of potash or other equivalents.
The electricity to be used can be generated by batteries or dynamos, magnetic,
frictional or any other form of electricity.
DL: 4th dow of MOT 1887
J. W. HARDING,
For the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Lighting Safety and other Lamps, and
Wicks for same.
We, JAMES BLACKBURN of Allerton Main Collieries, Colliery Manager, and
FREDERICK MORI of Corn Exchange, Leeds Electric Engineer, both in the County
of York, 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:-
Our improvements refer to the employment of electricity for lighting all kinds of
oil and spirit lamps, and this part of the invention is especially applicable for
instantaneously lighting miners and other safety lamps without removing the gauze
or safety protection, or unlocking the lamp.
The invention also refers to a specially constructed wick which is chemically or
otherwise prepared for all kinds of spirit and oil lamps, for the above purpose.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 a plan looking at
the top and Fig. 3 also a plan, shewing our improvements.
A is a plate connected by means of piece B to rod C, which is surrounded by
insulating material D and tube E. This rod C supports the terminals F and G which
carry the platinum igniting wire H; those parts form one pole.
The other pole consists of the plate J, body or oil tank K of the lamp, and spring
piece L. The plates A and J are placed in contact with any suitable battery.
The upper part of the tube E is cut way at E¹, so that when the rod C supporting
the terminals F and G is in position shown in drawings Figs. 1 and 2, the spring L
forming the other pole in connection with the body of the lamp, is insulated from the
rod and consequently no current can pass through the terminals F and G; 'but on
moving the lever M (which is fixed on the lower end of the rod O) and bringing
thereby the horseshoe platinum piece H into the wick N of the lamp, the upper
portion of the tube E at the same time being brought in contact with the spring L,
and the plates A and J being in contact with a suitable battery, the horseshoe piece E
is brought to a white heat and the wick ignited thereby.
This being done the attendant can let loose the lever M which by the help of 'the
spring O brings the igniting apparatus back to position shewn in drawing.
The wire H for igniting may be constructed of a platinum tube or tube of other
material which may be brought to an incandescent state without injury, and through
this tube is passed a wire of similar material covered with enamel or other insulating
substance for the purpose of increasing the resistance that is to say the wire which is
passed through the interior of the platinum tube is insulated therefrom.by. the enamel
and is not in circuit being prevented thereby from interfering with the passage of the
current along the platinum or other external tube.
By insulating the wire as above stated such wire is kept cool and is used and serves
the purpose of a support for the outer tube,

page_text: Fig. 3 shews an arrangement of apparatus in which the wire H₁ is made straight
instead of in a horseshoe form as shewn at Figs. 1 and 2. P and P¹ are the terminals
connected together by the box shaped piece Q. In this arrangement the terminals are
in connection with the body of the lamp in the same manner as the spring in Figs. 1
and 2, and the other pole is formed by the metal piece R attached to the rod S, such
rod being insulated in the manner described for rod C Figs. 1 and 2. The terminals
are moved round by means of the lever T, thus bringing the wire into the wick U of
the lamp, and at the same time in contact with the metal piece R or spring, on the
rod S, and being placed in connection with a suitable battery the wire is brought to a
white heat and the wick ignited.
The igniting wires can readily be removed and renewed at pleasure.
The lighting takes place within the gauze whilst the lamp is locked, thus making
such lighting absolutely safe.
The wick for the above purpose is made by mixing a portion of asbestos, slag wool
and other suitable fibres such as cotton and woollen material treated with sulphuric or
other acids; these are afterwards neutralized and treated with camphor, nitrate of
potash, or other equivalents.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1st. The general arrangement, construction and combination of the various parts
forming the apparatus for lighting safety and other lamps, substantially as herein set
forth.
2nd. The wick consisting of asbestos, slag wool and other suitable fibres, treated
substantially as and for purposes berein set forth.
Dated this 4th day of February 1888.
J. W. HARDING,
Agent for the Applicants.