Apparatus for Rapidly Kindling and Extinguishing a Lamp or Candle.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 10th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 12th Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Rapidly Kindling and Extinguishing a Lamp
or Candle.
1 RICHARD HENRY COTTER, of Ardeanny Glebe Kildimo, co. Limerick, Ireland,
incumbent of Ardeanny and Chapel Russell do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists of a new method of kindling and extinguishing a lamp or
candle in places and on occasions where a light is instantaneously required, and also
when a light is only needed for a short time."
My plan is to employ a small case, containing an arrangement of levers, connected
with a rope, on pulling which, a match is struck, and a moveable lamp or candle is
lighted and on pressing a ball at the end of the rope, the lamp or candle is
extinguished.
Th: 10.1.200
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Rapidly Kindling and Extinguishing a Lamp
or Candle.
1, RICHARD HENRY COTTER of Ardeanny Glebe, Kildimo, County of Limerick,
Ireland, Incumbent of Ardeanny and Chapel Russell 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 consists of a holder A Figs. 1 & 2 analogous to the thumb and fore
finger, which holder is hung on a pivot, and is actuated as a lever, and is cast in type
metal or made of other suitable material; in the upper extremity of which holder is a
curved groove B Figs. 1 & 2 for the insertion of a small portion of the igniting end
of a lucifer match Fig. 2-the elasticity of the wood of the match being availed of
by its constrained insertion in the curved groove in order to hinder the match from
falling out; and two flanges a a Fig. 1 are made at each side of the upper extremity
of the foremost finger of the holder so as that the match cannot fall to either side.
The said match is sliced down to the thickness of the holder, and the match is
varnished all over, before insertion, with copal or other varnish, rendering it
impervious to the influence of moisture. The hindermost finger of the holder
terminates in a projection D Fig. 1 which has a twofold use, hereinafter to be
described. The lower extremity of the holder has cogs E E E E Fig. 1 of a suitable
size placed on it in the position of an arc of a circle; and in front of the lower
extremity F Fig. 1 the number of each holder is marked in descending series
beginning with the number of matches the apparatus contains and ending with nuity.
The holder is hung upon a pivot G Fig. 1 placed at the centre of the are of the circle
of which the cogs form part of the circumference. Above the holder A Fig. 2 and in
the same plane is a pivoted scraper H Fig. 2 made of similar metal or material, its
pivot being placed at the upper extremity Fig. 3. The hinder most part of the
scraper consists of a wing I Fig. 3 which reaches down to meet the before-mentioned
projection on the hindermost finger of the holder. The foremost part of the scraper
contains two notches c c Fig. 3 between which is a curved bed in which is inserted a
suitable length of thin wood K Fig. 3 or other elastic material, which wood is covered
with Japan black or other hard varnish, and is coated, on the side facing the
match, with powdered glass, emery, sand, or suitable substance for igniting the
match the elasticity of the wood or other material being availed of in order to keep
Price Sd1

page_text: this rough or striking surface in its bed, in such a manner as that when the match is
driven forward, it rubs along the rough or striking surface and comes off ignited.
While the match is igniting the wick, the lower extremity d Fig. 3 of the foremost
end of the scraper rests on the before-mentioned projection D Fig. 1 on the holder,
and when the holder is pulled backwards the projection on its bindermost finger
pushes back the hindermost wing of the scraper and causes the scraper to return
to its original position. Both holder and scraper are kept in the same plane
between partitions L. Figs. 4, 5 & 6 or separating walls made of tin plate or other
suitable material. The holder and scraper with their partitions are placed alongside
exact replicas of themselves so as to forin a complete circle or wheel of matches-and
are divided into convenient batches, ee ee Fig. 5 each batch having removeable
pivots of wire & G Fig. 5 for both holders and scrapers, and every batch is bounded
on each side and kept in position by an unpierced partition, which partition is fastened
at the outside to a circular band of tin plate M M Figs. 5 & 6 or other suitable
material, and at its back and lower extremity it is attached to another similar
band N N Figs. 5 & 6, thus forming a skeleton frame to hold the batches, so as that,
in case of breakage, the batch in which the breakage occurs can be slipped out of the
skeleton frame and a new holder or scraper inserted by means of the withdrawal
and reinsertion of their common pivots. The thickness of the holders and scrapers
is determined by the space occupied by them between the inclination of two radii
of the before-mentioned circle-the thickness of the head of the match being the
measure of the base, and the centre of the circle being the apex of the seguent
the outer portion of which is occupied by each holder and scraper. Beneath the
holder is an upright bar O Figs. 7 & 8 bearing inclined planes ff Figs. 7 & 8 on
its upper and lower extremities, and on its upper extremity a ratchet Figs. 7 & 8
immediately below the inclined plane. The inclined planes are turned in opposite
directions, and the bar bearing them moves in a right line in a perpendicular direction
between guides in such a manner as that the inclined plane at the upper extremity
of the bar, upon entering a partition at the rear of the holder, drives forward the
whole wheel of matches half the distance of the breadth of a partition-and the
inclined plane at the lower extremity of the bar, when in the downward motion it
comes into action, drives the wheel forward the other half of that distance. Thus
at each upward thrust a fresh match is presented. The cogs on the ratchet catch
intermittently on those formed on the holder, and by the upward thrust of the
ratchet communicate an intermittent motion in a circular direction to the holder.
In the downward pull, the upper inclined plane does not act, but the ratchet acts
in drawing back the match holder to its original position. The wheel is pivoted
to the back of the cover of the apparatus, and its pivot sustains an immoveable
disk upon which the ratchet is supported, and the wheel has four horizontal rollers
conveniently situated around its outside circumference in order to assist in bearing
its weight and to allow it to move freely. The face of the wheel moves flush in
contact with the inside of the front cover of the apparatus. In the top of that
front cover is an aperture P Fig. 9 or small door, oval or circular, which opens
outwards on a hinge placed at its upper part; and this door is kept Hat, that is,
in the same plane with the front cover of the apparatus by means of a spiral or
other suitable spring, in such a manner as that the thrusting forward of each match
holder and scraper opens the door; and upon the match holder being withdrawn, the
spring closes the door. By this means one spring supplies sufficient pressure in order
to ignite all the matches, and to shut the door Hush with the front face of the
apparatus. At the centre of the apparatus, inside the front face, is a pulley Q
Figs. 8 & 11 and chain h Figs. 8 & 11. The plane of motion of the pulley is at right
angles to the face or front cover of the apparatus. The pulley is hung on pivots
which rest on supports attached to the inside of the front cover of the apparatus,
and one extremity of the chain is attached to the ratchet bar-or communicates
motion to it by two grooved joints R. R. Figs. 7, 8, & 10. The other end of the
chain is fastened to a sliding tube ii Figs. 8 & 11 which moves between guides
attached to the outside of the front face or cover of the apparatus. A spiral spring

page_text: is attached to the ratchet bar causing it by its pull to return always to the lower
position. Thus the pulling down of the slide to, which the outward end of the
chain is attached, cominunicates an upward thrust to the ratchet. Fastened to the
ratchet bar or communicating motion to it by the two grooved joints-and perpen-
dicular to its direction of motion are two rods of metal SS Figs. 10 & 11 projecting
outwards and capable of motion up and down through two perpendicular sliis j j
Fig. 10 in the front face or cover of the apparatus and are kept in the lower
position by a spiral spring. These two rods terminate in two cones kk Figs. 10 & 11
of a suitable altitude and angle, and are distant from each other by a space slightly
exceeding the diameter of the chimney holder of the lamp. The centres of the axes
of the cones are situated at a distance from the front face or cover of the apparatus
equal to half the diameter of the chimney holder of the lamp.
The chimney
holder itself consists of a ring of metal T T Fig. 12 containing the usual clamps
or crown which holds the glass chimney. This ring of metal is separate from
the lower usual tube or perforated pipe that covers the burner, and this ring
or chimney holder rests upon that tube. Attached to the lower part of this
ring are two rods 77 Fig. 12 of metal which move freely in perpendicular slots
cut in the sides of the tube which covers the burner. Each of these rods is
distant from the front face of the apparatus by a space equal to half the diameter of
the chimney holder. A stout guide wire m m Figs. 12 & 13 is attached-in a manner
allowing temporary removal-to the sides of the lamp, and rises in an arch to near
the top of the glass chimney; and at the top of this wire is a circle n Fig. 13 made
of the wire itself, and which surrounds the glass chimney and allows it to move freely
through it. Thus the holder and chimney can be lifted up and let down freely
without leaving the line of perpendicular motion. Two small stops of wire o o
Fig. 12 are attached inside to that arch of wire, and catch the holder of the chimney
at its highest position so as to limit the play of the slides and chimney to the space of
the lift required in order for the light to reach the wick. Fastened to the slides
outside are two rings U U Fig. 12 fitting the cones, and lying in a plane perpendicular
to the axes of the cones and directly opposite the axes. The lamp itself rests on
supports pp Figs. 11 & 12 attached to the front face of the apparatus; and these
supports, by means of suitable grooves, act as dovetails so as that the lamp cannot be
lifted up perpendicularly from its supports, but only drawn out horizontally. Thus
when the lamp is pushed in on its supports against the front face of the apparatus,
the rings engage on the cones, and the lifting of the cones lifts the chimney. In
front of the ring or chimney holder is a roller V Fig. 12, parallel with and touching
the front face of the apparatus, which roller, upon the chimney being lifted, rolls over
the door just before the door is opened; and upon the chimney descending, the roller
rolls the door flat flush with the front face of the apparatus, thus securing this
indispensably closed position of the door before a forward motion of the wheel is
effected by the inclined plane of the ratchet bar. A catch, or spring click
Figs. 11 & 12, is attached to the front of the supports of the lamp underneath and
when the lamp is required to be drawn out, this catch is thrown out of action by a
plunger Fig. 12 the button of which rises just where the thumb reaches the upper
part of the handle of the lamp. Immediately when the lamp is pushed into posion,
the click or catch holds it there. Thus the lamp is capable of instant detachment from
and replacement on the apparatus. A small pipe W W Fig. 14, open at its upper end,
runs up through the centre of the burner to within a short distance of the wick
and this pipe descends to the bottom of the lamp, and then turns at a right angle and
opens flush with tlie bottom of the front of the body of the lamp. Attached to the
slide before mentioned to which the chain is fastened, and lying alongside that slide,
is a second pipe X X Fig. 11 the upper end of which exactly meets the inside open
end of the first pipe and fits close to it. This slide, which contains two tubes-une
for the chain and the other for the pipe-lies perpendicularly underneath the front
face of the lamp and ends with a female and male screw ring situated flush with the
outside circumference of the case or cover of the apparatus-the female screw being
attached to the slide. Tied upon the male portion of the screw ring is an elastic
:

page_text: tube Y Y Fig. 15 of waterproof cloth of convenient length, bearing at its lower
extremity a ball of vulcanised indiarubber of such a consistence as that by pressure
or by a slight blow the air in the ball is forced through the tubes and extinguishes the
lamp. When the pressure on the hall is removed the ball by its elasticity draws in
another charge of air to effect the succeeding extinction. The charging of the
apparatus with a fresh supply of matches and scrapers is done by removing the
fastenings at the back of the case, and taking out the wheel; extracting the used
matches and scrapers, and inserting fresh ones, and then replacing the wheel. Imme-
diately below the door above mentioned is a small aperture Z Figs. 9 & 10 through
the front face of the apparatus, and directly behind the burner, in such a manner as
that, upon the removal of the lamp, the number of still unlighted matches is seen
marked on the front base of the match holder which lies directly inside. Fig. 19
shows the co-relation of the various parts-the elastic tube having been pulled, and
the apparatus lighting the lamp at C. The candlestick is constructed separate from
the lamp, and consists of a tube containing in its lower end a spiral spring identical
with those used in carriage lamps; and is hung on the supports before mentioned in
such a position as that the wick comes in contact with the lighted end of the match.
The candlestick has its handle and click for keeping it in position similar to those on
the lamp; and contains in the side which meets the apparatus a pipe fitting close to
the upper end of the pipe X X Fig. 11 in the slide. The pipe in the candlestick runs
all round the upper outside of the tube containing the candle, and terminates in a
ring of pipe open inside towards the base of the wick of the candle-this permits the
air in the ball to extinguish the candie. When the candlestick is used, the cones
move up and down but do not act. The foot of the candlestick consists of a cross bar
parallel with the face of the apparatus and terminating in two other bars at right
angles to the centre bar, and thus not interfering with the action of the elastic tube
and ball. This arrangerment admits of an apparatus being constructed for an
unlimited number of matches according to the diameter chosen for the wheel-but in
cases where a smaller size and only a limited number, or four or five means of rapid
lighting are required; the match holders are not separately pivoted, but are fastened
to a disk A Fig. 16 hung in a perpendicular position on a pivot, and which disk is
actuated by a lever B behind the disk and concentric with it, which lever contains a
catch pressed by a spring, and this catch enters a notch D' made on the circum-
ference of the disk: each notch is made to correspond with each match holder E' E'E' E',
and by means of the catch, the disk is driven forward such a distance as is necessary
to ignite a match. Each match in this case is struck by a scraper Flying directly
over the path of the match, which scraper is pressed by a spring of sufficient strength
to ignite the match. The slide which conveys the air to extinguish the lamp or candle
has a suitable inclined plane G¹ pointing downwards and attached to its upper end;
which inclined plane is made to descend by a weight fastened to its lower extremity.
This inclined plane pushes the used match out of the way of the descending chimney,
and brings forward the next-maich to the rear of the scraper. The force of gravity is
used for readjustment of parts for a fresh light. in the smaller apparatus in preference
to a spiral spring, as the smaller apparatus needs only to be laid on its lacks when
being charged, and not opened-in which horizontal position gravity does not act on
the weight and it can be charged by the insertion of matches and scrapers through
the door, which in this case is attached, above the inclined plane. Fig. 17 gives a
view of the complete apparatus in position for use. Fig. 18 shows the candlestick
with the apparatus lighting the candle.
· Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed,. I declare that what I
**kim is
That seven distinct acts in the kinding of a lamp and five distinct acts in the
lighting of a candle are accomplished by one single pull by the hand, namely the
chimney, in the case of the lamp is safely lifted in a perpendicular directiona
fresh match is placed in positionat match is struck the lighting match' is made

page_text: to touch and ignite the wick-the lighting match is drawn out of the way of danger
into a safe receptacle-the chimney, in the case of the lamp, is restored to its original
position-the used match is removed to make way for a fresh one. Further, by one
single act the extinguishing of the lamp or candle is effected; and also the lamp or
candlestick can be removed and replaced with facility; and moreover, a large saving
is effected by this apparatus in cases where luminants are now being wasted in positions
where they are kept burning for prospective and not immediate use; and in cases of
possible alarm which might occur in military, naval, or ordinary emergencies, this
apparatus affords the rapid production of a safe light of any required power, kindled
in a damp as well as dry atmosphere, and at a nominal cost, with no continuous
expenditure, lying dormant, ready for instant use where a light is required.
Dated this Ninth day of January 1890.
RICHARD HENRY COTTER.