Improvements in Miners' Safety Lamps.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Nov., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 17th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 3rd Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Miners' Safety Lamps.
WILLIAM PATTERSON of 25 Dean Street Newcastle upon Tyne Mechanical
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
I make a miners safety lamp which is known in the coal trade as of the Clancy
type where the flame is surrounded by a glass cylinder so as to give a good light to
the minor.
The air to support combustion may be admitted either from above the flame or
below it, but the primary object of this invention is the peculiar and novel way in
which the lamp is constructed in its various parts so as to make it impossible to put
the lamp together if any of the parts of the lamp is wanting and this is the way
I prefer to accomplish it if the lamp is of the kind where the use of one gauze only
is desirible I make what I call the case top of the lamp which is really situated in
the centre of the lamp and through this case top the air to support combustion is
admitted, I make this case top large enough in its centre opening that no matter
what size glass is used that should an attempt be made to fit the glass cylinder
above referred to into its place and the gauze of the lamp is wanting the glass will
fall into the body or bonnet of the lamp as it will have nothing to rest against thus
showing to the lamp man or person in authority in the most conclusive manner that
something belonging to the lamp is wanting.
On the bottom or open end of the gauze I fix a brass or other metalic ring of
such a novel shape that it beds itself into the above case top by means of a pro-
jecting ledge, or tapered male & female opening or other means equivelent to
support it.
This metalic ring as well as having a projection to fit in the case top has a bed
and ledge for the resting and protection of the glass cylinder which will and does
allow the glass cylinder to get into its proper position the screw to hold the glass
in position can then be screwed up against the glass in a firm manner and the lainp
is safe where without this novel case top and this novel ring placed or fixed to the
gauze it would be possible and highly probable that the lamp would be put
together wanting its gauze and thus instead of being a safety lamp would in reality
become a source of imminent danger. This invention of mine makes it impossible
to put the lamp together unless all the parts are in their proper places.
Also in all lamps where two or more gauzes are used the case top above referred
to is in every way the same and forms a resting place for the gauze or gauzes. On
the outside gauze 1 fix a novel ring somewhat similar to the one referred to above
as described but by preferance I place the projection on the bottom of the ring
thus allowing the gauze to fall deeper into the bonet or body of the lamp for the
purpose of allowing the glass cylinder to fall into the outer gauze such a distance
that when the screw or glass holder is screwed up to fix the glass cylinder in
position instead of doing so the glass holder screws right through and will not
secure the glass cylinder in position thus showing to the lamp man or person
authority in the most conclusive manner that the lamp is incomplete and some of
its parts are wanting on the inner and smaller gauze which fits into the large and
outer gauze above referred to 1 fix another metalic ring of such a novel shape that
it fits into the outer gauze and keeps its position this ring has also a flange or face
for the glass cylinder end to rest against it has also a ledge to keep the glass in
position thus preventing the glass being fixed in any other than its proper position
the glass holder being then screwed up the lamp fits together in a proper and safe
manner.
in
It will be observed that where two gauzes are used the metalic ring fixed to the

page_text: lesser or inner gauze is of such a shape and dimensions in its relations to the case
top that should an attempt be made to fit it into the case top alone or wanting the
outer gauze the smaller gauze in question will fall right into the bonnet or body of
the lamp and in consequence no support for the glass cylinder so that the lamp
cannot be put together with one gauze only.
As an additional means of safety when the lamp is placed in strong currents of
an inflammable mixture I place a corrugated or plain shield over the holes in the
bonet which holes are used for the outlet of the products of combustion at such a
position that whilst not interfering with the duties of these outlet holes yet prevents
the currents from affecting the light in the lamp and when the lamp is used for the
purpose of testing for the presence of gas I admit the air to support combustion
from the top side of the case top and carry the corrugated shield above referred to
over the inlet holes in such a way that the shield prevents the direct action of the
currents force on the gauze this corrugated shield may be made detachable if
desired.
Dated this 14th day of November 1890.
WILLIAM PATTERSON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
*Improvements in Miners' Safety Lamps.
WILLIAM PATTERSON 9 Front Street, Tynemouth county Northumberland
Mechanical 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 :—
My invention relates to safety lamps and its chief objects are to provide against
the possibility of putting the lamps together should any of the most vital parts of
the lamp be wanting nainely the gauze, or in lamps where more than one gauze is
used, the gauzes or any device which takes the place of the gauze, and as the lamps
now in use have the gauzes covered with a sheet iron or other metalic jacket the
insertion of the gauzes cannot be seen hence it is that lamps have been sent into
the mines in an imperfect state through acts of inadvertance and thus causing
imminent danger to all in the mine and this invention is designed to prevent this
putting of the lamp together wrongly and will thus obviate more effectually than
heretofore the liability to explosions of fire damp in coal mines.
As will be seen from the enclosed drawings the general outward appearance of
the lamp is that of the bonneted Clancy lamp, the great and novel difference is in
the method of putting in the gauze or gauzes and supporting the same, in the
accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be conveniently
and advantageously carried into practice, like letters of reference indicate corre-
sponding parts throughout the drawings and marked Fig. 1-2-& 3.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the lamp when fit up with two gauzes, and shows the
ring at the bottom of the gauze, (outside) by the letter d, and the ring of the inside
or smaller gauze by the letter E.
K is the oil vessel. J is the bottom ring into which the oil vessel screws. G is
the usual circular glass; f is what we call the case top, and I wish to give it
special attention. This case top is made secure to the bottom ring J, by means of
rods or other suitable means, and the air to support combustion passes through this
case top from under the case top as is shewn by the letter N, moreover this case
top is made large enough in the centre opening that no matter how large, or how
small the glass is, that is used in the lamp if the outside gauze is not placed in
position the glass will fall into the top or bonnet of the lamp, and where two
gauzes are used the inside gauze will also drop through the hole in this case top,
should the outside gauze not have been previously placed in position. And in lamps
where two or more gauzes are used, and the outside gauze only is placed in position
and an attempt is made to fit the lamp together by placing the glass in the lamp

page_text: the glass will then fall so far into this outside gauze or ring of this outside gauze
that the glass holder ring H, will not screw tight up against the glass but will
screw through the ring J, and thus make it impossible to fit the lamp together
wanting the other gauzes.
The novel construction of this case top makes it the resting place or support for
the outside gauze, and where two or more gauzes are used, and as they are always
used one gauze inside another gauze, the smaller or inside gauzes cannot be placed
in position until the outside gauze is placed in its position, as it rests against the
case top and the inside gauze in turn rests against the ring of the outside gauze
and so on in proportion to the number of gauzes that may be used in safety
lamps.
Where it is desirable to use one gauze only or one gauze with a cap as shown in
Fig. 2, the single gauze is placed in the same manner as in Fig. 3, only the pro-
jecting flange P on the bottom of the gauze ring and marked is placed higher up
on the gauze ring P. for the purpose of preventing the said gauze going too deeply
into the case top thus enabling the lamp to use the same size of glass cylinder G,
no matter what number of gauzes may be preferred to use, one, two or more
gauzes.
On reference to the drawing Fig. 2, it will be seen that at the bottom of the
gauze marked there is a ring marked d made of brass or other suitable material,
and its outside shape is such that the flange P. upon it only permits the gauze
which is made secure to this ring d to fall into the bonnet or top of the lamp the
required distance it will also be seen that this ring marked d has a recess or
shoulder in the inside against which the glass cylinder G impinges when forced up
to its place by the screwing in of the glass holder marked H to secure a tight joint
at the top and bottom of the glass G we place an asbestos or other suitable
washer.
Fig. 3. is a section of the lamp having two gauzes, marked b and c, at the bottom
end of the gauze is a brass or other suitable ring marked d having a flange on it
marked P, this flange rests in or against the case top, and the inside or smaller
gauze marked has also a metalic ring fastened to the gauze, and this ring is
marked R and this ring has a shoulder on the top as herein described, which presses
against the ring d at the bottom end, and although this ring is of such a size and
kind that if the outside ring d was not already in position in the lamp, this ring R.
would fall into the bonnet not having anything to rest against, but when the
gauze b, with the metalic ring which is fixed to it is placed in position in the case
top then the ring R having a shoulder on the outside to press against the ring d,
and also having a recess in the inside to admit the glass G which glass is caused to
impinge against the shoulder of the recess in the inside of the ring R which is done
by the screwing in of the glassholder H which makes the said rings R and d fit
closely and firmly against each other and the ring d with its flange P against the
case top f.
And to more fully understand the construction of this improved lamp and the
arrangement of its parts I shall now describe as shewn in Fig. 3.
a is the sheet iron or metalic bonnet.
is the outside gauze having the bottom or open end of it made into the shape of
the ring d with flange P, but for preference I place a metalic ring on the bottom
of the gauze as herein described.
c. is the smaller or inside gauze and the same remarks that is made to the
gauze, applies to this so far as the ring R is concerned.
d, is the metalic ring on gauze, b;
E, the ring on inside gauze, c.
fis the metalic case top.
G the glass cylinder of suitable size.
H. is the glassholder.
J. is the lower ring of lamp frame into which the oil reservoir is screwed.
the ail masamnin

page_text: I is the lock to fasten bottom of lamp to ring .J.
M, is the holes in sheet iron bonnet for the outlet and escape of the products of
combustion.
N, shows the slots or openings in the case top, f, to admit the air to support
combustion in such a way that in strong currents of air the light is very little
effected, as the current does not impinge directly upon the gauze.
O, is the recess in the case top into which by preference the flange, P. fits.
R is the shoulder of the ring, E.
When my improved lamp is constructed as above described it will be obvious
that the construction can if desired be somewhat modified without departing, from
the nature of my said invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inveni-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood that
I claim
First. A safety lamp provided with a case top, and lower ring such as I have
hereinbefore described.
Second. A safety lamp provided with a case top having the centre hole large
enough to allow whatever size glass is used in the lamp to pass through it.
Third. A gauze with ring at open end having a flange or projection to fit the
case top in the manner. herein described as shown in Fig. 2, with flange to admit
glass.
Fourth. A safety lamp with a combination of two or more gauzes fit into each
other in the way herein described as shown in Fig. 3.
Fifth. The improved safety lamp constructed substantially as described with
reference to letters, b, c, d, E, R. P, as shewn on the accompanying drawings
and for the purposes above specified.
Dated this Fifteenth day of August 1891.
WILLIAM PATTERSON.