IMPROVE- MENTS IN OIL LAMPS
Year: 1885

page_text: I JOHN WALSH, Foreman Tailor of 17 De Laune Street Kennington Park in the
County of Surrey do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OIL LAMPS" to be as follows: -
.
-
This Invention relates to Improvements in oil receptacles burners, wick-holders
or flame guards for lamps whether for heating or illuminating purposes.
My Improvements in the oil vessel or receptacle consist in forming a channel
across the bottom thereof to receive the spare wick and my Improvements in the
burners-wick holders or flame guards consists in forming them long enough to dip
slightly into the said channel in the oil vessel.
For lamps which are not formed with the channel, such as those in present use
I carry the wick-holder to the bottom and then give it an upward curve.
The object in both cases is so to confine the wick that in case of the lamp being
upset the oil shall not be permitted to flow too rapidly through the wick-holder,
whilst the flame cannot possibly travel into the interior of the oil vessel.
Dated 16th January 1886
'

page_text: Improvements in Oil Lamps.
I, JOHN WALSU, of 17 De Laune Street, Kennington Park, in the County of
Surrey, Foreman Tailor, 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 improvements in oil receptacles burners wick-holders or
flamo guards for lamps whether used for heating or illuminating purposes; the
object being to confine the wick within the holder in such manner that in case of
the lamp being upset the oil shall not be permitted to flow too rapidly through the
wick holder whilst the flame cannot possibly travel into the interior of the oil
vessel. I accomplish this object by two methods according to the first of which
I forn a channel or recess in the bottom of the oil vessel to receive the usual
quantity of spare wick and I prolong the wick-holder until the end thereof dips
slightly into the said channel in the oil vessel.
For lamps which are not formed with the channel, such as those in present use
I carry the wick-holder to the bottom and then give it an upward curve. And in
order that my invention may be more clearly understood I have hereto annexed a
sheet of drawings illustrative thercof.
Figure 1 represents a section of a lamp in which the oil vessel is of ordinary
construction.
A is the common wick-holder extending only as far as the bottom of the plug B.
C is a tube of sheet metal which may or may not be perforated; or it may be
formed of wire gauze as is used in the construction of miners safety-lamps.
In the event of the lamp being upset it is evident that there could be no pressure
of oil upon the bottom of the part A of the holder as would occur in ordinary
cases but that the oil, even supposing the end of the wick to dip into it, would
only pass through the holder by capillary attraction the same as if the lamp were
in a vertical position.
Figure 2 is a section of lamp in which a channel or recess D is formed for the
reception of the spare wick. In this case the curved portion of the holder is
unnecessary the tube being continued downwards until it dips slightly into the
channel or recess.
In order to suit the varying depths of oil vessels I propose to construct the wick
holders telescopically as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 4 represents a lamp having an Argand burner. In order to apply my
invention to lamps of this description the outer tube is carried downwards past the
plug B and a larger tube C fitted telescopically thereon. It is essential that the
tubes A and C should fit tightly so as to prevent escape of vapour.
To derive the full benefit of my invention it is essential that air should be
admitted to the chimney through openings situated some distance below the mouth
of the wick holder so that if the lamp be overturned and the chimney remain
entire or only partially broken there will be no direct access of air to the flame
which will therefore be speedily choked and extinguished.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
Firstly. The construction of wick-holders substantially as described and illustrated
by Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Secondly. The construction of oil-vessels with a channel or recess D substantially
as and for the purpose described and illustrated by Figure 2 of the accompanying
drawings.