IMPROVED MEANS OR APPLIANCES FOR GAS BURNERS APPLICABLE ALSO FOR OTHER PURPOSES upon the conditionamongst others
Year: 1882

page_text: Filed 29th November 1882.
&&
"
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME I The Honorable
JOHN WILLIAM PLUNKETT of Dunstall Priory in the County of Kent and of
Number 15 Park square London N.W. send greeting WHEREAS Her Most
Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Royal Letters Patent bearing date the
tenth day of February One thousand eight hundred and eighty two did for
'herself her heirs and Successors give and grant unto me the said John William
Plunkett her special License that I the said John William Plunkett my executors
administrators and assigns or such others as I the said John William Plunkett my
executors administrators and assigns should agree with and no others from time
to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed should and
lawfully might make use exercise and vend within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man an Invention of
IMPROVED MEANS OR APPLIANCES FOR GAS BURNERS APPLICABLE ALSO FOR OTHER
PURPOSES upon the condition (amongst others) that I the said John William
Plunkett by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same was to be performed and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six Calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent And whereas 1 the said John William Plunkett by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal did declare the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same was to be performed and caused the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office on the tenth day of August
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two And whereas since the said
Specification was filed as aforesaid I have been advised that the first claiming
Clause in the said Specification contained might be held to cover certain
arrangements descriptions of which were published prior to the date of my
said Specification I am therefore desirous of amending the said Specification
and Claim in the manner bereinafter set forth NOW KNOW YE that I the
said John William Plunkett by and with the leave of Her Majesty's Attorney
General for the reasons aforesaid do alter and amend the said Specification
and Claim in manuer following that is to say :-I insert the word "compensating"

page_text: ff
"
Et
between the words "the" and "chronometer" which occur at line 11 of page 3 of
the Queens Printers Copy of the said Specification published in 1882-I also strike
out the words "or by a piston on mercury air or other fluid" which occur at line 12
of the said page 3-I also insert between the words "that" and what" which
occur at line 16 of the said page 3 the words "I am aware that it has been
previously proposed to operate the supply valve for gas burners by the expansion
"and contraction of a wire or rod so combined with the valve that the slightest
expansion or contraction will alter the flow of gas and that it has also been
proposed to support the burner itself by a wire which is retained in position
against a catch when heated but which contracts when the flame is extinguished
"and allows the burner to fall over upon a centre to cut off the supply of gas and
I therefore lay no claim to such arrangements which are in themselves incapable
"of being rendered practicably available for the desired purpose but" I also
insert between the words "flame" and "to" which occur at line 21 of the said
page 3 the words "and by expanding supports a weighted handle lever or rod so
as I also insert before the word "alters" being the first word of line 22 of
the said page 3 the words "which rod or equivalent contracts and "
I also insert
between the words "position" and "to" which occur at the said line 22 the words
I also insert between the words "to" and "cause" which occur at the
said line 22 the words "release the said weighted handle lever or rod which will
"then automatically close the tap or valve and'
"
"
"
"" So as
"
In order that the effect of the said Disclaimer and Memorandum of alteration
may be clearly understood I annex hereto a copy of the said Specification as it
will appear when so altered and amended the preamble and testing clause being
omitted.
My Invention has for its object to provide means or appliances whereby in the
ovent of Gas burners for illuminating cooking or heating purposes being improperly
extinguished the supply of-gas-is cut off thus preventing the escape of unburnt gas
which frequently leads to disastrous results
According to my said Invention the tap of the gas inlet is provided with
mechanism or connections which are acted upon by a rod bar or piece of metal (or
the equivalent as hereinafter explained) heated by the gas flame and expanded
thereby so as to retain the tap in its open position. When the flame is extinguished
without turning off the tap the said rod bar or piece of metal (or its equivalent)
contracts on cooling and releases the mechanism or appliances so that the tap is
automatically closed and the escape of gas consequently prevented.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to
the several figures on the annexed sheet of drawings the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a gas burner provided with
apparatus or means according to my Invention A frame a is mounted upon the gas
bracket and is carried up over the Hame. To this bracket is centred at b₁ a lever b
terminating at its lower end in the double inclined piece b³-On this inclined
piece (as shewn in the drawings) when the gas is lit rests one end of an arm c the
said arm being secured at its other end to the gas tap c² of the supply pipe d To
this arm a weight e is attached-At the upper part of the bracket a is carried a
rod bar or piece of metal fextending above the flame so as to be acted upon by
the heat thereof and being expanded thereby it forces outwards the upper arm of
the lever b (upon which it bears or to which it is attached) and the lower end of
the said lever therefore is retained in the position necessary to support the arm o
in the position shewn and with the gas tap open-If the flame be extinguished
accidentally the bar cools and contracts and therefore the lever b is caused to
release the arm c which falls and turns the gas tap into the position to cut off the
supply of gas. The lever b is preferably capable of yielding at its lower end to
allow for its being sprung aside to allow of the gas tap being independently
operated. The junction of the arm c to the tap is preferably a frictional one so

page_text: that the gas tap can be turned to regulate the gas supply but so also that when
the said arm c is released it turns the said tap as before explained.
Figure 2 represents a sectional plan and Figure 3 a partial sectional elevation
of the arrangement applied to a gas stove or oven such for example as is used for
cooking purposes. is the gas supply pipe provided with a tap at h-The tap
axis is provided with a counterweighted lever i having a projection at . j is a
lever centred at and are rods attached to each ond of the lever which rods
when expanded keep open the gas inlet by bringing the projection k* on one of
the said rods before the projection and retaining the lever i in the position
shewn. The one bark is placed as a kind of strut between a fixed projection and
the one end of the lever but the other rod is free to slide in a guide as shewn.
Before the oven door is opened to light the gas the lever i is brought into the
position shewn and a projection on the door retains it in position until the heat
has expanded the bars sufficiently to bring the projection opposite that is
when the tap is maintained open thereby after the door is closed. If the flame be
accidentally extinguished the rods & contract so that the projections k² and i³ are
no longer opposite when the lever i falls over and the tap h is turned so as to cut
off the supply of gas. One bar may be employed if desired to be acted upon by
the heat. It will be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise mechanical
arrangements illustrated for operating the tap by the movement of the contracting
rod bar or piece as these it will be evident can be varied without departing from
the nature of my Invention The said bar or piece might also be supplanted by
a combination of two metals either acting on the compensating chronometer
balance system or as the expander in a pressure gauge-It will also be understood
that the arrangements may be duplicated or inultiplied as desired.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect I would observe in conclusion that I am aware that it has been previously
proposed to operate the supply valve for gas burners by the expansion and
contraction of a wire or rod so combined with the valve that the slightest
expansion or contraction will alter the flow of gas and that it has also been
proposed to support the burner itself by a wire which is retained in position
against a catch when heated but which contracts when the flame is extinguished
and allows the burner to fall over upon a centre to cut off the supply of gas and
I therefore lay no claim to such arrangements which are in themselves incapable of
being rendered practically available for the desired purpose but what I consider to
be novel and original and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the
hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is.
First. The employment with gas burners gas ovens or stoves and the like of a
bar rod or piece of metal or its equivalent (as herein before stated) which is
subjected to the heat of the flame and by expanding supports a weighted handle
lever or rod so as to retain the gas tap open when the flame is burning but which
rod or equivalent contracts and alters its position so as to release the said
weighted handle lever or rod which will then automatically close the tap or valve
and cause the supply of gas to be cut off when the flame is extinguished sub-
stantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings
Second. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the improved
appliances for gas burners herein before described and illustrated in figure 1 of the
accompanying drawings.
Third. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the improved
appliances for gas ovens or stoves hereinbefore described and illustrated in figures 2
and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
In witness whereof I the said John William Plunkett have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Nineteenth day of October One thousand eight hundred
and eight two

page_text: To the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions.
I hereby grant my Fiat giving leave to the above named John William
Plunkett to file in the Office of the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions,
with the Specification to which the same relates, the above mentioned Disclaimer
and Memorandum of Alteration.
0513
3000

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to the Honorable John William Plunkett, of Dunstall
Priory, in the County of Kent, and of Number 15 Park Square, London, N.W,
for an Invention of IMPROVED MEANS OR APPLIANCES FOR GAS BURNERS;
APPLICABLE ALSO FOR OTHER PURPOSES
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John William Plunkett at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th February 1882.
The Honourable JOHN WILLIAM PLUNKETT of Dunstall Priory in the County
of Kent and of 15 Park Square London, N.W.
"IMPROVED MEANS OR APPLIANCES
FOR GAS BURNERS, APPLICABLE ALSO FOR OTHER PURPOSES"
My Invention consists in means or appliances whereby in the case of gas burners
for illuminating cooking or heating the gas is turned off should the flame by
accident or design be extinguished or not burning-In carrying out my Invention
I adopt mainly the following arrangements:-To a frame or bar of metal or other
material on which the globe may be suspended is cast an arm.-To this arm is
attached by pin or otherwise a lever terminating at the lower part in a projection.―
On this projection when the gas is lit, rests a projecting arm, said arm being
secured to the supply pipe and tap-To this arm a weight or spring is also
attached. To the ring or frame or bar above described is also cast a short arm, to
which by set screw or otherwise is secured a cross bar or tube or other appliance
acted on by variation of temperature extending across and above the flame, termi-
nating in a pointed end which takes into or is pivoted to an arm or lover before
described. The bar or tube might be supplanted by a combination arrangement of
two metals, hollow or otherwise, acting either on the chronometer balanco system
or as the expander in a pressure gauge, or by a piston on mercury, air, vapour,
liquid, etc.
When the gas is lit the flame acting on the cross bar or tube or other appliance
causes same to expand Should the flame be extinguised the contraction of the
cross bar or tube takes place and the arm resting on the V piece or projection is
released, the weight or spring causing it to fall, thus turning off the gas.
My said Invention may also be utilized as a means or contrivance for relieving,
recording, or regulating the pressure in steam or other boilers.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Willian Plunkett in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th August 1882.
The Honorable John William PLUNKETT of Dunstall Priory in the County of
Kent and of 15 Park Square London, N.W. "IMPROVED MEANS OR APPLIANCES
FOR GAS BURNERS APPLICABLE ALSO FOR OTHER PURPOSES
"
My Invention has for its object to provide means or appliances whereby in the
event of gas burners for illuminating, cooking or heating purposes being improperly
extinguished the supply of gas is cut off thus preventing the escape of unburnt gas
which frequently leads to disastrous results.
According to my said Invention the tap of the gas inlet is provided with
mechanism or connections which aro acted upon by a rod bar or piece of metal (or
the equivalent as hereinafter explained) heated by the gas flame and expanded
thereby so as to retain the tap in its open position. When the flame is extinguished
without turning off the tap the said rod bar or piece of metal (or its equivalent)
contracts on cooling and releases the mechanism or appliances so that the tap is
automatically closed and the escape of gas consequently prevented.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purposo shall refer to
the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents a gas burner provided with
apparatus or means according to my Invention. A frame a is mounted upon the
gas bracket and is carried up over the flame. To this bracket is centred at b² a
lever terminating at its lower end in the double inclined piece 63. On this
inclined piece (as shewn in the Drawings) when the gas is lit rests one end of an
arme the said arm being secured at its other end to the gas tap c₁ of the supply
pipe d. To this arm a weight e is attached. At the upper part of the bracket a
is carried a rod bar or piece of metal fextending above the flame so as to be acted
upon by the heat thereof and being expanded thereby it forces outwards the upper
arm of the lever b (upon which it bears or to which it is attached and the lower
end of the said lever therefore is retained in the position necessary to support the
arm c in the position shewn and with the gas tap open. If the flame be extin-
guished accidentally the bar f cools and contracts and therefore the lever bis
caused to release the arm c which falls and turns the gas tap into the position to
cut off the supply of gas. The lever bis preferably capable of yielding at its lower
end to allow of its being sprung aside to allow of the gas tap being independently
operated. The junction of the arm c to the tap is preferably a frictional one so
that the gas tap can be turned to regulate the gas supply but so also that when
the said arm c is released it turns the said tap as before explained.
Figure 2 represents a sectional plan and Figure 3 a partial sectional elevation of
the arrangement applied to a gas stove or oven such for example as is used for
cooking purposes. g is the gas supply pipe provided with a tap at h. The tap axis
is provided with a counterweighted lever i having a projection at 13. j is a lever
centred at and k kare rods attached to each end of the lever which rods when
expanded keep open the gas inlet by bringing the projection on one of the said
rods before the projection and retaining the lever i in the position shewn. The
one bar is placed as a kind of strut between a fixed projection and the one end of
the lover but the other rod is free to slide in a guide as shewn. Before the oven
door is opened to light the gas the lever i is brought into the position shewn and a
R 4181 Wt. 13860.

page_text: projection on the door retains it in position until the heat has expanded the bars k
sufficiently to bring the projection opposite that when the tap is maintained
open thereby after the door is closed. If the flame bo accidentally extinguished
the rods contract so that the projections and are no longer opposite when
the lever i falls over and the tap h is turned so as to cut off the supply of gas.
One bark may be employed if desired to be acted upon by the heat. It will be
understood that I do not limit myself to the precise mechanical arrangements
illustrated for operating the tap by the movement of the contracting rod bar or
piece as these it will be evident can be varied without departure from the nature
of any Invention the said bar or pieco might also be supplanted by a combination
of two metals acting either on the chronometer balance system or as the expander
in a pressure gauge or by a piston on mercury air or other fluid. It will also be
understood that the arrangements may be duplicated or multiplied as desired.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect I
would observe in conclusion that what I consider to bo novel and original and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein before in part recited
Letters Patent is :-
First-The employment with gas burners gas ovens or stoves and the like of a bar
rod or piece of metal or its equivalent (as herein before stated) which is subjected to
the heat of the flames to retain the gas tap open when the flame is burning but
alters its position to cause the supply of gas to be cut off when the flame is
extinguished substantially as herein before described with reference to the
accompanying Drawings.
Second-The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the improved
appliances for gas burners herein before described and illustrated in Figure 1 of
the accompanying Drawings.
Third: The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the improved
appliances for gas ovens or stoves herein before described and illustrated in
Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof I the said John William Plunkett have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal this ninth day of August One thousand
eight hundred and eighty-two.
JOHN W. PLUNKETT. (L.S.)