IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Anson Henry Platt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th
July 1865.
I, ANSON HENRY PLATT, of the City of Philadelphia, United States of
America, Physician, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS," to be as follows:-
The said improvements render lamps adaptable to the use of any oils for
producing light, and especially petroleum and other hydrocarbon oils. The
lamps are arranged either for using a single flat wick or two curved wicks,
situated laterally opposite to each other. The said improvements also have
a special relation to the employment of a chimney of minimum size in
order to make the lamps practically portable.
First, the draught air is admitted beneath the lower edge of a broad bell-
shaped or flaring burner base over and around the upper part of the lamp
body, at a sufficient distance therefrom to afford the requisite annular
space for admitting into the burner all the air required to perfectly support
the combustion-of the oil. -This-open base thence diminishes rapidly upward
to the ordinary diameter of the burner, and thus, while a large supply of
air is admitted, it is quickly concentrated for the most effective use.
Second, from the summit of this open base, a finely perforated basilar

page_text: partition extends convexly downwards, and terminates in the screw collar by
which the burner is secured to the lamp body. The form and position of this
perforated partition in relation to the open base are such that in a great
measure they change the direction of the ascending currents of air, and turn
them inward toward the common centre, in a direction more nearly
horizontal than otherwise. The effect of this is not only to break up the
said currents coming in on different sides, but to commingle them and equalize
their force within.
Third, the top of this commingling chamber surrounded by this basilar
partition is covered by a perforated cap or partition, which is also convex
downwards, but in a much less degree than the basilar partition below; but
this downwards convexity or upward concavity is sufficient to direct the air
not only upward but inward toward the flame of the burner, thereby both
changing the direction of and dividing the currents of air again and causing
them to impinge more directly upon the sides of the flame.
Fourth, in addition to this arrangement of the perforated partition below
the flame, in order perfectly to accomplish the result aimed at, the burner
cap is varied in construction in relation to the wick tube. This improvement
consists in having the flame opening of the cap deeper than usual at the
Jower ends or terminations thereof, which are nearly or exactly on a level
with the top of the wick tube. This arrangement allows the flame to spread
edgewise much more than usual, therefore furnishing more surface whereby
to supply oxygen to the combustible gases as fast as they are generated, and
presenting a broader whiter flame.
Fifth, the result of these improvements is such an assistance to the
combustion of the oil at the burner that the chimney required for the purpose
of completing the combustion need not exceed three inches in height. This
is so small it scarcely encumbers the lamp even for portable use.
should a chimney be broken its cost is so slight that little loss is experienced
thereby.
And
Sixth, an improved arrangement of the wick regulator is employed, adapted
either to a single wick tube or to two tubes. It consists of an ordinary
notched wheel on a shaft, which has a milled head on the projecting end as
usual. The other end of the shaft turns in a stationary bearing after the
usual manner, but the projecting end of the shaft turns in a long or slot-
shaped horizontal bearing formed in the burner case, so that it may be moved
sidewise therein to any extent required. If a single wick tube is used, this
lateral movement of the regulator shaft enables the regulator wheel to be
pressed against the wick as closely as desired, so that there is never any

page_text: failure to move the wick up or down, which is a common defect in lamp-
burners having a stationary wick regulator. And an additional advantage is
thereby gained when two wick tubes are used, since a single wick regulator
is thus sufficient for both wicks. For by locating the regulator wheel
between the two wick tubes the said wheel can be brought into contact with
and operate equally well on either wick at pleasure without disturbing the
one not to be moved.
Seventh, for greater convenience in trimming the lamp, the chimney and
burner cap holder is made removable from the burner case, by fitting around
the upper part of the same, and being secured thereto by a "bayonet " notch
and pin, or an equivalent fastening. With this improvement the burner cap
may be attached permanently to the holder.
Eighth, an improved device is employed for fastening the chimney upon the
holder. Said device consists substantially of an elastic sliding bolt having its
bearings on the outer side of the chimney holder in which it slides; one end
of the bolt projects inward through a slot in said chimney holder, and by its
elasticity springs inwards against the chimney over the holding flange or lip
on the lower end thereof. Outside, between the bearings, the bolt is provided
with a knob or projection by which it is moved. When the chimney is to be
fastened the inner end of the bolt is pushed further in through the holder, and
presses with all the force of its elasticity against the chimney over the lip
thereof, and thereby detains it firmly and securely in place without the
possibility of failure, since the pressure of the chimney against the bolt has no
tendency to push the bolt aside, as is the case with the ordinary spring fastener.
When the chimney is to be removed the spring bolt is moved backward till its
inner end is drawn outward through the slot in the holder sufficiently to
remove it from the way of the chimney; this fastener is cheap, compact,
convenient, and secure.