Improvements in or connected with the Motor Mechanism of Basal Reservoir Oil Lamps.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 30th July, 1892-Accepted, 3rd Sept., 1802
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with the Motor Mechanism of Basal
Reservoir Oil Lamps.
We JOSEPH HINKS, HARRY DAIN HINKS, and JAMES HINKS & SON
LIMITED, all of Great Hampton Street, in the City of Birmingham, Manu-
facturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
-
This invention relates to improvements in the mechanism employed in lamps
where the oil is supplied from a basal reservoir up to the lower end of the wicks
by means of a pump, operated by a spring motor.
Hitherto in lamps of this class, much difficulty has been experienced by reason
of the fact that if such pumps are operated by cranks upon either of the quicker
moving spindles of the clockwork, the power given out by such spindles is much
too weak, unless a very ponderous machine was employed, which would be both
inconvenient and too expensive, whilst on the other hand, if the plunger be operated
by cranks upon the slower (and consequently greater power) spindles, the oil
capable of being raised in a machine of suitable usable size is quite insufficient for
the consumption; hence the object of this our invention is to obviate the difficulty
by an arrangement of parts in which a rapid automatic feed is given independent
of the clockwork, whilst a multiplicity of return strokes of the plunger is effected
by the slow and very powerful action of the spring arbor of the said clockwork.
By these means we obtain a rapid and sufficient number of strokes of the pump
for the supply, whilst at the same time we utilize and combine the full power of
the spring in assisting us to do so.
We carry out our invention as follows, and in describing it, we only refer to such
parts of an arrangement that is directly connected with this our invention which
generally speaking, compresses the pump and its plunger, the feed or supply
pipe and the motor clockwork.
The pump and its plunger together with the inlet to the pump, and the supply
pipe may be variously arranged, but for our description we assume the pump to be
at the base of the lamp, together with the oil reservoir. The pump is preferably
horizontal, and the clockwork slightly raised above it. The plunger rod is some-
what extended in length at its rear end, sucli extension being suitably carried in a
bearing. Upon the said rod and lying between the outer bearing and the pump
barrel is a fixed collar or other suitably shaped projection, and between this pro-
jection and the bearing is a spiral spring, whose function is to propel the plunger
forward in its effective stroke.
Upon the spring arbor of the motor is fixed what may be called a star wheel,
whose periphery has a number of projections, say about six or eight (according
to the size of the wheel). These projections are so placed, that as the wheel
slowly revolves, they successively come in contact with the aforesaid collar upon
the plunger rod, and in their rotation (during such contact) compresses the spiral
spring, and draws back the plunger, ready for the recharging of the latter. When
the projection upon the wheel however, in its circular motion reaches a certain
point, it leaves the collar free to the action of the spring, as before described,
and a forward motion of the plunger is effected, when again the next projection
upon the wheel follows up a repeat action.
It will be observed that the return action of the plunger by means of the spring,
is a rapid one. This is particularly beneficial, inasmuch as thereby the plunger
need not be made so true and tight a fit in the barrel as it would require to
be were the motion slow, because in the latter case, the oil would flow past the
plunger unless it were a tight fit, which however would so increase the friction

page_text: .
as to require a much greater power to work it, and thereby practically render
such an arrangement infeasible.
This improvement may be applied to most if not all kinds of pumps used for
the purpose named, where an automatic continuous supply of oil is required, for
a considerable length of time without frequent occasional attention.
Dated this 15th day of January 1892.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicants' Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with the Motor Mechanism of Basal
Reservoir Oil Lamps.
We, JOSEPH HINKS, HARRY DAIN HINKS, and JAMES HINKS & Sox
LIMITED, all of Great Hampton Street, in the City of Birmingham; Manufacturers,
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 the mechanism employed in lamps
where the oil is supplied from a basal reservoir up to the lower end of the wicks by
means of a pump, operated by a spring motor.
•
Hitherto in lamps of this class, much difficulty has been experienced by reason
of the fact, that if such pumps are operated by cranks upon either of the quicker
moving spindles, the power given out by such spindles is much too weak, unless a
very ponderous machine was employed, which would be both inconvenient and too
expensive, whilst on the other hand, if the plunger be operated by cranks upon the
slower (and consequently greater power) spindles, the quantity of oil capable of
being raised in a machine of suitable usable size, is quite insufficient for the con-
sumption hence the object of this our invention is, to obviate the difficulty by an
arrangement of parts in which a rapid automatic feed is given independent of the
wheelwork, whilst a multiplicity of return strokes of the plunger, is effected by
the slow and very powerful action of the spring arbor of the said clockwork; by
the term clockwork," we mean the general arrangement of wheels and spring
motor employed, which is similar to those used for timepieces.
By these means we obtain a rapid and sufficient number of strokes of the pump
for the supply, whilst at the same time, we utilize and combine the full power of
the spring in assisting us to do so.
We carry out our invention as follows, and in describing it, we only refer to such
parts of an arrangement that is directly connected with this our invention which
generally speaking, comprises the pump and its plunger, the feed or supply pipe
and the motor clockwork.
The pump and its plunger together with the inlet to the pump, and the supply
pipe may be variously arranged, but for our description we assume the pump to be
at the base of the lamp together with the oil reservoir. The pump is preferably
horizontal, and the clockwork slightly raised above it. The plunger rod is some-
what extended in length at its rear end, such extension being suitably carried in a
bearing. Upon the said rod and lying between the outer bearing and the pump
barrel is a fixed collar or other suitably shaped projection, and between this pro-
jection and the bearing is a spiral spring, whose function is to propel the plunger
forward in its effective stroke.
Upon the spring arbor of the motor is fixed what may be called a star wheel,
whose periphery has a number of projections, say about six or eight (according to
the size of the wheel). These projections are so placed, that as the wheel slowly
revolves, they successively come in contact with the aforesaid collar upon the
plunger rod, and in their rotation (during such contact) compress the spiral spring,
and draw back the plunger, ready for the recharging of the pump cylinder. When

page_text: the projection upon the wheel however, in its circular motion reaches a certain
point, it leaves the collar free to the action of the spring, as before described, and
a forward motion of the plunger is effected, when again the next projection upon
the wheel follows up a repeat action.
a
It will be observed that the return action is a rapid one. This is particularly
beneficial, inasmuch as thereby the plunger need not be made so true and tight
fit in the barrel as it would require to be were the motion slow, because in the latter
case, the oil would flow past the plunger unless it were a tight fit, which however
would so increase the friction as to require a much greater power to work it, and
thereby practically render such an arrangement infeasible.
This improvement may be applied to most if not all kinds of pumps used for the
purpose named, where an automatic continuous supply of oil is required, for a
considerable length of time without frequent occasional attention.
In order to more fully explain this our invention we have appended hereunto
illustrative sheets of drawings upon which are figures and numbers of reference,
similar numbers referring throughout the several views to the same thing or part,
and in which-
Fig. 1, is a view of a lamp constructed according to this our invention, with part
of the shell removed in order to show an end view of the interior wheelwork and
other parts.
Fig. 2, is a side view, and Fig. 3, a rear view of the mechanism.
Fig. 4, is a sectional elevation on line A-B, (Fig. 1) in which the pump
plunger is partly pushed back by the mechanism.
Fig. 5, is a part sectional view on line A-B, (Fig. 1) showing the plunger in
its pushed back position, and about to be propelled forward by the spring.
Fig. 6, is a similar sectional view, showing the plunger when it has been propelled
forward to the end of its stroke.
Fig. 7, is a part front view, and Fig. 8, a part sectional plan view (on line C-D,
Fig. 7) of a modification in the position and arrangement of some of the detail
parts of this our invention.
Fig. 9, is a further modification in this our invention.
Fig. 10, is a sectional elevation, and Fig. 11, an external elevation of a further
modified manner of carrying out this our invention.
Fig. 12, is a sectional plan view on line E-F, (Fig. 11).
We have only illustrated those parts of a lamp which are necessary to describe
this our invention.
1, is the lamp base, whose upper part is extended by the pillar 2, and at the upper
end of which is connected the burner 3, which carries the globe 4, &c. 5, is a pump
barrel, having the plunger 6, and the plunger rod 7, working in bearing 8. 9, are
the inlet holes for the pump barrel, and 10, is the pipe which supplies the wicks with
oil. Upon the rod 7, is fixed the collar 11, or other suitable projection, and
between this collar and the bearing 8, is the strong spring 12. This may be a coiled
wire or other spring, but preferably we use an involute form of spring known as a
buffer spring. Instead of this spring 12, however we may use its equivalent
in the form of a heavy weight as hereinafter described in the modifications
illustrated.
Upon the arbor 13, is a strong motor spring 14, which when wound up, rotates
the barrel 15. Upon this barrel 15, is a toothed wheel 16, which gears again into
wheel 17, upon arbor 18, and from this again may be employed any required number
of wheels and arbors that may be found necessary. This gearing terminates in an
ordinary fly regulator 19, or other suitable device. 20, is a gear wheel upon the
arbor 13, which gears into wheel 21, this wheel 21, being carried upon the winding
key arbor. 22, is the key by which the spring 14, is wound up. Upon the
arbor 13, (see Fig. 3) is a rachet wheel 23, and pawl 24, which is held in position
by spring 25, so that the spring 14, may be held in its wound up position. Upon
the barrel 15, are made the projections 26, 26, &c., six of such projections are
shown, but more or less may be used according to the size of the machine.
}

page_text: From the front of the pump is carried the supply pipe 10. This pipe is made as
small as convenient in diameter. It is important that the effective working capacity
of the pump shall exceed the capacity of the said pipe. This pipe 10, is carried
upwards to near the top of the pillar 2, into the wick chamber 27. It will be seen
that the size of this chamber is only sufficient to give freedom to the wicks &c.
This supply pipe 10, performs two functions, ., that of conveying the oil from
the pump to the wicks, and also of automatically preserving a certain height of oil
in the wick chamber.
The operation of this arrangement, is as follows:-When the spring 14, bas
been wound up, it rotates the barrel 15, and with it the projections 26. As these
projections travel round, they come in contact with the collar 11, and quietly force
it backward and compress the spring 12, as seen in Figs. 4 & 5, until the collar
escapes past the projection, and is urged forward by the spring 12, as seen in Fig. 6.
Thus the forward motion of the plunger is a rapid one. This we would point out
is particularly beneficial, inasmuch as thereby the plunger need not be made so true
and tight a fit in the barrel 5, as it would require to be if the motion were slow,
because, in the latter case, the oil would flow past the plunger unless it were a
tight fit and thereby considerably increase the friction and require much more
power to drive it.
Having returned to the position shown in Fig. 6, it is ready for the next
projection 26, to again push it backwards as before described.
When the plunger is forced back by the projections 26, (as seen in Fig. 5,) the
oil flows into the barrel 5, through the holes 9, and the barrel is thus filled. When
the spring 12, rapidly urges forward the plunger the oil is forced up the pipe 10,
into the chamber 27. The quantity of oil thus forced up may be, and is generally,
more than is required for consumption, and the level of oil would rise above the
orifice 28, of the pipe 10. In such cases, upon the return stroke of the plunger,
the surplus is discharged back down the pipe 10, until the common level in the
chamber 27 of the orifice 28 of the pipe has been reached. This automatic drawing
off of the surplus oil, is ensured during that portion of the stroke of the plunger,
when the latter is withdrawn behind the inflow openings 9, 9, of the barrel 5, (as
seen in Fig. 5) these openings furnishing the ready means of escape.
Instead however of placing the pump in the horizontal position, we may place it
vertically as seen in Figs. 7, 8, & 9, in which cases we may employ the equivalent
of the spring 12, before described, eis, a weight, to press forward the plunger to
drive the oil up into the wick chamber.
In reference to Figs. 7, & 8:-Upon the plunger rod 7", is fixed the collar 11",
and above this collar is carried the heavy weight 29. The upper end of the plunger
rod is guided by bearing 8". Fulcruined at 30, is the lever 31, which passes
beneath the collar 11", and extends along the side of the barrel 15ª, and is then
turned in at right angles by the short arm 32, so that such arm may be operated by
the projections 26ª.
It will be seen that the working operation of this arrangement is precisely the
same as that shown and described in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6, that is :-As the lifting
projections 26, revolve, they successively lift the arm 32, of the lever, and thereby
of course the plunger rod 7", with the weight above it. until (as shown in dotted
lines Fig. 7) the projection leaves the arm 32, when the weight suddenly drops
with the plunger rod 7º, and thus the sudden motion to the plunger as before,
is obtained. In due course the next projection 26", again lifts the lever 31, and the
operation is repeated.
In reference to Fig. 9, we have shown how when space will permit, the wheel
with projections 26, may be made to act direct upon a collar or the weight
carried upon the plunger rod 7". Its operation and results will be readily under-
stood from previous description.
In Figs. 10, 11, & 12, we have illustrated a further modification in the details of
the parts forming this our invention, in which the wheelwork &c., is carried upon a
tubular frame 33 The lower end of this frame is utilized to form the barrel 5",

page_text: having inlets 9. The plunger rod 7%, carries, the weight 29, and is further guided
in bearing 8. The upper end of the rod 7, is bent and shaped so as to extend
through the slot 34, (see Figs. 11, & 12,) so that its outer arm 35, comes in contact
with the projections 26, which are formed upon the wheel 36, which is carried upon
the spring arbor 13. From the bottom of the pump barrel rises the supply
pipe 10. The winding and the wheelwork mechanism are similar to that already
described, that is of ordinary make, except in so far as its adaptation to the other
parts of the frame or lamp &c.
Thus the working action of this modification will be readily understood from what
has been already stated, that is; by winding up the spring 14, the mechanism is.
set in motion and the wheel 36, made to slowly revolve. As it revolves the
projections 26", successively rise underneath the arm 35, and in their continuation
of motion lift the said arm (with the weight, plunger &c.) until in its circular
movement it again passes from beneath the said arm and allows the latter to fall
suddenly after the manner before described, and with similar results.
It will be readily seen that this our invention may be easily adapted to circular
wick lamps having a central draught, as well as to lamps having one or more flat
wicks..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this our inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is --
1. In oil lamps, in which a punip employed to supply the oil from one part of
the lamp to another, the combination with the spring barrel, and its arbor, or other
slow motion arbor. of a wheel having a number of projections, which intermittently
operate the plunger rod of the pump a number of times in the one revolution of the
said arbor, substantially as described and set forth.
2. In oil lamps, the combination and arrangement of parts in which the rearward
or charging stroke is effected by the wheelwork mechanism and the forward or
discharging stroke effected by a sudden motion independent of such mechanism,
after the manner described and illustrated.
3. The general combination and arrangement of the various parts constituting
this our improved basalar reservoir automatic feed oil lamp, substantially as herein
described and illustrated upon the drawings in Figs. 1, to 6, and in modifications.
Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive.
Dated this 29th day of July 1892.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicants' Agent.