Improvements in Oil Lamp Burners.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 11th May,
1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Oil Lamp Burners.
I FRANK PATRICK BOLAND of No. 996 Chalkstone Avenue in the City of
Providence State of Rhode Island United States of America 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 improvements in kerosene oil burners, and more
particularly to a device or attachment for extinguishing the light; and it has for
its object to provide improved means whereby the act of turning down the burning
wick causes the device to swing across the upper end of the wick-tube and wick
automatically to extinguish the flame, thereby not only effectually extinguishing
the light but at the same time practically shutting off the supply of oxygen of the
air therefrom and thus prevent the wick from smoking as well as preventing it to a
great extent from being charred or crusted over. Another object of my invention
is to reduce the height of the extinguisher so that the wick need only be raised a
comparatively short distance in order to clear it, thereby at the same time
rendering the flame steadier, since it prevents the intermittent ignition of the gas
generated beneath it. I also avoid the use of hinges and fastenings of every
description, which not only add to the cost of the burner but are liable to get
clogged up or otherwise out of order and making the burner inoperative. Each of
these objects I have fully and practically accomplished.
My improvement resides essentially in the application to and combination with
a kerosene oil burner, provided with the usual appurtenances and a flat-wick-tube,
of an extinguisher-plate consisting of a single piece of flat sheet-metal having two
shoulders, a tongue and two projecting ears, the latter arranged at right angles
with the extinguisher-plate, and adapted to lie close to each edge of the blaze, as
herein shown and set forth.
In order that my improvement may be more fully understood I have prepared.
the appended sheet of drawings, marked with letters of reference indicating like
parts in the various figures; that is to say-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a flat-wick lamp burner with the top turned back,
and showing my improved extinguishing device or attachment resting upon top of
wick-tube, as in use; the dotted lines show its position when raised, as when the
wick is uncovered and burning.
Fig. 2 shows the underside of the extinguisher, and Fig. 3 is a modification of
same.
My improvement belongs to the class of extinguishers wherein a single cap or
plate is used which automatically drops or falls upon the wick as the latter is
turned down. It, however, is so constructed and arranged with respect to the
wick-tube and the perforated plate as to overcome the objections to devices of this
class which have heretofore rendered them impractical.
In the drawings the burner is represented as provided with the usual parts; that
is, a flat wick-tube D, a perforated base-plate G, through which the tube extends,
means for raising and lowering the wick, a hinged top E, and spring clips for
holding the chimney in position. In order to adapt the usual burner to be com-
bined with my improved extinguisher X, the upper portion of the side of the
wick-tube adjacent to the extinguisher is beveled entirely across at H, at an angle
say of about 45°; the wick when burning extending slightly above the top edge or
longest side of the said tube.

page_text: My improved extinguisher X, is formed from sheet brass or other suitable flat
stock, and it consists of the main. or plate portion whose width is equal to or
slightly greater than that of the wick-tube and is provided at each end with an
elongated ear or wing A, bent at substantially right angles with the extinguisher-
plate, and having said ears arranged to be guided by and project beyond the ends
of the tube transversely. These ears not only serve to practically close the
adjacent ends of the tube and prevent the intermittent ignition of gas generated
beneath the extinguisher, but they also serve to carry the center of gravity so far
towards the back or opposite side of wick-tube that the shoulders or pivotal
points B B, on, which the extinguisher swings, can be brought close to the tube
without interfering with its action; in fact the extinguisher-plate may be in a
vertical position without affecting the proper working of the device. I may state
that the nearer these pivot points B, are to the tube the shorter the extinguisher
can be made, therefore the movement of the wick will be correspondingly reduced
to clear it. The center portion of the extinguisher-plate is provided with a
downwardly extending tongue T, adapted to pass through a correspondingly shaped
opening 1, or slot formed in the perforated plate G. This tongue is narrower than
the extinguisher-plate, thus forming on each side a shoulder B, both shoulders
constituting pivots resting upon the perforated plate. The lower end of tongue T,
is bent or enlarged at N, so as to prevent the extinguisher from falling out in case
the lamp or burner is accidentally tipped or overturned.
In applying my improved extinguisher X, to lamp burners, the tongue portion T,
is simply inserted into the slot formed in perforated plate G, contiguous to the
wick-tube, after which the end may be upturned to prevent the device from falling
out, as before stated, the shoulders B B, of the extinguisher then resting upon
plate G. The device is devoid of all fastenings, hinges, &c., its simplicity and
ease of operation rendering it reliable in action and as durable as the burner
itself. The end ears A. A, cover or inclose the adjacent sides of the wick-tube at
all times:
The act of turning up the wick causes the extinguisher to swing outwardly,
thereby uncovering the top of the wick-tube and exposing the wick, after which it
may be lighted. Upon turning down the burning wick into the tube (when the
flame is to be extinguished) the device X, swings inwardly or towards the center
automatically until the upper part of its body or plate is arrested by and in
engagement with the beveled side of the wick-tube, thereby completely covering
the upper portion of the wick and excluding air therefrom and effectually
extinguishing the flame and preventing smoke, noxious, odors, &c.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner. the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is :-
1st. A lamp-burner having a wick-tube beveled on one side at the top, combined
with the suitably mounted extinguisher X, provided with ears A, A, and arranged
to automatically swing into engagement with said beveled portion of the tube upon
turning down the wick past the extinguisher, substantially as and in the manner
herein before described.
2nd. In a lamp-burner, a flat wick-tube D, beveled on one side at the top, and a
perforated base-plate G, through which said tube extends, in combination with
the automatically operating extinguisher X, constructed with end ears A, A,
shoulders B, B, resting upon said plate, tongue T extending downwardly through
a slot formed in the plate and means for preventing the extinguisher from falling
out, substantially as and in the manner hereinbefore described.
3rd. The extinguisher X, provided with two shoulders or pivots B, B, flat
tongue T, and two ears A, A, projecting forward at substantially right angles with
the flat surface of the extinguisher, in combination with the perforated plate and
flat wick-tube of a lamp-burner, so as to operate substantially as and in the manner
herein before described.

page_text: 4th. The extinguisher X, provided with two shoulders or pivotal points B, B,.
a flat tongue T, and two ears or wings A, A, projecting forward at substantially
right angles with the flat surface of the extinguisher, substantially as and in the
manner herein before described.
Dated this 14th day of March 1895.