IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DENOTING TIME BY MEANS OF BURNING MINERAL OR VEGETABLE Oils, TALLOW WAY PADARRIN STEADING OR COMPOUNDS OF THE SIDSTIANAES”,,, Paraffin, StearinE, OR COM- POUNDS OF THESE SUBSTANCES.
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Roland Harry Ridout, of the Falcons, Christchurch,
Battersea, Surrey, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
DENOTING TIME BY MEANS OF BURNING MINERAL OR VEGETABLE Oils,
TALLOW WAY PADARRIN STEADING OR COMPOUNDS OF THE SIDSTIANAES”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Roland Harry Ridout at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th October 1880.
ROLAND HARRY RIDOUT, of the Falcons, Christ Church, Battersea, Surrey.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DENOTING TIME BY MEANS OF BURNING
MINERAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, Tallow, Wax, Paraffin, StearinE, OR COM-
POUNDS OF THESE SUBSTANCES.'
"
This Invention relates to denoting the passage of time by the burning of mineral
or vegetable oils, tallow, wax, paraffin, stearine, or compounds of these substances.
In the case of a candle I fit it to a spring candle holder, so that as the candle is
consumed the spring forces up the candle to the head of the candle holder till it is
consumed. In an outer cylinder forming the lamp stand I cut a helical slot, and in
the base of the interior cylinder holding the candle and spring a small stud projects
into the helical slot, the stud causing the cylinder to turn as the candle burns.
This turning motion denotes the time spent in burning the candle, which I make
apparent by mounting on the inner cylinder a porcelain or opal glass globe with
figures on it, say, 1 to 12. A fixed pointer shows the rotation of the globe.
The candle therefore and the helix and the division of the globe being all
adjusted in proportion, it follows that in an hour's consumption of the candle the
globe will have rotated one of the divisions, and thus indicate the lapse of time.
1 hour, and so on. In another form of this apparatus the outer cylinder may
revolve and the interior be fixed, but the principle is the same. In another form
a small cylinder suspended by a spring or Salter's balance has attached to it a
helical or screw thread, so that when the cylinder is charged with a night light or
cup of oil, and is consumed, the spring retracting draws up the helix, and the
cylinder rotates, the nut for the screw being the fixed point, or vice versa, the screw
Price Girl

page_text: being the fixed point and the nut revolving. The motion is indicated or made
apparent in any manner analogous to that above described.
A lever balance I also arrange, so that as the light burns the index shall point
to the hours or minutes passed.
In either of these forms, when the candle or night light or cup of oil is lighted,
the attendant adjusts the dial, which is movable, to the time at which the light
commences.
An axle with a coiled cord against a spring or weight may also be applied to
produce the required effect for denoting the time.
The dials may be either fixed or moveable as the apparatus is constructed, and
they may be illuminated by the light thrown on them, or they may be transparent
and the light thrown through. Glass, porcelain, transparent tissues, or other
suitable material may be used.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Roland Harry Ridout in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th April 1881.
ROLAND HARRY RIDOUT, of the Falcons, Christchurch, Battersea, Surrey.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DENOTING TIME BY MEANS OF BURNING
MINERAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, TALLOW, WAX, PARAFFIN, STEARINE OR COM-
POUNDS OF THESE SUBSTANCES.
»
This Invention relates to denoting the passage of time by the burning of oils,
tallow, and other like substances, so that the act of consumption or dispersion of
the substance by burning puts into motion the apparatus denoting the passage of
time on a graduated dial or other such device.
In the Drawings forming part of this Specification several devices are shewn.
Figures 1, 2, and 3, the application of a helix for the purpose; and Figure 4, the
application of levers, a barrel, and a stretched cord or wire round the barrel, Bo
mounted that a spring reacting from the loss of weight of the substance by burning
actuates an index shewing the result on a dial.
Figure 1, elevation of a spring candle lamp. C, C, is a tube containing a candle,
which is pressed upwards against the cap N by means of a spring, as in the
ordinary candle lamp; G, G, is a globe attached to C, C, by the support S, S, and
therefore capable of taking any motion imparted to C, C; T, T, T, T, is a tube of
suitable dimensions, having a slot A, A, of suitable inclination running through
part of its length; F, F, is a slot in C, C; E is a guide pin passing through both
the slots A, A, and F, F, and attached at its inner end to a piston B, which
occupies a position at the base of the candle, and is pressed upwards by a spring
not shown; P is a pivot upon which C, C, can readily move about its axis within
the tube T, T, T, T. Figure 2 is a transverse section taken through Figure 1 in
the line X, Y. It follows that as B moves upwards (or downwards) T, T, T, T,
being fixed the pin E must follow the curve of A, A, and therefore rotate C, C,
upon the pivot P within the collar H. As the globe is attached to C, C, by S, S, if
the parts are correctly proportioned time will be denoted by the passage of the
globe past the index I attached to T, T, T, T.
In Figure 3 the combustible material is contained in the vessel C, which supports
G, G, a globe, and is supported by the frame F, F, and the strap R, R. The
strap R, R, when it passes through a slot in B, B, is twisted into a helix, or has a
helical thread cut upon it, in which case B, B, is a nut. A spring S (helical or
otherwise) is connected to R, R, by means of a flexible thread T, or a pivot and
cup may be substituted. The whole system S, T, R, R, F, F, C, G, G, is supported
by the hook which forms part of the stand H, B, K. When the cup C is filled
with combustible matter its weight will cause it to descend and stretch the spring S,
and it follows that as the material is consumed the cup will rise and with it the
strap R, R, which will be forced to rotate upon the thread T or other arrangement
in passing through the slot in B, B, and if the parts are correctly proportioned time
will be denoted by the rotation of G, G, before the fixed pointer 1.
In Figure 4 C is a cup containing combustible material. It is pivotted at J to
the lever L; L is free to turn at K upon the support M. A thread T, T, is attached
to L at one end, then passes round a pulley or barrel P, P, and at its other
extremity is attached to H by the helical or other spring S. A pointer I, I, is
attached to P, P, which latter is capable of rotation upon its axis. It follows that
as the material in C is consumed it will become lighter, and the spring will draw
the thread T, and cause the rotation of the pulley and pointer about their common
axis, and if the parts are correctly proportioned time will be denoted by the
movement of I, I, upon the dial G, G, G, G.

page_text: Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood
that what I claim is,-
1st. The application and combination of the helical slot, the rotating tube, the
opal or other globe, and the index, substantially as described in Figures 1 and 2,
for the purpose of denoting the passage of time, substantially as described.
2nd. The application and combination of the globe, helix, guide for the helix,
and index, substantially as shown and described in Figure 3, and acting by loss of
weight of the combustible material for the purpose of denoting the passage of time,
as set forth, substantially as described.
3rd. The application and combination of the lever, barrel, pointer, spring, cord,
and dial, substantially as shewn in Figure 4, and acting by loss of weight of the
combustible material for the purpose of denoting the passage of time, substantially
as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Roland Harry Ridout, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.