Improvements connected with Gas Burners.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 10th July, 1894-Accepted, 11th Aug., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements connected with Gas Burners.
1 FREDERIC REISET a resident of Katouah, Westchester County State of New
York United States of America Banker 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 :-—
The object of this invention is to produce a device which will maintain the valve
of a gas-burner open so long as the gas is being consumed by ignition and which
will automatically close the valve and cut off the supply of gas when the flame has
been extinguished and the gas ceases to burn, so as to prevent the escape of
unconsumed gas, thus insuring the stoppage of the gas supply in the event of
extinction of the flame from any cause. The device embodying this invention can
be applied to any gas-pipe in the same manner as, or in place of any ordinary
burner, and is light in weight, compact in size,. inexpensive to manufacture, and
positive and reliable in its operation.
The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of this invention.
Figure 1 is a vertical central section of a safety gas-burner embodying this
invention showing the position of the parts when the valve is raised and the
pipe open. Figure 2 is a vertical central section of the same taken on a plane at
right angles to that of Figure 1 and showing the valve lowered and the pipe closed.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the safety gas-burner shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is a vertical central section showing a modified construction of a safety
gas-burner, and
Figure 5 is a plan view of the burner shown in Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a vertical central section showing a modified construction of an
expansible plate.
The device will usually be smaller than shown in the drawings, these drawings
being enlarged to more clearly show the invention. A tight metallic casing a
interiorly threaded at its lower end so as to fit over the threaded stem or pipe
upon which a gas-burner is usually screwed, is provided near its lower end with a
perforated partition or bridge which bridge b is shown as formed in one piece
with a cylindrical portion threaded so as to fit within the threads of the casing a,
so that this partition or bridge b may be put in place by simply screwing it up
into the interior of the casing a. The casing a increases to larger diameter at
its upper portion and its upper end is secured to the lower end of another
casing a', and this upper casing a' decreases to smaller diameter at its middle
portion and has formed at or secured upon its upper end a concave flanged plate a³,
within the turned over edges of the flanges of which is located an expansible metal
plate c. This expansible metal plate is preferably made slightly larger in diameter
than the recess in the plate a* in which it is fitted, and is thus of greater
dimensions than the distance between the points where it is held. The expansible
plate c has a central opening through which is passed the burner-tube d, and the
burner-tube d has a flange d' on its upper end resting over the expansible plate c,
and the expansible plate e engages with this flange d¹ to raise the burner and open
the valve. An ordinary gas-tip of infusible material e is shown in Figures 1, 2
and 3 as held in the upper part of the burner-tube d but it is of course evident
that the burner-tip may be of metal and held in the upper end of the burner-tube
as shown in Figures 4 and 5, or may be integral with the burner-tube, d if desired.
In the construction shown in Figures 4 and 5 the flange d¹ is formed upon the
metal burner-tip instead of upon the burner-tube. At the lower end of the
burner-tube d, in the construction shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a flexible

page_text: diaphragm having a central opening corresponding to the bore of the burner-
tube d is secured at its inner edge to said burner-tube d, the means shown for thus
securing it consisting of the removable tubular valve 9 which is screwed into the
lower end of said burner-tube d and has a shoulder just below its threaded portion
between which shoulder and the lower end of the burner-tube d the inner rim or
edge of the diaphragm is clamped. The outer rim or edge of the flexible
diaphragm is held between the flanges of the meeting edges of the casings a
and a', the parts being shown as held together at such joint by a turned over flange
of the upper casing a', although it is of course evident that other suitable means
may be employed for such purpose. Both joints of the flexible diaphragm should
be gas-tight, and thus the upper part of the casing a constitutes a gas-tight chamber
having a flexible_cover. The counterpart of the valve g is a valve seat h having
a partly concaved upper surface and convexed lower surface, which valve-seat
is held upon the perforated partition or bridge 6 by a headed pin or stud secured
to the valve-seat in a gas-tight manner or in one piece therewith and extending
loosely through a hole in said bridge b so as to have sufficient freedom of movement
to seat itself tightly against the valve-seat g when the burner is depressed as shown
in Figure 2, but held against upward movement by the head of said pin or stud
so as to resist the gas pressure and remain in position and permit the valve to be
lifted from it in the opening movement thereof. This valve-seat is self-adjusting
by reason of its curved under surface and its loose connection with the bridge b.
The concavity in the upper surface of the valve-seat h causes it to act as a basin
to receive any small particles of dust that may enter through the opening of the
burner-tip whereby such small particles will not be carried to the edge of the
valve-sent where they might interfere with the tight closing of the valve.
The flexible diaphragm connection of the movable burner-tube d with the
immovable casing, insures at all times a perfectly tight joint while permitting the
desired movements and guiding the burner-tube in its movements, but in some
constructions the burner-tube d may be tightly fitted within a neck of the casing
as shown in Figure 4 and in such construction shown in Figures 4 and 5 the lower
end of the burner-tube d has a flange d, which fits within the casing so as to
guide the lower end of said burner-tube. The casing is also of somewhat different
shape and may be made of less diameter than in the construction shown in
Figures 1, 2 and 3, the lower end of the burner-tùbe d constitutes the valve and
comes directly in contact with the valve-seat h.
The upward movement of the burner-tube is designed to be brought about by
hand manipulation and to that end a pivotted lever i is provided which is pivotted
at upon lugs or a lug or projection extending down from the upper plate a², and
this lever is bifurcated or forked and has upwardly extending rounded projections *
at the ends of its forks which are arranged to extend through openings in the
upper plate a and to bear against the lower surface of the expansible metal
plate c. At the outer end of the lever a cord or chain is preferably secured,
which hangs down in convenient position to be manipulated by the operator. It is
of course evident that the lever i may be so shaped and extended downward that
it may be directly operated, and it is also evident that the shape and arrangement
of the lever may be altered from that shown in the drawings so long as it is
adapted to perform the function of lifting the expansible metal plate.
The downward movement of the burner-tube d is designed to be effected by
the reaction of a spring which is compressed when the burner-tube is moved
upward. This spring is shown in Figures 1 and 2 as in the shape of a reversed
arch, its outer ends bearing against an adjustable bearing-piece or ring k and its
middle portion bearing upon the flexible diaphragm fat opposite sides of the
burner-tube d. This adjustment of this spring may be effected by a screw k¹ which
extends through the casing a' and has a shoulder which bears directly against the
bearing-plate k, and this screw k¹ also has a projecting stem which passes through
a slot in the plate k and through a slot in the spring and holds the plate and
spring in desired lateral position. The screw can be inanipulated from the exterior

page_text: of the casing and by its manipulation the strength of the spring j may be delicately
adjusted. In Figure 4 the means shown for causing the downward movement of
the burner tube a consist of the spiral or helical spring which presses its lower
end upon the flange and at its upper end presses against the upper part a' of the
casing.
When it is desired to ignite the gas-burner, the gas supply is turned on in any
usual and suitable manner, but as the parts of the improved safety burner are
then in the positions shown in Figure 2 with the valve-seat 9 closed tightly down
upon the valve h, the gas is not allowed to escape from the burner-tip until the
cord is pulled down by hand. This raises the projections, and forces the
expansible metal plate c to its upper position shown in Figure 1 and thereby
the burner-tube will be lifted and the valve opened to permit the free exit of the
gas from the burner-tip. As soon as the gas has been ignited the heat of the gas
flame will cause an expansion of the plate c which will cause the plate to curve
further upwards and to be held so firmly in its upper position that so long as the
gas is ignited the burner-tube will remain in its upper position and the valve in
open position; but should the flame go out from any cause, whether it be blown
out or be extinguished by a temporary stoppage of the supply of gas or by the
presence of air in the gas pipe, the extinction of the flame will cool the expansible
plate c and it will quickly become sufficiently contracted to yield to the downward
pressure of the spring ; and the burner-tube will be moved downward by the
As before described
spring and the valve tightly closed as shown in Figure 2.
the expansible metal plate c is of greater dimensions than the distance between the
points at which it is held so that when in lower position it buckles or archés
downward and thus tends by its own resistance to compression to hold itself in that
position and to assist the spring j in maintaining the valve gas-tight and so also in
its upper position it buckles or arches upward and thus tends by its own resistance
to compression to hold itself upward against the downward pressure of the spring j.
As a result of this construction the burner-tube d is very positively and firmly
closed and acts quickly in returning from open to closed position, for after the
expansible metal plate has been moved sufficiently in either direction to overcome
its tendency to lie in the initial position it will then itself tend to move in the
direction of pressure and will thus assist the action of the spring in holding the
valve tightly closed, and will also offer so much resistance to the downward pressure
of the spring when in extreme upper position that a comparatively slight expansion
of this plate c by the heat of the gas flame will cause the expausible plate to be
retained, in its upper position and the valve in its open position. This will be true
whether the expansible metal plate is of circular form, as shown in Figures 1, 2
and 3, or of any other suitable form such as that of a rectangular plate as shown
in Figures 4 and 5, such rectangular plate being shown as held at its two opposite
ends and of greater dimensions than the distance between its supports so as to tend
to hold itself in either one of its two positions in the manner above described.
Another construction of this expansible metal plate c is shown in Figure 6 in which
construction the plate is provided with a cylindrical rim or flange c¹ along its outer
edge. The object of this construction is to permit the expansible metal plate to
be more easily fitted within the flanges of the casing and to distribute the outward
pressure of said expausible plate over a greater surface.
C
In some constructions the expansive action of a metal bar, plate or rod may be
relied upon when said plate is normally straight or flat and is of the same dimension
as the distance between its points of support, in connection with a lever or handle
adapted to lift the burner or burner-tube to open the valve, the length of said bar,
plate or rod being so adjusted to the heat of the gas flame that the flame will
cause the expansible bar, plate or rod to increase in its dimensions so as to maintain
itself in an arched form and to maintain the burner in upper position. So also a
bar, plate or rod of smaller dimensions than the distance between its points of
support may in some constructions be employed in connection with parts of this
invention, the expansive action being relied upon to increase its dimensions

page_text: sufficiently to hold itself by friction in open position. Parts of this invention may
be used separately or in combination with other parts of different constructions,
and various modifications may be made in the construction within the purview of
this invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and. in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
1. In a gas cut-off device, the combination with a cylinder having a self-
adjusting valve-seat, a burner or valve adapted to move vertically in said cylinder
and to rest on said valve-seat in its lower position, an expansible metal plate
adapted to engage with said burner and means whereby it may be actuated to raise
said burner from its seat, said expansible metal plate being adapted to maintain
the burner raised by the expansion of said plate through the heat of the gas
flame, and to permit the burner to be lowered by the contraction, of said plate when
the flame goes out, substantially as-set forth.
2. In a gas cut-off device, the combination with a cylinder having a self-adjusting
valve-seat, a burner or valve adapted to move vertically in said cylinder and to rest
on said valve-seat in its lower position, an expansible metal plate adapted to engage
with said burner and means whereby it may be actuated to raise said burner from
its seat, said expansible metal plate being adapted to maintain the burner raised by
its expansion through the heat of the gas flame and a spring located within the
cylinder to lower the burner to its seat when the flame goes out, substantially as
set forth.
3. In a gas cut-off device, the combination with a.cylinder having a self-adjusting
valve-seat, a burner or valve adapted to move vertically in said cylinder and to
rest on said valve-seat in its lower position, an expansible metal plate adapted to
engage with said burner and means whereby it may be actuated to raise said
burner from its seat,, said expansible metal plate being adapted to maintain the
burner raised by its expansion through the heat of the gas flame and means located
within the cylinder to lower the burner to its seat when the flame goes out,
substantially as set forth.
4. In a gas cut-off device, a burner or valve.. adapted to move vertically in an
enclosing cylinder and an expansible metal plate adapted to engage with said burner
and means whereby it may be actuated to raise said burner from its, seat, said plate
also adapted to maintain the burner raised by its expansion through the heat of
the gas flame, said plate being held on its edges, the dimension of said plate
between the points where it is held being greater than the distance between the
holding devices, substantially as set forth.
5. In a gas cut-off device, a burner or valve adapted to move vertically, a spring
metal plate adapted to be sprung or curved upward and downward by suitable
means to raise and lower said valve or burner to open and close the gas passage,
said plate being held at its edges, the dimension of the plate between the points
where it is held being greater than the distance between the holding devices,
substantially as set forth.
6. In a gas cut-off device, an expansible metal plate adapted to operate by
expansion and contraction through the heat. of the gas flame, and connected so as
to operate a valve controlling the gas passage, said plate being held at its edges,
the dimension of the plate between the points where it is held being greater than
the distance between the holding devices, substantially as set forth.
7. In a gas cut-off device, the combination of a cylinder, a burner or valve
adapted to move vertically in said cylinder, an expansible metal spring device
adapted to operate by expansion and contraction through the heat of the gas flame
to maintain the gas passage opened or closed, said spring device being held on its
edges, the dimension thereof between the points where it is held being greater than
the distance between the holding devices, substantially as set forth.
8. In a gas cut-off device, the combination of a valve controlling the gas passage,

page_text: an expansible metal spring plate adapted to move said valve, said plate being.
held on its edges, the dimension of the plate between the points where it is held.
being greater than the distance between the holding devices, means adapted to
operate said plate to move said valve to open the gas passage, and means adapted
to operate said plate to move said valve to close the gas passage, substantially as.
set forth.
9. In a gas cut-off device the combination of a valve controlling the gas passage,.
an expansible metal spring plate adapted to engage with said valve, said plate.
being held on its edges, the dimension of the plate between the points where it
is held being greater than the distance between the holding devices, a lever adapted
to operate said plate to move said valve to open the gas passage and a spring
adapted to operate said plate to move said valve to close the gas passage, substan-
tially as set forth.
10. In a gas cut-off device, the combination of a metal cylinder, a burner or
valve adapted to move vertically in said cylinder, an expansible metal spring
plate held on its edges, the dimension of the plate between the points where it is.
held being greater than the distance between the holding devices, a lever adapted
to operate said plate to raise the valve to open the gas passage said plate being.
adapted to maintain the gas passage open by its expansion through the heat of
the gas flame and a spring located in said cylinder adapted to operate said plate.
to lower said valve to close the gas passage, substantially as set forth.
11. In a gas cut-off device, the combination of a cylinder, an expansible metal
circular plate adapted to be held on its edges, the diameter of the plate being
greater than the distance between the holding devices and a valve engaging
with said plate adapted to move vertically upwards or downwards in said
cylinder by the curving upwards or downwards of said plate, substantially as.
set forth.
12. The combination with a gas-pipe leading from a source of supply, of a gas
chamber connected therewith enclosed in a gas-tight manner by a flexible cover,
a gas-burner connected with said flexible cover in a gas-tight manner and leading.
into said gas chamber and constituting a valve in co-operation with a seat therefor,.
and an expansible metallic plate engaging with said gas-burner and arranged in
proximity to the flame of said burner so as to be expanded by the heat of the
Hame, substantially as set forth.
13. The combination with a gas-pipe leading from a source of supply, of a gas-
burner connected therewith and a device adapted to operate by expansion through
the heat of the gas flame so as to raise said burner and allow the passage of
gas therethrough and to operate by contraction when the flame goes out so as to
lower said burner and shut off the supply of gas, substantially as set forth.
14. The combination of a gas-pipe leading from a source of supply, a gas.
chamber connected therewith, a gas-burner leading from said gas chamber and a
metal rod or plate adapted to curve by expansion so as to raise said burner to allow
the passage of gas therethrough and to contract when the flame goes out to lower
said burner to shut off the supply of gas, substantially as set forth.
15. The combination with a gas-pipe leading from a source of supply, of a gas.
chamber connected therewith enclosed in a gas-tight manner by a flexible cover, a
gas-burner connected with said flexible cover in a gas-tight manner and passing.
therethrough into said gas chamber and a metal rod or plate adapted to engage
with said burner and arranged in proximity to the flame of said burner so as to be
expanded by the heat of the flame, substantially as set forth.
16. The combination with a gas-pipe leading from a source of supply of a gas.
chamber connected therewith provided with a flexible cover, a gas-burner leading
from said gas chamber and connected with said flexible cover, and a device adapted
to engage with said gas-burner and to be operated by expansion through the heat
of the gas flame so as to allow the passage of gas from said gas chamber into said
gas-burner, and to be operated by contraction when the flame goes out so as to shut.
off the gas, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 17. The combination of the gas-burner de, the expansible metallic plate c arranged
in proximity to the flame of said burner and below the point of ignition, the flexible
cover f, the casing a a', the ring k, the arched spring, the adjusting screw k', and
means for raising the burner to open a valve connected therewith or formed thereby,
substantially as set forth.
Dad the 10th I.1 100
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Chartered Patent Agent, London,.
For the Applicant.