AN IMPROVED GAS LIGHTER
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED GAS
LIGHTER." A communication from abroad by George Henry Kitchen, of Rye, in
the County of Westchester, Frederick MoLewee, of New York City, in the County
of New York, and John Floyd Kitchen, of Rye, in the County of Westchester,
all in the State of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 28th May 1878, and dated the 2nd April 1878.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd April 1878.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent.
"AN IMPROVED GAS LIGHTER." A communication from abroad by
George Henry Kitchen, of Rye, in the County of Westchester, Frederick McLewce,
of New York City, in the County of New York, and John Floyd Kitchen, of Rye,
in the County of Westchester, both in the State of New York, United States of
America.
This Invention relates to a portable torch or device for lighting gas and other
flames in houses and other buildings for illuminating purposes. The Invention
consists in making such a torch or gas lighter with a hollow stem or handle, with a
tubular discharge nozzle at its upper end, and with an adjustable air opening near
its lower end. All the parts are so arranged that upon connecting the discharge
nozzle by a suitable flexible tube with a gas burner, the whole instrument may be
filled with gas, which may afterwards be utilised when ignited at the outlet of the
nozzle for lighting chandeliers and the like. The Invention also consists in com-
bining with said instrument a key or wrench for opening the gas-cocks of the
burners.
In the accompanying Drawing Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section, partly
in side view, of the improved gas lighter. Figure 2 is a detailed longitudinal section
on an enlarged scale, of the lower portion of the same, Similar letters of reference
indicate corresponding parts in both Figures.

page_text: A is a tube made of sheet metal or other suitable material, of conical or other
suitable shape, and of proper length for the purpose for which it is intended. This
tube is closed at the lower part, as shown at a in the Drawing. At the upper part
the tube connects with a discharge nozzle b, which may project sideways and up-
wards, as indicated in Figure 1. Near the lower end the tube has an air opening
d, which can be more or less opened or closed by means of an adjustable valve or
cock c. The upper part of the tube A connects with a key or wrench B for opening
the cocks of gas burners. Thus constructed, the instrument is complete, and con-
stitutes a receptacle for gas, which, when ignited at the end of the nozzle b, may be
used to ignite a larger number of gas or other flames. To prepare the instrument
for use the nozzle b is connected with a gas burner or tube by means of a flexible
pipe or otherwise, so that the gas from the burner may flow into the tube A. The
opening d, meanwhile; must be partly opened so that the air may escape at the
lower part of the instrument as it is being forced out by the gas that flows in at
the upper part. When the tube A is entirely or sufficiently filled with gas, the
opening may be entirely closed by means of the cock or valve e until it is desired
to use the instrument for the lighting of flames. To do this the cock or valve e is
partly opened so as to admit air into the lower part of the tube. The gas being
lighter than the air, will naturally seek to escape at the open end of the nozzle b, as
soon as there is an air inlet at the lower part of the tube A; therefore it is only
necessary to ignite the outflowing gas at the end of the nozzle b to bring the instru-
ment into actual condition for usc. The gas will keep the flame on the nozzle
properly supplied, according to the capacity of the tube A. The device will be
found very light and inexpensive, quite safe and clean, so that it can be profitably
used in every house. It is far superior, as regards cleanliness and simplicity of con-
struction, to the gas-lighting apparatus now used with wicks, tapers, or oil reser-
voirs; it is not liable to get out of order, and very economical. If, in lighting a
series of flames, the gas contained in the tube A has not all been exhausted, it is
not wasted provided the attendant closes the opening d and reverses the instru-
ment so as to bring the nozzle downwards. The light gas will then be unable to
escape from the tube A, and will be in condition for use again as soon as the
instrument is turned with the nozzle upward. The size of the flame on the nozzlo
when the same is used for lighting purposes can be regulated by means of the cock
or valve e, and can be made large enough to make it quite convenient to carry a
lighted instrument about the house.
Having described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters
Patent is,―
1st. The tube A, provided with the nozzle b, and air opening d, at or near opposite
ends to constitute a gas lighter, of which the flame is supplied by gas, substantially
as specified.
2nd. The combination of the tube A, having the nozzle b at one end, and the air
opening dat or near the other end, with the valve or cock e, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
3rd. The combination of the key or wrench B with the tube A, having the nozzle
b, and air opening d, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Second day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.