Improvements in or relating to Acetylene Lamps for Cycles, Motor Vehicles, and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Aug., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 12th May, 1899-Accepted, 17th June, 1899
Improvements in or relating to Acetylene Lamps for Cycles, Motor
Vehicles, and the like.
I, WILLIAM CECIL JEAPES, of 112, Carleton Road, Tufnell Park, Holloway, in
the County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to acetylene lamps for cycles motor vehicles and the like,
and has for its object to construct a lamp which may be carried upon some part
of the tubular framing such as the handle bars, the tubular part forming the
receptacle for the materials necessary to produce the gas.
In describing this invention as applied to the handle bars of a cycle, the bottom
of the handle bar stem is closed so as to form with the handle bars, which are also
closed at their ends, a water and gas tight receptacle. At the top of the handle
bar stem is an opening through which can be introduced a tubular chamber which
contains a cartridge of calcium carbide. This chamber is adapted to be secured
within the handle bar stem by screwing or by a bayonet catch or other suitable
device. On the top of the tubular chamber is mounted, preferably in a detachable
manner, a burner which is enclosed in a suitable lamp casing. The latter is
provided with a lens carried in a hinged frame and a back piece which is also
preferably hinged, the construction being such that the whole casing can be
readily cleansed.
The operation of the lamp is as follows:-
A carbide cartridge is placed within the tubular chamber, and the required
quantity of water is poured into the handle bar stem and handle bars. The
tubular chamber is now inserted into the handle bar stem and secured, when the
water within the handle bars on reaching the carbide cartridge will produce the
gas which by accumulating above and below the cartridge automatically checks
the supply of water when sufficient gas is formed.
The bottom of the tubular carbide-containing chamber is preferably provided
with a perforated plug or some device for impeding the flow of water into the
chamber. The burner is preferably provided with a tap or cock to enable the
light to be moderated or the supply of gas to be turned off or on as desired.
When the lamp is not required it may be removed together with the carbide
chamber and the opening at the top of the handle bar stem closed by means of a
suitable cap provided for the purpose.
A vent is provided at a suitable point in the handle bars to allow air to enter
as the level of the water falls. A safety valve may also be provided if desired.
When the carbide within the cartridge is used up a fresh cartridge may readily
be inserted. It is obvious that the details of the invention may be varied for the
purpose of applying the lamp to various forms of vehicle provided with the
tubular framing without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Dated this 21st day of September 1898.
BOULT & WADE.
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Acetylene Lamps for Cycles, Motor
Vehicles, and the like.
I, WILLIAM CECIL JEAPES, of 112, Carleton Road, Tufnell Park, Holloway, in
the County of Middlesex, 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: -
This invention relates to acetylene lamps for cycles motor vehicles and the like,
and has for its object to construct a lamp which may be carried upon some part
of the tubular framing such as the handle bars, the tubular part forming the
receptacle for the materials necessary to produce the gas.
In describing this invention as applied to the handle bars of a cycle, the bottom of
the handle bar stem is closed so as to form with the handle bars, which are also closed
at their ends, a water and gas tight receptacle. At the top of the handle bar
stem is an opening through which can be introduced a tubular chamber which
contains a cartridge of calcium carbide. This chamber is adapted to be secured
within the handle bar stem by screwing or by a bayonet catch or other suitable
device. On the top of the tubular chamber is mounted, preferably in a detachable
manner, a burner which is enclosed in a suitable lamp casing. The latter is
provided with a lens carried in a hinged frame and a back piece which is also
preferably hinged, the construction being such that the whole casing can be
readily cleansed.
The operation of the lamp is as follows:-
A carbide cartridge is placed within the tubular chamber, and the required
quantity of water is poured into the handle bar stem and handle bars. The
tubular chamber is now inserted into the handle bar stem and secured, when the
water within the handle bars on reaching the carbide cartridge will produce the
gas which by accumulating above and below the cartridge automatically checks
the supply of water when sufficient gas is formed.
The bottom of the tubular carbide-containing chamber is preferably provided
with a perforated plug or some device for impeding the flow of water into the
chamber. The burner is preferably provided with a tap or cock to enable the
light to be moderated or the supply of gas to be turned off or on as desired.
When the lamp is not required it may be removed together with the carbide
chamber and the opening at the top of the handle bar stem closed by means of a
suitable cap provided for the purpose.
A vent is provided at a suitable point in the handle bars to allow air to enter
as the level of the water falls. A safety valve may also be provided if desired.
When the carbide within the cartridge is used up a fresh cartridge may readily
be inserted. It is obvious that the details of the invention may be varied for the
purpose of applying the lamp to various forms of vehicle provided with tubular
framing without departing from the spirit of the invention.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a vertical section of the improved lamp as applied to the handle
bars of a cycle.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the details of the ball joint to be hereafter described.
Figure 3 is an elevation of the carbide receptacle.
Figure 4 is an elevation of the cap for closing the top of the handle bar stem 4
when the lamp is removed.
Figure 5 is an elevation of the cartridge.

page_text: Figure 6 is an elevation and plan of the cap inserted in the end of the carbide
chamber.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
The handle bars A and handle bar stem B are formed hollow as usual, but the
lower end of the stem B is closed as at B while an opening A', allowing free
communication from the handle bars to the stem, is formed at their point of
junction. The handle bars are also plugged at their ends by plugs A. The
upper end of the handle bar stem is open to allow the insertion of a tube C
constituting the carbide chamber; the tube C is provided at the top with a
projection which engages with a bayonet joint slot in the top of the stem B,
the joint being if necessary packed so as to ensure its being gas-tight. The top of
the tube C is screw-threaded as at C2, and on this screw-threaded part is mounted
the cup portion D of a ball joint, a tap D' being arranged in this portion to enable
the supply of gas to the burner to be controlled. The ball E carrying the burner F
and the lamp casing G is retained in the cup D by the ring H. The back G¹ and
the front lens carrying portion G2 of the lamp casing G are both hinged to the
casing as that they may be readily opened to facilitate cleaning.
With the tube C is inserted a carbide cartridge, composed of carbide J packed
with a tube J¹, the carbide being preferably arranged in layers separated by
plates J. To prevent the cartridge falling out of the end of the tube C, a spring
cap K is inserted in the end of the latter, as shown in Figure 1.
In using the lamp the stem and handle bars are filled with water, either through
the open end of the handle bar stem B after the lamp and tube C have been
removed, or if so constructed the water may be poured in through one end of
the handle bars, the handle A3 and plug A² being made movable for this purpose.
The water will pass down in the handle bar stem B and rise up within the
tube C, where it will meet with the carbide. The gas thus formed accumulates
above the cartridge in the tube C, passing thence through the passage D2 in the
cup D and the passage E in the ball E to the burner F. If the lamp is not in use
and the cock i turned off, as soon as the gas attains sufficient pressure above the
cartridge, the water will be forced down the tube C out of reach of the carbide,
thus preventing the generation of more gas until that which is formed has been
consumed. In order to allow of the free flow of the water within the handle
bars and stem, a small hole A is made in the handle bars at some convenient
point; this perforation may be closed by a valve or not as found convenient.
When it is not desired to carry the lamp, the tube C together with the lamp
mounted upon the top of it, may be removed from the handle bar stem and the
upper end of the latter closed by a spring cap such as L. If desired, a cap pro-
vided with a projection to engage with the bayonet joint slot may be used instead
of the spring cap.
The ring His preferably provided internally with packing H¹, so as to make
a gas-tight joint. By employing a ball joint as above described, the lamp may
be adjusted to throw the light in whatsoever direction is required.
In order to prevent corrosion of the interior of the handle bars and stem, it is
found convenient to galvanise, plate or otherwise coat the interior of these parts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In a cycle or motor vehicle the combination with the tubular framing thereof
forming the receptacle for the materials necessary to produce the gas of an
acetylene lamp carried thereon.
2. The combination with an acetylene lamp mounted upon the steering head
or handle bar of a cycle or motor vehicle of a removable carbide containing
chamber in the handle bar stem which with the handle bar serves as the receptacle
for the water substantially as described.
3. In a cycle or motor vehicle the combination substantially as described with

page_text: a water containing handle bar and stem of a removable carbide containing
chamber such as C adapted to fit within the stem and carrying upon it the lamp.
4. The combination with an acetylene lamp of the kind described of a carbide
cartridge such as JJ1J2 substantially as described.
5. The combination with an acetylene lamp of the kind described of a ball and
socket joint between the carbide chamber and the burner for the purpose described.
6. In a cycle or motor vehicle the employment of a handle bar and stem adapted
to contain water and receive a removable carbide containing chamber such as C or
a cap such as L substantially as and for the purpose described.
7. The complete acetylene lamp and handle bar substantially as described or
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 12th day of May 1899
BOULT & WADE.
Agents for the Applicant.