IMPROVEMENTS IN ILLUMINATING APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO STREET LAMPS AND OTHER GAS BURNERS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John William Tasker, of Halifax, in the County of York,
Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ILLUMINATING
APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO STREET LAMPS AND OTHER GAS BURNERS." A
communication from abroad by Jean Baptiste Edouard Clement, of Reims,
France.
Sealed the 25th February 1879, and dated the 29th August 1878.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John William Tasker at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th August 1878.
JOHN WILLIAM TASKER, of Halifax, in the County of York, Patent Agent.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ILLUMINATING APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO STREET LAMP AND
OTHER GAS BURNERS." A communication from abroad by Jean Baptiste Edouard
Clement, of Reims, France.
This Invention has reference to illuminating apparatus, and is applicable to street
lamps, the lamps or gas burners in public buildings, and similar purposes. It
consists, firstly, in the employment of a clockwork movement attached to each
lamp, bracket, or standard, by means of which the flow of gas can be increased or
diminished at the desired period automically.
The supply pipe leading to the burner is provided with a cock or tap, the aperture
of which is of the proper size to allow sufficient gas to pass through to produce a
full-sized flame; there is also a small passage leaving the supply pipe below the
cock and entering the same above the cock, so as to allow of the constant passage
of a small stream of gas to the burner when the cock is shut off. A small lantern
or shield with perforations is placed round the upper part of the lamp or burner,
and is capable of being raised so as to surround the flame when desired.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-To the spindle of the stop-cock is
attached a two-armed lever, one of the arms of which is attached by crank pin
and rod to a double-notched wheel connected with the clockwork mechanism. The
Duins G71

page_text: other arm is connected with a rod for raising and lowering the small lantern or
shield.
The operation is as follows:-When the retaining catch is removed by the clock-
work the notched wheel makes one-half of a revolution before it is again arrested
by the catch, and in so doing it either closes the stop-cock or raises the shield so as
to surround the burner, or vice versa. If the stop-cock is closed the gas still
continues to flow through the side passage, leaving a minute flame which is
protected by the shield. When in due course the retaining catch is again removed
the notched wheel completes its revolution and the gas is fully turned on and the
shield lowered.
Secondly. This Invention refers to apparatus for extinguishing gas only. The
clockwork mechanism is employed with the addition of a cam, which, at the desired
hour, makes a half revolution and operates a catch lever which releases the stop-
cock lever, and allows the same to be closed by a spring. When the gas is next
lighted the catch lever is connected with the-stop-cock lever ready for the next
operation of extinguishing.
Thirdly. This Invention relates to a method of performing the operations of
increasing or diminishing the flame described in the first part by means of electricity.
Instead of removing the retaining catch by means of clockwork it is removed by
means of a lever attached to the armature of an electro-magnet. When it is desired
to put the apparatus into operation it is only necessary to establish the electric
current for an instant so as to remove the retaining catch, which is replaced by a
spring as soon as the wheel has made half a revolution, and the current is broken.
The current may be established or broken either by hand or clockwork mechanism.
Fourthly. The Invention relates to a method of extinguishing only by electricity.
The catch-lever governing the stop-cock is attached to the armature of the magnet,
and is removed from the stop-cock when the current is established, and the cock is
closed by a spring, as described in the second part.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John William Tasker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th
February 1879.
JOHN WILLIAM TASKER, of Halifax, in the County of York, Patent Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ALLUMINATING APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO STREET LAMPS AND
OTHER GAS BURNERS." A communication from abroad by Jean Baptiste Edouard
Clement, of Reims, France.
This Invention has reference to illuminating apparatus, and is applicable to street
lamps, the lamps or gas burners, in public or private buildings, and to similar
purposes, the object of my improvements being to regulate the flow or supply of
gas to the burners by self-acting or automatic apparatus, so as to reduce the amount
of personal attention which is necessary under the present system.
In order that my Invention may be more readily understood I have hereto
annexed a Sheet of Drawings marked with figures and letters of reference, similar
parts bearing the same letters in every Figúre.
A represents the pipe, bracket, or standard through which the gas passes to the
burner C; D is the barrel of the stop-tap or valve; E is the bottom or foundation
of the bracket; F are antifriction guides or supports for the rod G, which is curved
at H and carries the lantern or shade I formed of wire gauze, perforated copper, or
other suitable material; J is the valve spindle, to which is attached a lever K;
L are levers or rods for operating or controlling the valve spindles; M is the
ordinary cylindrical hole in the valve spindle; N is a groove or passage in the
barrel or casing of the valve, which can be closed by screw O; P is a table for
supporting clockwork or other automatic mechanism; Q is the clock work mechanism
for giving rotary motion to the double-notched wheel R; r is a retaining catch for
interrupting the rotation of the wheel; S is the crank for connecting the wheel R
with lever L; T are electro-magnets; U, spiral springs.
In applying my Invention to street lamps or other lamps which require to be
lighted and extinguished at regular intervals I have so constructed the valve that
the extinction shall not be complete, sufficient gas being allowed to pass to the
burners to keep the flame alive.
Fig. 5 is a section of the valve, and it will be readily seen that when the ordinary
passage M is closed a small quantity of gas inay still be admitted through the side
passage N, though this can be closed by screw O when necessary.
Fig. 1 represents the manner of arranging the apparatus when it is to be operated
by clockwork. The Drawing shews the light to be on at the full extent, but at the
time set for the partial extinction the catch will be removed and the wheel R will
make half a revolution, closing the valve, and simultaneously raising the lantern I
to the position shewn in Fig. 3, so that the small flame is protected from currents
of air. The next movement of the wheel R will turn on the gas and lower the
lantern.
The arrangement shewn in Fig. 2 effects the extinction only. The valve is kept
open by the catch 1 of the lever L until removed by the cam S', which is operated
by clockwork, as described in reference to Fig. 1, when the spiral spring U draws
down the lever K and closes the valve. When the lamp is lighted again the pieces
are replaced ready for a new operation.
Fig. 3 represents an arrangement similar to that shewn in Fig. 1, with this
difference, that the catch instead of operating by clockwork is formed on the end
of a lever which carries the armature of an electro-magnet, and is removed from
contact with the wheel R whenever a current is passed through the magnetic coil.
The wheel R then performs the half revolution before described, and contact having
been broken, the catch interrupts the further progress of the wheel owing to the
operation of the spiral spring U.
Fig. 4 provides for the extinction only, which occurs whenever a current passes

page_text: through the coil T, the armature being attracted and thereby removing the catch
on the lever L, which allows the spring U to draw down the lever K and turn the
valve spindle.
By employing electricity for effecting the escapement of the clockwork the
mechanisin may be greatly reduced, as a number of lamps may be placed in one
circuit, and all governed from one central office, where the circuit may be opened
and closed either by personal attention or by automatic means.
The advantages of this system are:-The rapidity of lighting and extinction,
either partial or complete; the extreme regularity of the same; the suppression of
a great amount of personal attention; and great economy of gas.
I claim as my Invention,-
Firstly. The use of apparatus for regulating or controlling the flow or supply of
gas to the burners, operated in manner substantially as herein shewn and described.
Secondly. The employment of a shield or lantern I for protecting the small flame,
as herein shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John William Tasker, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
JOHN WILLIAM TASKER. (L.S.)