Improved Electrical Apparatus for Obtaining Light.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 16th May, 1893-Accepted, 8th July, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Electrical Apparatus for Obtaining Light.
I, FREDERICK VILLE WOOD, of No. 53 Great Portland Street, in the County
of London, Electrician, 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 present invention relates to an improved apparatus which enables a small
lamp to be lighted electrically, same serving either for the purpose of showing
a small light or for igniting cigars, cigarettes, pipes, or even gas or a candle if
desired.
_ The apparatus may be either a fixture (in which case it may be secured to a
counter or other part) or same may be portable so that it can be taken from one
room or place to another.
The apparatus consists essentially of a box or case containing any suitable
number of electric cells or batteries, and on the outside of which box or case
terminals are provided between which a filament of any suitable incandescent
material (preferably platinum wire) is arranged, the whole in combination with a
lever serving to make and break the circuit and at the same time to bring the wick
of a small lamp containing naphtha or any suitable hydrocarbon into contact with
the incandescent filament and thus ignite same. When pressure is removed from
the lever the electric circuit is broken and the ignited lamp resumes its normal
position and can be used for giving a small light or can be removed for the purpose
of igniting cigars, etc., or gas or a candle.
An electric call bell may also be fitted to the apparatus if desired.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which :--
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus complete.
Fig. 2 a longitudinal section.
Fig. 3 a front elevation, and
Fig. 4 a horizontal section.
In these figs. A is the box or case containing the cells or batteries B. C, C¹, are
the terminals of such batteries to which the filament D is secured. E is a small
lamp suspended by trunnions e in brackets F, F', secured to the box or case A, such
lamp being of any suitable construction, and the top thereof made removable for
the purpose of enabling same to be filled with naphtha or other combustible, and
being provided with a wick tube e¹. The lamp is suspended in such a manner that
it normally occupies the position shown in Fig. 1, with its wick removed from
contact with the filament D. By causing the lamp to turn on its trunnions e
towards the box or case A, the wick thereof will be brought in close proximity to
or in contact with the filament D. The means for effecting this movement consist
in a two armed lever G, G', pivoted at g, the arm G of which projects outwards
beneath the bottom of the lamp, and to which pressure can be applied by the finger
as shown in Fig. 2, while the arm G₁ of such lever projects up between the body
of the lamp E and the box or case A. The depression of the lever G, G¹, causes
the arm Gi thereof to bear against the lower end of the lamp, and by causing same
to turn on its trunnions e brings the wick of such lamp in contact with the filament D.
The movement of the lamp also serves to complete the circuit from the batteries B.
This is effected by means of a spring H (which also serves to return the lamp to its
normal position when pressure is removed from the lever G, G¹,) which is forced
inwards by the lamp in its movement towards the box or case, and by coming in
contact with a second spring I, electrically connected to the terminal C', forces
such spring I against a contact point J connected with one pole of the batteries.
The inward movement of the lamp thus simultaneously closes the electric circuit,

page_text: and thus renders the filament D incandescent, and at same time brings the wick of
the lamp into contact with such incandescent filament, thereby igniting the lamp.
The removal of pressure from arm G of lever G, G', permits the lamp E to return
to its normal position, while at same time the contact between spring I and the
contact point J. is broken and the circuit thus interrupted. The ignited lamp may
be allowed to remain burning while supported in its brackets F, F, or same may
be removed and handed round for lighting cigars etc., or be used for lighting gas or
a candle.
A guard or cage K is fixed to the box or case A and serves to enclose and
protect the filament D, and at same time to direct the end of the wick tube e¹ of
lamp E against such filament when the lamp E is forced inwards.
When the lamp is not required for use the flame may be blown out and a cap L,
secured by a chain to the box or case A, can be placed over the end of the wick
tube in order to prevent evaporation of the combustible.
The drawings show the case as being also provided with an electric call bell M
of any suitable construction, same being connected with the batteries B and also
with a make and break or push piece N, by operating which the circuit will be
completed and the bell sounded when required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. The combination with a box or case containing electric cells or batteries
connected with a filament of any suitable incandescent material, of a lamp supported
in bearings on such box or case so that the wick tube thereof may be brought into
close proximity to or in contact with such filament, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
2. The combination with the apparatus described in the preceding claim of a
pivoted lever G, G', serving both to turn the lamp E in its bearings for the purpose
of bringing the wick thereof close to or against the filament D for the purpose of
igniting such lamp, and at same time to complete the circuit whereby the filament D
is rendered incandescent, substantially as described.
3. The combination with the apparatus described in Claim 1 of an electric bell
and means for completing the circuit whereby same is operated, substantially as
specified.
Dated this 16th dow of Mo. 1902
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.