Improvements in Lamps.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in Lamps.
29
1, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of 52 Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention which
has been communicated to me from abroad by "Rochester Burner Company'
(Incorporated) of Rochester, New York, United States of America, and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the
following statement :-
The said Improvements relate to centre draft lamps, and consist of an attachment
of peculiar construction inserted in the centre draft tube for the purpose of dividing
and spreading the currents of air and conveying the same to the flame at different
points in the height of the latter; also of a wick raiser of peculiar construction; as
hereinafter more fully described.
In the drawings making a part of this specification,-
Figure 1 is a central, vertical section of a lamp showing my improvements applied
thereto.
Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the tubular wick-holder and the lower
portion of the handle for raising the same.
Figure 3 is a cross section of Figure 2 in line xx.
Figure 4 is a diagram showing a side elevation of the lower end of the wick raising
handle and a vertical section of the loose sleeve that rests thereon.
Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but showing a modification.
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of the wick raising handle and its connecting parts,
showing a modification in the means for raising the same.
A indicates a lamp of any desired form. B is the central draft tube, which receives
the outside air through perforations a a in the sides of the lamp, or from any other
C is the wick tube and D the wick. E is a perforated cylinder or dome at
the top of the lamp through which outside air is admitted to come up outside of the
flame as usual.
source.
G is the air distributor which is inserted in the top of the centre draft tube B for
dividing and directing the currents of air to the flame. It consists of a tube b of any

page_text: desired length; but of less diameter than the tube B, so that when in place it forms
a centre channel 6¹ and an exterior channel which carry two distinct currents of
air to the flame. The lower end of the attachment rests on a cross pin c in the tube B,
and is supported by the same. dd are small lugs or wings at the lower end of the
attachment cut and bent out from the tube and serving to centre and stay said attach-
ment in the draft tube B. f is a right-angled flange at the top of tube 6 forming a
deflector to turn the current of air outward to the roots of the flame. is a hollow
head over the flange, the same being of cylindrical form and of such diameter as to
project to or over the wick below. This hollow head is perforated at the sides with
numerous small perforations hh, through which the air that enters the tube b passes
in fine jets horizontally and impinges into the flame at points higher than the roots of
the flame. k is an annular perforated ring that rests in the draft tube B, covering the
exterior air passage 3. The currents of air passing through this perforated ring are
cut up and broken before reaching the flame, so that no gusts or puffs can occur and
the blaze will be regular and uniform.
By the arrangement above described two distinct currents of air are fed to the flame,
one above the other, the first through the exterior passage which feeds the base of
the flame, the other through the centre passage 61 into the hollow head g where it is
deflected out in minute jets into the body of the flame. The air also reaches the
outside of the flame through the cylinder or drum E in the usual way.
The essential element in this part of said invention is the air distributor G with an
enlarged head which projects toward or over the wick, forming a shoulder at that
point, said head being of cylindrical form filled with perforations and giving a wide
extent of air feeding surface. By enlarging the head as described, the flame is so
spread as to present a thin body, and the air comes in intimate contact therewith.
n 19
H is the tubular wick holder, consisting of a short section of tube surrounding the
centre draft tube B, sliding up and down and carrying the wick with it. The wick is
held by small spurs or teeth struck in from the holder, or by any other suitable means.
I is the handle by which the holder is operated, said handle being attached to the
holder and extending up through the top of the lamp, where it can be readily seized
by the fingers. The connection between the handle and holder is made by the following
means:m is a small tubular socket on one side of the holder near the bottom.
a vertical stem on the lower end of the handle, which comes in alignment with the
socket when turned to position. When the handle is raised the stem will be drawn
up into the socket. p is a sleeve or thimble that rests loosely and turns on the stem
being held from slipping off by a washer o at the top. The sleeve is provided on one
side with a horizontally projecting pin r. When the stud is raised into the socket
the sleeve is turned so that the pin r enters the opening or slot at the inner side of
the socket next to the holder, which is made long enough to receive it. When the
stem is fully entered the sleeve is turned bringing the pin to one side and resting on
top of the socket, and in this condition the stem of the handle is firmly but loosely
attached to the holder and cannot escape till the sleeve is turned round again to the
former position. This loose connection of the handle with the holder gives freedom of
motion to the holder in sliding up and down, so that no cramping or binding occurs,
and the action is much easier than where a stiff connection is made. It also obviates
the necessity of turning the holder, as would be the case where the connection was
made by a side movement and thus avoids any twisting and tightening of the wick
on the centre tube. The device is simple and effective and enables the holder and
handle to be engaged and disengaged with great facility and ease.
Figure 5 shows the stem of the holder provided with a bent spring similar to
the pin r, but yielding as the stem goes up into the socket, and then springing
out over the top of the socket when fully entered. The same effect is produced as
when the stiff pin is used.
Figure 6 shows a modification in the means for operating the handle, the handle
being threaded and running through a thumb nut L seated in the top of the lamp and
turning freely. The nut is attached in any desired way. As shown in the drawings
it is made in two parts st pinned together and rests in an open ended tube v soldered

page_text: or otherwise attached in the lamp, said tube being provided with flanges above and
below, which hold it in place. In large lamps the nut is reversible as it enables the
wick to be adjusted more accurately.
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 :-
First. In a centre draft lamp, the combination with the tube B of the air distributor G
set therein, provided at its top with an enlarged hollow head, said head provided with
vertical sides perforated over its whole extent, the bottom serving to deflect the air
beneath the head, as herein shown and described.
Second. In a centre draft lamp, the combination with the tube B, of the air
distributor G constructed with the enlarged perforated head and the annular
perforated ring k resting around the distributor and within the tube B as shown
and described and for the purpose specified.
Third. In a centre draft lamp, the combination of the centre tube B, the tubular
holder H provided with the socket m and the handle I provided with the upwardly
projecting stem n, having a suitable fastening whereby the parts can be engaged by a
vertical movement as herein shown and described.
Fourth. In a centre draft lamp, the combination of the centre tube B the tubular
holder H provided with the socket m, the handle I, provided with the upwardly
projecting stem n fitting the socket, and the sleeve p on the stem provided with the
pin for locking the stem to the socket, as shown and described and for the purpose
specified.
7"
Fifth. In a centre draft lamp, the combination of the centre tube B the tubular
holder H, the handle I and the thumb nut L, engaging with the handle, as shown
and described and for the purpose specified.