IMPROVEMENT IN FOUNTAIN LAMPS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON Fel. Inst. P.A. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6, Lord Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster and
323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer do hereby declare
the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENT IN FOUNTAIN LAMPS"
(a communication from Henry Wellington of Brooklyn, County of Kings and
State of New York United States of America, Manufacturer) to be as follows:-
This invention has relation to lamps or other illuminating apparatus, and
particularly to that class known as vacuum lamps" although some of the
improvements might be used in apparatus wherein the oil or liquid fuel is governed
in its flow to the burner upon other principles than by use of the vacuum.
CE
In the stand lamp, the outlet for oil from the reservoir is closed by a valve at
the instant of opening the inlet through which oil is introduced to the reservoir,
which inlet is also governed by a valve, the two valves being so connected that
when one is open the other must be closed, and so that under no circumstances can
both be opened at the same time. A movable cap upon the reservoir covers the
inlet opening, and carries a key by which the valves are moved. The cover cannot
be removed without properly moving the valve.
Within the burner are two channels, one outside and one inside of the wick
tube, and these are for the purpose of conducting surplus oil back to the interior of
the burner cup so as to keep the exterior perfectly clean and free from oil.
The rod upon which the stand lamp is mounted carries an adjustable block
which permits the lamp to be swung easily or adjusted to any desired height. The
drip cup under the burner cup is provided with a foraminated plate which may be
easily cleaned, and this drip cup is held in place by springing it over suitable lugs
upon the bottom of the burner.
The air chamber within the burner cup has a small opening on the side opposite
the reservoir, and is so arranged as to permit the flow of air to the reservoir as
required being sealed against the passage of air as soon as the oil rises above the
opening.

page_text: •
The shade holder arms are applied in sockets, attached to a removable band
fitting upon the top of the burner cup, and arranged to carry the chimney.
The arms are made detachable, so that when packed they will occupy but little
space.
The shaft of the wick raiser is located below the top of the burner cup, and is
journalled in two "tubes one of which is closed at the end, and the other forming a
close bearing for the shaft, so as to prevent leakage of oil. The ratchet wheels for
raising the wick are doubled, the teeth of one being arranged opposite the spaces
between the teeth of the other, and the wick tube is indented at points opposite
the ratchet.
Glass or other transparent or semi-transparent material is used for the shell of
the burner cup, and for the reservoir, so that the height of oil in either can be
readily determined. In the wall lamp, the reservoir and the valves may be made
the same, but it is preferred to make the reservoir of metal and to dispense with
the valves, in which case an air tube is carried from the cylindrical air chamber
within the burner cup back to the reservoir, and the filling orifice located below
the top of the reservoir, so that when filling, the lamp has to be turned to such a
position that oil cannot run out through the burner cup.
In either form when the lamp is burning, the oil is fed down uniformly, or
without producing violent fluctuations in the flame as ordinarily observed in
vacuum lamps.

page_text: I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, Fel. Inst. P.A. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, and
323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer do hereby declare
the nature of this invention (a communication from abroad by Henry Wellington
of Brooklyn, King's County, in the State of New York, United States of America,
Manufacturer,) and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
This invention has relation to lamps or other illuminating apparatus and
particularly to that class known as
vacuum lamps," though some of the improve-
ments hereinafter specified might be used in apparatus wherein the oil or liquid
fuel is governed in its flow to the burner upon other principles than by the use of
the vacuum.
Among the objects of this invention are the production of a simple, safe, durable,
and effective means of automatically closing the outlet for oil from the reservoir at
the instant of opening the inlet for supply and insuring that both passages cannot
be opened at the same time, to provide a locking mechanism for the cover of the
reservoir, by which the valves are operated, and the lever maintained in position
over the reservoir (or prevented from being removed) until the valve governing
the outlet part is securely closed and for preventing unauthorized interference or
accidental disarrangement of the valves before the cover is properly replaced,-to
simplify and improve the construction of the burner in respect to the feeding of
air to the flame, to the admission of oil or liquid fuel, thereto, to the prevention of
"weeping" inside or outside of the main tubes, and at the wick-raiser shaft to the
raising and lowering of the wick, to the mounting of the chimney, and to the con-
struction arrangement and mounting of the drip cup,—to provide a simple, handy,
and durable form of removable shade-holder; to prevent oscillation of the flame
from various causes, and generally to produce an apparatus, affording a large,
brilliant and steady flame with an economical consumption of fuel and with
accessible and conveniently operating parts for handling, filling, lighting, moving,
sustaining and otherwise operating or using the lamp.
To accomplish all of this, the improvements involve certain novel and useful
peculiarities of construction, relative arrangements or combinations of parts, and
principles of operation, all of which will be herein first fully described and then
pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a central, vertical, sectional view of the lamp constructed and
arranged for operation in accordance with the invention.
Figure 2 is a sectional view of the reservoir, top detached, showing the key for
operating the valves.
Figure 3 is an elevation and

page_text: Figure 5 is a side elevation showing the upper and lower parts of the lock in
place one upon the other, the casing being removed; and
Figure 6 is a similar view of these two parts in the relative position which they
assume when turned by the key so as to close the lower valve in the reservoir, and
release the cover, at the same time opening the inlet to the reservoir.
Figure 7 is a plan of the top, and
Figure 8 a plan of the bottom of the lock as shown in Figure 6.
Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional view showing the outer and inner tubes of the
burner, the construction and arrangement of the wick-raising mechanism, and the
means for preventing escape of oil around the shaft of the ratchets.
Figures 10 and 11 are perspective views of the upper and lower parts of the
lock in the same relative positions, as indicated in the elevations, Figures 5
and 6,-and
Figures 12 and 13 are perspective views of the two parts separated from each
other.
Figure 14 is a vertical section of the burner on a larger scale than in Figure 1,
the arrows indicating the direction of the air currents.
Figure 15 is a perspective view of the wick-raising ratchets, mounted upon their
shaft.
Figure 16 is a horizontal sectional view of a fragment of the chimney holder
showing the manner of mounting one of the shade holder arms thereon.
A is the reservoir preferably made of glass or other transparent or translucent
material so that the height of oil therein contained may be readily observed.
Tubes B and B¹ together with the ball C constitute the conduit for oil from the
reservoir to the burner, and through these the reservoir and burner with attach-
ments are supported on the standard or bracket. In the metallic bottom of the
reservoir is a cross piece D having a valve seat a therein and also a socket for the
reception of the oil tube B and one for the air pipe b. The air pipe b extends
nearly to the top of the reservoir. The cross bar D and tube B are soldered at
their junctions with the metallic base of the reservoir so as to make the support
for the reservoir, and the interior or valve arrangement perfectly secure.
valve which controls the flow of oil from the reservoir, is made in the form of a
cylinder c with closed top slightly concaved to afford a convenient seat and bearing
for the valve rod d.
The
In this valve is a small perforation as ate the same being so located as to be
closed as soon as the valve is forced far enough down into its seat; and when this
occurs the valve also closes the oil outlet fleading to the tube B, affording a double
gate against the passage of oil from the reservoir when the valve is forced down.
Upon the upper part of the valve rod d is a valve g with leather or other oil
resisting packing, the same being arranged to bear firmly against the margin of
the feeding inlet, and to close that inlet securely against admission of air until
purposely unseated. A spring h within the hollow valve c and its hollow seat,
operates to maintain the lower valve in open position, and the upper valve in
closed position until the situation of the two valves is reversed. The neck i
secured to cap piece k constitutes a filling funnel, at the bottom of which is the
opening governed by valve g. This neck is made of glass so that the rise of the
oil in the reservoir may be observed through it and overfilling obviated, but
manifestly it could be made of metal.
The valve stem d projects up through this funnel within which is located the
lock case having perforations through its lower part for the free passage of oil. The
upper opening of neck i is closed by a cover E, made removable for the purpose of
admitting oil to the reservoir, which oil must pass through the opening governed
by valve g.
The valve g cannot be moved from its seat until the cover E is removed, and the
cover E is so connected with the other parts by the lock and key that it cannot be
removed until the valve stem is forced down far enough.to close the lower valve.

page_text: Upon cover E is secured the key m, the same having notches with which the
top of the lock case engages, until the key is turned (through the medium of the
attached cover) to a certain position, previous to which the key cannot be with-
drawn from the case. The top of the case is shown in Figure 4. Of course the
form of these parts may be variously modified. The lock is composed of two main
parts n and o, the part n resting upon the top of the valve stem and having pro-
jecting ribs or feathers p arranged to move up and down in marginal slots in the
lock case, one of which is represented at q, being thereby prevented from turning.
The other part o is turned by the key m. As the part n is forced down, the valve
stemd is moved so as to control the valves. The lock being in place and the key
inserted, the turning or twisting of the cover will revolve the part o, and the
inclined face thereon will (as it bears upon the correspondingly inclined face of the
lower part) force the lower part down, and it is held down against the upward
tendency of spring / by reason of the flat faces of the two parts assuming the
relative positions indicated in Figures 6 and 11.
When in this position, the lower valve will be closed, the upper one opened,
and the cover E may be removed, and oil supplied to the reservoir. As the lock
cannot be moved without a key, the valves are not liable to be disturbed until the
cover is replaced and the lamp in condition to be employed. The reservoir being
charged, the cover is replaced, and given a slight turn. As soon as the flat faces
of the lock are carried past each other, the spring / automatically forces the valve
stem up, thus opening the lower, and closing the upper valve, and the cover is
locked in place. As the oil passing through B and B¹ is burned away, air finds
admission to the upper part of the reservoir through tube b, and permits the
outflow of more oil, and the feeding is kept constant. Without this admission of
air the constant feeding could not take place, the oil being supported in the
reservoir by reason of the existence of a vacuum or partial vacuum in the upper
part thereof.
Within the ball C is the stationary inner tube C¹, and upon the lower part
of C¹ is the shell C, the last named parts being secured to each other (but so that
one may revolve within the other) by bending or creasing the material of the
shell as at c into a groove or furrow formed on the lower part of the tube.
Within the shell C is a block C³ through which passes the thumb or set screw C',
arranged to bear against the supporting standard, of whatever character that may
be. The screw being set as indicated, the lamp is sustained at any desired height
upon the standard and may be revolved through the medium of the peculiar
connection between the shell and tube as above indicated.. By simply loosening
the set screw the lamp may be raised or lowered at pleasure and instantly secured
at the desired height. A's the lamp is moved up and down the screw connections
follow with it and are thus always in proper place for use. In Figure 1 the
standard is given a wide base (for table or stand lamps), the base block C³ being
of cast iron, into which an iron rod C is secured. A shell of brass or other métal
is spun over the base block, and a brass or other covering tube as C7 may be placed
upon the rod, for the purpose of producing a fine finish. The covering tube is
secured in place by use of the eye C8 at top, the same being screwed upon the
central rod and serving as a means of carrying the lamp. F is the oil receptacle
of the burner. It is preferably made of glass or other transparent or translucent
material so that the supply of oil therein can be readily observed. F1 is the
central air tube around which the wick passes. The drip cup F at the base of the
burner is so formed as to spring upon the metallic bottom, F3, of the oil receptacle
from which it can be readily removed. The drip cup has a foraminated top F*,
and a foraminated portion f¹, through which air is admitted on its way to the
central tube, the currents being thereby so modified as to prevent the flame from
flickering. Within the top of the drip cup is a removable perforated plate F³
whereof the central part is preferably elevated substantially as shown.. The drip
cup being detached the plate F" can be readily removed and cleaned of any pieces
of burned wick etcetera which may accumulate upon its surface, and its office is to

page_text: assist in modifying the incoming air currents as well as to afford an easy means
of keeping the air channels at the base of the burner cleared of all obstructions to
the free admission of air.
Around the lower part of the central air tube is a second tube G forming
therewith an annular space into which the lower part of the wick projects, and
into which oil is admitted from the oil receptacle F through a series of small
perforations g¹. Upon the upper part of tube G is an enlarged chamber G¹
with which the tube B¹ communicates, and oil from this chamber finds its way
into the oil receptacle F through a small perforation g². Outside of G¹ the oil
receptacle is closed at the top as indicated, and air is not admitted to the
chamber G (through which it must find its way to the space above the oil in
receptacle A) until the oil is consumed down to a point below the level of the
perforation g³; and whenever this occurs the air passes down through a small air
tube H. The purpose of the chamber G is to contain a supply of oil from which
the receptacle F can be fed as required which supply is sufficient in quantity to
always prevent sudden ingress of air to the tube B₁ when the lamp is tipped, and
which cannot be too suddenly displaced under any circumstances (the hole g² being
quite small as compared with the size of the chamber). To insure a good joint
between chamber Gi and tube B₁ the former is cut out slightly at top to conform.
to the contour of the tube, and the latter is then soldered thereon; its end being
closed by a cap B' and a small perforation in the underside made to communicate
with chamber G'. The tube B' is also soldered at its union with the metallic
cylinder I, and the two connections render the burner firm and steady upon the
supporting tube B¹. The tubes F¹ and G are both soldered at the points where
they join the bottom plate of the oil receptacle, and the tube G extends up to the
metallic plate over the receptacle, where it is also soldered, holding these two parts
firmly to their seats on the cylinder and rendering the inner tubes solid and
secure in their proper positions.
Air for the exterior of the flame is admitted through perforated plates K, K¹, K²,
both inside and outside of the transparent.cone L. The plates M. and M¹ are
imperforate and they form between them a channel through which air finds its
way down through tube H in order to control the feeding. The wick tip N
(which may be made of glass or other vitreous material) rests inside of M and any
oil which weeps or creeps over the wick tip on the inside finds its way down
through the channel between M and M', and through tube H into the oil receptacle.
This keeps the exterior of the lamp dry and free of accumulation of oil. The
interior of tube F1 is also kept clean and dry by providing a cylindrical section N¹
between which and the tube there is a space communicating at bottom with the
space in which the wick is located, and operating to prevent any oil from creeping
over into the interior of tube F¹.
4
The upper end of the air tube is ribbed as at f, and the section N¹ is firmly
held. in place by being made to bear tightly upon these ribs, leaving the requisite
space between F and N¹ for passage of the oil. The upper part of the burner
including the plates K, K¹, K³, and the cone L are made removable together to
facilitate the operation of cleaning and lighting. O is an upright cylinder 4
constituting the chimney holder or seat for the chimney. Upon this at suitable
intervals are secured sockets one of which is represented at 0¹ for the reception of
the shade holder arms. These arms represented at Q, are made of metal, the
lower ends of which completely fill the socket, or pockets O¹, and are formed to
correspond with the contour of the cylinder O so that they have a firm and steady 5
bearing in their seats from which they may be withdrawn whenever desired, as
when packing the lamp for shipment.
The shade R. is of any of the usual patterns, and rests upon the arms Q from
which it may be detached by springing one of the arms.
The space above the oil in the receptacle F having only communication with 5
the exterior air 'through the long and narrow tube H, it is plain that no reverse
1

page_text: •
draught or no blowing down the chimney (as is sometimes practiced to extinguish
the light) can communicate fire to the oil or to the gases thereabove in the oil
receptacle.
"
The wick-raiser shaft S passes through the cylinder I and is provided with
tubes S¹ and S, the latter being closed at the outer end. These tubes fit the shaft
closely, form boxes within which it is to be turned and prevent any escape of oil
through the shell I,
The ratchet wheels S³ for bearing against the wick are made double as indicated,
so as to afford a firm grip upon the wick without danger of slipping and the teeth
of each wheel are preferably made to alternate with those of the wheel next
adjacent, their points not being made so sharp as to cut the wick. The tube Fi is
indented at points opposite the position of the ratchets so that the ratchets force
the wick into the indentations, and thereby secure a firm hold on the wick and
insure its even travel up and down upon the wick tube.
The lamp so constructed affords a large, brilliant and steady flame, and in all
respects is found in practice to admirably answer the several purposes or objects of
the invention as previously set forth.
The cone L is readily removable from its metallic seat which latter is connected
with the chimney supporting ring, so that while the burner top may be dismounted,
the cone may be detached therefrom for cleaning or replacing as may be required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:
1st. In a vacuum lamp a cylindrical valve at the bottom of the reservoir
provided with a stem projecting up through the reservoir, said valve entering a
tube containing the oil escape orifice and arranged to move up and down past said
orifice in order to govern the oil communication between the reservoir and the
burner, substantially as shown and described.
2nd. In combination with the cylindrical valve and its tubular seat, the
interposed spiral spring, the valve being provided with means for forcing it down
against the action of the spring, substantially as set forth.
3rd. The herein described support for the valve seat, the same being affixed to
the reservoir at one side and provided with sockets for the reception of the oil
supply tube, and the air tube leading to the upper part of the reservoir, and the
valve, arranged and combined substantially as shown.
4th. In a vacuum lamp, the valve stem connecting the upper and lower valves
which respectively govern the inlet to an outlet from the reservoir, said stem being
moved by a locking mechanism and removable key therefor, substantially as
shown and described,
5th. The combination with the valve stem carrying the two valves and the
lock applied upon said stem of the key connected with the cover and arranged tö
operate the lock and secure the cover substantially as shown and described.
6th. In combination with the valve stem, the two part lock and its casing, cach
part of said lock having inclined and flat faces for abutting against each other, the
lower part being prevented from turning as explained, and the removable key for
operating said lock, substantially as shown and described.
7th. In combination with the reservoir, the feeding funnel in the upper part
thereof, the same being closed at bottom by a valve and made of transparent or
translucent material.
8th. The lock case containing the two part lock which is connected with the
valve stem said case being located within the feeding funnel and arranged to
receive and hold the key attached to the reservoir cover.
9th. In combination with the standard and the supply tube connecting the
reservoir and burner, the set screw connected with the hollow ball through the
medium of a shell upon which said ball is mounted and upon which it is arranged
to revolve, substantially as shown and described.

page_text: 10th. In combination with the burner the removable drip cup arranged to be
sprung upon the bottom thereof, and having the side and top foraminated plates,
substantially as shown and described.
11th. In combination with the drip cup having the upper foraminated cover,
the removable cleaning plate, substantially as shown and described.
12th. In a lamp burner, the combination with the central air tube located in
the oil receptacle, of a second tube surrounding the first also located within the
oil receptacle and forming on one side a chamber for the reception of the wick,
and on the other an oil, space, oil being admitted to the outside chamber, and to
the wick chamber, substantially as shown and described.
13th. In a lamp burner, the enlarged chamber located within the oil receptacle,
receiving oil from the supply tube and communicating with the receptacle through
a small perforation, substantially as shown and described.
14th. In a lamp burner, the air chamber at or near the top communicating with
the oil receptacle through the elongated tube, said tube being arranged to admit
air to the oil receptacle, and to drain the air chamber of oil which may collect
therein, substantially as set forth.
15th. In a lamp burner, the short cylinder mounted upon the upper end of the
central wick tube and the cylindrical tip mounted upon the top part of the air
chamber in the upper part of the oil receptacle, forming respectively with the wick
tube and top and bottom parts of said air chamber channels through which the
overflowing oil from either side of the wick is directed back to the oil receptacle,
substantially as shown and described.
16th. The band for supporting the chimney, the same having exterior sockets
applied thereon and arranged to support the removable shade holder arms, said
arms having their lower ends flattened or formed to correspond with the contour
of the cylinder as explained, and substantially as shown.
17th. In combination with the wick raiser shaft, the two tubes entering the
metallic shell upon the oil receptacle below the removable burner top, one of said
tubes being closed at its outer end and both arranged to prevent leakage of oil,
substantially as described.
18th. The herein described wick-raiser in which the ratchet wheels are doubled
the teeth of one wheel being located as explained so that they fall opposite the
spaces between the teeth of the other wheel.
19th. In combination with the wick-raising ratchets the cylindrical wick tube
indented at points opposite said ratchets, the surface of the indentations being
made to receive the wick as it is pressed therein by the teeth, substantially as set
forth.