Improvements in or connected with Miners' Safety and other Lamps, also applicable to Carriage and various other kinds of Lamps.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Mar., 1897-Accepted, 21st May, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Miners' Safety and other Lamps,
also applicable to Carriage and various other kinds of Lamps.
I, ALFRED WEBB of No. 6 Park Place Salop Street Highgate Park in the
City of Birmingham in the County of Warwick Lamp Manufacturer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-"
This invention consists of the hereinafter described improvements in miners
safety and other lamps, with means for admitting air either above or below the
flame. My invention is applicable to miners safety lamps of all kinds, also to
carriage and other lamps, particularly to miners safety lamps such as have the
upper gauze protected with a glass bonnet as described in the Specification of
Letters Patent No. 11757 A.D. 1889 granted to Lewis Jenkins and also described
in the Specification of Letters Patent No. 19742 A.D. 1893 granted to John
Cooper.
The first part of my said invention consists of the hereinafter described improved
means for admitting air to the flame through the middle or lower tubular part of
the lamp, so as to prevent the light being blown out or otherwise affected when
the lamp is used in places where there are strong air current.
In carrying out this part of my invention the tubular lower part of the lamp to
which the oil vessel is screwed or otherwise secured is made with one or more air
inlets preferably of circular form and each protected by a wire gauze cap thereto.
Each of these wire gauze caps is preferably fixed to a small sheet metal ring
which rings are fixed in the said air inlet holes in the lower part of the lamp, or in
place of the gauze caps I may use a wire gauze belt or band to cover the air inlet
holes which is preferably fixed in a recess inside the lower part of the lamp, but
the said gauze belt or band may also be fixed on the outside of the lower part of
the lamp.
Surrounding the said lower part of the lamp and resting upon the bottom flange
thereof so as to form an annular air space is a metal ring preferably loose so as to
give access to the said wire gauze over the air holes.
This ring is by preference made somewhat deeper than the air inlet holes so as
to extend above and below the same and in this metal ring there are a number of
air holes preferably arranged in two rows one row near the top and the other row
near the bottom of the said ring so that the air entering these holes in the ring
will not impinge directly upon the gauze covered holes in the lower part of the
lamp but will impinge against the lower part of the lamp and then be carried round
to the gauze covered air holes thus breaking the currents and preventing the flame
being affected even when the lamp is held in a strong air current.
The said lower part of the lamp body is by preference made with an annular
groove above the air holes and an annular groove below the air holes corresponding
with the air holes in the ring so that a strong current one side of the lamp will
pass along the annular grooves and out through the holes at the other side.
The said metal ring is by preference made loose so that it can be raised for
cleaning the wire gauze over the air inlet holes, or when it is desired to test
for gas.
Between the lower part of the lamp and the said outer ring there is a sliding
metal regulating band or shut off which is made to clip and work round the lower
part of the lamp within the outer ring, and being perforated with holes
corresponding with the gauze covered air inlet holes, and is made with one or more

page_text: projections which engage in notches made in the outer ring, so that when it is
desired to test for gas above the bottom of the lamp, the air inlet holes can be
closed or partly closed with the metal regulating band or shut off by turning the
outer ring.
In the bottom of the oil vessel a deep recess is formed to allow the pricker to
work thus preventing the pricker from interfering with the light when the lamp
is in use.
I provide for the said pricker a piece of wire of any metallic substance and is
'made to work in a small tube secured in the bottom of the oil vessel and is made
to pass through the top. The said pricker being bent at both ends the top end
being bent to any angle and formed with a projection in front which work in the
slot made in the burner tube, the projection engaging with the lamp wick, the
pricker will not only raise and lower the wick, but will snuff or remove the crust
from the said lamp wick in a most efficient manner without having to remove the
oil vessel from the lower part of the lamp.
The bottom end of the said pricker is bent to any suitable shape for holding to
work the pricker the said bent end working in the deep recess formed in the
bottom of the oil vessel.
The said oil vessel is provided with a burner for holding the lamp wick.
In the screwed recess formed in the top of the oil vessel for holding the burner
I place between the bottom of the recess and the burner a ring or collar of wood
or of any other non beat conducting substance. Attached to the bottom flange of
the lower part of the lamp is a strap or projection with one or more holes, and
connected to the side of the oil vessel is another strap or flange in which are
made a number of holes to correspond with the hole or holes in the strap,
attached to the bottom flange of the lower part of the lamp, and is for the
purpose of securing the oil vessel after it has been screwed in or otherwise affixed
by means of a lead rivet or bolt being passed through the holes in the straps. By
preference I provide an automatic mechanism for the purpose of automatically
locking the oil vessel when it has been screwed in or otherwise secured in the lower
part of the lamp, which I construct in the following manner. On the bottom of the
lower part of the lamp I form an extended flange or a part of it in which I make
a number of holes and attached to the side of the oil vessel is the locking
arrangement which consists of spring lever, bolt, or catch, the oil vessel being
screwed into its proper position, the end of the lever, bolt, or catch engages with
the holes made in the bottom of the flange.
The said oil vessel cannot be removed from the lower part of the lamp without
the aid of a key for the purpose of unlocking the automatic lock, the said lock: may
be attached to the bottom flange of the lower part of the lamp if I find it more
suitable and the arrangement of the mechanism may be modified according to the
position in which it may be employed.
Another very important feature of this invention consists in the shape of the
glass which I provide to surround the flame in the lower part of the lamp,
preferably of a convex form, but I may provide glasses of any other shape and
dimension which I find most suitable to increase the illuminating power of the
lamp.
I place between the top of the oil vessel and the bottom of the glass surrounding
the flame a raised disc or cone which has a slot in the centre the said disc or cone
may be secured either to the top of the oil vessel or to the lower part of the
lamp.
The second part of this invention consists of the following improvements in the
construction and arrangement of the parts of miners safety and other lamps
whereby the internal parts can more readily be removed and replaced when desired
for cleaning or renewal. This part of my said invention I carry out as follows:-
I form on the top of the oil vessel a ring or groove to receive the bottom of the
glass surrounding the flame, carried at a certain distance above the lower part
of the lamp by tubes or pillars fixed thereto I provide a hollow metal ring of

page_text: tubular section which I call the outer ring to the top of which are screwed or
otherwise secured a number of small tubes (as many as I require) which are
continued right up through the top part of the lamp. These tubes are for the
purpose of supporting the top part of the lamp and for bringing air or gas down.
into the said tubular metal ring from which the air or gas can pass through holes
formed in the inner part of the ring and through the usual upper wire gauze bonnet.
down to the flame. Within the said outer ring there is an inner ring preferably
made of thin sheet metal and with holes to correspond with the holes in the
outer ring.
This inner ring is made with a flange at the top upon which the upper glass
bonnet or metal bonnet rests and with a recessed flange below in which fits the
bottom flange of the wire gauze bonuet and the top of the lower glass tube which
surrounds the flame this glass resting in the ring or groove formed on the top of
the oil vessel.
Thus by removing the oil vessel from the lower part of the lamp both glasses
and the inner ring and wire gauze or wire gauzes can all be at once removed
through the lower part of the lamp without having to disturb or disconnect the
upper part thereof. In a modification of the upper part of the lamp I provide a
hollow metal ring of tubular section to the bottom of which is secured a perforated
ring to which is connected the tubes or pillars connecting the lower part of the
lamp, and to the top of the said ring is secured the perforated shield forming the
top part of the lamp frame and which protects the upper bonnet which is made
preferably of glass but the said bonnet may be made of mica, talc or any other
similar or transparent substance whichever I find most suitable. Within the said
tubular ring there is an inner ring preferably made of thin sheet metal and in this
ring there is a number of air holes preferably arranged round the centre. This
inner ring fits in the perforated ring secured to the bottom of the said tubular ring
thus forming a cavity or air space between the inner and outer tubular ring.
The top part of the lamp through which the said small tubes pass by preference
consists of a top cap and a short distance below the cap there is a circular plate
against which the top of the glass bonnet fits the said tubes passing through holes
in the plate and in the cap and between the plate and the cap there are threaded
small tubular washers to keep the cap and the plate at the proper distance apart.
But in a modification the circular plate is fixed inside the perforated shield
against projections formed inside the shield the top cap being secured to the top of
the shield by rivets or other suitable means.
The products of combustion from the lamp pass up and through the upper wire
gauze bonnet and out through the spaces between the circular plate and the cap at
the top of the lamp.
Dated this 20th day of May 1896.
Improvements in or connected with Miners' Safety and other Lamps,
also applicable to Carriage and various other kinds of Lamps.
I ALFRED WEBB of No. 196 Great Russell Street, late of No. 6 Park Place
Salop Street Highgate Park both of the City of Birmingham in the County of
Warwick Lamp Manufacturer 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 consists of the herein described improvements in miners' safety
and other lamps with means for adınitting air either below or above the flame.

page_text: .
My invention is applicable to miners safety lamps of all kinds, also to carriage
and other lamps, particularly to miners safety lamps such as have the upper gauze
protected with a glass bonnet as described in the Specification of Letters Patent
No. 11757 of A.D. 1889 granted to Mr. Lewis Jenkins, and also described in the
Specification of Letters Patent No. 19742 A.D. 1893 granted to John Cooper.
I will describe my invention by referring to the accompanying drawings on
which
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a miners' safety lamp embodying my
improvements;
Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same.
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the upper glass bonnet of the same separately;
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the upper gauze of the same and inner
perforated ring;
Fig. 4 shews the said perforated ring separately;
Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the bottom glass of the lamp and
Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the oil vessel with the ring attached which
secures the raised disc or cone; upper glass bonnet, upper gauze; and bottom
glass in place in the lamp frame as hereinafter described;
Fig. 7 is a elevation of the said ring separate from the oil vessel;
Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of the bottom of the oil veesel shewing the recess
in which the pricker works and
Fig. 8 shews the pricker and tube separately.
Fig. 9 shews separately one of the wire gauze caps (with its metal ring) which
are fixed in the lower part of the lamp as hereinafter described and
Fig. 10 shews in sectional elevation and front elevation a portion of the lower
part of the lamp with one of the wire gauze caps, and its ring fixed in place;
Fig. 11 is an elevation and plan of the baffle ring of the lower part of the
said lamp.
Fig. 12 is a front elevation and sectional plan of the air regulating band or shut
off of the same.
Figs. 13 and 14 each shew a plan of the lower part of the lamp to illustrate
slight modifications of my invention for admitting air to the lower part of the
lamp.
Fig. 15 is an elevation of the gauze belt or band.
.
Fig. 16 is a sectional elevation of the lamp frame separate from the other parts;
Fig. 16 is an elevation and plan of the disc or cone.
Fig. 17 is a sectional elevation of a modification of a miners safety lamp
embodying my improvements.
Fig. 18 is a front elevation of a modification of the bottom glass.
Fig. 19 is a sectional elevation of a modification of the oil vessel.
Fig. 20 is a sectional elevation of a modification of the top glass.
Fig. 21 is a front elevation of the strap which is secured to the oil vessel
and the strip which is secured to the lower part of the lamp for locking with
lead rivet.
Fig. 22 is a front elevation of the automatic locking arrangement for securing
the oil vessel to the lower part A of the lamp.
The same letters of reference indicate the same or corresponding parts in all the
figures of the drawings.
The first part of my said invention consists of the hereindescribed improved
means for admitting air to the flame through the middle; or tubular lower part
of the lamp so as to prevent the light being blown out or otherwise affected when
the lamp is used in places where there are strong air currents.
lu carrying out this part of my invention the tubular lower part A of the lamp
to which the oil vessel B is screwed or otherwise secured is made with one or more
air inlets c (in the lamp shewn on my drawings there are five of these inlets)
preferably of circular form as shewn; and each protected by a wire gauze cap d'
fixed thereto.

page_text: Each of these wire gauze caps d' is by preference fixed to a small sheet metal
ring dsee Figs. 9 and 16 which ring is fixed in the said air inlets c in the lower.
part of the lamp.
But in place of the wire gauze caps d' I may use a wire gauze belt or band d
see Fig. 15 to cover the air inlets e preferably fixed in a recess A¹ inside the tubular
lower part A of the lamp.
By an examination of Figs. 9 and 16 it will be seen that the sheet metal ring d²
is closed over and round the wire gauze cap d' forming a flange which fits in the
correspondingly recessed holes c where the ring d and the wire gauze cap d¹are
secured by soldering or any other suitable means on the outside.
Surrounding the lower part A of the lamp and resting upon the bottom or
flange a¹ of the same so as to form an annular air space there is a metal baffle
ring E shewn separately by Fig. 11 made loose so as to turn and so as to be easily
removed to give access for cleaning the wire gauze cap d' or the gauze band d³.
This ring E is made somewhat deeper than the air inlet hole c so as to extend
above and below the same and in this metal ring E there is a number of small
air inlet holes e¹ preferably arranged in two rows as shewn one row near the top
and the other row near the bottom of the ring E so that the air cutering these
small holes in the ring E will not impinge directly upon the gauze covered
holes in the lower part A of the lamp but will impinge against blank parts of the
lower part A and then be carried indirectly to the gauze covered air holes e thus
breaking the air currents, and preventing the flame being affected even when the
lamp is held in a strong air current.
Or instead of or in addition to the ring E being made with air holes there
may as shewn in Figs. 13 and 14 be small air inlet holes or notches as formed in
the upper flanges a of the lower part A of the lamp.
When it is desired to test for gas above the bottom of the lamp these air inlet
holes el or a can be closed or partly closed by a metal regulating band or other
means and thus cause the air or gas to be drawn down into the lamp from the top
thereof through the small tubes F of the upper part of the lamp hereinafter
described.
In order to thus close or partly close the air holes e the sliding metal regulating
band or ring G shewn separately by Fig. 12 is arranged to clip the lower part A of
the lamp within the outer ring E this metal ring G being perforated with
holes g corresponding with the holes e and this ring G is made with one or more
projections which engage in notches e in the outer ring E so that by turning this
outer ring E the inner ring G will also be turned to close or partly close or open
the gauze covered air holes c.
By an examination of Fig. 8 it will be seen that the bottom B' of the oil vessel B
is formed with a recess G2 in which the bottom end of the pricker g³ works and a
small tube o' is fixed in the said recess of the bottom B¹ through which the
pricker works the said pricker being bent at both ends the top end being bent
with a projection in front which works in the slot in the burner tube; the said
projection engaging with the lamp wick will not only raise and lower the lamp wick
but will snuff or remove the crust from the lamp wick the bottom end of the said
pricker g³ is bent to any shape I find most suitable; thus preventing the light
being interfeared with when the lamp is in use.
In the screwed recess formed in the top of the oil vessel B for holding the
burner I place between the bottom of the recess and burner a ring or collar o³ of
wood or any other non-heat conducting substance.
I place between the ring o attached to the oil vessel B and the bottom of the
glass Fig. 5 surrounding the flame a raised disc or cone Fig. 16 shewn separately
and which has a slot B7 in the centre the said disc or cone may be secured either
to the top of the oil vessel B or to the lower part A of the lamp by any suitable
method.
Attached to the bottoni flange al of the lower part A of the lamp is a strap
or projection B with one or more holes Fig. 21 and connected to the side of the

page_text: oil vessel B is another strap or flange B in which are made a number of holes to
correspond with the holes in the strap attached to the bottom flange of the lower
part A of the lamp for securing the oil vessel B after it has been screwed in or
otherwise affixed by a lead rivet being passed through the holes in the straps B B
By preference I provide an automatic mechanism for locking the oil vessel B to
the bottom flange al of the lower part A of the lamp is an extended flange or a
part of it which has a number of holes and attached to the side of the oil vessel B
is the lock Fig. 22 shewn separately. The case B of the lock is fixed to the side of
the oil vessel B by rivets or any other suitable method. In the top and bottom
of the said case a hole is made through in which the bolt H' works and on the side
of the bolt is formed a projection H which engages with the key H. I also
provide one or more helically coiled spring or springs H3 which is made to work
over either end of the bolt in such a manner that the spring or springs H2 are
compressed between the top and bottom of the case B of the lock by thus turning
the key H³ the end of the bolt H' is withdrawn or removed from the hole or holes
made in the bottom flange a' of the lower part A of the lamp.
I place between the ring o attached to the oil vessel B and the bottom of the
glass N surrounding the flame a raised disc or cone Fig. 16 shewn separately and
which has a slot B in the centre the said disc or cone may be secured either to
the top of the oil vessel B or to the lower part A of the lamp.
The second part of this invention consists of the following improved construction
and arrangement of the parts of a miners safety and other lamps whereby the
internal parts can more readily be removed and replaced when desired cleaning
or renewal.
of
m
This part of my said invention I carry out as follows:-I form on
the oil vessel B a ring or groove o to receive the raised disc or cone B' t
of the glass N surrounding the flame and which is made of an improved sua
preferably of a convex form but in a modification I provide a glass with extended
concentric sides as shewn separately by Fig. 18 to increase the illuminating power
of the lamp.
Carried at a convenient distance above the lower part A of the lamp by tubes
or pillars say five in number marked H fixed thereto; I provide a hollow metal
ring I of tubular section which I call the outer ring and to the top of which are
screwed or otherwise secured five or a greater or smaller number of small tubes F
which are continued right up through the top JJ of the lamp.
These tubes Fare for the purpose of supporting the top JJ of the lamp and
for bringing air or gas down into the tubular metal ring I from which the air or
gas will pass through holes i formed in the inner part of ring I and through the
usual upper wire gauze bonnet K down to the flame.
Within this outer ring I there is an inner ring L shewn separately by Fig. 4,
preferably made of thin sheet metal and with holes to correspond with the
holes i in the outer ring I. This inner ring L is made with a flange at the top
upon which the upper glass bonnet M or the said bonnet which may be made of
metal, mica, or talc rests and is also made with a recessed flange 13 below in which
fits the bottom flange K' of the wire gauze honnet K. and also the top of the
lower glass N. which surrounds the flame, this glass resting on the ring o. which
is fixed on the top of the oil vessel B. when the said oil vessel B. is fixed in the
lower part A. of the lamp.
This construction will be clearly understood from the foregoing description and
from an examination of Figs. 1. 2. 3. 4. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 15. 16. 16 and 17. By first
removing the oil vessel B from the lower part A of the lamp then the lower
glass N. upper wire gauze K. inner ring L. upper glasa M. the disc or cone B
can all be removed through the lower part A. of the lamp without having to disturb
or disconnect the upper part of the same.
The top part J J of the lamp through which the small tubes F. pass is by
preference formed of a top cap J' and a short distance below this cap there is a
plate J made with a circular recess i against which the top of the glass bonnet M.

page_text: fits; the tubes F. passing through corresponding holes in the plate J and in the
cap J and between this plate and cap there are threaded small tubular washers P
to keep the cap J' and plate .J at the proper distance apart.
The various joints between the parts; namely between the plate J³ upper
glass M. inner ring L. lower glass N. the disc or cone and bottom ring o. are
made gas tight by asbestos washers or by other means as will be readily understood
so as to prevent any gas getting to the flame or into the glass bonnet M. when
the lamp is lighted except through the wire gauze cap d' or upper gauze k.
The products of combustion from the lamp pass up and through the upper wire
gauze bonnet k and out through the space between the circular plate J and the
cap J at the top of the lamp.
In order to test for gas in any part of the roof the lamp above described has.
simply to be lighted and held up to the part of the roof to be tested (the holes a
being closed or partly closed if desired) when the gas or air will by the flame be-
drawn down into the lamp through the tubes F and if there is any gas it will be
seen burning inside the lamp.
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.
1. In a miners safety lamp making the tubular lower part of the same with.
small air inlet holes such as c each covered by a wire gauze cap fixed therein.
substantially as described.
2. In a miners safety lamp provided with wire gauze caps fixed in the air inlet
holes of the tubular lower part of the lamp denoted under Claim One, fixing cach
of the said wire gauze caps in the air inlet holes by means of a sheet metal ring
such as d closed around the wire gauze cap and fitting in the air holes
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figs. 9 and 10 of the:
accompanying drawings.
3. In a miners safety lamp provided with a wire gauze belt or band fixed
in a recess formed inside the tubular lower part of the lamp substantially as.
described.
4. In a miners safety lamp and in combination with the tubular lower part of the
same provided with small air inlet holes such as c each covered by a wire gauze
cap fixed therein, the air baffle ring E arranged round the said air holes so as to.
regulate the admission of air thereto and prevent the air impinging directly upon.
the said air holes substantially as described.
5. In a miners safety lamp and in combination with the tubular lower part of the
same provided with a glass to surround the flame of a convex shape preferably with
extended concentric sides to inerese the illumiatiating power of the same.
substantially as described.
6. In a miners safety lamp, and in combination with the lower part of the
same the oil vessel B the bottom of which is provided with a deep recess in which
the bottom end of the pricker works the top end of the pricker being bent to rase,.
lower, and remove the crust from the lamp wick substantially as described.
7. In a miners safety lamp, and in combination with the tubular lower part of
the same, the oil vessel B to the top of which is fixed the ring or groove o. for
holding the glass N. the screwed recess for holding the buruer is provided with a
ring of wood or other non-beat conducting substance substantially as described.
8. In a miners safety lamp, and in combination with the tubular lower part A of
the lamp and the oil vessel B a strap is fixed each of the straps are provided with
a number of boles to receive a lead plug or rivet to secure the oil vessel to the:
lower part of the same substantially as described.
9. In a miners safety lamp, and in combination with the lower part of the same
the oil vessel B is provided with an automatic lock for securing the oil vessel after
it as been screwed in the lower part of the lamp substantially as described.
10. The berein described improved construction of the frame of a miners safety

page_text: lamp, consisting of the combination of the tubular bottom part A, pillars H
tubular metal ring I tubes F and the top part of the lamp all fixed together
and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
11. The herein described improved construction of the frame of a miners safety
lamp consisting of the combination of the tubular bottom part A. pillars H.
tubular ring I. tubes F. top part J J2 threaded on tubes F. with tubular
washers P. between them the parts being fixed together and arranged substantially
as hereinbefore described by the accompanying drawings.
12. In a miners safety lamp the combination with the upper wire gauze
bonnet K. and glass or other bonnet M. surrounding the same, of the tubular
metal ring 1. tubes F. and inner ring L. all arranged substantially as hereinbefore
described and shewn so as to lead the air and gas from outside the top of the lamp
to the lower part of the wire gauze bonnet substantially as set forth.
13. In a miners safety lamp and in combination with the lamp frame, the wire
gauze bonnet K the glass or other bonnet. M. surrounding the same the inner
perforated metal ring L. the lower glass N and bottom ring or groove o all fitting
together and to the lamp frame in the manner substantially as described so as to be
removable from the open bottom of the lamp frame when the oil vessel has been
removed substantially as set forth.
14. In a miners safety lamp and in combination with the upper wire gauze
bonnet K thereof the employment of the perforated inner ring L substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
15. Miners safety and other lamps constructed in the manner substantially as
herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 20th day of March 1897.
ALFRED WEBB.