IM- PROVEMENTS IN LANTERNS AND CANDLESTICKS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lako, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN LANTERNS AND CANDLESTICKS." A communication from
abroad by Jesse Edward Folk, of Brooklyn, New York, United States of
America.
Sealed the 21st December 1876, and dated the 25th July 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lako at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th July 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LANTERNS AND CANDLE-
STICKS." A communication.
This Invention relates to lanterns and candlesticks to be used either together or
separately as may be preferred. One part of the said invention has reference to
that variety of lanterns in which the stem or shaft of the wick raising device
extends laterally through the side of the lantern in such manner that the height of
the wick may be adjusted to regulate the flame without opening the lantern or
otherwise providing access to the interior thereof. The object of this portion of
the said Invention being to enable such stem or shaft of the wick raiser to be
thus extended through the side of the lantern without weakening the upper annular
portion of the base into which the lower end of the glass portion or body of the
lamp is inserted or attached with a turning or axial movement.
This portion of the said Invention comprises a glass lantern body whose circular
or cylindrical lower end is recessed at one side in such manner that when the
said glass body is attached to the base it will permit the said stem or shaft of
the wick operating device to pass outward and through such recess, and thereby
permit the direct attachment of the glass body to the annular portion of the base
of the lantern without involving the necessity of cutting or recessing said upper
annular portion of the base, thereby preventing the weakening of such portion of
the base and insuring a much firmer retention of the glass body than would other-
wise be possible. The aforesaid portion of this invention further comprises an
axial pin or stud provided in the base of the lantern, and in such relation with
the body of the oil cup contained in said base that when the cup is necessarily
rotated by the turning of the glass body in the attachment of the latter to the
[Price 6d.]

page_text: base the frictional contact of the circumference of the cup with the sides of the
base is prevented, and all hindrance to the turning of the glass body in its proper
attachment to the said base is prevented.
Another portion of this Invention relates to that class of candlesticks in which
the top of the candlo is pressed upward to the top of the candlestick by a spring
arranged below the candle, and moving upward a socket or support which bears
against the lower end of the candle, and presses the latter with its top against an
inwardly extended flange or rim, in contact with which the periphery of the upper
end of the candle is held while the latter is burning. In candlesticks of this class
the movable socket has commonly been made in the form of an inverted cup with
cylindrical or rounded sides. When the sockets are made in this manner the melting
of the last portion of the candle causes the melted material of the candle to flow
over the sides of the socket and downward inside of the tubular stick of the candle-
stick upon the spring below the socket or else upon the outside of said tubular
stick, disfiguring the same. When, moreover, the shape of the socket is reversed,
and it is made simply cup-shaped or hollow at its upper side, the burning of the
wick in the last portion of the material of the candle melted and retained in the
cup-shaped socket heats the said socket and the adjacent portions of the tube and
the cap, thereby not only softening the metal but also rendering the melted material
liable to be splashed or thrown out of the socket, thereby causing inconvenience in
the handling of the candlestick.
The object of this portion of the Invention is to obviate these drawbacks by a
construction of candlestick that while permitting the burning of the candle to its
very bottom fraginent will at the same timo guard against the flow of melted
inaterial downward, through, within, or without the tube, will prevent the over-
heating of the metal of the socket and adjacent parts, and will avoid all liability of
the splashing or displacement of the melted material while the last portion of the
candle is being consumed.
This last indicated portion of the said Invention comprises in a candlestick of
the class herein-before referred to a movable socket constructed with a chamber
arranged below the bearing surface of the socket, whether the said socket bo of
annular or other form, in such manner that the socket actuated by a spring will
continue to force the candle up to the cap or top of the candlestick until the candle
is consumed to its lower extremity, and which when the material is melted at such
lower extremity of the candle will not only receive the resultant melted material
but will also receive the last fragment of the wick as it is dislodged or tilted by
the melting of the material around it. The arrangement of the parts being, more-
over, such that the annular fragment of unmelted material left when the central
portion of the last end of the candle is melted and consumed forms a packing
between the cap of the candlestick and the bearing surface of the movable socket,
and thereby prevents the flow of the melted material in any direction, except
inward and downward into the chamber of the socket aforesaid.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th
January 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LANTERNS AND CANDLE-
STICKS."
A communication from abroad by Jesse Edward Folk, of Brooklyn,
New York, United States of America.
This Invention relates to lanterns and candlesticks to be used either together or
separately, as may be preferred. One part of the said Invention has reference to
that variety of lanterns in which the stem or shaft of the wick raising device

page_text: extends laterally through the side of the lantern in such manner that the height of
the wick may be adjusted to regulate the flame without opening the lantern or
otherwise providing access to the interior thereof, the object of this portion of the
said Invention being to enable such stem or shaft of the wick raiser to be thus
extended through the side of the lantern without weakening the upper annular
portion of the base into which the lower end of the glass portion or body of the
lantern is inserted or attached with a turning or axial movement.
This portion of the said Invention comprises a glass lantern body, whose circular
or cylindrical lower end is recessed at one side in such manner that when the said
glass body is attached to the base it will permit the said stem or shaft of the wick
operating device to pass outward and through such recess, and thereby permit the.
direct attachment of the glass body to the annular portion of the base of the lantern
without involving the necessity of cutting or recessing said upper annular portion
of the base, thereby preventing the weakening of such portion of the base, and
insuring a much firmer retention of the glass body than would otherwise be possible.
The aforesaid portion of this Invention further comprises an axial pin or stud pro-
vided in the base of the lantern, and in such relation with the body of the oil cup
contained in said base that when the cup is necessarily rotated by the turning of
the glass body in the attachment of the latter to the base the frictional contact of
the circumference of the cup with the sides of the base is prevented, and all hin-
drance to the turning of the glass body in its proper attachment to the said base is
prevented.
Another portion of this Invention relates to that class of candlesticks in which
the top of the candle is pressed upward to the top of the candlestick by a spring
arranged below the candle and moving upward a socket or support which bears
against the lower end of the candle and presses the latter with its top against an
inwardly extended flange or rim, in contact with which the periphery of the upper
end of the candle is held while the latter is burning. In candlesticks of this class
the movable socket has commonly heen made in the form of an inverted cup with
cylindric or rounded sides. When the sockets are made in this manner the melting
of the last portion of the candle causes the melted material of the candle to flow
over the sides of the socket and downward inside of the tubular stick of the candle-
stick upon the spring below the socket, or else upon the outside of said tubular
stick disfiguring the same. When, moreover, the shape of the socket is reversed
and it is made simply cup-shaped, or hollow at its upper side the burning of the
wick in the last portion of the material of the candle melted and retained in the
cup-shaped socket, heats the said socket and the adjacent portions of the tube and
the cap, thereby not only softening the metal but also rendering the melted material
liable to be splashed or thrown out of the socket, and thereby causing inconvenience
in the handling of the candlestick.
The object of this portion of the Invention is to obviate these drawbacks by a
construction of candlestick that while permitting the burning of the candle to its
very bottom fragment will at the same time guard against the flow of melted
material downward, through, within, or without the tube, will prevent the over-
heating of the metal of the socket and adjacent parts, and will avoid all liability to
the splashing or displacement of the melted material while the last portion of
the candle is being consumed.
This last indicated portion of the said Invention comprises, in a candlestick of
the class herein-before referred to, a movable socket constructed with a chamber
arranged below the bearing surface of the socket, whether the said socket be of
annular or other form, in such manner that the socket actuated by a spring will
continue to force the canille up to the cap or top of the candlestick until the candle
is consumed to its lower extremity, and which when the material is melted at such
lower extremity of the candle will not only receive the resultant melted material,
but will also receive the last fragment of the wick as it is dislodged or tilted by the
melting of the material around it; the arrangement of the parts being, moreover,
such that the annular fragment of unmelted material left when the central portion

page_text: of the last end of the candle is melted and consumed forms a packing between re
cap of the candlestick and the bearing surface of the movable socket, and thereby
prevents the flow of the melted material in any direction except inward and down-
ward into the chamber of the socket aforesaid.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a lantern alone, constructed according to
this Invention, the parts being shown as connected for use.
Figure 2 is a side view of the same taken in a plane at right angles to Figure 1
and representing tho metallic base disconnected from the glass body of the lantern,
the better to show the peculiar construction of the said glass body.
Figure 3 is a view corresponding with Figure 1, representing the candlestick
constructed according to this Invention and applied for use in a lantern.
Figure 4 is a side view of the candlestick forming a portion of the said
Invention.
Figure 5 is a central vertical section of the same with the socket depressed as it
is when the stick contains a candle.
Figure 6 is a like viow of the same representing the position of the parts when
the candle has burned to its lower extremity.
Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10 show modifications in the construction of the aforesaid
socket.
Having reference first to Figures 1 and 2. A is the glass body of the lantern
whose narrowed circular upper end is screwed or otherwise secured in the metallic
cap or top B, to which top B may be attached the usual balo C. D is the metallic
base within which is placed the oil-cup E surmounted by the usual burner I whose
shaft or stem a actuates in the ordinary way the wick raising device of said burner;
the said stem a projecting laterally outward to the exterior of the lantern, in order
that it may be externally turned to raise or lower the wick as herein-after more
fully explained. The upper annular part b of the base D is forined with an internal
screw thread. The narrowed lower end of the glass body A being of circular form
and also provided with a screw thread, coincident in pitch with that of the part b,
the said lower end of the glass body may be readily screwed into the annular upper
part of the base D, and be firmly fixed thereto when the lantern is in actual use;
this mode of attachment moreover permits the ready detachment of the body from
the base when for any reason access is desired to the interior of the lantern, as for
In one side
example, in the filling of the oil cup or trimming of the wick.
of the circular or cylindrical lower end of the glass body A is formed a notch or
recess f. In the attachment of the body A to the base as herein-before explained
the recess fis brought over the stem, and as the body is brought down the stem
passes into the said recess; the body A then being turned around to screw the
lower part into the upper part of the base D the aforesaid recess permits the
downward insertion of the lower end of the body A as the latter is turned or
screwed around. The stem together with the burner and oil cup is rotated
with the body A; the rotation of these parts being necessary to prevent the stem
The stem a when the
from interfering with the turning movenient of the body.
body A is brought down to its place is above the annular upper part 6 of the base
D, and the latter being continuous throughout its entire circumference is enabled
to bind and firmly hold the lower end of the body A, thereby securing the fixed
rigil attachment of the said body to the base, which attachment would not b
possible if the part of the base were recessed, inasmuch as such recessing of the
part b would destroy its continuity and cause it to spring from and release the
body A in case of any wrenching or sudden straining tending to separate the body
from the base. Projecting upward from the centre of the bottom of the base Di
a short stud or pin g, as represented in Figure 1, this stud fits into a small step
formed in the centre of the bottom of the oil cup E; when the oil cup is rotated
in the attachment of the body A to the base D as herein-before explained th

page_text: pin g forms a pivot around which the cup E is turned without contact with the
sides or inner circumference of the base D any friction between the sides of the
cup E and the sides of the base D, which otherwise would be likely to interfere
with the free rotation of the cup during the attachment of the body to the base
being by these means effectually avoided.
Having reference now to Figures 4, 5, and 6, A* is the ordinary tube or upright
portion of a candlestick of the variety herein-before mentioned, and B* is the base,
C* being the internal spiral spring which forces upward the socket E*. D* is the
detachable cap attached in the usual or any suitable manner to the top of the
tube A*, this cap having a shoulder or internal projecting rim or flange a*, as
shown more fully in Figures 5 and 6, above which the extreme top of the cap D*
flares in the usual manner, as represented in Figures 4, 5, and 6. D** is the
candle with its upper periphery resting against the under side of the internally
projecting shoulder rim or flange a*. E is the sliding or movable socket marle
preferably in two parts, that is to say, of the bottom or cup-shaped part b* and the
crown shaped part *, the latter placed in the former or bottom piece b* in such
manner as to provide a chamber f*, the top of the said chamber being open as
shown at a in Figures 5 and 6. The width of the said socket at its upper part is
not greater than the width of the candle D**, the said upper part resting against
the lower end of the candle, as shewn more fully in Figure 5, with the spring
C* pressing the socket upward to feed the candle up against the shoulder a* as fast
as the candle is consumed at its upper end, the flame of the candle being thereby
kept in the same position with reference to the top of the candlestick irrespective
of the varying length of the candle. When the candle being thus continually fed
up as fast as consumed is burned quite to its lower end, the remaining or last
portion will of course be melted the inost at its middle or at that part surrounding
the fragment of the wick, the circumferential portion of the last remaining fragment
of the candle resting above the space between the upper part of the chambered
socket E* and the surrounding part a* of the cap D*. When finally the melting
of the material at the middle of the fragment of the candle is carried to such an
extent that the whole middle portion of such fragment becomes inclted the remnant
of the wick drops through the opening in the top of the socket into the chamber of
said socket, and the melted material also flows down through the said opening
into the said chamber, and is retained therein, the flow of the melted material in
any other direction being prevented by the unmelted or solid portion remaining
over the said space, as herein-before explained. It will be observed that inasmuch
as the chamber f* receives not only the remnant of the wick but also the melted
material that would otherwise flow downward through within or without the tubo
of the candlestick, all the inconveniences and drawbacks herein-before specified as
incidental to the use of candlesticks (of the class herein specifically referred to)
hitherto devised are avoided. The socket E*, instead of being made with its two
parts b, c, in separate pieces and with the part c* detachable from the part 6*, as
above described, may have the said parts permanently fixed together; but the con-
struction herein-before set forth is preferred inasmuch as it facilitates the cleaning
or clearing out of said socket when the same has become filled. The shape, how-
ever of the part c* may be varied within very wide limits; for example, it may
be of the crown shape hercin-before set forth, shown in Figures 5 and 6, and also
shown in plan in Figure 7, and in side view in Figure 8, or it may be simply an
annulus suspended on three supporting legs, as shown in plan in Figure 9 and in
side view in Figure 10, it being simply necessary that the portion which bears
against the lower end of the candle in forcing the same upward, as herein-before
described, shall be at such distance from the bottom of the plunger as to form a
cavity for the reception of the remnant of the wick or flow of liquid material when
the extremity of the candle is reached.
Although the lantern may be constructed and used apart from the candlestick, as
shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the candlestick may be made and used apart from
the lantern, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the candlestick may be advantageously

page_text: used in a lantern, as represented in Figure 3, the stud. g serving in this case to
steady and retain the candlestick in position.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign.correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim.
First. In a lantern of the class herein specified, the body constructed with a recoss
in its circular lower end, whereby provision is made for the attachment of the said
body to the base without cutting or recessing the upper annular portion of the base
or otherwise, breaking the continuity and strength of the aforesaid upper part of
the base, as above set forth.
Second. The pin or projection in the bottom of the base and the step in the
bottom of the oil cup in combination with the stem and the recessed lower end of
the body attached to the said base by a turning or axial movement, all as above set
forth and for the purpose specified..
Third. In a candlestick of the class specified, the socket having a chamber pro-
vided below its top or bearing surface, as above set forth and for the purpose
specified.
Fourth. In a candlestick of the class described, the socket constructed with a
chamber below its annular top or bearing surface in combination with a shoulder of
the cap, as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
TUYU
DORT LAKT Gol