CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LIGHTING
Year: 1852

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
SIMONS, of Birmingham, Tallow Chandler, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-seventh day of
January (One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two), in the fifteenth year of
Iler reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Edward Simons, my exors, adñors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Edward
Simons, my exors, adiuors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edward
Simons, my exors, adññiors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LIGHTING;" in which said Letters Patent is con-
tained a proviso that I, the said Edward Simons, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in which the
same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part
recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Edward Simons, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon, that is to say:-
Figure 1 represents in elevation, and Figure 2 in vertical section, one of
my improvements in candle lamps. The said improvement consists in the
application to the said candle lamp of the fastening commonly called the bayonet
fastening, for the purpose of holding down or locking the spring of the said
candle lamp while the candle is placed therein, and also the application of the
said bayonet fastening for the purpose of fastening the nozzle or cap against
which the top of the candle is pressed. a, b, are studs, which are attached to
the cup c, against which the spring d presses: these studs project through
slots and e" in the side of the tube e, and by pressing down the said studs
a, b, the spring d is compressed. When the said studs a, b, have descended to
the bottom of the said slots, the said studs are pressed so as to make them enter
the horizontal slots f, g. The spring d is thus held in its compressed state
until the said studs a, b, are brought out of the horizontal slots f, g, into the
vertical slots e', e¹¹. The nozzle h is also attached to the top of the tube e by
a bayonet fastening, as is seen in Figure 1, which said Figure the said
fastenings will be so readily understood that I do not deem further description
necessary.
Figure 3 represents in vertical section, and Figure 4 in elevation, another
of my improvements in locking the springs of candle lamps. i,j, are studs
which pass through slots in the tube k, and by pressing on which the
spring is compressed; m, n, are two small springs of sheet metal attached to
the piece o, which is situated between the top of the spring 7 and the candle p;
these small springs m, n, carry two studs m', n', which, when the spring lis
compressed to its shortest length, are forced into holes m, n, made in the
sides of the tube k for the purpose of their reception. The passage of the
said studs m¹, n¹, through the holes m, n, locks the spring 7; but when the
candle P has been put into the tube k the said spring 1 may be liberated so as
to press the said candle upwards, by pressing upon the studs m³, n', with the
thumb and finger, when the said spring will be unlocked, and the candle
previously put into the tube forced into its proper place for lighting.
Figures 5 and 6 represent a modification of my last described improvement.
In the said modification there are no slots in the tube k, and the spring is
compressed by forcing the wooden piston or plunger, Figure 6, down the tube

page_text: k; when the said spring 7 is fully compressed, the studs m¹, n', enter the holes
m, n, in the tube k, and lock the spring 7. In order to prevent the rotation
of the piece o in the tube, a stud (not seen in the Drawing) fixed on the said
piece o slides in the groove o¹ made in the tube k. By pressing the studs
m', ', with the thumb and finger, the spring is liberated, as explained with
reference to Figures 3 and 4.
Figures 7 and 8 represent in vertical section another of my improvements
in compressing and locking the spring in candle lamps. 9 is the spring,
the pressure of which is transmitted to the candle by the cap r; s is a
cord or catgut, one end of which is attached to the cap 7, and the other
to the drum t in the base of the lamp; the said drum works upon the
axis t¹, one end of which is external to the foot or base u, and is furnished
with a thumb plate v, for the purpose of turning the said axis t¹; wis
a ratchet wheel attached to the drum t, and x a spring pall which engages
in the said ratchet. The said pall and ratchet prevent the unwinding of the
cords, and retain the spring in its compressed state. When it is wished to
unlock the spring so as to make it press the candle upwards, it is only
necessary to press the thumb plate v in a horizontal direction, when the axis
t sliding horizontally the ratchet wheel w will be disengaged from the palla,
and the spring q be at liberty to expand.
2
Figures 9 and 10 represent two other of my improvements in candle
lamps. The improvement represented in Figure 9 consists in the appli-
cation of a foot y, and glass shade, to candle lamps furnished with my
improved method of locking the springs of candle lamps, and the improve-
ment represented in Figure 10 consists in the application of a screen of
wire gauze to the head of a candle lamp. The object of the improvement
represented in Figure 9 is to render the candle lamp applicable to the
use of kitchens and places where ordinary candles are commonly employed,
by giving to the same the form of a kitchen candlestick, and screening
the flame from the currents of air to which in such use it is liable; and the
object of the improvement represented in Figure 10 is to defend the flame
of candle lamps when used in the nursery or places where there is more
than ordinary danger. Although I have represented in Figures 9 and 10 the
method herein first described of locking the springs of candle lamps, yet I do
not confine myself to that method, but I apply any of the methods of locking
the springs of candle lamps, herein described, to the improvements represented
in Figures 9 and 10.
Figure 11 represents one of my improvements in instruments for lighting
mines. It consists of a candle lamp similar to the one herein-before described

page_text: and represented in Figure 1, excepting that instead of a foot the spear point 1
(which may be long or short as desired) is attached to the bottom of the
same, and at the upper part the curved spear point or hook 2.
The object
of the said point 1 and hook 2 is to enable the miner readily to fix the lamp,
by hanging it by the hook 2, or forcing the point 1 into any convenient crevice
in the neighbourhood of his work. I sometimes modify this part of my
Invention in the ways represented in Figures 12 and 13, that is to say, I
elongate the spear point as shewn at 3 in Figures 12 and 13, and in place of
the hook, Figure 11, substitute the horizontal spear point 4 and the handle 5,
Figures 12 and 13, and when it is necessary I guard the flame of the candle
lamp by a cylinder of wire gauze, as shewn in the said Figure 12.
Figure 14 represents in elevation another of my improved lamps to be
employed in lighting mines. It consists of an oil lamp 9, enclosed in a
cylinder 10; a reflector 11 is placed at the back of the flame, and the door 12
furnished with glass; or tale is placed in front of the said flame. The upper
part 13 of the lamp is formed of wire gauze. The whole lamp is mounted
upon the horizontal spear point 14; and being connected with the said spear
point by an axis 15, is capable of a rotatory motion, so that the said spear
point remaining fixed, the lamp may be turned in any direction.
Figures 15 and 16 represent another of my improved lamps to be used in
lighting mines; the said lamp being especially applicable for use where there
is risk of explosion from the prevalence of inflammable gases. Figure 15
represents a side view, and Figure 16 a front view. It consists of a lamp 14,
enclosed in a cylinder, and furnished with a cylinder of wire gauze 18¹ at its
upper part. The lamp is furnished with a reflector 15, and a spear point 16;
and the lamp and spear point are connected by the axis 17. In all these
respects it resembles the lamp last described and represented in Figure 14; and
it differs from the said Figure 14 in the following respects:-It is not furnished
with a door, but has a piece of talc, or mica, or glass inserted in that part of
the cylinder 18, which is opposite to the reflector; and a piece of tale or
other suitable substance 19 is suspended from the top, so as to deflect the
current of hot air from the flame, and prevent it from heating the top of the
wire gauze cylinder to a dangerous degree. The miner has no access to the
interior of the cylinder 18, and there is hence no risk of danger from his
carelessness. The lamp is furnished with an oil cistern, which will hold a
quantity of oil sufficient for the consumption of any given number of hours;
and the lamp trimmed and lighted is put into the miner's hands, and requires
no attention from him. In order to trim the lamp, the cylinder 18 must be
removed from the bottom 20. I sometimes make the cylinder 18 screw into

page_text: the bottom 20, as shown at 20¹, 2011, Figure 15, in which case the said cylin-
der is removed from the said bottom by unscrewing, and I sometimes connect
the said cylinder 18 with the bottom 20 of the lamp, by causing the rods
21, 21, which constitute the framing of the cylinder, and to enter sockets on the
bottom 20, as shewn at 21, Figure 15. In either case, I fasten the said
cylinder in its place, so as to prevent its removal by the miner, by locking the
same, by means of bolts 22, 22, working in the bottom 20, which may be
made to advance by a screw formed on them, and pass through holes in the
lower part of the cylinder 18, and thus prevent the removal of the said
cylinder the said bolts 22, 22, are made to advance or recede by the screw-
ing motion, explained by means of a suitable key applied to their square heads.
Instead of the handle and point represented, I sometimes attach a handle to
the side of the lamp, similar to the handle of an ordinary lantern; and I
sometimes add a ring to the top, for the purpose of carrying the lamp about.
I sometimes also add a second cylinder of wire gauze in the interior of the
cylinder 18, and connect the said second cylinder with the bottom of the said
cylinder 18, by a metallic ring, leaving a space between the two said wire
gauze cylinders. I sometimes also place a sheet of glass before the sheet of
tale, which is opposite the reflector, and leave a space between the said sheet
of glass and the said sheet of tale.
Figures 17, 18, 19, and 20 represent two other of my improvements to be
used in lighting mines; Figures 17 and 19 representing my said improve-
ments in elevation, and Figures 18 and 20 representing the same in plan.
The improvement represented in Figures 17 and 18 consists of a candlestick
23, attached to a spear point 24, and furnished with a reflector 25, capable of
turning round the said candlestick. The improvement represented in Figures
19 and 20 consists of a lamp 251, to which a reflector 26 is attached; the
said lamp being connected by an axis with the spear point 27, and capable of
a rotary motion.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not
limit myself to the precise methods herein described of carrying my Invention
into effect, as the same may be varied without departing from the nature of
my said Invention; but I claim,―
Firstly, the several methods of compressing and locking the springs of
candle lamps herein described, and represented in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
and 8 of the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly, the additions to or improvements in candle lamps herein described,
and illustrated by Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Thirdly, the addition of curved or straight spear points to candle lamps and
other lamps, for the purpose of facilitating the fixing of such lamps in mines
and other places, and also the guarding of such candle lamps with wire gauze,
as herein described and illustrated in Figures 11, 12, and 13 of the accompany-
ing Drawings.
Fourthly, the methods of constructing safety lamps for mining purposes,
herein described and represented in Figures 14, 15, and 16 of the accompany-
ing Drawings.
Fifthly, the method of constructing lamps and candlesticks with moveable
reflectors for mining purposes, herein described, and represented in Figures 17,
18, 19, and 20 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Simons, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of July, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-two.