IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR BURNING CANDLES, AND IN HOROLOGICAL APPARATUS ATTACHED THERETO
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edwin Whele, of Shiffnal, in the County of
Salop, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR BURNING CANDLES, AND IN HOROLOGICAL APPARATUS ATTACHED
THERETO."
Sealed the 30th March 1853, and dated the 2nd October 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edwin. Whele
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 2nd October 1852.
I, EDWIN WHELE, of Shiffnal, in the County of Salop, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR BURNING CANDLES, AND IN HOROLOGICAL APPARATUS
ATTACHED THERETO," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to candle lamps or apparatus for burning
of candles, & consists in the following construction and applications,
viz:-
First, by suitable means pressing or curving the wick of the candle
out of its perpendicular position sufficient to pass the end out of the
flame; by this means it will not require snuffing, and by suitable

page_text: means, or the arrangement of a concave and convex plate forming a
cup at the top of the lamp, the tallow will be prevented from over-
flowing.
Secondly, to draw or force the candle up in the lamp by means of a
weight or weights, or springs, placed outside the socket, or inclosed in a
separate tube or case; these weights or springs to be connected with
the candle holder by suitable means, so as to raise it as the weight or
springs falls or expands; by these arrangements, and an opening in the
side, the candle may be placed in the lamp at the side instead of at the
top or bottom.
Thirdly, for applying the upward movement of the candle, caused by
its consumption, to the purpose of measuring time as by a clock, and
for marking that time on a dial plate or scale on or attached to the
lamp, and for striking the hours, and at a required time striking an
alarum; also for applying that movement to act upon and move an
extinguisher at a required time, to extinguish the flame of the candle.
This may be effected by suitable clockwork, or by passing the chain or
cord over a pully or roller fitted to the lamp, and to wich is fitted a
dial plate, the whole of which will revolve by the motion given by the
candle in its consumption.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Edwin Whele in the Great Seal Patent Office,
on the 31st March 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
EDWIN WHELE, of Sheffual, in the County of Salop, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Edwin Whele, Her special licence

page_text: that I, the said Edwin Whele, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Edwin Whele, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR BURNING CANDLES, AND IN HOROLOGICAL APPARATUS AT-
TACHED THERETO," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Edwin Whele, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said In-
vention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edwin Whele, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement (that is to say):
My Invention relates, first, to the construction of apparatus for
burning candles in such manner as not to require snuffing, or to be
self-snuffing, which I effect by the use of candle lamps, hereafter de-
scribed. The Drawing, Fig. 1, represents the nozzle of the lamp, with
a projection or point (*,) pressing against the wick a little below the
point of combustion sufficiently to pass the end of the wick out of the
flame, by which means it passes off in a light ash. In Fig. 2, there
are two points (*)one above the other; one pressing the wick out of the
centre of the candle, and the other returning it, so that the flame is in
the centre, but the point of the wick out of the flame. In Fig. 3ª, I
apply the upward movements of the candle, caused by its consumption,
to the purpose of snuffing it. a, is the box containing a coiled or watch
spring; b, is a small wheel geared into it, upon which is a pin c, acting
as a crank; on this the rod d, works; this passes through a hole in the
rod of the weight e; through this rod also passes the rod f, which is

page_text: connected by the rods g, to the rod h; these are fixed to the snuffers i.
It will be seen when the crank c, approaches the extreme point k, the
rod d, draws the weighte, past the centre, and by its impetus or weight
it carries the rod f, with it, drawing the snuffers over the candle in re-
versed direction, snuffing the candle and falling on the opposite side on
the snuff pan j; by varying the size of the cog wheel, it may be snuffed
at any given time; this may also be effected by hand (see Fig. 3b); 7, is
a view of the flat side of the snuffers; i, also is a side view; j, are the
snuffer pans. It will be seen when the handle k, is pressed down it will
raise the snuffers, by means of the rods g, and h, and they will fall ou
the opposite side, snuffing the candle, and, when pushed up, it will snuff
it in like manner as it returns. Fig. 4, shews a bird in the act
of biting or suuffing the candle (any other figure may be substituted,
and is explained in Fig. 4b; a, is the bird, or snuffer box or pan; the
leg of the bird holds a rod b, and works on the pin of joint c; d, is
a tube passing through the pan d, and in which the rod e, works; this
rod is connected with the beak or snuffer f, by a joint at g; the snuffer
f works on the joint h; i, is a spring acting on the square of the beak
f. It will now be seen as the rod p, is pressed, the beak f, will be
closed by being drawn in by the rod p, catching against the stop l, as-
sisted also by the spring acting on the square h; and when the rod b, is
released the bird by its own weight will fall, sliding down the tube d,
until the points marked, meet, and the points m, will pass below the
points n, raising the ball o, which will return by its own weight: the
rod b, being again pressed, the bird will rise up the tube d, and the
points m, being caught against the point of the beak f, will open and
remain open, being held by the spring i, on the square, until it reaches
the top, when it will close and snuff the candle, as described before.
Second. To obtain more equal pressure in keeping the candle up to
the nozzle of the lamp, I adopt weights, as shewn in Figs. 5, and 6. In
Fig. 5, a, is a lead or metal tube, surrounding the socket b, and attached
by cords, chains, gut, or other suitable material, passing over the pullies
c, to the push-upd; so as the weight falls the candle rises. In Fig. 6,
a, is a solid weight in a separate tube attached in the same manner

page_text: to the push up d; the socket may be a complete tube, or open at the
side sufficient to place the candle in at the side. I also obtain more
equal pressure by india-rubber or elastic bands attaching the nozzle to
the push up, or by a weak spiral spring of the form shewn in Fig. 7,
and by means of pulleys of different dimensions, as shewn in Fig. 8.
a, is the shaft upon which the pullies b, and c, are fixed. To the chain
or cord passing over the pulley b, I place an eliptic or other spring, and
to that passing over the pulley c, I attach the push up; this may be
placed in the bottom of the lamp, or geared and placed in the various
positions as afterwards to be described in the coiled or watch spring,
and in the various forms and ways in which I use this, it is best geared
in the same way as in clocks, watches, &c., that is, inclosed in a box
working loose upon a fixed handle or spindle, one end of the spring
being attached to the inside or rim of the box, and the other to the
axle. In Fig. 9, (which represents the socket of a candle lamp) a, is
the box in whichacoiled or watch spring is contained; b, is the nozzle,
open at the bottom or place marked c, as a means of allowing any
overflow of tallow to escape or be caught by the pan d, instead of
running into the socket. This is assisted by the socket being
turned in at the top, as shewn by the dotted lines. f, is the push up,
attached by a chain or cord to the box a, and as the spring falls or
expands the box is turned round, and the push up forced up. In
Fig. 10, f, is the push up, and e, the socket. Fig. 9, may be adapted
as a loose or permanent socket. Fig. 11, is a permanent socket,
or affixed to the lamp; a, is the box containing the coiled spring ;
b, is a loop to the chain or cord round the box. Fig. 12, repre-
sents a loose socket belonging to the socket. Fig. 11: a, is the
push up, to which is attached the hook ; this hook works in a slot
running up the side of the socket. In placing this socket in the outer
one, this hook is placed in the loop or ring 6, and the point c, press into
the hole of the spring c. Fig. 13: a, is the push up, and b, the socket;
c, are flanges or projections to protect the chain, and allow it to work
freely. Fig. 14, shows another form of the socket and push up; in
this the socket is surrounded by a short tube a, in which the hook b, is

page_text: placed, and is attached to the push up c, on the opposite side through
the slot in the socket, which is also on the opposite side; by this means
the tallow is less liable to impede the working of the chain or cord.
Fig. 15 a,is the box containing the coiled spring; b,is a separate tube,
down which the chain passes and is attached to the push-up c; this
works in a slot up the side of the tube. d, is the candle; c, is an ex-
tinguisher. Fig. 16: a, is the box containing the coiled spring; b, is
a separate tube, in which the push up c, attached to the box a; this
push-up c, is hooked to the one marked c, in the loose tube d; this
tube is inserted in the bottom of the lamp, and attached at the top by
any suitable means. Fig. 17: c,is the push-up in the loose socket d,
attached to the push-up in the tube b.
Fig. 18 a, is the box containing the coiled spring attached to the
push-up b; this works in the tube, and through a hole in the top of the
lamp marked c; on this push up the candle d, rests; the dotted lines e,
represent a cone to prevent the tallow running through the hole e; f, is
a tube, with or without an opening at the side, with a nozzle; this covers
the candle, and is screwed or hooked to the lamp; over this I sometimes
place a hollow opal or glass candle, or tube.
Fig. 19, shews another form of the working parts of my lamps. a,
is the box containing the coiled spring, and is fashioned like a toothed
wheel, and works in a rack on the push up b. All the Figs. marked >,
represent the mode or way I attach my improvements to carriage lamps.
Fig. 20 o, is an extinguisher; all the other parts are described in
Fig. 9, except the nozzle, which works with a hinge marked c, and is
fastened by a hasp marked d.
Fig. 21, shews the form of the socket.
Fig. 22: a, is an extinguisher; b, a separate tube into which the
push up d, projects, which is forced up by a spiral spring c; e, is an
opening or glass to shew the candle in the socket; the nozzle of this
socket opens with an hinge, and is fastened by a hasp or with a nozzle
of the useful form.
Fig. 23 a, is the push up in the socket; b, shows that part of the
push-up in the separate tube, with its connection.

page_text: Figs. 24, and 25, represent a socket with two spiral springs working
in separate sockets; and, with this exception, it is the same as Fig. 22.
Figs. 26, 27, 28, and 29, are described in Figs. 11, 12, 13, and 14.
Fig. 30: a, is the box or toothed wheel containing the spring; b, is the
push-up, with a rack in which the wheel a, works; this is further de-
scribed in Figs. 18, and 19.
Fig. 31, shews the way in which a chain may be used. a, is the box;
b, the chain; d, a pulley; e, the push-up hooked into the chain.
Fig. 32, is a round lantern; a, is an inverted cone reflector, and b,
an upright cone reflector, covering the socket and working parts; c, is
the box containing the coiled spring; d, the cord or chain passing over
the pulley e, to the push-up f, in the socket g. This lantern will be
found best to open at the bottom, or at the point marked h; the
working parts are also described in Fig. 15.
Fig. 33, is a square lantern upon the same principle, with conical,
parabolical, or flat reflectors tapering up to the top.
Fig. 34, represents the way in which I attach conical or other
reflectors to table lamps. a, are the reflectors; b, is the chimney or
opening; c, are supporters to the inverted reflector, which may be ex-
tended, as shewn at the point d, to support the shade or glass.
Third. Fig. 35, and the following Figures (43 being the last,)
represent my candle clock, or the way in which I attach horological
apparatus to the candle lamp; a, is the spindle affixed to the face of
the box a, as shewn in Figs. 36, and 37, marked also «; this box
contains the coiled or watch spring affixed to a permanent centre, on
which the box revolves, and also to the box as before described; the
permanent centre is marked b, in Fig. 36. This box should be adjusted
according to the relative consumption of the candle; that is, if the
candle is made to consume half an inch per hour, then the box should
be six inches in circumference; if to burn one inch per hour, then it
should be twelve inches in circumference, and so on in like proportions.
e, is a dial; f, is the time hand on the spindle a; 9, is the alarum
hand. These should fit tight on the spindle, but be sufficiently pliable
to turu without turning. the box. h, is the stand or body of the lamp,
with a slot i, extending up the centre in which the push-up works; this

page_text: is marked, and is attached to the box a, by means of a chain or cord
passing over the pulley, shewn in Figs. 36, and 37. 4, is the nozzle
shewn in Figs. 35, and 36. It will now be seen, if the candle is placed
on the push-up, and inserted into the nozzle of the lamp and lighted,
that, as it consumes, the push-up rises, being drawn by the tendency or
struggles of the spring to expand or uncoil, and thus giving motion to the
box, also gives motion to the fingers, shewing the time. This may
also be effected by a spiral spring, as shewn in Fig. 38, or by a weight,
or by other springs, as described in Fig. 8.
Fig. 39, represents an expanding pulley whereby the lamp may be
regulated to the burning of the candle ;a, is the rim of the box; b, an
expanding or coiled spring; c, a flange on the box; d, are eccentric
rods clipping the spring by being turned or hooked at the points; these
rods are connected by bars e, and when expanded or contracted by the
screw, the spring is expanded or contracted, and consequently the
circumference of the wheel.
Fig. 40, shews an alarum; a, is a bell, the spring of which is in-
serted in a pulley or catch b, on which is a finger or needle c; this rests
ona bolt d, which works in a tube, as shewn in Fig. 35, and when this
bolt is withdrawn by the finger g, the bell falls by its own weight, and
rings as long as there is any elasticity in the spring. Another form of
alarum is shewn in Figs. 41, and 42. «, is the box containing the
spring with sixty teeth, forming a toothed wheel; these work in a pinion
b, with five teeth; and geared on the same shaft is the wheelc; this also
hath sixty teeth, and works in a pinion d, with five teeth geared on the
same shaft as the wheel e; this wheel has sixty pins or projections to
raise the hammer f, alternately, and strike upon the bell g; this is set
by a wire attached to the boltd, and when released it strikes once every
second until the candle is consumed.
Fig. 43 a, is a hammer; b, is the push-up. The teeth on the
hammer are arranged according to the consumption of the candle, so
that as the push-uprises it shall cause the hammer to strike once every
hour on the bell c, the hammer being thrown out by the push up acting
ou the teeth, and released as it passes them.
I claim, as my Invention, applying the upward movements of the

page_text: candle, caused by its consumption, to act upon snuffers,for the purpose
of making the candle self snuffing, or snuff itself.
I also claim attaching snuffers to candle lamps.
And I also claim applying weights for drawing or forcing the
candle up to the nozzle of the lamp, or india-rubber or elastic
bands.
'
I also claim spiral springs, of the form shewn in Fig. 7, and coiled
or watch springs, for this purpose; or the application of pullies, with
other springs, as illustrated in Fig. 8.
I also claim the application of a rack and pinion for forcing or
drawing the candle up, and the application of a long push-up, the
principle of which is shewn in Fig. 18.
I also claim the application of an opal or glass candle, or other
tube, covering the candle in the position shewn in this form of candle
lamp.
I also claim the application of the action of candle lamps (that
is, forcing or drawing the candle up to the socket) to hand candle
lanterns.
I also claim the use of an extinguisher to carriage lamps, the
opening at the top or glass, the application of which is shewn in Fig. 22.
I also claim the use of separate tubes or boxes for the springs in
carriage lamps.
I also claim the application of the upward movements of the candle,
caused by its consumption, to the marking or shewing time on a dial
or clock face, and its application to ringing or striking an alarum, and
striking the hours, in the manner illustrated by the Drawings, and
herein described.
I also claim the combinations of the various parts and contrivances,
as described in Fig. 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43, relative to
the construction of a candle clock.
And I also claim the joining of two or more sockets, with their
respective springs and gearing, to form one pillar or candle lamp. But
I do not confine myself to any particular form, or to any material or
dimensions, but have described what I consider to be the most useful.
forms and dimensions of my candle clock and lamps; but the usual

page_text: sizes of lamps are so well understood that I need not speak of them.
Nor do I confine myself to the position of the spring, as it will be seen
it can be placed in various positions by employing suitable gearing
In witness whereof, I, the said Edwin Whele, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of March, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-three.
Signed and sealed in the
presence of
WILLIAM RICHARDS,
EDWIN WHELE. (L.S.)
140, Suffolk Street,
Birmingham.