IMPROVED SAFETY ARRANGEMENTS FOR LAMPS FOR BURNING PARAFFIN, HYDROCARBONS, BENZO- LINE, OR SPIRITS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Parker, of the Hermitage, Kilmacow, in
the County of Kilkenny, Ireland, for the Invention of "IMPROVED SAFETY
ARRANGEMENTS FOR LAMPS FOR BURNING PARAFFIN, HYDROCARBONS, BENZO-
LINE, OR SPIRITS."
Sealed the 28th May 1878, and dated the 5th February 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Parker at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th February 1878.
WILLIAM HENRY PARKER, of the Hermitage, Kilmacow, in the County of Kil-
kenny, Ireland. "IMPROVED SAFETY ARRANGEMENTS FOR LAMPS FOR BURNING
PARAFFIN, HYDROCARBONS, BENZOLINE, OR SPIRITS."
The object of this Invention is to provide by the following improvements in the
construction of lamps for burning oils, paraffin or other hydrocarbons, benzoline, or
spirits, so that should the lamp be upset, the contents would not spill; and also.
with regard to benzoline lamps, or lamps used with such oils, hydrocarbons, or
spirits that the sponge or other absorbent of the oil, hydrocarbon, or spirit is,,
according to my Invention, done away with; and the oil, hydrocarbon, or spirit is
poured into the lamp in the ordinary way.
In carrying out my Invention I proceed as follows (taking, as an example, benzo-
line lamps):
The body of the lamp is constructed in the ordinary way, of any approved
material, fashion, or design. The ordinary wick tube, which is usually perforated,
is dispensed with, and also the sponge or absorbent material usually used. Into
the lamp body (in lieu of the ordinary wick tube) is inserted a tube of peculiar con-
struction for carrying the wick. This tube is not perforated, and it is preferred to
fix it firmly and permanently in the body of the lamp. This tube descends into the.
lamp for some distance, and is encased in a cup-shaped or conical chamber, or series.
of such cup-shaped or conical chambers. These chambers, when more than one are,
used, are secured to one another; the series descending to the bottom or lower

page_text: portion of the lamp, and each being open at the bottom; thus forming, when in
position, practically one continuous tube, through which the wick is inserted into
the oil, hydrocarbon, or spirit. The cup-slíaped chambers might be modified, pro-
vided a tube be constituted, descending to the lower portion of the lamp.
An orifice for filling or emptying (closed by screw-cap stopper or other cover) is
provided to the lamp, if required.
The effect of the above-described arrangement is, that if the lamp be upset, no
oil, hydrocarbon, or spirit will be spilled, hence danger is avoided..
When filling the lamp, to allow the imprisoned air to escape from the inside to
the outside of the lamp, I provide a tube for that purpose, open to the interior, and
in communication with such part, so as to allow the air to escape through the cup-
shaped chambers or tubes, the tube being so curved or formed, that (should the lamp
be upset) it will prevent the oil, hydrocarbon, or spirit from being discharged
through it.
The burner instead of containing one wick, may be so arranged as to allow of two
or more branches with suitable wicks.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Henry Parker, in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd
August 1878.
WILLIAM HENRY PARKER, of the Hermitage, Kilmacow, in the County of Kil-
kenny, Ireland. "IMPROVED SAFETY ARRANGEMENTS FOR LAMPS FOR BURNING
PARAFFIN, HYDROCARBONS, BENZOLINE, OR SPIRITS."
The object of this Invention is to provide by the following improvements in the
construction of lamps for burning oils, paraffin, or other hydrocarbons, benzoline, or
spirits, so that should the lamp be upset, the contents would not spill; and also with
regard to benzoline lamps, or lamps used with such oils, hydrocarbons, or spirits,
that the sponge, cotton, canvas, or other absorbent of the oil, hydrocarbon, benzoline,
or spirit is, according to my Invention, done away with, and the oil, hydrocarbon,
benzoline, or spirit is poured into the lamp in the ordinary way.
In effectuating my Invention, I adopt the arrangements berein-after described,
with reference to the Drawings accompanying these presents, in which Drawings,-
Fig. 1 shows by section one form of the lamp, without the burner.
Fig. 2 shows a form of lamp suitable for workmen and others.
Fig. 3 is a modified form of Fig. 2.
Figures 4 and 5, sectional views of lamps of other forms, showing various modified
details.
The body of the lamp is constructed in the ordinary way, of any approved
material, fashion, or design. The ordinary internal perforated wick tube, spiral of
wire, or internal casing of wire gauze or web usually used, is dispensed with, and
also the sponge, cotton, canvas, or other absorbent material. Into the lamp body

page_text: (in lieu of the ordinary screwed socket which accomodates the burner) is inserted a
plain non-perforated tube, and it is preferred to fix it firmly and permanently in
the body of the lamp. This tube descends for some distance into the body of
the lamp, and that portion which is left projecting out of the top of the lamp
carries the burner (herein-after described), and serves as a means through which the
wick is inserted into the benzoline, and through which the lamp is filled. For the
purpose of description it is here named the "central tube." The lower portion of
this central tube within the body of the lamp is encased in a cup-shaped or conical
chamber, or a series of such cup-shaped or conical chambers. These chambers (when
more than one is used) are secured to one another, or to the sides or top of the lamp
-internally, the series descending to the bottom or lower portion of the lamp, and
each being open at the bottom, but closed at the top; thus forming when in position
practically one continuous tube, through which the wick is inserted into the benzo-
line, oil, hydrocarbon, or spirit. The cup-shaped chambers might be modified,
provided a central tube, with or without these chambers be constituted, descending
to the lower portion of the lamp.
An orifice for cleaning, filling, or emptying (closed by a screw cap, stopper, or
other cover) is provided to the lamp if required. The lowermost portion of the
central tube, or of the lowest cap-shaped or conical chamber, may be contracted in
diameter to any degree found suitable, and this part may be fitted with a cap or
stopper having a suitable hole or opening in it as a means of free communication
for the oil, hydrocarbon, benzoline, or spirit between the main body or reservoir of
'the lamp and the said central tube before mentioned and described, especially when
the lamp is standing in its normal and proper upright position. Into this hole or
opening in the said cap or stopper, or into the lowermost portion of the central tube'
constituted as required, or directly into the foot or lowermost portion of the lowest
cup-shaped or conical chamber, a tube of suitable material and size curved or
formed in an annular figure may be fixed, by preference, in a direction plane to the
axis of the said central tube, but practically forming a prolongation or continuation
of the said central tube in a wormed or curved form, as shewn in the Drawings
(see Fig. 3). This addition, curve, and length being added to the conical chambers
in question, practically to the central tube as one continuous arrangement, enables
it still freely to act as a means of communication for the oil, hydrocarbon, benzoline,
or spirit between the main body or reservoir of the lamp and the said central tube,
into which the wick is inserted, and at the same time adds an additional barrier to'
the back flow or return of the contents of the main reservoir into the said central
tube in case the lamp were filled too full, and then by accident capsized.
The effect of the above described arrangement is that no matter how large the'
quantity of loose benzoline, paraffin, oil, hydrocarbon, or spirit be contained in the
main reservoir of the lamp, the wick is brought into contact only with the very
small portion which is found in the central or chambered tube, or in the inner wick
tube herein-after described, and that if the lamp be upset none of its contents will
be spilled; thus great safety is secured.
When filling the lamp; to allow the imprisoned air to escape from the inside to
the outside of it I provide a tube for that purpose, in some cases altogether within
the body of the lamp, open at one end to the interior, and in communication with
such part of the conical chamber or central tube, so as to allow the air to escape as
the lamp is being filled, the tube being so curved or formed that should the lamp be
upset it will not permit of the contents being discharged through it.
In other cases I place the tube for the escape of the imprisoned air around the
outside of the lamp, communicating at one end with the interior, and at the other
end with the central tube before described, or with the open air, but in any case so
curved or formed as to prevent the discharge of the contents of the lamp should it
be upset.
With regard to placing or inserting the wick in the lamp, and in order to obtain
an effective support for it within the burner herein-after described, I in some cases.
employ a movable tube of suitable size and material, perforated or not, which can

page_text: readily be put into or taken out of the lamp when filling it. This." inner wick
tube," as I shall here call it, will contain the wick, and be inserted into the central
tube before described, and to the foot or lower part of this central tube, or to the
foot of the lowest conical chamber it may be fitted, secured, or fixed at pleasure by
means of a screwed or plain socket, conical or otherwise, into which it will descend.
The parts of both tubes at this socket or junction may be gauged in size so as to fit
with mechanical accuracy to each other, or I may use washers or bushes of cork,
leather, wood, india-rubber, or any other suitable material to obtain a tight, accurate,
and effective fit between the parts, so that this inner wick tube when in position
may stand securely upright within the central tube, and carry and support the wick
up to and within the burner.
In other cases I modify the inner tube in such a way that it may take the form
of a short tube, or of a barrel, forceps, or holder, of spring steel or other suitable
material, and fix it within the top or upper portion of the central tube. This
modified arrangement will hold the wick, and support and carry it up to and within
the burner in a way similar to that above mentioned.
In other cases I dispense with the inner tube or modifications of it altogether, and
allow the wick to descend direct from the burner to the benzoline, hydrocarbon, oil,
or spirit.
The burner itself I prefer to fit over the top of the central tube, preferably by
means of simple mechanical fit without having recourse to any screw thread, the
burner being bored out to a size sufficiently large in diameter at its lower or wider
end to admit the top of the central tube, within it, and to permit of the burner
being easily put on it or taken off, raised or lowered, at discretion; or I may use
cork or other suitable material to obtain a fit suitable for this requirement.
In some cases the bore of the burner at its wider end may be fluted. It will be
seen that the wick is thus held stationary inside the burner, which latter will be
movable up and down at pleasure to regulate the size of the flame.
Inside the bow of the burner a guiding flange is introduced, to direct the descent
of and to guide to the vicinity of the inner wick tube any drip which may arise
from the wick, and thus prevent smell and conduce to the cleanliness of the lamp
when in use.
In the said Drawings (Figures 1 to 5), the body A of the lamp is constructed in
the usual way, but in place of the perforated wick tube usually employed in
benzoline lamps, I insert a tube B (as shown in Fig. 2) for carrying the wick; said
tube B is not perforated, and it is generally fixed permanently in its place in the
lamp. Surrounding this. tube B are the cup-shaped or conical chamber or
chambers C, the number of which may be varied according to circumstances; D
represents a peculiarly formed air tube placed inside the lamp to admit of the escape
of the imprisoned air when filling the lamp. This tube D is so constructed as to
prevent the benzoline or contents of the lamp flowing through same, even if the
lamp be capsized.
The Drawings show the level of the benzoline, and it will be seen that same rises
in the lower part of each of the chambers C, and this portion of the henzoline in
each case, should the lamp be upset, cannot flow out through the wick tube B, but
will pass into the spaces of these chambers C.
When a greater amount of light is required from a single lamp than will be
afforded by one burner, a branched burner with three or four wicks is readily fitted to
it. E (Figs 2 and 3) represents a pin which will be found useful for trimming the
wick, removing soot, &c.
In Figures 3, 4, and 5, the same letters as in Figures 1 and 2 indicate corre-
sponding parts so far as shewn. a, a, inner wick tube to support and carry the
wick up to and within the burner; b, b, is the burner fitted over top of central
tube without screw thread, and easily raised or lowered; c, c, is the guiding
flange inside of the burner to guide and direct the drip (if any) to the inner wick
tube, and so to the bottom; d, d, conical socket or foot of central tube to receive
inner wick tube a, a. This tube d is placed altogether within the lamp, as shown,

page_text: but in some cases can be carried round outside the lamp, one end of said tube
always communicating with the body of the lamp, and the other end with the
central tube, or with the outside air, but so curved as to prevent the contents
flowing through it in case of the lamp being upset.
For the sake of clearness, the Drawings (Figures 1 and 2) are made to show
the central chambered tube larger in proportion than it need be made for actual
use, the size being regulated according to the requirements of the lamp.
In some cases the lowest of the series of cup-shaped or conical chambers is
closed at the bottom, and formed with a curved prolongation, as shown by F
(Fig. 3).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in
practice, I hereby declare that I claim, the Invention of "Improved Safety Arrange-
ments for Lamps for Burning Paraffin, Hydrocarbons, Benz line, or Spirits," sub-
stantially as the same is herein-before set forth and described, and illustrated by the
accompanying Drawings, in which Invention the following are important points or
features :-
1st. The arrangements for preventing the oil or spirit spilling when the lamp is
upset.
2nd. Dispensing with the sponge and perforated tube as used in ordinary
lamps.
3rd. Arrangements for dispensing with repeated filling, the lamp obtaining a
larger supply of spirit than ordinary lamps.
4th. The arrangements whereby the lanp may be filled in the ordinary way, and
the wick carried direct into the loose benzoline with perfect safety.
In witness whereof I, the said William Henry Parker, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
מתקת
זזז
0 Witness,
J. Ć. E. SMITH,
12, Little George's St.
Waterford.
HURRI TARAER. (L.S.)