IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE ATTACHED TO CANDLES FOR THE PREVENTION OF GUTTERING AND FOR ENSURING A STEADY LIGHT
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Bates Goodwin at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th February 1883.
JAMES BATES GOODWIN, of Ely Place, in the County of Middlesex, Merchant,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE ATTACHED TO CANDLES FOR THE PREVENTION
OF GUTTERING AND FOR ENSURING A STEADY LIGHT
נן
My invention relates to novel apparatus or devices designed to be used in
connection with candles, and has for its object to provide simple and effectual means
for obviating the guttering or dropping of the tallow, wax, or other material of
which candles are made, and at the same time to ensure a steady uniform light by
preventing the flickering of the flame.
In carrying the said invention into practice I provide a cylindrical metallic cap
which is designed to fit and rest upon the upper end of the candle and to extend
downward about an inch, more or less, thus enclosing so much of the upper portion
of the said candle. The aperture at the upper end of this cap through which the
wick passes is of less diameter than that at the lower end thereof, the metal at the
said upper end being curved inward so that the cap will rest upon, and be upheld
by, that part of the candle immediately below the projecting portion of the wick.
To the outer surface of the said cap a rod is attached which is bent outward for a
short distance and then extends upward vertically. To the upper end of this rod
is secured a ring designed to support a shade, the said ring being secured, at a
point opposite to the aforesaid rod, to the upper end of a tube or sleeve, which, at
its lower extremity is fastened to a bracket or projection extending from the lower
part of the cap at a point opposite to that at which the aforesaid rod is attached.
The said tube or sleeve is arranged to slide over a vertical rod which is designed to
be attached to the candle-stick by means of a suitable clip provided at the lower
end of the rod, the latter being bent outward and inward at a short distance above
the clip, to leave a recess for the rim which is usually found at the top of a candle-
stick. This rod, when thus secured to the candle-stick, extends upward parallel
with the candle, and at a slight distance therefrom along its entire length and to a
short distance above the same. This rod forms a guide upon which the tube slides,
the cap and other parts connected therewith also participating in the movement.
The said cap, as herein before explained, rests upon the upper end of the candle;

page_text: consequently, in proportion as the latter is consumed the former sinks carrying with
it the parts connected therewith so that the shade will move with the cap and thus
the same relative position of these two parts will be continually maintained.
I prefer that the shade should be made of glass which may be of any desired tint;
It may, however, if desired, be of paper, card-board, or any other suitable material.
The part of the clip which clasps the candle-stick may be lined with velvet, plush,
or other soft material to prevent injury to the said candle-stick in case the latter
should be of silver or other metal. In some cases the clip may be arranged to
clasp the base of the candle instead of the candle-stick, although I prefer the latter
arrangement. The clip is of such a kind that the apparatus may be readily attached
or removed.
According to a modification of my invention which is designed to provide means
for supporting a globe, instead of a shade, upon a candle, I provide a cap as
herein before described, to which are soldered, or otherwise secured, three metallic
strips which extend above and below the said cap, the upper extensions being so
bent as to hold a small globe in such a manner that it may be readily inserted or
removed, and the lower extensions being curved so that they will clasp the candle
below the cap,
These lower extensions. are so made as to form light springs which
press the candle at three equidistant points so that the candle forms a guide for the
whole apparatus in its descent, the said springs having such light pressure that
they will not overcome the weight of the apparatus. These lower extensions or
springs are so curved-at-their-ends that when the apparatus arrives at the base of
the candle they will rest upon the widened top or rim of the candle-stick, and-the-
said apparatus will thus be supported even should the candle itself have been
entirely consumed.
In some cases the lower part of the cap may be provided with a flange extending
completely around the same in such a manner as to form a cup or recess to catch
any droppings from the candle that might run over the outside of the cap.