Improvements in Gas Lighting, Extinguishing, and Controlling Apparatus.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 30th May, 1893-Accepted, 29th July, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gas Lighting, Extinguishing, and Controlling
Apparatus.
I, JAMES SANGSTER of 29 Seneca Street, Buffalo, New York, United States
of America, Solicitor of Patents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to gas lighting and extinguishing apparatus, and more
particularly to that class of gas lighting and extinguishing apparatus wherein a
variation of the pressure in the main is utilized in the operations of lighting and
extinguishing.
In carrying out my invention I employ in addition to the usual gas supply pipe
and burner a pressure operated valve for controlling the flow of gas to the burner
and, by preference, an electrical gas igniting device for each burner, which device
is included in a local circuit normally open and having a circuit closer which is
actuated either directly or indirectly by the said variations in pressure.
All the lamps supplied from a common main, and having the devices above
described, may be lighted or extinguished practically at the same instant; but if
it be desired to light or extinguish the gas at different lamps at different times,
this may also be accomplished by arranging the valves to respond to different
pressures, those operating with the lowest increase in pressure being first lighted
or extinguished.
Simplicity of construction and certainty of operation are the essential requirements
of a successful gas lighting and extinguishing apparatus, and it is to the attainment
of these two essential features that my invention is chiefly directed.
To secure the first I make use of a small number of moving parts and these are
preferably so arranged as to be actuated positively and, so far as possible, by
mechanical, instead of electrical means. I have discarded electrically operated
parts wherever possible and such as 1 employ are of simple construction, and the
work of these parts is to ignite the gas jet.
To secure certainty of operation the apparatus must be so constructed that its
moving parts will be protected from interference due to changes in temperature or
other chmatic conditions. To this end I prefer to have all moving parts protected
by means of some non-congealable liquid, preferably mercury, and I am enabled
to attain these desirable ends and at the same time utilize said protecting liquid to
provide a seal against the leakage of gas.
My invention may be embodied in various forms of construction and vary also
in the details of operation, but the principal features of the invention will be
found embodied in the several forms which I have illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
In one embodiment of my invention I employ a receptacle or tank, which is
mounted upon the gas supply pipe and adapted to contain a scaling liquid and
having a gas passage registering with the supply pipe.
An inverted cup, which carries a valve, is movably mounted in an inverted
position over the gas passage in the tank, the edge of the cup being submerged in
the liquid which forms the seal. The gas is thus admitted to the lower side of
the cup and pressure is constantly exerted thereon. Upon this movable cup, which
is preferably hinged at one edge to the tank, I mount a burner.
A prolongation of the burner tube is adapted to serve as a valve by seating itself
in a shallow well formed in the tank bottom and containing mercury.
This valve, when submerged in the mercury, prevents the passage of gas to the

page_text: burner tip.
When the gas pressure is now increased sufficiently to overcome the
weight of the cup, it causes an upward tilting or rocking thereof.
The pressure required to overcome the weight of the cup I term an "operative
increase of pressure."
Upon an operative increase in the gas pressure the cup is raised and the
prolongation of the burner tube lifted out of the mercury, thus permitting the gas
to flow to the burner tip.
A latching device is applied to the cup, preferably on its side opposite its pivot,
said latching device being also submerged in the mercury, and adapted to sustain
the cup in its elevated position so as to permit the flow of gas to the burner, while
upon a second operative increase in pressure the latching mechanism will be released
and permit the cup to descend to its normal position and the valve will cut off the
supply of gas to the burner.
The electric igniting apparatus consists of a battery, conductor and lighting
device. The lighting device may be of any of the approved forms. The one 1
have shown is described in United States Patent No. 359,053, in which the
sparking coil and armature are arranged concentric to the gas passage and the
electrodes are arranged in proximity to the opening of the tip.
The battery will be preferably located within the hollow of the base of the gas
post, or underneath the ground in proximity thereto, and one pole thereof will be
connected through the gas supply pipe and metal parts mounted thereof with one
of the spark producing electrodes, while the other electrode will be joined to the
opposite pole of the battery through a suitable wire or wires carried upon, but
insulated from, the gas supply pipe and said metal parts.
The gas supply pipe, metal parts, sparking device and wires are hereinafter
designated as the "conductor "and there is a break in said conductor and
preferably in the wire forming a part thereof although it may be in some other
part of the conductor.
The circuit is normally open and a circuit closer of simple form and com-
prising two contacts, one mounted upon but insulated from the tank and the other
likewise mounted upon the cup, is actuated by the movement of the cup under an
operative increase of pressure in the gas main, to close the electrical circuit thereby
igniting the gas by means of the sparking device.
While the above is a preferred form of construction I may support the igniting
device and the burner tip upon different parts and move either toward the other
by the gas pressure for the purpose of bringing the igniting device and the burner
tip within lighting proximity.
By this means no part of the lighting device is within the influence of the flame
except during the period of ignition.
As an auxiliary to or substitute for the electrical igniting apparatus shown, I
have provided means whereby a pilot light may be maintained for igniting the
full volume of gas when admitted to the burner tip.
The pilot light may be maintained at the burner tip by means of an opening
or thief which will permit a small amount of gas to pass from the supply pipe to
the burner tip, or the pilot light may be maintained in proximity to the burner tip
at the end of a by-pass pipe communicating with the supply pipe. The pilot
light would be used in lieu of the electric igniting device only during such portions
of the year when freezing or moisture upon the movable parts of the igniting
device would prevent its proper operation, and therefore a suitable plug for the
opening or by-pass is provided.
It will be understood that the increase of pressure whereby the cup is actuated is
temporary only, and therefore some means for sustaining said movable member in
its raised position becomes essential.
To this end I employ what I term a latching mechanism and although the form
of the latching mechanism may be considerably varied, I have shown a novel
construction. It comprises a pin secured to the movable cup and which pin is
adapted to ride in a heart shaped cam slot formed in a pivoted cam, said slot being

page_text: of such shape that upon the upward movement of the pin the cam is swung upon its
pivot and upon a reduction sufficient to permit the cup to descend the pin bears
upon the cam and rides upon one surface thereof to a suitable seat wherein it is
sustained, thereby upholding the movable cup. In this position it remains while
the light is maintained. When it is desired to extinguish the light the pressure is
again operatively increased, the cup is raised, the pin passes out of its seat, again
engages one of the surfaces of the cam turning it still further upon its pivot, and
upon a reduction of pressure the cup descends by gravity and the pin and cam are
returned to their original positions. The pivots of the cup, its lower edge and the
latching mechanism are submerged in mercury and thus protected from the action
of frost or interference by foreign substances.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that my invention consists, broadly,
in a novel means for controlling the flow of gas to the burner tip; in the combination
with said means of controlling the gas of an igniting apparatus which may be
electrical or mechanical; in the combination with said gas controlling and electrical
igniting device of an auxiliary lighting device and, my invention consists, further,
in certain novel devices and combinations of devices, all as hereinafter described
and particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1, is a sectional elevation through a lamp post, a portion of the lamp
connected with it, and of the earth work in which it is secured, showing the battery,
electric connections and sparking device in position.
Fig. 2. is a view in side elevation of the simplest form of construction, showing a
sparking device mounted on the burner.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the form of construction in which the sparking
device is mounted upon the tank, and showing also a suitable circuit forming and
breaking device, and a by-pass pipe for maintaining a pilot light.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig, 3.
Fig. 5 is an elevation of the burner tip and part of its tube, a by-pass pipe and a
central sectional elevation of the tank, cup and cam.
Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the movable cam of the latching mechanism; and
Fig. 7 is a vertical cross section through the cam on or about the line 7-7 of
Fig. 6 and through a portion of the tank.
Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating different positions of the cam.
In the drawings, 10 represents the gas post, the base of which extends into a
sub-surface chamber 11 having a man hole 12, and the base of the post having
door 13 through which the battery may be placed. 14 represents the supply pipe
which is threaded at its upper end for connection with the base of the tank 15.
This tank is constructed preferably of cast iron, but any other suitable material
may be used that will hold mercury or other equivalent seal liquid for maintaining
a gas tight joint. The inner bottom of the tank 15 is formed on an incline, as
clearly shown in Fig. 5, and upon said inclined portion there is secured an inner
tank 16 with an interposed layer of wax or other material 17, the screws 18 firmly
binding the inner and outer tanks together.
This construction provides a narrow marginal liquid chamber 19 which will
preferably be filled with mercury 20.
By forming the bottom of the tanks upon an incline it will be observed that the
rear portion of said chamber is made shallower than the front, the object being to
effect a saving in the quantity of mercury used and at the same time provide for
submerging the edge of the cup its pivot and latching mechanism in the mercury.
21 represents a gas passage through the bottoms of the inner and outer tanks
and the bottom of the inner tank has a shallow well 22 therein, which is also filled
with mercury. The inner tank may be omitted provided that the bottom of the
outer tank be so constructed as to prevent the mercury from entering the gas
passage, a simple tube rising above the bottom of the tank would serve.
23 repre-
sents an inverted cup having its vertical walls truncated corresponding to the incline
of the bottoms of the tanks, and the edge of this cup is submerged in the

page_text: mercury 20.
This cup is preferably pivoted at its rear side to the tank upon the
transverse pivot pins 24-25. 26 represents the burner supply tube, and 27 the
burner tip.
It will be observed that the supply tube 26 is formed integrally with the cup and
is arranged at an angle to the top thereof so that when the cup is down said pipe 26
will incline forward, and when it is raised into position for use the tube is in a
substantially vertical position. The burner supply tube has an extension or
prolongation 28, the lower open end of which dips into the mercury in the shallow
well, 22; and thus is provided a seal to cut off the flow of gas to the burner tip.
If the inner tank be omitted the prolongation 28 may dip into the main body of
mercury.
I have shown the tank and cup as substantially square in outline. This form is
preferred for the cup as it affords a large area for the gas to act upon and a
convenient means for cheaply, accurately and securely pivoting the cup to the
tank.
The operation of that part of the invention so far described, briefly stated, is as
follows: The same gas pressure which is normally maintained in the gas main is
constantly exerted upon the under side of the cup, but the latter is of such weight,
or so weighted, as not to be affected by this normal or ordinary pressure.
However, the cup is constructed and adjusted so that a slight increase of the gas
pressure above normal will lift it. I designate the amount of pressure required to
operate the cup the operative pressure.
When the cup is in its lowest position the downward prolongation of the burner
tube dips into the mercury contained in the tank well and thus prevents the gas
from flowing through the burner tube; but when the cup is raised by the increased
pressure of the gas in the pipes it lifts the said prolongated burner tube clear of
the mercury and the gas flows uninterruptedly from the supply pipe to the
burner tip.
Obviously, upon a reduction in the operative pressure the cup would descend
unless some means were provided for maintaining it in its raised position.
The means which I have employed comprise a latching mechanism consisting of
a pin 30 carried by the cup and pivoted cam 31 mounted within a lateral enlargement
of the tank 15. The form of this cam is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings.
The pivot pin of the cam is marked 32 and a spring 33 presses the cam against the
wall of the tank and holds the cam by friction in any position to which it may be
moved, one end of the spring being fixed and the other bearing upon the cam.
The cam has a substantially heart shaped groove, and one lobe of which
than the other and the inner wall of the cam slot at the top of the cam is constructed
higher
to provide a seat for the pin.
The operation of the cam is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8, and the
letters A, A, A, and A³, showing different positions thereof. When the cup is in
the position in which the supply of gas to the burner is cut off the pin 32 will be
at the bottom of the cam slot as shown at A. When the construction is as above
shown and described the pin will always move in a substantially vertical plane and
this plane is indicated in Fig. 8, by the line X-X. Therefore, when the gas
pressure in the main is increased to such an extent as to lift the cup, the pin will
pass upwardly through the groove on the left side of the cam and contact with the
wall of that portion of the slot through which it is moving, and rock the cam on its
pivot until it takes the position shown in A', wherein the pin will rest in the
highest portion of the groove and the upward movement of the cup will be arrested.
When the pressure is reduced the cup descends by gravity and its pin will strike
the inner wall of the slot and cause the cam to be rocked still further on its pivot
until the pin comes to rest in the seat formed in the upper part of said inner
wall, as shown at A². The cup is supported in this position until the next operative
rise in the pressure of the gas which will cause the pin to again move upward
perpendicularly from the position shown in A². In its upward movement the pin
will engage the outer wall of the cam slot deflecting the cam still further in the

page_text: direction of its original movement until it assumes the position shown at A'.
When the pressure of the gas is reduced the weight of the cup will cause it to
move downward, the pin descending through the slot on the opposite side of the
cam, to its initial position, and by reason of its contact with the outer wall of the
slot at that side of the cam causing, the latter to assume its original position.
The object in making one lobe of the cam slot higher than the other is to permit
the cup to tip back sufficiently during its first actuation to form an electric contact;
while in the second actuation, which is simply to extinguish the light, the cup is
tipped back sufficiently to permit the pin to descend but it is not permitted to
tip back far enough to make the electric connection, and thereby battery energy
is conserved.
The electric igniting apparatus of each lamp will be included within a local
circuit to which current is supplied from a battery 34, which I prefer to place in
the hollow of the base of the post below the surface of the ground so as to
thoroughly protect it from frost. This battery may be of any approved form and
will supply current to a sparking device such as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The
sparking device shown in Fig. 2 comprises an electro-magnet (marked 35) and is
arranged concentric to the burner tube. Projecting from the coil of this magnet
is a wire 36 which extends to the binding post 37 mounted upon but insulated from
the cup 23. 38 is a contact making spring.
39 is a second contact piece which is mounted upon but insulated from the tank 15.
From the binding post of the contact piece 39 wire 40 leads to one pole of the
battery. The opposite pole of the battery is connected, preferably through the gas
supply pipe and the other metal parts, to a movable electrode 41 which is secured
to the armature B. The latter is pivoted at band is normally thrust away from the
magnet by a spring. This construction is fully described in said United States
Patent No. 359,053, and the structural features thereof do not form a part of my
invention. By this means the electrode 42 is adapted to be depressed by the
attraction of the armature. The electrode, 41, is seated upon spring 42 whereby
it is normally thrust into contact with the fixed electrode 41º.
The fixed electrode is connected with the spool.
The operation of the device above described is as follows: Upon an operative
increase of the gas pressure the cup 23 carrying the burner tip and lighting device
will be raised or tilted upon its pivot, thus raising the prolongation 28 of the
burner tube out of the well 22, opening a passage for the gas to the burner tip.
During this movement an electric circuit will be closed by the impingement of
the contact 38 upon the contact 39, the closing of the electrical circuit energizes
the magnet of the sparking device causing, in connection with the spring, rapid
reciprocation of the movable electrode, thus throwing a succession of sparks into the
gas issuing from the burner tip and igniting the gas. The pressure being now
reduced, the cup descends until arrested by the latching mechanism, by which it is
maintained in position to permit the flow of gas to the burner for maintaining the
light. The circuit is broken by the separation of the contacts due to the down-
ward movement of the cup following the reduction of pressure and thus the electric
energy is used only during the brief interval required to ignite the gas. The
position of the cup and burner tube, when the light is extinguished is indicated
in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 by the full lives, while the lighting position of the burner is
shown by dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3, and the position of use is most clearly
shown by the full lines in Fig. 2.
When it is desired to extinguish the gas, the pressure is again slightly increased
above the normal and the cup is tilted sufficiently to release the latching mechanism,
and upon a reduction of pressure the cup returns to its original position and the
supply of gas is cut off by the submersion of the end of the tube 28 in the mercury
contained in the well 22.
In Fig. 3, I have shown the sparking device mounted upon the tank and the burner
tip is rocked into lighting proximity to the electrodes, as clearly shown by the
dotted lines in Fig. 3 nearest the electrodes.

page_text: An advantage of this construction is that the electrodes are without the influence
of the flame of the jet, except during ignition. The principle of the device is the
sanie as that involved in the previously described construction.
In Fig. 3 the form of the circuit closer and the arrangement of the electrodes is
also slightly different.
In some latitudes, and in certain seasons of the year in others, the operation of
an electric igniting device may become unreliable owing to the condensation of
moisture and frost upon the movable parts. It may be found expedient therefore to
substitute for or to use as an auxiliary to this electric igniting device a torch or pilot
light, and this may be of any approved construction.
In Fig. 5. I have shown the prolongation 28 of the burner tube provided with a
minute perforation or thief 28* through which gas may escape to the burner tip
in sufficient quantity to maintain a light. In the same figure I have shown a
by-pass pipe 43, whose upper end is carried into position to ignite the gas issuing
from the burner tip when the latter is moved by the igniting pressure. Said
by-pass is provided with a cock 44. A minute flame may be maintained at the
burner tip or at the end of the by-pass constantly during certain seasons of the
year, and during other seasons the flow of gas through the by-pass will be cut off
by turning the cock or by closing the aperture 28".
It will be understood that the aperture in the tube 28 and the by-pass pipe are
alternative devices, and where one is employed the other need not be.
While I prefer to employ a lighting device having sparking electrodes, whereby
a succession of sparks are thrown into the gas for igniting it, it is obvious that a
wire or spongy platinum may be substituted for the sparking electrodes. Such
wire or spongy platinum can be heated to incandescence by the resistance they
offer to the passage of the electric current therethrough.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. In an apparatus for automatically lighting and extinguishing gas, the
combination with a gas supply pipe and burner, of a pivoted gravity valve normally
closing the passage to the burner and adapted to be opened by an operative
variation of gas pressure to permit the flow of gas, and means for sustaining the
valve open until another variation of pressure whereby the sustaining means is
released and the valve permitted to close and thus cut off the flow of gas,
substantially as described.
2. In an electric gas lighting and extinguishing apparatus, the combination with
a pivoted gravity valve adapted to be actuated by an operative variation of gas
pressure to control the flow of gas to the burner, means for sustaining said valve in
the open position and means for igniting the gas comprising a battery, a lighting
device and a conductor connected to opposite poles of the battery and including
the lighting device, said conductor having a break therein and a circuit closer
operated by a variation in the gas pressure whereby to establish an electrical
circuit through the lighting device to ignite the gas, and a subsequent operative
variation of the gas pressure serving to release the valve and permit it to descend
and cut off the supply of gas, substantially as described.
3. In an apparatus for automatically lighting and extinguishing gas, the
combination with a gas supply pipe and burner, of a pivoted gravity valve
constantly exposed to the gas pressure and normally closing the passage and
adapted to be raised by an operative variation of the gas pressure to permit the
flow of gas, a latching mechanism to sustain the valve in its open position, and said
latching mechanism being adapted to release the valve upon a subsequent variation
of pressure whereby the valve is permitted to descend and cut off the flow of gas,
substantially as described.
4. In an apparatus for automatically lighting and extinguishing gas, the
combination with the gas supply pipe and burner, of a pivoted gravity valve

page_text: normally closing the passage, said burner being mounted upon said valve mechanism
and said valve being adapted to be opened by an operative variation of the gas
pressure, latching mechanism for sustaining the valve in its open position and said
latching mechanism being adapted to be released by a subsequent variation of the
gas pressure to permit the valve to descend and cut off the flow of gas, substantially
as described.
5. In a gas lighting and extinguishing apparatus, the combination with a gas
supply pipe, of a pivoted gravity valve normally closing the passage of said pipe, a
burner mounted upon the valve and said valve being adapted to be opened by a
temporary increase of the gas pressure to permit the flow of gas to the burner,
and an igniting device comprising a battery, a lighting device, a conductor con-
nected to opposite poles of the battery and including the lighting device said
conductor having a break therein, and a circuit closer operated by the valve
whereby to establish an electrical circuit through the lighting device to ignite the
gas, and a latching mechanism for sustaining the valve in its open position after an
operative increase in gas pressure and being adapted for release upon a subsequent
operative variation of the gas pressure to permit the valve to descend and cut off
the supply of gas, substantially as described.
6. In a gas lighting and extinguishing apparatus, the combination with a gas
supply pipe, of a pivoted gravity valve normally closing the passage of said pipe,
a burner mounted upon the valve and said valve being adapted to be raised by an
operative increase of the gas pressure, a latching mechanism for sustaining the
valve in its open position, and means for igniting the gas comprising a sparking
device, a battery, a conductor connected to opposite poles of the battery and
including the sparking device. said conductor having a break therein, and a circuit
closer having a movable member thereof mounted upon the valve and adapted when
the latter is raised to close an electrical circuit through the sparking device to
ignite the gas, said latching mechanism being adapted for release upon a subsequent
operative variation of the pressure to permit the valve to descend and cut off the
supply of gas, substantially as described.
7. In an electric gas lighting apparatus, the combination with a pneumatically
controlled valve adapted to be actuated by a temporary variation of gas pressure
to permit the flow of gas to the burner, of means for igniting the gas, said means
comprising a battery, a lighting device and a conductor connected to opposite
poles of the battery and including the lighting device, said conductor having a
break therein and a circuit closer operated by a variation of the gas pressure
whereby to establish an electrical circuit through the lighting device to ignite the
gas, substantially as described.
8. In an electric gas lighting apparatus, the combination with a gravity valve
adapted to be actuated by a temporary variation of gas pressure to permit the flow
of gas to the burner, of means for lighting the gas, said means comprising a battery,
a lighting device and a conductor connected to opposite poles of the battery and
including the lighting device, said conductor having a break therein and circuit
closer operated by variation of the gas pressure whereby to establish an electrical
circuit through the lighting device to ignite the gas, substantially as described.
9. In an electric gas lighting apparatus, the combination with a pivoted gravity
valve adapted to be actuated by a temporary variation of gas pressure to permit
the flow of gas to the burner, of means for igniting the gas, said means comprising
a battery, a lighting device and a conductor connected to opposite poles of the
battery and including the lighting device, said conductor having a break therein
and a circuit closer operated by a variation of the gas pressure whereby to establish
an electrical circuit through the lighting device to ignite the gas, substantially as
described.
10. In means for automatically lighting and extinguishing gas, the combination
with a gas supply pipe of a pivoted gravity valve normally closing the passage of
said pipe, said valve being adapted to be opened by an operative variation in the
gas pressure, a latching mechanism for sustaining the valve in its open position

page_text: and an igniting device arranged adjacent to the burner and adapted to ignite
the gas when the valve is rocked on its pivot, and said latching mechanism being
adapted to be released by a subsequent operative variation of the gas pressure
whereby to permit the valve to descend and cut off the supply of gas, substantially
as described.
11. In means for lighting gas, the combination with a gas supply pipe, burner
and valve for controlling the flow of gas to the burner, of an electric gas igniting
apparatus included in a normally open electric circuit and a suitable circuit closer
operated by variations of gas pressure, and said lighting device and burner
being movable with relation to each other and adapted to be brought into
lighting proximity by an operative increase of gas pressure to effect ignition and
to be separated upon a change of said pressure whereby the lighting device is
without the influence of the flame during the maintenance of the light, substantially
as described.
12. In an automatic gas lighting apparatus, the combination with the gas supply
pipe, of a valve for controlling the flow of gas, said valve being adapted to be
opened by an operative increase in gas pressure, a movable burner adapted also to
be moved by the variations of gas pressure and an igniting device so located with
reference to the burner that when the latter is moved the gas may be ignited,
substantially as described.
13. In an electric gas lighting apparatus, the combination with a gas supply pipe
and burner, of a gravity valve normally closing the passage, said burner being
mounted upon said valve and the valve being adapted to be rocked by an operative
variation of the gas pressure and an igniting device so located with reference to
the burner tip as to ignite the gas when the burner is moved, substantially as
described.
14. In an automatic gas controlling apparatus, the combination with a gas supply
pipe, of a coverless receptacle or tank mounted upon said pipe and adapted to
contain a liquid seal, and an inverted cup movably mounted in said tank and having
a burner tube with a prolongation adapted to dip into the seal liquid and said cup
being normally exposed to the gas pressure and having its edges also adapted to be
submerged in the seal, substantially as described.
15. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the flow of gas to burners, the
combination with a gas supply pipe, of a tank mounted thereon and adapted to
contain a liquid seal, a cup pivotally mounted in said tank in an inverted position,
a valve device carried by said cup and normally adapted to seal the gas passage
and a burner tube mounted on said cup, substantially as described.
16. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the flow of gas to burners, the
combination with a gas supply pipe, of a coverless receptacle or tank mounted upon
and communicating therewith, said tank being constructed to provide a marginal
chamber to contain a seal liquid and a cup pivotally mounted on said tank and its
edge adapted to enter the seal chamber thereof, a burner mounted on said cup and
communicating with the interior thereof and a valve carried by the cup and adapted
to close the gas passage, substantially as described.
17. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the flow of gas to burners, the
combination with the gas supply pipe, of an open tank or receptacle mounted
thereon and having a marginal chamber adapted to contain a liquid seal, said
chamber being of greater depth at one side than upon the other and a cup pivoted
to said tank in an inverted position, the pivot being at the shallow portion of said
cup and the edge of the cup and its pivot being adapted to be submerged in the
seal liquid, substantially as described.
18. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the flow of gas to burners, the
combination with the gas supply, of a tank mounted thereon and providing a
chamber to contain a seal liquid, said chamber being deeper upon one side than upon
the other and a cup pivoted to said tank in an inverted position at the shallow
portion of said chamber, a latching mechanism supported upon said tank at the
deeper part of said chamber and the edges of the cup, its pivot and latching

page_text: mechanism being adapted to be submerged in the seal liquid, substantiany
described.
as
19. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the flow of gas to burners, the
combination with the gas supply pipe, of a tank mounted thereon and adapted to
contain a seal liquid, a cup pivotally mounted on said tank in an inverted position,
said cup having its vertical wall truncated and the pivot being applied to the
shorter side of said cup whereby it may be moved by the gas pressure without
lifting its edge above the seal, substantially as described.
20. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the flow of gas to burners, the
combination with a gas supply pipe, of a coverless tank or receptacle to contain a
liquid seal, a cup pivotally mounted upon said tank in an inverted position and a
burner mounted upon said cup and having a prolongation of the burner tube adapted
to dip into the seal liquid, substantially as described.
21. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the flow of gas to burners, the
combination with a gas supply pipe, of a tank or receptacle mounted thereon and
adapted to contain a liquid seal, and a cup substantially rectangular in form
pivotally mounted upon said tank in an inverted position and having a burner and
valve mechanism connected therewith, substantially as described.
22. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the flow of gas to burners, the
combination with a gas supply pipe, of a tank mounted thereon and adapted to
contain a liquid seal, a cup pivotally mounted upon the tank in an inverted position,
said cup having a pin upon its side opposite the hinge and a latching mechanism
mounted upon the inner wall of the tank, said hinge, pin and latching mechanism
being adapted to be submerged in the seal liquid, substantially as described.
23. In a pressure operated device for automatically controlling the flow of gas
to burners, the combination with a gas supply pipe, of a tank mounted thereon and
adapted to contain a liquid seal, a cup pivotally mounted upon said tank in an
inverted position and having a valve to control the flow of gas, a latching mechanism
comprising a pin and a cam, one of which is carried by the tank and the other by
the cup and said cam having a groove which is traversed by the pin, said cam
being pivotally mounted and adapted to be moved upon its pivot by the pin when
the cup is raised by the gas pressure and also provided with a seat to sustain the
pin upon a decrease of pressure and adapted to be further moved upon a subsequent
operative increase whereby the pin is carried out of its seat and the cup permitted
to descend upon a decrease in the second operative variation of pressure,
substantially as described.
24. In a pressure operated device for automatically controlling the flow of gas
to burners, the combination with a gas supply pipe, of a tank mounted thereon and
adapted to contain a liquid seal, a cup pivotally mounted upon said tank in an
inverted position and having a valve to control the flow of gas, a latching
mechanism one member whereof is carried by the tank and the other by the cup
and adapted to sustain the cup when the valve is open and means for igniting the
gas comprising a lighting device, a battery, a conductor connected to opposite
poles of the battery and including the lighting device, said conductor having a
break therein, and a circuit closer operated by the movable cup, said latching
mechanism being adapted to permit the cup to move sufficiently to close the
electrical circuit upon an operative increase of the gas pressure sufficient to open
the valve and to limit its movement upon a subsequent operative increase of gas
pressure to prevent closing the electrical circuit, substantially as described.
25. In a gas lighting apparatus, the combination with a gas supply pipe and a
valve for controlling the flow of gas, to the burner, of electrical means for lighting
the gas comprising a lighting device, a battery and a conductor connected to
opposite poles of the battery and including the lighting device, a break in the
conductor, and a pressure operated circuit closer, and an auxiliary lighting device
comprising a thief or by-pass for maintaining a pilot light at or in proximity to
the burner tip, substantially as described.
26. In an automatic gas lighting apparatus, the combination with a gas supply

page_text: pipe, a burner and a valve for controlling the supply of gas to the burner of an
electric igniting apparatus included in a normally open electric circuit, a circuit
closer operated by variations of gas pressure, said igniting apparatus having
eleetrodes by which ignition is effected, and means for separating the burner and
electrodes after ignition is effected whereby the electrodes may be maintained
without the influence of the gas flame, substantially as described.
27. In an automatic gas lighting apparatus, the combination with a gas supply pipe,
a burner and a valve for controlling the flow of gas to the burner, of an electric
gas igniting apparatus included in a normally open electric circuit and a suitable
circuit closer and said lighting device and burner being adapted to be brought into
lighting proximity by an operative increase of gas pressure to effect ignition and
to be separated upon a change of said pressure whereby the lighting device is
without the influence of the flame during the maintenance of the light, substantially
as described.
28. In an automatic means for lighting gas, the combination with a gas supply
pipe, burner and valve for controlling the flow of gas to the burner, of an electric
gas igniting apparatus included in a normally open electric circuit, a suitable
circuit closer operated by variations of gas pressure, and said lighting device
and burner being normally separated and means for bringing them into lighting
proximity whereby to effect ignition and the burner and lighting device being adapted
to resume their normal relation after ignition, substantially as described.
29. In an automatic gas lighting apparatus, the combination with a gas supply
pipe, a burner and a valve for controlling the supply of gas to the burner of an
electric ignition device included in a normally open electric circuit and a circuit
closer the movable member whereof is in the form of an inverted cup, exposed to
the gas pressure and adapted to be moved by an operative variation thereof, whereby
to close the electric circuit through the ignition device, substantially as described.
30. The combination of a gas supply pipe, burner and valve controlling the
flow of gas to the burner and means for igniting the gas, said means comprising a
battery, a lighting device and a conductor connected to opposite poles of the
battery and including the lighting device, said conductor having a break therein
and a circuit closer operated by variations of the gas pressure whereby to
establish an electrical circuit through the lighting device to ignite the gas, said
circuit closer being in the form of an inverted cup or vessel whose hollow forms
a chamber in which the gas pressure is exerted, substantially as described.
31. The combination of a gas supply pipe, burner and valve controlling the
flow of gas to the burner and means for igniting the gas, said means comprising a
battery, a lighting device and a conductor connected to opposite poles of the
battery and including the lighting device, said conductor having a break therein
and a circuit closer operated by variation of the gas pressure whereby to establish
an electrical circuit through the lighting device to ignite the gas, said circuit closer
being in the form of an inverted cup or vessel whose hollow forms a chamber in
which the gas pressure is exerted, substantially as described.
32. In a gas lighting apparatus, the combination with a gas supply pipe and a
valve for controlling the flow of gas to the burner, of electrical means for lighting
the gas comprising a lighting device, a battery and a conductor connected to
opposite poles of the battery and including the lighting device, a break in the
conductor, and a pressure operated circuit closer, and a thief or by-pass for
conducting a sufficient quantity of gas around the valve and to or in proximity to
the burner tip, whereby the lighting of the gas at the tip may be effected when
the valve is open to the burner tip, substantially as described.
JAMES SANGSTER.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.