IMPROVEMENTS THE LANDO POR THE ROORS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Thomas Tongue, of Wolverhampton, in
the County of Stafford, Factor, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
THE LANDO POR THE ROORS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 12th May 1871, and dated the 14th November 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Thomas
Tongue at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 14th November 1870.
I, WILLIAM THOMAS TONGUE, of Wolverhampton, in the County of
5 Stafford, Factor, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS FOR THE ROOFS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND OTHER
PURPOSES," to be as follows (that is to say):-
This Invention has for its object certain improvements in lamps
suitable for the burning of animal, vegetable, or mineral oils, and which
lamps are peculiarly applicable for roof lights in railway carriages.
An overhead lamp, say, suitable for a railway carriage constructed.
according to this Invention, may consist of a reservoir for containing the

page_text: liquid used for burning. The burner holding the lamp wick may
resemble the ordinary burner now used, but one side of the vertical wick
tube is fitted with a spring (or springs), the upper end (or ends) of
which carries one, two, or more short pointed or semi-spherical ended
stud pins which take into and pass through holes corresponding thereto
in the side of the wick holder, so that the points can enter into or press
against the wick and hold it in position. On the other side of the spring
(or springs) carrying the points or semi-spherical ended stud pins is
a short horizontal arm, by pressing the outer end of which the points are
withdrawn from the wick tube to allow the wick to be introduced into
or withdrawn from or raised in its holder. The object of this arrange-
ment is that a wick of greater length may be used than is usual in such
cases without the fear of the wick descending even, although the same
should fit loosely therein.
When the improved lamp is to be used for the burning of petroleum
or other like oils it is preferred that there should be a transverse shaft
running through the body or shank of the burner on one side of the
wick tube, and carrying one or more spur wheels which work through
an opening or openings in the side of the wick tube, so as to impinge on
the wick, that by the spindle being rotated in one direction the wick is
elevated, and when turned in the opposite direction it is depressed or
drawn down. The outer end of the shaft is fitted with a milled head
for actuating the same by the finger and thumb.
Now this spur wheel and shaft arrangement is not new in itself, as
the same is now well known as applied to burners constructed from thin
sheet metal, but in which case the joints or bearing of the axle are so
thin and light that they cannot readily be made tight, consequently
allow the vapors from the oil to escape therethrough, which vapor being
exceedingly inflammable becomes dangerous, whereas if the burner be
made in cast metal a sufficient substance is obtained, whereby the joint
can be made perfect as the spindle may be ground in, and there will be
sufficient substance in the metal to give the spindle a good bearing at
one side, and it may take into a cylindrical hole on the opposite side of
the burner, which need not pass entirely therethrough; and in some cases
it is preferred to use an arched draught regulator which encloses the two
broad sides of the wick holder, and has an opening slit through the top
for the flame to pass, as described in the Specification of a Patent
granted to the applicant, dated 7th January 1868, and numbered 53, but

page_text: that there should be no holes through the side of the arch pieces, as they
are not found to answer in practice.
In constructing this improved burner it is proposed to form the wick
tube from thin sheet metal coated with tin either in the sheet or after
the wick tube is formed. The sheet metal being stamped out and bent
to the required form is placed in a suitable mould, and the other portion
of the burner is then cast upon it, which may be of cast iron, brass, or
other metal, and with or without screwed collars.
Any of the modification of the improved burner may be used with or
without a glass chimney. The oil chamber is placed near the bottom of
the interior of the external glass covering, and is suspended by a tube
(or tubes) which open out at the upper end (or ends) into the external
atmosphere, and communicate with the space immediately below the oil
reservoir. The tube (or tubes) by which the oil chamber is suspended
and which convey the external air below the oil depôt may consist of a
single tube, a tube descending on each side of the burner, or the said air
passages communications may be in duplicate, which will have the effect
to some extent of balancing and defusing the currents of air for sup-
porting combustion. These pipes or combined tubes may be oval, square,
or any other convenient form.
When these improved lamps are used for the burning of petrolcum or
other highly volatile oils the oil chamber is fitted with a small pipe for
conveying any excess of evaporation to the exterior of the lamp as a
precaution against danger. One of the tubes or a portion of one of the
combined tubes by which the oil chamber is suspended may be arranged
to open into the oil depôt.
A peculiar arrangement of reflector is fitted above the light. This
reflector, which is of glass, by preference cast, moulded, or stamped
in one piece, is concave on the under side formed with four concave
surfaces joining each other. The reflector has an oval opening through
the centre, and is fitted into a concave disc of metal, on which
is constructed a metal chimney surrounding the oval opening in
the centre. The reflecting surface is held in position by means of a
narrow metal frame which fits within the metal disc, the whole being
attached together by means of screws which project through the metallic
disc and fitted with binding nuts. The back of the glass reflector
is covered with silver leaf, quicksilver not being found to answer, as

page_text: it becomes affected by the heat, which is not the case with the silver
leaf.
The objects of these improvements are that the oil retainer being below
the light the oil is not liable to be spilled into the bottom of the external
glass covering as is commonly the case when the oil depôt is above the
light, and by the use of this peculiar arrangement of reflector the shadow
of the oil depôt is done away with or reduced to a minimum.
When this Invention is applied to side lights the reflector is placed at
the back of the light, and is then formed without the hole in the centre,
and in some cases the improved reflector is formed of a plain concave
glass (with a hole in the centre when for a roof light), and covered on
the back with silver leaf, as described.
Where the reflectors are required to be of considerable size and it
would be inconvenient to cast, stamp, or mould them, it is proposed to
make the reflecting surface from "blown glass." And when of extra
large dimension to divide the concave glass by radial lines into sections
and mounting the same in a frame similar to the one described in such a
way that should one portion be accidentally damaged or broken it can
be removed and replaced by another. The concave reflector surface
formed with the four concave recesses may have the reflecting surfaces
made of other material than glass, such as polished metal, highly glazed
porcelain, or other reflecting surfaces.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Thomas Tongue in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 13th May 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
THOMAS TONGUE, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Factor,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Thomas Tongue, Her special
licence that I, the said William Thomas Tongue, my executors, admi-

page_text: nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Thomas
Tongue, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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 Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS FOR THE ROOFS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND
OTHER PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
William Thomas Tongue, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
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 William Thomas Tongue, 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) :-
This my said Invention has for its object certain improvements in
lamps suitable for the burning of animal, vegetable, or mineral oils,
and which lamps are peculiarly applicable for roof lights in railway
carriages.
An overhead lamp, say, suitable for a railway carriage constructed
according to this my said Invention, may consist of a reservoir for cou-
taining the liquid used for burning. The burner holding the lamp wick
may resemble the ordinary burner now used, but one side of the vertical
wick tube I fit with a spring (or springs), the upper end (or ends) of
which carries one, two, or more short-pointed or semi-spherical ended stud
pins, which take into and pass through holes corresponding thereto in
the side of the wick holder, so that the points can enter into or press
against the wick and hold it in position. On the other side of the spring
(or springs) carrying the points or semi-spherical ended stud pins I apply
a short horizontal arm, by pressing the outer end of which the points.
are withdrawn from the wick tube to allow the wick to be introduced
into or withdrawn from or raised in its holder. The object of this
arrangement is that a wick of greater length may be used than is usual

page_text: in such cases without the fear of its descending, even although the same
should fit loosely therein.
When this my improved lamp is used for the burning of petroleum or
other like oils I prefer that there should be a transverse shaft running
through the body or shank of the burner on one side of the wick tube,
and carrying one or more spur wheels, which work through an opening
(or openings) in the side of the wick tube so as to impinge on the wick,
that on the spindle being rotated in one direction the wick is elevated,
and when turned in the opposite direction it is depressed or drawn down.
The outer end of the shaft is fitted with a milled head for actuating the
same by the finger and thumb.
Now I desire to remark that this spur wheel and shaft arrangement
is not new in itself, as the same is now well known as applied to burners
constructed from thin sheet metal, but in which case the joints or
bearings of the axle are so thin and light that they cannot readily be
made tight, consequently they allow the vapours from the oil to escape,
which vapours being exceedingly inflammable become dangerous,
whereas if the burner be made in cast metal, as I propose, a sufficient
substance is obtained whereby the joint can be made perfect, as the
spindle may be ground in, and there will be sufficient substance in the
metal to give the spindle a good bearing at one side, and it may take
into a cylindrical hole on the opposite side of the burner, which need
not pass entirely therethrough; and in some cases I prefer to use an
arched draught regulator, which encloses the broadside of the wick
holder, and has an opening slit through the top for the flame to pass,
as described in the Specification of a Patent granted to me, dated
7th January 1868, and numbered 53, but that there should be no holes
through the side of the arch pieces, as I have not found them to answer
in practice.
In constructing this my improved burner I propose to form the wick
tube from thin sheet metal coated with tin either in the sheet or after
the wick tube is formed, the sheet metal being stamped out and bent
to the required form. I then place it in a suitable mould, and the other
portion of the burner is then cast upon it, which may be of cast iron,
brass, or other metal, with or without screwed collars, but in some cases
I prefer to cast the whole in one piece.
Any of the modifications of the improved burners may be used with
or without a glass chimney. The oil chamber is placed near the bottom

page_text: of the interior of the external glass covering, and is suspended by a tube
(or tubes) which open out at the upper end (or ends) into the external
atmosphere, and communicate with the space immediately below the oil
reservoir. The tube or tubes by which the oil chamber is suspended,
and which convey the external air below the oil depôt, may consist of a
single tube descending on each side of the burner; or the said air
passage communications may be in duplicate, which will have the
effect to some extent of balancing and diffusing the currents of air for
supporting combustion. These pipes or combined tubes may be oval,
square, or of any convenient form.
When these improved lamps are used for the burning of petroleum or
other highly volatile oils the oil chamber is fitted with a small pipe for
conveying any excess of evaporation to the exterior of the lamp as a
precaution against danger, one of the tubes or a portion of one of the
combined tubes by which the oil chamber is suspended arranged to enter
into the oil depôt.
A peculiar arrangement of reflector is fitted above the light. This
reflector, which is of glass moulded or stamped, by preference cast in
one piece, is concave on the under side, formed with four concave
surfaces joining each. The reflector has an oval opening through
the centre, and is fitted into a concave disc of metal on which is con-
structed a metal chimney surrounding the oval opening in the centre.
The reflecting surface is held in position by means of a narrow metal
frame which fits within the metal disc, the whole being attached together
by means of screws which project through the metallic disc, and arc
fitted with binding nuts. The back of the glass reflector is covered with
silver leaf, quicksilver not being found to answer, as it becomes affected
by the heat, which is not the case with the silver leaf.
The objects of these improvements are, that the oil retainer being
below the light the oil is not liable to be spilled into the bottom of the
external glass covering, as is commonly the case when the oil depôt is
above the light, and by the use of this peculiar arrangement of reflector
the shadow of the oil depôt is done away with or reduced to a minimum.
When this Invention is applied to side lights the reflector is placed
at the back of the light, and is then formed without the hole in the
centre; and in some cases the improved reflector is formed of a plain
concave glass with a hole in the centre when for a roof light, and
covered on the back with silver leaf as described.

page_text: Where the reflectors are required to be of considerable size, and it
would be inconvenient to cast, stamp, or mould them, it is proposed to
make the reflecting surface from "blown" glass, and when of extra
large dimension to divide the concave glass by radial lines into sections,
and mounting the same in a frame similar to the one described in such
a way that should one portion be accidentally damaged or broken it can
be removed and replaced by another. The concave reflector surface
formed with the four concave recesses may have the reflecting surfaces
made of other material than glass, such as polished metal, highly glazed
porcelain, or other reflecting surfaces.
That this my said Invention may be the more readily understood I
have hereunto annexed Drawings illustrating one modification of my
improved lamp, like letters and figures marked thereon being used to
denote similar parts.
Figure 1, sectional elevation of one of my improved lamps. A, the 1
oil chamber; a, seen in broken lines, represents the burning fluid; B,
the lamp wick passing through C, lamp wick tube, which is formed
with side openings, and is fitted with D, a vertical spring, the head of
which carries E, a circular cross bar (which may be of any con-
venient shape) carrying F, points or semi-spherically ended stud bits;
G, pipes which form a passage for the air into the oil chamber, and
which are also used as suspenders for the oil chamber; H, plural con-
cave surface reflector formed with glass covered with silver leaf at the
back, and bedded on I, plaster of Paris, covered by J, a plate of thin
metal.
Figure 2 is a front elevation shewing the front side of the wick tube
(see Figure 1) exhibiting the spring D and the cross bar E; Figure 3 is
a top view or plan of the same; and Figure 4 is a vertical section
of my improved solid cast metal burners fitted with the arched metal
dome, and Figure 5 is a top view or plan of the same.
Having now fully ascertained and described the nature of this my
said Invention, and the best means I am acquainted with for carrying
the same into practical effect, I wish it to be clearly understood that I
do not confine myself to the precise relative detail, dimensions, or pro-
portions herein-before described and set forth or illustrated, as the same
may be considerably varied without departing from the Invention; but
what I claim is,—

page_text: Firstly. The construction and application of the spring points for
holding the lamp wick in position, substantially in the manner and for
the purpose hercin-before described and set forth.
Secondly. The peculiar construction of reflectors as herein-before
described as coated with metallic silver leaf backed up, substantially and
for the purposes herein-before described and set forth.
Thirdly. The application of the air induction pipes for controlling the
combustion, substantially and for the purposes herein-before described
and set forth.
Fourthly. Constructing the burners in a solid casting in the manner
and for the purposes herein-before described and set forth.
And, lastly. The general arrangement and combination of the several
parts forming my improved lamp, substantially in the manner and for
the purposes herein-before described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Thomas Tongue, have
hereunto set my hand and affixed my scal, this Twelfth day of
May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-one.
WILLIAM THOMAS (L.S.) TONGUE.
20 Witness,
WILLIAM WALKER,
of 44, Castle Street,
Liverpool.