IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING STREET LAMPS AND ANALOGOUS LAMPS."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Peter Ganster, of Reading, in the County of
Berks, and State of Pennsylvania, one of the United States of America, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY
LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING STREET LAMPS AND ANALOGOUS LAMPS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Peter Ganster at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th October 1880.
GEORGE PETER GANSTER, of Reading, in the County of Berks, and State of
Pennsylvania, one of the United States of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS
OR APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING STREET
LAMPS AND ANALOGOUS LAMPS."
My Invention relates to improvements in means for lighting or extinguishing or
raising or suppressing the flame mechanically. I maintain a small flame carefully
shielded from being extinguished by accident during the entire day or such period
as the light is not required, and at a stated hour the cock or valve is opened and
allows gas or gaseous combustible to flow out from the main burner. The jet being
ignited from the small flame yields a broad light until the proper time arrives when
the mechanism shall shut off the flow from the main burner again.
In carrying out my Invention I employ a clock-work mechanism to control the
determination of the periods required for these movements composed of proper
wheels and connections with a suitable escapement. The clock-work is wound up
by the current of air which rises from the flame during the period while the main
burner is lighted.
The current of air rising from the flame at night or while the main burner is
operating is quite strong. I journal in the top of the lamp a light metallic screw.
having a number of blades and connect this by means of a jointed shaft or rod
capable of adjustment with the spring winding mechanism of the clock-work. I
utilize the force thus obtained to not only drive the clock-work during the period.

page_text: while the main burner is serving, but by accumulating power in the spring provided
for running the clock and mechanism during the longest days.
I can employ ordinary gas as supplied to towns and villages, or I can employ
gaseous products or combustibles obtained from gasoline, light petroleum, or
analogous volatile hydro-carbons.
In carrying out my Invention I employ a lamp of any suitable construction
adapted to allow of sufficient ingress of air to support combustion.
The top of the lamp has mounted on it a tube or passage, above which is supported
a cap of any suitable construction. Within this tube I arrange a cylindrical casing
provided with radial arms supporting a bearing adapted to receive and guide
the upper end of a shaft, on which is adjustably mounted a screw wheel.
The cylindrical casing is suspended and held in position by spring clips or other
suitable means.
The screw wheel shaft is formed in sections sliding by preference one within the
other for the purpose of adjustment. The sections are held in position by set screws
or other holding means.
The lower end of the screw wheel shaft is provided with a bearing and clutch
device adapted to engage with a shaft which communicates motion to the winding
mechanism of a clock.
The clock mechanism is enclosed in a suitable case, which also supports a main
and a supplementary or permanently lighted burner, a shield for protecting the light
of the permanent burner, and the different parts of the mechanism.
The casing is by preference supported in position in the lamp by means of
the gas inlet pipe, which is screwed or otherwise connected to the gas supply
pipe.
The gas is supplied to the apparatus by means of an inlet pipe. It then passes
by means of a suitably formed pipe to a chamber, through which is formed or
applied a gas-tight bearing adapted to receive a shaft, to the upper end of which is
applied a rotary valve provided with suitable passages and operating in conjunction
with a fixed seat having passages corresponding in relative position with the
passages in the valve, so that by imparting a partial revolution to the valve the
passages therein may be brought in or out of position to allow or prevent the
passage of gas to a chamber or passage leading to the main burner.
The valve is retained in position by a suitable spring, by preference of conically
coiled form.
The valve receives motion by means of a cross piece affixed on the lower end of
its shaft, the opposite ends of which are operated by means of levers in a similar
manner to that described in the Specification of Lettors Patent granted to me
bearing date the twenty-first day of January 1879, and numbered 242. A passage
is formed in the side of the chamber below the valve, which leads to the supple-
mentary or small permanently lighted burner.
The aperture in the small burner is kept clear by means of a needle, which once
in every twenty-four hours (and whilst the main burner is lighted) is thrust
upward through the said aperture.
The needle at its lower end is pivoted to a rocking arm, which is also pivoted to
the upper end of a sliding rod working in a guide and bearing at its lower end on
the surface of a cam mounted on the end of a shaft forming part of the clockwork,
and which revolves once in twenty-four hours.
By this means, so long as the end of the sliding rod rests against a circular
portion of the cam, the needle will be held away from the aperture in the small
burner, but immediately a nose or projection on the cam comes against the end of
the sliding rod the needle will be thrust upwards so as to clear the aperture in the
small burner.
The needle is withdrawn from the aperture in the burner by the action of a spring
so soon as the nose or projection on the cam has passed from under the end of the
sliding rod.

page_text: The clockwork mechanism I prefer to be of a character similar to that described
in the Specification of the Letters Patent herein before referred to, with the exception
that in this case the clock is wound by means of a screw or wind wheel in place of a
meter wheel, as described in the aforesaid Specification.
When employing the vapor of gasoline or other volatile hydrocarbons I employ a
reservoir arranged by preference at the upper part of the lamp and connected with
the supply pipe by means of a suitable pipe or passage.
My Invention is applicable to an ordinary square framed street lamp and also
to street lamps of varied construction. It may also be applied to globe lamps for
external and internal use, so long as the globes are suitably constructed or provided
with a suitable structure to receive the screw wheel and allow a free exit of the
heated air.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
"
by the said George Peter Ganster in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 25th April 1881.
GEORGE PETER GANSTER, of Reading, in the County of Berks, and State of
Pennsylvania, one of the United States of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS
OR APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING STREET
LAMPS AND ANALOGOUS LAMPS."
At a
My Invention relates to improvements in means for lighting and extinguishing
I maintain a small flame
or raising & suppressing the flame mechanically.
separate from the main burner and carefully shielded from being extinguished by
accident during the entire day or such period as the light is not required.
stated hour the cock or valve is opened and allows gas or gaseous combustible to
flow out from the main burner. The jet being ignited from the small flame yields
a broad light until the proper time arrives when the mechanism shall shut off the
flow from the main burner again.
In carrying out my Invention I employ a clock-work mechanism to control the
determination of the periods required for these movements composed of proper
wheels and connections with a suitable escapement. The clock-work is wound up
by the current of air which rises from the flame during the period while the main
burner is lighted.
The current of air rising from the flame at night or while the main burner is
operating is quite strong. I arrange in the top of the lamp a light metallic screw
having a number of blades, and connect this by means of a jointed shaft or rod
capable of adjustment with the spring winding mechanism of the clock-work. I
utilize the force thus obtained to not only drive the clock-work during the period
while the main burner is serving, but also by accumulating power in the spring
provided for running the clock-mechanism during the longest days.
The upper end of the shaft of the metallic screw is formed or provided with a
box or receiver capable of holding glycerine, oil, powdered graphite, or other
suitable material.
The upper surface or top of this box is provided with a central circular aperture
adapted to hold and guide a centering pivot or projection supported by arms
carried by a removable casing held in position by springs or equivalent means.
I can employ ordinary gas as supplied to towns and villages, or I can employ
gaseous products or combustibles obtained from gasoline, light petroleum or
analogous volatile hydro-carbons.
But that my Invention may be fully understood I will proceed to describe the
same more in detail by the aid of the accompanying Drawings which form part of
this Specification.
Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a street lamp with my improvements
applied thereto.
Figure 2 is a sectional plan of the upper part of the lamp showing the operating
screw.
Figure 3 is a front view of the clock-work and burners with the outer case of the
clock-work removed.
Figure 4 is a similar back view.
Figures 5 and 6 are opposite side views of the clock-work and burners with the
casing removed so as to show the mechanism.
Figure 7 is a detailed view of the burners and parts immediately connected
therewith, partly in section.
Figure 8 is a plan view of the main gas-valve.

page_text: Figure 9 is a sectional view of the upper portion of the shaft D, and a part of
the screw-wheel D¹, and so much of two of the radial arms c, as will illustrate the
construction and operation of my improved bearing for the shaft D.
Referring to the Drawings, A is the fixed frame-work of an ordinary street lamp
supported by a frame B, attached to the upper end of a post B¹, in the usual
manner.
The bottom A¹ of the lamp is provided with suitable apertures for the
introduction of air without allowing the frame to be much affected by gales of
wind.
The top A² has mounted on and projecting slightly below it a cylindrical tube or
passage A³, above which is supported the compound cap A*, of the usual
construction.
Within the tube A³ I arrange a cylindrical casing C, provided with radial arms c,
supporting a centering pin or bearing of, adapted to pass down through a circular
opening in the top of a box D³ formed on or affixed to the upper end of the
shaft D.. This box D³ is adapted to receive glycerine, oil, powdered graphite, or
other suitable anti-friction material.
My improved box D³ is adapted to reliably guide the shaft and fan-wheel while
it efficiently lubricates the pin c', and prevents dust or other foreign matter from
clogging the free revolution of the fan-wheel.
The top do is pressed into the main portion of the box D³, and there retained by
the edge ³, being forced over the edges of the top, as shown in Figure 9.
The cylindrical casing C is suspended and held in position by spring clips c³,
passing over the top of or otherwise secured to the tube A³.
The shaft D is formed in two parts d, d', the part d' by preference sliding
within the part d for the purpose of adjustment, but held rigidly in position when
adjusted by means of a set screw d³.
The lower end of the shaft D is provided with a female bearing adapted to rest
on the upper end of the shaft E, provided with a male bearing. The lower end of
the shaft D is also furnished with a fork d³; the prongs of which are adapted to
operate against the opposite sides of the two opposite ends of a cross-pin e, carried
by the shaft E, which communicates motion to the winding mechanism of the
clock, as hereinafter explained.
F is a casing suitably formed to enclose the clock mechanism; it also supports
the main burner I', subsidiary burner J¹, shield K (shown in Figure 1 and by
dotted lines in Figures 3 and 4), and the parts immediately connected therewith.
The casing F is supported in position in the lamp by means of the gas-inlet pipe
F¹, which is screwed to the end of the gas supply pipo B2, passing up through the
post B¹
The gas is supplied to the apparatus by means of the inlet pipe F¹; it then passes
by means of the semi-circular pipe f to the chamber G, through the centre of which
is formed or applied a gas tight bearing f¹, adapted to receive a shaft H, to the
upper end of which is applied a rotary pipe h, provided with passages h¹, and
operating in conjunction with a fixed seat f2, having passages f³, corresponding in
relative position with the passages h' in the valve h, so that by imparting one
quarter revolution to the valve h the passages h¹ therein may be brought in or out
of position to allow or prevent the passage of the gas through the passages f³ in
the seat f to the chamber I, into which is screwed the stem of the main burner
1. The valve h is retained in position against its seat f2 by means of the coiled
spring, one end of which rests against the underside of the stem ¹ whilst its
other end bears centrally on the valve h.
The valve h receives motion by means of a cross-piece h³ affixed on the lower
end of the shaft H, the opposite ends of which are operated alternately by means
of levers O and P in a manner similar to that described in the Specification of
Letters Patent, granted to me, bearing date the Twenty-first day of January, A.D.
1879, and numbered 242.

page_text: A passage g is formed in the side of the chamber G, which leads to the stem J
of the subsidiary burner or small permanently lighted burner J'
The aperture j' is kept clean by means of a needle J³, which once in every
twenty-four hours, and whilst the main burner is lighted, is thrust upward so as to
to clear the aperture j¹.
The needle J is pivoted at its lower end to an arm on a rocking-shaft, mounted
in bearings in the two plates of the clock-work. This shaft projects through the
back plate of the clock-work, and carries on its projecting end a corresponding
arm J, which is connected to the upper end of the sliding rod J³, working in a
bearing Jo, and bearing at its lower end on the surface of a cam J' mounted on the
end of a shaft (forming part of the clock-work which I will call M) and which
revolves once in twenty-four hours.
It will be readily seen that so long as the end of the rod J³ rests against the
circular portion of the cam J7, the needle J³ will be held away from the aperture j¹,
but as the rod J³ is raised by the inclination of the cam J, the needle will be
thrust upward so as to clear the aperture j'. The needle is withdrawn from the
aperture by the action of the spring J³, so soon as the nose or projection ; has
passed from under the end of the rod J³.
K is a shield adapted to prevent the permanent flame of the small burner J¹ from
being accidentally extinguished by sudden blasts of air.
The clock-work mechanism M is of a similar character to that described in
Figures 1 and 2, in the Specification of Letters Patent, granted to me bearing date
the twenty-first day of January, A.D. 1879, and numbered 242, with the exception
that in this case the main spring operating the clock is wound by means of the
screw-wheel D¹ in place of by a metre-wheel B, as described in the aforesaid
Specification.
When employing the vapour of gasoline or other volatile hydro-carbons, I employ
a reservoir L, arranged at the upper part of the lamp and connected with the supply
pipe B by means of a pipe L.
Figures 10, 11, and 12 illustrate a slight modification of my Invention.
Figure 10 is a front view of a form of my device particularly applicable for
domestic or indoor purposes.
Figure 11 is a plan view of the ring C, supporting the centering pin and the
screw-wheel.
Figure 12 shows a detached sectional view of the anti-friction box and part of
the screw-wheel.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts to those described in the previous
Figures.
Z represents a pedestal of the ordinary construction for supporting and supplying
a gas lamp for domestic purposes.
Upon the upper end of this pedestal I mount an automatic gas lighting and
extinguishing device F, provided with suitable burners I¹, J.
A is an open frame-work supported on the device F by means of a ring or clasp a,
which embraces the circular casting F2, forming part of the device F.
The framing A is so formed at its upper portion A³ as to support a globe or
reflector Y, having an extension or chimney y.
The framing A also supports a cylindrical tube or casing C, provided with a
cross-piece c, for supporting the centreing pin or bearing c¹. In other respects the
construction and operation of the device is similar to that described in relation to
the previous Figures.
In Figure 12 the top d' of the box D³, is retained in position by friction, soldering,
or other suitable means.
The lubricating material is retained in the box prior and subsequent to the
application of the box to the lamp by means of a thin layer or coating of paper or
other suitable material capable of being readily punctured by the centreing pin when
the wheel is being placed in position in the lamp.

page_text: Having thus described my Invention, I would have it understood that I do not
confine myself to the exact details as shown and described so long as the peculiar
characteristics of my Invention be retained, substantially as shown and described.
But what I do claim is,-
First. A gas lighting and extinguishing device, arranged, constructed, and
operated, substantially as shown and described.
Second. The combination with a lamp provided with self lighting and extinguishing
mechanism, and having a casing C, arms c, and centering point or bearing c¹, of a
screw-wheel D¹, mounted on a shaft D, provided with a box D³, adapted to hold
anti-friction material, substantially as shown and described.
Third. The combination with the burner tube of an automatic gas lighting and
extinguishing device, of the chamber G, hollow bearing f1, seat f³, valve h, and
superimposed spring 2, substantially as shown and described.
Fourth. The combination with the subsidiary burner J', of an automatic gas
lighting and extinguishing device, of a needle J³, rocking armı J*, sliding rod J5,
and cam J7, all constructed, and arranged, and adapted to operate, substantially as
shown and described.
Fifth. The fan-wheel D₁ arranged above the arising products of combustion, in
combination with the clock-work contained in the casing F, and with means
operated thereby for supplying and suppressing the gas, as specified.
Sixth. The combination with the automatic lighting and extinguishing device F,
hollow frame A, and globe or reflector Y, of the casing C, centreing point or
bearing c¹, screw-wheel D¹, shaft D, and box D³, substantially as shown and
described.
Seventh. The combination with the shaft D, of the box D³, and contreing point
or bearing c', constructed and adapted to operate substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Peter Ganster, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of January, A.D. 1881.
30 Witnesses,
WILLIAM COLBORNE BROOKES.
THOMAS DREW STETSON,
Patent Solicitor,
New York, U.S.A.
GEORGE PETER GANSTER. (L.S.)