Improvements in Mechanism or Means for Automatically and Instantaneously Extinguishing or Cutting-off Gas and other Lamps and Lights, which said Improvements are Equally Applicable for Automatically Starting, Cutting-off, Liberating, and Blocking Appliances for Various Purposes.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Oct., 1886.
Complete Left, 15th Aug., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 15th Oct., 1887
Improvements in Mechanism or Means for Automatically and
Instantaneously Extinguishing or Cutting-off Gas and other
Lamps and Lights, which said Improvements are Equally
Applicable for Automatically Starting, Cutting-off, Liberating,
and Blocking Appliances for Various Purposes.
We, JAMES SIMEON EDGE the younger of Coleshill Street Birmingham in the
County of Warwick Manufacturer, and FRANCIS WILLIAM TICEHURST of Colmore
Row Birmingham, aforesaid, Gunpowder Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The principal object of our invention is to automatically and instantaneously cut off
gas and other lamps; and also for automatically and instantaneously or otherwise
cutting off, putting on, liberating, starting and blocking water, steam, gas, electricity
and machines and mechanical appliances for sundry and various purposes as herein-
after described.
We will first describe our invention in connection with a street gas lamp, in which
the light is required to be extinguished or put out at a fixed or given time.
Within the supporting framing of the lantern of the lamp, and immediately below
the top framing or top flange, automatic time extinguishing or putting out mechanism
is secured, and which is encased within a suitable metallic case or covering, to protect
it from the atmosphere and wet.
The mechanism or means aforesaid, consists essentially of seven principal parts or
elements, viz. :-1, Motive power in the form of chronometric mechanism, which is
only set going, on the lighting of the lamp-2, starting mechanism, in which a lever
is an important factor, which besides creating the necessary motive power, starts and
puts the whole of the parts in their respective positions for work, and also winds up the
timo mechanism-3, An indicator or time wheel by whose uniform motion chrono-
metric units are determined-4, a quadrant arm; through the intervention of the
latter, motion is imparted to the cock or gas plug of the lamp-5, an accurately

page_text: divided scale by which the motion of the time wheel is measured-6, an adjustable
time stop-7, clutch mechanism, for effecting infinitesimal adjustment of the time
wheel and parts intimately connected therewith.
Crossing horizontally through the framing carrying the aforesaid mechanism, an
axis passes, having secured upon it near its inner end a time wheel, which is slowly
rotated by the clock mechanism. This time wheel consists of a plain wheel or disc,
having upon its two faces and near its outer edge or periphery, flanges or standing up
rings; and within the outside flange of the said flanges before named, a notch or
gap is cut, wherein a tooth carried by an arm connected with a toothed quadrant
hereinafter described, engages.
In front of the time wheel and turning upon the axis thereof, a cam like disc is
situated, which has an inclined plane upon one part of its periphery, while its other
part is struck from the same radius as the axis upon which it turns. The inclined
part is for the purpose of taking the tooth before named from out of the notch or gap,
when the time wheel is required to be put back, or moved round to a distance equivalent
to certain chronometric units; while the concentric part keeps the lever carrying the
tooth, down, while the time wheel is being moved the required number of degrees.
This cam carries a sleeve or extended bush at its middle, with a square outside, and
upon which square, the inner end of a main operating lever is secured; and cut
within the face of the said cam, is a short slot, wherein a pin or stud on the outside
face of the time wheel works; this is to allow the cam to take a part independent
movement of the time wheel, during the period the tooth is being removed from the
notch or gap, on the descent of the main operating lever; but after the tooth's
removal, then the cam and time wheel move together, by the pin of the one coming
against the end of the slot of the other. A small coiled spring takes the cam back to
its normal position on the releasing of the main lever connected to it.
The main lever is an arm about six or eight inches long extending outwardly from
the face of the time wheel, and with the outer arm extending in front of, and above a
quadrant slotted plate, having upon it a graduated scale set off with equivalents to
chronometric units; and which said plate, we will hereinafter call the time plate;
and upon the face of this plate is an adjustable stop, against which the end of the
main lever comes, on being depressed on the lighting of the lamp; so that, by
changing the position of the stop with respect to the units of time recorded upon the
time plate this allows the lever and also the time wheel to make a greater or less
movement when the said lever is pulled down for lighting or turning on the gas; and
further, the notch or gap in the time wheel is set to a determinate distance, from the
tooth on the lever before named. The downward movement of the said lever also
winds up.the clock mechanism with which the time wheel moves in unison.
Proceeding vertically upwards within the middle of the gas lamp, and terminating
within the middle of the lantern, is a gasway pipe of the usual kind; and situated at
a suitable distance from the top or burner part, a tap or plug is situated; and upon
one side of which said plug is a pinion, which engages with the teeth of a hanging
toothed quadrant, jointed at or near the underside of the time wheel; and secured to
the top of the said quadrant, or upon its joint is a curved arm, with the tooth before
named upon its upper side. This tooth only engages with the notch after the time
plate has travelled a distance equal to a given time, determined by the motion of the
inain lever and further, the falling of the tooth within the notch, cuts off the gas by
the movement of the quadrant arin and toothed quadrant, which latter partially
rotates and turns the plug of the cock, thereby cutting off or turning on the gas.
coiled spring on the end of the quadrant arm, takes the quadrant back for the shutting
off of the gas on the tooth and notch becoming coincident.
A
Loose upon the main or time wheel axis, and at the back of the time wheel is a
plain boss or wheel, with an angular part cut out of its periphery in such a direction,
that the offside is in a direction of a diameter to the said time wheel, and within this
cut away part, the free or inside end of a clutch or arm takes, while the other end of
the clutch or arm, takes upon the inside flange of the time wheel, and when the back
edge of the said clutch lies flush with, or is in the same plane as the radial side of the

page_text: cut away part, then the said time wheel can move forward independent of the clutch,
but in the reverse direction, it becomes locked with the clutch, and is thereby
compelled to travel with it.
A coiled or other spring keeps the clutch in its proper relative position; so that on
the depression of the operating lever, the clutch arm is made to present itself radially
with respect to the flange on the wheel. This allows the said wheel to be moved
forward, without taking the clutch with it, as they are both free of each other, but on
the time wheel having made its desired movement, representing the desired number of
chronometric units, the clutch now makes a slight angle and clutches itself into the
flange of the wheel, thereby compelling the said wheel, clutch, boss, time axis and
other parts in connection with the clock mechanism to move together.
The boss or plain wheel before named (with the gap cut out of its periphery) is
attached to the main wheel of the clock mechanism by a sleeve or hollow axis; so
that this wheel and boss move together.
The clock mechanism consists of an ordinary train of wheels with ribband spring,
escapement and other parts, common to ordinary clock mechanism.
The device or mechanism is operated and set going as follows
If the light of the lamp requires to be extinguished at say 5 o'clock in the
morning, the person whose duty it may be to clean the lamp, places the stop on the
graduated dial, to a point which is indicative of the time when the light shall be put
out after lighting; that is, the light shall burn a fixed time and no more, and this
is regulated by the angular movement which the main lever is compelled to make
on lighting,
The proper adjustment having been effected by the stop, the lamp-lighter proceeds
at or about a fixed time to light the lamp. He places the hook of his staff through a
hole in the lamp bottom, and with it depresses or pulls down the main lever, until the
terminal end of the said lever comes against the limiting stop in front of the time
dial; this turns on the gas which is lighted in the usual way, and set-agoing-or in
motion-the time extinguishing mechanism in the following manner, after pressure
upon the lever has been relieved, and which said lever afterwards returns to its normal
position by a spring.
The depression of the lever first partially rotates the cam with its inclined front
part pressing upon the top of the quadrant arm, which on the said further movement
of the can, keeps the said arm in a determinate position by the action of the concentric
part. This lowering of the arm rotates the toothed quadrant which communicates its
motion to the plug of the tap, and so turns on the gas; and further, the lowering of
the quadrant arm takes the tooth out of the notch in the time wheel."
to
After the rotation of the cam as just stated, the end of its slot is now brought up
to the pin on the time wheel, when the time wheel and cam is rotated together and
with it the axis, and boss upon its axis, and also the clock mechanism is wound up
the desired extent, leaving the clutch behind or in a quiescent position; that is, the
time wheel is freed of the clutch on its backward movement, but instantly the main
lever having been pulled fully home to its stop, and then released, the clutch by the
backward movement makes a slight angle, and grips the flange of the wheel, thereby
holding the said wheel, clock mechanism and other parts carried or influenced by it in
the wound up
or partially turned back position, and with the tooth of the quadrant arm
before named, resting upon the plain part of the periphery or flange of the time wheel,
and in a position below the notch, and which distance is equivalent to certain chrono-
metric units of time, say 10 hours.
The gas being lighted, and the clock mechanism performing its duties in a proper
manner, slowly rotates the time wheel and on 5 o'clock having arrived, the notch or
gap in the face wheel has been brought opposite the tooth, when the latter drops into
the former, and thus allows the quadrant arm to be raised and the quadrant turned
upon its joint centre and instantly and automatically cutting off the gas by the rotation
of the gas plug.
In applying our invention to existing clock mechanism, we place in juxta position
upon the principal axis of the striking mechanism, the boss or disc, and time wheel

page_text: before stated, of which tho former has a gap inclined upon one side, while the latter
has a plain straight gap of the exact size of a straight stud or key carried by and in
the middle of a lever, which is jointed to the frame carrying the wheels and mechanism.
The boss with the slanting on one side, cut away part, is provided with a slot wherein
a pin on the time wheel (like that already described) takes, so that the time wheel and
boss rotate together after the stud has been removed.
The square stud aforesaid is of the combined breadth of the boss and time wheel;
so that the two gaps have to become coincident before the stud drops, for extinguishing
or turning off a light.
The end of the lever carrying the stud, is jointed to an upright bar having at its
lower end a weight, while at its upper end it is jointed to a cross bar which turns or
rocks upon a joint about its middle; and at the terminal end of this bar, a second bar
is jointed, which is designed to press or operate upon the turn of an ordinary gas tap.
"When the parts are set in position, which is done on the winding up of the time
part of the clock, the stud of the lever rests upon the peripheries of both the boss or
disc and time wheel, with a slot of the latter in advance of the straight shoulder or
upright part of the gap of the former; so that on the "going" of the clock, the boss
and time wheel rotate together, until they come opposite the stud, when the latter
drops into them both, and the gas put out by the change of positions of the levers or
rods occasioned by the weight.
The operating lever hereinbefore described, instead of being lowered, may be raised,
for putting the parts in motion and turning on the gas.
We wish it to be particularly observed, that the boss or dise with a cut away part in
its periphery, and the clutch in combination with the flanged time wheel constitutes a
very important factor in mechanisms or devices of the kinds herein described, as an
infinitesimal time adjustment is obtained; which is unattainable where teeth are
employed, however fine they may be cut; and further, we propose to substitute the
said boss and clutch, for the ordinary ratchet and pawl arrangement in winding up
mechanisms.
The application of our invention to other machines, mechanical appliances and
purposes, differs in no essential respect from its application to means for the cutting
- off of gas, as already described.
T
Th
1
1000

page_text: Improvements in Mechanism or Means for Automatically and
Instantaneously Extinguishing or Cutting off Gas and other
Lamps and Lights, which said Improvements are Equally
Applicable for Automatically Starting, Cutting off, Liberating,
We, JAMES SIMEON EDGE the younger of Coleshill Street, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick Manufacturer and FRANCIS WILLIAM TICEHURST of Colmore
Row Birmingham aforesaid Gunpowder Agent, 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 :-
This invention relates to mechanism or means for cutting off the gas supply, of
gas lamps, and for instantaneous and automatic extinguishing; and which said
invention, is equally applicable to starting, setting on, cutting off, and liberating,
stopping and blocking means, for water, steam, air, electrical and other machines and
mechanical appliances used for various and cognate purposes.
We will describe our invention first, in connection with a street lamp, the light of
which is required to be extinguished at a given time.
Within the supporting framing of the lantern of the lamp, and immediately below
the top framing of the top flange thereof, instantaneous and automatic time
extinguishing or putting out mechanism is disposed.
The works of the appliance are protected from atmospheric influences and wet, by
an enclosing case, made preferably of sheet metal.
The appliance as aforesaid, consists of about seven primary parts or elements ;
viz.-1st, motive power in the form of chronometric mechanism, which is wound up
on the act of lighting the lamp; 2nd, starting and winding up means, consisting of
a lever, which on being pulled down, creates the necessary motive power, starts the
chronometric mechanism, puts the whole of the parts in their proper positions for
work, and determines the duration of motion, of the mechanism, and thereby the
time, for extinguishing. 3rd, a time wheel or indicator, by whose uniform forward
motion, chronometric units are determined. 4th, clutch or grip mechanism used in
connection with the time wheel, for effecting infinitesimal adjustment of the said time
wheel and parts intimately connected with it. By this means, toothed wheels are
dispensed with. 5th, a hanging toothed quadrant or arm, through the intervention of

page_text: which, motion is imparted to the cock or gas plug of the lamp, for turning off or
turning on. 6th, an accurately divided scale, before the graduations of which, the
lever of the starting mechanism moves, and the motion of the time wheel is measured.
7th, an adjustable time stop.
Crossing horizontally the lamp framing aforesaid is an axis which is provided at
its inner end with a time wheel, rotated by the clock mechanism.
The time wheel, consists of a plain wheel or disc; having upon its two opposite
faces, and near its edge or periphery, standing out flanges or rings; and within
the outer flange of the two flanges as aforesaid, a gap or notch is cut, wherein a
tooth carried by an arm which works the toothed quadrant, engages and takes, on
the tooth and gap becoming coincident.
Working in front of the time wheel, and upon the time wheel axis, is a cam like
disc, whose periphery at one side is made into an inclined plane, while the other
part is struck practically from the same radius as the axis upon which it turns. The
inclined part is for the purpose of taking the tooth before named, from out of the
notch or gap, when the time wheel is required to be put back, or adjusted to a
distance equivalent to certain chronometric units; while the concentric part is struck
from a slightly different radius, so that the tooth which presses on the outside of the
flange of the time wheel, keeps the lever carrying tooth in a depressed position,
until the time wheel has moved through the required number of points.
The cam as aforesaid, has a front sleeve or extended bush at its middle, and upon
the square outside part of which, the inner end of a main operating lever takes.
The time wheel has a stud upon its outside face, which takes and works within-a-
short slot, made through the middle or body part of the releasing cam. This allows
the arm which is carried upon the cam sleeve, to take a part independent motion of
the time wheel, during the period the tooth is being removed from the notch or
gap, on the descent of the operating lever, and consequent winding up of the
chronometric mechanism.
A coiled spring takes the cam plate back to a position that it will move with the
time wheel.
The main lever is an arm, extending outwardly from the face of the time wheel,
to a quadrant-slotted-plate, having upon-it, a graduated scale; set off to points,
equivalents to chronometric units; and which said plate, is called a time plate, and is
provided with an adjustable stop, peg or the like, against which the end of the main
lever comes, when the said lever is depressed or pulled down on the lighting of the
lamp.
By changing the position of the stop, with respect to the said points, the operating
lever is allowed to make a greater or less angular movement, and consequently the
time wheel allowed to travel through a greater or less distance according. to the
extinguishing time of the lamp.
Proceeding vertically upwards within the middle or axis of the gas lamp, is an
ordinary gas-pipe, which terminates at its upper end, in the middle of the lantern, and
at its lower end in the service pipe. This gas pipe is provided at a point a little below
the bottom of the lantern, with a gas plug, or gas tap, which has upon one side a
toothed pinion, with which a toothed quadrant as aforesaid, gears.
Thus, the quadrant cuts off, and turns on the tap, by its angular movement created,
on the tooth carried by the quadrant arm, falling into, and being forced from the
gap or notch in the time plate.
The tooth as aforesaid, only engages with the notch, after the time plate has
travelled a distance equal to a given time, determined by the motion which the main
lever has been made to take, on the first lighting of the lamp; as the falling of the
tooth into the notch, cuts off the gas, in consequence of the toothed quadrant and
quadrant arm being drawn upwardly by a spring.
Working loosely upon the time wheel axis, and at the back of the time wheel, is a
connected boss or toothed wheel, the former being provided with opposite angular cut
out parts, in such a direction, that the offside of each of them is in a direction of a
diameter, while the other side of each of them is slanted off; and within these cut

page_text: away parts, the inwardly directed ends of clutch arms take. The other or outward
ends of the clutches are grooved transversely in such a manner, that they take upon
the inside flange as aforesaid, of the time wheel.
The transverse grooves in the clutches, are made to slide freely upon the flange,
when they lie in the direction of a diameter, but when slightly inclined, they become
locked, by gripping the flange, so that the time wheel, clutch and other parts can
move together; but when the parts are central, with the grooves of the clutches and
the rim concentric, then the time wheel moves forward independent of the clutch.
The clutches are kept up to their proper relative positions, by springs.
When the operating lever is depressed, the clutch grooves are made to lie
parallel with the flange, which thus allows the time wheel to move forward,
independent or free of the clutches, but on the liberation of the lever, the clutches
and clutch grooves are made to take a slight angle, and so thereby make the inner
opposite sides of the grooves of each clutch, to lock themselves to the flange
of the time wheel, which thus compels the said wheel, clutches, bosses, time
wheel axis and other parts which are in connection with the clock mechanism, to
move together.
The clock mechanism consists essentially of an ordinary train of wheels, with
ribband spring, escapement and other parts common to ordinary clock mechanism.
We will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawings,
the manner in which the same is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents partly in elevation, and partly in vertical section, the
supporting framing of the lantern, of an ordinary street lamp, provided or fitted with
automatic time extinguishing mechanism, constructed, and arranged according to this
invention; and which said automatic time extinguishing mechanism, is represented
at work, or in action, and the gas lamp lighted. Figure 2 represents a like sectional
view as figure 1, but with the time extinguishing mechanism in a position which it
assumes, when the lamp is, or has been extinguished, after the lapse of a certain
chronometric period of time. Figure 3 represents a plan of the upper side of the
said mechanism, and with the lantern supporting framing partly broken off, and the
covering plate partly broken away. The mechanism is enclosed within a metallic case
or covering (not shown) to protect the movements, or parts, from atmospheric
influences and wet. Figure 4 represents an end elevation of the parts of the said time
extinguishing mechanism, and with the lantern framing shown in section, and upon
the dotted lines A B figure 1. This end view is taken from the side on which the
toothed quadrant is situated. Figure 5 shows a nearly complete vertical section, of
the said mechanism, and taken upon the dotted lines CD figure 3, looking upon the
left hand side of the lantern framing. Figure 6 represents an elevation, with some
of the parts in section, of the horological or time mechanism; this view is taken
upon the dotted lines E F of the said figure 3. Figure 7 exhibits the time wheel,
and clutch mechanism; the former being shown in elevation, while the latter, is
shown in vertical section, and taken through the grooves or gripping parts, which
ride freely upon the rim of the time wheel, when the main actuating lever is depressed
for winding. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the preceding figure, which shows
more clearly how the clutch arms engage with the rim and boss respectively.
Figure 9 shows in front and side elevation, the main actuating lever, while the other
figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 show the other principal parts, of the said
extinguishing inechanism.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
a is the upper part or head supporting framing of the lantern, of an ordinary street
lamp. is the supporting framing of the time extinguishing mechanism. c is a gas
pipe, passing vertically upwards through the middle or hollow of the lamp-post, and
with the nipple end disposed within the lantern. The gas pipe is broken off at top
and middle parts, and is provided with an ordinary gas plug or cock d, which is
turned by the teeth of a toothed quadrant as hereinafter described, engaging with
the teeth of a pinion d² on the end of the axis of the said plug d.

page_text: arm
e is a time wheel, consisting of a plain wheel or disc, having upon its two opposite
faces, and near its outer edge or periphery, concentrically disposed flanges or rims,
as best seen in the sectional views, and in the separate view figure 12. These rims
are marked e and e³ respectively, of which e' is the outer, and e³ is the inner, and it
is upon the latter e³, that the clutches lock themselves, while the latter has a notch or
gap e, cut or made therethrough, and wherein a tooth or projection f³ of a quadrant
f² engages, and falls, on the tooth and gap, becoming coincident, which takes
place, on the time wheel having performed its allotted motion or movement,
equivalent to certain pre-determined chronometric units. The arm f' is carried by,
or is made in one piece with a toothed quadrant f; so that on the tooth which is
held up to the rim of the time wheel, (by a spring h) coming opposite the gap as
aforesaid, the said tooth drops therein, and makes the toothed quadrant turn
outwardly, as indicated by the arrow; the upward movement thus created in the
quadrant arm, rotates the plug d, and cuts off the gas, by the teeth of the said
quadrant, engaging with the teeth of the plug wheel.
The spring for giving the necessary motion is marked h, while the joint upon
which the quadrant turns, is marked 4.
In front of the time wheel, and threaded upon the time wheel axis e, (which is a
fixture with the time wheel) is a cam plate g, whose sole function, is to remove the
tooth from the gap e in the time wheel, on the winding up of the clock
mechanism, and the setting or putting back of the time wheel. This cam plate, is a
flat plate with an incline or an inclined plane 92 upon its front edge, and a
bushed middle, by means of which latter, the main operating lever is thereto
connected.
The lower part of the inclined or cut away part g2 as aforesaid, comes in front of,
or partially covers up the gap, when the apparatus is in action, as represented in
figure 1; but on the tooth coming coincident with the gap, the cam plate is moved
back to an extent equal to the length of the slot g³, wherethrough a stud eo, on the
face of the time wheel e passes. In figure 2, the incline is shown in position, ready
for pressing the tooth from out of the gap, by the downward movement of the lever i,
and which said view, also shows the stud es, at the other end of the slot. This change
of position of the cam plate, compresses the spring ), which is secured to the cam
plate, and to the time wheel respectively.
Thus, the passing of the tooth into the gap, on the latter coming in front of the
former, gives a slight back movement to the cam plate, and actuating lever, but on
the forward movement of the actuating lever i, the time wheel, cam plate, and winding
up parts connected with the axis, move together; so that the cam plate can in one
direction, take an independent movement of the time wheel; that is, during the
period the tooth is being removed from the notch or gap, on the descent of the main
operating lever; but after the tooth's removal, by the angular movement made by
the incline, as aforesaid, then the cam plate and time wheel move together, by
the pin on the face of the one, coming against one end of the short slot in the
other.
kis a time plate, pierced with graduated holes k², and having inscribed upon the
other side, a graduated scale marked off with points indicative or equivalents of the
holes. is a stop, in the form of a peg, which is placed in either one or other of
the holes, and whose position determines the extent of motion, which shall be allotted
to the time wheel, and main lever.
Figure 1 shows a modified form of time plate, dispensing with the use of holes
and a peg, and employing in their stead, a plate slotted about its middle, and
wherein an adjustable stop marked works. It consists simply of a clamping device,
which on being screwed up, is secured between the back and front faces of the plate,
as best seen in figure 1B.
To adjust the same to any required position, with respect to the graduated scale,
simply relax the grip by turning the nut, when the stop's position, can be changed
or readiusted.

page_text: The time wheel axis is secured at its inner end, to an evolved or involute spring m,
which is the motive power employed for working the apparatus.
and a
ny
Mounted loosely upon the time wheel axis e, is a combined circular boss
toothed wheel 0, the former having cut within its periphery or edge, opposite angular
cut away parts n², n³, and which said boss and toothed wheel are connected rigidly
together, by a neck o².
The sides n² are directed in the direction of the diameter of the time wheel and
boss, while the other sides n³, are inclined; and it is against the straight shoulders n²,
that the inside ends of clutches p abut, when the time wheel and other parts move
together.
The clutches have semicircular grooves * near their outer inside faces, which
work upon, and grip the inside flange ea of the time wheel, when the apparatus
is going, or when the parts are returned to their normal positions after having
been set.
The grooves 22 of the clutches p, are kept concentric or parallel to the rim upon
which they work, by coiled springs q, distended in opposite directions, between
clutches and carrying arms r, which latter proceed from the outer edge of the
boss n. Thus, when the main actuating lever is depressed, the clock mechanism as
hereinafter described is required to be disconnected for a time from the driving
power, and the means which wind up the driving power; this is done, by the springs
pulling the straight faces of the clutches, and their radial grooves which are struck
from them, parallel to their abutment shoulders and rim, which thereby allows the
said rim to move free of the gripping edges, and the time wheel to move independent
of the clutch mechanism.
The clock mechanism as best seen in figure 6, consists essentially of a toothed
wheel o, and neck o², which connects it with the clutch boss. This wheel gears with
the pinion s², carried by a toothed wheels, which gears with a pinion t² on the axis of
a toothed wheel t, which latter gears with a pinion u² of a wheel u.
This train of wheels is regulated and controlled in its giving out motion, by a
balance wheel v, escapement hair spring, and auxiliary parts common to ordinary time
keepers.
The action and mode of working the apparatus, is as follows.
If the light of a lamp requires to be extinguished, at say five minutes past
5 o'clock in the morning, and the time of lighting is 7 o'clock in the evening, then
the time mechanism will be set to extinguish in ten hours and five minutes, by
placing the peg or stop in a position that shall be equivalent to this time. This
having been done, the apparatus is left in its normal condition, as in figure 2; and on
the lamp lighter proceeding to light the lamp, at 7 o'clock at night, he places the
hook of his staff, through the usual hole in the bottom of the lantern, and then
depresses or pulls down the main lever i, which turns the incline g² of the cam plate g,
against the tooth f³, which removes it from the notch e*, cutting the rim e² of the
time wheel e, which thereby depresses the arm 2, and partially turns the quadrant f,
and so rotates the plug d, and so turns on the gas, which is lighted in the ordinary
way.
The removal of the tooth from the time wheel notch, (after which it rests on the
ledge of the flange) brings the reverse side of the slot of the slightly excentrically
hung cam plate y, up to the time wheel pin e, as represented in figure 1; so that the
lever, cam plate, time wheel and time wheel axis move together, and wind up the
spring m, during which time, the position of the clutch mechanism is neutral, which
has the effect of breaking connection with the train of wheels.
The lever having been depressed up to the stop, the staff is removed, and the
apparatus left to work out its time for extinguishing, and with the gap et of the time
plate, considerably removed from before the tooth f³, which represents the space
through which the time wheel is required to travel before extinguishing. The cam
plate on the lever being liberated, returns to its former position as represented in
figure 2.

page_text: The apparatus now being set agoing, the action is as follows.
The reverse rotation of the time wheel and its axis, by the uncoiling of the spring,
brings the straight shoulders n² of the boss n, against the inner ends of the clutches p,
when the angular movement thus made, causes the concentric channels or grooves to
grip the inside and outside parts of the inside flange of the time wheel, thereby locking
the said time wheel, and re-establishing its connection with the train of wheels, and
other parts connected therewith, for giving the necessary slow rotary motion to the
parts and as 5 o'clock in the morning approaches, the gap of the time wheel has
been brought very near to the tooth, and at a later time on both of them becoming
coincident, the tooth falls into the notch, and so causes the toothed quadrant to be
moved accordingly, and the gas cut off, by the rotation of the plug in a reverse
direction to that when winding up.
The balance wheel of the chronometric time mechanisni, may be substituted by any
well-known mechanical device, for the running down of the train of wheels; such
contrivance as a pendulum or fly, which latter may be used in connection with friction
devices, or otherwise.
The application of our invention, and some of the principal parts thereof,
(particularly the clutch mechanism) to clocks and other machines and mechanical
appliances as herein defined, differs in no essential respect from its application to that
of a lamp extinguisher as described and illustrated.
We would have it understood that though we have described our invention as
applied to street lamps, it is obvious that many of the parts as described and claimed
_are applicable to various cognate purposes, where mechanism or motive power,
currents of gases, liquids or electricity have to be started or stopped at given
times.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
--
First. The means herein described of cutting off the gas supply, of gas lamps, for
instantaneous and automatic extinguishing combined, substantially as described and
illustrated.
Secondly. The means herein described of turning on gas, winding up the motive
power, and setting in motion, the extinguisher mechanism, substantially as described.
Thirdly. The combination with a gas lamp, of chronometric time mechanism, as
herein described and set forth.
Fourthly Employing gripping clutch mechanism, for establishing and breaking
connection between the controlling mechanism, and the operating mechanism, for the
purpose as herein described, and set forth.
Fifthly. The use of time wheel, and time wheel axis e, e, with annular flanges e², e³,
and gapped part e*, as described.
Sixthly. The combination of a time wheel e, with clutches p, p, having annular
grooves p², substantially as described.
Seventhly. Combining with the great wheel o, of a boss n, which actuates the
gripping clutch mechanism as described.
Eighthly. Working clutch mechanism by a boss n, having a cut-away part, or
parts n², n³, on its periphery, and which said boss is connected with, the controlling
time mechanism, for the purpose substantially as described and set forth.
Ninthly. Liberating the time wheel from the cutting off arm of the quadrant
extinguisher part, by a cam plate, or a lever, working in front of, the time wheel,
substantially as described and illustrated.
Tenthly. The combination of the time plate, with a cam plate, and gripping
clutches, employed as described.
Eleventhly Operating, winding up and turning on the gas of gas lamps, by a
lever or arm, in connection with, a cam plate, substantially as described and
illustrated.

page_text: Twelfthly. Operating the gas plugs of gas pipes, by a toothed quadrant and
armf, f,, substantially as set forth.
Thirteenthly. The combination of the time plate k, and the adjusting means, with
a gas lamp, or with a time operating lever, as set forth.
Fourteenthly-Rotating plugs of gas pipes, by a pinion d², engaging with, or
being operated upon, by a toothed quadrant or arm, substantially as set forth.
Fifteenthly. The combination of the tooth f³ or its equivalent on one part of the
time mechanism, with a gap e' on another part of the time mechanism, for giving the
necessary instantaneous cutting-off movement, by the tooth of the one, falling into
the notch or depression of the other, substantially as described and illustrated.
JAMES SIMEON EDGE, JUNR.
FRANCIS WILLIAM TICEHURST.
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicants.