CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SLIDES FOR GASALIERS' AS ALSO IN THE MEANS OF REGULATING OR STOPPING THE FLOW OF GAS;" PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO CHANDELIERS' WHERE OIL, CAMPHINE, OR OTHER INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS ARE USED FOR ILLUMINATION
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Bark, of Cranford Street, Smethwick, in
the County of Stafford, Gasfitter, Thomas Attwood, of Windmill
Lane, Smethwick, aforesaid, Engineer; and James David Robinson,
of Talbot Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, File Smith;
for the Invention of CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SLIDES FOR GASALIERS'
AS ALSO IN THE MEANS OF REGULATING OR STOPPING THE FLOW OF GAS;"
PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO CHANDELIERS'
WHERE OIL, CAMPHINE, OR OTHER INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS ARE USED FOR
ILLUMINATION."
Sealed the 23rd September 1864, and dated the 24th March 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Bark, Thomas
Attwood, and James David Robinson at the Office of the Commis-
sioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 24th March 1864.
We, SAMUEL BARK, of Cranford Street, Smethwick, in the County of
Stafford, Gasfitter, THOMAS ATTWOOD, of Windmill Lane, Smethwick,
aforesaid, Engineer, and JAMES DAVID ROBINSON, of Talbot Street, Birming-
ham, in the County of Warwick, File Smith, do hereby declare the nature
of our said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SLIDES FOR GASALIERS,
AS ALSO IN THE MEANS OF REGULATING OR STOPPING THE FLOW OF GAS, PARTS
OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO CHANDELIERS WHERE OIL,
CAMPHINE, OR OTHER INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS ARE USED FOR ILLUMINATION," to be as
follows (that is to say):

page_text: Our Invention consists, first, in substituting mercury in the place of water,
in the centre tube or slide of chandeliers and gasaliers, using such metal or
material in and about the mercury that shall not be affected by it, thus
avoiding the danger from explosions arising from evaporation when other
liquids are used. And in connection with such or other kind of pendant
lamps, we purpose providing an external stop, for regulating and controlling
the extent to which the lower portion of chandeliers may be lowered down,
as also to prevent the injurious and frequent fatal consequences from this
part falling from the upper part, by the frequent breaking of the chains,
connecting the lower part with the upper and counterpoising weights.
Secondly, in the use of a self-acting valve, that when the evaporation in
water, and such like slides, has reduced the liquid below the regulating
point, the valve of itself will close up the gasway, and prevent any escaping
until a fresh supply of water or other like fluid is applied.
And, lastly, in the application to chandeliers of a valve placed (as in the
last case,) over the gasway, and which valve we purpose .connecting with an
ornamental knob, or otherwise placed concentrically on the lower extremity
of the chandelier body below the main tube, working through a stuffing box,
and by the turning of this knob, the valve above is actuated so as to cut off
or admit the gas to the body of the chandelier, to flow through the radial
arms with an equalized pressure to the burners, so that the gas will be
simultaneously admitted to the burners, or cut off at one time. We purpose
holding the valve down on its seat by any suitable elastic pressure placed
above, such as a helical spring or its equivalent.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Samuel Bark, Thomas Attwood, and James David Robinson,
in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th September 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, SAMUEL
BARK, of Cranford Street, Smethwick, in the County of Stafford, Gasfitter,
THOMAS ATTWOOD, of Windmill Lane, Smethwick, aforesaid, Engineer, and
JAMES DAVID ROBINSON, of Talbot Street, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, File Smith; send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant

page_text: unto us, the said Samuel Bark, Thomas Attwood, and James David Robinson,
Her special license that we, the said Samuel Bark, Thomas Attwood, and
James David Robinson, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others: as we, the said Samuel Bark, Thomas Attwood, and James David
Robinson, our executors; administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter.
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 Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVE.
MENTS IN SLIDES FOR GASALIERS, AS ALSO IN THE MEANS OF REGULATING OR
STOPPING THE FLOW OF GAS, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE
TO CHANDELIERS WHERE OIL, CAMPHINE, OR OTHER INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS ARE USED
FOR ILLUMINATION," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said
Samuel Bark, Thomas Attwood, and James David Robinson, by an instru-
ment in writing under our hands and seals, or under the hand and seal or
hands and seals of any one or two of us should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, 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 we, the said Samuel Bark and Thomas Attwood,
do hereby declare the nature of our 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) :-
- Since applying for this Patent, as also application No. 300, of the present
year, and which this is intended to-supersede, we have discovered that the use
of mercury in the place of water, as a liquid slide for chandeliers and gas-
aliers is not altogether new, therefore will not describe it further, nor is the
use of a stop for regulating the range of the sliding action in chandeliers
new, as the same has been heretofore effected by placing a stop within the
main central tube, but this object we effect in a more efficient way by pro-
viding external stops for regulating and controlling the extent to which
the lower portion of chandeliers may be lowered down from the top, as
also to prevent the highly injurious, and frequent fatal consequences
from this part falling from the upper part, by the breaking of the chains
connecting the lower part with the upper and counterpoising weights.
Secondly, our improvements consist in the use of a self-acting valve
actuated by a float, that when the evaporation of the water in such like slides
has reduced the liquid below the regulating point, the valve of itself in

page_text: consequence of the descent of the float, will close up the gasway, and pre-
vent any escaping until a fresh supply of water or other suitable liquid is
applied!.
.
: And, lastly, in the application to chandeliers of a valve placed (as in the
last case,) over the gasway, in the ball or ceiling joint, and which valve we
purpose connecting with an ornamental knob or otherwise; placed concentrically
on the lower extremity of the chandelier body, below the main tube working
through a stuffing box, and by the turning of this knob, the valve above is
actuated so as to cut off, or admit the gas to the body of the chandelier, to
flow through the radial arms with an equalized pressure to the burners, so
that the gas will be simultaneously admitted to the burners or cut off. We
purpose holding the valve down on its seat by any suitable elastic pressure
placed above, such as a helical spring, or its equivalent.
But as our Invention will be best understood, by referring to. the Drawings
hereunto annexed, we will proceed to describe the same (that is to say.):-.
Fig. 1, represents our improvements in chandeliers referred to under the
first head..
The ball joint A; hanging tube B, B; pulley-frame, and pulleys C, C ;
as well as the outer tube D, possesses nothing new from the ordinary and com-
mon arrangement; nor is the water cup E, E, or chains attached to .the
same; but our improvements simply consist in the application of the pendant
rods F, F, and F, F, which rods are secured to the pulley frame C, and
passed through the water cup E, in such a way that the, water shall be pre-
vented from passing down around the rods F, as may be seen by referring to
the water cup I, Fig. 2. The part G, G, is simply an annular or other
suitable shaped collar for connecting the rods F, F, together, but permitting
free way for the tube D to slide within. The ornamental knobs H, H, are
'screwed or otherwise securely united to the lower ends of the rods F, not
only for the collar or ring G to rest on, but to sustain the whole weight of
the sliding portion of the chandelier, in case of the breakage of the
pendant chains, and falling of the counterpoising weights. From this it will
be understood that the range or sliding motion is determinable by the length
of the rods F, for when the chandelier is pulled down to its lowest extremity
the convexed lower side of the water cup E, E, will rest within the concave
part of the collar G, and thereby remedy the great defect with ordinary con-
structed chandeliers, by. preventing all escape of gas, or the destruction of the
pendant portion of such chandeliers supposing that a chain or chains should
break.
There is another advantage belonging to this arrangement, viz., the rods

page_text: F, F, being secured to the pulley frame, and passing through the water cup,
in whatever direction the lights of the chandelier' may be turned, so also will
be the weights, as the water cup, with the lower tube and branch parts;
cannot be turned without the pulley frame turning at the same time, and in
the same direction, and supposing perdifumes to be used, they would always
hang concentrically over the lights, as a projecting arm may be placed, as at
J, on the pulley frame, as also on the opposite side for that purpose, that is
supposing this to represent the improved parts of a two-light chandelier,
but it will be evident to any one practically acquainted with the construction
of such kind of fittings that the same may be arranged for any number of
lights, as also any number of pulley wheels, with accompanying chains and
weights, observing that we should prefer using as many pendant rods F, F,
and F¹, F¹, as we found it necessary to use pulleys and weights. The lower
portion of the chandeliers (to which our improvements in no way relate), we
have not thought it necessary to show.
Fig. 2 represents the second part of our improvements in a vertical section
of the upper part of a three-light chandelier, showing the application of the
outside pendant safety rods, exhibited at Figure 1, marked F and E, and
which we also define in this figure by the same letters, and which rods are
represented passing through the water cup I, and which is now at its.lowest
range, as the lower edge of the cup is resting on the inner. edge of the
collar K.
"
In this view we have represented an important feature in our Invention,
viz., a self-acting float valve, partly shown in section, placed within the ball
joint, and which valve is held up from its seat by the helical spring a, which
rests at its lower extremity on a small flange, secured within the hanging
tube L. The shank of the valve b, is extended down within the hanging
tube L, to a wire rod marked c, c'; and d is a float.also connected by a wire
loop to the wire c, the end of which is tapped, and a small nut screwed on it;
by which the connecting rode of the float is connected with the wire rod c.
It will be now necessary for us to show first how the gasway is provided, as
also how the water poured into the water cup I, shall affect the float, as well
as prevent any escape of gas. The hanging tube L extends down as low
as L' and L³, and within which two tubes, one smaller than the other, are
placed, marked ƒ and g, and these two tubes extend down to f¹ and g¹, but
instead of f being placed concentric, it is secured on the one side of 9, and
through the eccentric space between the two tubes the gas passes ; at h a hole
is formed through both tubes, and through which the water that is poured
into the water cup I, descending within the tube M, enters the tube f, and

page_text: rising up to find its level elevates the float d, the wire loop connecting it to c,
allowing it to rise freely until the top of the float d comes in contact with the
nut i, of the wire rod c. From this the action will be seen that the gas flows
continuous through the valve b, as long as the weight of the float d is kept
from acting on the valve by the presence of water in the slide, but as soon as
the water evaporates to the extent that the float d descends to the position
here shown, then the weight of the float will overcome the force of the
helical spring a, and close the valve, thereby cutting off the gas at that part,
so thoroughly and completely that the. lower portion of the chandelier falling;
or other excessive derangement, the escape of gas would be entirely prevented,
but at all times the requirement of a supply of water will be self-indicating,
as no gas can be had until a fresh supply of water is added to elevate the float
and thereby releive the valve of its weight, and although we have said water,
any other suitable fluid may be used....
Fig. 3 is simply a section taken through the dotted line j, j, but drawn
full size, showing 'the float d, concentrically within the tube f, which is
placed eccentrically within the tube g, but the tube 9 is concentrically
placed within the hanging tube L, which is also concentric with the outer
tube M.
Fig. 4 is simply a modification of Figure 2; in this case the gas after
passing between the valve and its seat in the ball joint, and entering the
tube N, escapes to the burners, through the concentric tube O, but, as in
.the other Figure,' we use a float to close the valve when water is required, the
float in this case of an annular form, the centre hole being sufficiently large
to pass freely over the gasway or tube O, and in this case we connect
the annular float k, k, to a wire rod l, l, and it having no sliding action, it
becomes at once sensitive to any excess or deficiency of water, notwithstanding
it can be connected with the valve in the same way, or by any equivalent
means, as at Figure 2.
Fig. 5 is simply a full-sized transverse section of Figure 4, taken through
the dotted line m, m, showing the annular float in section marked k, k, while
Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken through the dotted line n, n, representing
the float k in plan.
Fig. 7 represents the third or last part of our improvements in sliding
chandeliers or pendants, and in this view we have exhibited the slide at its
lowest, extremity, and arranged for two lights, marked P and Q, but any
number of lights may be used..
Our improvements in this case, as in the former, consist in placing the
cut off valve within the ball joint, beneath which is what we term the.valve

page_text: rod marked p, p, which we prefer to be square, oval, or triangular, but any
form will do except that of circular, and running up concentrically with the
gasway; attached to the body of the chandelier is a tube of the same form or
nearly so, by preference, as the valve rod p, and which tube fits freely the
said valve rod, permitting the one to work free within the other. To the lower
extremity of this valve rod tube marked r, r, the shanks of the knob is
attached, so that at whatever range the chandelier may be placed up or down,
by simply turning the lower concentric knob t, the gasway may be opened
or closed, according to the extent to which the valve u may be turned. Thus
in each case, and with whatever design or mode of constructing the chandelier,
whether a cork, hydraulic, or other slide, or means of preventing the escape
gas from or about the chandelier, be used, we obtain the great advantage
of cutting off or admitting the gas by a valve placed within the ball joint,
and as this part is made with or connected to the ceiling plate, which is
generally made strong, and thoroughly secured by screws to the woodwork
of the ceiling, whatever accident may occur to the chandelier, or even its
entire removal (with this exception) the means are yet left for cutting off
the flow of gas.
of
Fig. 8 is simply a transverse section of Figure 7, taken, through the
dotted line v, v, drawn full size, showing the hanging tube w, the con-
centric gasway, and the inner tube and valve rod, while Fig. 9 represents
in plan the valve u, with its range of action, and in the position of having
cut off the flow of gas, but by bringing x, x, over-z, z, the gasway will be
opened as represented at Figure 7.
:
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in
which the same may be carried into effect, we wish it understood, that we
do not purpose limiting ourselves to the exact details herein described and
exhibited, as the whole may be greatly varied, without departing from the
spirit of our Invention, but what we claim and wish to protect by these our
in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, the application to pendant chandeliers (whether required for the
burning of gas or other luminous material, the said chandelier requiring
to be raised and lowered by counterpoising weights) of external rods for
regulating its range of action, and preventing the separating or falling of such
chandeliers from the breaking of parting of the chains, or other means of
connecting such chandeliers with the counterpoising weights.
Secondly, the application to chandeliers of a self-acting valve placed
within the ball or ceiling joint of chandeliers, as described and exhibited

page_text: at Figures 2 and 4, whether the said top connection be on the ball joint
principle or not.
i
And, lastly, we claim the mode of regulating or cutting off, or admitting
gas to chandeliers, as exhibited at Figure 7.
In witness whereof, we, the said Samuel Bark and Thomas Attwood
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-first day of
September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-four.
Witness,
WILLIAM LOACH,
Clerk to James S. Cockings,
Patent Agent,
⚫ Birmingham.
.(L.B.)
SAMUEL BARK.
THOMAS ATTWOOD. (L.B.)