DISCLAIMER, MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION
Year: 1840

page_text: WILKIN'S AND KENDRICK'S SPECIFICATION, DISCLAIMER,
AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
CRANE WILKINS, of Long Acre, in the County of Middlesex, Lamp Manu-
facturer, and MATTHEW SAMUEL KENDRICK, of the same place, Lamp
Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Twenty-eighth day of April, in the third year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
William Crane Wilkins and Matthew Samuel Kendrick, our exors, admors,
and assigns, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that
we, the said William Crane Wilkins and and Matthew Samuel Kendrick,
our exors, admors, and assigns, and such others as we, the said William Crane
Wilkins and Matthew Samuel Kendrick, our exors, adññors, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times hereafter during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within that part of Her Majesty's
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her Dominion
of Wales, Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in all Her Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, our Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
LIGHTING AND IN LAMPS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso,
that we, the said William Crane Wilkins and Matthew Samuel Kendrick, or
one of us, shall cause a particular description of the nature of our said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in Her
said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calender months next and

page_text: immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and
by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
William Crane Wilkins and Matthew Samuel Kendrick, do hereby declare
that our said invented improvements are of six different kinds or classes, and
that the nature of the same, and the manner in which they are to be per-
formed, are fully described and set forth in the following Specification thereof,
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say :-
Figures 1 to 11 inclusive, represent the first class or branch of the said
improvements which relate to that description of lamp known by the name of
argand, whereby the light obtained from it is greatly increased in fullness and
brilliancy, and can be kept up with much less disturbance to the lamp,
and less trouble of manipulation than heretofore; and which improvements
consist, firstly, in raising and lowering the cotton without the aid of the usual
inner revolving case, or of racks and pinions, and without removing or inter-
fering in the least with the glass or glasses.
Secondly, in diminishing the size of the burner, (which by having neither
the usual revolving case nor racks and pinions we are enabled to do,) and con-
sequently lessening the shadow cast by it.
And, thirdly, in using certain forms of glass chimneys, which, besides
admitting a free supply of atmospheric air from below, cause the ascending
column of air to take a direction in respect of the flame the best calculated to
promote and sustain combustion.
Figure 1 is an elevation of an argand lamp, embodying these several im-
provements; Figure 2, an inside view (partly in section) of the lamp, with
the glasses removed; and Figure 3, a plan of Figure 2 through the line f, g.
A is the oil cup of the lamp, and B, the inner tube which rises from, and is
connected with it; F, a ring in which A and B are secured, and within
which they can be turned freely round. On the outside of the tube B, a
spiral groove a, a, is cut from top to bottom; C is the outer case of the burner,
on the inside of which a perpendicular groove b, b, is formed by two strips of
metal or projecting pieces c, c; D is the cotton holder, the outer peg of
which fits into the perpendicular groove b, b, of the outer case, and the inner
peg into the spiral groove a, a, of the inner tube. By turning round the inner
tube B, which may be done by taking hold of the cup A by the rim r, the
spiral groove a, a, acting on the inner peg of the cotton holder D, causes it
either to ascend or descend perpendicularly according to the direction in which
it is turned. The inconvenience of removing the glass or glasses every time

page_text: the cotton wants raising, and the consequent risk of breakage, is thus entirely
obviated, while by having neither any separate inner revolving case, nor racks,
and pinions, the pieces B and C are of much smaller diameter than usual;
G is the nozzle; H is a glass chimney of one of the improved forms before men-
tioned, which rests on the open gallery I. We recommend this form as being
on the whole preferable to any other that we have tried, but the chimney may
be of any of the seven different forms represented in Figures 4 to 11 inclusive,
or of any similar form in which the diameter of the chimney is contracted a
little way from the bottom in such manner as to incline the ascending column
of air towards the body of the flame without disturbing it, or in which the
same effect is produced by turning up the lower edge of the chimney, as in
Figure 5.
The second of our said invented improvements consists in an improved
mode of feeding table, wall, and other lamps in which oils are burned. As
these lamps are commonly constructed, sometimes with double compartiments,
screwed, or otherwise connected together, and at others with two bodies, one
within the other; the different parts of the lamps have to be disconnected
every time a fresh supply of oil is required, but by our improved mode of
supply this inconvenience is entirely got rid of. Figure 12 is a sectional view
of a table lamp on this new plan. A and B are two separate reservoirs for
oil, and C an air chamber. The reservoir B is first filled with oil through the
tube D, and when filled, the cap of the tube D is screwed down fast. The
reservoir A is next filled with oil through the orifice F, the cap of which has
a vertical rod attached to it which commands a valve E at the bottom of the
reservoir, so that when the cap is unscrewed and raised the valve is shut, and
when screwed down it is opened. On the valve being opened, the oil in the
reservoir A flows down through the pipe a into the air chamber C, and the air
which it displaces being forced up the tube b and down again to the bottom of
the reservoir B, causes a continuous and steady flow of the oil up the main
tube (G) of the burner. When a new supply of oil is required, the cock at
the bottom of the air cistern C should first be opened in order to draw off any
residue of oil which may have collected there, and after that has been done, it
must be closed again previous to re-filling. A wall lamp constructed on the
same principle is represented in Figure 13. A is the principal reservoir
which is filled with oil through an orifice (a) at the top, and has a valve (b) at
the bottom, which is opened or shut by means of the vertical rod C, which
passes through a tube (H) of larger diameter, and open at top and bottom;
B is a secondary reservoir under the other, the top of which is a little below.
the level of the top of the burner D. On opening the valve b, of the principal

page_text: reservoir A, the oil flows into the lower reservoir B, and through the pipe F
communicating with the burner D, till it attains the same level both in the
burner D and in the reservoir B, when the lamp is ready for lighting. In pro-
portion as the combustion proceeds and oil is abstracted from the reservoir B,
it is replenished from the upper or principal reservoir A, through the open
valve b; G, G, is an ornamental cover, which may be taken off or put on at
pleasure.
The third of our said invented improvements consists in an improved
method of constructing concentric wick lamps, represented in Figure 14. A is
the circle for holding the wicks, which, instead of being made as usual of
pieces of tin turned over into a ridge at top, is made of one piece of iron
without any ridge, whereby all risk of leakage is avoided. B is the cotton
holder, to the bottom of which are attached vertical wires C, C, which pass
through the revolving nuts D, D, on the ring E, and are wormed with two or
more threads at their lower ends, in order to take into corresponding screws
on the inside of the nuts, so that by turning round the nuts D, D, the wires
are made to ascend perpendicularly and to raise the cotton whenever desired.
The fourth of our said improved methods is applicable exclusively to
burners employed for the purposes of gas illumination. In order to encrease
the steadiness and brilliancy of the light, and to prevent at the same time any
waste of gas, we insert one, two, or more perforated diaphragms A, A, (see
Figure 15,) on the inside of the barrel of the burner and near to the top
thereof, by means of which the current of gas is retarded near to the point of
ignition, where its tendency to surge is greatest, and issues in a more equal
and regulated stream. The form of these diaphragms may be varied and the
like effect may be produced by any contrivance; they will give a circuitous
direction to the current of gas within the barrel, but we prefer diaphragms of
the description represented in the Figure.
The fifth of our said improvements consists in fixing signal lights of different
colors on board of steam vessels, at railway stations, and in other places, in such
manner that their relative positions can with great ease be almost instan-
taneously changed, and so marked a difference be given to each change that
there shall be no possibility of mistaking one for another. Figure 16
exemplifies this system of fixing signals as applied on board of a steam or
other vessel. An argand lamp A is gimbled and placed in a reflector
surrounded with a chimney of white glass, and fixed by means of suitable
framework a little way above the bow of the vessel. Another argand lamp
B, similarly gimbled and placed within a reflector, but surrounded with a red
or any o
other bright coloured glass chimney, is placed immediately above the

page_text: lamp A, but affixed to the upper end of a pole C, which turns on an axis at its
centre so as to be inclined either to the right or left, and is weighted at
bottom to keep it steady while in its original perpendicular position. D, D,
are two rings, by attaching ropes to which the lamp B can be drawn down to
a level with the lamp A on either side, and thus made to indicate whether the
vessel is on the starboard or larboard tack. When the ropes are let go, the
weight at the end of the pole to which the lamp B is attached, will cause it
immediately to resume its original position.
The sixth and last of our said invented improvements relates to cases where
various colored lights are desired to be exhibited by lamps, or where greater
intensity is desired to be quickly imparted to a light of any colour. In this
case we employ moveable circular lenses of a white, red, green, blue, or other
colour, hollow in the centre, which we slip on to the glass chimney of the lamp
when wanted, in manner represented in Figure 17 of the Drawings hereunto
annexed, and removed when not wanted or when a lense of different colour is
desired to be substituted for that in use. In this way not only may the color
of the light emitted by any lamp be almost instantaneously changed, but by
slipping a white lens upon a white glass chimney, or a lens of any other given
colour upon a glass chimney of the same colour, the light emitted is greatly
increased in intensity.
And having now fully described the whole of our said invented improve-
ments in lighting and in lamps, we declare that what we claim under each of
the heads aforesaid is as follows:-
We claim under the first head the argand lamp of the improved con-
struction herein-before described, and particularly the means by which the
cotton is raised and lowered without employing the usual separate revolving
tube or racks and pinions, and also the forms of chimney represented in the
Drawings hereunto annexed, Figures 4 to 11, both inclusive, by which forms
the atmospheric air is permitted to have free access from below, but is inclined
as it ascends towards the body of the flame without disturbing it, as well as all
other forms which shall be on the same principle and involve no material and
useful departure therefrom.
We claim under the second head the method herein-before described of
feeding table, wall, and other lamps in which oils are burned, by fixed reser-
voirs having apertures at the top for the admission of the oil.
We claim under the third heads a concentric wick lamp of the construction
herein-before described, with the burner case all in one piece of iron, and with
vertical screw wires worked by revolving nuts to raise the cotton when
required.

page_text: We claim under the fourth head the addition to burners used for purposes
of gas illumination of perforated diaphragms or any analagous substitutes
placed in the inside of the barrels of such burners, for the purpose of retarding
and regulating the flow of gas towards the point of ignition.
We claim under the fifth head the mode herein-before described of fixing
signal lights in steam and other vessels, at railway stations and in all other
places where such lights are required.
And we claim under the sixth head the employment of moveable lenses to
slip on to the glass chimneys of lamps when lights of various colours are
desired to be used, or where greater intensity of light is required.
And such our said invented improvements being, to the best of our knowledge
and belief, entirely new, and never before used within that part of Her said
Majesty's United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her
Dominion of Wales, Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, or in any of Her said
Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, we do hereby declare this to be our
Specification of the same, and that we do verily believe this our said Speci-
fication doth comply in all respects fully and without reserve or disguise with
the proviso in the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent contained;
wherefore we hereby claim to maintain exclusive right and privilege to our
said Invention.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto, set our hands and seals, the
Twenty-sixth day of October, One thousand eight hundred and forty.

page_text: In the Matter of Letters Patent granted to WILLIAM CRANE WILKINS,
of Long Acre, in the County of Middlesex, Lamp Manufacturer,
and MATTHEW SAMUEL KENDRICK, of the same Place, Lamp Manu-
facturer, for their Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LIGHTING
AND IN LAMPS," and bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-eighth
day of April, One thousand eight hundred and forty.
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION entered
by the said William Crane Wilkins and Matthew Samuel Kendrick,
pursuant to the provisions of an Act passed in the fifth and sixth years of
the reign of His late Majesty King William the Fourth, intituled "An
Act to amend the Law touching Letters Patent for Inventions."
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We, the said WILLIAM CRANE WILKINS and MATTHEW SAMUEL KENDRICK,
do hereby declare that since the enrollment of the Specification of our said
Invention, we have been advised that it is doubtful whether some parts of our
said Invention have not been put in practice before the date of the said Letters
Patent, and for this reason, we, the said William Crane Wilkins and Matthew
Samuel Kendrick, do hereby disclaim the following parts of our said Speci-
fication (that is to say):-
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In the first part of our said Specification under the first head of improve-
ments we disclaim the words " Thirdly, in using certain forms of glass
chimnies, which besides admitting a free supply of atmospheric air from
below, cause the ascending column of air to take a direction in respect of
"the flame the best calculated to promote and sustain combustion."
further on in our said Specification, after the words "H is a glass chimney,"
we omit the words "of one of the improved forms before mentioned." And
further in our said Specification we disclaim the words "The third of our said
And
improvements consists in an improved method of constructing concentric
"wick lamps, represented in Figure 14. A is the circle for holding the
"wicks, which, instead of being made as usual of pieces of tin turned over
"into a ridge at top is made of one piece of iron without any ridge, whereby
"all the risk of leakage is avoided; B is the cotton holder, to the bottom of

page_text: "which are attached the vertical wires C, C, which pass through the revolving
"nuts D, D, on the ring E, and are wormed with two or more threads a
"their lower ends, in order to take into corresponding screws on the inside of
"the nuts, so that by turning round the nuts D, D, the wires are made to
"ascend perpendicularly, and to raise the cotton whenever desired." And
further on in our said Specification, after the words "The fourth of our said
improved methods is applicable exclusively to burners employed for the pur-
" poses of gas illumination," we make the following alteration (that is to say).
we add the words "whether such burners are applied to table lamps for
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burning compressed gas or to ordinary street lamps." And further on in
our said Specification we disclaim the words "The fifth of our said improve-
"ments consist in fixing signal lights of different colors on board of steam
vessels, at railway stations, and in other places, in such manner that their
"relative positions can with great ease be almost instantaneously changed,
"and so marked a difference be given to each change that there should be no
possibility of mistaking one for another. Figure 16 exemplifies this system
of fixing signals as applied on board of a steam or other vessel. An argand
lamp A is gimbled and placed in a reflector surrounded with a chimney of
"white glass and fixed by means of suitable framework a little way above the
"bow of the vessel. Another argand lamp B, similarly gimbled and placed
"within a reflector, but surrounded with a red or any other bright colored glass
"
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"
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ແ
chimney, is placed immediately above the lamp A, but affixed to the upper
"end of a pole C, which turns on an axis at its centre, so as to be inclined
either to the right or left, and is weighted at bottom to keep it steady while
"in its original perpendicular position. D,D, are two rings, by attaching ropes
"to which the lanp B can be drawn down to a level with the lamp A on either
side, and thus made to indicate whether the vessel is on the starboard or
larboard tack; when the ropes are let go the weight at the end of the pole
"to which the lamp B is attached will cause it immediately to resume its
original position." And further on, in the claiming clause of our said Speci-
fication, we hereby disclaim under the first head of claim the words "And also
"the forms of chimney represented in the Drawings hereunto annexed,
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66
Figures 4 to 11, both inclusive, by which forms the atmospheric air is per-
mitted to have free access from below, but is inclined as it ascends to-
"wards the body of the flame without disturbing it, as well as all the forms
"which shall be on the same principal, and involve no material and useful
departure therefrom." And further on, in the said claiming clause of our
said Specification, we hereby disclaim the words "We claim under the third
"head a concentric wick lamp of the construction herein-before described,
"

page_text: "with the burner case all in one piece of iron and with vertical screw wires,
"worked by revolving nuts to raise the cotton when required." And further
on in the claiming clause of our said Specification, we disclaim the words
"We claim under the fifth head the mode herein-before described of fixing
signal lights in steam and other vessels, at railway stations, and in all other
places where such lights are required."
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66
And in order to make the title of our said Invention consistent with what
our said Specification will describe our said Invention to be when the fore-
going Disclaimers and Memorandum of Alteration shall have been entered as
aforesaid, we hereby disclaim the words "in lighting and" in the said
title.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Crane Wilkins and Matthew
Samuel Kendrick, have hereunto set our hands, this Twenty-ninth day
of January, One thousand eight hundred and forty-one.
MATTHEW SAMUEL KENDRICK.
To the Clerk of the Patents of England.
This is to certify that the above-named William Crane Wilkins and
Matthew Samuel Kendrick have applied to me for leave to enter with you
the above-written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alterations of part of the
title and Specification of a certain Invention, for which Letters Patent were
duly granted to them under the Great Seal, dated at Westminster, the
Twenty-eighth day of April, One thousand eight hundred forty, and the Speci-
fication of which was enrolled on the Twenty-eighth day of October, One
thousand eight hundred and forty; and on considering of the said application,
and also that the said William Crane Wilkins and Matthew Samuel Kendrick
had advertized their said Disclaimer and Alterations in the London Gazette on
the 15th day of January 1841, and in the Times and Morning Chronicle news-
papers on the 16th day of January 1841, and no objection having been made
to the said application, I have accordingly granted leave to the said William
Crane Wilkins and Matthew Samuel Kendrick to file their said Disclaimer
and Alterations, pursuant to the Statute passed in the sixth year of the reign
of His late Majesty King William the Fourth, entitled "An Act to amend
the Law touching Letters Patent for Inventions."
Tuo WILDE

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-second day of June, in
the year of our Lord 1841, the aforesaid William Crane Wilkins and Matthew
Samuel Kendrick came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and
acknowledged the Disclaimer aforesaid, and all and every thing therein con-
tained and specified, in form above written. And also the Disclaimer
aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made for that
purpose.
Inrolled the Twenty-second day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-one