IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS APPLICABLE FOR LIGHTING RAILWAY CARRIAGES, SHIPS, HOUSES, AND OTHER STRUCTURES OR PLACES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Gardner, of the Firm of Robertson, Brooman, and
Company, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent Agents, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS APPLICABLE FOR LIGHTING RAILWAY
CARRIAGES, SHIPS, HOUSES, AND OTHER STRUCTURES OR PLACES." A communi-
cation from abroad by Jacob Clark, of 10, Citê Trevise, Paris, in the Republic
of France.
Sealed the 19th January 1877, and dated the 19th August 1876. .
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Gardner at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th August 1876.
HENRY GARDNER, of the Firm of Robertson, Brooman, and Company, of
166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent Agents. IMPROVEMENTS IN
LAMPS APPLICABLE FOR LIGHTING RAILWAY CARRIAGES, SHIPS, HOUSES, AND OTHER
STRUCTURES OR PLACES." A communication from aboad by Jacob Clark, of 10, Cité
Trevise, Paris, in the Republic of France.
The object of this Invention is to construct lamps in such manner that they will
not only burn hydrocarbon oils with safety and economy, but that ordinary burning
oils, such as colza and rape, may also be used with far greater economy compared
to the systems at present in use. For this purpose the lamps are constructed in the
following manner, the general details of which may be varied to suit the various
purposes to which the lamps are to be applied, viz. -For railway carriage roof lamps
the oil tank or reservoir is formed in the top part of the lamp, using the outer casing
of the lamp to form the outer rim of the oil tank, and between the inner rim or circle
of the lamp, through the centre of which the chimney passes a space is left of about,
say, 3, of inch between the inner circle of the tank and the outer circle of the
chimney. The object of this space is for the purpose of introducing a non-con-
ducting material, as also an air space between the chimney and the inner circle of
the tank, so as to prevent the great heat from the chimney being transmitted to
the oil tank. For this purpose the space is either filled up between the inner
circle of the tank and the chimney with non-conducting material, or, say, one part
of the space only may be filled with the non-conducting material, and the other
part may be left as an air space, so that a continual current of air passes round the
tank, or if preferred there may be two air spaces, viz, one round the chimney, and

page_text: one round the tank with the non-conducting material dividing the two spaces.
Similar means are also employed for protecting the lower part or bottom of the
tank. On the top or outside part of the tank a screw cap is arranged to allow of
the tank being filled with oil. On each side of the tank, taking a line through the
centre, two tubes are fixed, one on each side; one of these is a plain tube, and one
is a divided or double air tube that projects a little above the top part of the tank,
and it passes through the top and bottom plates of same down to the well or
oil receiver to which it is attached. The oil receiver is fixed below the burner in
the lower part of the lamp, and on the opposite side there is another tube that
passes down to the well below the burner for the purpose of conveying oil from the
tank to the well, and to which this oil tube is attached. Alongside or closer
adjoining this last-named tube for conveying oil a small opening is formed in the
top of the oil tank. Into this small opening a strand of cotton is placed, and is
weighted so that it drops to the bottom of the tank, and the upper part of the
strand, say for about 1 inch in length, is fixed and placed in the top part of the oil
tube, the top of which projects a little above the top of the oil tank, and the strands
of cotton hang down the tube about 1 inch. Below the end of the strand or
strands of cotton placed in the oil tube a valve or tap is fixed that can be readily
opened or closed from the outside of the lamp. When oil is supplied to the tank
the strand or strands of cotton convey the oil from the tank into the tube, down
which oil passes to the well below the burner, and according to the quantity of oil
required to supply the lamp. The strands of cotton can be increased or diminished,
so that only sufficient oil is supplied to the former to keep up a steady light. By
this means the oil cannot possibly overflow the burner, as is now the case in
existing lamps, and thus all source of loss and increased trouble is entirely dispensed
with.
The divided air tube is to supply the well and the burner with a current of air,
not only to keep the well cool, but to create a more perfect combustion at the
burner. The small opening through which the strands of cotton are put into the
hollow tank, as also the oil tube, are covered with a screw capping, which screw is so
arranged that when it is only partly screwed down it allows for the valve fixed in
the oil tube, and which is held up by a spiral spring to remain open, but when
screwed down closely it presses upon the top of the spindle, to which the valve is
fixed and closes it up, and thus stops the flow of oil to the well.
Existing lamps can be easily transformed to this system, and in place of the oil
tank being a fixture, as described, it can either be placed in any other desired
suitable position or the oil tank may be moveable. Suitable ventilation is supplied
to the interior of the lamp, and is so arranged that the light is not affected by
currents of air. Suitable reflectors are also fixed in the lamps, and suitable wicks
and burners are also used to suit either hydrocarbon or other oils. A fixed metal
chimney is also used to convey the heat from the burner. It will thus be seen that
not only is the overflow of oil completely obviated, but the oil tank is completely
protected and kept cool, and the oil supply so regulated that a steady light is kept
up with the smallest possible amount of oil in the well, so that all danger is
avoided as it would be impossible to heat the oil to such an extent to form an
explosive gas.
Ordinary lamps for domestic purposes, carriages, and street lights can be mado
upon this system, and the details can be varied to suit circumstances, as the oil
reservoirs may be placed in any suitable position, and in many cases would not
need to be protected with the non-conducting material or air spaces, as, for instance,
a lamp may be formed and glass chimneys may be used if needed. If by any chance
the overflow through carelessness does take place provision is made in the smaller
tube fixed to the well, and into which the burner is fixed, "viz," there are two or
three small openings left at the top edge of the tube below the burner, so that if
the well becomes full and it overflows the oil will run through these openings and
fall into the glass globe below, and thus prevent its coming into contact with
the burner.

page_text: In constructing lamps for railway carriages or other purposes where the light or
burner is enclosed in a casing, it is important to supply sufficient atmospheric air to
the burner, and to keep the lamp cool. For this purpose divided air tubes are by
preference fixed to the reflector, say, one at each side of the tubes attached to the
well below the burner, and are so arranged that they pass through the reflector
towards the bottom of the glass globe into which they convey air; openings are
made in the sides of the lamp casing to admit air into the vacant space left below
the bottom of the oil tank and the reflector. The divided air tubes that pass
through the reflector open into this space, and convey air to the lower part of
the lamp.
The divided air tubes may be fixed or arranged in other ways for the purpose of
supplying the necessary amount of air to the burner, and to keep the lamp cool
without being fixed to or made to pass through the reflector.
In some cases, in place of using only one divided air tube to convey air into the
well below the burner, two divided air tubes may be fixed in any convenient
position, but it is preferred they should be arranged, say, one on each side of the
burner.
It is preferred to form the reflector in such manner that the outside circle is bent
downwards, so that it has a tendency to convey the air that passes round its edges
into the lower part of the glass globe without causing a draft against the light or
burner, and it will also much improve the reflection, or in place of bending the
outer circle of the reflector a separate rim or circle may be fixed to the sides of the
lamp casing, so as to divert the air into the lower part of the glass globe, and if
needful small divided air tubes may be fixed to the rim at convenient distances
apart to convey air to any desired part of the glass globe, but in this case the rim
will be closed at its lower edge, so that air can only pass through the air tubes into
the lower part of the globe.
In constructing lamps for burning colza, rape, or other vegetable oils it is not
necessary to protect the oil tank with non-conducting material and air spaces as
before described.
Another modification for supplying air to the lower part of an enclosed lamp is
to fix a glass rim or cylinder inside the glass globe with its upper rim in close
contact with the outer edge of the reflector, so as to prevent any air from passing
between. This glass rim or cylinder is made with small projections at intervals
round its outer edge for the purpose of keeping it in proper position, and at equal
distance from the glass globe.
A small metal rim or projecting pieces are fixed to the inner circle of the lamp
casing for the purpose of supporting the glass rim or cylinder on which the small
projections rest.
An air space is left between the glass globe and the interior glass rim or
cylinder, so that the air in the space left between the reflector and the lower part
of the oil tank can be conveyed to the lower part of the lamp to any point
desired.
5
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Gardner in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th February
1877.
HENRY GARDNER, of the Firm of Robertson, Brooman, and Company, of
166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent Agents. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LAMPS APPLICABLE FOR LIGHTING RAILWAY CARRIAGES, SHIPS, HOUSES, AND OTHER
0 STRUCTURES OR PLACES." A communication from abroad by Jacob Clark, of 10, Cité
Trevise, Paris, in the Republic of France.
The object of this Invention is to construct lamps in such manner that they will

page_text: not only burn hydrocarbon oils with safety and economy, but that ordinary
burning oils, such as colza and rape may also be used with far greater economy
compared to the systems at present in use, and to get from the burner a clearer and
greater light. For this purpose I construct lamps in the following manner, the
general details of which may be varied to suit the various purposes to which the
lamps are to be applied, viz. -For railway carriage roof lamps when the oil tank
or reservoir is at the top part of the lamp, I use the outer casing of the lamp to
form the outer side of the oil tank, and within the inner rim or circle of the lamp
through the centre of which the chimney passes a space is left of about, say 3/4 of
an inch between the inner circle of the tank and the outer circle of the chimney..
The object of this space is for the purpose of introducing a non-conducting material,
as also an air space between the chimney and the inner circle of the tank so as to.
prevent the great heat from the chimney being transmitted to the oil tank. For
this purpose I surround the inner side of the oil tank with a non-conducting
material, and leave a space between it and the chimney for the passage of a
continual current of air round the tank; or if preferred there may be two air
spaces, viz., one round the chimney and one also round the tank with the non-
conducting material dividing the two spaces. Similar means are also employed for
protecting the lower part or bottom of the tank. On the top or outside part of the
tank a screw cap is arranged to allow of the tank being filled with oil. On each
side of the tank taking a line through the centre two tubes are fixed ono on each
side, one of which is a divided air tube that projects a little above the top part of
the tank, and passes through the top and bottom plates of the same down to the
well or oil receiver to which it is attached, and which is fixed below the burner in
the lower part of the lamp, and on the opposite side there is another tube that
passes down to the well below the burner for the purpose of conveying oil from the
tank to the well and to which this oil tube is also attached. Alongside or closely
adjoining this last-named tube for conveying oil a small opening is formed on the
top of the oil tank. Into this small opening a strand of cotton is placed and is
weighted, so that it drops to the bottom of the tank and the upper part of the
strand, say for about one inch in length is fixed and placed in the top part of the oil
tube, the top of which projects a little above the top of the oil tank, and the strands
of cotton hang down the tube a small distance below the bottom of the oil tank.
Below the ends of the strand or strands of cotton placed in the oil tube, a valve or
tap is fixed that can be readily opened or closed from the outside of the lamp.
When oil is supplied to the oil tank the strand or strands of cotton convey the oil
from the tank into the tube, down which oil passes to the well below the burner
and according to the quantity of oil required to supply the light, the strands of
cotton can be increased or diminished so that only sufficient oil is supplied to the
burner to keep up a steady light. By this means the oil cannot possibly overflow
the burner as is now the case in existing lamps, and thus all source of loss and
trouble and risks of explosions are entirely dispensed with.
The divided air tube is to supply the well and the burner with a current of air
not only to keep the well and wick holder cool, but to create a more perfect com-
bustion at the burner, and to allow of the escape of heated air or gas from above
the oil; ventilation is also supplied to the interior of the lamp to promote the
combustion and to prevent the formation and condensation of vapour as herein-after
more fully described. The small opening through which the strands of cotton aro
put into the oil tank as also the oil tube are covered with a screw capping, which
screw is so arranged that when it is only partly screwed down it allows for the
valve in the oil tube which is held up by a spiral spring to remain open, but when
screwed down closely it presses upon the top of the spindle to which the valve is
fixed and closes it, and thus stops the flow of oil to the well.
Existing lamps can be easily transformed to this system, and in place of the oil
tank being a fixture as described, it can either be placed in any other desired i
suitable position or the oil tank may be moveable. The ventilation supplied to the
interior of the lamps is so arranged that the light is not affected by currents of air,

page_text: and suitable reflectors are fixed in the lamps and suitable wicks and burners are
also used to suit either hydrocarbon or other oils. A fixed metal chimney is also
used to convey the heat from the burner. It will thus be seen that not only is the
overflow of oil completely obviated, but the oil tank is completely protected and
kept cool, and the oil supply is so regulated that a steady light is kept up with the
smallest possible amount of oil in the well, so that all danger of explosions even
when hydrocarbon oils are used is avoided, as it would be impossible to heat the oil
to such an extent as to form an explosive gas.
Provision is also made in the small
tube fixed to the well and into which the burner is fixed against any possibility of
the oil overflowing on to the burner. There are two or three small openings left at
the top edge of the tube below the burner, so that if the well becomes full and over-
flows the oil will run through these openings and fall into the glass globe below,
and will not come into contact with the burner.
As a modification of the lamp above described it is very advantageous to place
the oil tank below the burner instead of at the top of the lamp, and with the mode
of supplying air and ventilation to the lamp as above described this can be safely
done even when hydrocarbon oils are used, and in this case the reservoirs and
reflectors are so formed as to throw as little shadow as possible, all the other
arrangements remaining the same as before.
Ordinary lamps for domestic purposes, carriages, street lamps, can be made upon
this system and the details can be varied to suit circumstances, as the oil reservoirs
may be placed in any suitable position, and in many cases would not need to be
protected with the non-conducting material or air spaces.
In constructing lamps for railway carriages or other purposes where the light or
burner is enclosed in a casing, it is important to supply sufficient atmospheric air
to the burner and to keep the lamp cool and to prevent the collection and con-
densation of vapour. For this purpose divided air tubes are by preference fixed to
the reflector, say one at each side of the tubos attached to the well below the
burner, and are so arranged that they pass through the reflector towards the bottom
of the glass globe into which they convey air. Openings are made in the sides of
the lamp casing to admit air into the vacant space left below the bottom of the oil
tank and the reflector, the air tubes that pass through the reflector open into
this space and convey air to the lower part of the lamp.
The air tubes may be fixed or arranged in other ways for the purpose of supply-
ing the necessary amount of air to the burner, and to keep the lamp cool without
being fixed to or made to pass through the reflector.
In some cases, in place of using only one divided air tube to convey air into the
well below the burner two divided air tubes may be fixed in any convenient
position, but it is preferred they should be arranged one on each side of the
burner.
It is preferred to form the reflector in such manner that the outside circle is bent
downwards, so that it has a tendency to convey the air that passes round its edges
into the lower part of the glass globe without causing a draught against the light or
burner, and it will also much improve the reflection; or in place of bending the
outer circle of the reflector a separate rim or circle may be fixed to the sides of the
lamp casing so as to divert the air into the lower part of the glass globe, and if
needful small divided air tubes may be fixed to the rim at convenient distances
apart to convey air to any desired part of the glass globe, but in this case the rim
will be closed at its lower edge so that air can only pass through the air tubes into
the lower part af the globe.
In constructing lamps for burning colza, rape, or other vegetable oils it is not
necessary to protect the oil tank with non-conducting material and air spaces before
described.
The manner in which this Invention is carried into effect is clearly represented
; in the annexed Drawings.
Figure 1 shows a railway roof or carriage lamp of the improved construction in
A is the body or shell, and B the ring support by which. it is held in
section

page_text: position on or in a carriage roof in order that the light may shine within the
compartment, the flame being protected by the glass globe C in the usual manner.
D is the oil reservoir at the top of the lamp body, and is protected from the heat at
the lower part, and at the inner side walls by a lining or filling in of a non-
conducting material held in place by a partition E forming the inner ceiling of the
lamp. F is a tube, by which the burner G is supplied with oil by a siphon
arrangement of cotton or woollen strands hanging into it, and over a partition H
from the reservoir where the strands dip into the oil the tube F is furnished with a
plug tap I, capable of being operated from outside the lamp by the handle J to
shut off or to open the passage to the burner. The number of cotton or woollen
strands is regulated to suit the quantity of oil desired by the burner to keep it
alight, and to prevent an unnecessary quantity of oil passing into the burner which
might cause an overflow. The lower end of the tube F terminates in a chamber
in which the burner wicks lodge on the bottom to take or suck up the oil from the
chamber to feed the flame.
The saturation of the burner wicks by the oil is in proportion to the height of
the flame, and is also in unison with the supply by the siphon strands. K is an
air tube leading from the upper part of the body of the lamp to the oil receiver,
which forms a distinct air chamber around the socket in which the burner wicks
are arranged. The air from this chamber or space above the oil is caused to
impinge against the wick below the flame to furnish air thereto to support com-
bustion. The flame taking a further supply of air from the interior of the globe
and over the dome or cap L, the two supplies of air maintain a regular and steady
flame, notwithstanding the jolting of the carriage during travelling. The air to
the globe is admitted from the body of the lamp by vertical openings in a backing
plate of the reflector and then through horizontal apertures in the edge of the
reflector M, the air thereby being slightly rarefied by the heat of the metal chimney
N before it passes downwards into the globe C, and thus assists to increase the
brilliancy of the light. I do not, however, limit myself to the precise manner of
conveying air from the body of the lamp into the globe portion, as the same may
be varied in different ways without departing from the principle of the Invention.
It will be seen that the tube K takes its supply of atmospheric air from a
chamber whose wall is perforated to break the sudden rush which would otherwise
happen when the carriage is in motion and the chamber is capped with a hinged
flap or cover P.
The upper part of the air tube below the ceiling is perforated to permit a
portion of air to flow into the body of the lamp, and the other part below the
perforations is separated by a partition a, the partition extending to the air
chamber of the burner so that one-half of the tube may supply air to it and the
other half acts as an uptake to carry off the heat that may be generated in the
chainber. In the event of no heat being generated the air would flow down the
tube on both sides of the partition.
The height of the flame and the trimming of the wick is regulated from tho
outside of the lamp by turning the button head b after lifting the cover P, the
button head being on the top of a rod c which works in a tubular stem d, and
having at its lower end a bevil wheel e. This being caused to gear into a bevil
wheelf on the axle of the wick lifter, so that by turning the rod c the wick can
be raised or lowered as desired without removing the lamp.
The down supply of air to the flame is controlled by the draught up the metallic
chimney N consequent upon its height, which draught is regulated by the diameter
of the chimney and by the outlets in the top portion Q of the lamp. g is the oil
filling hole covered after the charging by the screw cap 7.
By this construction of lamp mineral oil can be burnt with safety in railway
carriages because the reservoir is protected by a non-conductor of heat surrounding
it, and interposed between the body of the lamp and the chimney, between which
is a clearance for the passage of air, as shown, and there is never any large accumu-
lation of oil underneath the burner, and both the wick holder and the oil beneath are

page_text: kept cool by the current of air. It is not, however, compulsory to burn mineral.
oil in this construction of lamp, whether for railway or other purposes, as the same
arrangement is equally advantageous for burning colza or other fatty oils as are
now burnt, especially in railway lamps, the advantages gained being increased
brightness of the flaine, economy of the oil used and capability of control from
the outside of the lamp.
.I have referred to the employment of a partitioned tube for supplying air to the
burner, but I do not limit myself thereto, as two air tubes side by side may be fitted,
but it is necessary that the globe portion should also be supplied with air direct
from the body of the lamp as before explained.
I am aware that separate air tubes have been used in railway roof lamps from a
top reservoir to a burner of a special kind in which the supply of oil was by gravity
by the well known bird fountain arrangement, as is commonly used in existing
railway lamps, but such lamps have not in practice proved advantageous, but there
has always been considerable overflow and consequently great wasto, und mineral
oils cannot be safely burnt in them. The overflow of oil by the known systein was
also liable to extinguish the light by filling up the lower part of the air tubes by
which the flame was or is fed with air.
The burner in my improved plan facilitates the burning of mineral oils with
great advantage, because the supply of air to the oil well under the burner proper
becomes pocketed, so to speak, in the burner to furnish the air to the flame, the
oil being below the burning edge of the cotton, and only withdrawn from the
receiver by the demands of the flame. By this arrangement no overflow can
occur, and the ordinary glass chimney is dispensed with, without_interfering
with the brilliancy of the light. Another advantage derived by this Invention is
that ordinary mineral oil burners hitherto used with glass chimneys only can now
be employed without glass chimneys by fitting the caps or domes which surround
the wick holder closely on to the body of the oil reservoir, the full charge of air to the
burner boing by the air tubes only as before stated. I make no claim generally to
the use of air tubes for supplying air to the burner, but I do consider as novel and
as part of the said Invention the employment of partitioned or double air tubes to
supply the burner and to prevent the accumulation of heated air above the oil
when used in such lamps in which the globe portion is supplied with air independent
of that coming from or passing through such tubes in the inauner before described.
Figure 2 represents a modification of the foregoing railway carriage roof lamp, in
which the oil reservoir is under and forms part of the burner, the burner itself and
also the space above the oil being supplied with air by the single or divided air
tubes K, K, as separate tubes, one on each side, by which the burner is also supported
from the reflector M. The air passing through these tubes not only supplies the
burner but keeps the oil reservoir cool, and there can never be any accumulation of
heated air above the oil. The globe portion of this lamp is supplied with air from
around the reflector as in the previous arrangement, as also through the tube g
passing through the reflectors, the reflector having a chamber above covered by a
screen R also perforated to permit of air passing into and out of the chamber to
furnish air to the globe portion, and thereby to prevent the formation and con-
densation of vapours which would otherwise have the effect of deadening or shutting
in the light. This lamp has the outside button head 6 for regulating the height of
the wick as in the previous Figure.
Instead of the plug tap shown in Figure 1, a valve may be fitted to a stem and
is under the control of a spring for keeping it off its seat on the pipe, the passage
being closed when desired by screwing down the screw cap or cover h.
Figure 3 shows a plan by which air is supplied to the burner by tubes outside
the oil reservoir which is below the burner, the air to the burner being fed through
the bottom from the interior of the carriage compartment; the globe portion of this
lamp is supplied with air through the apertures S, S, in the shell of the lamp
body.
•
Figure 4 shows a railway carriage roof lamp with the burner and oil reservoir

page_text: combined, the reservoir being of elongated shape as in Figure 5, and supported by
tubular legs as air tubes K, K, from the reflector M, one of which air tubes also
supports the button headed rod c, by which the raising and lowering of the wick is
effected.
In these views the oil reservoir is of round or tubular form as in Figure 6, but I
by preference make the sides angled as in Figures 7 and 8, or of pear shape as in
Figure 9, in order that the shadow of the reservoir may be diminished as much as
possible.
Figure 10 represents a reservoir with tapered ends from the central part.
Figure 11 and 12 show a burner and oil reservoir through which slit-like holes
are made from the bottom to the burner proper to feed air to each side of the wick
against which it is caused to impinge by deflecting plates h, h.
Figure 12 represents a hand lamp in which the oil reservoir is under and forms
part of the burner, the air to the burner cap L being supplied from above by
partitioned tubos K, K, one of which is on each side of the lamp; apertures in the
shell of this lamp permit of air entering the body.
Figure 13 shows a hand lamp in which two tubes K, K, supply air to the burner
from the bottom as in the view Figure 3.
Figure 14 represents a hand signal lamp to which the supply of air to the
burner and the oil reservoir is established by divided air tubes K, K. And
Figuro 15 shows a ship's mast head lantern with the burner supply tube for air
coming down from the upper part of the body of the lantern, the lower or globe
part taking its supply from around a ceiling to which the metal chimney is
attached.
Figure 16 represents a lamp similar to that shown in Figure 2 as a available for
street lighting use, the burner and oil reservoir being combined and within a globe,
and with the body mounted upon a holder W on a pedestal or post X.
Figure 17 shows a table or household lamp on this system, the supply of air to
the burner being by apertures Y, Y, in the pedestal X to the tubes K, K, leading
to the burner; air for the body of this lamp is taken in through apertures i, i. In
this construction the button head arrangement of regulating the height of the wick
is from under the globe where the spindle of the bevil wheel e has a square upon it
to engage into the hole of the button head stem which is socketed in a projection of
the pedestal X. By this means, when the reservoir requires refilling the chimney
N can be removed, and then the burner and reservoir can be lifted out of the lamp
into which it had been previously dropped. The depth of the gallery Z in this
form of lamp holds the glass globe safely in position.
It will be observed in all the lamps shown in the annexed Drawings that no glass
chimney is employed around the flame or light, neither is the metal chinney so low
down as to interfere with the diffusion of the light from the flame.
Figure 18 represents a hand lamp in section in which the bottom is of glass in
order that a portion of the light may be diffused through it to enable a man, say a
railway carriage shunter, to see his way on the ground without tilting his lamp as
is now the case.
Figure 19 shows a hand lamp such as is used by railway guards, in which
coloured glasses are fitted. The supply of air to this lamp is through the bottom as
in Figure 13.
The speciality in fitting an oil reservoir below the burner, as shown in the
Drawings, is an important feature in the method adopted by me when using
mineral or other oils for railway roof lamps and other like purposes, because it
completely obviates the great waste and inconvenience arising from overflow of oil
into the glass globe within which it is contained, it also ensures a feed of oil to the
flame in proportion to the height of the wick, and the supply of air to the oil
reservoir above and upon the surface of the oil keeps it cool as well as the lower
part of the wick holder, thereby preventing undue evaporation of the oil by heat, at
the same time increasing the brilliancy of the flame.
In place of divided air tubes which act or form supports to the oil vessel_under

page_text: the burner, ordinary tubes or solid supports of metal may be used for supporting the
oil vessel or reservoir when ordinary burners or wick holders are used, such as are
commonly employed in railway roof lamps burning rape or colza oils, and which are
not supplied with air below the burners." Air may also be carried into the glass
globe by means of separate air tubes fixed at the back of the divided air tubes or in
any other position with their lower ends open.
It is necessary to state that when burning vegetable or fatty oils the ventilation
of railway roof lamps require some modification with regard to the supply of air to
the lower portion of the lamp (that is to the glass globe portion) and as it is necessary
for a larger quantity of air to pass into the globe or lower part of the lamp than
when burning mineral oils, I leave a small space below the rim of the reflector and
the rim it rests upon.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim―
Firstly. The construction of railway lamps with reservoirs of oil at the top, kept
cool by a lining or coating of non-conducting material, and by air spaces, sub-
stantially as described and shown in the annexed Drawings.
Secondly. I claim the means of supplying such lamps with oil in proportion to
the required consumption, and of regulating and shutting off the supply from the
outside, substantially as described and as shown in the Drawings.
Thirdly. I claim the construction of railway lamps with the reservoir of oil at
the bottom, air and ventilation being supplied to the burner and the interior of the
lamp, substantially as described.
Fourthly. I claim the use of a divided or of double pipes for supplying external
air to the wick, and allowing of the escape of any heated air in conjunction with the
supply of other air to the globe portion of the lamp, substantially in the manner
and for the purposes herein described.
Fifthly. I claim the use of bevil gearing mechanism capable of being operated
from the outside of the lamp for raising and lowering the wick, substantially as
described.
Sixthly. I claim the whole combined arrangement of railway lamps, substantially
as described and shown as a whole in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, and in separate parts
in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 of the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Gardner, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of February, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-seven.
HENRY GARDNER. (L.S.)