CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS BURNERS AND IN CANDLE LAMPS AND OTHER LABIPS
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
CLARK, of the Strand, in the City of Westminster, Lamp Manufacturer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-sixth day of June, in the twelfth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Richard Clark, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said Richard Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
and such others as I, the said Richard Clark, my executors, administrators,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times during the term of years therein mentioned, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, the
Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in all Her Majesty's Colonies and Planta-
tions abroad, and in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and
Man, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS BURNERS AND IN
CANDLE LAMPS AND OTHER LABIPS;" in which said Letters Patent is con-
tained a proviso obliging me, the said Richard Clark, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's, High Court of

page_text: Chancery within six calendar months next and iminediately 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, I, the said
Richard Clark, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thercon (that is to say)
-
My Invention of "Certain Improvements in Gas Burners, Candle Lamps
and other Lamps," relates,-
Firstly, to various improvements in the construction of gas burners and
their appendages, whereby the quality of the light is much improved, and the
flame is in some cases protected from the injurious effects of draughts or
chance currents of air.
My Invention relates, secondly, to an improvement in night lights, and also
to that description of lamp in which candles are burned, and which candles
are pressed upwards against the nozzle of the candlestick by means of a
coiled spring.
The third part of my Invention consists of various improvements in the
construction of lamps of different kinds, in which oil or hydro-carbons are
consumed for the purpose of illumination.
The last part of my Invention consists of an-improved mode or modes of
suspending either oil, gas, or other chandeliers, and also of adapting lenses and
reflectors to cither oil or gas lamps when required.
In the Drawings hereunto annexed I have shewn different views of the
various constructions of gas burners which constitute the first part of my
Invention.
Fig. 1-is-a-side clevation, and Fig. 2 a transverse vertical section, of one of
my improved burners, which I denominate my glass burner, as the burner is
completely enclosed within.a glass chamber in such a manner that the inctallic
part -is-almost-cutirely hidden from view, as will be seen by referring to
Fig. 1, and the air to support the combustion of the gas can only be supplied
to the burner in a heated or warm state, it being previously warmed in the
chamber surrounding the burner. As by this means the temperature in the
immediate vicinity of the flame is not liable to be reduced by the coldness of
the external air, the brilliancy of the flame will not be so injuriously affected
as if cold air, or air of the ordinary temperature of the atmosphere, were
supplied at once to the flame as is usually the case. The burner or jet a, from

page_text: which the gas issues, is similar in construction to some of the burners described
in the Specification of a Patent formerly granted to me; but in the present
instance the jet (of whatever form) is enclosed in a glass chamber consisting
of two vessels or parts, the lower one b, b, and an upper one b*, *. Both
these glass vessels, in Figures 1 and 2, are represented as being ornamented
by fluting, embossing, engraving, or cutting, and various patterns or devices
may be made thereon, my principal object being to hide from view the outline
of the flame and the metallic part of the jet or burner, and yet at the same
time not to obstruct the passage of the light, but in some cases, by means of
cutting peculiar patterns, such as diamonds and other angular figures or
devices, on the glass vessel, to add to the brilliancy of the flame or light. The
lower vessel is supported from the stem or pillar c of the burner by means
of a brass ring or gallery d, which is screwed on to the stem c, as shewn in the
sectional Figure, Fig. 2. It will be seen that the upper edge of the lower
vessel is nearly on a level with the top of the burner a, and this vessel
carries at its upper part a second metallic ring e, which supports the chimney.
The upper vessel rests on the upper edge of the lower vessel b, and is
retained in this position, and prevented from falling off sideways, by vertical
studs or pins f, f, which are connected to the ring e. By this arrangement it
will be evident that a considerable body of air of a high temperature, and
constantly kept so by the heat from the flame of the burner, will be always
maintained in the immediate vicinity of the flame, and no air can reach the
flame without first entering this chamber and being thoroughly warmed
therein. I sometimes cause the air to support combustion to enter between
the two glass vessels b and instead of from below, in which case I support
the glass chimney from the upper part of the vessel 6, as seen in the sectional
view, Fig. 3, which is a mere modification of the plan shewn at Figures 1 and 2;
but instead of making the upper vessel of corrugated, embossed, engraved, or
cut glass, ornamented with any peculiar device, I employ a globe made of white
enamelled glass; the cut, engraved, or embossed globe may, however, be em-
ployed instead of the enanamelled glass globe, if preferred, and this latter may
be used in place of the corrugated or otherwise ornamented globe in connection
with the burner shewn in Figures 1 and 2.
Fig. 4 represents a burner of large dimensions intended to light a large room
or hall, and is enclosed in two hemispheres of glass, the air to support combus-
tion being supplied to the chamber by holes or apertures made or left for that
purpose at or near the junction of the two glass hemispheres. The stem of
the burner passes through a hole in the lower hemisphere, and the chimney is
supported by wires from a hole in the upper hemisphere, whch rests upon a

page_text: brass ledge g, secured by screws or otherwise to the upper edge of the lower
hemisphere, as seen clearly in the Drawing. The air to support combustion
may be supplied either through perforations made in the ledge g, or through
holes made in either the upper or lower hemisphere for that purpose.
Fig. is a side elevation, and Fig. 6 a plan view, of what is generally
termed a "side burner." The improvement merely consists in a better mode
of supporting the chimney and shade or globe so as to offer less obstruction to
the light. h, h, is the chimney holder which partly surrounds the buruer, and
is furnished with small studs or projecting pieces t, t, t, which project over the
lower lip of the chimney and prevent it from becoming accidentally displaced,
as will be best understood by referring to Fig. 6. It will also be seen that
this ring or glass holder is elevated above the point of ignition, so as to offer as
little interruption as possible to the annular current of air that supports the
combustion. The ring or gallery for supporting the globe or shade is seen
at i, i, i, and the shade or globe rests upon the three horizontal points or
studs *,*,*, extending out from the lower edge of the ring or gallery.
Figures 5 and 6 represent plan and side views of a modification of the
burner just described, the only difference being that the chimney is held in its
place by means of a small spring instead of by the studs, as in the former
instance.
Figures 7 and 8 represent the improvements shewn in Figures 5 and 6 as
applied to an upright or pillar burner, with a glass reflector adapted thereto.
Figures 9 and 10 represent another mode of supporting the shade or globe,
and which consists in adapting to the stem of the burner a second gallery
below the one used for holding the chimney, and which second gallery is
employed for supporting the glass shade or globe. The effect of this will be
in some points similar to the " glass burner" shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3,
namely, that the air to support combustion is always admitted at a point
considerably below the point of ignition, and that in the immediate vicinity of
the flame there will always be a body of hot air, which will materially assist
in increasing the brilliancy of the light. Another important object obtained by
the employment of burners of this description is that the flame is, to a con-
siderable extent, protected from external draughts, and also the burner is
hidden from view by the globe which surrounds it, and therefore renders this
burner peculiarly adapted for chandeliers.
Figures 9 and 10% are modifications of the above, the object being
precisely the same, the only difference being that in place of rings or galleries
to support the chimney and glass shade or globe, these latter rest upon arms
either attached to or screwed on to some convenient part of the burner, and

page_text: furnished with small springs or catches to hold the chimney and shade in their
places, as shewn in Fig. 9*.
Fig. 11 represents a side elevation, and Fig. 12 a plan view, of what I
denominate my ring burner, in which the jet is formed a transverse cut made
across a ring, as is clearly shewn in the Drawings. The pins 1, 1, 1, are intended
to keep a chimney in its place, and the corrugated ledge, seen best in the plan
view, Fig. 12, is intended to support a glass globe or shade of any suitable form.
Fig. 13 represents another mode of maintaining a body of hot air in the
vicinity of the flame so as to prevent the cold external air from injuriously
affecting the brilliancy of the light. In the present instance the burner or jet from
which the gas to be consumed issues is of the ordinary or any suitable construc-
tion, and in place of using a separate chimney and globe I employ a glass or
sbade of peculiar construction, which I find will answer the combined purpose
of chimney and globe, and the lower half or globular portion of the glass may,
desired, be ground, enamelled, or otherwise ornamented.
if
In Figures 14 and 15 I have shewn a plan of dividing the current of air
that is supplied to the burner into minute streams so as to supply it with
greater uniformity. It consists of adapting to the gallery (which supports the
chimney glass) a piece of wire gauze, which, by dividing the ascending current
of air into thin streams, acts as a shield, and will to a great extent prevent
accidental currents or draughts of air from injuriously affecting the flame.
This wire gauze shield may, if thought desirable, be adapted to the gallery of
any other of the burners shewn in the Drawings, in order to prevent draughts
or chance currents from injuriously affecting the flame.
Fig. 16 is a sectional representation of a novel construction of gas burner,
the principal object of the improvement being to prevent any irregularity
in the pressure of gas in the main from injuriously affecting the flame.
This object is effected by constructing the burner with a moveable ring j, j, in
its interior. This ring is corrugated at its outer edge, as shewn in the
plan view, Fig. 17, and being mounted on legs or pins rests upon a perforated
ring k, k, through which gas issues and passes up between the corrugated
edge of the ring j, j, and the internal sides of the burner; but when any
sudden pressure takes place in the main, the gas will raise up the ring j, j,
and by partially closing the aperture, will to a certain extent equalize the
supply and prevent the suddenly increased pressure from injuriously affecting
the light.
Fig. 18 represents a modification of the above plan, the object to be
attained being the same. In the present instance the moveable ring is
dispensed with, and a fixed perforated ring k, k, is employed in place thereof.

page_text: The various improvements in candle lamps which constitute the second head
of my Invention are shewn at Figures 19, 20, and 21..
Fig. 19 is a vertical section, and Fig. 20 a side elevation, of the candle
tube of a candle lamp, with my improvements adapted thereto. One improve-
ment consists of a novel form of frame or gallery 1, 1, which serves the
double purpose of supporting both the glass chimney as well as the shade; the
lower edge of the chimney, by means of the improvement, is maintained at.
or near the level of the point of ignition, and the effect of this is, that the
candle is found to burn with increased brilliancy, and a multiplicity of detached
or distinct parts is avoided. The next improvement consists in dividing the
coiled spring into two parts, and furnishing the top of the lower spring, and
the bottom of the upper spring, with a disc or round plate, which is made to
nearly fit the tube; both the springs are prevented from expanding beyond the
proper distance by means of a chain or cord, as is well known, and which
constitutes no part of my Invention. By thus dividing the spring into two parts
and separating them by discs, as shewn in the Drawing, I prevent the lower
portion from getting clogged up with melted tallow, which sometimes runs down
the inside of the tube, as when any tallow gets into the tube it cannot pass
beyond the separating discs, and can therefore be easily removed, by merely
taking out the upper portion of the spring, and melting the tallow away from it.
Fig. 2 represents another improvement in candle lamps. It consists
in adapting to the under side of the candle holder a tubular piston and cup,
round the former of which several coils of the spring are passed. The object
of this tubular piston is to assist in placing the spring in the candle tube,
this being an operation of some difficulty to inexperienced persons when the
springs are strong, as is the case in candle lamps of large size. The im-
provement will be so clearly understood by inspecting the Drawing, that no
further description will be necessary.
"Fig. 22 represents an improvement on a night light-lamp, in which it is
intended to burn a small candle made of tallow or some other suitable
material or composition. In night lamps of this kind the bottom of the
lamp, and also of the candle or piece of tallow to be burned; has heretofore
been flat, leaving of course a corner or angle at the sides, in which a certain
portion of the tallow or composition would remain after the light had gone
out; I therefore propose to make the under parts of the candle curved or
hemispherical, and the lamps must of course be made to correspond, so that
when a night light is once lit it may burn out the very last drop of tallow,
which will always drain down to the lowest point and be consumed, as there
are no angles or corners to prevent it from so doing.

page_text: The next and third part of my Invention relates to various improvements in
lamps for burning oil or other inflammable liquids for the production of light.
In Figures 28, 24, and 25, I have shewn some of my improvements as
applied to an oil lamp. The first improvement consists in a mode of shielding
from draughts or chance currents the air holes which supply the interior and
exterior of the burner or flame with air. This burner is particularly applicable
to India or other warm climates, where, owing to the number of apertures,
such as windows or doors, which are continually open to the air, lamps or
artificial lights are constantly exposed to strong draughts or currents of air
which would quickly extinguish the lamp if the flame is not properly shielded
and protected. The lamp shewn in section at Fig. 23 is intended to be
suspended from above by a cord or chain, and there is nothing peculiar in the
internal construction of the lamp, which in most of its internal parts resembles
lamps long known and in use.. The ordinary air holes communicating with the
interior of the burner are seen at m, m, and they as well as the greater
portion of the lower part of the lamp are surrounded with a shield n, n, o, o,
the lower part n,n, of which is plain and impervious to air, as seen in the
Figure, while the upper portion o, o, is constructed of wire gauze, and will
therefore allow air to pass in and either ascend round the outside of the
burner to the exterior part of the flame, or else descend, and after passing
through the holes m, m, ascend the inside of the burner to the interior of the
flame; from this it will be seen that no air can reach the burner, except
through the wire gauze, which will effectually prevent any current from
blowing out the light. It should be observed that the chimney holder or
gallery is prolonged downwards, in order to meet the shield n, o, and thereby
completely isolate the burner from the external air; this will be best understood
by referring to Fig. 23, which represents in elevation the shield n, o, and the
chimney holder detached. I would also observe that the gauze may, if
thought desirable, be continued lower down than is shewn in the Drawing, as
it will even then to a considerable extent protect the flame from external
currents; or, if preferred, a gauze shield may be adapted to the glass holder, if
the latter is perforated to admit air to the burner, as is shewn in Fig. 26.
Another improvement, which is also applicable to other lamps, consists in
employing an oil cup to receive any overflow of oil from the burner, whether it
runs down the inside or outside of the burner. This oil cup is seen at p, and
screws into the bottom of the lamp, holes being left in it, as at 2, 2, 2, 2, in
Fig. 24, for the purpose of allowing any overflow of oil to drain into the cup and
prevent it from running down and dropping from the bottom of the lamp, or
from trickling down and soiling the pillar of the lamp, if the lamp is used as a

page_text: table lamp. Ju lamps of the construction shewn in the Figure, the wick is
generally raised by a rack and pinion motion, as is well known, and motion is
communicated to the wick holder by means of a glass or metal handle, which
is fastened on to the spindle of the small pinion that works in a vertical rack
inside the burner. The spindle of the pinion which raises the wick passes
through a small hole in the side of the burner, and it is found in practice that the
oil will work out and get on to the glass or other handle, and will sometimes run
down the outer tube of the burner. To remedy this defect therefore, I make
the spindle pass through a small stuffing box, as shown at q in Fig. 23, and
upon an enlarged scale in the detached sectional Figure, Fig. 25. This small
stuffing box consists of two or more washers of leather or other suitable
elastic material q, contained in a small cylinder r, r, and compressed therein by
a screw pistons, through which the spindle t of the pinion passes, as seen in
the Figure. The stuffing box is enclosed in a small cover or case u, with
inclined sides, a hole being made at its under side for the purpose of allowing
any oil that may ooze through to run out, but this cover will effectually
prevent any oil from getting on to and soiling the glass or other handle.
the Drawing the outer part of the spindle t is made square to fit into a square
hole made in a brass socket in the centre of the glass handle, and a small
ornamental head or nut v secures all the parts together, as shewn in the
Figure; but, if preferred, the glass may be screwed on to the spindle t, a hole
being tapped in the brass socket for that purpose. According to the old
mode of making glass handles for these purposes, the glass was cast on to
the spindles, but this is found objectionable in practice, as the spindles soon
get loose, and the glass is likewise extremely liable to fracture; whereas by
casting the glass on to nearly a square brass socket, these objections are
avoided, and the handle is much stronger, and can be easily replaced by a new
one, if broken or damaged by accident. Glass handles constructed in this
propose to use also for the cocks of gas chandeliers, burners, and for
other purposes to which they may be applicable.
manner I
In
Fig. 27 is a sectional representation of a table lamp, particularly adapted
for India, or climates where lamps are exposed to strong draughts or chance
currents. The lamp itself is constructed upon the plan already described in
reference to Fig. 23, and it will not therefore be necessary to give any
detailed explanation of its internal arrangement, my object merely being to
shield the flame from this, or any other suitable burner from draughts, and
prevent it from being extinguished or injuriously affected thereby. It will be
seen, on referring to the Figure, that the lamp is supported upon the upper
edges of a corrugated glass shade or basin, which is secured in any convenient

page_text: manner to the upper end of a pillar, and that apertures are made in the upper
part of the pillar at 3, 3, for the purpose of admitting air to the interior of the
basin through the hole 4 at its lower part. The ordinary glass shade which
surrounds the oil reservoir and burner, as usual, is supported on horizontal pins
or transverse bars 5, let into the groove or recess made round the outer edge
of the oil reservoir. The metallic band 6, which passes round the oil
reservoir, is perforated with holes at suitable distances, as shewn in the Figure,
and by projecting over the upper edges of the lower glass basin, keeps the
lamp steady and in its proper position. By thus perforating the metallic
band 6, and mounting the glass shade on horizontal pins or bars, air is also
allowed to pass under the latter to the burner by a somewhat tortuous course,
and therefore in a manner not likely to prejudicially affect the steadiness of
the flame. The flame is protected from descending currents by means of a
light metallic bead or cap piece 7, which merely rests upon the upper part of
the glass shade, and is perforated, as shewn in the Drawing, so as always to
maintain a perfect ventilation, and allow of the free exit of the heated air and
products of combustion, without admitting draughts of the external air. As the
whole of the lamp when in use will be enclosed within a glass case, as shewn
in the Drawing, and therefore entirely hidden from view, it will be necessary
to prolong the spindle of the pinion which works the wick holder, or the
handle must be elongated so as to bring the same outside the glass basin, as
shewn in the Figure, in order that the wick may be altered without having to
reinove any parts of the apparatus. By corrugating or otherwise cutting the
under basin, the burner is entirely hidden from view, but the light is not
intercepted or impeded, as is the case with ground glass shades.
Fig. 28 is a vertical section of a pressure lamp, in which the oil or other
inflammable liquid to be consumed is forced, by the pressure of a weight or
spring, from a reservoir below, up a long tube to the burner above. Lamps
constructed upon this principle have been long known and in use, but they
have hitherto been liable to some objections, which 1, by my improvements,
have endeavoured to obviate. And, firstly, it has been found that even when
oil of great purity is employed, a sediment, cousisting of coagulated oil and
some foreign bodies, will in time accumulate in the reservoir; and if this
sediment by any means gets into the body or working parts of the lamp, the
latter will soon get out of order, and the lamp will not burn properly. In
order, therefore, to prevent any extraneous matters, or in fact anything else
than a limpid liquid, from passing up the narrow passages which convey the
oil to the burner, I adapt to the lower aperture of the supply tube 8 a strainer,
(as shown in the Drawing). I would here observe, that I am aware that

page_text: strainers or similar apparatus have heretofore been used for straining the oil
in lamps, but they have hitherto been situated, as far as I am aware, near the
bottom of the reservoir, whereas I propose to place mine in connection with
the supply tube, so that even if the great body of oil were full of impurities,
nothing but a pure and limpid liquid could pass through the strainer into the
lamp. It is obvious that the same object may be carried out in different
ways. I do not therefore mean to confine myself rigidly to the mode herein
set forth, although, for various reasons, I prefer it as the most useful and
practicable under general circumstances. I sometimes, however, effect the
desired object by screwing or otherwise attaching a small rose head to the
lower end of the tube, or the tube itself may be prolonged and perforated with
a number of small holes. It is however advisable to have as extensive a
percolating or straining surface as practicable, otherwise, unless the oil is very
pure, the strainer becomes clogged up very quickly, and no oil can enter the
lamp. 11 is a support to keep the glass holder clean and steady. Another
improvement relates to the mode of regulating the supply of oil to the burner.
Hitherto the oil has been allowed to pass freely up the tube 8 to the burner,
and any superabundance is allowed to overflow the top of the burner, and
run down the outside thereof into the reservoir below, where it remains on the
top of the piston until the latter is raised, when it will pass down between the
inner sides of the reservoir and the sides of the piston to the space beneath
the latter. My improvement merely consists in regulating the supply by
means of a small screw or plug, which is tapped into the side of the supply
pipe 8 in any convenient place, as shewn at 9 in Fig. 28, and detached upon
an enlarged scale. in Fig. 29. The diameter of this screw 9 must be at least
as great as the oil passage of the supply tube 8, and therefore, by merely
screwing up or unscrewing this screw, the precise quantity of oil to be supplied
to the burner may be regulated to a nicety, or even stopped altogether. The
supply pipe is also furnished with a tapered wire 8*, which may also act as a
regulator; and as in this case it is made moveable, it will clean the supply pipe
every time it moves up and down. I do not claim the use of a wire in the supply
pipe, but only making it moveable, so as to clean the interior of the supply pipe,
as above mentioned. The next improvement shewn in Fig. 28 consists in the
application of a valve 10 to the piston in the oil reservoir, for the purpose
of allowing the escape of any air that may have accidentally got under the
piston while that part of the reservoir is being filled with oil.
If some
suitable exit for this air is not provided, the air will find its way up the supply
tube, along with the oil, to the burner, where it will escape, and spurt the
the oil over the glass chimney. To prevent this inconvenience, I make an

page_text: aperture in the piston, and apply thereto a weighted valve (as shewn in the
sectional view), which will open when not maintained in its seat by pressure
from below. This valve will always be kept closed by the pressure of the
oil against against the weight 11; but if any air should happen to be below
the piston, it will always be found above the oil, and as it will afford no
support to the weight, the latter will drop down and open the valve, thereby
allowing the air to escape and the oil to rise in its place, and thus again close
the valve.
Fig. 28 represents a vertical section of another mode of effecting the same
object. In this case a wooden float 11 is used, and the supply pipe 8 is
allowed to pass freely through it. The piston is perforated with a number of
small holes all round the supply pipe, and on the upper side of the wooden
float a leather washer or disc 10 is placed, and acts as a valve to open and
close the holes in the piston. The leather washer or valve is secured to the
float 11 by means of a ring at the top of a small tube that passes through,
and is affixed to the centre of the float, as seen, and the lower end of the
supply tube carries a ring, which prevents the float from becoming detached
therefrom. The hole at the under side of the float is covered over with a
piece of wire gauze, which acts as a strainer, and prevents any extraneons
matter from passing into the interior of the lamp. It will be seen, that as the
mouth of the supply pipe is by this means always kept below the surface of
the oil, no air can enter; and if any air should be below the piston, the float
will drop and leave the holes in the piston round the supply pipe open, and
thereby allow the air to escape.
Fig. 30 is a sectional representation of the head or burner part of
another pressure lamp, of somewhat the same kind; but in this instance, in
place of having a long wick of the ordinary kind, I employ only a short wick,
and arrange the parts in such a manner that the wick cannot be raised too
high, so as to cause the lamp to smoke; the wick may, however, be lowered
so as to have as small a flame as possible. This is effected by connecting the
wick holder to a vertical bar or rod, in which there are no more than three or
four teeth, as shewn best in the detached view, Fig. 31, so as just to give
sufficient play or movement to adjust the wick to its proper height. As it
will be necessary to change the wick more frequently than when long wicks
are used, I make the wick holder separate from the vertical rack bar, to
which it is usually secured in such a manner that the wick holder cannot be
taken out without also removing the rack bar, whereas by my improvement
I fix at the upper end of the rack bar an annular socket or seat 12, in which
the wick holder 13 may be placed, and therefore, when a new wick is required,

page_text: it will only be necessary to take out the old wick holder and drop a fresh one
into its place; for this reason I prefer to have two wick holders to each
lamp, so that one may always be kept ready prepared to be applied to the lamp.
It will also be seen, by inspecting the Drawing, that the oil or other liquid to
be consumed is supplied to the burner by the vertical pipe 14, which conveys
it directly to the wick in suitable quantities, which may be regulated in the
manner and by the means shewn in Fig. 28. When camphine or any hydro-
carbon is burned in this or any other pressure lamp, care must be taken to
prevent the supply from igniting except when presented to the flame by the
wick in the ordinary manner. For this purpose I employ a cap piece 15, as
shewn in the Drawing, which covers over the supply pipe, and prevents the
camphine from igniting except at the wick.
Fig. 32 is a transverse vertical section of a roof lamp for railway carriages.
The reservoir of oil is shewn at 16, and is above the burner as usual. From
the reservoir it passes into the supply pipe 8, through a small hole or aperture
near its lower end; and this supply pipe is furnished with a long rod 9, which
throughout the greater part of its length nearly fits the supply pipe 8, but is
made conical at its lower end, the upper end being screwed, for the purpose of
raising or depressing the same by means of a lever or handle above, as shewn
in the Drawing. The wick is merely dropped into the end of the tube, and at
the bottom of the supply pipe is a small screwed pin, on which is screwed a
glass dish 17, for the purpose of receiving any overflow of oil from the burner.
The lower part of the lamp is enclosed in a cut glass dish or shade, to magnify
the light and hide the burner; this shade is perforated with holes, for the
purpose of admitting air to the burner.
Figures 33 and 34 represent back and side views of a lamp or lanthorn
for illuminating shops and places from the outside. The improvement merely
consists in a novel mode of adapting reflectors to such lamps or lanthorns, and
is one of the improvements which constitutes the last part of my Invention.
The usual mode of constructing these lamps is to make the reflector a fixed
part of the lamp so that it cannot be removed therefrom, whereas in my
improved lamp I make the reflector separate, and attach it to the back of the
lamp by means of studs or pins which are inserted into slots, and hold the
reflector in its place by a sort of bayonet fastening.
Fig. 35 represents a mode of magnifying the light from a burner upon the
focus of a reflector by means of a lens. The lens is placed between the light
and the reflector, and by concentrating the rays of light in the focus of the
reflector the light is rendered more vivid and powerful.
Fig. 36 represents a vertical section of an improved mode of suspending

page_text: gas and other chandeliers. It is well known that when gas or other chan-
deliers are constructed in such a manner as to admit of lowering them, that
they must be supplied with counterbalance weights for the purpose of maintain-
ing them at any requisite altitude when required; these counterbalance weights
are generally external, and are objectionable, as they disfigure the chandelier.
In place therefore of employing external weights as counterbalances, I make
use of an internal annular weight, through which the suspending cord or chain
passes, as will be seen by inspecting the Figure. Of course, for gas chandeliers,
the upper part of the lower tube 18 must be furnished with a suitable stuffing
box, so as to allow the upper tube, which contains the counterbalance weight,
and through which the gas passes to the burner, to slide freely up and down
without allowing the gas to escape.
Having now described the several improvements of which my Invention
consists, and the best means in my opinion with which I am at present
acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I would observe, in conclusion,
that in order that my several improvements may be more clearly understood,
I have found it necessary to shew and describe various parts of lamps and
burners which have been long known and in use. I do not, however, intend
to claim any such parts separately as of my Invention, neither do I intend to
confine myself regidly to the precise arrangement or construction of parts
herein shewn and described, as they may doubtless be varied without departing
from the nature and object of my improvements; but that which I consider to
be new and useful in my several improvements, and therefore wish to claim
as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent, is,
First, the several plans herein shewn and described, or any mere modifi-
cation thereof, for entirely enclosing gas burners within a glass vessel or
chamber, so as to protect the flame from external draughts, and cause the air
which supports the combustion of the gas to be thoroughly warmed or heated
before it arrives at the burner. I claim also ornamenting the glass chamber
in the manner shewn and described, in order that the metallic part of the
burner may be hidden from view as much as possible, and yet at the
same time the passage of the light may not be impeded or its quantity
diminished.
Secondly, I claim the various improvements in gas burners shewn and
described, and also the improved modes of supporting the chimneys and glass
shades, and preventing them from becoming accidentally displaced.
Thirdly, I claim the method shewn in Figures 16, 17, and 18, of constructing

page_text: burners, whereby any irregularity or want of uniformity in the pressure of gas
from the mains is prevented from injuriously affecting the flame.
Fourthly, I claim dividing the spring of a candle lamp into two parts, as
shewn in Figures 19 and 20, and also adapting the tubular or other piston
shewn in Figure 21 to the upper part of the spring; one of the objects of
both these improvements being to facilitate the placing the spring in the
candle tube after it has been removed for some necessary purpose; another
object of dividing tlic spring into two parts and separating them by disks, as
shewn in Figures 19 and 20, being to prevent the melted tallow or grease
from getting into and clogging up the lower portion of the spring, which
therefore need never be removed from the tube.
Fifthly, I claim constructing night lamps with a curved or hemispherical
bottom, as shewn in Figure 22, so as to cause the melted tallow or grease to
drain down to the lowest point and be consumed.
Sixthly, I claim constructing oil or other lamps in the manner shewn in
Figures 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27, or any mere modification thereof, whereby the
flame is or may be perfectly protected from external draughts and yet be
abundantly supplied with air to support combustion. I claim also the manner
of adapting an oil cup to the lower part of the lamp, as shewn, for the purpose
of receiving any overflow, and also the improved mode of constructing the
sufling box, as shewn in Figure 25, as well as the method of attaching glass
handles to spindles for any of the purposes to which such handles may be
applicable.
Seventhly, I claim constructing pressure lamps with a strainer or percolating
surface adapted to or-made in the lower end of the supply pipe, for the
purpose of preventing any impurities from passing into the interior of the
lamp and clogging it up. I claim also making a valve or valves in the piston
or plunger of pressure lamps, for the purpose of allowing any air that may
have accidentally got under the piston or plunger to escape therefrom. . I
further claim the method above shewn and described of regulating the supply
of oil to the burner by means of a small plug or screw q, by screwing or
unscrewing which the capacity of the passage may be regulated at pleasure.
I further claim under this head constructing pressure and other lamps with
short wicks for the purpose above set forth; also the support 11, Fig. 28..
Eightly, I claim regulating the supply of oil to railway lamps by means of
a plunger or spindle, whereby the flow of oil may be regulated to a nicety,
or stopped altogether if required.
Ninthly, I claim making lamps or lanthorns, as shewn in Figures 33 and 34,

page_text: with reflectors, which may with facility be detached from them or adapted
thereto when required. And I also claim magnifying by means of a lens the
rays of light upon the focus of a reflector.
Lastly, I claim counterbalancing chandeliers by means of weights inclosed
in the tubing which forms the channel of communication from the main to
the burners in the case of gas lamps, and which only serve to support the
chandelier when oil is used.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and scal, this Twenty-sixth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
aken and acknowledged by Richard
Clark, (party hereto,) at No. 66,
Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, the Twenty-sixth day of
December, One thousand eight hun-
dred and forty-eight, in the pre-
sence of
RICHP (L.S.) CLARK.