IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMP BURNERS
Year: 1887

page_text: We, HARLEIGH GILLETTE of 84 La Salle Street and WILLIAM HENRY O'BRIEN
of 52 Lake Street both of Chicago, County of Cook, and State of Illinois, United
States of America, Merchants, do hereby declare the nature of our invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMP BURNERS, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to that class of burners used on kerosene and similar lamps.
The nature of this invention consists in providing the wick-tube with an auto-
matically operating extinguishing-plate, and which is so constructed, and arranged
as not to be obstructed or made inoperative from any of the various causes attendant
upon the use of an oil-burning lamp.
Referring to the drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elevation and partial section of a lamp-burner embodying our
improved features.
Figure 2 a view in perspective of a wick-tube showing the position of the
extinguishing-plate when the wick is turned up to be lighted.
Figure 3 is a vertical, longitudinal section of Fig. 2, looking edgewise.
Figure 4 a similar view showing the wick turned down and the light out; the
extinguishing plate assuming the opposite position from that illustrated in Figs. 2
and 3; and
Figure 5 a detached view of the extinguishing-plate.
A represents the burner proper; B the wick-tube; C the wick, and D the
extinguishing-plate.
The upper end of the wick-tube is cut away a little on one side, as shown in
Figs. 1, 3, and 4, to provide a space for the insertion and movement of the angle-
plate D. The lugs, a a', forined on the edges of and close to the top of the wick-tube,
are perforated near their extreme edge for the reception of the pivot-pins a², a³,
projecting from the ends of the plate D, by which means said plate is supported in
a loosely suspended position between the lugs a a', and adapted to have a rocking
movement as the wick is raised or lowered.
The angle extinguishing-plate D is arranged with the concave side next the wick,

page_text: as shown in Figs. 3 and 4; the pivot-pins, a³ a³, of the same being set outward past
the center of gravity so that the heavier and wider side of said plate has frictional
contact with the wick, and will gravitate to the extinguishing position, shown in
Fig. 4, when the wick is turned down.
When the wick is turned up, the extinguishing-plate assumes the position shown
in Fig. 3.
The upper end, d, of the cut-away side of the wick-tube forms a stop for the outer
and lower edge of the angle extinguishing-plate, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby limiting
the movement of the same and keeping the upper or inner edge in contact with the
wick. The end d also forms a rest for the angle-plate when the wick is turned down
out of contact, as shown in Fig. 4.
E is the usual wick-adjusting spindle.
The triangular openings b (see Fig. 1) are for the admission of air into the wick-
tube below and under the angle-plate, which feature is found to greatly improve the
combustion and increase the brilliancy of the light.
By having one side of the wick-tube shorter than the other, and pivotally
suspending an angle-plate between the same in the manner shown, the flame is
automatically and instantly extinguished by the rocking movement of said plate in
the pathway of the wick when the latter is turned down. This arrangement, to a
great extent if not altogether, also prevents the escape of the disagreeable odors
incident to the turning down of the wick for the purpose of extinguishing the flame.
We do not confine ourselves to the precise construction and arrangement shown,
but may vary the same, as practical working may require, without departing from
the spirit of our invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a lamp-burner of the character described, the combination with a wick-tube
of an extinguishing-plate pivotally secured to the upper end of said tube, whereby
said plate is adapted to follow and conform to the movements of the wick and
automatically close the wick-passage and extinguish the flame, substantially as set
forth.
2. In a lamp-burner of the character described, the combination with a wick-tube
having one part cut away at the upper end to form sides of unequal length, of an
angle extinguishing-plate pivotally suspended in said wick-tube so as to automatically
close the passage when the wick is turned down, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination with a wick-tube provided with the lugs, a a', perforated near
their edges, of the angle-plate D, provided at each end with the pivot-pins a a³,
whereby said plate is pivotally suspended between said lugs and adapted to auto-
matically close the wick-passage and extinguish the flame when the wick is turned
down, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 18th day of August 1887.
HARLEIGH GILLETTE. į
WILLIAM HENRY O'BRIEN.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicants.