Improvements in or connected with Candle-holders.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Candle-holders.
I, WILLIAM GEORGE MACIVY, trading as Hiram, Junior & Co., Engineering
Firm, of No. 1, Knox Street, Marylebone, in the County of London, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to candlesticks, candle-lamps, candelabra, chandeliers
intended for the use of candles, candle-brackets, and any other candle-holders used
for lighting purposes, and has for its object a device for keeping the candle-flame
or flames nearly at a constant level, and intensifying the light by way of concen-
tration of flames and otherwise. To this effect the candle in each sconce is made
to float vertically in a suitable bath, the liquid for which is to be selected with
regard to its density as compared with the density of the candle intended to float
in it. The density of a candle may be adjusted to that of its bath by way of
either fixing the candle to pins rising from, or merely placing the candle upon,
a suitable float. The latter will produce the further result of automatically lift-
ing in due course the last bit of the burning candle over the top of the sconce.
A one-candle lamp includes a vertical tube for holding the candle, of about
the same length as the candle itself (inclusive of float). Any tube iike that just
" hereinafter as well as hereinbefore. The
described is referred to as sconce
top of this tube is provided with a ring or the like for suitably narrowing the
orifice, also with suitable outer rims for the purpose of supporting a lamp-glass
and lamp-shade holder. The top of the same tube or the said ring may be pro-
vided with tiny. rollers intended to diminish the friction between the rising candle
and the tube-wall or edge surrounding the upper part of the candle.
"
In the case of a candle-holder intended to carry several candles, the apparatus
is suitably provided with as many sconces as candles are to be used. These sconces
or part of them may either hang down or rise from suitable hollow arms or brackets.
Each sconce-end may be provided with a tiny save-all.
If the substance of the shade or shades is to be paper, asbestos-paper may pre-
ferably be selected for the purpose, in order to prevent danger of fire in the event
of an accident. At any rate the inside of each shade is to be polished. Each
shade may be hinged in such a way to the apparatus that the shade may be given
any inclination for the purpose of directing the reflected light-raies as may be
most convenient. Instead of, or in addition to, a lamp-shade, lateral and top-
reflectors may be fitted to the apparatus for each sconce, in such a way that the
position of the reflectors may be varied.
For advertising purposes and otherwise, any lamp-shade may be provided with
such print, impressions, or engravings, and with such figures, marks, or signs as
will become visible only when the candle or candles below are lighted.
A one-candle lamp is provided with a suitably ventilated top-reservoir of bath-
liquid, consisting of a tube (with closed ends) fitted horizontally, crosswise, to the
top (which remains open) of the sconce, so as to give the apparatus the shape of a
rectangular cross. The respective insides of the sconce and reservoir communicate

page_text: freely with each other. The top-reservoir may have the shape of the half of a
tube split lengthwise, the flat side forming the bottom of the reservoir, or it may
take any other suitable shape selected with a view to shorten the vertical dimension
of the reservoir.
The horizontal cross-arms may be made to support the shade by means of
uprights fitted to the latter and descending into small tubes sunk into the
cross-arms.
If two candles are intended to be used, the top-reservoir, instead of being cross-
wise fitted to the top of each sconce, may be placed horizontally between both
sconces, one (open) end being soldered or otherwise suitably sealed to the open
flank (near the top) of each sconce so that the insides are in communication. In
this case the sconces and top-reservoir form three sides of an imaginary parallelo-
gram of which the fourth (bottom-) side is to be supplied by imagination.
If four candles are intended to be used, two top-reservoirs may be crossed, or
placed parallely to each other with a hollow connection between them, and thus
fitted to the apparatus, one reservoir-end being sealed to each of the four sconces.
And so on.
As to the intended concentration of the lights issued by any apparatus carrying
two or more candles, it may otherwise be effected than by the help of reflectors,
namely, by a reversal of some parts, carried out as follows: Any top-reservoir
common to a pair of sconces may be cut transversally into halves, one half remain-
ing fixed to each sconce. After the free reservoir-ends have been closed, both
apparatus-halves are again joined together but so that the sconces are placed in
the centre and the reservoir-halves made to occupy eccentric positions, that is,
projecting horizontally outwards. In this way both candle-flames are brought
close together (with a suitable small space and badly heat-conducting partition
between them) whereby the light issued by the apparatus is concentrated and
consequently intensified.
Any concentrated candle-flames may be put under a single shade, which (where
necessary) may be made somewhat oblong for the purpose.
The reservoir or reservoirs (where they are in the centre) may be surmounted
by either an upright or the figure of some suitable, real or fancied being, to which
the shades (if any) or the reflectors or part of them (if any) are to be hinged as
aforesaid or otherwise suitably attached. If this figure be that of a being with
natural arms and hands, each hand may be made to hold and keep in place either
a lamp-shade or reflector, or failing any such a smoke-bell.
In an apparatus for two or more candles, an upright rising from a
suitable
foot may be fitted to the centre of the top-reservoir or reservoirs, for supporting
the apparatus. This upright consists of two tubes of which one is made to slide
inside the other for the purpose of heightening and lowering respectively the top
of the apparatus. A bolt, which may be provided with a rubber tip, is to be fitted
to the outer tube in order to be used for regulating the height.
Instead of a horizontal reservoir connected with two sconces as aforesaid, the
reservoir may consist, as far as appearance is concerned, of a flower-holder or
some suitable ornamental dining-table piece or any other table-article suitable
or adapted for reservoir besides its usual function. In this case the reservoir,
apparently independent of the lamp or lamps, is placed between or beside them,
and connected with them by some suitable tube placed into such a position as to
be easily concealed from sight, and susceptible to be closed by suitably placed
stopcocks: Similar tubing may connect several lamps with each other in order
to dispense with further reservoirs.
In the case of a candle-lamp hanging from the ceiling and fitted with several
sconces, hollow brackets for supporting the latter may project from a central
reservoir of suitable shape.
A reservoir in the shape of a bead or moulding may be suitably fitted to the
walls round about a room for supporting suitable brackets and providing the
sconces fitted to them with the required bath-liquid.

page_text: A portable candle-lamp may be connected with such a reservoir by a rubber tube.
For the purpose of preventing any candle from sticking laterally to the top of
its sconce, this top may be suitably widened and the inside may be provided with
a tube or the like reaching down to a level permanently covered by the bath-
liquid. The construction of this tube is to be based on the property of capillarity
in certain formations, inasmuch as the function of this tube is to keep moist and
cool the surroundings of the candle, and keep the latter in the centre.
In order to save room on a dining-table or the like, a flower-holder or several
ones may be combined with a candelabrum, the flowers rising between the
sconces, also over the reservoirs.
Each shade is to be suitably indented in order to reach lower down than the
reservoir, so as to conceal the latter from sight.
Each candle-lamp may consist of glass, earthenware, or metal. The first two
substances may be selected because they are bad heat-conductors, and glass further-
more on account of its transparency.
·תוי
111
1
12
1000
Improvements in or connected with Candle-holders.
I, WILLIAM GEORGE MACIVY, trading as Hiram; Junior & Co., Engineering
Firm, of No. 1, Knox Street, Marylebone, in the County of London, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment:-
This invention relates to candlesticks, candle-lamps, candelabra, chandeliers in-
tended for the use of candles, candle-brackets, and any other candle-holders used
for lighting purposes, and has for its object a device for keeping the candle-flame
or flames nearly at a constant level, and intensifying the light by way of concen-
tration of Hames and otherwise.
Reference-letters hereinafter refer to drawings appended hereto, throughout
which any part reproduced in several figures is marked by the same reference-
letter is every figure.
The candle in each sconce is made to float vertically in a suitable bath, the liquid
for which is to be selected with regard to its density as compared with the density
of the candle intended to float in it. Water is suitable for the purpose if stearine
candles, or candles of a density approaching that of stearine, are used.
The density of a candle may be adjusted to that of its bath by way of either
fixing the candle to pins rising from, or merely placing the candle upon, a suitable
float. The latter will produce the further result of automatically lifting in due
course the last bit of the burning candle over the top of the sconce.
Fig. I shows a vertical cut of a float suitable for a candle-bath of water, of sheet-
zinc or any less dense metal not easily oxidable, in the shape of a tube open at
both ends, with an air-tight partition marked a at a small distance from the top.
This partition is provided with a spike marked b, upon which the bottom-end of
the candle is to be stuck. There may be several such spikes. The length of a
float is between 30 and 50 per cent. of the length of the candle which the same
float is intended to raise, at about even diameter, according to the density of the
candle.
A one-candle lamp includes a vertical tube for holding the candle, of about the
same length as the candle itself (inclusive of float). Any tube like that just

page_text: "
described is referred to as sconce " hereinafter as well as hereinbefore. The top
of this tube is provided with a ring (indicated by R in Fig. II) or the like for
suitably narrowing the orifice. Fig. V shows a vertical cut of this narrowing
contrivance, the object of which is to allow of using candles of a smaller size
than the bore of the sconce without the possibility for the candle of deviating from
the centre of the sconce. The sides of this narrowing contrivance are to be per-
forated so as not to hamper the free circulation of liquid within the sconce.
The top of the latter is further provided with suitable outer rims for
These rims may
the purpose of supporting a lamp-glass and lamp-shade holder.
consist mainly of a ring pulled over the top of each sconce. In the case of two
sconces coupled together two such rings may be fixed together like the frames of a
pair of eye-glasses.
Fig. II shows a vertical cut of a one-candle lamp. The tube just referred to
as sconce" is marked c. The lamp-shade holder consists of a horizontal dise
marked d, provided with a down-pointing rim widening downwards, and further
provided with a circular. hole marked p for making room for the chimney, and
with hooks marked q and r for supporting the chimney. The legs h and i are held
by the sockets j and k, which may be sunk into the cross-arms f and g (Fig. II)
or may be fixed in bracket-shape to the twin-rings referred to as
paragraph immediately herein before.
rims" in the
In the case of a candle-holder intended to carry several candles, the apparatus
is suitably provided with as many sconces as candles are to be used. These sconces
or part of them may either hang down or rise from suitable hollow arms or
brackets.
Fig. IV, which is a front elevation, shows such a plurality of sconces, namely
two, marked c' and .c", with a similar number of chimneys, marked s and t.
If the substance of the shade or shades is to be paper, asbestos-paper may pre-
ferably be selected for the purpose, in order to prevent danger of fire in the event
of an accident. At any rate the inside of each shade is to be polished. Each
shade may be hinged in such a way to the apparatus that the shade may be given
any inclination for the purpose of directing the reflected light-rays as may be most
convenient. Instead of, or in addition to, a lamp-shade, lateral and top-reflectors
may be fitted to the apparatus for each sconce, in such a way that the position of
the reflectors may be varied.
Fig. IV includes a lamp-shade marked e (which may usefully be fringed so as
to surround the cross-arms), tilted in such a way that the whole light is concen-
trated in front of the apparatus. This shade is not hinged to the latter but merely
rests on the horizontal disc of the shade-holder. This shade is traced in dotted
lines.
A one-candle lamp is provided with a suitably ventilated top-reservoir of bath-
liquid, consisting of a tube (with closed ends) fitted horizontally, crosswise, to the
top (which remains open) of the sconce, so as to give the apparatus the shape of a
rectangular cross. The respective insides of the sconce and reservoir communi-
cate freely with each other. The letters f and g, Fig. II, show both half-lengths
of such a reservoir. The dotted lines in Fig. II and III indicate soldered joints.
The top-reservoir may have the shape of the half of a tube split lengthwise, the
flat side forming the bottom of the reservoir, or it may take any other suitable
shape selected with a view to shorten the vertical dimension of the reservoir.
The horizontal cross-arms may be made to support the shade by means of
uprights fitted to the latter, and descending into small tubes sunk into the cross-
arms and doing at the same time duty as ventilation pipes.
If two candles are intended to be used, the top-reservoir, instead of being
crosswise fitted to the top of each sconce, may be placed horizontally between both
sconces, one (open) end being soldered or otherwise suitably sealed to the open
flank (near the top) of each sconce so that the insides are in communication. In
this case the sconces and top-reservoir from three sides of an imaginary parallelo-
gram of which the fourth (bottom-) side is to be supplied by imagination. Fig. III

page_text: shows a vertical cut of the parts just referred to, c¹ and c being sconces, and f
and g both halves of the top-reservoir common to them.
If four candles are intended to be used, two top-reservoirs may be crossed, or
placed parallely to each other with a hollow connection between them, and thus
fitted to the apparatus, one reservoir-end being sealed to each of the four sconces,
and so on.
As to the intended concentration of the lights issued by any apparatus carrying
two or more candles, it may otherwise be effected than by the help of reflectors-
namely, by a reversal of some parts, carried out as follows: Any top-reservoir
common to a pair of sconces may be cut transversally into halves, one half remain-
ing fixed to each sconce. After the free reservoir-ends have been closed, both
apparatus-halves are again joined together but so that the sconces shall be placed
in the centre, as shown by c' and ", Fig. IV, and the reservoir-halves n.ade to
occupy eccentric positions, as shown by f and g, Fig. IV, that is, projecting hori
zontally outwards. In this way both candle-flames are brought close together
(with a suitable, small space and badly heat-conducting partition between them),
whereby the light issued by the apparatus is concentrated and consequently
intensified.
Any concentrated candle-flames may be put under a single shade, as shown
by e, Fig. IV, which, where necessary, may be made somewhat oblong for the
purpose.
In an apparatus for two or more candles, an upright (1, Fig. IV) rising from a
suitable foot (m, Fig. IV) may be fitted to the centre of the top-reservoir or
reservoirs for supporting the apparatus. This upright consists of two tubes of
which one is made to slide inside the other for the purpose of raising and
lowering respectively the top of the apparatus. A bolt, which may be provided
with a rubber tip, is to be fitted to the outer tube in order to be used for regulating
the height.
Instead of a horizontal reservoir connected with two sconces as aforesaid, the
reservoir may consist, as far as appearance is concerned, of a flower-holder or some
suitable dinner-table centre-piece. In this case the reservoir, apparently inde-
pendent of the lamp or lamps, is placed between or beside them, and connected
with them by some suitable tube placed into such a position as to be easily con-
cealed from sight, and susceptible to be closed by suitably placed stopcocks.
Similar tubing may connect several lamps with each other in order to dispense
with further reservoirs. In Fig. VI the reference-letters y' and y" show tubing
used for the last-mentioned purpose.
ย
"
II
7,111
In the case of a candle-lamp hanging from the ceiling and fitted with several
sconces, hollow brackets for supporting the latter may project from a central
reservoir of suitable shape. Fig. VI and VII are vertical cuts of such a lamp.
These cuts are respectively in vertical plans perpendicular to each other. u is the
reservoir, which consists of a ring-shaped vessel, provided with an inlet in the
shape of a stopcock surmounted by a funnel marked z (Fig. VI).
and v (Fig. VI and VII) show brackets for supporting the sconces c¹, c, c
and CIV. Some more sconces may be fitted to the lamp in the same manner as
the sconces II and c, and connected to that effect with those marked c¹ and
c by horizontal channels like those marked y' and y" in Fig. VI so that there
may be a circle of sconces round about two central sconces. The bracket III in
Fig. VII is provided with a stopcock to which is fitted a small tube marked w
which runs down inside both the bracket and part of the bracket IV for the
purpose of carrying liquid from the reservoir to the sconces c and c in the way
indicated by two arrows in Fig. VI. In a variation the tube u may remain outside
the bracket and reach separately and independently any of the sconces C
and c. If through the brackets and the respective insides of the reservoir.
and sconces communicate with each other, it is useful to provide each of these
brackets too with a stopcock to be closed (like that fitted to the bracket vIII) during
the short time required for filling the reservoir with liquid. The bracket

page_text: in Fig. VII does duty as a ventilating tube which puts the respective tops of the
sconces caud in communication with the top of the reservoir . The lower
orifices or mouths of this ventilating tube, indicated in Fig. VI by two arrows,
reach down a little below the normal level of the respective candle-baths in the
sconces c and II. Without the stopcock z being open no air can penetrate into
the reservoir u except through the ventilating tube v, while even through the
latter air penetrates into the reservoir u from time to time only as the mouths of
the ventilating tube I get clear of the respective candle-baths in the sconces c
and c, which, during and consequent upon the burning of the candles, is a
periodical occurrence incidentally to which liquid flows from the reservoir u into
the sconces and restores the normal level of the respective candle-baths within
them.
"
By imitation of a "Standard oil-lamp" for rising from the floor in the centre
of a gathering in a drawing-room, a Standard candle-lamp" may be constructed
wherein the standard alone from the former is used and given the place of the
foot marked and m in Fig. IV, while a sconce or sconces are provided for in the
usual way according to particulars herein before, with either a cross-reservoir as
shown in Fig. II and IV, or a ring-shaped reservoir as in the case of a ceiling-lamp.
If in the latter case the sconces are reduced to two in number and are placed in a
central position, the Standard-lamp may be provided with chimneys and a shade
as shown in Fig. IV, the ring-shaped reservoir, besides its function as such, doing
duty as a chimney- and shade-carrier.
It may be seen that technically there is no difference between a table-lamp and
a standard-lamp except in the dimensions of the foot which, in the larger lamp,
is called a standard," in the trade.
"
A reservoir in the shape of a bead or moulding may be suitably fitted to the walls
round about a room, for supporting suitable brackets and providing the sconces
fitted to them with the required supply of bath-tiquid. A portable candle-lamp
may be connected with such a reservoir by a rubber tube.
Wherever the level of the reservoir-liquid is placed higher than the top of the
sconce or sconces to which this liquid is to be supplied, provision for regulating
the flow of this liquid is to be made as provided for in the case of a ceiling-lamp.
For the purpose of preventing any candle from sticking laterally to the top
of its sconce, this top may be suitably widened as shown by the reference-letter o in
Fig. II, III, IV, VI, and VII, so as to have a diameter about twice as long as the
diameter of the largest candle to be used therein.
Each candle-lamp may consist of glass, earthenware, or metal. The first two
substances may be selected because they are bad heat-conductors, and glass further-
more on account of its transparency.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a candle-lamp in which the candle or candles are kept each within its
sconce up to about half-an-inch from the candle-top, such as organisation of water-
power or of the levelling power of any other suitable liquid, as will automatically
produce the effect of keeping the candle-flame or flames over the top of the sconce
or sconces, notwithstanding the gradual burning away of the candle or candles;
as shown by drawings and specified.
2. In a candle-lamp in which the candle or candles float in a vertical position
in some suitable liquid, for instance water, with the top of each candle emerging
from its bath. a horizontal top-reservoir which, owing to the cross-like shape of
the whole apparatus, does not intercept any of the lamp-light in an inconvenient
way, although placed at a lower level than that of the candle-flame or flames, and
in due course supplies automatically liquid to the sconce or sconces in such a
quantity that the level of the liquid contained in each sconce shall not incon-

page_text: veniently sink throughout, and notwithstanding, the gradual decrease in volume
of the burning candle; as shown by drawings and specified.
3. In a candle-lamp in which the candle or candles float in a vertical position
in some suitable liquid, for instance water; with the top of each candle emerging
from its bath, a reservoir of a suitable shape according to the intended use of the
apparatus, and placed either at the same level as the top of the sconce or sconces,
or at a higher level than that of any candle-top, for storing liquid intended to
keep automatically the level of the candle-bath or baths at a constant height not-
withstanding the slow consumption and reduction in volume of the candle or
candles for lighting purposes, such a reservoir being suitably connected with the
sconce or sconces for that purpose either by hidden tubing, or by ostensible brackets
conduits, and ventilating tubing as shown by drawings and specified.
4. In a candle-lamp in which the candle or candles, while burning off, are
automatically raised by water-power or by the levelling power of any other suit-
able liquid, a sconce or sconces of which each is made up of two sections of different
diameters namely, a top-section wider than required by the diameter of the
candle and a lower section (which is the longest) with a narrower bore; as shown
by drawings and specified.
5. In a candle-lamp in which the burning candle or candles are in due course
automatically raised by water-power or by the levelling power of any other suit-
able liquid, a float or floats each of which is constructed in such a way that, if
joined to the candle which this float is intended to raise, a mass will thereby be
formed the average density of the part of which that remains after about three
quarters of the candle are consumed, shall thenceforward automatically decrease
approximately at the rate at which the level of the candle-bath will thenceforward
sink consequent upon the gradual burning away of the last quarter of the candle;
as shown by drawings and specified.
6. In a candle-lamp carrying several candles, increase of the intensity of the
aggregate light of the burning candles by way of concentration of the candles
under one lamp-shade: as shown by drawings and specified.
7. In a lamp, a shade-holder for carrying both the chimney or chimneys and a
shade, as shown by drawings and specified.
8. In a candle-lamp the connection of the main body with an extensible foot
as specified.
Dated this 4th day of junct 1000