IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS AND IN LIGHTING
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
BUSH, of Great Tower Street, in the City of London, Civil Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Fourth day of July,.
One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, in the thirteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Bush, my exors, adññors, and assigns, Her especial
license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said William
Bush, my exors, adñññors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Bush, my exors, adññors, 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
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the Islands of
Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her said Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS
AND IN LIGHTING," partly communicated to me by a Foreigner residing abroad;
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said William
Bush, should cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of

page_text: Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Bush, hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascer-
tained in and by the present Specification thereof, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:-
Firstly, my Invention has for its object various improvements in the
construction of the reflectors to be used in connection with oil lamps, spirit
lamps, candle lamps, and gas burners.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a gas burner fitted with two reflectors
A, A, embodying the chief of these improvements. These reflectors are cast
or ground or bent, or partly cast or bent and partly ground to a parabolic
form, and are either silvered at the back, according to the process for which
Letters Patent were granted to one Thomas Drayton on the Fourth
December, One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, or according to any
other known process or means by which the silvering may be prevented from
running at the high temperature which other kinds of reflectors placed in such
close proximity to the burners are likely to acquire; or, instead of silvering the
backs of the reflectors, they may be quicked, as it is technically termed, with
lead, or with a mixture of lead and tin, or lead and zinc, or other metals or
alloys of metals; all of which mixtures will withstand any degree of heat to
which such reflectors are likely to be exposed. B is the burner which
occupies the intermediate space between the two reflectors, and C a glass
chimney which prevents the flame from coming in contact with the upper
reflector and carries off the products of combustion. The dotted lines in this
Figure indicate the direction of the rays of light.
Figure 2 shews the application of one of these reflectors to a table lamp.
A is the globe or shade; B the reflector.
Figure 2 shews its application to a railway lamp.
Figure 3 is an elevation of an outside shop window lamp with a reflector of
the above description. A, A, is the metal case of the lamp. B is a reflector,
which is of a straight form to the level of the burner, but of a parabolic
C is
curvature in the upper part, on which the rays of light impinge.
the chimney glass, which passes through a hole cut in the reflector and
case.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section of a railway signal post, fitted with four
lamps C, C, C, C, and four parabolic reflectors W, R, G, B, all silvered or

page_text: quicked on the back, as aforesaid.
One of these is made of plain white glass,
the others are coloured, say blue, red, and green. A lamp with reflectors of
this sort will give a much stronger coloured light by reflection than when the
light is transmitted as usual through a coloured lens.
Figure 5 is an elevation, partly in section, of a street or other lamp fitted
with a double parabolic reflector of the description aforesaid. In each division
of the lamp, A represents the glass silvered or quicked; B, the metal case or
frame; C, the gas burner; D, the chimney glass which encloses the flame of.
the burner and carries off the products of combustion, which glass is carried
upwards through an aperture.in the reflector, as in the cases before described.
Sometimes I add to reflectors of this sort flat deflectors E, E, formed of two.
pieces a and b. Each of these pieces is first silvered or quicked on one side,
and the two pieces so prepared are then joined together, with the metallic
surfaces placed in contact; afterwards they are attached to the frame by thin
metal ribs F, F. The space G, G, between the silvered surface of the glass
and the frame B is filled in with plaster of Paris.
Figure 6 is a sectional plan of a ship's signal lantern fitted with transparent
and colored glass reflectors, silvered or quicked as aforesaid, but differing in
this from the reflectors before described, that in this case the reflectors
are moveable, which admits of a reflector of one color being readily substi-
tuted for a reflector of a different color. A is one of the reflectors; B, the
lamp; C, C, the frame; D, D, guides to which it is slung when hoisted to
the masthead of the vessel. E is the oil cistern, and F the front glass
and frame.
Figure 7 is a plan of a lighthouse lantern. A is a central reflector, which
is made of a hollow cylinder of transparent or colored glass, silvered or
quicked as aforesaid on the inside, and cut on its outer surface in the manner
represented in the section, Figure 8. B, B, are the burners of the lamps;
C, C, upright deflectors which occupy the space immediately in front of the
lamps, and which are prepared by being quicked or silvered on their sur
faces a, a, a, which are brought into contact, and are in this respect similar to.
the flat deflectors in the lamp shewn in Figure 5. Sometimes, instead of
these flat deflectors, I employ the prismatical deflectors D, D, which are.
also silvered or quicked on the surfaces b, b, b, in the same way as the
deflectors C, C. Another exemplification of the application of prismatical.
deflectors is given in the ship's signal lamp shewn in Figure. 6, and before
described.
Figure 9 is a horizontal section, and Figure 10 a vertical section, of a
reflector formed of these silvered or quicked prisms. A, A, are the prisms;.

page_text: B, B, the frame by which they are bound together.
silvered surfaces.
a, a, a, a, are the
Figure 11 is an elevation of a gas burner fitted with a reflector composed
of several lunette-shaped ribs A, A. Each rib is formed of two picces joined
by an intermediate surface, silvered or quicked as aforesaid, and the whole set
of lunette-shaped ribs are joined together by the rings B, B.
Figure 12 is a sectional elevation of a conical reflector for a ship's bow or
stern. It may be made of transparent or of colored glass, silvered or quicked
on the outer surface as aforesaid. A is the reflector; B, the lamp, which,
together with the back reflector C, slips over the inner end of the reflector A.
When colored glass is employed, then a colored light will be reflected; and I
should prefer that à clear light should be always exhibited on the starboard bow
or quarter, and a colored.one on the larboard bow. or quarter,' or vice versa,
according to the rules laid down by the Admiralty and Trinity Boards, which
would clearly mark the course of the vessel to any other vessel.
Figure 13 is a section of a ship's deck light and reflector. It is formed of
prisms of glass silvered or quicked as aforesaid on the surfaces a, a, and united
together similar to the prismatical deflectors in Figure 7. This light and
reflector is applicable for cellars and other such places.
Figure 14 is a sectional elevation of a conical reflector, one half of the
exterior surface of which is silvered or quicked as aforesaid, and the other
half is left either plain or ground with an obscure surface. A, A, is the
silvered, and B, B, the plain portion of it. Glass reflectors of any pattern
may be treated in this manner, and a greater or lesser portion of the surface
may be coated with the metal, according to the purposes to which they are
applied. Such reflectors will be particularly well suited for reading and
counting-house lamps.
Figure 15 is an elevation of a chandalier, shewing the application of my
silvered parabolic and other glass reflectors to the purpose of giving greater
brilliancy and effect, by the dispersion and reflection of the lights employed.
A is the glass parobolic reflector, which occupies the position generally
assigned to ornamental glasses. Sometimes I silver the colored and uncolored
ornamental glasses now employed in the construction of chandaliers on their
interior surface, so that, although not calculated to form reflectors capable of
throwing the light on any particular spot, they may yet give great effect
and beauty by throwing off the light in numerous divergent lines; and, for
the more completely bringing this to bear, the chains or rods by which
chandaliers are commonly suspended, and the pieces of them bound together,
may be covered with glass reflectors made of hollow tubes, balls, or other

page_text: hollow figures, silvered inside, as exemplified at B, B. These ornamental
reflectors may be made of colored glass, and so give greater variety to the
reflected lights.
Secondly, my Invention consists in forming the pillars of lamps of reflecting
surfaces, produced by forming them of tubes or plates of glass silvered or
quicked at the back as aforesaid, and exemplified in Figure 2, which is an
elevation of a candle lamp formed in this way. A is the pillar, which is
fluted. B' is the capital, which may be either made of glass or of metal, and
forms the stage or gallery for supporting the globe or moon glass A. B is a
parabolic glass reflector, silvered or quicked as aforesaid on the inside
surface a, a, by which it reflects the light downwards. E is a cap, also
made of glass, silvered or quicked as aforesaid on the inside, which serves to
reflect the light. The air necessary for maintaining the combustion of the
lamp is admitted through the flutes, between the top of the column and
the capital B. Instead of the lamp pillar being fluted, it may be of any
other form or kind of surface preferred. These pillars may also be made
wholly or partly of colored glass, in which case they would reflect light of the
same color or colors.
Thirdly, my Invention consists in the application of silvered reflectors to an
apparatus for preserving property in cases of shipwreck, and thereby to render
the apparatus more readily visible when floating on the surface of the deep.
Figure 16 is a sectional elevation of this marine preserver. A is a hollow
hemispherical case which is fitted inside with a compartment B for holding the
ship's log book. C, C, are other compartments for letters or other articles of
value. D is a cover which screws tightly upon the vessel A, and is covered
with a glass reflector E, E, which is silvered on its inner surface. F is a
weight which keeps the apparatus floating in a proper position with the light
reflecting surface exposed to view. G is a signal. H, H, is a buffer ring of
vulcanized caoutchouc, which is intended to prevent the apparatus from injury
by being dashed against rocks or other hard bodies.
..
Fourthly, my Invention consists in certain improvement.in lamps.
Figure 17 of the Drawings is a sectional elevation of the internal parts of a
pillar, table lamp embodying these improvements. A, A, is an outer casing.
B, B, an inner case forming the reservoir for the oil. C, the air tube, and D
.the burner in which the wick is raised by means of a rack and pinion E,
similarly for those ordinarily employed for that purpose. F is a piston which
forms a bottom to the reservoir B, and is pressed up by the action of a wooden
float G, which is immersed in a vessel H containing mercury. The float G
has a rod I attached to it, which rod passes through a stuffing box, and carries

page_text: at its upper end three other rods k,k; (only two-of-these rods-are-seen in the
Drawing). The reservoir B, B, is filled with oil by unscrewing the burner,
and when filled the piston is at the lower end. When put into its place in
this state the rods k, k, are pressed down, which causes the float G to sink in
the mercury in H. The bouyancy of the float produces a constant upward
pressure upon the piston, and makes the oil flow up to the burner through the
tap L, by which the feeding in of the oil to the wick is regulated. Any oil
which
may escape over the burner flows into the compartment M, M, through
small holes formed at a, a. This lamp may be put into a glass pillar, and
fitted up in the manner represented in Figure 2.
Figure 18 is a sectional elevation of the pillar of another lamp, which may
be used for burning oil and also solid fatty substances. A, A, is the outer
case. B, B, the chamber for holding either the oil or fat, as the case may be.
C, C, are air tubes for supplying air to the interior of the flame. D, D, is the
piston which is forced upward by a helical spring E, E, interposed between
the bottom of the case A, A, and the piston F, F. The connection between
the pistons D and F is effected by the rods G, G. I is a conical burner into
which the wick is placed. The oil or melted fat is supplied to the wick
through a regulating tap I. a, a, are holes by which any overflow of oil or fat
that may escape from the burners is admitted into the annular chamber K, K.
To charge this lamp with either oil or fatty substances the burner H is
unscrewed; the case B, B, being taken out of its place. When oil is used it
is simply poured into the vessel, and the burner again screwed into its place;
but if tallow, or any fatty substance which is solid at the common temperature
of the atmosphere, is to be employed, then they must be moulded previously
into the form represented in Figure 19 (a plan), and in Figure 20 (a longi-
tudinal section), on the line a, b, of Figure 19.
Figure 21 is a longitudinal section of the interior of a pillar lamp, suitable for
burning any fatty substance, which, if solid, is previously moulded into a hollow
cylinder of the size suitable for the lamp, being in this respect nearly similar to
the hollow cylinder represented in Figures 19 and 20. A, A, is an outer
case. B, B, the cistern containing the tallow or fatty substance. C, C, the air
tube. D, D, a piston, which is raised by means of a screw E, E, formed on the
exterior surface of the lower end of the air tube C. F, F, is a floating burner
into which there are fitted a series of wicks a, a, a. The raising of the
piston D and the fatty substance is effected by the application of the hand
to the milled ring G, so as to turn round the inner case II, HI, within the
outer one, and thereby cause the tube I, I, and the nut K, K, which is
screwed on its inner surface, so as to fit upon the screwed portion of the air

page_text: tube, to turn round and screw up the piston. The connection between the
inner tube H, H, and the nut K, K, is effected by the cross pieces L, L, the
ends of which take into slots formed vertically in the sides of the tube H,
in which slots they slide freely up and down.
Figure 8 is a vertical section of a compound candle lamp. Figure
22 is a cross section on the line a, b, of Figure 8; and Figure 23
shews the lamp in its complete state. A, A, is an outer case; B, B, an
inner case or air tube; C, C, candle cases; D, a reflector, which occupies.
a space in the centre of the ring of lights, and dips more or less within that
ring. The space between A and B is filled with water, and the rising of the
candles in their different cases is produced by helical springs interposed
between the candles and the bottom of the case in the usual manner.
The
case represented in Figure 8 is, when charged, simply dropped into a vase, as
in Figure 23, or into a stand or pillar of any other form.
Figure 24 is an external elevation of the top part of a candle-holder, in
which the object aimed at has been to insure the complete consumption of the
candle. A is the top of the pillar, which has several spirals a, a, cut upon it.
B is the candle socket which fits upon A, and is attached to it by a pin or pins
taking into the spirals a, a. When the candle is nearly burnt out, then the
socket may be screwed down upon the pillar, which leaves the remainder of
the candle exposed and free to be completely burnt out.
Figure 25 shews the section of the bottom of a candlestick fitted with
other arrangements, for effecting a similar object to the preceding. A is a
rod which is screwed at its lower end, but at top is fixed to the bottom of the
candle socket; B is a nut formed in the lower end of the pillar; and D a
milled head by which the rod, socket bottom, and candle may be screwed up
at pleasure.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that the improvements which I
claim as constituting my said Invention are as follows:-
First, I claim the employment in connection with spirit lamps, oil lamps,
candle lamps, gas burners, and other instruments or apparatuses for lighting of
reflectors composed of parabolic plates of glass silvered or quicked at the
back by any process or processes, whereby the silvering or quicking is pre-
vented from running at high temperatures, as before exemplified and described.
Second, I claim the employment of reflectors made of plates of colored
glass, silvered or quicked as aforesaid.
Third, I claim the employment in connection with lamps and other instru-
ments and apparatuses for lighting of glass reflectors, silvered or quicked as

page_text: aforesaid at the back, and dipping more or less within the ring-of-flame,
whether that ring is composed of one body of flame or of a number of flames
arranged in a circle, as before exemplified and described.
Fourth, I claim the several improved forms of lamps represented in Figures
28, 17, 18, 21, & 23, and before described.
Fifth, I claim the employment in lamps and other lighting apparatuses and
instruments, of pillars, pedestals, or standards formed of hollow glass, and
silvered or quicked at the back as aforesaid.
Sixth, I claim the making of candles of the peculiar arrangement of parts
represented in Figures 19 & 20, and before described.
Seventh, I claim the floating marine preserver represented in Figure 16,
and before described.
Eighth, the partial covering of conical reflectors with silvering or quicking.
Ninth, I claim the deck light represented in Figure 13, and before
described; and,
Tenth, I claim the construction of chandeliers of hollow pieces, silvered or
quicked as aforesaid.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Bush, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty.