IMPROVEMENTS IM CANDLESTICKS, LAMPS, AND LANTHORNS
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Edward Boyd, of Hither Green, Lewisham,
in the County of Kent, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IM CANDLESTICKS, LAMPS, AND LANTHORNS."
Sealed the 10th June 1859, and dated the 18th December 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Edward Boyd.
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his, Petition, on the
13th December 1858.
I, JAMES EDWARD BOYD, of Hither Green, Lewisham, in the County of
Kent, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CANDLESTICKS, LAMPS, & LANTHORNS," to be as follows:-
purpose
It has long been felt desirable that a candlestick should be,so constructed
as to be economical in its use, cleanly, and capable of burning every particle
of the candle without leaving any grease or other deposit; but the chief
obstacle to this realization has been the clumsy. construction of the candlestick
of the present day, the socket or cylinder of which being made hollow, for the
of acting as a receiver or support to the candle when set up or placed
therein, and in which socket there is a rising spring or slide on which the end
of the candle rests, and which has been moveable up and down as occasion
required, and it is impossible, owing to the necessity for this rising or moveable
spring or slide, to make the socket or cylinder grease or air proof or tight,
and the consequence is that so soon as the candle burns down to the top of
the candle receiver, cylinder, or socket, that becomes heated, causing a percola-

page_text: tion of hot grease to flow down the sides of the cylinder and rising spring or
slide, and deposit itself at the bottom of the candlestick, not only causing a
considerable waste of candle, but producing much more trouble than should
be necessary to cleanse the same. Nor is this the only way in which the
candle is wasted by means of the imperfect candlestick referred to, as in
making a candlestick it has been considered hitherto necessary that the
cylinder socket or receiver should be made sufficiently large to admit freely a
candle of the largest make, say candles of 2, 4, or 6 to the pound; but as in the
generality of cases smaller or thinner candles are used, say, varying from 6 to 8
or 10 in the pound, it is obviously necessary, in order that the candle may be
held firmly in a socket, that a wedge or wrapper, or envelope of paper or other
substance or material be folded or attached to the bottom end of the candle, to
retain it in such a position in the cylinder or socket, that it will not be liable
to shake or fall out when carried. So soon, therefore, as the candle is con-
sumed down to the paper wrapper, that from negligence becomes ignited,
melting the rest of the candle in the socket, unsoldering the tin, destroying
the candlestick, and often causing alarming accidents by fire.
These inconveniences and annoyances I now claim to obviate by the perfect
or cconomic candlestick, which is to be so constructed as to do away with the
sliding spring or riser before referred to, as in the inside of the cylinder or
socket of the old fashioned candlestick; and I also supersede the necessity for
using wedges, paper, or other wrappers or appliances for fixing the candle
therein, for which purposes I propose as follows:-
The adoption of a lifter or other mechanical appliance of iron, tin, copper,
brass, or other metal, or substance, or material so constructed, and contrived,
and applied in a groove or grooves, slot or slots, or any other contrivance
attached to or connected with the candlestick, or detached therefrom at
pleasure, such lifter to pass through the rim or collar, or on the outside or
inside, or other part of the candlestick; and by having on the top, or end, or
other part of such lifter, a round or other turn, bend, ring, rim, spring, or
other arrangement to be capable of alteration with regard to the size of the
candle to be used, so as thereby to embrace, grip, press, or otherwise hold the
candle fast, firm, secure, and steady, in an upright or other necessary position,
such lifter or appliance to be capable of being raised or depressed at pleasure.
I also propose at the same time to arrange the socket or candle receiver, so
as to receive the bottom end of the candle in or upon a spike or spikes, or
other contrivances set into a hollow shallow cup or grease-tight vessel or
receiver, somewhat similar in construction to what is commonly known as a
"save all," but with this distinction, that it will form a part and parcel of the

page_text: candlestick itself, instead of being, as at present, detached, and only available
for use when it is necessary to burn the candle ends therein. But I do not
bind myself to these several methods of accomplishing this purpose, but claim
the right of obtaining all the advantages herein set forth by making it in such
other ways as may from time to time be expedient, and determined by practice
or necessity.
And I hereby declare that I claim this Invention for all descriptions of
candlesticks, lamps, and lanthorns, whether they be made of tin, or any other
metal, or material, or substance, whether lacquered, plated, japanned, painted,
varnished, glazed, coloured, or otherwise.
And I likewise claim the right of appropriating any one or all of the above-
mentioned appliances to any ordinary candlestick to which it may be necessary
to annex the Invention in question, and for which purpose it may or will be
necessary that the socket or candle receiver of all candlesticks be so made as
to be removeable from the candlestick at pleasure, and renewed or substituted
by the application of another socket on my principle, or not, according to
desire; but in either case the upright socket is to be so formed, by having a
screw thread, or slot, or other appliance at the end thereof, for the purpose of
being firmly and securely fastened when appropriated to a candlestick, thereby
enabling any person to remove the sockets of their candlesticks when worn out
or destroyed, and rendering the other portions of the apparatus available for a
much longer period by the substitution of a new socket upon my patent
principle, or otherwise.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Edward Boyd in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 13th June 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
EDWARD BOYD, of Hither Green, Lewisham, in the County of Kent, Gentle-
man, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and, grant. unto me, the
said James Edward Boyd, Her special licence that I, the said James
Edward Boyd, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Jamos Edward Boyd, my executors, administrators, and

page_text: assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CANDLESTICKS, LAMPS, AND LANTHORNS," upon, the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said James Edward Boyd, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
bands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention,. and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Edward Boyd, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
The object of this Invention is as follows:-It has long been felt desirable
that a candlestick, lamp, or lanthorn, should be so constructed as to be safe
and economical in its use, cleanly, and capable of burning every particle of
the candle without leaving any grease or other deposit; but the chief obstacle
to this realization has been the clumsy construction of the ordinary candlestick
hitherto in use, the socket, tube, or cylinder of which has been made hollow
for the purpose of acting as a receiver or support to the candle when set up
or placed thereon, and in which tube or socket there is a rising spring, described
at Figure I, letter A of the Drawing accompanying this, or slide working in
an open slot at the side of the tube or socket, and on the top of which spring
the end of the candle rests, letter B, and which spring has been moveable up
and down as occasion required, according to the consumption of the candle
and the support necessary for holding it; and it is impossible, owing to the
necessity for this rising or moveable spring or slide, to make the tube, or
socket, or cylinder, grease or air proof or tight, and the consequence is, that
so soon as the candle burns down to the cup or top of the candle receiver,
cylinder, tube, or socket, that becomes heated, causing a percolation of hot
grease to flow down the sides of the cylinder, or tube, or socket, or rising
spring or slide, and running out of the socket hole at the side to deposit itself
at the bottom of the candlestick, Figure 3, letters C, D, not only causing a
considerable and extravagant waste of candle, but producing much more
trouble and expense than should be necessary to cleanse and repair the same
were it differently constructed. Nor is this the only way in which the candle
is wasted by means of the imperfect candlestick referred to, as in making a

page_text: candlestick it has been considered hitherto necessary that the cylinder, socket,
tube, or receiver should be made sufficiently large to admit freely a candle of
the largest as well as the smallest size, but as in the generality of cases, from
economical or other motives, the smaller or thinner candles are used, it is
obviously necessary that in order that the candle may be held firmly in the
cylinder, tube, or socket referred to, that the opening between the tube and
side of the candle be filled up by a plug, or wedge, or wrapper, or envelope,
or cover, or spring of metal or of paper, or some other substance or material be
applied or attached to the candle to retain it in such a firm position in the
cylinder, or tube, or socket, that it will not be liable to shake or fall out when
carried, Figure I, letter E; so soon therefore as the candle is consumed down
to the wrapper, supposing it to be paper or other ignitable substance, that
from negligence becomes ignited, melting the candle in the tube or socket,
Figure 3, letter F, and often unsoldering the tin, destroying the candlestick,
and frequently causing alarming accidents by fire; or, if metal or other plugs
are used to support or retain the candle, they are from carelessness or negligence
soon lost, burnt, or destroyed.
These inconveniences and annoyances I now claim to obviate and supersede
by the perfect or economic candlestick, which is to be so constructed as to do
away with the old sliding spring A, Figure I, and I aso supersede the
necessity for using wedges, plugs, paper, or other wrappers or appliances of
whatsoever metal or material they may be composed for fixing the candle
therein; for which purposes I declare that I claim the adoption of a new
description of riser, lifter, supporter, or holder, or some other mechanical
appliances or arrangements, formed of iron, tin, copper, brass, or any other
metal, or material, or substance, so constructed and curved and applied and
to work either inside or outside of the cylinder or tube, and being kept in
position by means of a spring or other contrivance, be secured in a slot, hole,
groove, or by some other arrangement, so that it may either be permanently
attached to or connected with the candlestick or disconnected or detached
therefrom at pleasure or convenience. Such holding riser is not intended to
lift or receive the bottom of the candle, but by having a spring connected
therewith to maintain it firm and steadily, is made to pass through the rim or
neck, or cup, or collar of the apparatus, Figure 2, letter G, or it can be placed
on the outside or inside of the tube or cylinder or any other part of the
candlestick; such holding or supporting riser, Figure 2, letter G, to have one
or more rods or supports, having on the top, or sides, or end, or other part
thereof, a round, oval, or other shaped turn, crank, curve, crook, bend, ring,
rim, spring arm, rod, calliper, pincher, or other arrangement or appliance, or

page_text: contrivance; a few only of such forms are exhibited at Figures 7, 8, 9, 10,
and 11, on the Drawing accompanying this. Such appliances to be capable
of alteration with regard to the size of the candle, if necessary, and to be so
constructed and used as thereby to embrace, clasp, grip, secure, clutch, press,
or otherwise support or hold some portion of the candle fast, firm, secure, and
steady in an upright or other necessary position; the bottom part of the candle
resting on the spike of the candlestick hereafter described, and such riser or
supporter and appliance to be capable of being raised or depressed, as exhibited
at Figures 2 & 4, letters G, G, H, & I, according to the consumption of the
candle, either by a self-acting spring or other contrivance or arrangement.
I claim also at the same time to arrange, substitute, and alter the top end
of the socket or candle receiver J, and so to construct it as to receive the
bottom end of the candle in or upon a spike or some other holdfast or neces-
sary arrangement or contrivance set into a hollow shallow basin, cup, or pan,
or other vessel or receiver, the top of which is somewhat similar in construction
to what is commonly known as a save-all, Figure 5, but with this distinction,
that it will form part and parcel of the candlestick itself, and at the same time
have attached to it the new holding riser, which will pass through a part of
such save-all, Figure 6, instead of being as at present not only unconnected
with any such rising lifter or other appliance for holding the candle, but
detached from the candlestick, and only available for use when it is necessary
to burn the candle ends therein.
I do not bind myself to these several methods of accomplishing this purpose,
but claim the right of obtaining all the advantages herein desired and set
forth, by making it in such other ways as may afford the advantages of the
principle claimed, and from time to time be expedient by practice or necessity,
and I hereby declare that I claim this Invention for all descriptions of candle-
sticks, lamps, and lanthorns, and for all save-alls or other apparatus designed
or intended or capable of being used for the holding or burning of a candle
or candles therein, and whether they be made of tin or any other metal,
earthenware, or material or substance, whether lacquered, gilt, plated, bronzed,
electro-galvanized, japanned, painted, varnished, glazed, coloured, or otherwise
coated or prepared; and I likewise claim the right of appropriating any one
or all of the above mentioned appliances to any ordinary candlesticks, for
instance, by removing the spring A, B, of Figure 1, the apparatus described at
Figure 6 could be substituted.
I also claim that the socket, or tube, or candle receiver, of all candlesticks,
whether upon my construction or otherwise, be so made or altered as to be
capable of having these improvements attached thereto, and of being opened

page_text: at the bottom of the tube or elsewhere for the purpose of repairing or cleansing
the same, and be made applicable for my principle here described by being
removeable from the candlestick at pleasure, and capable of being renewed or
substituted by the application of another socket or supporting riser. The
socket or tube is to be so formed or contrived, if necessary, by having a screw
thread, or groove, or slot, or other contrivance or appliance at the end thereof,
for the purpose of being firmly and securely fastened when appropriated to the
base of the candlestick, and thereby enabling any person to remove any portion
of their candlestick when worn out or destroyed, and. whether upon the con-
struction or shape exhibited in the Drawing accompanying this or not, and
thus rendering the other portions of the apparatus or candlestick available for
a much longer period by the substitution of a new socket upon my patent
principle or otherwise.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention and the ways
and means whereby the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim the
several principles, alterations, arrangements, contrivances, modifications, and
constructions for all candlesticks, lamps, and lanthorns, save-alls or other
vessels or appliances employed in, or used for the purpose of holding, securing,
and using or burning candles therein.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Edward Boyd, have hereunto
set iny hand and seal, this Eleventh day of June, 1859.
JAMES EDWARD BOYD. (L.S.)