LMPROVEMENT IN SCINTILLATING ATTACHMENTS TO TORCHES, GAS BURNERS, AND TINDER BOXES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Solicitors of Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "LMPROVEMENT IN SCINTILLATING
ATTACHMENTS TO TORCHES, GAS BURNERS, AND TINDER BOXES." A communi-
cation from abroad by William Washington Batchelder, of the City of New
York, United States of America, Engineer.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Herbert John Haddan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th May 1879.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENT IN SCINTILLATING ATTACHMENTS TO TORCHES, GAS BURNERS, AND TINDER
Box ES." A communication from abroad by William Washington Batchelder, of the
City of New York, United States of America, Engineer.
The first part of this Invention relates to an improved instrument for lighting
gas, which may be termed scintillating torch, its object being to provide a reliable,
safe, handy, and cheap device, by means of which the gas may be turned on and
ignited at the burners of a chandelier or bracket out of ready reach by hand. To
this end the Invention consists in the combination of a suitable casing of two or
more separate substances or compounds, which will not explode when separate, but
will burn violently or explode when mixed or brought into contact with each other
and rubbed or otherwise mechanically acted upon, and which may be termed
scintillating substances, a suitable scraper or device for accomplishing such mixing
and ignition of said scintillating substances, a suitable handle supporting said
casing, and mechanism connected to said handle, and adapted to actuate the device
for igniting or exploding the scintillating substances; also in the combination with
the handle the casing which contains the scintillating substance, and the mechanism
for igniting or exploding the same, of mechanism for feeding said scintillating sub-
stances towards the scraper or other equivalent device; further, in the combination
with the handle and its scintillating attachments of a bell mouthed slotted gas
conductor to carry the gas issuing from the burner over the casing containing the
scintillating substances; also in a certain combination of parts constituting the
[Price B1

page_text: operating parts of the casing, as hereinafter more fully described. The second part
of my Invention relates to an improved attachment to gas burners, its object being
to furnish an economical, safe, and effective device, which may be automatically
operated by the act of turning on the gas to ignite it, thus dispensing with the
danger attendant with the use of matches. Said Invention consists in the com-
bination in a suitable casing of two or more separate substances or compounds,
which will not explode when separated, but will burn violently or explode when
mixed or brought in contact with each other and rubbed or otherwise mechani-
cally acted upon, and which may be termed the scintillating substances, a scraper
or other suitable device for accomplishing such mixing and ignition of said scin-
tillating substances, and a gas burner, to which the casing containing the scin-
tillating substances is attached, so that when the gas is turned on and the scraper
is caused to act on the scintillating substances, the gas issuing from the burner is
ignited; further, in the combination with the casing containing the scintillating
substance, the scraper which serves to mix and explode said substances with the
burner and the gas cock which serves to turn on the gas, of a suitable mechanism,
which causes the scraper to move automatically when the gas is turned on, and by
the flash of the scintillating substances produced by the action of the scraper the
gas is ignited; also in an arrangement of devices, by means of which when the gas
cock is turned the igniting devices above referred to are operated and the flash is
produced simultaneously with the turning on of the gas; further, in the combina-
tion of devices in connection with the casing and scintillating substances above
referred to, whereby the mechanism for feeding or advancing and fixing said sub-
stances may be operated independently of the gas cock. The third part of this
Invention has for its object to provide a cheap and reliable device that may be con-
veniently carried about the person with perfect safety, and by which a light may
be produced at a moment's notice without trouble, which will continue to burn as
may be desired, and which is not liable to be extinguished by wind or rain. This
part of the Invention consists in the combination of a suitable casing containing
two or more separate substances or compounds which will not explode when
separate, but will burn violently or explode when mixed or brought in contact with
each other, and rubbed or otherwise mechanically acted upon, and which may be
termed the scintillating substances, and with a scraper or other equivalent device
adapted to act upon the scintillating substances, and with a case containing a
tinder cord and mechanism for moving this tinder cord out from or back into its
case, so that if this tinder cord is moved out and the scraper or equivalent device is
operated the explosion produced by the action of the scrapor on the scintillating
substance will instantly ignite the tinder cord, while by moving this tinder cord
back into its case the combustion can be readily checked. With the casing con-
taining the scintillating substances, the scraper, and the case containing the tinder
cord is also combined a mechanism for feeding tho scintillating substances forward
to enable the scraper to act thereon until they are exhausted. The case containing
the tinder cord is convolute, and it contains two concave discs, which are roughened
on their inner surfaces, and between which the tinder cord is compressed, and an
arbor for revolving said concave discs, so that the tinder cord when drawn in winds
up in a spiral or convolute form, and that the operation of moving the tinder cord
in or out is easily accomplished. The mouth of the convolute case is provided
with a door or slide, so that the tinder cord can be readily extinguished when it is
desirable. The first part of this Invention is illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings by Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, in which Figure 1 represents sectional side
elevation of my scintillating torch; Figure 2 is a vertical section of the casing con-
taining the scintillating substances, the plane of section being indicated by the
line, x, Figure 1; Figure 3 is a transverse section in the plane y, y, Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a similar section in the plane 2, 2, Figure 2. Similar letters indicate
corresponding parts. In these Drawings the letter A designates a casing made of
sheet metal or any other suitable material, and provided with two chambers a, b,
(Figure 4) intended to receive the scintillating substances. These substances are

page_text: formed into sticks adapted to fit said chambers, and one of these sticks is composed
of chlorate of potash or other equivalent material mixed with sufficient clay or
other material to hold it in shape, while the other stick is composed of amorphous
phosphorus and clay. The two chambers of the casing are separated from each
other by a partition c (Figure 4), and its lower part contains a follower d, which is
slotted so that it can straddle the partition c, and which engages with a feed screwe
that revolves in a stationary bearing f, but is not permitted to move in the direction
of its length. By turning this screw in the proper direction therefore the follower d
is caused to act on the scintillating sticks, and to push the same forward in their
respective chambers. Said casing is firmly secured to a tube B, which extends
from a handle C, and forms the bearings for a rock shaft D, which is situated in
its interior, as shewn in Figure 1. On the upper end of this rock shaft is
firmly secured a scraper g, and to its lower ond is secured a spiral spring h which
has a tendency to throw the same together with its scraper in the position shown
in Figure 3. The motion of the rock shaft is produced by a tappet wheel E which
is mounted on a pin i projecting from the tube B, and it is placed in such a position
that it can be conveniently operated by a finger of the hand which grasps the
handle C. When the tappet wheel is revolved it acts upon a pin ; which projects
from the side of the rockshaft D through a slot in the tube B, and the rockshaft is
turned until the arm of the tappet wheel passes said pin, when the rock shaft is
released and thrown rapidly back to its original position by the action of the spring h.
During this backward motion of the rock shaft the scraper brings a portion of the
chlorate of potash and of the amorphous phosphorus in contact with each other and
explodes the mixture. From the rockshaft D projects a spring pawl k through a
slot in the tube B, and when the rock shaft is turned forward this spring pawl acts
upon a ratchet wheel secured to the end of the feed screw e, so as to produco the
required feed motion of the scintillating substances. On the outer end of the tube B
is secured a wrench F for opening the gas cocks which cannot conveniently be
reached by hand, and after a gas cock has been opened the gas can be conveniently
lighted by bringing the open end of the case A in close proximity to the tip of the
burners and imparting motion to the rock shaft D. The flash produced by the
explosion of the scintillating substances instantly ignites the gas. In order to make
my scintillating torch available for gas burners surrounded by globes or shades I
apply to the tube B a bell shaped gas conductor C, which is provided with
apertures m in its bell, and with slots n in its shank. It is secured to the tube B
close over the casing A, and is provided with a hole o to allow the flash of the
scintillating substances when the same are exploded to strike the gas. By the
apertures m and slot n the gas which emanates from the gas burner is mixed with
air, and if this mixture is ignited by the flash of the scintillating substances tho
gas issuing from the learner is ignited without fail. For gas burners without a
globe or shade this gas conductor is not required. In order to prevent sparks from
dropping down from the scintillating substances a suitable shield may be applied to
the top of the casing A. It is obvious that the mechanism for operating the scraper
and for producing the feed motion of the scintillating substances can be modified in
various ways without departing from my Invention, and I do not therefore wish to
confine myself to the precise form and construction of the scintillating torch as
above described, but I reserve to myself the right to change such construction as
may be desirable. The second part of this Invention is illustrated in the accom-
panying Drawings by Figures 5 to 9 inclusive, in which Figure 5 represents an
elevation of a gas burner showing the scintillating attachment in position. Figure
6 is a top view thereof. Figure 7 is a vertical section of the scintillating attachment.
Figure 8 is a transverse section of the same. Figure 9 is a bottom view of the
same. Similar letters indicate corresponding parts. In these Figures the letter A
designates a casing made of metal or any other suitable material, and provided with
two chambers a, b, (Figure 8) intended to receive the scintillating substances.
These substances are formed into sticks adapted to fit said chambers, and one of
these sticks is composed of chlorate of potash or other equivalent material mixed

page_text: with sufficient clay or other material to hold it in shape, while the other stick is
composed of amorphous phosphorus and clay. The two chambers of the casing are
separated from each other by a partition c, but each of them opens into a third
chamber which contains a follower d provided with wings which extend into the
chambers a, b, beneath the scintillating sticks. Said follower engages with a feed
screw e that revolves in fixed bearings (Figure 3), but is not permitted to move in
the direction of its length. By turning this screw in the proper direction therefore
the follower d is caused to act on the scintillating sticks, and to push the same
forward in their respective chambers. The case A is provided with lugs p, p, which
form the bearings for a rock shaft D, to the upper end of which is firmly secured a
scraper g in such a position that the same when the rock shaft is turned acts on
those portions of the scintillating sticks which project from the casing A. A spiral
spring which acts on the rock shaft D has a tendency to retain the scraper
in its state of rest clear of the scintillating sticks. The tension of the
spring can be regulated by a suitable clutch connection
or in any
desirable manner. On the lower end of the rock shaft D is secured a
curved arm ao which is provided with a pawl k pivoted to said arm, and
with a spring bo secured to the arm and bearing on the pawl, so as to throw
said pawl in gear with the ratchet wheel mounted on the feed screw 6 and
advance said ratchet wheel as the pawl travels in one direction and slip back
thereon when it is travelling in the opposite direction, and thus rotate the feed screw
to advance the scintillating sticks at each movement of the arm a°. This arm is
provided with an extension a* which serves to operate the same by hand. The
casing A is firmly secured to a gas burner A°, to which gas is admitted by means
of a stopcock B°, the plug of which is provided with tappet arms B*, which serve
to engage and trip the arm a°, and to oscillate the rockshaft D and scraper g
automatically when the gas is turned on. If the gas cock is at such a distance from
the burner, however, that the tappet arms B* cannot be applied so as to act on the
arm aº, then this arm is moved by hand after the gas has been let on, or another
mechanism may be substituted for said tappet arms. Upon turning the cock to let
on the gas and moving the arm aº, the pawl k is thrown in gear with the ratchet
wheel, thereby rotating the feed screw e, so as to advance and project the scintil-
lating stick slightly from their respective chambers. As soon as the arm a° is
released, the spring on the rock shaft throws this shaft together with the
scraper suddenly back across the projecting ends of the scintillating sticks,
bringing the two substances into frictional contact, igniting them and lighting the
gas. The follower d is retracted to insert fresh sticks by turning the screw e in a
reverse direction by means of a milled head on its end. The third part of this
Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings by Figures 10 to 13
inclusive, in which Figure 10 represents a sectional front view. Figure 11 is a top
view. Figure 12 is a horizontal section in the plane a, a, Figure 10. Figure 13 is
a vertical section in the plane y, y, Figure 10. Similar letters indicate corresponding
parts. In this Drawing, the letter A designates a casing made of sheet metal or
any other suitable material provided with two chambers a, b, (Figures 11 and 12)
intended to receive the scintillating substances. These substances are formed into
sticks adapted to fit said chambers, and one of the sticks is composed of chlorate of
potash or other equivalent material mixed with a sufficient quantity of clay or
other material to hold it in shape, while the other stick is composed of amorphous
phosphorus and clay. The two chambers of the casing are separated from each
other by a partition c (Figure 12), and its lower part contains a follower & which
is slotted so that it can straddle the partition, and which engages with the feed
screw e that revolves in a stationary bearing f (Figure 13), but is not permitted to
move in the direction of its length. By turning this screw in the proper direction,
therefore, the follower d is caused to act on the scintillating stick and push the
same forward in their respective chambers. The casing A is provided with lugs
P. 2, which form the bearings for a rockshaft D, to the upper end of which is firmly
secured a scraper g in such a position that when it is turned it acts on those
-

page_text: portions of the scintillating sticks which project from the casing A. A spiral spring
h which acts on the rockshaft D has a tendency to retain the scraper g in the
position shown in Figure 11. The casing A, which contains the scintillating sticks,
is firmly secured to a case H which contains the tinder cord I. This case is inado
convolute in form, and it is provided with a mouth q which is situated close to the
side of the casing A as shewn in Figure 10. A suitable door or slider serves to
open and close the mouth q. The tinder cord I is situated between two concave
discs 8, 8, (Figure 12), which are roughened on their inner surfaces, and mounted on
an arbor t that has its bearing in one of the heads of the case H, and is provided
with a ring or finger piece u which serves to impart to the same a revolving
motion. The concave discs 8, 8, are held in contact with the tinder cord by a
spring v, and by turning the arbor in one direction the tinder cord is drawn in so
that it arranges itself in a convolute coil in the interior of the case H. When the
door or slider is opened, and the arbor t is turned in the proper direction, the
outer end of the tinder cord is caused to project from the mouth q, and by
turning the scraper g over the projecting ends of the scintillating sticks, and
allowing the sanie to fly back to its original position, a portion of the scintil-
lating substances is mixed and exploded, and the flash produced by this
explosion ignites the tinder cord. In order to extinguish the tinder cord,
its burning end is moved back into the case H, the slide 7 is closed, and
by turning the arbor t the burning end of the tinder cord is pressed against
the slide, and thereby it is extinguished without fail, so that the whole device
can be carried safely in the pocket. On the rockshaft D is secured a spring
pawl k, and if the rockshaft is turned the pawl engages with a ratchet wheel
mounted on the feed screw e, so that for each forward motion of the scraper the
scintillating sticks are fed forward ready to be acted upon by the scraper during its
back stroke. By these means a simple device is obtained which can be used with
great advantage by smokers for lighting their pipes or cigars, and which may also
be used for many other purposes where it is desirable to produce a light, particularly
in the open air. Claims.-Relating to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, I claim,-1. The com-
bination in a suitable casing of two or more separate substances or compounds
which will not explode when separate, but will burn violently or explode when
mixed or brought in contact with each other and rubbed or otherwise mechanically
acted upon, and which may be termed scintillating substances, a suitable scraper or
device for accomplishing such mixing and ignition of said scintillating substances, a
suitable handle for supporting said casing and mechanism connected to said handlo
and adapted to actuate the device for igniting or exploding the scintillating
substances, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein shown and
described. 2. The combination with the handle, the casing which contains the
scintillating substances, and the mechanism for igniting or exploding the same, of
mechanism for feeding said scintillating substances toward the scraper or equivalent
device, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 3. The combination with the
handle C of a hollow rod or tube which supports the casing containing the scintil-
lating substances, a rockshaft which has its bearings in the interior of said tube and
is subjected to the action of a spring, a pin projecting from said rockshaft through a
slot in the tube, a tappet wheel adapted to be operated by a finger of the hand
which grasps the handle and to act on said pin, and a scraper connected to the rock
shaft and adapted to sweep over the open end of the casing containing the scintil-
lating substances, all constructed and adapted to operate substantially as shown and
described. 4. The combination with the casing A, handle C, tube B, rockshaft D,
and scraper g of a follower fitting the case A, a feed screw engaging with said
follower, a ratchet wheel secured on the feed screw, and a pawl attached to the
rockshaft and adapted to engage with the ratchet wheel, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth. 5. The combination with the handle and its scintillating
attachments of a bell mouthed slotted gas conductor, substantially as and for the
purpose shewn and described. Relating to Figures 5 to 9 inclusive, I claim,—6.
The combination in a suitable casing of two or more separate substances or com-

page_text: pounds which will not explode when separated, but will burn violently or explode
when mixed or brought in contact with each other and rubbed or otherwise
mechanically acted upon, and which may be termed the scintillating substances, a
scraper or other suitable device for accomplishing such mixing and ignition of said
scintillating substances, and a gas burner to which the casing containing the
scintillating substances is attached, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. The combination with the casing containing the scintillating substances, the
scraper which serves to mix and explode said substances, and with the gas cock
which serves to turn on the gas, of suitable mechanism which causes the scraper to
be moved automatically when the gas cock is turned, substantially as shown and
described. 8. The combination with the casing containing the scintillating
substances, the scraper which serves to mix and explode said substances, the gas
cock which serves to turn on the gas and the follower which acts on the scintillating
sticks of mechanism for advancing said sticks automatically whenever the gas is
turned on and the scraper caused to act on the scintillating sticks, substantially as
set forth. 9. The combination with the casing containing the scintillating
substances, the scraper which serves to mix and explode said substances, the gas
cock which serves to turn on the gas and the follower which acts on the scintillating
sticks, of tappet arms projecting from the plug or handle of the gas cock and a lever
pawl connected to the rockshaft which carries the scraper, all constructed and
adapted to operate substantially as shown and described. Relating to Figures 10
to 13 inclusive, I claim,-10. The combination of a suitable casing containing two
or more separate substances or compounds which will not explode when separate
but will burn violently or explode when mixed or brought in contact with each
other and rubbed or otherwise mechanically acted upon, and which may be termed
the scintillating substances, with a scraper or other equivalent device adapted to act
upon the scintillating substances, and with a case containing a tinder cord and
mechanism for moving this tinder cord out from or back into its case, all constructed
and adapted to operate substantially as and for the purpose shewn and described.
11. The combination with the casing containing the scintillating substances with
the scraper and the case containing the tinder cord, of a mechanism for feeding the
scintillating substances forward for each stroke of the scraper, substantially as and
for the purposo set forth. 12. The combination with the convolute case H and
with the tinder cord contained therein of two concave discs between which the
tinder cord is compressed and an arbor for revolving said concave discs, substantially
as and for the purpose described. 13. The combination with the convolute case й
and with the concave discs between which the tinder cord is compressed and which
are adapted to be turned in either direction, of a slide or door for opening or closing
the mouth of the case, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of May, A.D. 1879.