Improvements in and relating to Firelighters.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 24th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Firelighters.
I, JAMES AYTOUN, of 7, Polwarth Terrace, Edinburgh, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved apparatus for lighting or urging fires, and it
has for its object, utilizing the heat given off by the combustion of oil or gas in a
more effective manner, for this particular purpose, than has yet been done. I attain
this end by providing proper space for the combustion of the gas or vapour, and a
strong draught to supply sufficient air to effect complete combustion.
I take a
I carry my invention into practical effect in the following manner.
"lighter" adapted to burn either oil or gas, if the former it is preferably con-
structed according to my prior Patent No. 18397 of 1888, but the porous block is
provided with a combustion chamber in the top and a series of air holes connecting
the said chamber with the bottom of the block. This block is glazed for about
half its height and the interior of the air holes are also glazed to confine the flame
to the upper part of the block and combustion chamber. As a modification the oil
may be contained in a metallic vessel provided with porous wicks made of brick,
asbestos, or other inflammable substance or material. If gas is used it is burned in
a suitable form of "Bunsen "
r
or Argand" burner. The "lighter" is either
placed in the grate or under it. If the former it is preferably placed in a cage or
carrier of suitable form and construction adapted to facilitate the placing of the
"lighter in the grate, and its removal therefrom, and to keep the coals from
resting on the "lighter" and allow space for the proper admission of air thereto.
If the "lighter" is placed under the grate the wicks or burners are so arranged
that the flames project upwards through the lower bars of the grate. In order to
ensure a sufficient supply of air for complete combustion and a sufficient draught to
efficiently light the coals of the fire, I use a blower consisting of two metallic tubes
or funnels, the one adapted to fit on the top of the grate, and the other under the
grate so as to produce a forced draught. To increase this if desired a plate may be
adapted to fit over and close the front bar of the grate. This plate may form part
of one or both of the tubes or funnels. prefer to make the mouth of the lower
tube or funnel bell shaped and to make a series of small holes round the lower part
of the top tube or funnel to admit jets of air just above the top of the coals and thus
help the combustion of the gases before they rise too far.
By the use of this apparatus the time required to light a fire is much shortened
and the quantity of oil or gas used for the purpose is lessened, thus giving greater
economy both in labour and material.
Dated thi th day of A 1900
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers, 70-72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Firelighters.
I, JAMES AYTOUX, of 7, Polwarth Terrace, Edinburgh, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement —
My invention relates to an improved apparatus for lighting or urging fires, and it

page_text: has for its object, utilizing the heat given off by the combustion of inflammable oils
or liquids in a more effective manner than has yet been done, providing proper
space for the combustion of the gas or vapour arising from the oil or liquid, and
increasing the intensity of the heat by forcing the natural draught.
.
I attain this end by constructing the apparatus intended to carry the inflammable
oil or liquid in such a manner that a suitable combustion chamber is formed in the
top, or in the top and round the sides, of the reservoir or its equivalent, carrying
the inflammable oil or liquid and by the use of a suitable blower or draught
accelerator adapted to fit in the grate and increase or force the natural draught.
I carry my invention into practical effect in the manner illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings in which
Figure 1. and 2. Sheet No. 1 are views in sectional front elevation and plan
respectively of one form of my improved lighter" or burner.
Figure 3. is a view in elevation of another form of my "lighter
Figure 4. Sheet No. 1. is a view showing the said "lighter
in a grate.
or burner, and
or burner in position
Figures 5 and 6 are views in section of a grate showing modified forms of my
lighter or burner in position.
Figures 7. and 8. Sheet No. 2 are views in front elevation and sectional side
elevation respectively of my apparatus adapted for use with a slow combustion
grate.
Figures 9 and 10 Sheet No. 2 are views in front elevation and sectional side
elevation respectively of my apparatus adapted for use with an open bottom barred
grate.
Figures 11 and 12 Sheet No. 3 are views in front elevation and sectional side
elevation respectively of another form of my apparatus adapted for use with the
ordinary grate having an open barred bottom, and
Figures 13 and 14 Sheet No. 3 are views in front elevation and sectional side
elevation respectively, of a modification of my apparatus as adapted for the same
type of grate showing the method of using the "lighter" or burner under instead of
in the grate.
Throughout the several views similar parts are marked with like letters of
reference.
6
The lighter" or burner I prefer to use is of the porous block type as described
in my prior Patent No. 18397 of 1888, but the block is either provided with a
combustion chamber at the top as shown by Figures 1 and 2 Sheet No. 1. and
Figure 10. Sheet No. 2 of the accompanying drawings, or it is contained in, or
covered by a cage or its equivalent which will give sufficient space around the said
block to form a combustion chamber as shown by Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, Sheet No. 1.
Figure 8. Sheet No. 2 and Figures 12 and 14 Sheet No. 3 of the accompanying
drawings, and thus ensure the perfect combustion of the oil or liquid used, which I
find from experience cannot be obtained from a plain block when placed in a grate
and covered with coals, as the said coals rest on and around the block and so
materially impair its efficiency as a burner.
If the lighter or burner is made entirely of earthenware it is preferably made in
the manner shown by Figures 1 and 2 Sheet No. 1 of the accompanying drawings.
The "lighter" or burner consists of a porous block A having a chamber a. formed
in its upper part with suitable bars a', a', etc. or their equivalents over the said
chamber, and a series of air holes a² ² etc. through its bottom. The exterior
surface of this porous block may if desired be glazed to confine the oil or liquid and
cause it to ignite and burn in an upward direction only, but this forms no part of
my invention. As a modification à plain porous block may be used and enclosed
in a suitable cage or its equivalent B as shown by Figures 3. and 4 Sheet No. 1 of
the accompanying drawings, the cage or its equivalent B being of such a size that
it will allow plenty of space for combustion around the porous block A. and keep
the coals from contact therewith. This cage or its equivalent may be made of
glazed earthenware or any other suitable material but it is preferably formed of

page_text: stout metal wire as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and it is preferably
provided with a suitable handle b. for manipulating it and with drawing the
lighter" or burner from the grate after the coals are ignited. The cage B need
not of necessity be made to carry and wholly enclose the porous block, but may be
made of such a shape that it will keep the coals from contact with the porous block
and provide sufficient space above and around it for perfect combustion of the
inflammable oil or liquid.
The blower" or draught accelerator that I use consists of one or two metallic
tubes or funnels C adapted to concentrate and direct the draught on to the
lighter or burner A and through the coals. The number of tubes or funnels
used will depend upon the construction of the grate. For the modern slow com-
bustion grate, one tube or funnel C is used as illustrated by Figures 7 and 8.
Sheet No. 2 of the accompanying drawings, but for the open bottomed barred
grates two tubes or funnels C may be used as illustrated by Figures 11. and 12.
Sheet No. 3 of the accompanying drawings, the one placed above the grate and the
other below it and preferably connected by a plate which covers the front bars
of the grate. This front plate may also be used with a single top tube or funnel C
in an open bottom barred one as shown by Figures 9 and 10 Sheet No. 2 and
Figures 13 and 14. Sheet No. 3 of the accompanying drawings. These tubes or
funnels C are made of a shape and size to fit the grate for which they are intended
and are each provided with suitable handles c. by which they may be handled, and
with suitable airholes c¹ e etc. adapted to admit air just above the coals to assist
in the combustion of the gases before they rise too far.
In open bottomed barred grates I sometimes place the "lighter" or burner under
the grate as shown by Figures 13 and 14. Sheet No. 3 of the accompanying
drawings and when two tubes or funnels are used I adapt the bottom tube or funnel
to carry the porous block as shown in dotted lines in Figure 12 Sheet No. 3 of the
accompanying drawings, the mouth of the said funnel being provided with suitable
bars cc etc. or their equivalent to carry and support the porous block A. In this
case the cage B is dispensed with.
By the use of this apparatus the time required to light a fire is materially
shortened, and the quantity of oil or liquid used is lessened, thus giving greater
economy both in labour and material.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise details of
construction hereinbefore described and shown by the accompanying drawings, but
hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the
spirit and scope of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The improvements in fire-lighters, substantially as herein set forth and
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2nd. In a firelighter adapted to burn inflammable oils or liquids, the improved
construction of porous vessel as herein described and illustrated by Figures 1 and 2
Sheet' No. 1 of the accompanying drawings.
3rd. In a firelighter adapted to burn inflammable oils or liquids, the combination
of the porous block and the cage or its equivalent as and for the purpose herein set
forth and illustrated by Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 Sheet No. 1 of the accompanying
drawings.
4th. A blower or draught accelerator for assisting the ignition of fires in domestic
grates, constructed, arranged, and operat.ag as herein described and illustrated by
Figures 7 and 8 Sheet No. 2 of the accompanying drawings.
5th. A blower or draught accelerator for assisting the ignition of fires in domestic
grates, constructed, arranged, and operating as herein described and illustrated by
Figures 9 and 10, Sheet No. 2, and Figures 13 and 14, Sheet No. 3 of the accom-
panying drawings.

page_text: 6th. A blower or draught accelerator for assisting the ignition of fires in domestic
grates, constructed, arranged, and operating, as herein described and illustrated by
Figures 11 and 12 Sheet No. 3 of the accompanying drawings.
"
22
7th. In a fire-lighter, the combination of the "lighter or burner A, and the
funnel C, combined, arranged, and operating, as and for the purpose set forth.
8th. In a fire-lighter, the combination of the "lighter or burner A, and the
tube or funnel C having a plate C adapted to enclose or cover the front bars of the
grate, as and for the purpose set forth.
9th. In a fire-lighter the combination of the "lighter" or burner A, the cage B
or its equivalent, and the tube or funnel C, all combined, arranged, and operating
as and for the purpose herein set forth.
י:
10th. In a fire-lighter the combination of the "lighter or burner A, the cage B
or its equivalent, and the tube or funnel C having a front plate C₁ adapted to
enclose or cover the front bars of the grate as and for the purpose herein set
forth.
11th. In a fire-lighter the combination of the "lighter" or burner A, the tube or
funnel C adapted to fit above the grate, the tube or funnel C adapted to fit below
the grate, and the plate C¹ adapted to cover the front bars of the grate and connect
the two tubes or funnels together, as and for the purpose set forth.
12th. In a fire-lighter, the combination of the lighter" or burner A, the cage B
or its equivalent, and the double tubes or funnels C and connecting plate C³, all
combined, arranged, and operating as and for the purpose herein set forth.
13th. In a fire-lighter the combination of the double tubes or funnels C, of the
connecting plate C and of the porous block burner A located in the mouth of the
lower tube or funnel C, as herein described and illustrated by Figure 12 Sheet No. 3
of the accompanying drawing.
T1
301
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1
1001
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.