Improvements in Means for Holding the Platinum Sponge in Automatic Gas Lighters.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 27th May, 1897-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Holding the Platinum Sponge in
Automatic Gas Lighters.
!
I, HUGO BORCHARDT, of 62 Königgrätzer Strasse Berlin, in the Empire of Germany,
Engineer, 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 :-
Platinum sponges as used in connection with automatic lighters for gas burners.
are as is well known so fragile that heretofore it has been found difficult to produce a
holding means for the same which will securely hold them without injury to the
material.
The object of this invention is to provide a clamping device for platinum sponges
in the form of a spring clamp or holder, the arms of which are arranged to close when
placed on the burner and so securely hold the platinum sponge.
The accompanying drawing represents three forms of clamping device drawn to an
enlarged scale.
Figures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively a side view, a rear view and a cross section of
the head of the igniting burner provided with a clamp made of two flat springs.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are respectively a side view, a rear view and a cross section of a
modification.
Figures 7 and 8 are respectively a front view and a cross section of a further
modification in which three spring wires are employed to hold the platinum sponge.
In the arrangement shown at Figures 1 to 3 the holder consists of two flat springs a
inserted in the socket c provided on the burner b, the ends a¹ of said springs being
thereby caused to grip the igniting sponge & with sufficient power to hold it securely
without causing damage,
The modification shown at Figures 4 to 6 differs from the first mentioned
arrangement by having a clamp constructed of wire instead of flat material. One end
of this wire spring is formed into a ring which is placed over the front of the conical
igniting sponge while the other end of it presses against the back of the sponge. It
is obvious that only little pressure from the spring required to securely hold the
sponge.
e are thin platinum wires which reach from the sponge to the burner so as to
facilitate the ignition as is well known.
In the modification shown at Figures 7 and 8 the platinum sponge is held by
three wires a, one of which presses on the back of it while the other two are bent
semi-circular at the front end and grip round the front part of the platinum sponge.
The form of the spring clamps and the method of fixing them is immaterial so long
as the clamping arms have the necessary spring action and that their ends are adapted
to fit the sponge as far as possible.
It is however necessary to make the socket receiving the tail end of the clamp in
such manner as to produce a slight pressure thereon and thus cause the front ends to
close and grip the platinum sponge. This arrangement of socket in thus producing a
certain amount of friction on the tail end of the clamp, forms a secure connection for
the holder with the burner.
It is to be distinctly understood that in all the forms to be adopted the clamp will

page_text: consist either of two parts as shown in Figures 1 to 3 or of a single part as in
Figures 4 to 6 or of three parts as in Figures 7 and 8; and further the arms of the
clamp may be arranged side by side instead of one behind the other and they may be
carried in the socket either parallel with, or at right angles, or tangential to the burner.
When the clamp is made in two separate parts these parts may either both be held
in the same opening in the socket or each part may be inserted in a separate opening
in such socket.
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. A holder in the form of a clamp for carrying the platinum sponge in automatic
gas lighters, comprising two or more separate or jointed clamping arms adapted to be
secured by their tail end in a socket carried by the burner while their springy free
ends grip the platinum sponge, substantially as herein set forth.
2. The improved means for holding the platinum sponge in automatic gas lighters
substantially as herein set forth.
Dated May 27th 1897.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.