IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR THE LIGHTING OF MATCHES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Milner and Henry Frederick Newell, of Bradford,
in the County of York, Photographic Artists, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR THE LIGHTING OF MATCHES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Milner and Henry
Frederick Newell at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st
August 1876.
CHARLES MILNER and HENRY FREDERICK NEWELL, of Bradford, in the County of
York, Photographic Artists. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS
FOR THE LIGHTING OF MATCHES."
The object of this Invention is to provide such mechanical arrangement as will
accomplish the lighting of matches of whatever description in the act of drawing
from or pulling out of any match stand or box.
Hitherto the match is first taken out of the stand or box, and by a second
action it is struck. In our Invention the match is struck at one and the same
instant.
We accomplish this in the following manner:-On to an ornamental stand of
suitable design we fix a horizontal or slightly convex disc of convenient diameter,
the upper surface of which is roughed by mechanical means, or by the aid of emery
or sand powder fixed adhesively to the metal or other surface. Above this disc and
moveable on the main cylindrical hollow pillar of the stand we place a second disc
of similar diameter to the former, the under surface of which is concave. To the
metal or other surface of this upper and concave disc we attach a washer of caout-
chouc or other elastic substance. In the centre pillar or stem of the stand are two
spiral springs, the one above the other; by the bottom one the upper disc is raised;
from the lower the top spring exerts a pressure upon the upper disc, and forces the
same against the fixed or lower disc; thus, the top spring is strongest, and is
When the latter is released
retained in its working position by a catch or screw.
the upper disc separates from the lower one, and is now ready for the reception of
the matches.
In order to facilitate the feeding of the stand with matches we have the matches
arranged in two semicircular clips of corresponding but larger diameters than that

page_text: of the discs on the stand, and whon charged the matches are held with the ond for
ignition radiating towards the centre. By means of these clips the ignition end of
the matches are at once placed into the hollow portion of the upper disc; the two
discs are now brought together by means of the upper spring, the body part of the
match being gently gripped between the surface of the caoutchouc or other clastic
material and the upper and roughed surface of the bottom disc; in the act of drawing
out the match from the stand the same is ignited.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Milner and Henry Frederick Newell in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 31st January 1877.
CHARLES MILNER and HENRY FREDERICK NEWELL, of Bradford, in the County of
York, Photographic Artists. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS
FOR THE LIGHTING OF MATCHES."
The object of this Invention is to provide such mechanical arrangement as will
accomplish the lighting of matches of whatever description in the act of drawing
from or pulling out of any match stand or box.
Hitherto the match is first taken out of the stand or box, and by a second
motion it is struck. In our Invention the match is struck at one and the same
instant.
We accomplish this in the following manner :-On to an ornamental stand of
suitable design we fix a horizontal or slightly convex disc of convenient diameter,
the upper surface of which is roughed by mechanical means, or by the aid of emery
or sand powder fixed adhesively to the metal or other surface. Above this disc and
moveable on the main cylindrical hollow pillar of the stand we place a second disc
of similar diameter to the former, the under surface of which is concave. To the
metal or other surface of this upper and concave disc we attach a washer of caout-
chouc or other elastic substance. In the centre pillar or stem of the stand are two
spiral springs, the one above the other; by the bottom one the upper disc is raised
from the lower; the top spring exerts a pressure upon the upper disc, and forces
the same against the fixed or lower disc; thus, the top spring is strongest, and is
retained in its working position by a catch or screw. When the latter is released
the upper disc separatos from the lower one, and is now ready for the reception of
the matches.
In order to facilitate the feeding of the stand with matches we have the matches
arranged in two semicircular clips of corresponding but larger diameters than that
of the discs on the stand, and when charged the matches are held with the end for
ignition radiating towards the centre. By means of these clips the ignition ends of
the matches are at once placed into the hollow portion of the upper disc; the two
discs are now brought together by means of the upper spring, the body part of the
match boing gently gripped between the surface of the "caoutchouc" or other
"elastic" material, and the upper and roughed surface of the bottom disc; in the act
of drawing out the match from the stand the same is ignited.
The Drawing on the accompanying Sheet is an illustration of our apparatus, one-
half of which is shewn in section.
The base of the apparatus is indicated by the letter A, and is secured to the centre
pillar or stem B in the ordinary manner; C is a dish for the reception of the refuse
of the matches; the lower disc D is also secured to the centre pillar B, and the
upper edge at d is roughed for the purpose of igniting the matches; the upper
disc E is arranged to slide freely on the centre pillar B, and is lifted up from the
lower disc D by means of the spiral spring F. When the matches are placed upon
the lower disc the upper disc is pressed down, and the ring of caoutchouc G holds
the matches in position. The disc E is prevented from being forced back by the

page_text: spring J by means of the catch H, which fits into a recess formed on centre pillar B,
which is held in position by the spiral spring J. On to the centre pillar wo secure
an ordinary hammer K for the purpose of striking the bell L placed at the top of
the centre pillar B.
It will be readily understood that when the matches are drawn out from the
apparatus the caoutchouc G will press the igniting portion of the match against the
rough portion d of the disc, and ignite the same.
Having thus particularly described our said Invention, and the manner in which
the same is or may be performed, we have to state that we do not restrict ourselves
to the preciso details herein described and delineated, but that what we believe to
be novel and original and claim as the Invention secured to us by the herein-before
in part recited Letters Patent is, the arranging and combining of the discs, substan-
tially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, the said Charles Miluer and Henry Frederick Newell,
have hereunto set their hands and seals, this Thirtieth day of January, in
the year of our Lord 1877.
CHARLES MILNER.
(L.B.)
20
HENRY FREDERICK NEWELL. (L.S.)
Signed and sealed by the said Charles
Milner and Henry Frederick Nowell,
in the presence of
JNO. GILL,
Bradford.