Improvements in or relating to Oil Lamps.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 12th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 30th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 10th Apr., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Oil Lamps.
1, WILLIAM FREDERICK BROOMHEAD of 63 Low Hill, Liverpool in the
County of Lancaster, Cutler, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to oil lamps and comprises certain improvements in
construction hereinafter more fully set forth.
In carrying my invention into effect I form inside the usual container a secondary
tube or container for the oil into which dips down the wick. At the bottom of this
secondary container or tube is provided a collapsible bag formed of skin or other
suitable material capable of holding a considerable amount of oil, this chamber
being so constructed as to be collapsible and hold a reserve supply of oil, which is
fed to the tube as required. Between the tube and the collapsible chamber is a
valve which can be operated from any suitable position outside the lamp, so as to
allow oil to flow from the chamber into the tube to feed the wick. The main
container of the lamp which has hitherto been used to hold the oil is filled with
water, with the object of keeping the oil cool and extinguish the light should the
lamp be upset. In action the tube and flexible bag or chamber is filled with oil,
the wick inserted into the former so as to lead the oil to the burner by capillary
attraction in the usual way. The tube and flexible bag are inserted in the water
in the container. The valve which separates the oil in the flexible chamber from
the tube being closed, the oil in the tube will maintain the flame for a given time,
and the oil is fed into the tube from the chamber by opening the valve. Should
the lamp be upset no oil can possibly escape except the small quantity contained
in the tube and the water escaping from the container will effectually extinguish
the flame and prevent any serious accident. The valve can be operated from the
outside of the lamp so that as much oil as required can be fed to the wick in the
tube.
I, WILLIAM FREDERICK BROOMHEAD of 63 Low Hill, Liverpool in the County
of Lancaster, Cutler, 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:-
This invention relates to oil lamps and comprises certain improvements in
construction hereinafter more fully set forth.

page_text: The invention will be understood from the following description, reference being
had to the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing my invention applied to an upright or
pedestal lamp;
Figure 2 a detail view of the valve E;
Figure 3 a plan of the lamp gallery showing the handle F for working the
valve;
Figure 4 a detail view of a burner.
Referring to Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, I form inside the usual container A, a
secondary tube or container B for the oil into which dips down the wick C. At
the bottom of this secondary container or tube B is provided a collapsible bag D
formed of skin or other suitable material capable of holding a considerable amount
of oil, this chamber being so constructed as to be collapsible and hold a reserve
supply of oil, which is fed to the tube B as required. Between the tube B and the
collapsible chamber D is a valve E which can be operated by turning the handle F
by means of its arm fpressing upon the top of the rod G, which in its turn
compresses the spring H and opens the valve, while the converse action takes place
when the force that turned the handle is removed, the spring closing the valve
automatically. Thus by turning the handle F, oil is allowed to flow from the
chamber D into the tube B to feed the wick C.
The main container of the lamp, which has hitherto been used to hold the oil is
filled with water up to about the level indicated, with the object of keeping the oil
cool and compressing the bag D so as to force the oil therein into the tube B when
the valve is opened. A little alum may be mixed with the water to preserve the bag.
Originally I proposed to provide perforations at top of the container so that water
should flow out to extinguish the light when the lamp was upset, but in most cases
.I now prefer to provide a separate additional chamber A containing water for
extinguishing the light, should the lamp be thrown over. The other reference'
letters are as follows: I, the wick tube, J, the glass chimney, K, the gallery,
and L a weight to keep the bag D at the hottom of the container A.
In action, the tube B and flexible bag or chamber D are filled with oil, the
wick C inserted into the former so as to lead the oil to the burner by capillary
attraction in the usual way. The tube B and flexible bag D are inserted in the
water in the container A, the water keeping the oil at a temperature below flashing
point. The valve which separates the oil in the flexible chamber D from the
tube B being closed, the oil in the tube B will maintain the flame for a given time.
Oil is fed into the tube B from the chamber D from time to time as required by
opening the valve E. Should the lamp be upset, no oil can possibly escape
except the small quantity contained in the tube B, and even that will only
escape very gradually until such time as the lamp is righted, and there will be
no flush of oil. The water escaping from A' will effectually extinguish the flame
and prevent any serious accident. The valve E is operated by the handle Fon
the outside of the lamp so that as much oil as required can be fed to the wick C
in the tube B.
In Figure 1, one wick only is shown, in Figure 4 there are two wicks C, laid
face to face. The wick tube I bifurcates into ii and a duplex burner is thus
produced.
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 :-
1. The improvement in oil lamps, which consists in providing inside the main
container a collapsible bag, formed of skin or other suitable material, capable of
holding a supply of oil, and a secondary tube or container placed in communication
therewith, and adapted to hold a certain amount of oil only, into which dips down
the wick, in combination with a valve for regulating the supply of oil to said
secondary container, whereby should the lamp be upset, no oil can possibly escape

page_text: except the small quantity contained in the secondary container, substantially as
described.
2. In an oil lamp, having a collapsible chamber inside the main container for
holding a supply of oil, and a tube passing up from said chamber for supplying oil
to the wick, filling said main container surrounding the oil chamber with water,
for the purpose of keeping the oil at a temperature below flashing point, and
providing it with means, if desired, for enabling the water to escape at or in close
proximity to the flame if the lamp be upset, for the purpose of extinguishing it,
substantially as described.
3. In an oil lamp, the combination with the main container of a top chamber
containing water, located in proximity to the wick, and so arranged that should the
lamp be upset, the water Howing out will automatically extinguish the flame,
substantially as set forth.
4. The general combined arrangement and construction of parts forming my
improved oil lamp, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 29th day of January 1897.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and London, Patent Agents.