Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Lighting and Extinguishing Gas-lamps.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 18th June, 1889-Accepted, 14th Sept., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by NATHANIEL HERSEY SHAW, of Somerville, and
AI BEE SHAW, of Medford, both in Massachusetts, United States of America,
Machinists.]
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Lighting and
Extinguishing Gas-lamps.
1 HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide mechanical means for automatically
lighting and extinguishing gas-lamps at suitable hours, such means being applied
to each lamp independently, and requiring simply a periodical winding of the driving
mechanism.
The characteristic feature of this invention is the combination with the gas-pipe
and burner and with time-mechanism for turning the gas on and off, of a spaced
fulminate carrier and a hammer or other exploder actuated by the time-mechanism
to produce a spark when the gas is turned on. In connection with these essential
parts we employ certain additional devices to adapt the apparatus for the most
convenient use, as described.
The gas-pipe and burner have a cock adapted to be partially rotated by suitable
time-mechanism connected to its axis so as to turn on the gas at dusk and shut it off
at dawn. Means may be provided for automatically varying the times of these
actions, according to the season of the year.
For lighting the gas when turned on we employ a movablo fulminate-carrier
having a succession of detonating or inflammable charges, spaced at regular intervals
so as to be independent of each other, and a hammer or other igniter for these
separate charges. The best form of carrier which wo have devised, the best feed
movement therefor, and the best arrangement of these independent charges, is
embodied in a metallic cylinder having a succession of peripheral pits arranged
spirally and each containing a small charge of the fulminate, the cylinder being fed
upwardly by a ratchet and pawl and a screw of corresponding pitch, so as to bring
the several charges successively into position to be exploded by the hammer.
The charged cylinder may be coated with a water-proof composition to protect the
fulminate from the weather. The hammer is pivoted, and actuated by a spring and
a cam, the cam being connected to the shaft of the gas-cock to throw back the
hammer and suddenly release it.
The fulminate cylinder surrounds a screw threaded part of the gas pipe, and has
a pin extending inwardly into engagement with such screw-thread and passing
through a longitudinal slot in a tubular sleeve interposed between the gas-pipe and
cylinder. At its base this sleeve is furnished with a ratchet collar having a number
of teeth equal to the number of fulminate pits in a single coil around the cylinder,
and it is moved to the extent of one tooth by a spring-pressed pawl actuated whenever
the hammer is retracted, thus bringing a fresh fulminate charge into position before
the hammer. Frictional washers hold the cylinder steady when adjusted.
The gas-cock admits gas to the burner and to a supplementary lighting-tube
simultaneously. This lighting tube has one or more perforations through which gas
escapes at or near the point where the fulminate spark produced, and the rising
flame ignites the gas issuing from the burner. The gas-cock is so constructed and
so moved by the time-mechanism as to first open a passage for gas to both burner
and lighting tube, then to turn further, shut off the supply to the lighting tube while
supplying the burner for the night, and at dawn to be turned by the driving
mechanism so as to shut off the gas altogether, and so remain during the day.

page_text: We prefer to enclose the fulminate cylinder by a protecting tube slotted to give
the hammer-point access to one of the detonating charges at each blow, and having
another opening for the actuating pawl to work in if the tube is close-fitting.
In addition to or as a substitute for this tube a tubular shell, open at the top and
bottom, may surround the cylinder, hammer and lighting-tube to serve as a flue for
the flame rising from the point of ignition to the burner, and to prevent its
extinguishment by the wind."
The clockwork or time-mechanism will be enclosed in a suitable case secured to
the upper part of the lamp-post; and the shaft of one of the wheels will be connected
to the rotary cock by a suitable coupling. A visible dial and hands may serve, with
the clockwork to make the apparatus a public time-piece.
Dated this 20th day of September 1888.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Lighting and
Extinguishing Gas-lamps.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of the said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to provide mechanical means for automatically
lighting and extinguishing gas lamps at suitable hours, such means being applied to
each lamp independently, and requiring simply a periodical winding of the driving
mechanisin.
The characteristic feature of this invention is the combination with the gas-pipe
and burner and with time mechanism for turning the gas on and off, of a spaced
fulminate-carrier and a hammer or other exploder actuated by the time mechanism
to produce a spark when the gas is turned on. In connection with these essential
parts, we employ certain additional devices to adapt the apparatus for the most
convenient use, as hereinafter shown and described.
In the accompanying Drawings,
Figures 1, 2 and 3 represent in various positions, the gas-pipe, burner, fulminate-
carrier and hammer, Figures 1 and 3 showing the hammer retracted, ready to strike
and Figure 2 the position of the parts after the blow is struck.
Figure 4 represents a lamp to which the improved apparatus is applied, with time
mechanism for actuating it.
Figure 5 is a sectional detail of the feed movement for the fulminate carrier, and
Figures 6, 7 and 8, like views of the gas cock.
A represents the gas-pipe, B the burner, and C the cock, adapted to be partially
rotated at proper times by suitable time-mechanism connected to its axis, so as to turn
on the gas at dusk, and shut it off at dawn. Means may be provided for auto-
matically varying the times of these actions, but such means form no part of the
. present invention.
In the said invention a fulminate-carrier is employed having a succession of per-
manently fixed detonating charges spaced at regular intervals so as to be independent
of each other. The best form of carrier, and feed movement therefor, and the best
arrangement of these independent charges, clearly shown in the drawings and forming
part of the present invention consists of a metallic cylinder D, having a succession of
peripheral pits Feach containing a small detonating or inflammable charge of
fulminate F, and arranged spirally around said cylinder, which is gradually fed
upwardly by a screw G, so as to bring the several charges F, successively into position
to be exploded by a blow from the hammer H. The fulminate is readily rubbed into
all the pits, then the cylinder is coated with a water-proof composition, and when

page_text: each charge is exploded, the diverging walls of the pit throw the sparks outwardly,,
without affecting adjacent charges. The hammer is pivoted at I, and actuated by a
spring J, and a cam K, such cam being fixed to the rotating shaft of the gas cock C,
and made to throw back the hammer against the pressure of the spring and suddenly.
release it.
As represented in Figures 1, 2 3 and 5, the fulminate cylinder is carried upwardly
by the screw G, on the gas pipe A, a slotted sleeve M, surrounding said screw, and a
pin O, fixed in said cylinder and extending through the vertical slot N of the sleeve,
into engagement with the enclosed screw. The sleeve has, at its base, a ratchet
collar P, having a number of teeth equal to the number of pits E, in a single coil
around the cylinder, and it is moved to the extent of one tooth by a spring pressed
pawl Q, actuated by the oscillation of the pivot I, every time the hammer is retracted,
said pawl being held in a slot in the opposite end of said pivot, see Figure 3. Leather
or other frictional washers R, are placed at the end of the sleeve M.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 represent the interior of the gas cock and show a supplementary
lighting tube S to which gas is admitted simultaneously with its admission to the
pipe A, leading to the burner. Figures 1, 2 and 3 represent the tube S laterally
perforated, as at T, in the part along which the cylinder D travels. Gas escaping
from these perforations or from the tube S, shortened and without perforation, rises,
mixes with the air, and ignites with a flash when the hammer striking a fulminate
charge produces a spark. The rising flame thus caused ignites the gas issuing from
the burner the cock being so constructed and so moved by the time mechanism as to
first open a passage for gas to both burner and lighting tube S, as in Figure 8; then
to turn further, shut off the supply to the tube S, while supplying the burner for the
night, as in Figure 6; and at dawn to be turned by the driving mechanism so as to
shut off the gas altogether, as in Figure 7. In these Figures the curved dotted line
above the circle of the cock C, denotes a gas-way formed in the bulb and connecting
with the burner in a different plane from that of the tube S.
The fulminate cylinder is, by preference, enclosed by a tube V shown in section
in Figure 5, and serving to protect the parts from the weather. A narrow slot or
other aperture through such tube gives the hammer access to the fulminate pits in the
cylinder D, and another opening is required for the pawl Q to work in if the tube V
is close fitting.
U Figure 4 represents a shell in the form of a somewhat flattened tube of such
dimensions as to surround the pipe A, the cylinder D, the lighting tube S, and the
hammer. This shell being open at the top and bottom affords an upward passage or
flue for the flame rising to the burner from the point of ignition at the hammer, and
serves to prevent it from being extinguished by the wind. The shell, if employed,
may rest on some projection from the lamp frame.
It is obvious that by carrying the fulminate cylinder well up within the lantern,
and near to the burner, these protecting tubes or shells may be dispensed with, and
that a jet of gas from the tip of the tube would suffice as a lighter.
The clockwork or time-mechanism in W, is enclosed in a suitable case Z, mounted
on the lamp-post X ; and the shaft of the upper gear-wheel will be connected to the
rotary-cock C, by a suitable coupling Y, about as indicated in Figure 3.
The apparatus may serve as a public time-piece by supplying the clock-work with
a dial, hands and a glass panel in the door, as indicated in Figure 4.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I wish it understood that I claim :-
First. The combination of the gas-burner and rotary-cock with a spaced fulminate-
carrier, having a succession of fulminate charges permanently attached thereto, an
igniting device, and a time mechanism for automatically actuating them, substantially
as set forth.
Second. The combination of the gas-burner, rotary-cock and time-mechanism with

page_text: a fulminate-carrier having spaced pits and the explosive compound permanently fixed
therein, and an igniting device, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Third. The combination of the gas-burner, rotary-cock, time-mechanism and
hammer, with a rotary-carrier having in its face a series of accurately spaced pits or
depressions containing fulminate, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Fourth. The combination of the gas-burner, rotary-cock, time-mechanism and
hammer, with a cylindrical rotary fulminate-carrier, provided in its periphery with
a succession of pits or depressions to localize the explosive material, substantially
as set forth.
Fifth. The combination of the gas-burner, rotary-cock, time-mechanism and
hammer, with a rotary and longitudinally movable cylinder, having at regular
intervals peripheral pits containing fulminate, and with a suitable feed mechanism
to bring such pits beneath the hammer, substantially as, and for the purpose,
set forth.
Sixth. The combination of gas-burner, rotary-cock, hammer and time-mechanism
with a cylindrical fulminate-carrier, having peripheral fulminate charges arranged
in succession spirally, and with an automatic feed-mechanism, having a shaft screw
threaded to correspond in pitch with the spirally arranged fulminate deposits on
said cylinder, substantially as set forth.
Seventh. In an automatic gas-lighting apparatus, the spark-forming device con-
sisting of a hammer and rotary cylinder having spirally arranged peripheral pits
containing fulminate, a screw-threaded central shaft of corresponding pitch, a
slotted tube interposed between said shaft and cylinder, a ratchet and pawl to
actuate said tube, and a pin from said cylinder traversing the tube-slot and engaging
with said screw-thread, substantially as set forth.
Eighth. In an automatic gas-lighting apparatus, the combination of a suitable
spark-forming device with the burner, a secondary gas jet arranged to discharge
a limited amount of gas beside the burner when the spark is formed, and with a
rotary-cock having double gas-passages, as described and shown, adapted to supply
gas to said secondary jet momentarily, and to the burner permanently, for the purpose
set forth.
•
Ninth. In an automatic gas-lighting apparatus, substantially as described, the
spark forming devices, the burner and the rotary-cock, in combination with a
secondary lighting tube and an enclosing shell adapted to carry the flame upwardly
from such tube, substantially as set forth.
Tenth. In an automatic gas-lighting apparatus substantially as described, the spark-
forming devices, the burner and the rotary cock, having double gas passages as
described and shown, in combination with a secondary gas-pipe having lateral
perforations arranged one above another from the spark point toward the burner, for
the purpose set forth.
Dated this 18th day of June 1889
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.