Improvements in the Construction of Oil Lamps.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 1st July, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 29th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 17th Oct., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Oil Lamps.
1, ALFRED HENRY ROBINSON of Ryland Villas, 347 Green Lanes, Small Heath,
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Schoolmaster do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object certain improvements in the construction of oil
lamps, by which the danger from fire and explosion is obviated, in the event of the
upsetting of the lamp, by the application of water or other liquid directly on to
the flame and the wick, thereby cutting off the supply of air, and thus extinguishing
the light, in the event of the lamp breaking, before it is possible for the oil to reach
it: It also renders explosions caused by the internal accumulation of vapour practically
impossible..
In carrying out my invention I completely surround the wick with either a single
or double case, which is filled with a liquid. This case extends through the burner'
up to, or above the level of the wick, the case tapering as it nears the lighting point
of the wick so as to form a spout or channel from which the liquid is projected on to
the flame.
This water case descends to nearly the bottom of the reservoir, and when the lamp
is filled for lighting, the oil rises considerably above the bottom of the water case, thus,
hermetically sealing the passage by which vapour, by any possibility, could get to the
flame.
Dated this 20th daw. if Tune 1906
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Oil Lamps.
I, ALFRED HENRY ROBINSON of 347 Green Lanes Small Heath. Birmingham,
Schoolmaster 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, reference being had to the drawings accompanying this
specification and to the figures and letters shewn thereon :-
My invention has for its object certain improvements in the construction of oil
lamps by which the danger from fire and explosion is obviated in the event of the
upsetting or breaking of the lamp by the application of water or other liquid directly
onto the flame and the wick thereby cutting off the supply of air and thus extinguishing
the light before it is possible for the oil to reach it.
My improvements also render explosions that may be caused by the internal
accumulation of gaseous vapours practically impossible.
In carrying my invention into effect I completely surround the wick with either a'
single or double case or chamber of a cylindrical or other shape preferably composed
of metal though it may be made of other material, according to requirements and

page_text: which is filled with water or other liquid, this chamber extends nearly to the base of
the oil reservoir of the lamp.
A wick tube (or tubes) rises vertically through same over the upper part of which
fits the wick case (or cases) which is (or may be) connected to the burner, and the
upper part of the water chamber is also connected with and extends upwards through
the burner to a level with or above the wick this upper part of the water chamber
tapers as it nears the lighting point of the wick so as to form a jacket spout or
conduit channel from which the water or other liquid is projected onto the flame.
When the lamp is filled for lighting the oil rises in the reservoir very considerably
above the bottom of the water chamber contained therein thus hermetically sealing
the passage by which vapour by any possibility could obtain access to the flame.
Referring to the drawings in which similar letters of reference relate to similar
parts on the figures-
Figure 1. represents a sectional elevation shewing my improvements.
Figure 2. represents in elevation the case or chamber for containing the water or
other liquid.
Figure 3. represents in sectional elevation the water chamber and its connections.
Figure 4. represents in plan the top of the water chamber.
Figure 5. represents in plan the base of the burner portion.
A is the reservoir of the lamp, B the filling inlet for the oil with screw cap or
other suitable cover, C the water chamber screwed into the reservoir (or otherwise
attached) by screw threads C, on its upper part taking into corresponding screw
threads in the top of the reservoir and made fast and oil tight by a washer C, D is
the wick completely enclosed within and protected from the water by an oblong or
other shaped tube E rising vertically in the chamber C from the base thereof or from
the sides of same, fitting onto or into the tubular portion E at its upper part is the
wick case E' rising within and carried by the burner portion F so that it comes up to
the burner F. The upper part 3 of the water chamber C carried by the burner
portion F extends through the same as shewn to the level or above the level of the
wick case E and is tapered cone shape or gathered in to form a jacket spout or
conduit as at C³.
G is the inlet and screw cap, slide stopper, or other suitable cover to the water
chamber for filling same and situated where required.
Should the lamp be upset it will be obvious that the water or other liquid
contained in the chamber C is projected with considerable force in the direction
indicated by the arrows through the tapered or gathered in jacket or channel C³
around the wick case (or cases) E' and instantly cuts off the air therein required to
support the combustion and is projected by the in-turned upper edges of the tapered
jacket or channel directly onto the wick and thus instantly extinguishes the light.
By reason of the water chamber being practically hermetically sealed it is quite
impossible for any gaseous vapour or oil to escape or obtain access to the flame
before the water reaches it as the wick practically fills up and closes the wick
tube and case which is the only accessible medium to the burner other than the water
channel.
By my improved arrangements it is impossible for explosions to occur whereby so
much damage and injury is frequently caused.
As an outcome of my invention the fact of having the water inlet G provides a
means for automatically extinguishing the lamp when desired for by removing the
cap or cover of the inlet G the air rushes into the partial vacuum created by
the heat in the tapered or gathered in upper part or jacket C³ of the water
chamber C the said jacket 03 acts as a blower and the inrush of air thereto fills
úp this partial vacuum and instantly extinguishes the light by automatic pneumatic
means as will be seen.
I wish it to be understood that I do not restrict myself to any of the details
or the construction of the parts as herein described and illustrated as other means
may be provided of a similar or other suitable nature whereby water or other liquid may
be projected onto the wick for extinguishing the flame, but.

page_text: 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-
Firstly. In lamps the application and use of a single or double water case or
chamber having an extended cone shaped tapered or gathered in upper part
forming a jacket or channel rising through the burner said water chamber being
in connection with the reservoir all constructed arranged and operating in manner
and for the purpose substantially as herein set forth and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Secondly. In lamps a water chamber having a cone shaped tapered or gathered in
upper part forming a conduit extending through the burner said chamber being
provided with an inlet with screw cap or other suitable cover, a wick tube or tubes
integral with the said chamber, said wick tube or tubes having an auxiliary extension
forming the wick case or cases fitting thereon all in combination and for the purpose
substantially as herein set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Thirdly. In combination with an oil lamp the application and use of a single or
double cylindrical or other shaped chamber for containing water or other liquid said
chamber being constructed in the manner described and having a cone shaped
tapered or gathered in upper part extending upwards through the burner, or
constructed in any other suitable manner in combination with the oil reservoir or
the lamp and its hurner for the purpose of projecting water or other liquid onto
the wick and the flame as a means for extinguishing the same as set forth and
described.
Fourthly. In combination with an oil lamp the application and use of a water
chamber with tapered or gathered in upper part forming a jacket or conduit channel
said water chamber having a supply inlet and cap slide stopper or other suitable
cover said inlet when uncovered providing means for the inrush of air to the partial
vacuum caused by the heat said tapered or gathered in upper part of said water
chamber acting as a blower for extinguishing the light by automatic pneumatic means
substantially as set forth.
Fifthly. The improvements in the construction of oil lamps and the means or
other suitable means to be employed for carrying the same into effect for the purpose
set forth.
Dated this outh 1...
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
Warwick Chambers, 104 Colmore Row, Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.