A NEW AND IMPROVED AUTOMATIC GAS LIGHTER.
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of the Firm of Brandon and
Morgan-Brown, Engineers and l'atent Agents, of 38, Southamptou Buildings,
London, and 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris, for the Invention of "A NEW AND IMPROVED
AUTOMATIC GAS LIGHTER.** A communication from abroad by Kasimir Vogel,
of Chelsea, County of Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Sealed the 4th January 1878, and dated the 14th July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgan-Brown at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th July 1877.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue Laffitte,
Paris. "A NEW AND IMPROVED AUTOMATIC GAS LIGHTER." [A communication from
abroad by Kasimir Vogel, of Chelsea, County of Suffolk, Massachusetts, United
States of America.]
This Invention cousists in the combination with a gas burner and with its supply.
cock of a cam which controls a mechanism for opening and closing the supply cock,
and also a mechanism for lighting the gas when the supply cock has been opened,
said cam being connected to a clock movement, so that by setting the clock, the time
for lighting and extinguishing the gas cau be adjusted in advance; and that a
person intending to leave his or her room and to return at a certain hour in the
evening, say at nine o'clock, can have the gas lighted automatically at five minutes
before uiue for instance; and a person before going to bed can set the cam to
extinguish the light automatically at any time without leaving his or her bed.
It further consists in an automatic winding device, whereby the spring or weights
which actuate the clock movement are, by means of a supplémental weight or spring
of greater capacity, at fixed intervals rewound; so that until the force of such
supplemental or spring is exhausted the smaller weight or spring by which the
clock movement is directly impelled will have their operative force replenished by.
such superior weight or spring.

page_text: And the Invention further consists in the combination of two discs or indices, one
of which has a motion independent of the other, and a shaft which is provided with
a tooth to impart a step-by-step motion to a gear wheel which connects by an
eccentric wrist pin and a pitman rod or its equivalent with the moveable disc or
index, either the shaft or the disc or the indices being made to revolve, so that an
irregular step-by-step motion is imparted to the moveable disc or index, whereby a
new mechanical movement is produced, which, when connected and combined with
the said clock movement that automatically lights the gas at the hour to which it
may be adjusted, will so vary said period of lighting (by adjusting such automatic
lighting mechanism) from day to day throughout the year, so that such moment of
lighting or extinguishing the gas shall conform to the varying lengths of day and
night throughout the year.
The mechanism for opening and closing the gas-cock consists of a drum exposed
to the action of a weight or spring and carrying two discs, one of which connects by
an eccentric wrist pin with a lever on the plug of the gas-cock, while the other disc
has secured in its face two studs at different distances from its centre, said studs
being made to co-operate with a lever, the position of which is controlled by the gas
lighting and extinguishing cam, so that when lever drops upon the low portion of
the cam the gas-cock is opened, and when the high position of the cam acts upon
the lever the gas is shut off.
A clock or chronometer movement is provided with the ordinary hour hand and
the minute hand. The hand movement connects with a gear wheel mounted on
an arbor, so that this arbor revolves once in 24 hours, while the hour hand
revolves if the clock turns round once in 12 hours. On the arbor is mounted a
cam which acts on a lever that has its fulcrum on a pivot, and one end of which is
pressed up against the circumference of the cam by a spring. The high section of
said cam joins its low section by an abrupt shoulder, and on the arbor is secured an
index which travels over a secondary dial plate, and is adjusted opposite to the
shoulder, so that by means of this index the position of the cam can always be
observed without removing the face plate of the clock. The outer end of the lever
forms a stop for the mechanism which serves to open or close the gas-cock, and to
light or extinguish the gas. This mechanism consists of a drum on which is wound
a cord, and from this cord is suspended a weight, so that by the action of this
weight a revolving motion can be imparted to the drum. This drum is mounted ou
an arbor, on the rear end of which is mounted a dise which connects by an eccentric
wrist pin and a rod with a lever secured to the plug of the gas-cock. On the front
end of said arbor is mounted a disc in which are secured two studs, and on opposite
sides of the centre of said discs, the first stud being somewhat nearer to said centre
than the second stud.
When the lever is in contact with the high section of the cam its outer end is in
such a position that it clears the outer stud, and that the inner stud catches up
against it. In this position the drum and the disc are retained in such a manner
that the gas-cock is closed.
As the cam revolves and as soon as the inner end of the lever drops down over the
shoulder of said cam the drum is released and permitted to make one-half of a
revolution, when it is caught and retained by the outer stud catching up against
the outer end of the lever. By this motion of the drum the gas-cock is opened and
the gas is lighted.
When the cam continues to revolve the inner end of the lever is gradually forced
out until it bears again on the high section of said cam when its outer end clears
the stud, and the drum is again permitted to make one-half of a revolution, whereby
the gas-cock is closed and consequently the flame extinguished.
The mechanism for lighting the gas may consist of a strip of paper or other
material, which is gradually fed up near to the tip of the burner, and on which are
secured drops of an explosive compound at suitable distances apart. Whenever the
gas-cock is opened one of these drops is exploded and the gas is lighted. Instead
of this mechanism, however, any other mechanism for lighting the gas automatically

page_text: may be applied, such, for instance, as an electric apparatus, which could be connected
with the gas-cock in such a manner that it will produce a spark whenever the gas-
cock is opened. Another drum or spring at the moment of igniting the gas serves
to rewind the spring actuating the clock, this stronger spring serving as the main
reservoir of power.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Morgan-Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
January 1878.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue Laffitte,
Paris. "A NEW AND IMPROVED AUTOMATIC GAS LIGHTER." A communication from
abroad by Kasimir Vogel, of Chelsea, County of Suffolk, Massachusetts, United
States of America.
In conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which Figure 1 represents a
front elevation, Figure 2 is a rear elevation; Figure 3 is a side elevation as viewed
from the left of Figure 1 and right of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side elevation as
viewed from the right of Figure I and left of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a top or plan
view.
Figure 6 is an enlarged detached elevation, showing the means and method of
connecting the clock movement with the advancing and retarding mechanism; and
also showing the said mechanism and the locking and detaching devices by which
the cock-opening and closing devices are actuated.
Figure 7 is an enlarged detached elevation, showing a part of the advancing and
retarding devices.
Figure 8 is an enlarged detached horizontal section, showing portions of the
advancing and retarding devices.
Figure 9 is an enlarged detached perspective view of a portion of Figure 8.
Figure 10 is an enlarged detached portion of the same devices.
Figure 11 is an enlarged detached elevation of a part of the same devices.
Figure 12 is an enlarged section taken on line I, J, Figures 7, 10, 11.
Figures 13 and 14 are side elevations of the cams which detach the cock-opening
and gas-lighting devices.
Figure 15 is a front elevation of the improved igniter; Figure 16 is a rear
elevation of the same.
Figure 17 is a vertical section taken through the axis of the gas pipe, and
through the centre of the fuse chambers.
Figure 18 is a side elevation, showing the pipe, the depressing spring, one side of
the stirrup, and the upper end of the connecting rod.
Figures 19 and 20 represent a modification of the adjusting mechanism by which
the igniting devices are regulated, so as to adapt the igniting period to the varying
lengths of the day and night throughout the year, or to correspond with any regular
or irregular variation of recurring periods, Figure 19 being a front elevation and
Figure 20 a transverse section taken through the two arms when they are coincident
in position.
:
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several Figures.

page_text: This Invention consists in the combination with a gas burner and with its supply
cock of a mechanism for opening and closing the supply cock, and also a mechanism
for igniting the gas when the supply cock has been opened, said mechanism for
both opening the supply cock and igniting the gas being connected with a clock
movement, so that by setting the clock the time for lighting and extinguishing the
gas can be adjusted in advance; thereby a person when about to leave his room
and intending to return at a certain hour at night can, by a proper adjustment of
the mechanism, have the gas lighted automatically at any desired moment previous
to such time of return; or by such adjustment the gas light may be extinguished
at any desired moment without giving attention thereto. And with such clock
movement and opening and igniting devices is combined a mechanical movement so
constructed, combined, and arranged with said clock movement and opening and
igniting devices that when the same are arranged to ignite and extinguish the gas
morning and evening, say to ignite at sunset and extinguish at sunrise, the moment
of igniting and extinguishing will be from day to day varied with the increasing or
decreasing length of the days throughout the year, so that the length of time in
which the gas will burn in each night in the year will be automatically regulated
to the length of each such night, all as will be herein-after fully described.
In the Drawings A represents the dial of the clock, and a, b, are the hour and
minute hands, which are actuated by the clock movement in the usual manner, and
serve the usual purpose of indicating the time of day, or for setting the igniting or
extinguishing devices to the desired hour for action. B is the back plate of the
movements; E is the front plate; F is a half plate; and D is a circular plate
similar to B and E. In these plates the several operative parts of the clock move-
ment and advancing and retarding mechanism are mounted, as will be described.
His a drum within which is a coiled spring which actuates the clock movement in
the usual manner, this drum being mounted on shaft c, which has its bearings in
plates B, D, and extends through the dial for winding in the usual manner; e is a
gear wheel which is attached to and revolves coincident with drum H, and as a
transmittent of the power of the spring in said drum actuates the clock movement
which is shown plainly between plates B, F, and studs f, g, Figure 5, and which, by
the proper and usual parts and connections, communicates the required movement
to the central " hand-bearing" shaft h, thereby demonstrating by the hands upon
the dial the passage of time and the hour of the day. This clock movement may
be of any kind desired which will measure time with proper correctness, which is
one of its functions, the others being the movement of the detaching and locking
devices of the igniting and cock-opening and closing mechanism, and the " compen-
sating "device for variation of length of days.
The means employed for transmitting the clock motion to the other devices I
will now describe. In Figure 6, plate D is shown in front elevation, with plate E,
dial A, and the glass and its holder K removed; upon the "hand" shaft h is rigidly
secured a small pinion shown behind the "hour hand" wheel i; this pinion meshes
into and drives the toothed wheel j which is mounted on a stud fixed in plate D,
a small pinion plainly shown and secured centrally to wheel j meshes into and
drives the large toothed wheel k, and also drives the hour hand wheel . The
wheel is mounted upon stud 7, which is secured in plate D, and which also serves
as the axis of motion of equalizing cams and other devices. Motion being thus
transmitted from the clock movement to the wheel k, imparting thereto a con-
tinuous rotation upon its axis which is transmitted and imparted to the adjusting,
igniting, and cock-opening devices; it now remains to point out the method of
accomplishing the same:- -Upon the back side of wheel k, that is, the side next to
plate D, is a small toothed wheel m, which is mounted upon the pivot of the
elongated pinion n, which extends through wheel k, and is pivoted in a bracket
shown on wheel k, Figure 7, and a disk o, Figure 12. In the shoulder of stud / is
a small pin p, which engages in the manner of a tooth with wheel m, and as this
wheel is carried round with wheel it will be revolved upon its own axis by
contact with pin p to the extent of one of its teeth at each such circuit around the

page_text: axis of wheel k, and pinion will be thereby revolved on its own axis to a corre-
sponding degree; this pinion meshes into a small gear wheel r, as shown in
Figure 10, and centrally upon the axis of wheel r is fixed a small pinion, as shown
in said Figure, which meshes into gear wheels, and in this wheel, near its outer
periphery, is fixed a small pin upon which is pivotted the blockt, which is formed
to move freely in the opening in lever w, which is pivotted upon stud 7, and is
formed with a toothed segment or are which engages with pinion e, which latter
engages with the internal gear in cam w, Figure 13, and the external gear in
cam, Figure 14, as shown in said Figures, and also shown in section in Figure 12,
and in elevation in Figure 6. These cams being formed with corresponding high
and low sections, as shown, and being mounted and revolving upon stud 7, and being
by the action of pinion v revolved or moved in opposite directions it will be obvious
that the action of pin upon wheel (which is revolved but the space of one tooth
to each entire revolution of wheel ) when transmitted through its pinion to
wheel with its pinion, thence to wheels, and thence by its pivot block t to geared
lever, and thence to pinion v, which engages the cams which actuate the
detaching mechanism of the gas-cock opener and igniter, therefore a very delicate
adjustment may be imparted to the cams which shall correspond to the varying
length of the days and nights throughout the year, or for any other purpose, this
method of compensation being available for a regular or irregular variation which
is to be conformed to or compensated for. y is a stud secured in plate D and upon
its pivotted level z, which is formed or provided with the arms 1, 2, which are
arranged for contact respectively with cams,, alternately as the same are
revolved and present their alternating high sections to the levers, say one of each
every twelve hours or so, near thereto, as the variations produced by the com-
pensating devices just described shall effect to correspond to the difference between
the length of day and night. These arms are formed each with a catch or tooth
for contact to arrest the cam 3, as shown in Figure 6. This cam is mounted on
shaft 4, on which is fixed a small pinion 5. which meshes into gear 6, which is
secured to drum G, within which is a coiled spring which actuates the cock opening
and closing, and the igniting devices which are shown in Figure 2, and consist of
the crank wheel 7 secured on the shaft 4, the connecting rod N being at its lower
end pivotted upon a wrist pin in this wheel, whereby as cam makes a half revo-
lution as it is successively released from either of the toothed arms 1, 2, and is
arrested by the other, the rod N will be reciprocated to the extent of twice the
throw of the crank wheel 7 to which it is pivotted, and by the contact of
toothed rack 8 of this rod, which engages with a gear upon the stem of the gas-
cock, the same will be alternately opened and closed; at each such opening
the igniter (to be described) is actuated, and the gas flowing pipe C and
issuing from tip M is ignited. In said Figure 2e represents the shaft of clock
drum H, and d the shaft of drum G, both being shown as provided with the usual
ratchet and pawls for retaining the tension of the spring when wound.
66
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In Figures 1, 2, 3, essential parts of the igniter are shown, in which 9 the stem
of the gas-cock 10 is the outer plate or washer of the gear thereon; 11 is the
chamber inwhich the percussion fuse ribbon 12is coiled; 13 is the feeding pawl, which
at each opening of the cock is automatically moved upwards a distance equal to that
from one deposit of fulminate to another in said fuse ribbon, this pawl as it is thus
slid upwards carries along the fuse and brings a dot of the fulminate, beneath the
igniting finger 14, at the instant of its delivery of the igniting 'blow. The pawl 13
descends without actuating the ribbon, and in its ascent raises the igniting finger
from the ribbon, thus allowing the latter to move freely upwards, and also enabling
the finger when released from the angle of the pawl to deliver the igniting shock by
the force of its return to contact with the ribbon.
The igniter as shown in said Figures 1. 2, 3, is not essentially new, and is not
claimed by me; the improvements which I claim being shown in Figures 15, 16,
17, and 18, and which are described as follows:-No gas-cock is used, the igniting
device is double and operated by a single connecting rod. In these latter figures, 15

page_text: is a collar arranged to slide upon gas pipe C, and between which and the enlarged
upper part of the pipe the spiral spring (which encircles the pipe) has its bearings.
The double stirrup 17 is pivotted on both sides in the hole 16, shown in the collar,
Figure 18, a bar formed at the head of this stirrup (and shown in Figures 15 and 10
in elevation, and Figure 18 in section) serves to unite the halves of the stirrup, and
also furnishes a bearing for cap 21 which is seated in an aperture therein. 22 is a
disc of rubber seated in a recess in the lower face of cap 21, and which closes the
gas passage in the burner tip when the light is extinguished. 19 is a stop formed
in the base of the halves of the stirrup, and which bears against step 20; 25
represents two pins, formed respectively upon the halves of the stirrup, and which
bear against the backs of the side pieces 26 of the igniter.
It will be apparent that when the rod N (which is pivotted to the angle of the
stirrup, as shown in Figure 18) is forced, the spring 18 will be compressed until the
steps 19 of the stirrups are released from the stationary step 20, when the stirrup
will cease rising and it will vibrate on its pivot in collar 15; the cap 21 (already
raised fromthe burner tip)will be thrown backward free from the tip, when the igniter
fingers 14 will be released by the feeding pawls, in the manner heretofore described,
and the gas will be ignited; when the rod N is depressed the stirrup will be thrown
forward at top till pins 25 are in contact with the standards of the igniter, when
the stirrup will be depressed by the action of spring 18 till the cap is seated upon
the gas burner tip and the gas is shut off.
In said Figures 19and 20, Ais a disc or bed plate formedwith an annular hub upon
which are pivotted the arms a and a', which are secured in position by the cap screw
b, which is threaded in the hub of the plate, as shown in Figure 20. c is a sliding
plate, which is seated in disc A, and slides endwise to a limited extent as
controlled by slot d, formed in the plate, and through which the hub of disc A
projects. In each of arms and is inserted a small pin i, equidistant from the
pivotal centre of the arms in which they are inserted, and they engage in slots or
notches in plate e, as shown; f is a small gear wheel revolved on its pivot g; in this
wheel, near its outer periphery is fixed a small stud which moves in a slot in the
projection e, c, of plate c.
Motion may be imparted to wheel in the same manner as that already shown for
imparting motion to the other adjusting devices for regulating periods of igniting
the gas. The arms, al, being connected and arranged to serve the purpose of the
arms of cam z, it will be obvious that the rotary motion of wheelf by the
contact of its stud h with projection e. e, of plate e, causes this plate to be
reciprocated to the right and left, as seen in Figure 19, to the extent of the throw of
pin ; and this action of plate e will by its action on pins i, i, fixed in arms a, a¹,
cause them to vibrate in opposite directions and to the distance shown in said Figure
19, and by suitable connection with arms w, r, or their equivalents the desired
variations of the periods of ignition may be adjusted.
Instead of a clock movement actuated by weights or springs in any of the methods
known or used, an electrical clock may be employed for the purposes herein-before
described. Such electrical clock may be buried at the base of the lamp post or
placed in a cavity therein for its protection from injury.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that
what I claim as the Invention is,
First. The combination of a clock movement, a gas-cock and its burner, with an
igniting device and mechanism for locking and liberating such igniting devices, and
opening and closing the gas-cock through the action of such clock movement; such
locking and liberating and cock-actuating mechanism being provided with an
automatically acting compensating device by which such opening and closing of the
gas-cock and operating of the igniting devices shall be thereby adjusted to the
varying lengths of the days and nights throughout the year or to any regular or
irregular variations of recurring periods.
Second. The combination of cams w, r, pinion e, segment lever u. gears with its

page_text: sliding block t, gear r, with its pinion n, gear m, and pin p, all constructed and
arranged to operate substantially as described and shown.
Third. In combination with cams c, t, lever z, with its toothed arms 1, 2, and
cam 3,connected with the transmitting shaft 4,substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
Fourth. In combination with a gas burner the two fuse chambers 11, 11, with the
two feeding pawls 13, 13, the two igniting fingers 14, 14, and the gas opening
devices, all connected with a single actuating mechanism, substantially as described
and shown.
Fifth. In combination with a gas burner the pivotted tilting stirrup 17, spring 18,
sliding collar 15,and cap 21,all constructed and arranged to operate substantially as
described and shown.
Sixth. The mechanical movement, consisting of disc A with its annular hub or
pivot, the arms a, a', pivotted thereon the sliding plate c, with its slotted projection
e, e, and connecting with the arms a, a, by pins i, i, the wheel and its stud h
engaging with plate c, all substantially as described and shown.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgan-Brown, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN. (L.S.)