Automatically. Lighting Fires at Definite Times. also applicable for Lighting Candles, Night-lights, and the like at Definite Times.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 9th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 25th Nov., 1899
INVOVIDIUAAL DIMITIVATION.
An Invention for Automatically. Lighting Fires at Definite Times.
also applicable for Lighting Candles, Night-lights, and the like at
Definite Times.
I, WILLIAM IRELAND, of No 7, Hardy Street, Beeston Hill, Leeds, in the
County of York, Railway Guard, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
To a supplementary firegiate G is attached the mechanism shown on the draw-
ing, of which together with the method of working the same, the invention con-
sists The sandstone or other rough substance S, is made to slide over the brim-
stone on the match M by means of a falling weight, thus lighting the fire which
has previously been set. The whole arrangement is actuated by means of a
cord attachment to the alarm key at the back of an ordinary alarm clock. When
the alarm bell rings, the cord is lifted, the weight released, and the match
ignited.
Dated this 11th dow of Fahruary 1800
An Invention for Automatically Lighting Fires at Definite Times,
also applicable for Lighting Candles, Night-lights, and the like at
Definite Times.
I, WILLIAM IRELAND, of 7, Hardy Street, Beeston Hill, Leeds, in the County
of York, Railway Guard, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to an apparatus for automatically lighting fires, night
lights, and the like, at definite times, and consists in the combination of certain
parts, hereinafter particularly described, in such a manner as to effect this object.
It is more especially designed for the working classes, and its object is to pro-
vide for them light and fire which shall be ready, when they rise in the morn-
ing, at any specified time, thus saving the time and trouble, which would ensue,
if the fire were then to make.
In the accompanying sketch:-
A. A supplementary fireplace made of sheet iron or steel.

page_text: Centre upon
M.--Base plate to which lever K, clip E and fastener F are fixed.
N.-Weight.
0-Tray upon which weight N is placed when the firelighter is set for use.
P We by which tray Ŏ is tilted and weight N overturned when the alarm
bell rings
Q Chain attached to weight N at one end and to frame II at the other.
In addition to the above parts an ordinary alarm clock is used, having an alarm
key at the back to which the wire P is attached
A small receptacle or supplementary fireplace A is made of sheet iron or steel.
and provided in front with a base plate M to which is fixed the mechanism of
the firelighter. Placed underneath and riveted to this baseplate, are two jaws,
so that the whole contrivance can rest on the top bar of an ordinary kitchen or
bedroom fire-range in the same manner as an ordinary flat rib does, and a pro-
jecting piece is provided behind by which the fireplace can be supported there.
A hole of any suitable shape is cut out of the front plate of the fireplace A, to
allow of the fire being transmitted from the lighted match to the fuel on the
grate The grate B is hinged at the back, so that the fine which has been made
in the supplementary fireplace A, can when desired, he dropped into the ordinary
fireplace, by releasing the hasp Cat the side of the receptacle. The part of plate
on which the lever K is pivoted, is turned up out of the baseplate' M, the latter
being cut as shown. The two ends of the thin sheet metal frame II, are clamped
together at the bottom, underneath the stone G, by a small screw or rivet, which
also secures one end of the chain Q. The top of the frame H is riveted to a pro-
jecting part of the lever K as shown The sandstone or other rough substance G
is firmly secured by the frame H. and is so arranged that the face of the stone
is about one eighth of an inch (1) from the adjacent edge of the baseplate M.
The stone G is also slightly inclined, projecting a little further at the top than
at the bottom, so that the friction increases as the stone descends The clip E,
for holding the match is riveted to the base plate M. near the front edge of the
grate B, at one end, the other end extending in front and beyond the base-
plate, and being slightly turned down, so that it will easily engage the the
fastener F. The fastener F may be made to the form shown. It turns on a
pivot in the baseplate M The chain is made of such a length, and the weight N
so heavy, as to ensure the stone G being sharply drawn over the end of the
match, when the weight falls The weight N is best made of cast iron, and pro-
vided with a lug for receiving the end of the chain Q. It is also slightly flattened
underneath, so that it will not fall, until the tray O is tilted. The tray is a
flat piece of sheet iron or steel, turned up at the back to receive one end of the
wie P. The wire P must he just long enough, for the other end of it, to be
attached to the outer edge of the alarm kev, of an ordinary alarm clock; placed
in any convenient position above the fireplace. These alarm kevs generally
hang loosely behind the clock, but the key used should be soldered in a position
at right angles to the back of the clock. This gives greater efficiency to the
whole machine.
My invention is operated or used in the following manner:- 2.
1 .
'
If it is desired that the fire shall be lighted carly in the morning, cold fire"
is made, that is the fuel is set in the supplementary fire place A, the previous
evening, which is then placed in position over the ordinary grate: If coke' is
placed at the bottom of the fireplace A, the fire in the ordinary firenlace need
not necessarily be quite out, before the firelighter is placed over it. The alarm

page_text: clock (the best position for which, 18 on the mantel shelf, with its back turned
outwards, so that the wire P, may easily pass the edge of the shelf) is set for any
desired time, and the weight N, placed on the tray O, at the lower end of the
wire P. The stone G is lifted into its highest position, and one or two matches
put in contact with it, and secured by the clip E, and the fastener F. A piece
of paper, or other inflammable material must connect the end of the match,
and the set fire, in order to transmit the fire from the match. When the alarm
bell rings, the key behind the clock turns, tilting the tray O, by means of the
wire P, and overturning the weight N. The weight, on falling, draws the stone
or other rough substance G over the end of the match or matches, thus lighting
the fire which has previously been set When desired the fire can be dropped
into the ordinary fire place by releasing the hasp C.
All the parts, with the exception of the clock, wire P, weight N, chain Q,
stone G and hinge are best made of a good quality of sheet iron or of sheet steel.
My invention can be applied to the lighting of candles, night lights, and the
like at definite times, in the following manner.
A plate carrying the lever K, frame H stone G, clip E, and fastener F, in-
stead of being attached to a supplementary fireplace, is supported on a base or
stand of any desired form, which is provided with a holder for the candle or
night light, and so arranged, that the wick of the candle, is at about the same
level as the plate. This base or stand is cramped to the edge of a table or other
article of furniture, so that it may be securely held, when the weight falls. The
match is ignited in the same manner as described for the firelighter, and the
light is transmitted from the burning match by a thin thread of some inflammable
material. The best material for this purpose, has been found to be one of the
strands of an ordinary wax taper. This is an efficient agent for transmitting
the light, and posseses the advantage of being itself immediately burnt away,
thus avoiding undue melting of the wax of the candle or night light.
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:—
1. In an apparatus for automatically lighting fires at definite times, the com-
bination with a supplementary fireplace, having a hinged grate, of a lever, carry-
ing a frame containing a stone or other rough substance, suitable for igniting
a match by frictional contact, a clip for holding the match, a fastener for securing
the clip, and a chain attached to the said frame at one end, and to a weight at
the other.
2. In an apparatus for automatically lighting candles, night lights and the
like at definite times, the combination with a base or stand fitted with a holder
for the candle or night light, of a lever carrying a frame containing a stone or
other rough substance, suitable for igniting a match by frictional contact, a
clip for holding the match, a fastener for securing the clip, and a chain, attached
to the said frame at one end, and to a weight at the other.
3 The combination with an ordinary alarm clock, of a wire attached to the
alarm key at the back of the clock, at one end, and to a small tray for holding
a weight at the other