IMPROVEMENTS IN WICK TRIMMERS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Julius Boult of the firm of W. P. Thompson and
Boult Patent Agents of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WICK TRIMMERS ' & com-
munication from abroad by William C Seaton, of Quebec in the Dominion of
Canedo
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Julius Boult at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th April 1883.
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of the firm of W. P. Thompson & Boult Patent Agents
of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex Engineer " IMPROVEMENTS IN
WICK TRIMMERS" [a communication from abroad by William C Seaton, of Quebec
in the Dominion of Canada]
This invention consists chiefly in a spiral, cylindrical or flat brush capable of
being revolved by the hand of the operator within a suitable case, preferably of
metal which has one or more longitudinal slots or openings through which tho wick
to be trimmed is admitted to the brush.
This instrument is held by a fixed handle in one hand over the wick and the
brush is revolved with the other hand, brushing off the burat portions of the
wick into the case which collects the refuse and can be cleaned out when required
The case is usually cylindrical with the handle at one end, but in some cases it
is square in cross section and its form can of course be varied to suit circumstances.
Usually there are an inner and an outer case; the inner one can be withdrawn
when required and also turned in the outer case so as to bring the opening of the
inner case opposite either a small or a large or two small openings in the outer
case so as to trim a single flat wick, or a circular wick, or a pair of flat wicks as
may be required. A stud on the inner case takes into notches in the outer cas so
as to hold it in the proper position; or the relative positions of the cases may be
secured in any convenient manner
The edges of the recesses may be turned inwards so as to support the wick and
to ensure the refuse being carried into the case.
In some cases two brushes may be used as for duplex lamps, oue being turned
by the handle and the other driven from the first by gearing or in other convenient
manner.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alfred Julius Boult in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
12th October 1883.
Alfred JULIUS BOULT of the firm of W. P. Thompson and Boult, Patent Agents
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
of 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex Engineer
WICK TRIMMERS a communication from William C. Seaton of Quebec in the
Dominion of Canada.
"
This Invention consists chiefly in a spiral cylindrical or flat brush capable of
being revolved by the hand of the operator within a suitable case, preferably of
metal which has one or more longitudinal slots or openings through which the wick
to be trimmed is admitted to the brush.
This instrument is held by a fixed handle in one hand over the wick the brush is
revolved with the other hand, brushing off the burnt portions of the wick into the
case which collects the refuse and can be cleaned out when required
.
The case is usually cylindrical with the handle at one end, but in some cases it
is square in cross section and its form can of course be varied to suit circum-
outer case, the inner one can be
stances Usually there are an inner and an
withdrawn when required and also turned in the outer case so as to bring the
opening of the inner case opposite either a small or a large or two small openings
in the outer case so as to trim a single flat wick or a circular wich or a pair of flat
wicks as may be required. A stud in the inner case takes into notches in the outer
case so as to hold it in the proper position or the relative positions of the cases
may be secured in any convenient manner.
The edges of the recesses may be turned inwards so as to support the wick and
to ensure the refuse being carried into the case.
In some cases two brushes may be used, as for duplex lamps, one being turned
by the handle and the other driven from the first by gearing or in other convenient
manner.
In the accompanying drawings in which like letters of reference represent like
parts, Figures 1. 2. and 3. are cross sections through the trimmer. Figure 4. is a
plan showing the under side of one forme of the trimmer. Figures 5 and 6 are
respectively respectively a cross section and elevation of a form specially suited to
trinining circular wicks: Figures 7 and 8 are an elevation and cross section of a
triminer suitable for stove wicks. Figures 9 and 10 are a cross section and plan
of underside of a double brush trimmer for lamps with two wicks. Figures 11
and 12. are an elevation and cross section of the inner case and spiral brush and
Figure 13. is a cross section of a trimmer in which the brush is oscillated instead of
being revolved.
In the cross section Figure 1. it will be seen that the brush A. is secured to or
forms part of the spindle or axle B. which is usually formed of a single or twisted
It will be
wire one end of which is bent into a crank C. Figures 4 and 6.
readily understood that the exact form of brush may be varied but that shewn
in fugure 1. and more fully in figure 14 is found to answer well. It consists of a
longitudinal band or case of tin through which the bristles pass at right angles to
the axle; the bristles are secured by compressing the tin by rivetting, or in other
convenient manner.
To the outer case D. is secured the handle or holder E. and the inner case F. fits
nicely inside case D. which has a piece cut out for its whole length or nearly so
from D¹. to D. 2. (in cross section) as shewn in Figure I. Case F. has a slot F¹. just
large enough to admit the wick to be trimmed. The ears or edges of this slot
project inwards as shewn, to hold the wick while being trimmed and to ensure the

page_text: refuse being carried into the case; a pin or stud F. fits into a Slot in the outer
case and holds the inner case in its proper position. When it is required to trim
a duplex lamp with two wicks the inner case F. is slightly withdrawn endwise
from the outer case and turned partly round and again pushed in; the stud this
time taking into another slot and the two cases assuming the relative positions
shown in Figure 2. so that the large opening from F. to F. coincides with the
opening D.' D. The trimmer can thus be held over both wicks at once and both
can be trimmed simultaneously In use the handle E. is held horizontally and the
slot F. is placed over the wick to be trimmed which is turned up sufficiently high
for the purpose. Figure 3. simply shows the inner case F. by itself for clearness.
Figure 4. shews the same form of the trimmer as figures 1. and 2. but is in the
position of Figure 1. the small opening or slot F. showing through the large
opening D. D..
In Figures 5. and 6. the difference is in the form of the case which is made as
shewn, the object being to provide the ledge or shoulder G. which rests upon the
circular wick holder H. of the lamp while the trimmer can be traversed entirely
round the lamp, or the lamp revolved on its own axis, the brush being revolved
meantime and the wick I. trimmed-This form is made especially for circular
wicks. A spiral brush is shewn in this case, but either this or the flat can be
used in any of the forms-the flat brush generally giving the best results.
In figures 7 and 8. the inner case F. only takes one position in the outer case D.
as this is most suitable for the long wicks that have to be trimmed and also for
the form of handle shewn; nevertheless this form could be made like Figures 1.
and 2. if necessary.
In figures 9 and 10 two brushes are employed and two slots F.¹ provided for
duplex lamps; one brush is revolved by the handle as before and gear wheels K.
communicate the motion to the second brush as will be easily understood, spiral
brushes are shown here also.
In figure 13. the spindle is not centrally placed and the brush is one armed only
and is intended to oscillate or vibrate instead of revolving.
Instead of having two slots F.' in a square case for duplex lamps, one
slot may be employed near the edge of the case so that the thin portion of
the case can be placed between the two wick holders and the wicks trimmed
separately.
Suitable openings as at L. L. Figure 3. are provided where necessary to facilitate
the removal of the refuse when the trimmer is being cleaned which is done by
withdrawing the inner case and shaking it or wiping it out.
The exact forna or shape and size of the trimmer is immaterial and may be
varied as required to suit circumstances. The kind of brush or bristles is also
immaterial but common brush bristles give a satisfactory result in ordinary cases.
Nevertheless a fint piece of wood or metal could be used in place of the brush
described and this would remove the charred wick though not so well as the brush-
The brush also could have a single traversing motion in place of the revolving or
oscillating motion previously described.
But I have specially described and illustrated these forms which practical
working has demonstrated to be the best.
Having now described the Invention as communicated to me by my foreign
Correspondent and the method of performing the same I wish it to be understood
that I claim,
1. In a trimmer for wicks the revolving or oscilling [sic] brush A. substantially as
and for the purposes setforth and illustrated.
2. Trimming wicks by the action of a brush or its mechanical equivalent which
removes the charred portions by a brushing or by a traversing motion substantially
as setforth.
3 The combination of the outer case D. and inner case E. whereby one trimmer
may be used to trim a single or more than one wick substantially as described and
illustrated in figures 1 and 2. of the accompanying drawings

page_text: 4. The trimmer for circular wicks having the edge or shoulder C. substantially as
described and shown in figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
5. The trimmer for stove wicks substantially as described and shewn in Figures 7
and 8 of the accompanying drawings
6. The combination of two brushes one driven off the other with the case F.
baving two slots F.' substantially as described and illustrated in figures 9 and 10
of the accompanying drawings
In witness whereof I, the said Alfred Julius Boult have hereunto set my hand
and seal this eleventh day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
ATEDED T PATTI