Improvements in Pocket Lamps.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 4th July, 1890-Accepted, 6th Sept., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by CHARLES STANFORD UPTON, a Citizen of the
United States, residing in the City, County, and State of New York, and
doing business at 43, Park Place, said City.]
Improvements in Pocket Lamps.
I, JOHN LIDDLE, of 154 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Patent Agent, 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 :-
The first part of the invention relates to a lighting contrivance of such a size as
that it may be conveniently carried in the pocket, and is provided with a wick or oil
receptacle and wick and with a band or tape of fulminates or ignitable pellets arranged
so as to be fed upwardly towards the burning point of the wick by mechanism herein-
after described so that upon reaching a certain position a scratcher will be forced
against one of the fulminates causing it to ignite the latter being in such a position
as to transfer its momentary flame immediately to the upper end of the wick
aforesaid.
It also relates to a lever connected to the press button which liberates the lamp
casing lid and having a forked spring arm for straddling the fulminates or ignitable
pellets and biting against the aforesaid band or tape containing the same whereby
when the push button is pressed inwardly so as to liberate the lamp casing cover the
band of fulminates will be fed upwardly and the scratcher aforesaid will operate in
the manner set forth.
The second part of the invention consists of small casing, or box, provided with
a reel or bobbin, on which is wound a coustible wick, preferably of higher
inflamable material, and in combining with said wick a fulminate or easily ignitable
compound, continuously, or nearly continuously along one edge of the wick, and so
disposing the said wick as that when it is fed upward by an automatic device which
will be hereinafter described, a scratcher will be forced in contact with the fulminate
and cause the igniting of the wick.
In connection with this lamp, is a lever and a spring finger which grasps the wick
and which is connected to a press-button mounted upon the lid-opening, or lid-
releasing spring, whereby when said button is pressed, the lid, or cover of the casing,
will fly open and the wick by the same movement, will be automatically raised to an
operative position and the scratcher, scraping against the fulminate, will ignite the
wick, all of which will be accomplished as hereinbefore stated, and as will be herein-
after shewn, by the simple pressure upon the press-button.
Referring to the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification
Figure 1 which represents the first part of the invention shews a perspective view
of the improved pocket lamp.
Figure 2, represents a perspective view shewing the second part of the invention.
Figure 3, is a perspective view of the reel or bobbin containing the combined
fulminate and wick.
Referring to Figure 1, A is a casing provided with a side door B hinged thereto,
said side door supporting a wick receptacle or oil chamber (). This wick receptacle
or oil chamber has a cover D hinged thereto at E and is further provided with a
wick F, preferably centrally located as shewn.
At the bottom of the lamp casing A I arrange a spool or bobbin G having wound
thereon a band or tape H provided with fulminates or ignitable pellets I. This spool
or bobbin is constructed preferably of wood, paper, or some cheap material and is
adapted to be easily inserted in the bottom of, and removed from, the lamp casing.
This band or tape of fulminates extends inwardly and through the guide plate J at

page_text: the top of the lamp casing A. The wick receiver will lie entirely above the spool or
bobbin when the lamp is closed.
At K I show a bell crank lever extending around and at the back of the band H
and provided with a keeper L at the further side for forming a guard or guide and
support at that point. This lever is pivoted at its elbow to the lamp casing A by means
of the pin M and at its lower end has embracing fingers N to clasp a spring plate O
riveted to the interior of the casing A at P. This spring plate is provided with a push
button Q extending through and protruding from the outside of the casing and which
when pressed against will cause the spring plate O to move inwardly. This motion will,
through the medium of the fingers N attached to the bell crank lever K. cause the
latter to turn on its pivot M.
At the upper end of the spring plate O is a lug R which is adapted to slip behind
the shoulder or lip S of the lid or cover T'and which, when the push button is pressed
in will recede from its position behind the lip S thereby causing the lid or cover to be
liberated. A spring U is provided at the rear of the casing which is normally in
contact with the lid or cover and which will cause it to fly open and assume the
position shewn in the drawing when the releasing and retaining spring O liberates it.
A spring arm V is attached to the bell crank lever K and is provided with nipping
fingers W which bite into the band or tape H near both edges thereof and which, when
the lever K, is moved upwardly will travel with it and cause the fulminate band H to
be fed in an upward direction."
The spring arm V is preferably formed with the fingers W as by this means I can
obtain a better hold on the band or tape and am at the same time able to straddle the
fulminates or ignitable pellets thus preventing any accidental ignition. A guard X is
provided for the purpose of guiding the tape at this point. At Y I shew a knife edge
and at Z I shew a similar knife on the lid or cover and which is adapted to sever the
fulminate band or tape when the lid is closed down. At Z¹ I show a scratcher
attached to the wick receptacle having a point at its upper end adapted to ignite the
pellets when they have reached a position opposite the upper end of the wick F. This
scratcher serves also as a lock or retainer to hold the tape in position when the bell
crank lever K is retreating, thus preventing the nipping fingers W from carrying the
tapes with them.
It will be seen that when pressure is applied to the push button Q the lid or cover
of the lamp casing will be liberated, and at the same time the fulminate band or tape
will be fed upwardly so as to bring a pellet opposite the upper end of the wick F, and
at the same time the scratcher Z' will cause the ignition of said pellet and the
consequent transfer of the flame to the wick F, all of which will be accomplished
simultaneously and by one movement of the operator's thumb or finger upon the
push button Q.
It will also be seen that when it is desired to close the cover or lid of the casing the
knives Y, Z will cause the band or tape of exhausted fulminates to be severed as the
lid descends to its normal and closed position.
Referring to Figures 2 and 3, A represents the box or casing, or safe, provided with
the lid, or cover B hinged thereto at C, the lid being provided at its other end with
the lug or shoulder D for engagement with the spring lock, or releasing spring E, the
latter being attached at F to the interior of the safe or casing A, and being.
provided with a press-button G attached thereto as shewn, and extending through
a complementary opening at the side of the casing A, so that a pressure upon the
press-button aforesaid will distort the lock spring from its normal locking position
and cause the lid or cover B to be thrown back from the top of the lamp box or
casing, which latter operation is accelerated by means of a spring H, which presses,
as shewn, against the inside of the lid, or cover and is attached at I by means of
suitable rivets, to the inside cover J of the lamp-casing. The combined wick and
fulminate is shown at K and is wound upon a reel, or bobbin L which is provided
with a central orifice l' and is adapted to be placed upon the spindle M within the
lamp-casing A. The wick and wick-bobbin are removable and renewable when
desired, the old one when worn out or used up, being replaced by a new one.
This

page_text: is accomplished by the opening of the door M' hinged to the side of the lamp-casing
and which when separated, as in the Figure, will permit easy access to the interior.
The wick is fed up through the guide N to the top, the latter being lined,
preferably with a non-combustible material, such as india-rubber, or asbestos O, thus
preventing the spread of the flame downwardly into the lamp-casing.
Attached to and forming a part of the lid-opening spring E, is a bell crank lever P
hinged at to the lamp-casing and provided with a pawl R pivoted thereto; and a
small spring S, which is adapted to thrust the pawl-the latter being provided with
a sharp point into the wick as shewn; the further end of the lever having a mat
or cushion R¹, for supporting the wick at this point.
It will be seen that when the press-button G, is pressed, the bell-crank lever P
will turn on its pivot, and the pawl, biting into the wick, will thrust it upwardly
through the guide and expose the end above the top of the lamp. At the same time
the inward pressure upon the button G will cause the liberation of the lid or
cover B of the lamp-casing A, and the spring H will cause the lid to be thrown
backward.
At T is provided a scratcher or igniting device which will scrape against the
fulminate material arranged upon that side of the wick and cause it to burn, thereby
igniting the wick. At U is provided a small lever which may be used to remove
the cinder or ember from the top of the burnt wick. This can be used or not, as
may be desired.
The wick may be either flat as shewn, or cylindrical if preferred.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1. In a pocket lamp, the combination of a lamp case, a wick receiver, a combined
scratcher and tape locking device attached thereto, a wick, a spool or bobbin
containing a band or tape of combustible material arranged in the lamp case below
the wick receiver, and means substantially as shewn and described for feeding the band
towards the wick point, as set forth.
2. In a pocket lamp, the combination of a lamp case, a wick receiver, a wick, a
spool or bobbin containing a fulminate band or tape arranged in the lamp case below
the wick receiver, means for feeding the fulminate band towards the wick point, an
igniting device and a band severing knife all arranged substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
3. In a pocket lamp, the combination of a lamp case, a wick receiver, a wick, a
spool or bobbin containing a fulminate band or tape, a spring piece, press button and
lever for releasing the lid and raising the band, and means substantially as shewn and
described for severing the band on the closing of the lid.
4. In a pocket lamp, the combination of a lamp case, a wick receiver, a wick,
a spool or bobbin containing a fulminate band or tape, means for simultaneously
feeding the same towards the wick point and igniting it, and a centrally located
guide at the top of the lamp casing said guide being provided with a knife edge as
and for the purposes set forth.
5. In a
pocket lamp, the combination of a lamp case, a wick receiver, a wick,
a spool or bobbin containing a fulminate band or tape, a bell crank lever pivoted
to the lamp casing, a spring and push button connected thereto, a forked shaped
spring arm attached to the aforesaid lever and adapted to grasp the band in
connection therewith and to feed it upward toward the wick point, and a
pellet igniting and tape locking device, all arranged substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
6. In a lighting device, a wick provided with a fulminate in a broken or
anbroken line along one edge thereof, and having means for automatically feeding and
gniting the same.
7. In a lighting device, the combination of a wick, a continuous fulminate
ormed in one therewith and on one side thereof, a press-button arranged to feed

page_text: the wick upwardly, and a scratcher adapted to ignite the fulminate when so fed, as
'set forth.
8. In a lighting device, the combination of a wick having a continuous fulminate
formed in one therewith; a casing for said wick, a lid and means substantially
as shewn and described, for simultaneously opening the lid and feeding: and igniting
the wick.
9. In a lighting device, the combination of a wick having a continuous fulminate
formed in one therewith, a casing for containing the wick, an opening in the casing
through which the wick is fed, and an igniting device located immediately outside
said opening, as and for the purposes set forth.
10. In a lighting device, the combination of a wick having a fulminate formed
in one therewith, a casing for said wick, an opening in the casing through which the
wick is fed, the said opening being lined with non-combustible material, all adapted
to operate substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
11. In a lighting device, the combination of a wick having a fulminate formed in
one therewith, a casing for said wick, a tube opening through which the wick is fed,
the said tube being lined with non-combustible material, all adapted to operate
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
12. In a lighting device, the combination of the wick having a continuous fulminate
formed in one therewith, a casing for said wick, a tube opening through which the
wick is fed, the said tube being lined with fire-proof material, and a fixed igniting
device located directly outside of said opening and upon the lid of the casing, and
adapted to ignite the fulminate as it is fed through the opening, substantially as shown
and described.
13. In a lighting device, the combination of a wick having a fulminate formed in
one therewith, a casing for said wick, means substantially as shown and described
for feeding the wick through the casing, a scratcher attached to the tube of the
casing and in contact with the wick, whereby the fulminate is ignited and
the wick is fed through the opening, all arranged substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
14. In a lighting device, the combination of a wick having a continuous fulminate
wound on a reel or bobbin located within the lamp-casing, and arranged so as to be
removed therefrom, and provided with means substantially as shown and described,
for feeding the wick through the casing and igniting it.
15. In a lighting device, the combination of a wick wound on a reel or bobbin and
having a fulminate formed in one therewith, with a casing provided with a spindle
for the reception of the bobbin, and with an opening through which the wick is
adapted to be fed, substantially as shown and described.
16. In a lighting device, the combination of a wick having a continuous fulminate
wound upon a reel or bobbin as described, with a casing having a spindle for
receiving said bobbin, an opening through which the wick is fed, and an
igniting device immediately outside of the opening and attached to the casing cover,
substantially as shown and described.
17. In a lighting device, the combination of a wick having a continuous fulminate
formed in one therewith and mounted upon a reel or bobbin, with a lamp-casing
having a spindle for the reception of said reel or bobbin, an opening through which
the wick is fed, an igniting device immediately outside of the opening, and means
substantially as shown and described for feeding the wick through said opening, as
and for the purposes set forth.
18. In a lighting device, the combination of a wick having a fulminate formed
in one therewith, and mounted upon a reel or bobbin, with a casing provided with
a spindle for the reception of said reel or bobbin, an opening through which the
wick is fed, an igniting device immediately outside of the opening, and means
substantially as shown and described for feeding the wick through said opening, as
and for the purposes set forth.
19. In a lighting device, the combination of a wick having a fulminate formed
in one therewith, and mounted upon a reel or bobbin, with a casing provided with a

page_text: spindle for the reception of said reel or bobbin, an opening through which the wick is
feed, an igniting device immediately outside of the opening and a lever which
embraces the wick, a spring attached to said lever and a push-button for operating
said spring, all arranged substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
20. In a lighting device, the combination of a wick, having a fulminate arranged
along the edge thereof, and in one therewith, and mounted upon a reel or bobbin, a
lamp-casing provided with a spindle for the reception of said bobbin, an opening
through which the wick is fed, a lever for embracing the wick provided with a pawl,
and a spring-piece, a spring-plate on which the said lever is mounted, a lid for the
casing, and a push-button connected to the spring plate and adapted to operate the
cover and feed the wick forward simultaneously, as set forth.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.