IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRO- CARBON LAMPS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Pitcairn Wright, of Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRO-
CARBON LAMPS."
Sealed the 4th February 1879, and dated the 9th August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Pitcairn Wright at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th August 1878.
DAVID PITCAIRN WRIGHT, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manu-
facturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDROCARBON LAMPS."
This Invention consists in an improved arrangement for extinguishing the flames
of hydrocarbon lamps, which is accomplished as follows:-To the upper part of a
sliding tube which surrounds the wick case I attach a flap of sufficient width to
cover the top of the sliding tube by either projecting pins working in holes or ears
or by any convenient means, by which it can readily work as an hinge, and move
in any angle of 90 degrees or thereabouts. The side or sides of this flap is bent at
a right angle, or a separate piece of metal may be attached to it so shaped or bent,
or a hole slotted therein, as that when the sliding tube with the flap attached is
moved up by a lever or otherwise this arm or projection may strike against a pin
fixed into the wick tube or other fixed part of the burner, and the flap may thereby
be turned over from a perpendicular or nearly perpendicular position, to a hori-
zontal one, thus enclosing the wick in the sliding tube and extinguishing the light,
and when the sliding tube is lowered the flap may be turned back from its hori-
zontal position to a perpendicular one and pass below the wick case.

page_text: To enable the sliding case to rise above the wick tube a fine slot is made in it to
admit the pin fixed into the wick tube.
The arrangement for accomplishing this action of the flap may be varied in
detail without affecting my Invention.
The essential feature of my Invention consists in the method and arrangement
of turning the hinged flap of the sliding tube from a perpendicular or nearly per-
pendicular position to a horizontal one, and vice versa, by means of the projection
or arm of the flap or attachment thereto impinging against a fixed portion of the
burner when the sliding tube is raised to extinguish, or lowered to light the
lamp.

page_text: draw the latter over towards the inner edges of the sliding cases until they meet or
close on the same, and thereby completely inclose and extinguish the flame of the wick.
The raising and lowering of the sliding case is performed by means of the lever h,
which is pivotted at h', and has a slot h² in the end attached to the sliding case
to admit of its adjusting itself to the various positions of the sliding case.
Having thus described the nature and object of my said Invention, I declare
that what I claim and desire to be secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The general arrangement and combination of parts for extinguishing the
flames of hydrocarbon lamps, substantially as herein-beforé described, and as shewn
on the Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
Second. The arrangement and means whereby the raising of the sliding tube
causes a portion of the flap or a connection therewith to impinge against a fixed
part of the burner for extinguishing or lowering the light, substantially as herein-
before described, and shewn on Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Pitcairn Wright, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
Witness,
ALBERT E. HARDING,
108, Hockley Hill,
Birmingham,
DAVID PITCAIRN WRIGHT. (L.S.)