Improved Igniting Device for Miners' Lamps and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Oct., 1897-Accepted, 13th Nov.,
1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Igniting Device for Miners' Lamps and the like.
I CARL HEINRICH WOLF of Zwickau in the Kingdom of Saxony, Manufacturer
do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
This invention relates to a device for igniting miners' safety lamps which are
adapted to burn benzine, oil and other inflammable materials.
A strip of linen, cotton or other suitable material serves as igniting material
which is impregnated with paraffine or wax and provided at equal distances with
pellets of a substance which is ignited by friction on the device being operated
so that the portion of the strip beyond such ignited substance is set into flame.
The projected burning strip ignites the wick of the lamp.
This manner of ignition is undoubtedly safer than the so-called percussion
ignition heretofore employed.
There is no possibility of the flame or spark passing through the wire net
mantle when igniting the lamp, since the igniting flame is developed gradually,
whereas by the older method of ignition, which is effected by the explosion of a
so-called amorcepill, it is possible for the flame to penetrate through the wire-
gauze chimney of the miners' lamp. This has been proved by some fire-damp
explosions which are supposed to have been caused by the above-mentioned
circumstance.
The important advantages of this improved igniting device are as follows:-
(1) The construction is considerably simpler and stronger so that the miner is
able to ignite the extinguished lamp with safety.
(2) The various parts may be readily and quickly changed or substituted by any
work man without solder or rivets being employed.
(3) Every ignition-pellet can be relied upon to cause ignition whereas hitherto
frequently 5-6 amorce-pills were necessary for the same purpose so that by this
improved device considerable expense is saved.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:-
Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the igniting device:
Fig. 2 is an end view: and
Fig. 3 a plan view of same:
Figs. 4, 5 & 6 represent details of the device.
a represents the receptacle for holding the coiled igniting strip or tape b.
c is a piece of the form shown in Fig. 4 in sectional view and plan which is
rigidly secured to the receptacle and adapted to receive the spring rack z
separately shown in Fig. 5 in elevation and plan.
For the purpose of removing this rack for cleaning or changing same, it is only
necessary to slightly press same together at the free edges by a pointed tool so
that it can be lifted out of the piece c.
The igniting strip or tape is firmly held by the rack z on being torn and the
teeth of the rack are so set or are of such form that they allow the strip to be

page_text: readily moved upwards whereas they cause a suitable resistance when the strip
is pulled downwards. d is a rod or handle provided with a spring pivotally con-
nected therewith such spring having tongues e and f separately shown in front and
side elevation in Fig. 6. The tongue fis provided with some teeth g which tear
the igniting pellets provided on the igniting tape 6 so that by the flame thus
produced, the strip is set into flame.
The tongue e is guided with its shoulders fl and få in the grooves i¹ of the
piece e (Fig. 4) so that the teeth are prevented from penetrating too far into the
strip.
The tongue e is provided at its upper end with a bent part h.
On the tongues being in their most upright position this bent part passes out of
the receptacle, so that in order to prevent the spring being weakened the elasticity
is diminished whereas on drawing, the tongues downwards the spring is strained
again and contacts with the igniting pellet.
In order to cause ignition the rod or handle d together with the striker is
pulled downwards, the igniting pellet caught and a slight pressure above suffices
to bring the burning strip out of the receptacle.
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 improved igniting device for miners' lamps and the like, the combi-
nation with a receptacle for an igniting strip, of a rack z holding the strip and a
striking device provided with a spring tongue e such strip being ignited and
forced forwards in a burning state by the striking device substantially as described
and shown in the drawings.
2. In an improved igniting device for miners' lamps and the like, the combi-
nation with an igniting strip of a rack z holding the strip and a striking device
by which the strip is ignited and forced forwards, such rack being formed as a
piece of spring metal detachably fitted without any holding device in the piece c
provided with shoulders i substantially as described and shown' in the drawings.
Dated the 8th day of October 1897.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,.
Chartered Patent Agent.