GB2092290A - Gas Lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

A lamp comprises a base (11) having a recess therein, a gas reservoir (G) containing a combustible gas in the recess (R), a gas burner (19) mounted on the base (11) adapted to project a flame (F) of burning gas upwardly, control means (21), the burner having a shroud (20) with an outer end of reduced cross-section with an opening (25) through which gas from the burner (19) passes and from the flame (F) is projected upwardly, the shroud resembling the top of a candle, and/or a lampshade (18) mounted on the base (11), the lampshade having an opening (22) above the burner (19) through which hot combustion gases may escape. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lamps This invention relates to a lamp and more particularly to a gas lamp i.e. a lamp of the type which produces light by means of burning gas.

Previously, in applications where only a dim light is required, for example in restaurants where table lamps are provided, candles have been used because a candle light is of the required intensity to create a pleasant atmosphere. However, candles have at least the foilowing disadvantages.

First, candles are becoming increasingly expensive and are not re-usable. Secondly, candles do not burn cleanly which results in the production of smoke and unpleasant odours which are obviously undesirable especially in restaurant applications. Thirdly, the flame is uncontrollable, i.e. the intensity of light produced cannot be varied if required. Fourthly, candles are supported in candlesticks or other supports which, as the candle burns, become soiled by the candle wax, the removal of which is time consuming and unpleasant work.

It has been proposed to use electrical lamps in such applications, but such lamps which are powered from the electrical mains require a flex from a socket outlet to the lamp. Where the lamp is not close to such a socket outlet, the flex needs to be long and this can become a hazard, especially in dim light, where a person could trip over the flex or upset the lamp by inadvertently pulling at the flex.

Battery powered electric lamps are uneconomical because the batteries do not last very long before requiring replacement.

Gas lamps are known which have a mantle and burn butane gas to provide a bright incandescent light, but such lamps are not satisfactory where only a dim light is required.

The object of the invention is to provide a new or improved lamp which overcomes or reduces the above mentioned problems.

According to one aspect of the invention we provide a lamp comprising a base having a recess therein, for a reservoir of combustible gas, a gas burner adapted to project a flame of burning gas upwardly, control means to control the flame, a lampshade having an opening above the burner through which hot products of combustion may escape.

The lampshade may be translucent or may be transparent. Where the lampshade is transparent, the burner may have a shroud with an outer end of reduced cross section with an opening through which gas from the burner may pass and from which opening the flame is projected upwardly.

The shroud thus resembles the top of a candle.

According to a second aspect of the invention, we provide a lamp comprising a base having a recess therein for a gas reservoir, of combustible gas, a gas burner adapted to project a flame of burning gas upwardly, control means to control the flame, the burner having a shroud with an outer end of reduced cross-section with an opening through which gas from the burner may pass and from which opening, in use, the flame is projected upwardly.

Thus the shroud resembles a candle and further, the lamp produces a dim yellow gas-rich flame, similar to a candle flame. This is because the gas is projected upwardly from the burner and not diffused or mixed with air before it is burnt as in the case of mantle lamps.

If desired, the lamp may have a lampshade, such as a transparent or opaque lampshade, the lampshade having an opening above the burner, through which hot combustion gases may escape.

The gas reservoir and burner may comprise a single unit which may be easily removed when the gas is spent, or the reservoir may comprise an internal chamber of the base. In either case, the reservoir may be refillable so that the lamp provides an economic replacement for a candle and provides a cleaner, controllable flame. Thus no wax soils the base and the lamp does not suffer from the disadvantages of electric lamps.

The base may comprise an upright pillar attached to or integral with a support part such as a disc-shaped part or a plurality of feet formations. The base may be hollow at least in an upper region thereof to provide said recess for the gas reservoir.

The base may have an upper socket part to receive a lower portion of the lampshade, and the socket part may be of decorative configuration If desired. Further, the socket may have apertures in a lower region thereof below the lampshade, to enable air to be drawn into the space enclosed by the lampshade to facilitate combustion of the gas.

The invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawing which is a perspective view of a lamp in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawing, a lamp 10 comprises a base 11 having an upright pillar 12, the lower end of the pillar 12 being attached to a disc shaped support part 13. The pillar 12 is hollow over substantially the entire length thereof, as indicated by the chain dotted lines, the hollow providing a recess R, the recess extending to the upper end of the pillar 12 and terminating in an opening 14.

Also provided at the upper end of the pillar 12 and surrounding the pillar 12, is a socket part 16 of decorative configuration which is adapted to support a lower portion 1 7 of a transparent lampshade 18.

Received within the opening 14 and extending downwardly into the recess R, is a burner 19 which has a shroud 20, the upper end of the shroud 20 being of reduced cross section and resembling the top of a candle. The burner 1 9 is an integral unit with a gas reservoir G which contains combustible butane gas but may contain any other combustible or compressed liquified gas, the unit being a loose fit in the recess R in the base 11 so that the unit may be easily removed and replaced or replenished when the gas is spent. Further, the burner 1 9 is provided with a valve control and lever 21 which lever 21 extends from an aperture 26 in the side of the shroud 20 so that the lever 21 may be moved to control the escape of gas from the reservoir G, through the burner 19 and hence to control the flame F produced.The butane gas and hence the flame F is projected upwardly from the burner 1 9 from an opening 25 in the shroud 20.

The socket part te has a plurality of apertures 1 6a below the lampshade 18, which permit air to be drawn into the volume enclosed by the lampshade 18, to facilitate combustion of the gas.

The gas burns with a yellow gas-rich flame similar to a candle flame and hence the light produced by the lamp is dim whereas gas lamps of the type having a mantle, which burn gas, provide a bright incandescent light.

The upper end of the shade 18 has an opening 22 above the burner 19 to permit hot products of combustion to escape.

If desired, the reservoir G need not be an integral unit with the burner 1 9 but may be provided by the recess R within the pillar 12, which recess chamber may be produced with means to permit the recess to be replenished with gas when the gas is spent, or burner may be mounted on the base separate from the reservoir which is provided as a separate member receivable in the recess in the base and there being means to permit passage of fuel from the reservoir to the burner.

Further, the configuration of the base 11 need not be as described, but if desired any other configuration of base may be adopted provided that the base provides a recess R in which a reservoir of gas is received.

If desired, the shade 18 and the socket part 16 may be omitted so that the lamp resembles a candle burning. Alternatively, a translucent shade 18 may be provided, in which case the shroud 20 may be omitted as the burner 1 9 is not readily visible.

Claims (14)

Claims

1. A lamp comprising a base having a recess therein, for a gas reservoir of combustible gas, a gas burner adapted to project a flame of burning gas upwardly, control means to control the flame, a lampshade mounted on the base, the lampshade having an opening above the burner through which hot products of combustion may escape.

2. A lamp according to Claim 1 wherein the lampshade is translucent.

3. A lamp according to Claim 1 wherein the lampshade is transparent.

4. A lamp according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the burner has a shroud with an outer end of reduced cross section with an opening through which gas from the burner may pass and from which opening the flame is projected upwardly, the shroud resembling the top of a candle.

5. A lamp comprising a base having a recess therein, for a gas reservoir of combustible gas a gas burner adapted to project a flame of burning gas upwardly, control means to control the flame, the burner having a shroud with an outer end of reduced cross-section with an opening through which gas from the burner may pass and from which opening the flame is projected upwardly.

6. A lamp according to Claim 5 wherein the lamp has a lampshade having an opening above the burner, through which hot combustion gases may escape.

7. A lamp according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the base comprises an upright pillar attached to or integral with a support portion.

8. A lamp according to Claim 7 wherein the support portion comprises a disc-shaped part.

9. A lamp according to Claim 7 wherein the support portion comprises a plurality of feet formations.

10. A lamp according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base is hollow at least in an upper region, to provide said recess for the gas reservoir.

11. lamp according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base has an upper socket part to receive a lower portion of a lampshade.

12. A lamp according to Claim 11 wherein the socket part is of decorative configuration.

13. A lamp according to Claim 11 or Claim 12 wherein the socket has apertures in a lower region thereof below the lampshade, to enable air to be drawn into the space enclosed by the lampshade to facilitate combustion of the gas.

14. A lamp substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

1 5. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.