An Adjustable Support for Electric Lamps or similar Fixtures.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Sept., 1895-Accepted, 23rd Nov.,
1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Adjustable Support for Electric Lamps or similar Fixtures.
A communication from OTIS CONVERSE WHITE, of 150 Beacon Street,
Worcester, County of Worcester, State of Massachusetts, in the United
States of America, Manufacturer.
1 GEORGE DAVIES of 4 St. Ann's Square, Manchester in the County of
Lancaster, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby
declare the nature of this 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 an. adjustable support for electric lamps or similar
fixtures, and the object of the invention is to provide a strong, simple and
inexpensive construction which can be readily turned, as desired, and which will
remain in the position to which it is adjusted.
To these ends, the invention consists of the parts and combinations of parts as
hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims at the end
of this Specification.
In the accompanying four sheets of drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side view of an adjustable supporting device constructed according to
this invention,
Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive are detail views illustrating a universal joint which is
preferably employed to form part of the support,
Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive are detail views illustrating modified forms of universal
joints which may be employed and
Figs. 10 to 16 inclusive are detail views illustrating the adjustable joint which is
preferably used to connect the rods or pipe-sections.
An adjustable support constructed according to this invention comprises a
plurality of rods or pipe sections which are connected by one or more adjustable
joints, and a universal joint which engages the upper rod or pipe-section, and which
may be fastened or secured in any desired position.
Referring to the drawings and in detail, A designates a universal joint which is
preferably secured to the ceiling.
B and D designate rods or pipe-sections which are connected by an adjustable
joint C.
.
F designates an electric lamp which may be, connected to the rod D by man
elbow-joint E.
The universal joint which is preferably employed in an adjustable support
constructed according to this invention consists essentially of similar clamping jaws
or sections, a socket which is arranged to be adjustably clamped into frictional
5 engagement with said clamping jaws, bearings for said socket, and means for
adjustably clamping said socket into frictional engagement with its bearings.
Referring to Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive, a and b designate two similar sections or
clamping jaws which are substantially of frustum shape, and which may be united
to form a double cone.
The sections a and b are each provided with notches 10, as shown, said notches
being arranged to form a diametric perforation or socket to receive the end of the
pipe or rod B, as most clearly illustrated in Fig. 3.
The socket which receives and may be clamped into sectional engagement with

page_text: the sections a and b, consists of a body portion or casting 11, and a removable
section or cover 12.
The parts 11 and 12 are secured together and adjustably clamped into engage-
ment with the conical sections a and b by means of the clamping screws 13, the
spring-washers 14 and the knurled or milled nuts 15, as shown.
As most clearly illustrated in Fig. 3, it will be seen that the substantially
conical recesses for receiving the sections a and bare formed upon a somewhat
steeper incline than the sections a and b.
By means of this construction, the conical sections a and b bear against and
engage a comparatively small area of the recesses or sockets into which they fit.
In practice, this has been found to be a desirable feature of construction, as
where sockets for receiving the conical sections are made to correspond exactly
with such sections, these parts are liable to become stuck together, and can not be
readily, turned in relation to each other.
The ends 16 of the section or casting 11, which are substantially conical in
shape, are rotably mounted in bearings 17 carried by brackets d.
The bearings 17 may be adjustably clamped into sectional engagement with the
conical ends of the piece 11 by means of clamping screws 170, spring-washers 18.
and clamping-nuts 19.
The clamping screws 170 are also preferably provided with check-nuts 20 for
preventing the clamping-nuts 19 from becoming displaced and the parts from
becoming loosened.
The brackets d are provided with suitable bearings or feet, which may be
perforated to receive securing screws for fastening the device in any desired
position where it is to he employed.
As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, the bearings or sockets 17 are formed upon a
somewhat steeper incline than are the conical ends 16.
By means of this construction, these joints have a comparatively small surface
of contact, and the parts are not liable to become stuck together.
By using a universal joint or fixture, as thus constructed, the pipe or rod which
is secured therein can be freely turned in any desired direction, and the clamping
screws or nuts can be readily adjusted to secure the desired degree of friction
between the parts, which may be found necessary to hold the rod or pipe in the
position to which it is adjusted.
While this form of universal joint has been especially designed to form part
of a fixture for supporting electric lights, it is obvious that it may be employed
with advantage for many other purposes.
Instead of using two conical sections, which unite to form a double cone, it is
obvious that a ball made in sections may be employed, and such a construction is
illustrated in Fig. 6.
Referring to this figure, a¹ and b¹ designate two sections of a ball.
The ball which is formed by the sections a¹ and fits into a socket 21, which
may be clamped into engagement with said ball by means of bolts 22 provided
with spring-washers and nuts, substantially as before described.
The socket 21 is provided near its lower end with a conical section, which fits
into and engages a conical bearing 23 carried by a bracket or casting 24.
A spindle or pin 25 is also carried by the socket 21 and extends down through a
bearing 26 on the bracket 24.
The pin or spindle 26 is threaded at its lower end to form a securing screw 260
having the clamping-nut 29 and a check-nut 30 threaded thereon.
Also mounted on the screw 260 is a spring-washer 28 and a flat washer 27.
By means of this construction, the clamping-nut 29 and the check-out 30 may
be employed to adjustably clamp the socket 21 into frictional engagement with
its conical bearing.
It will be seen that this form of universal joint is characterized by the same
features of construction as that before described, except that a ball is substituted
for the double cone, and the socket is provided with a single conical section,
1

page_text: which can be adjustably clamped into frictional engagement with its bearing,
instead of being provided with a conical section at each end.
While this form of universal joint has been especially designed as a side-bracket
or fixture to be secured upon the wall, it may be used in other locations, if desired.
In some cases where a fixture of the form illustrated in Fig. 6 is to be located
overhead, or secured upon the ceiling, it may be desirable to provide a counter-
balancing spring for normally tending to turn the pipe carried thereby into a
fixed position.
In such cases the spindle 25 may be provided with a coiled spring 250, one end
being fixed or secured to the bracket 24 and the. other end being fastened to a
collar 251 which is adjustably secured upon the spindle 25 by means of a set-screw,
as shown.
Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive illustrate the manner in which counter-balancing springs
can be used in connection with a universal joint of substantially the construction
illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5.
Referring to these figures, it will be seen that instead of providing clamping
screws for adjustably clamping the socket into engagement with the double cone,
small securing bolts 31 are employed, which are provided with spring-washers 32,
and are threaded into square nuts 33.
At its ends, the socket is provided with conical sections 34 which fit into bearing
pieces 35.
The bearing pieces 35 are formed separately from the brackets or end pieces 36.
The conical ends of the socket may be adjustably clamped into frictional
engagement with the bearing pieces 35 by means of clamping screws 37, which
extend through the bearing pieces, and the brackets 36, and are provided with
spring-washers 38 and clamping-nuts 39.
1
Check-nuts 40 are also preferably employed for holding the parts firmly in
their adjusted position.
Coiled around the bearing-pieces 39 are counter-balancing springs 41.
The inner ends of the springs 41 are bent around and engage pins or pro-
jections 42 carried by the socket, and the outer ends of the springs 41 may be
secured in any one of a series of slots 43 formed in the bracket 36.
By means of this construction, it will be seen that the tension of the springs 41
will tend to rotate the socket in its bearings, and the springs can be adjusted
or placed under the desired degree of tension to compensate for the weight. of
various fixtures which are to be supported thereby.
The feature of particular importance in a universal joint constructed according
to this invention resides in the fact that the rod or pipe section supported thereby
may turn or swivel in two directions, the joint being provided with two sets of
friction devices which may be readily adjusted to control the motion in either
direction.
The adjusting joint C, which is employed for connecting the rods or pipe-
sections B and D is preferably constructed so that the same may act both as a
swivel and an elbow joint.
Referring to Figs. 10 to 16, it will be seen that a two-part socket is rotably
mounted near the end of the rod or pipe-section B.
The two-part socket consists of a body-portion or casting ƒ and a removable
cover-plate i.
The parts fand i are provided with a cylindrical recess, and may be adjustably
clamped into frictional engagement with the pipe B by means of clamping screws 50,
the knurled or milled nuts 51 and the spring-washers 52, the clamping screws.
being arranged to extend through perforated ears or lugs, as shown most clearly in
Fig. 14.
The two-part socket and the pipe B are secured against longitudinal movement
5 by means of a wire ring 53, which is secured in a circumferential groove near the
end of the pipe B, and is adapted to fit into and engage a groove 54 in the two-part
Bocket.
"

page_text: By means of this construction, it will be seen that the pipe and the two-part
socket are secured against longitudinal movement, while, at the same time, the
sotket may turn or swivel upon the pipe B, and may be frictionally held in the
desired position.
To limit the motion of the parts, and to prevent the socket from turning
completely around the pipe B, the casting or body-portion of the socket is
provided with a spur or projection 55, and the pipe B is provided with a pin or
lug 56, which is located in position to engage with the spur 55, and to limit the
relative motion of the parts.
As shown most clearly in Fig. 14, it is to be noted that the recesses in the
casting and the cover-plate i are formed upon a radius which is smaller than that
of pipe B.
By means of this construction, the parts f and will be slightly separated
when they are secured in place, and will allow a slight take-up to compensate for
wear.
It is also to be noted that by means of this construction, the socket will be
brought in contact with and engage a portion only of the periphery of the pipe A.
In practice, this has been found to be a desirable feature of construction, as,
where a recess of the same diameter as the pipe is employed; the parts are liable.
to become stuck, and cannot be readily turned.
In some cases, in order to compensate for any imperfections in the surface of the
pipe, a spring 65 may be employed, and may be secured in a socket 650 in the
casting, as illustrated in Fig. 16.
The spring 65 is substantially cross-shaped, and its tension may be adjusted by
means of the clamping nuts 50, which secure the parts of the two-part socket
together, or,
if preferred, a small set-screw, may be tapped into the casting f to
directly engage with the back of the spring 65.
The elbow joint which is combined with the swivel joint, as above described,
consists essentially of two concentric disks 57 and 58, which are offset or located
out of the line of the pipes B and-D.
The disk 57 is carried by and forms a part of the casting f, and the disk 58 is
provided with a tubular boss or projection 59, into which the pipe D is threaded.
The concentric disks 57 and 58 are adjustably clamped into frictional engage-
ment by means of a clamping bolt 60, a spring-washer 61 and H threaded
clamping-nut 62.
In order to counter-balance the weight of the pipe D and the parts or fixtures
which may be carried thereby, a coiled spring k is preferably employed, and may
be secured in a socket or recess formed in the abutting faces of the concentric
disks 57 and 58.
The counter-balancing or coiled spring is preferably made in the form of a
double reversible coiled spiral, as most clearly illustrated in Fig. 13, and one end of
the spring as may fit into and be secured in a socket 64 of the disk 58, while the
other end of the spring as may be adjusted to engage any one of a series of
notches 63 in the disk 57.
By means of this construction, the tension of the spiral k can be varied or
adjusted to counter-balance the weight of different attachments which may be
carried by the pipe D.
:
When the adjusting joint, as thus constructed, is to form part of a fixture for
supporting an electric light, the wires may be passed through the pipes Band D,
and the joint is preferably provided with bushings or collars 70 of insulating
material, as shown.
One feature of particular importance in an adjustable joint constructed according
to this invention resides in the fact that the parts are so proportioned and secured
together that very little machine-work or nice fitting is required, and in practice,
efficient and satisfactory joints have been constructed from ordinary unfinished
castings.
It is obvious that many changes may be made by those who are skilled in the

page_text: art in the construction of adjustable electric-light supports, and certain parts may
be used in different combinations and in diferent constructions without departing
from the scope of the invention, as expressed in the claims.
Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and sought to be
protected by Letters Patent is :-
:-
1. In an adjustable support, the combination of rods or pipe-sections, an.
adjustable joint for connecting said rods or pipe-sections, a universal joint
engaging the upper rod or pipe-section, and adjustable spring-tension friction
devices for holding the parts in their adjusted position, substantially as described.
2. In an adjustable support, the combination of rods or pipe-sections, an
adjustable joint connecting said rods or pipe-sections, adjustable friction-devices
for said adjustable joint, a universal joint engaging the upper rod or pipe-section..
and two sets of adjustable friction devices for controlling the motion of said.
universal joint, substantially as described.
3. A universal joint comprising a clamping device for receiving the end of a
rod or pipe-section, said clamping device being mounted to swivel or turn in two-
directions, and two sets of adjustable spring-tension friction devices for con-
trolling the motion of the clamping devices in either direction, substantially as.
described.
4. A universal joint comprising clamping jaws formed by two similar sections, a
two-part socket for said clamping-jaws, screws and spring-washers for clamping the
socket into frictional engagement with the clamping jaws, bearings for said socket,
and clamping-screws and spring washers for adjustably clamping the socket into
frictional engagement with its bearings, substantially as described.
5. A universal joint comprising clamping-jaws, a pivoted socket for said clamping-
jaws, a counter-balancing spring normally tending to move the socket in one
direction, and means for adjusting the tension of said counter-balancing spring,
substantially as described.
6. A frictional swivel-joint comprising a rod or pipe-section, a two-part socket
fitting on said pipe-section, means for holding said parts in frictional engagement,
and means for securing the parts of said socket together, and for adjustably
clamping said socket into frictional engagement with said pipe, substantially as
described.
7. A frictional swivel joint comprising a rod or pipe section, a two-part socket
fitting on sail pipe, a ring fitting into grooves in said socket and pipe, screws for
securing the parts of said socket together, and spring washers mounted on said
screws for forming an adjustable spring tension device for adjusting the frictional
contact between said socket and pipe, substantially as described.
8. A combined swivel and elbow-joint comprising a two-part socket constructed
to rotably engage a rod or pipe section, means for securing the parts of said
socket together and for adjustably clamping said socket into frictional engage-
ment with the pipe, a two-part elbow-joint, and means for adjustably clamping
the parts of said elbow-joint into frictional engagement, substantially as
described.
9. An elbow joint comprising two concentrically pivoted disks, means for adjustably
clamping said disks into frictional engagement, and a counter-balancing spring
made in the form of a reversely coiled double spiral secured in place between said
disks, one end of the spring being secured to one disk, and the other end of said
spring being arranged to engage any one of a series of recesses in the other disk,.
substantially as described.
شديد
121
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.