Improvements in Electric Lamp Hangers.
Year: 1890

page_text: ate of Application, 27th May, 1890-Accepted, 26th July, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Lamp Hangers.
I, CLARENCE LESLIE Jeffers, residing at Number 29 Prospect Street, in the City
of Manchester, County of Hillsborough, and State of New Hampshire, United States
of America, Physician, 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 :—
My invention relates first to improvements in the construction of a mast and arm
for the purpose of suspending an electric light over the center of a street, or roadway,
whereby great strength and durability are obtained with the least possible amount
of weight; and second, to arrangements whereby the arm is retained in a rigid
horizontal position, while the lamp itself can be drawn in toward the mast, and then
lowered down to a convenient height to be cleaned and trimmed by the attendant,
the electric current having first been cut off and disconnected from the lamp by the
attendant standing on the ground at the foot of the mast.
The object of my invention is to support an electric lamp in such a manner at the
outer end of a horizontal arm reaching from the top of a mast, placed at the edge
or curbstone of a sidewalk, over and toward the center of a street, that the electric
current can be disconnected by the operator, and the lamp drawn in toward the mast
and lowered down the front of the mast to the hand of the operator; thus leaving
the mast, the horizontal arm, and the wires carrying the electric current, fixedly in
their original position during the operation of trimming the lamp, and consequently
not interfering in any manner with the occupation or use of the street.
Another object of my invention is to so construct the mast and arm that, while
obtaining the necessary strength, stiffness, and durability, I have at the same time
avoided all unnecessary weight, and by the peculiar construction of the mast to
permit of the drawing in of the lamp without occupying any more room for appliances
used for such purpose than what is required for simply the mast, and the lamp itself;
the hood and other connections being left firmly attached to the arm.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved mast and arm, with outline
of electric lamp in position at the further extremity of the arm where its rays can
illumine both sides of a street.
Figure 2 is an enlarged elevation of the lower portion of the mast, looking from
the sidewalk side, with a portion of one side removed showing the connection to a
solid wood post set in the ground, cross shaft and gear near bottom of mast, with
crank handle attachment, and a part of vertical shaft conveying motion for operating
the chain and lamp.
Figure 3 is an enlarged elevation of the upper portion of the mast, taken from the
same position as Fig. 2, with rear side removed, showing the upper end of vertical
shaft and gearing to operate the chain and the lamp; also showing end view of arm
and its supporting truss.
Figure 4 represents a sectional elevation of a portion of the head or upper end of
the mast and of the inner end of the arm, showing gearing and part of chain
and crane for holding lamp in position assumed when ready to descend on front side
of mast.
Figure 5 is a plan or top view of crane to carry the electric lamp.
Figure 6 represents a twin wire spring bent in such form as to give it elasticity
and adaptability to clasp around the upright guide-rod placed upon the front side of
the mast, and thereby guide and steady the lamp in its descent from the head of the
mast to the band of the operator.
Figure 7 represents a plan or top view of the chain.

page_text: Figure 8 is a side elevation of the same, showing outer end or drop-link carrying
fulcrum of crane.
Figure. 9 is a detail showing a transverse section of the track, track-box, main
frame of arm, and the connections thereto.
Figure 10 shows side elevation of the same.
Figures 11, 12, and 13 are views of a double bracket to support the track-box at
its junction with the mast, and to carry guide rollers for the chain, Fig. 11 being a
side elevation, Fig. 12 an end view, and Fig. 13 a plan or top view showing guide
rollers for chain.
Figure 14 is a detail, showing a portion of the mast, and the horizontal armı,
the track and moving section thereof and the bracket M, one side of which is
removed.
.
Figure 15 is a detail, showing in cross section a portion of the bracket M, the
truck-box and track, and the spindle 20 with its side flanges or arms.
Figure 16 is a detail, showing the operation of the crane and the pivoted rod q.
Figure 17 is a detail of said rod.
Referring to the drawings,-
The mast. A is of hollow rectilinear form, consisting of two pieces of wood, and
two pieces of thin steel passing across from one piece of wood to the other, and
riveted through to each piece of wood, and thus forming a hollow rectilinear section
of about four inches by eight inches with a hollow space of about three and seven
eighths inches by five inches as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.
For convenience this mast A may be spliced in the center of its length as shown
at B, Fig. 1; and may be made of any length required, twenty-five feet being
probably the usual average height required.
At its foot this mast A is attached firmly to a heavy hard wood post C placed to
a sufficient depth in the ground by suitable bent plates of steel, and ten or more
bolts passing in both directions through both steel plates, and the wood post C. The
location of this post would as a general thing be in the line of the curbstone or outer
edge of the sidewalk. Near the foot of the mast or at a convenient height from the ground,
the steel plates will be perforated for the insertion of metal boxes a, a, carrying an
arbor across the mast to which is fastened a bevel gear b, and whose outer or right
hand end is made square to fit the socket of the handle e carried by the attendant,
and applied by him when required.
The bevel gear b gives motion to the bevel pinion d on the lower end of the
vertical shaft D running up near one side of the hollow space in the mast A. This
vertical shaft D has at its upper end a mitre gear e which engages with mitre gear f
and gives motion to a sprocket wheel g, mounted on the cross-bar h, and supported
by suitable metal boxes fastened to the side plates of the mast A in a similar manner
to those of the arbor carrying the gear at the lower end of the mast.
By means of the above mentioned gears and the sprocket wheel 9, rotary motion is
conveyed from the hand of the operator to the sprocket wheel, and thus a linear
motion can be given to the chain E in either direction.
On the top of the mast A is a hard wood block F, to which is securely fastened
the inner end of the main frames G of the horizontal arm, and also on each side a
tapering standard H, and all are supported and strengthened by additional plates I
attached to block F and mast A and to both standards H, H. These standards are
drawn nearly together at their top ends so as to receive between them the inner ends
of the upper supporting truss bars J J of the horizontal arm, which with a washer
between them, are firmly bolted to the standards, while the outer ends of the truss
bars J J are bolted to the main frames G of the arm, thus supporting the weight of
the lamp and attachments. Below, and supported by this horizontal arm is a metal
box, which I term a track-box K running nearly the whole distance from the mast A
to the point of suspension of the lamp.
To each side of this track-box K is riveted a wrought iron bur L forming the track
on the top of which the straight or lower side of the links forming the chain E run.
The inner end of the track-box K is supported and firmly attached to the upper end of

page_text: the mast A by a double bracket of iron M, see Figs. 11, 12, and 13, with angle irons
on each side riveted to brackets, and bolted to wood sides of mast A, and this double
bracket M also carries four separate rollers h¹¹ and i, i, Figs. 4, 11, and 13, placed
so as to support and guide the chain E. This double bracket is also supported and
strengthened by a bent strip of metal N riveted to the brackets near to and below the
rollers i, i, and passing across over the two sides of the main frame G. These two
bars of main frame, the two truss bars, J, J, with the diagonal and perpendicular
braces between them shown in Figs. 1 and 4, constitute the framing of the hori-
zontal arm, while it is also trussed laterally by the two rods k, k, running from one
of the bolts passing through the block F, standards H, H, strengthening plates I, I,
and side plates of mast A out over horizontal spreader of suitable length at O, to outer
end of main frame G near where the lamp is supported.
The chain E consists of a sufficient number of light steel castings constructed with
inside ears at one end and outside ears at the other end, and square perforations
occurring at regular intervals, and so placed in the lower or straight side of links that
they shall mesh with the teeth on the periphery of the sprocket wheel 9, and secured
together by pins or rivets passing through the inside ears of one link, and the outside
ears of the next link. At the outer end of the chain is a plain or drop link P without
perforations supported by four plain rollers P' running on the top of the track L, and
in the track-box K. This drop link P is provided with a hub on either side at its
lower end, and a pin passing through this hub supports the crane Q as a fulcrum
upon which it swings. That part of the drop link P depending below the rollers and
carrying the hub on its lower end, is made sufficiently thin to pass readily between the
two opposite rollers h', h' and i, i, and the drop link is connected to the chain by the
usual pin through the ears, except that the hole for that pin is made oblong or slotted
in order to prevent any friction of this joint upon the track, as the bearings of the
rollers may wear, see Fig. 8, at 26.
The track L riveted to the track-box K extends from near the outer end of the
horizontal arm to a point at R in front of the rollers h', h', where it is cut away for
a distance of about four inches, or sufficient to permit the passage downward of the
several links of the chain E, see Fig. 4, and inside of the rollers i, i, the track is
formed of two parts, the outer part in the form of the. letter L, and the inner part 16
sliding on and in the angle and being square in section. This square part of track 16.
is connected on either side through a slot in the side of the track-box K to the side
flanges or arms 2 of a round spindle 20 extending back through top of wood sides of
mast A, through block F, and through a plate fastened on rear side of mast A at.S,
Fig. 4, with a spiral spring 18 to hold said small piece of track 16 in place across the
opening at R, and also having a wire cord 22 attached in front of spiral spring 18,
and passing over a pulley or roller immediately under the spring 18 and descending
in the hollow of the mast A to a plate connected with a pull or handle m¹ which
extends out through a slot in the right hand side plate of mast A within convenient
reach of the operator, see Fig. 2. Another pull or handle m is fitted below m¹ in and
through the same slot which is connected with a small wire, which passes to the top
of the mast and thence runs outward along the arms G to the end thereof, where it is
connected with any well known form of electrically operated switch for cutting off
and turning on the current to the lamp. This construction being well known, I have
not deemed it necessary to show it, as it forms no part of my invention. The two
pull handles .m and m¹ and the square end of the arbor carrying the gear band.
projecting through the side of the mast A upon which is placed the crank handle
are all enclosed in a sheet metal box or casing T, Fig. 2, said box or casing being
slipped up under a weather strip or protection at the top, and over a staple in side of
mast A at the bottom, and secured by a padlock 25, and is hung by a chain in such a
manner that it will swing off clear of the pulls and handle.
C
The laup may be of any of the usual patterns, and is attached by two or more screws
to two blocks of hard wood o, o, Fig. 5; said blocks o, o, are attached to the ends of
the crane upon one screw in each, enabling the lamp to swing on these screws
passing through the ends of crane Q, and thus maintain a perpendicular position,

page_text: whether the crane Q be in a horizontal or perpendicular line. The hard wood
blocks o, o, are intended to act as insulators between the lamp and crane Q. The
crane Q, Fig. 5, consists of a pair of bent side pieces hung loosely apon the ends of
the pin passing through the hub upon the lower end of the last or drop link P of the
chain E, and bent outward at one end so as to embrace and carry the hard wood.
blocks 0, 0, and the lamp, and at their other ends are twisted with a half turn into a
flat, and have a slotted hole p in this flat part near the end. These two slotted holes p,p,
Fig. 5, engage with the pointed ends of a forked bent rod q, see Fig. 17, supported
by metal standards r, running up from the main frames of of the horizontal arm.
The action of this bent rod g passing through the slots in crane Q is, to hold crane Q
in a horizontal position by means of a loose collar 27 fastened by a set screw at the
proper position, and thus bold up the lamp hung at the other end of the crane Q
under the fixed cone or deflector
:
When motion towards mast A is communicated to the chain E, drop link P, and
crane Q, pressure of the ends of the slots p, p, is exerted against the lower ends of
bent rod q, which, as this pressure and linear motion are continued, swings in its
standards to a horizontal position indicated by the dotted are of a circle on Fig. 1.
When this bent rod q has assumed a horizontal position, the crane Q passing on
steadily towards the mast A, frees itself from the bent rod q over the pointed ends
thereof, said crane Q having then assumed a perpendicular position by reason of the
force applied and the reaction of the bent rod q. This bent rod q during its passage
upward has been forced past a side spring s which drops back to place under the
bent rod when it has completed its movement, and holds it in a horizontal position
until the return of crane Q, when the slots in crane Q again engage with the pointed
ends of the bent rod 9 and (the motion continuing) the crane Q is forced down into a
horizontal position and the lamp is again raised to its proper position under the hood
or deflector U, and is ready to be lighted. This hood or deflector U is attached by
screws to a block of wood at the top, and by the outside of this wood to the ends of
the two main frames G of the horizontal arm which are spread out to embrace the
wood, and are insulated by the insertion of a strip of mica between them and the
sides of the wood suspension block. The crane Q has also an attachment to both
sides of it, of a twin spring W, Figs. 5 and 6, placed near the connection to the
lamp, and in such position that when brought into contact with a rod V attached to
the front side of mast A, it will clasp it, and slide down said rod V to such height as
required by the operator, and hold the lamp steady against the action of the wind.
This twin spring W, Figs. 5 and 6, is so constructed, that the swing and weight of
the lamp will force it to open and clasp around the rod V on striking it while
descending, and on returning the strain of the chain E causes the spring W to open
and release its hold upon the rod V.
Having described the various mechanical parts of my invention, I will now proceed
to give in rotation the operations to be performed by the attendant when cleaning and
trimming the lamp, so that the operations and the uses of the different parts may be
clearly understood.
Upon his arrival at the foot of the mast A, the operator first unlocks the padlock 25
and removes it from the staple, then removes the box T by taking it off from the
staple and out from under the weather strip at its top, and allowing it to swing by a
chain attaching it to the farther side of the mast, off clear of the pull handles m
and m¹ and the end of the arbor squared for the reception of the handle c.
Having exposed the two pull-handles and the square end of the arbor, he applies the
handle which he carries with him, and is now prepared to operate for trimming.
He now pulls down the pull-handle m, which by means of a small wire and any
well known form of electric switch and connections, breaks the electric current from
the lamp. He then turns the crank c towards himself at the bottom, which causes
the sprocket wheel g to revolve and draws the chain E towards the mast A.
2
C,
As soon as the chain E commences to move towards the mast A, the bent rod is
forced from its upright position by the weight of the lamp acting on the crane Q; the
lamp drops down from un ler the hood U and very soon assumes its position hanging

page_text: at the lower end of the crane, as partly shown in Fig. 4, and at the same time and by
the same motion the spring W has assumed the horizontal position of Fig. 4, and is.
ready to engage with the rod V when it reaches it. The operator continues to turn
the crank c in this same direction, drawing in the chain E, the rear end of which
passes over the sprocket wheel g and guide roller Z into and down the hollow space
in the mast A until the last or drop link P has reached a point over the center of the
two side rollers ii, Fig. 4, said rollers then supporting the weight of the lamp hanging
down from lower end of crane . The operator now holds the crank c in this
position, and pulls down the upper pull-handle m', which by means of its wire cord 22
passing over the roller l, draws back the short square piece of track 16 away from
the track L fastened to the track-box K, compressing spring 18 at top of the:-
mast A, and thus forming the opening at R, and permitting the passage of the chain F.
through the opening R over the two rollers and downwards in front of mast A,.
as shown in Fig. 4. Having drawn back the lamp to position indicated and against.
a stop at that point over the center of the rollers, i, the operator now turns the
crank c in an opposite direction, riz. the bottom from him, as he stands on the sile--
walk, forcing the chain E in the direction towards the center of the street, but having
drawn away the piece of sliding track 16. the chain. E turns downward and becomes.
guided by the rollers h', h¹, see Fig. 4. The lamp and crane Q then begin to descend,
and the twin spring W engages with the rod V and steadies the lamp in its descent to
the hand of the operator, where he fastens it by taking the box T with a turn of its.
chain over and around the handle c. He then proceeds to clean the lamp and renew-
the carbon points in the usual manner, and then returns the lamp by reverse motions
of the crank c to the top of the mast A with drop-link P resting on top of rollers i, i.
The operator then releases the upper pull-handle m' from its side catch, when the
spiral spring 18, acting on the sliding track 16, closes the open space R so that now.
the chain and drop-link can be pushed out to the end of the horizontal arm. By-
again reversing the motion of the crank c and sprocket wheel g, the chain E is forced
out to the end of the arm, at the same time bringing the lamp to a vertical position,
under the hood U. The operator then releases the lower pull-handle m, which allows
the electric connections to open the circuit through the lamp.
The advantages of my improvements are, a rigid but light weight mast and arm,
a chain so constructed and guided, that it can be used to push as well as to pull its.
load, and the slack of it is provided for in the hollow of the mast A, thus occupying
no additional room. The maintenance of a firm rigid mast and arm, and the
bringing down of the electric lamp to the hand of the operator without occupying any
more room in the street than that actually used by the lamp itself, whereby all
interference with street travel is avoided.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The combination with the mast, the horizontal arm extending therefrom, and a
lamp suspended from said arm, of a track in the arm for the lamp to travel on,
a carrier for moving said lamp, a sliding section in the track, and means for
opening the latter to permit the lamp to drop from its track upon the arm along-
side the mast.
2. The combination of the horizontal arm, a lamp, a crane suspending the lamp, a
chain or carrier attached to said crane, a track-box K, secured to said arm, a track L
fastened to track-box K and provided near its inner end with a sliding portion 16
adapted to be operated from the ground, whereby the direction of motion of the
crane, chain, and lamp is changed to enable the lamp to pass down the mast to the
hand of the operator, substantially as described.
3. The combination with the mast, of the main frames of the horizontal arm, the
track within the arm, the lamp and a support therefor, a carrier or chain for moving
the lamp along the track, the hood U, and the insulator interposed between said
main frames and the hood, substantially as herein described.

page_text: 4. The chain and mechanism for operating the same, consisting of the crank c,
gears b, and d, upright shaft D, gearse and f, and sprocket wheel g, substantially as
shown and described.
5. The combination of the crane having eyes or slots p, a rod pivoted in a support,
and provided with collar, the drop-link of the operating chain, and the support
therefor, substantially as described.
.6. The combination with the hollow mast, its horizontal arm having a track, and a
lamp supporting crane connected with said arm, and the sprocket wheel g, of the
chain E composed of links having outside ears at one end of each link, and inside
ears at the other end of each link, whereby each link can be attached by a pin or
rivet to the link next preceding it, and also having perforations at regular intervals,
and of a size arranged and proportioned to fit onto and mesh with the teeth of the
sprocket wheel, the whole arrangement and construction enabling the chain to be
pushed as well as pulled, when guided by the track, said chain terminating in a drop-
link P to which is attached the crane, substantially as shown and described.
7. The combination with the crane Q, of the twin spring W and the rod V, secured
to the front side of mast A, said spring being adapted to engage with the
rod V and hold the crane Q steady during its descent, substantially as shown and
described.
8. The combination with the mast A and horizontal arm, of the double bracket M
provided with double sets of rollers for the guidance of the chain, said bracket being
arranged to permit the free passage of the drop link P between the rollers, substantially
as shown and described.
9. The combination of post C, mast A, horizontal arm, chain E, drop-link P,
crane Q, bent rod q, standards r, twin springs W, guide-rod V, track L, and sliding
track 16, spring 18, and gearing, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 27th day May 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.