Improvements in Suspenders or Hangers for Electric Lamps, applicable also for other articles.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Sept., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 22nd June, 1892-Accepted, 23rd July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Suspenders or Hangers for Electric Lamps,
applicable also for other articles.
We, THOMAS HENRY O'BRIEN, of Fern Grove, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Book-keeper, and CHARLES O'BRIEN, of the same place, Clerk,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
The invention is primarily designed to provide a hanging or suspending device for
incandescent electric lamps to be fitted to the suspending wire and by which the
height of the lamp can be adjusted though it will also be found applicable for
adjusting the height of other suspended articles to which it may be connected such
as hanging oil lamps, bird cages or the like.
In carrying out the invention we provide a drum or cylinder round which is
wound and to which is attached the wire cord or chain by which the article is
suspended. This drum is actuated by a spring preferably placed in a cavity inside
it. One end of the spring is attached to the drum or cylinder and the other to a
spindle round which the drum rotates or to a fixed pivot or support. The spindle
of the drum is stationary one or both ends being fixed to the supporting bracket.
On one end of the spindle is fixed a notched disc or plate provided with notches
in its periphery and on the end of the drum or cylinder are fixed a number of pawls
or catches which fit the notches in the plate. The form of these pawls is such that
when passing quickly over the notches in the plate they will not drop in but when
stopped or moving slowly they drop into one of the notches and arrest the back-
ward movement of the drum.
The spindle is supported in brackets at each end being preferably formed with
one or both ends flat or square to prevent it turning.
In cases where a great length of wire is required to be wound upon the drum a
second spring is used placed in a second cavity in the drum with a loose centre piece
to which the outer end of one spring and the inner end of the other spring will be
attached.
The whole is enclosed in a case fitted with hard wood eyes for the wire, cord or
chain to run through and to the sides of which the brackets are attached.
Dated this 21st day of September 1891.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Suspenders or Hangers for Electric Lamps,
applicable also for other articles.
We, THOMAS HENRY O'BRIEN, of Fern Grove, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Book-keeper, and CHARLES O'BRIEN, of the same place, Clerk,
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 is primarily designed to provide a hanging or suspending device
for incandescent electric lamps to be fitted to the suspending wire and by which the
height of the lamp can be adjusted though it will also be found applicable for
adjusting the height of other suspended articles to which it may be connected such
as hanging oil-lamps, bird cages, telephones or the like.

page_text: In consists essentially of a drum carried in a case or shell to receive the wire,
cord or chain constructed with an internal spring and provided with a stationary
notched disc and one, two, or more pivoted catches, which engage with the disc to
retard the movement of the drum.
It will be fully described with reference to the annexed drawings.
Fig. 1. elevation partly in section.
Fig. 2. sectional elevation of drum.
Fig. 3. end elevation of drum.
Fig. 4. elevation of hanger showing electric lamp suspended therefrom with the
wire extended or drawn down.
Fig. 5. elevation of same with the wire drawn in and wound upon the drum.
A case or holder A is fitted with brackets a to hold or support a drum B,
preferably of insulating material round which is wound and to which is attached
the. wire cord or chain C by which the article is suspended. The drum B is
actuated by a spring D placed inside it. The spring D is preferably a volute
spring as shown though a coiled spring extending the greater length of the interior
of the drum may be employed. One end of the spring D is attached to the drum B
and the other to a spindle E round. which the drum rotates or to a fixed pivot or
support. The spindle E of the drum is stationary one or both ends being fixed to
the supporting brackets a.
On one end of the stationary spindle E is fixed a notched disc or plate F
provided with notches f in its periphery, and on the end of the drum are fixed a
number of pawls or catches G which fit the notches f in the plate. The form of
these pawls G is such that when passing quickly over the notches f in the plate F
they will not drop in, but when stopped or moving slowly they drop into one of the
notches and arrest the backward movement of the drum.
The spindle is supported in the brackets a of the case A at each end, in such a
manner as to prevent it turning, being preferably formed with one or both ends.flat
or square.
In cases where a great length of wire is required to be wound upon the drum, a
second spring is used placed in a second cavity in the drum with a loose, centre piece
or diaphragm H to which the outer end of one spring and the inner end of the
other spring is attached, the other ends being attached to the spindle and drum
respectively.
The case A is fitted with eyes I preferably hard wood for the wire, cord, or chain
to run through.
In operation the wire or cord C is wound upon the drum B being,attached at the
centre of the wire to the staple or hook b.on the periphery of the drum. One end
of the wire passes out at the top of the case A and the other at the bottom thereof
and the wire is so wound upon the drum that the two ends wind on or off it at the
same time. The winding off of the wire C rotates the drum B about the spindle E
and tightens or compresses the spring D so that when released its tendency is to
rotate the drum in the opposite direction and. re-wind. the wire thereon. When one
of the pawls G drops into one of the notches f in the disc F it prevents the back-
ward rotation of the drum by the spring D. To increase the length of the wire it 4
is therefore only necessary to pull down the lamp and both ends of the wire will
unwind from the drum and so maintain the hanger in a central position and when
the lamp is at the desired height one of the pawls G will retain it. To reduce the
length of the wire it is pulled slightly down to release the pawl G and then allowed
to wind up upon the drum the rotation of the drum being too quick to allow of any 5
of the pawls G dropping into the notches f.
The hanger or suspender is attached, to the wire, without any joint, or severance
therein which for electrical purposes is a great advantage as all internal connections
or terminals are avoided and the wire is always wound up equally from both ends
so that the hanger is maintained in a central position between the lamp and the 5
ceiling (or point of attachment of the wire).

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is :-
1. A suspender or hanger for electric lamps or other articles constructed with a
rotating drum carried on a stationary spindle or pivots in a suspended case or holder,
with a spring or springs to rotate the drum in one direction which are tightened or
compressed by the movement of the drum in the opposite direction and pawls or
catches on the end of the drum which engage with a notched disc on the spindle
to hold the drum stationary against the action of the spring substantially as
described.
2. A suspender or hanger for electric lamps, oil lamps, telephones, or other
articles with the several parts constructed or arranged substantially as and for the
purposes described and shown in the drawings.
Dated this 20th day of Tune 1902
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.