Improvements in and relating to Ceiling Blocks or Roses and Cut-outs for use in connection with Electric Light and other Circuits.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Sept., 1891-Accepted, 17th -Oct., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Ceiling Blocks or Roses and
Cut-outs for use in connection with Electric Light and other
Circuits.
We, EDWIN TRUMAN GREENFIELD, of 44 Broad Street, and CHARLES JACOB
KINTNER, of 45 Broadway, both in New York, United States of America,
Electricians 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 :-
The first part of our invention relates particularly to improvements in switch or
ceiling blocks which are used in the art for connecting electric lights and kindred
translating devices to branch mains running into buildings and similar places.
The second part of this invention relates particularly to switch devices for use
in connection with electric light and analogous electric circuits, and is designed to
take the place of the ordinary well known form of key switch, such as is found in
general use in connection with incandescent electric lamps.
The objects of our said invention are:
First. The simplification and cheapening of this type of device.
Second. The rendering of the same more permanent or secure in their con-
nections, thereby insuring more perfect conductivity of the current.
Third. The making of the same in as few pieces as possible, which shall.
be permanently secured together and prepared for the trade as an article of
manufacture.
Fourth. The preparation of a cheap simple and efficient fusible cut-out which
shall constitute à part of the fixture, and which is adapted to be easily put in
position and removed without the aid of screws and other superfluous parts.
Fifth. Providing increased security against accidents to users in connecting and
disconnecting a lamp to and from an electric circuit.
Sixth. The avoidance of switches directly connected to and carried by the
lamp proper, thereby greatly facilitating the cheapness of the construction of this
type of apparatus.
Seventh. The absolute concealment of all the parts constituting the switch
in a ceiling block and at a point inaccessible to the user under ordinary working
conditions.
These several objects are accomplished by the construction and use of the devices
hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 represents a sectional view of one portion of the improved ceiling
block as attached to the ceiling said section being taken on line 11 Figure 2.
Figure 2 is a plan thereof.
Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 2, 2, Figure 2 showing the application of
the block or attachment in connection with tubes or conduits designed for use
where it is desired to take off branch circuits from conductors located in such
tubes or conduits.
Figure 4 is a plan view of the lower or removable portion of the ceiling or.
switch block.
Figure 5 is a sectional view of the same taken on line 5 5, Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a detail view, showing the manner in which an improved fusible cut
out is made, the same constituting a part of the invention.
Figure 7 is a plan view of the cut-out, as finally prepared.
Figure 8, is an enlarged sectional view of an improved plug with cut out
attached.
Figure 9, is an enlarged perspective view of the completed cut out plug. .

page_text: Figure 10 is a sectional view of the ceiling block complete taken on line 10, 10
Figure 12.
Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view of the upper portion of the block, showing
the manner of making the same.
Figure 12 is a plan view, as seen looking at Figure 10 from below, with the lower
block B removed.
Figure 13 is a sectional view of the upper portion of the block, taken on
line 13 13 Figure 14.
Figure 14 is a view of the upper portion of the block, as seen looking at
Figure 13 from the under side.
Figure 15 is a side elevational view as seen looking at Figure 14, from left
to right.
Figure 16 is a plan view of the device, showing the interior arrangement
of parts.
Figure 17 is a similar plan view showing the under side of the upper portion of a
ceiling block as attached to the ceiling of a room, and adapted for receiving our
improved switch and connections.
Figure 18 is a vertical sectional view of the entire apparatus taken on line 3, 3,
Figure 1.
Figure 19 is a similar sectional view, taken on line 22 Figure 16.
Figure 20 is a detail view of the switch apparatus proper.
Referring to Figures 1 to 15 of the drawings A represents the ceiling to which
the block is attached by one or more screws N.
B constitutes the base or supporting portion of the block, made preferably
of porcelain, vegetable fibre, or some equivalent non-combustible non-conducting
material.
This base is cast or made with an indenture or hollow portion and a projecting
portion D, and is provided with dovetailed grooves V on opposite sides of the pro-
jection D, and similar dove-tailed grooves in the base, as clearly shown in
Figures 1, 10 11 and 12 said grooves being adapted to receive the cast metal
conducting parts E screw threaded on their lower ends at t. These cast metal
conducting parts are made preferably of lead, but may be of any material which
will readily set in position in the base blocks B when placed in the mould for
casting.
B' represents the movable portion of the block and is provided with a pair of
conducting parts E' similar to the parts E, and cast in position in dove-tailed
grooves in the same manner as are the parts E.
These two sets of conducting parts are arranged as will be readily understood,
on opposite sides of their respective base blocks, and are of such width as to enclose
each less than one quarter of the entire circumference, so that when the two
blocks are screwed together by means of the screw-threads t and t¹, there will be no
danger of a short circuit between the conducting parts E E and E' E' in other
words, the insulated space around the entire circumference the two screw-threaded
portions is greater on each portion of the block than the conducting portions
embraced in the parts E E and E' E'.
.
The upper portion of the block is provided with binding screws S S for
branch conductors (not shown) and the lower portion is provided with similar
binding screws S¹ S₁ for the conductors running to the lamp (not shown), through
the aperture H.
One of the binding screws S' is attached to one of the fixed embedded con-
ducting parts E' and the other of said binding screws S' is attached to an
independent fixed part E' also embedded in the block B' at a sufficient distance
from one of the conducting parts E' to admit of the insertion of the plug P in the
opening between the ends of said conducting parts, as shown in Figure 4.
In Figure 3, is shown the upper portion of the block as applicable to a system
of conduit tubes, where the conductors are carried through pipes or conduits C C¹
and enter the block through the opening G G'.

page_text: In Figure 10 the entire ceiling block is shown in position, the current entering
through the left hand binding screw S, passing thence by the metal plate E, through
the screw thread to the lower corresponding metal plate E¹ thence outward through
the conductor passing to the lamp suspended by the usual insulated conductor,
through the aperture H, (said lamp and conductor not being shown.) the return
circuit passing back by way of the plate E', screw-thread & conducting plate E,
binding screw S out to the main.
In Figures 13, 14 and 15 is a preferred form of binding screw, which consists of
a similar screw S threaded into the metallic base and provided with a protecting
shield or sleeve m adapted to surround the conductor to when it is looped in place
and to ensure good contact without any liability of the loop becoming detached by
side movement.
This sleeve is slitted at its opposite sides, as clearly shown in Figure 14 and affords
a simple and efficient means for securing the conductors.
Figure 6 illustrates the manner in which the novel form of fusible cut out is
made. A piece of fusible wire F is used and two metallic end plates k of
conducting material having serrated edges e. These serrated edges are folded over
the ends of the fusible wire F and firmly secured thereto by a pair of pliers
or with a hammer, the end serrations being left extended, as shown in Figure 7.
After a number of these are prepared they are more firmly secured to the
fusible wires F by subjecting these parts to an electro-plating bath. After a
sufficient deposit of the desired metal has been effected in this manner a plug P of
yielding material is prepared such as cork, and slit at its opposite edges, as clearly
shown in Figures 8 and 9, after which the fusible wire F is placed in the position
shown in Figure 8 and the plates K carefully secured to the sides of the cork or
plug by forcing the serrations or points e into the position shown.
By this arrangement a plug is devised which is cheap, simple and efficient and
may be placed in position as shown in Figure 4, with the metallic plates K in
contact with the conducting portions E¹ E.
This plug P is driven firmly home, and when the fusible wire F is ruptured by
an abnormal current a new fuse may be quickly put in position without the aid of
screws or other superfluous appliances.
Referring to Figures 16 to 20 the several features embodied therein are accom-
plished by the use of a pair of flexible conductors mechanically and electrically
connected at their upper ends to switching mechanism, and sustaining at their lower
ends a lamp or analogous electric translating device, the mechanical connections
being such that by pulling the lamp downward, a switch is manipulated at a point from
which the flexible conductors are suspended the electrical connections being between
the movable portions of the switch and the fixed portions of the device which
suspends the lamp.
Heretofore where incandescent lamps or similar translating devices were
suspended by flexible electrical conductors twisted together and insulated from
each other switching devices in the nature of keys were located in the sockets of
the suspended lamps, or translating devices. With such an arrangement great
inconvenience arose in switching the lamps into and out of circuit, by reason of the
unstable nature of the suspended lamps, inasmuch as it requires both hands of the
user to connect and disconnect the lamps to and from circuit. In addition to
this, there was great liability of a damaging shock to the user, owing to the fact
that both hands were at once placed in contact with the lamp and its attachment.
Both of these objectionable features are entirely overcome by the use of this
improved apparatus hereinafter described.
In the figures above referred to A represents the ceiling of a room. B represents
the upper portion of an ordinary ceiling block, having the usual electrical con-
nections with the indoor branches of an electric lighting system said block being
held to the ceiling by screws N N.
E E represent the metallic portions of the ceiling block provided with binding
screws S S for connecting the same to the branch circuits.

page_text: B' represents the lower portion of the ceiling: block made of insulating, material
and provided with two metallic conducting portions E! E which are screw-threaded
and adapted to fit in the screw threads of the corresponding metallic portions E E
of the fixed portion. of the block B.
These parts, are the. same, as, like parts described with reference to Figures 1
to; 15.
H represents a cylindrical insulating block into which is screw-threaded. a. pair
of journals G G made of conducting material; and journalled at their outer ends,
the one G into the base of the conducting part E and the other G¹, into a journal
bearing J of conducting material connecting by a fusible cut out K and screwed
with the conducting part E' see Figure 1.
D and D' represent metallic or conducting discs secured by screws to the faces
of the pulley F made of insulating material, aud adapted to receive in its grooved
surface the spiral cord C, constructed of a pair of insulated conducting wires w w,
one of which is connected, to the metallic plate D, and the other to the plate D'.
R represents a ratchet wheel provided with a number of ratchet teeth, in this
instance four (4), two of which are covered on their upper or outer surfaces with a
heavy coating of insulating material I, or are insulated in any preferred manner
from the shaft to which the ratchet wheel is firmly secured.
P represents a propelling pawl pivotally secured to the disc D', said pawl and its
connection with said disc being of conducting material.
t represents a leaf spring adapted to force the pawl into close frictional con-
nection with the teeth of the ratchet R, said ratchet R being of conducting material
but electrically connected with the shaft G¹.
T represents a spiral spring of conducting material firmly secured at one end to
the metallic part E¹ and at the other to the metallic disc D.
The pulley F is journalled upon the insulating cylindrical block H, and is so
arranged that when the cord C is drawn downward, the disc D', and hence the
pawl P will move in the direction of the arrow (see Figure 20) and the free end of
said pawl will ultimately drop behind the next tooth of the ratchet R, so that when
the cord C is released, the spiral spring T, which was placed under stress by the
downward pull of said cord, will cause the pulley F to rotate in a reverse direction
one-quarter of a revolution, thereby placing the ratchet R in such a position that
at the next downward movement of the cord, the pawl will fall upon the next
succeeding ratchet tooth.
It will, therefore, be clearly understood that one downward pull of the cerd C
and the lamp which it carries will close the circuit from the binding screw S,
through the metallic part E, the metallic part E', spiral spring T, metallic disc D,
one of the conductors we connected thereto through the lamp L, the other cord or
conductor, thence to the second disc D', thence through the pawl P to the
metallic or conducting portion of the ratchet R, through the shaft G¹ and
conducting journal bearing J, through the fusible cut out K, screw d, conducting
part E', conducting part E, binding screw S to the outer circuit, and that on
releasing said cord the spiral spring T, which was put under tension, will cause the
pulley F, acting through the pawl P and ratchet R, to rotate the latter through
one-qquarter of a revolution, so that the switch is now in position for interrupting
the circuit at the next downward pull of the cord C.
The switch will, therefore, break the circuit on the next downward pull of the
cord C by reason of the fact that the metallic pawl P will rotate in the direction of
the arrow (see Figure 20) and fall into the next ratchet space, which is covered
with insulating material I, so that when the cord C is again released the pawl P,
acting under stress of the spiral spring T, will rotate to the left and carry with it
the ratchet R, one quarter of a revolution, thus placing it in position for again
making the circuit on the next downward pull of the cord C.
It is, therefore, quite clear that one downward pull will cut the lamp into circuit,
and at the same time put the spiral spring T under stress, so that when the cord is
released the switch will be put in position for cutting the lamp out on the next

page_text: downward pull of the cord, and that when the cord is again released the switch will
be again put in position for cutting the lamp into circuit on the next succeeding
downward pull of the cord, and so on alternately.
Without further description, it will be understood that the lamp L may be of the
usual pattern of incandescent lamps minus the key attachments, the conductors w
being connected directly to the inleading wires in the neck thereof.
It is quite clear that in the use of this apparatus, the attendant is not subjected
to any liability of a shock, inasmuch as all of those portions of the device which are
in immediate proximity to the user, are carefully insulated and the switch portion
of the apparatus is located at a point which, under ordinary circumstances, is out
of reach.
This part of the invention is not limited to the specific apparatus herein shown
and described for switching an electric lamp or analogous electric translating
device into or out of circuit without the agency of a key or switch connected
directly to the lamp, nor the arrangement of parts herein shown for concealing the
same, as it is believed that the accomplishment of these ends is broadly new; and
it is to be understood that the claims to these features hereinafter nade, are to be
construed to cover broadly the application of this generic principle; and also, the
use of apparatus for concealing such mechanism, when actuated by the flexible
conductors which suspend the lamp or translating device from a point practically
out of access of the daily user thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is —
First. As a new article of manufacture, a ceiling block made of insulating
material having the conducting parts cast into non-conducting parts, substantially
as described.
Second. A ceiling or switch block made in two parts each having a pair of
conducting parts cast into non-conducting supports, and provided with means for
electrically uniting the conducting parts, substantially as described.
Third. A ceiling block consisting of a base block adapted to be fixedly secured
to the ceiling or elsewhere and a detachable block. in combination with two pairs
of conducting parts, one for each block, said conducting parts being cast into the
body of the blocks, substantially as described.
Fourth. A two-part ceiling block having two sets of conducting parts, one for
each block, said conducting parts being cast into non-conducting bases or supports,
substantially as described.
Fifth. A ceiling block made of non-conducting material, provided with a
depression and a depending neck or portion as D, in combination with a pair of
conducting parts embedded in said depression and depending neck, and a detachable
female portion provided with corresponding conducting parts similarly embedded,
substantially as described.
Sixth. A ceiling block made of two parts of insulating material, having each
a pair of conducting parts cast therein, said parts being screw-threaded together,
substantially as described.
Seventh. A ceiling block made up of two pieces of non-conducting material,
each having a pair of conducting parts cast in position, one piece and its conducting
part having a male screw-threaded extension and the other a corresponding female
depression, Eubstantially as described.
Eighth. A ceiling block, consisting of a fixed and a removable part, each made
of insulating material, in combination with conducting parts embedded in dove-
tailed grooves in said insulating material, substantially as described.
Ninth. A cut-out, consisting of a fusible conductor provided with enlarged ends
made of conducting material folded over the ends of the fusible part and electro-
plated thereto, and embedded in a slitted cork, substantially as described.
Tenth. A cut-out consisting of a fusible part F having enlarged ends & folded

page_text: over the ends of the fusible part, and provided with projections e e, said cut-out
being embedded in a slitted cork or plug, substantially as described.
Eleventh. The combination of an electric switch and conductors depending
therefrom supporting a translating device said conductors being electrically
connected to the make and break contacts of the switch and mechanically connected
to the movable part thereof, so that a pull upon the conductors will operate the
switch so as to turn the current off from, or on to the translating device.
Twelfth. A make and break switch comprising a pulley and a conducting cord
passing from said pulley supporting a translating device, in combination with
circuit connections operatively connected to the pulley, whereby one pull of the
cord causes the lamp to be cut into circuit, and the next pull causes it to be cut out
of circuit, substantially as described.
Thirteenth. A switch for use with an electric lamp or an analogous electrical
translating device, consisting of a movable circuit making and breaking device
concealed in a ceiling block, in combination with a pair of flexible insulated
electrical conductors supporting an electric lamp at their lower ends, and
mechanically and electrically connected with the switch and switch connections at
their upper ends whereby the lamp may be successfully cut into and out of circuit,
substantially as described.
Fourteenth. A switch consisting of a ratchet mechanically connected to a pulley
carrying a cord and provided with a retractile spring, said ratchet having electrical
connection with a lamp or other translating device and adapted to alternately
connect and disconnect the lamp to and from the circuit, substantially as described.
Fifteenth. An electric lamp electrically connected to and suspended by a pair
of flexible insulated conductors mechanically and electrically connected at their
other ends to a make and break switch mechanism, substantially as described.
Sixteenth. An electric lamp having its leading-in wires connected to a pair of
insulated conductors, which in turn are mechanically connected to a pulley, and
electrically connected to a switch controlled by the pulley, the electrical connections
being such that the lamp may be alternately cut into and out of circuit for alternate
manipulations of the pulley, substantially as described.
Seventeenth. A pair of electrical insulated conductors twisted to form a cord
and attached both electrically and mechanically to a pulley having a retractile
spring and a ratchet switch.mechanism whereby the conductors may be successively
cut into and out of circuit at successive pulls, substantially as described.
Eighteenth. In a switch the combination of the following elements; a pair of
insulated conductors constituting a cord; a pulley having conducting and non-
conducting parts, the conducting parts being electrically connected one to each
conductor, and the non-conducting parts supporting the cord; a spiral conducting
spring attached to one of the conducting parts of the pulley and to the conducting
portion of a ceiling block; a ratchet having alternate non-conducting and con-
ducting parts, the latter being electrically connected to a second portion of the
ceiling block, and a conducting pawl carried by the pulley and electrically connected
to one of the conducting parts thereof, substantially as described.
Nineteenth. A two-part ceiling block, one fixed and the other removable, and
both provided with conducting parts, in combination with an electrical switch
consisting of a pulley, a ratchet, a circuit-breaking pawl, a retractile spring, and
a pair of insulated electrical conductors carried by the pulley and electrically
connected to the switch, the ceiling blocks and a translating device, substantially
as described.
Dated this 15th dow of
1001
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
.45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.