A New or Improved Adjustable Cord Reel for Electric Pendent Cords and other similar purposes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Nov., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 30th July, 1898-Accepted, 24th Sept., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Adjustable Cord Reel for Electric Pendent Cords
and other similar purposes.
I, WILSON HENRY STURGE, of 17, Frederick Road, Edgbaston, in the City of
Birmingham, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows; -
This invention relates to a new or improved adjustable cord reel which is
primarily intended for adjusting the length of pendant cords used for electric
lighting, but which may also be used for other cords requiring similar treatment.
It is often found necessary to lengthen or shorten the distance between the
point of suspension and the lamp or other article suspended and it is to meet
this requirement in a more convenient and ready manner than has hitherto been
done, that I have made this my invention.
Broadly it consists of a reel upon which the flexible cord may be wound.
From the axis at the one end of this reel is carried a case or frame, which encircles
the reel and which is provided with two eyelets or guides diametrically placed
to each other in about a midway transverse position to the body of the reel, so
that the cord may be threaded through one of such eyelets or guides thence
through a hole or its equivalent in the body of the reel and again through the
opposite eyelet. Preferably this case is made in two hemispherical portions so
that one of such may be carried from the axis at each end. One of these is
secured in position by a terminal nut or knob which is rigidly fixed upon the
axis of the reel, but permitting a rotary motion to the reel independently of the
case. Between this fixed knob and the surface of the half case provision is made
whereby when the two are drawn tightly together such independent rotation is
prevented. At diametric positions upon the edge of this half case are fixed the
eyelets or guides. The other half of the case is now passed on to the opposite
end of the reel's axis, and secured by a screw nut, by which the whole is firmly
bound together and the reel prevented from rotation.
Instead of having to, thread the flexible cord through the eyelets and reel as
already described I may modify such by making an open axial slot in them by
which the cord may be slipped in sideways, obviating the necessity of breaking
any electrical connection. Or instead of the slot in the reel, I may form upon or
attach to the body of the reel a hook or other projection by which the cord may
be held for the winding operation.
In electrical fittings these eyelets are made of insulating material.
Hence by slackening the screw nut the reel may be revolved and the lead or
cord adjustably wound or unwound as may be desired and then fixed by tightening
up again the screw nut, at the same time the surplus lead or cord is concealed
from view and the whole presents an ornamental appearance.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1897.

page_text: A New or Improved Adjustable Cord Reel for Electric Pendent Cords
and other similar purposes.
I, WILSON HENRY STURGE, of 17, Frederick Road, Edgbaston, in the City of
Birmingham, Electrical Engineer, 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 a new or improved adjustable cord reel which is
primarily intended for adjusting the length of pendant cords used for electric
lighting, but which may also be used for other cords requiring similar treatment.
It is often found necessary to lengthen or shorten the distance between the
point of suspension and the lamp or other article suspended and it is to meet
this requirement in a more convenient and ready manner than has hitherto been
done, that I have made this my invention.
In order to more clearly explain this my invention, I have appended hereunto
an illustrative drawing upon which are figures and numbers of reference, similar
numbers referring throughout the several views to the same thing or part, and
in which;
Fig. 1, is a general side view, and Fig. 2 a plan view of this my invention.
Fig. 3, is a sectional view of the invention on line A-B Fig. 2.
Fig. 4, is a part view, and partly in section of the invention, with the one half of
the case or frame removed.
Fig. 5, is a view of the said removed half of the case.
Fig. 6, is a view of the tightening nut.
Fig. 7, shows a modified form of reel and of eyelet.
10, is a reel upon which the flexible cord 11, is wound. 12 and 13 are hemi-
spherical parts which together form the case within which the reel 10, is carried,
and which is provided with two eyelets or guides 14, 14, diametrically placed
to each other in about a midway transverse position to the body of the reel, so
that the cord 11, may be threaded as shown in Fig. 3, through one of such
eyelets or guides thence through a hole 15, or its equivalent in the body of the
reel and again through the opposite eyelet. Thecreel 10, is provided with two
axial screw pins 16, 16, which are rigidly secured thereto. Upon the axial pin 16, 3
is carried the part 12, of the case and secured by the rigidly fixed screw nut 17,
but with sufficient freedom (at present) for rotation of the reel independently of
the case. Between this fixed knob 17, and the surface of the half case 12, pro-
vision is made whereby when the two are drawn tightly together such indepen-
dent rotation is prevented. This may be done by making teeth 18, or their like, 3
upon the face of the nut to agree with and fit into similar teeth or their like
upon the case 12. At diametric positions upon the edge of this half case are
fixed the eyelets or guides 14. The other half 13, of the case is now passed on
to the opposite end of the reel's axis, and secured by the screw nut 19, by which
the whole is firmly bound together and the reel prevented from rotation.
Referring now to Fig. 7:-Instead of having to thread the flexible cord
through the eyelets and reel as already described I may modify such by making
an open axial slot 15ª, in the reel and open slot 20, in the eyelets, by which the
cord may be slipped in sideways, obviating the necessity of breaking any elec-
trical connection. Or instead of the slot in the reel, I may form upon or attach 4
to the body of the reel a hook or other projection by which the cord may be held
for the winding operation, which may be so well understood as not to need
illustration.

page_text: In electrical fittings these eyelets 14, 14, are made of insulating material.
Hence by slackening the screw nut 19, the reel 10, may be revolved and the
lead or cord 11, adjustably wound or unwound as may be desired, and then fixed
by tightening up again the said screw nut, at the same time the surplus lead
or cord (being wound upon the reel) is concealed from view and the whole presents
an ornamental appearance.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The combination with the reel 10, having means for doubling the cord
thereon for winding purposes such as described and shown, of a case 12, 13,
having eyelets with or without open slot said case being carried on axial pins of
reel, and capable of permitting an independent winding motion to reel but
having screw nut 17, with notches 18, and nut 19, by which the whole may be
secured together, all substantially as set forth and shown.
Dated this 29th day of July 1898.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent, 12, Cherry Street, Birmingham.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent, 12, Cherry Street, Birmingham.