Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Manufacturing Incandescent Electric Lamps.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 9th Sept., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Manufacturing
Incandescent Electric Lamps.
I, ALFRED SWAN, of 177, Times Building, in the City and State of New York,
United States of America, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven
tion, 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 the method of and apparatus for manufacturing elec-
tric incandescent lamps, its object being to improve and simplify the construction
of such lamps. A distinguishing feature of the invention is that the stem which
carries the carbon filament is fused to the inner wall of the neck of the lamp
simultaneously with the operation of giving definite shape to the neck itself,
which shape, it is intended, shall accurately correspond to the shape of the
metallic cap or "lamp base" commonly fitted to the necks of incandescent lamp
bulbs. Another feature of the invention is the securing of the lamp base or
shell upon the neck of the lamp simultaneously with the preceding operations.
The invention will be fully understood by referring to the accompanying draw-
ings in which:
Figure 1 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of my improved
machine or apparatus.
Figure 2 is a sectional view of a portion thereof:
Figure 3 is a view showing the parts illustrated in Figure 2 in another position.
Figure 4 is a detail showing means for adjusting the heating flame, and
Figure 5 is a plan of a support for the lamp bulbs.
A represents a table having a circular opening a in the top thereof, and B a
vertical shaft mounted in bearings a¹ and a³ and located centrally with respect
to opening a, said shaft carrying a turn table or one or more radial arms b, b.
The outer end of each arm b is provided with a rotatable socket 6' in which a
vertical plunger 611 is mounted, a collar 2 thereon limiting the downward move-
ment of said plunger and affording an abutment for a spring 63 which tends to
keep said plunger at its extreme downward or normal position. See Figure 2.
The lower end of the plunger 6 projects below arm 6 and carries an enlargement
or foot b which may be provided with a combination of recesses and projections
on the under surface to constitute one member of a suitable clutch, for a purpose
hereinafter set forth, while the upper end of the plunger carries a metallic cup
or mould 65, preferably lined with carbon, and of such interior dimensions and
shape as it is desired the neck of the finished lamp shall have. The plunger is
hollow as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 2, a hollow spindle 66, supported
by the screw 67, extending into the plunger and projecting upwardly above the
mould. The screw 67 passes through an elongated slot in the plunger 6" in
order to reach the spindle 6º. It is obvious therefore that the plunger and
mould may be raised, and lowered again, without affecting the spindle.
C represents a carrier or support for lamp bulbs, and it consists of two rings or
plates, having concentric openings therein of different diameters, the plates

page_text: being suitably spaced apart, one above the other, and fixed securely to the
sleeves c, c.
These sleeves are fitted over the posts c, c', coiled springs c³ ³
being located between the shoulders (or ends of said sleeves) and the stationary
abutments ct. The diameter of the circular opening in the upper plate c³, is,
preferably, as large as the greatest diameter of the lamp bulb T while the open-
ing in the lower plate 6 corresponds with the diameter of the neck of said bulb.
A lamp bulb therefore being dropped into said support C, neck downwards, will
be firmly held against any lateral play, as indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings.
Rotation of the plunger 6 will obviously cause the mould 63, carrier c, and
spindle b lamp bulb T.. (assuming one to be supported thereby), to rotate also.
The outer edge of one of the plates cor e rotates under and in contact with
a roller e, which is mounted on the end of a shank e¹ attached to sleeve e². The
sleeve is adapted to slide over the post ³, there being a coiled spring between
said sleeve and the abutment e*. The screw is threaded into the post and
engages the sleeve in such a manner that the latter, and consequently the
carrier C, may be nicely adjusted vertically as changing conditions may require.
I have shown but two of the radial arms b although it will be understood that
more may be used if desired, each of the arms being provided with a duplication
of the devices above described.
The vertical shaft 33 extends as shown a considerable distance above the table A
and is provided with radial arms f,f, parallel with, and corresponding in number
to the arms. Each of the arms f is provided with an elongated socket in which
is mounted a vertical plunger f'. A coiled spring is contained within the socket
between the bottom and a shoulder f on the plunger, so that the spring nor-
mally holds the latter in its extreme upward position. The plunger is bored
out longitudinally for a suitable portion of its length, and is provided with a
transverse bore f, the latter preferably being through the annular shoulder f
before mentioned. The bore of the plunger at its lower end is somewhat
enlarged and affords a bearing for the hollow stem g of the cap G. It being
advantageous to afford the cap a slight movement independent of the plunger,
they are made separate but are connected together by a pin g¹ extending inwardly
from the wall of the hollow plunger f¹ and engaging an elongated slot g² in the
A coiled spring g lying between the upper edge of said stem and the
shoulder normally keeps the stem and cap at their extreme lower positions.
A duplication of the above described devices will be provided for each of the
arms, the plungers b" and f being in vertical alignment with one another,
and the caps and moulds being concentric.
stem g.
The arms ff, are hollow: so also is the shaft B, the latter containing a
hollow air tube H connected at its lower end with a pipe h communicating with
a suitable source of air supply under pressure, and having at its upper end
vents which allow a free passage of air from the tube to the hollow arms.
Jis a plate having a series of posts jj, depending from its under surface, and
a series of boxes located on its upper surface: the former fitting loosely into
sockets, and each of the latter comprising two separate chambers and j
connected with suitable supplies of air and gas respectively. A pipe 77 leads
from each of the chambers and is provided with a burner, while a pipe
leading from each of the chambers is so arranged as to direct a blast of air
against the flames of said burner and blow the same in a substantially hori-
zontal direction as indicated at 10, in Figure 1.
The sockets are merely guides, the plate J being really supported by the
peripheries of the cam discs, j, mounted on the horizontal shaft and being
therefore adapted to ready adjustment in a vertical direction.
L is a pulley loosely mounted on shaft B, and L' a pulley tightly mounted on
the vertical shaft S, à belt S¹ connecting the two pulleys. The shaft S may be
described as continuously operating, although there will be, of course, means
(such as indicated at a) whereby the operator may throw the machine into or
out of operation at will. But while the shaft S rotates continuously it is desir-

page_text: able that the shaft B rotate intermittently and be entirely under the control of
the operator as far as the timing of its movements are concerned. I therefore
surround said shaft B with a sleeve M which is locked thereto by the pin and
elongated slot device indicated at m, but which is adapted to partake of a slight
vertical movement independently of said shaft. The sleeve also carries the later-
ally projecting stud m¹ and one member m³ of a clutch m'; the other member m³
thereof, forming a part of the loose pulley L. The sleeve M is supported by the
pivotted yoke N there being the usual pin and collar connection as indicated at n,
in Figure 1, whereby the sleeve may be raised and lowered on the shaft B. A
spring normally holds the two members of the clutch m*.open, and the stud m¹
in engagement with one of the notches a³ in bearing a³.
The outer end of yoke N supports a second sleeve P which surrounds and is
feathered to, the shaft S, this sleeve also being adapted to be raised and lowered
by the yoke: The sleeve P is centred in a socket as which is carried by an
arm a extending from bearing a², and affords a bearing for the short shaft or
spindle S. A head S3 on this short spindle is provided on its upper surface with
a series of projections and recesses which constitute the other member of the
clutch 6, before referred to. The spindle S might be made an integral part
of the shaft S but I prefer to make it separate, locking it to the sleeve P in
such a manner that it may rotate therewith yet partake of a slight vertical motion
independent of said sleeve. The pin and elongated slot indicated at p represents
one means of accomplishing this: 1 being a coiled spring for keeping the
head S3 normally at the limit of its upward movement.
The operation is as follows: Figure 1 shews the machine with a finished lamp
in the carrier at the right hand side ready to be removed: and one undergoing
the fusing process at the left hand side. Having removed the finished lamp T
the operator will fit a lamp stem t over the hollow spindle 66, the terminal wires t
extending into the hollow spindle, and the carbon filament extending upwardly
above the same. He will then drop a lamp bulb into the concentric openings
of the plates 5 and 6 of the carrier C, the several parts being so adjusted that
the lower edges of the stem and lamp neck will be brought into the proper rela-
tive position for fusing. Meanwhile the pulleys L and L¹ being rotated and the
clutch S3 6 being closed, the lamp at the left of the machine will be rotated, the
neck thereof in contact with the flames from the burner 18. When softened to
the fusing point the operator will depress the treadle w; which is connected to
the yoke N by the link w', and thus disconnect said clutch $3. This same move-
ment will also disconnect the stud m¹ from the notch and close the clutch m
so that the sleeve M and consequently shaft B will be carried around (in direction
of arrow Z) until the stud m¹ is adjacent to the other notch and is caused to
engage the same by the pull of a suitable spring attached to the yoke, the treadle,
of course, being released. In making this half revolution the foot will be
caused to travel over the upper surface of the upwardly inclined cam track K
while the upper ends of the plungers fl will be caused to travel in contact with
the under surface of the downwardly inclined cam track K¹, the effect being to
carry the cap G down over the spherical end of the lamp bulb, and the mould 65
up over the neck thereof. The plungers f' and 6 having reached the extreme
limits of movement caused by the two cam tracks, the lamp will be firmly
clamped between the mould and the cap G, the latter having a lining of felt, soft
rubber, or other suitable material to effect a practically air tight joint between
itself and the surface of the lamp. See Figure 3. In this position the trans-
verse bore will have been brought into alignment with the bore of the arm f
so that there will be a free passage for air from the tube H to the interior of the
lamp bulb, through the opening in said bulb. The air being under pressure
will force the softened glass of the neck outwardly causing it to conform exactly
to the shape of the mould 65, and ensuring a perfect joint between the neck and
the glass stem carrying the filaments.
As soon as the plungers pass beyond the cam tracks they of course will be

page_text: caused to resume their normal positions by their respective coiled springs, the
lamp then being ready-to-be-removed and replaced by another. To facilitate
such replacement I provide a pivotted finger R located in such a manner as to
stand just over plate when the latter comes to rest adjacent thereto. A link
connects said finger with a treadle which when depressed will force the carrier
down and expose the spindle 6º.
The mould in which the neck of the lamp is shaped may be large enough to
receive the brass sleeve or collar forming the "base" of the lamp, which sleeve
or collar may have suitable indentations, and may be placed in the mould before
the lamp neck is forced into it. Then when the softened neck is forced into the
mould and the internal air pressure applied the glass will be forced into said
indentations and the base secured in position simultaneously with the other
operations. The lamp is then finished except for the insertion of a closing disc
carrying carrying the contacts at the end of the base, which may be attached
in any suitable way.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The method of manufacturing incandescent electric lamps, which consists in
fusing the neck of the lamp, inserting it into its metallic base and then apply-
ing air pressure internally to force the neck outward to fit the base, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
2. In apparatus for manufacturing incandescent electric lamps, means for
simultaneously sealing the stem and neck of the lamp together and giving
definite shape to the lamp neck, constructed arranged and operating substan-
tially as herein before described and as illustrated by the accompanying draw-
ings.
3. In apparatus for sealing and shaping the necks of incandescent electric
lamps, the combination of a support for the lamp bulb, a holder for the lamp
stem by which it may be positioned in the neck of the lamp and a movable
mould adapted to be passed over the neck of the lamp to give shape thereto, sub-
stantially as herein before described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
4. In an apparatus for sealing and shaping the necks of incandescent electric
lamps, the combination of a support for the lamp bulb, a holder for the lamp
stem by which it may be positioned in the neck of the lamp and which consists of
a stationary rod or spindle, a movable mould mounted concentrically upon the
rod, and means whereby the mould may be slid along the rod to carry it over
the neck of the lamp to give shape thereto, substantially as hereinbefore described
and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
5. In an apparatus for sealing and shaping the necks of incandescent electric
lamps, the combination of a support for the lamp bulb, a holder for the lamp
stem by which it may be positioned in the neck of the lamp and which consists
of a stationary rod or spindle, a movable mould mounted concentrically upon the
rod, means whereby the mould may be moved along the rod to carry it over the
neck of the lamp to give shape thereto, and means whereby air under pressure
may be admitted to the interior of said bulb, all constructed and arranged sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
6. In an apparatus for sealing and shaping the necks of incandescent electric
Jamps, the combination of a rotatable body having a plurality of carriers adapted
to support lamp bulbs and lamp stems in proper relative positions for fusing,
means whereby said carriers may be brought successively into a fusing flame, a
mould also carried by said body and mounted concentrically with the supports
for said lamp bulb and stem, and means located in the path of movement of
said rotatable body whereby the mould in moving from the flame to another point

page_text: will be caused to slide over the neck of said lamp, substantially as and for the
purpose herein before described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
7. In an apparatus for sealing and shaping the necks of incandescent electric
lamps, the combination of a turntable, a heating flame located at one side thereof
for fusing the lamp necks, and means operating at another side of the turntable
for moulding the fused portions, substantially as herein before described and as
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
8. A machine or apparatus for sealing and shaping the necks of incandescent
electric lamps, constructed arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore
described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 4th day of August A.D. 1899.
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.