Improvements in Incandescence Lamp Holders and Switches.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in Incandescence Lamp Holders and Switches.
I, HENRY FRANCIS JOEL of 44 Lavender Grove, Dalston, London, in the county of
Middlesex, 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:-
My invention consists of an improved holder for Incandescence Lamps with a
switch to turn the light "on" or "off," a safety fusé, and a support for a reflector,
shade, or glass globe, all combined in one, or alternatively a simple holder, or
combination of any of the parts with the holder to make a convenient and universal
fitting for Incandescence Lamps.
Fig. 1, is a front view of the combined Lamp holder, switch and reflector support,
Fig. 2 is a plan of same, Fig. 3 is a back view showing the fuse.-I construct the
holder. H, of boxwood, ebonite, vitrite, porcelain, or any suitable material and
of a cylindrical shape with a projecting band or ring h, encircling it near the middle,
on one end, I fit a switch S, Fig. 1 & 2, and safety fuse F; Fig 3: on the other end a
spring holder and electrical connections c, c; for the Lamp. To accommodate the
switch. and the fuse, at one end, the two sides of the holder are partly flattened;
see Figs. 1 & 2, and the switch S, which is shaped to represent or approximate to a
gas tap, is fitted and is free to turn on a centre pin, or a screw s, fixed on one side of
the flat, the contact and connection is on the opposite part of the flat at A, a pin at
the top side forms a stop for the switch arm one way, and a projecting ridge on the
contact A, prevents the switch going too far over the contact A. By turning the
switch S, one quarter of a circle contact is made, or broken as desired. The connection
through the switch centre is made through a bent plate with a terminal T, at one end
fixed to the side. of, the holder. . The connections to the lamp. are made by wires,
shewn in dotted lines, passing at an angle through the holder H, to a terminal 'T',
the other side, and to the switch contact A. On the other end of the holder H, and
close under the projecting ring ., the holder is made full with a screw thread cut on
same having a loose screwed nut N, outside; between the projecting ring h, and
nut N, the shade or reflector, partly shown in dotted lines, is placed and secured.
The spring L, for holding the lamp is made in the form of a cone with the larger end
outside, the better to fix the lamp in a central position. The Lamp is secured by the
bottom loops, or by side loops, or screwed on surface contacts, or by socket holder, as
shown in Fig. 3, or by any of the usual methods.
at

page_text: The safety fuse wire F, is connected to two terminals te, w³, mounted on the flat
surface on the opposite side or back of the switch, the terminal w¹, is connected by a
bent plate to the side terminal T', whilst the terminal w, is connected to the lamp
connection. The safety fuse may be of tin wire or other convenient material
and shape.
The switch S, is made to spring" on or "off" the contact by means of a spring
wire B, shown in Fig. 4, fixed under a screw head b, with the end of the spring wire
returned and inserted into a hole in the holder. This spring acts on the two squares
on the switch arm at s, or two pins, as shown, so that when turned either way
the switch arm snaps into position.
The spring may be a slip or part cut out of the terminal plates, or 1 make the
switch to spring "off" by means of a spiral spring fixed round the centre of the
switch arm at 8,
the friction at the contact retaining the switch in position, or I.make
the arm of the switch S, a spring with an inclined or bevelled contact to work upon,
this causes the arm to release suddenly when moved.
The whole of the switch contact and tap handle, shown in Figs. 1 & 2, I make of
one piece, by preference, punched out of sheet metal and then bent to the right shape.
I attich a covering of Ivory, or such substance to the top part of the switch. The
contact arm of the switch S, is especially cut with slits at the end, see Fig. 4 & 6, to
ensure a number of contact arms or points and to increase the spring action; 1 also
arrange a separate tap for turning the switch instead of a fixed tap, the switch centre
being shaped with a square, see Fig. 4, or such fitting, for the purpose.
::
This holder can be used for simple hanging lamps suspended by wires only, as in
Fig. 1, or from a bracket as in Fig. 3. & Fig. 5. or in any other convenient way. I
make the switch action above described, in an independent form, see Figs. 6 & 7,
with-switch arms S, slotted, & spring" on or "off action B, with a separate case,
having a glass front or cover, and combined with it the fusible wire terminals w, & w!;
1 use by preference a separate and detachable tap or handle. The contact A, may be
in one, two, or three places, or I may use the switch without the fuse making it
a double break. I arrange the base of this switch of porcelain in such a way that
it can be used for either single or three contacts, or double break contacts as
desired.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is —
1st. The Lamp holder and shade carrier, substantially as shown and described in
reference to Figs. 1. & 2.
2nd. The switch made in one piece of stamped sheet metal, substantially as shown
and described in reference to Figs. 1. 2. 3. & 4.
3rd. The holder for lamp and shade combined with the switch, substantially as
shown and described in reference to Figs. 1. 2. 3. & 4.
4th. The holder for Lamp and shade combined with the fusible wire & fittings,
substantially as shown and described in reference to Fig. 3.
5th. The holder for Lamp and shade combined with both the switch and the fusible
wire and fittings, substantially as shown and described in reference to Figs. 1. 2. 3. & 4.
6th. The switch arm having slots, and spring action, substantially as shown and
described in reference to Fig. 1.
7th. The switch & fuse, with glass cover, spring action, & detachable handle,
substantially as shown and described in reference to Figs. 6. & 7..
j Dated this 4th day of January 1888.