Improvements in Electric Lamp Couplers or Holders.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 10th July, 1890-Accepted, 16th Aug., 1890
Improvements in Electric Lamp Couplers or Holders.
I, ALBERT EDWARD NICHOLS of 43 Reginald Terrace in Leeds in the County of
York, in England, 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 relates to improvements in electric lamp couplers or holders for
which I have obtained Letters Patent in the United States of America No. 345283
dated 25th March 1890 and has for its object to facilitate the raising and lowering of
electric lamps when fixed in such positions as to render such movements necessary to
do away with the necessity for the usual slack cable in the main leads, and the balance
weights usually employed. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the
accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a plan half in section,
Fig. 3 a sectional elevation of an alternative arrangement.
Fig. 4 shows an arc lamp arranged in the old way with the slack in the main leads;
Fig. 5 represents the improved method of raising and lowering.
Fig. 6 shows a mode of constructing contact springs.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
Referring to Figs. 1 & 2 the coupler consists of two separate parts a and b of which
the part a is intended to be fixed to the ceiling or other suitable place by means of
screws c; it is composed of some insulating material such as slate, porcelain, earthen-
ware or vulcanite fibre and is provided internally with two metal rings d and d¹ which
are entirely separated from one another by the insulating ring f; the ring d is in
electrical connection with the terminal e, and the ring d¹ in electrical connection with
the terminal e¹; the main electrical leads are attached to e and e¹. The part bis formed
of some insulating material and is provided with two metal rings g and g¹. On to
ring g are fixed three contact springs and similarly on to g¹ are fixed three contact
springs the ring g is in electrical connection with the terminal k by means of the
wire and the ring g is in electrical connection with the terminal m by means of the
wire; another terminal is provided and between k and I a safety fuse is fixed which
can thus easily be replaced; the lamp itself is connected to the terminals and m by
the leads n and n. Down the centre of 6 passes a cord o which is intended to be
carried over a pulley p and down to some place within reach of the hand as shown in
fig. 5 where it is secured. When it is required to lower the lamp the cord o is pai
out and the weight of the lamp causes the plug-shaped part of the coupler to descend
from the part a thus breaking the circuit for the current and extinguishing the lamp ;
when the lamp is readjusted it may be raised again to its proper place by pulling the
cord o when the part will reenter part a and so make contact and light the lamp.
In fig. 3 the coupler is arranged differently so as to be flatter but the same end is
attained; fig. 4 shews the old method of lowering and raising, shows the lamp in its
usual position,, is its lowered position for adjustment, the slack t in the cable is then
necessary. Fig. 5 shews the improved method; s is the lamp in its usual position s¹
when lowered is any arrangement by which a pulley p can be used for the cord v.
Fig. 6 shews an alternative method of making the contact springs h, here formed of
several thin metal plates. Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10 show another form of coupler for effecting
the same result. Fig. 7 is a half plan half external of the part 6 half internal of the inner
face of a. Fig. 8 is an elevation partly in section. Fig. 9 a plan of the inner face
of and Fig. 10 an elevation of the contact springs h; b is a flat piece of slate or
other suitable nonconductor upon which are fixed the metal rings g and g' as before
provided with contact springs h & h¹. Ring g' is connected electrically to terminal
by connection and ring g to terminal m by connection j'; the part a is of slate or
D1

page_text: other suitable non-conductor and has two grooves in which are fitted the two metal
rings d and d to which are attached the main lead terminals e and e¹. A metal tube u
surrounds the cord o and acts as a guide for the part when being drawn into
position. Fig 11. shews an arrangement for short circuiting the rings & and d¹ when
the part bis lowered, and is specially for use with are lamps in series; the spring x
presses w down and makes contact at 'v and so with e'; e' is in electrical connection
with ring d and the part wo is in electrical 'connection with ring d¹ so that when one
lamp is lowered a current can still flow to the remaining lamps in series.
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 :―
First. The combination in a coupler for electric lamps of one fixed part provided
with terminals for the main leads which are in connection with contact rings and of a
moveable part provided with terminals for the lamp in connection with contact springs
by which the main lead terminals are put in electrical connection with the lamp
terminals all substantially as set forth.
Second. The arrangement in a coupler for electric lamps consisting of one fixed
part and one moveable part in such a manner that the moveable part may be brought
into connection with the fixed part by means of a cord or its equivalent for the
purpose of raising or lowering the said electric lamp all substantially as set forth.
Dated this 10th day of July 1890.
JOHN F. O'DONNELL,
Agent for said Applicant.