Improvements relating to Electric Couplings.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 28th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 10th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 13th Mar., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Electric Couplings.
I, EMMA THEODORA, LADY FORBES, of Castle Newe, Strathlon, Aberdeen-
shire, Scotland, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to electric couplings and has for its object an improved
construction of coupling which does not project from the wall or floor and
consequently is not likely to be injured by furniture or other objects pushed
against it.
My improved coupling comprises a metal or other box, or case adapted to be let
into a recess in the wall or floor where it is to be attached and having a flauge fixed
to or formed on its outer end by which flange it may be secured in place flush with
the wall or floor. The face of the flange may be suitably ornamented. The inner
end of the box is closed and the outer end is open. The socket for receiving the
connecting plug which may be of any ordinary or suitable kind is attached to a
wooden or other base_piece which is inserted in the aforesaid box and is secured
in place by passing a T-shaped metal projection or catch at the back of the bise
piece through a slot in the end wall of the box and then turning the base piece
through a right angle. In some instances I provide a spring to ensure a more
secure hold between the base piece and the box. The leading-in wires are passed
through a slot in the side wall of the box and through holes in the base piece
above mentioned and are connected to the terminals of the socket in the ordinary
The slot in the side of the box is sufficiently large to allow the socket
and base piece to be drawn out and pushed back wheu desired without chafing
the wires.
The box is of sufficient depth to contain the socket and plug without any part
of the same projecting therefrom so that no part of the coupling protrudes from
the wall or floor. The plug and socket are therefore not liable to be injured by
furniture or the like pushed against them, and the coupling is less unsightly than
ordinary projecting couplings; moreover these advantages are obtained without
increasing the difficulty of wiring and of fit ting up the coupling.
Dated this 28th day of May 1806
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
ovemen
relating
pings.
I, EMMA THEODORA, LADY FORBES, of Castle Newe, Strathdon, Aberdeen-
shire, Scotland, 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 electric couplings for use in dwelling houses and other

page_text: places wherein it is desirable to avoid un unsightly appearance, and has for its
object an improved coupling which when in place will not project from the wall or
floor to which it is applied and consequently will not be liable to injury by the
impact of furniture or other movable objects.
According to the said invention the coupling comprises a metal or other box or
case adapted to be inserted into a recess in the wall or floor to which it is to be
attached, and a socket within the case or box for receiving the connecting plug,
which socket may be of any ordinary or suitable kind capable of attachment to a
base inserted in the aforesaid box.
The box or case is of sufficient depth to contain the socket and plug in such a
manner that no part of the same protrudes therefrom and therefore no part of the
coupling projects from the wall or floor. The plug and socket are thus efficiently
protected from accidental injury or disturbance, and the unsightly appearance of
ordinary projecting couplings is avoided, without increasing the difficulty of wiring
and of fitting up the coupling.
And in order that my invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of one construction of my improved coupling
fitted in a recess in a wall.
Figure 2 is a rear or inner end view thereof.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of a modified construction of the improved
coupling, and
Figure 4 is a front view of the box or case employed with this modified
construction.
Figures 5 and 6 are respectively a side and an end elevation of the base to
receive the socket, employed with this modified construction.
Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, a represents the metal or other
box or case inserted into the wall b and provided with a flange a' on its outer or
front end whereby it is secured in place flush with the surface of the wall. The
face of this flange may be embossed or otherwise rendered ornamental in any
suitable manner. Near its inner end the box a is closed by a plate, wall or
diaphragm as indicated at a the front or outer end of the said box or case being
open. d is the socket for receiving the connecting plug d¹ of the wire or conductor.
This socket may be of any suitable or ordinary kind. e is a wooden or other base
piece which is inserted in the aforesaid box and is secured in place by passing a
T-shaped metal piece or key secured thereon, through a slot g in the plate a, and
then turning the base piece about its axis. The leading-in wires are passed
through a slot or opening i in the side of the box and through holes in the base-
piece e and are connected to the terminals of the socket in the ordinary manner.
The slot or opening i in the side of the box is made segmental as indicated and is
sufficiently large to permit of the socket and base piece being turned about their
axis, drawn out and pushed back when desired without chafing the leading in
wires, a slack portion of which wires may be contained in a recess & opposite the
slot or opening i.
In the modification shown in Figures 3 to 6, the metal or other box or case a
instead of having an end plate a is provided with an internal rib or flange a
situated a short distance from its rear or inner extremity, and to this flange a³ the
base or socket e is secured. A recess or space a' is thus left behind the base or
socket and serves to accommodate the ends of the leading-in wires 4 and to contain
a sufficient length of free or slack wire to obviate any danger of injury to the
insulation from chafing due to the turning of the base piece about its axis when
locking or securing it in position. Such lucking is effected on the same principle
as in the former case, but instead of employing a simple T-piece I prefer to
construct the base or socket with a reduced portion or neck el adapted to fit within
the flange a and corresponding in depth to the thickness of the said flange. Upon
this neck e secure by screws or otherwise a cross piece 2 of metal or other

page_text: suitable material the ends of which are adapted to pass through gaps or openings as
formed in the flange on opposite sides thereof. The base or socket can be secured
in its place by first pressing it against the flange a with its cross-piece e in such a
position that the ends thereof pass through the gaps a³, and then turning the
socket about its axis to cause the ends thereof to engage with the rear side of
the flange.
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. An electric coupling comprising a metal box or case containing the socket
and plug, adapted to be inserted into a wall or floor in such a manner that none
of its parts will project from the surface thereof.
2. The improved electric coupling, substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to Figures 1 and 2 or modified as described with reference to Figures 3
to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 10th day of Fahruary 1007
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.