Improvements in or connected with the Electric Lighting of Buildings or other Areas, particularly applicable to Fire Brigade Stations, Asylums, Hospitals, Hotels, Ships, and like Institutions.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with the Electric Lighting of Buildings
or other Areas, particularly applicable to Fire Brigade Stations,
Asylums, Hospitals, Hotels, Ships, and like Institutions.
I, REGINALD FRANCIS KIRK STUBBS, of Glenthorne, Sisters Avenue, Clapham
Common, in the County of Surrey, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to a system of distributing electricity to various parts
of a building or other area for lighting purposes and consists of a special arrange-
ment or system of wiring whereby the lights or any desired number of them may
be controlled separately or independently, both from a 2-way, single pole or other
switch placed adjacent therete, and also from another special switch mounted in
any convenient place in any room or part of a building or buildings, said special
switch, if convenient or desired, being arranged to work automatically in con-
junction with a fire alarm or any other emergency system, my invention being
carried out with the retention of a single circuit system, but with the addition
of a third wire as hereinafter describied, my object being to provide a ready and
inexpensive means (automatic or otherwise) of illuminating electrically certain
parts of a building, or other area, such as staircases, passages, corridors, etc., in
case of outbreak of fire or other emergency thereby alleviating, as far as it is
possible to do so, the dangers, and more especially the loss of life, arising therefrom.
My invention is specially applicable for the lighting of fire brigade stations,
hospitals, asylums, barracks, theatres, hotels and like institutions, and for the
purpose of this specification I will for convenience describe the same in connec-
tion with a fire brigade station.
33
The system of call lights" at present in use, or as designed, necessitates the
provision of a special set of lamps with an independent circuit for each set of
call lights." In many cases it is desirable that the lights in the men's quarters
should be controllable only from the watch room, being merely "call lights,"
but that in certain places such as the engine-room, stables, yard, passages, stairs,
etc., there should be an arrangement of lights both for "call
purposes and for
ordinary illumination. In such cases as the latter, it has been considered neces-
sary to employ distinct lights or sets of lights, one for ordinary lighting and the
other for "call" purposes, the latter being controlled independently and through
an additional circuit or circuits from a switch in the watch room, thus necessi-
tating a double set of wires, conductors, and fittings, or some similar arrangement
such as two circuits with common return, etc.
Now by my present invention, I propose to attain the same results, by utilising
the one and the same light either for "call" or for ordinary lighting purposes,
whilst still maintaining a single circuit system, but with the addition of a third
wire, (which I may term a "call" wire,) forming one of the features of my
"call" wire may be controlled by a special switch in
invention. Said third or

page_text: the watch room, actuated either by hand or automatically in conjunction with the
fire alarm bell system, by the means and in the manner hereinafter described and
forming another feature of my present invention. Thus, by employing a single
circuit system, I am enabled, as compared with existing or known methods, to
effect a considerable reduction in first cost, cost of maintenance, and in the number
of points necessary, and also to minimise disfigurement to buildings or unsightli-
ness in appearance, added to which I effect a valuable saving in the man's time
in the watch room.
The sub-circuits are taken from the switch board or other distributing centre
as usual and carried to the ordinary lamps for illuminating the station, but I
provide also a third wire or system of wires leading from the watch room to the
branch switches of those lights used as call" and general lights, in order to
enable these, in addition to the call lights" used only as such, to be controlled
from the special hand or automatic switch in the watch room, described herein-
after, as well as from the branch switches. This additional or "call" wire may
be carried to a two-way or any suitable kind of multiple contact switch placed
adjacent to the lamp. In the case of a two-way switch, the one contact will be
for call" purposes and the other for general lighting, other contacts being
furnished if required for any other purpose.
As an alternative this third or "call" wire may be, if necessary or desired,
split up into two or more wires separately insulated, so as to render it possible
to control the "call lights" from the watch room either singly, in groups, or in
any combination that may be preferred. In this case the branch switches need
not be of the two-way or multiple contact pattern, but could be of the ordinary
single-pole (1-way) type, the third or "call" wire being connected to the wire
joining the lamp and branch switch at any convenient point.
The third or call" wire may be carried with the other conductors in a three
groove casing or in any other manner, and it is, in order to ensure its always being
in circuit when required, connected up to the omnibus bar or feed side of the
switches on the watch room switch board, or nearer the source of supply if
necessary or desired. It will thus be seen that the lamps connected to the third
or "call" wire, can be fed directly from the source of supply without the inter-
vention of switches other than the special switch in the watch-room, used to
control the "call lights" only.
I may as a further alternative, however, run the third or "call" wire from the
"call lights" to a multiple contact or other suitable switch actuated from the
watch room by a relay or other device situated for convenience, say, one
upon each floor of the station, thereby rendering it possible to control the "call
lights" (or any desired number of them) separately from a given point on each floor,
and so obviating the necessity of running separate wires back for this purpose to
the watch room; or, in the event of its being found convenient to take the current
for the "call lights" direct from the sub-circuits in the different parts of the
buildings, the wire forming the circuit connecting the said relay switch with the
special switch in the watch room need only be of small section, thus effecting a
still further saving in copper.
The special switch in the watch room, may as already stated be an automatic
switch, of the gravity or other suitable type, and so arranged as to work in
conjunction with the fire alarm bells, say, in the following manner:-the wind-
ings of an electromagnet may form part of the bell system, being connected up
in such a manner that when the bells ring, the electro-magnet at the same time
becomes energized, attracts its armature, and in so doing may release a catch or
by some other suitable means disengage the weighted arm of a gravity switch,
(if such be used,) and allow it to fall on to its contacts and so complete the circuit
to the "call lights."
This automatic switch may be arranged in various ways, for instance, where the
electric energy derived from the bell system may not prove sufficient of itself to
operate the gravity switch, it may be made to complete the circuit of a second

page_text: electro-magnet supplied with energy from the lighting mains, which in its turn
may operate the gravity switch controlling the call lights," and it will thus be
seen that the "call lights" can be arranged so as to be automatically switched on
immediately the station becomes alarmed, in other words the alarming and the
lighting up of the station would be simultaneous.
A suitable switch may be provided in the electro-magnetic circuit of the auto-
matic switch to enable the automatic switch to be cut out of circuit in the daytime
when the lights may not be required. Said automatic switch may, however, be
so arranged that it can be operated by hand, if necessary or desired.
"
From the foregoing, it will be seen that a single circuit system can, by the use
of a
call" wire system, be used in conjunction with "call lights or ordinary
lights, controlled separately by branch switches or independently (and automati-
cally) by a special switch mounted in any convenient position in the watch room.
My invention may be carried out or arranged in various ways or in any combina-,
tion of the above described methods to suit varying requirements and it is obvious
that it can, as previously stated herein, be adapted for purposes other than for use
in fire brigade stations.
Dotad this 90th day of Vouch 1907
STANLEY, POPPLEWELL & Co.,
7 and S, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in or connected with the Electric Lighting of Buildings
or other Areas, particularly applicable to Fire Brigade Stations,
Asylums, Hospitals, Hotels, Ships, and like Institutions.
I, REGINALD FRANCIS KIRK STUBBS, of Glenthorne, Sisters Avenue, Clapham
Common, in the County of Surrey, 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 system of distributing electricity to various parts of
a building or other area for lighting purposes, and consists of a special arrange-
ment or system of wiring whereby the lights or any desired number of them may
be controlled, separately or independently, both from a 2-way, single pole or other
branch switch, and also from another special switch mounted in any convenient
place in any room or part of a building or buildings, said special switch, if con-
venient or desired, being arranged to work automatically in conjunction with a
fire alarm or any other emergency system, my invention being carried out with
the retention of a single circuit system, but with the addition of a third wire as
hereinafter described.
The object of my invention is to provide a ready and inexpensive means (auto-
matic or otherwise) of illuminating electrically certain parts of a building or
other area, such as staircases, passages, corridors, exits, etc., in case of outbreak
of fire or other emergency, thereby alleviating, as far as it is possible to do so,
the dangers and more especially the loss of life, arising therefrom.
My invention is specially applicable for the lighting of fire brigade stations,
hospitals, asylums, barracks, theatres, hotels, ships and like institutions, and for
the purpose of this specification I will for convenience describe the same in con-
nection with a fire brigade station..
The system of "call lights" at present in use, or as designed, necessitates the
provision of a special set of lamps with an independent circuit for each set of "call

page_text: "
lights." In many cases it is desirable that the lights in the men's quarters should
be controllable only from the watch room, being merely "call lights," but that in
certain places such as the engine-room, stables, yard, passages, stairs, etc., there
should be an arrangement of lights both for call' purposes and for ordinary
illumination. In such cases as the latter, it has been considered necessary to
employ distinct lights or sets of lights, one for ordinary lighting and the other for
call
purposes, the latter being controlled independently and through an
.additional circuit or circuits from a switch in the watch room, thus necessitating
a double set of wires, conductors, and fittings, or some similar arrangement such
as two circuits with common return, etc.
"
..
Now by my present invention, I propose to attain the same results by utilising
the one and the same light either for
call "
or for ordinary lighting purposes,
whilst still maintaining a single circuit system, but with the addition of a third
wire, or system of wires, forming one of the features of my invention. Said third
wire (which I may term a call" wire) may be controlled by a special switch in
the watch room, actuated either by hand or automatically in conjunction with the
fire alarm bell system, by the means and in the manner hereinafter described and
forming another feature of my present invention. Thus, by employing a single
circuit system, I am enabled, as compared with existing or known methods, to
effect a considerable reduction in first cost, cost of maintenance, and in the
number of points necessary, and also to minimise disfigurement to buildings or
unsightliness in appearance, added to which I effect a valuable saving in the man's
time in the watch room.
Accompanying this specification is a drawing showing in diagram form the
application of my present invention to a building, such as a fire brigade station
and reference will be made hereinafter to the letters appearing thereon.
"
The sub-circuits are taken from the switch board A or other distributing centre
as usual and carried to the ordinary lamps for illuminating the station, but I
provide also a third wire or system of wires B B B B leading from the watch
room to the branch switches C of those lights y used as call" and general lights
in order to enable these, in addition to the "call lights" used only as such, to
be controlled from the special hand or automatic switch in the watch room,
described hereinafter as well as from said branch switches C. The latter may
be a two-way or any suitable kind of multiple contact switch. In the case of a
two-way switch, one contact C¹ will be for call" purposes and the other C³ for
general lighting, other contacts being furnished if required for any other purpose.
As an alternative this third or "call" wire B may be, if necessary, or desired,
split up into two or more wires separately insulated, so as to render it possible to
control the "call lights" from the watch room either singly, in groups, or in any
combination that may be preferred. In this case the branch switches need not
be of the two-way or multiple contact pattern, but could be of the ordinary single-
pole (1-way) type, the third or call" wire being, connected to the wire joining
the lamp and branch switch at any convenient point.
"
The third or call" wire B may be carried with the other conductors in a three
groove casing or in any other manner, and it is, in order to ensure its always
being in circuit when required, connected up finally to the omnibus bar A¹ or feed
side of the switches D D D D D on the watch room switch board A or nearer the
source of supply if necessary or desired. It will thus be seen that the lamps
connected to the third or call" wire, can be fed directly from the source of
supply without the intervention of switches other than the special switch in the
watch-room, used to control the call lights only..
32
The special switch in the watch room may be, as already stated, an automatic
switch of the gravity or other suitable type, placed in circuit with the "call" wire
system, and so arranged as to work in conjunction with the fire alarm bells, say,
in the following, manner :-
The automatic switch shown in the accompanying drawing is of the gravity
type, the windings of electro-magnet E forming part of the bell system, being

page_text: connected up in such a manner that when the bells ring, the electromagnet E
at the same time becomes energised attracts, its armature F in a transverse or
lateral direction, and in so doing releases the weighted rectangular rod G.
Normally, the said armature F supports rod G in the position shown upon the
drawing, but as soon as the alarm bells are rung, the latter becomes disengaged
and falls down by its own weight, the rectangular block L coming between and
making contact with the two laminated springs H H, so completing the circuit
to the lights Y and Z through the "call" wire or wires B.
A suitable switch J may be provided in the electro-magnetic circuit of the
automatic switch to enable said automatic switch to be cut out of circuit in the
daytime when the lights may not be required.
contact-breaker") may be
A further switch K (or more accurately speaking a
placed in the same circuit whereby the windings of electromagnet E may be
automatically cut out of circuit by the parting of springs at K immediately rod G
commences to fall, thereby absorbing as little current from the bell battery as
possible.
A quick break" is obtained in the gravity switch shown in the accompanying
drawing, by the action of the spiral spring N, which causes block L, which is
free to slide in a vertical direction on the rectangular rod G, to fly out of the
contacts H H when rod G is replaced to its normal position, for which purpose
knob O is provided.
The act of replacing rod G also re-establishes the electromagnetic circuit at
* contact breaker" K.
Said automatic switch may, however, be so arranged that it can be operated by
hand, if necessary or desired, by pressing button M, which forces the armature F
forward and so releases rod G.
Where the electric energy derived from the bell system may not prove sufficient
of itself to operate the automatic switch direct, it may be made to complete the
circuit of a second electromagnet supplied with energy from the lighting mains,
which in its turn may operate the automatic switch controlling the "call lights."
Any other suitable switch may be employed in place of the gravity switch just
described, whereby the "call lights" may become automatically switched on
immediately that the station becomes alarmed, or, in other words, the alarming
and the lighting up of the station may be practically simultaneous.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that a single circuit system can, by the use of
a "call wire" system, be used in conjunction with "call lights" or ordinary lights,
controlled separately by branch switches or independently (and automatically if
desired) by a special switch mounted in any convenient position in the watch room.
My invention may be carried out or arranged in various ways or in any combina-
tion of the above described methods to suit varying requirements and it is obvious
that it can, as previously stated herein, be adapted for purposes other than for use
in fire brigade stations.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
-
1. The new or improved system of wiring for electric lighting whereby the lights
or any desired number of them may be controlled separately or independently,
both from a two-way, single pole or other branch switch and also from another
special switch mounted in any convenient position in any room or part of a build-
ing or area, as herein before set forth.
2. The new or improved system of wiring for electric lighting whereby the
lights or any desired number of them may be controlled separately or indepen-
dently, both from a two-way, single pole or other branch switch and also from
another special switch mounted in any convenient position in any room or part of
a building or area said special switch being arranged to work automatically in

page_text: conjunction with a fire-alarm or any other emergency system substantially in the
manner hereinbefore set forth, with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 21st day of December 1897.
STANLEY, POPPLEWELL & Co.,
Chartered Patent Agents, 61, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.