Improvements in Distribution and Branch Boxes for Electric Circuits.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Aplication, 25th June, 1892-Accepted, 20th Aug., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Distribution and Branch Boxes for Electric Circuits.
I, SIGMUND BERGMANN, of 21 Fennstrasse, Berlin, Germany, Manufacturer,
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:
It is of great importance that chests or boxes which serve for the reception of
branches, crossings or distribution centres of electric circuits, when placed within
the plastering of a wall should retain their insulating properties, and be protected
against the dampness of the wall. It is also advisable that no water of
condensation, due to changes of temperature, should be allowed to form in the
interior of the boxes, as the water, dripping down, might cause disturbances in the
working.
To effect this purpose the boxes are in accordance with this invention lined on
the inside with a substance made of paper or cardboard and somewhat resembling
vulcanized india-rubber. This substance has not only the advantage of being a
good insulator and of being water tight but it is also a very bad conductor of heat,
so, that, when it is used, sudden changes of temperature do not cause the formation
of condensed water in the box.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood, I have
hereunto appended an explanatory sheet of drawings, whereon
Fig. 1 is a side view, and
Fig. 2 a plan of a box for the reception of a distributing centre.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line - Fig 1.
Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section on the line y--y. Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a vertical section of a branch box."
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the box Fig. 5 but with the lid removed.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the box Fig. 5 with the lid in position.
Fig. 8 is a horizontal section on the line . .
Fig. 5.
As shown at Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 the distribution box A, which is made with
openings C, for the inlet and outlet of the electric currents, is covered, on the
inside, with a substance similar to vulcanized india-rubber, so, that, no damp can
find its way into the interior of the box. The inlet and outlet openings are also
lined with the damp proof substance. The branch-boxes B Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are
lined in a similar manner.
The lining of the distribution or branch boxes may be done, either,
(1) By making paper or cardboard boxes which will fit exactly into the inside of
the boxes A or B and subjecting the paper or cardboard to a hardening process in
order that its durability may be increased and that it may be rendered water-tight
and entirely neutral to the action of acids. The paper or cardboard boxes, after
being subjected to this process which gives them properties similar to those
possessed by vulcanized india-rubber, are placed within the cases A or B and are or
may be united to them by a suitable insulating preparation, or,-
(2) The linings may be made of plain cardboard and inserted into the boxes,
being subsequently prepared and then united by a suitable insulating preparation
to the boxes so as to form a whole. The branch boxes may be made of a material
capable of withstanding knocks etc., and be lined with plain cardboard which is
made to adhere to the box by a suitable preparation.
Supposing now, as in the first case, the linings a or b, which consist, as aforesaid,
of a substance similar to vulcanized india-rubber, are inserted within their cases A
or B and the tube pieces c, which are likewise made of a similar substance, are
inserted in the inlet and outlet passages C and also that the distribution box shown
ID:
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page_text: at Figs. 1 to 4 is covered, on the inside of the lid d, with a similar substance, then,
to finish the box, all that is required to be done is to paint over the interior with
petroleum-pitch which is a carburetted-hydrogen obtained in the distillation of
paraffin oil and which only liquifies at a high temperature. The painting is for the
purpose of covering up any accidental crevices made when fitting the lining close.
into the interior of the box.
The distribution or branch boxes, lined in the manner hereinbefore described,
may be put underneath any wall or ceiling plaster. When using the boxes there is
no fear of disturbances being caused by moisture accumulating in them as the non-
conducting lining prevents sudden changes of temperature from affecting the
interior of the boxes.
If the lining and the cases are properly prepared the painting of the inside is
not necessary.
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 :-
:-
A distribution or branch box for electric circuits formed of two cases placed one
within the other, and joined together by an insulating substance, the outer casing
being made of a hard material capable of resisting knocks etc., whilst the inner
casing is made of a damp proof material, substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to the drawings annexed.
Dated this 24th day of June 1892
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.