IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRICAL LAMP SUPPORTS AND FITTINGS
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I THOMAS TAYLER SMITH of 4 Circus Place, Finsbury in the City of London,
Architect do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRICAL LAMP SUPPORTS AND FITTINGS," to be as
follows:-
The present invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of supports
and fittings for electrical lamps, the object in viow being to facilitato, the placing of
the lamps in the most convenient positions, and to enable the electric current to be
completely controlled without twisting or bending the lamp supports in turning
the current on or off.
The invention also relates to certain.improvements whereby the position of the
lamp shade or reflector can be readily varied to suit different patterns of lamp,
and for enabling the lamp stem or branches to be bent without injury to the
flexible cord conveying the current.
My improvements are mainly applicable to electric incandescent lamps detachably
supported by a flexible cord or cords containing the flow and return wires suitably
insulated, but they are applicable in a measure to bracket and standard lamps
through which a current is conveyed to one or more incandescent lamps.
According to my invention I attach the cord or cords containing the wires
which convey the current to the lamps to a safety connector or coupling of a
simple and efficient character. This consists of a rose or block of wood or other
material to which is fixed a centre piece of insulating material preferably vulcanite.
This centre piece carries a pair of metal terminals formed with broad bases and
clamping screws for attaching and making contact with the ends of the lead wires
and provided with a safety fuse of lead or other wire.
Adapted to slide into and engage with these terminals is a carrier block of
insulating material to opposite sides of which is secured a pair of metal springs of
peculiar construction each formed by stamping, out of a single piece of metal and
so shaped and bent as to afford a firm base for attachment to the carrier block and
to the wires which pass through a hole therein.
The springs being flat strips suitably bent upon themselves (preferably in a two-
fold manner) a broad contact surface and great elasticity are secured. The cord is

page_text: fixed to the carrier block by a knot which is received in a countersunk hole therein,
or may be otherwise attached.
Suitable stops preferably formed by cutting and bending a portion of the metal
springs are provided to ensure the carrier being properly held in place. For
greater security the screws which unite the springs to the carrier enter threaded
metal bushings.
The rose is secured to the ceiling wainscot or other surface, and by slipping the
carrier block into position the lamp can be readily put in circuit with the lead
wires.
A guard plate protects the terminals and carrier from sight and touch when in
position. When a pull is put on the lamp support perpendicular to the rose and
its fixed terminal, the better becomes the contact; but an oblique pull when the
guard plate is removed easily disengages the carrier block.
To enable the current passing to a lamp or lamps to be controlled without
injury to the parts by torsion and with greater ease than by rotary switches as at
present used, 1 adapt to the lamp or its fittings, and preferably at the point where
the lamp is attached to its support, an expansible and compressible frame provided
with two pairs of distinctively marked or coloured studs or buttons, and formed
and mounted in such a manner that the compression or approach of one pair will
cause the separation and expansion of the other pair after the manner of lazy-
tongs. One pair of studs or buttons is arranged to act upon one or more contact
pieces or plates, preferably in the form of a tongue and spring, respectively; the
current passing when the tongue is forced in contact with the said spring and
ceasing when they are separated. The other pair of studs is connected to insulated
plates or springs so arranged that they co-act with the interlocking tongue and
spring or their equivalent to make a good and tight contact on the one hand, or to
accelerate and complete the breaking of contact on the other hand. Push picces
having inclined faces may be employed to effect the contact.
This device I enclose in a spherical or other divisible case, the studs protruding
through the sides; and thus the current can be easily controlled by simple pressure
by one hand. This compressible switch can also be operated by inverting its
position and operating it after the manner of a sliding bolt, or a single pair of the
studs may be arranged to interlock and complete the electrical circuit when pressed
together.
In some cases it happens that a lamp to which the current passes by a flexible
cord as above described, breaks and another pattern of lamp has to take its place.
In such cases a difficulty is found in adjusting the position of the lamp to its
shade or reflector and to provide a simple means for remedying this I provide a
hollow threaded stem or guide to which the lamp is attached and through which
the flexible cord passes and I mount thereon a divided holder for the shade or
reflector, the parts of which can be rigidly clamped together and locked upon the
threaded stem by a pair of screw nuts, but which when the nuts are slackened
can be separated to a considerable extent and be shifted up and down the stem as
required, being clamped by the nuts in the desired position. Thus the position
of the shade with respect to the lamp can be readily adjusted to give the best
results.
This adjustable shade holder is especially adapted to be used with hanging
lamps, but it might be adapted to a standard lamp requiring a shade, for reading,
surgical or other purposes. In such lamps it is necessary to provide for complete
freedom of movement of the branches without injury to the flexible cord conveying
the current, and I effect this by the use of spherical knuckle joints which while
allowing of a movement of more than a right angle will not cut or twist the said
cord, and to this end I deeply groove the knuckle joints and retain the cord therein
by springs or weights within the base or stem of the lamp. The reflector at the
-end of the movable arms of the lamp may be held and adjusted with respect to
the lamp in the manner above described, or may have a tubular support adapted
to slide on the arm and be clamped thereon by a screw.

page_text: Thus it will be seen that I obtain grent facilities for bringing a light to bear in
the position where it is most required, and for adjusting the shade or reflector to
the best position for the lamp in use, while affording also simple and efficient
means for attaching or detaching the cord conveying the current to or from the
lead wires, and for controlling the passage of the said current, by which improve-
ments the internal lighting of houses by incandescent lamps will be greatly
facilitated.
In some cases the lamps or their shades may have a balance weight and be
mounted on pivots so as to swing and retain a vertical position, no matter what
the position of the support may be; and this arrangement is very useful on board
ship or when one lamp is required to serve many purposes, and by inserting the
flexible cord centrally of the pivottod bar or frame no injury to it will result from
the changed position of the lamp or shade.
By employing luminous paint the studs of my improved form of switch may be
distinguished in the dark whatever its position whether on a hanging lamp or on
a wall bracket.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I THOMAS TAYLER SMITH of 4 Circus' Place, Finsbury, in the City of London,
Architect, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRICAL LAMP SUPPORTS AND FITTINGS," and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :—
The present invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of supports
and fittings for electrical lamps the object in view being to facilitate the placing
of the lamps in the most convenient positions and to enable the clectric current to
be completely controlled without twisting or bending the lamp supports in turning
the current on or off.
The invention also relates to certain improvements whereby the position of the
lamp shade or reflector can be readily varied to suit different patterns of lamp, and
for enabling the lamp stem or branches to be bent without injury to the flexible
cord conveying the current.
My improvements are mainly applicable to electric incandescent lamps detachably
supported by a flexible cord or cords containing the flow and return wires suitably
insulated, but they are applicable in a measure to bracket and standard lamps
through which a current is conveyed to one or more incandescent lamps.
The nature of my several improvements will be understood on reference to the
accompanying Drawings in which similar letters of reference are used to designate
corresponding parts in the several figures, or sets of figures.
One of my improvements relates to an electric safety connector or coupling
device of a simple and efficient character which is illustrated in Figs: 1 to 6
inclusive and constitutes an improvement upon the electric coupling or ceiling
connector described in the specification of a Patent granted to me and dated
31st August 1882, No 4162.
Figs 1 and 2 are sectional views of the complete coupling, taken at right anglos
to one another.
Fig 3 is a face view thereof the guard plate being removed.
Figs: 4 and 5 show separately in plan view, the fixed and detachable parts
respectively of the coupling, and
Fig: 6 illustrates an arrangement of supporting terminals for a pair of detachable
connecting blocks similar to that shown in Fig: 5.
A is a rose or block of wood or other material to which is fixed a centre piece of
insulating material, preferably vulcanite or porcelain. This insulating centre
piece carries a pair of metal terminals a a formed with broad bases and bent ends and
provided with clamping screws for attaching and making good electrical contact
with the exposed ends of the lead wires, and preferably provided with a safety fuse
of lead or other wire.
Adapted to slide into and engage with these terminals is a carrier block B of
insulating material, to opposite sides of which is secured a pair of metal springs bb
of peculiar construction, each formed by stamping, out of a single piece of thin
sheet metal and so shaped and bent as to afford a firm base for attachment to the
carrier block and to the wires which pass through a holo therein,

page_text: The bases of the springs b b are bent to overlap the block B along that part
which is adjacent to or rests upon the bent ends of the terminals a a (see Figs: 1
and 3) and on the other or upper side of the block B the metal pieces are formed
with broad overlapping portions through which pass the binding screws c 0 (sco
Figs: 2 and 5).
The free ends of the springs bb are bent upon themselves, preferably in a two
fold manner as clearly seen in Fig: 5, and afford a broad metallic contact surface
possessing great elasticity in a small compass.
The flexible cord C is intended to be fixed to the carrier block B by a knot
which is received in a countersunk hole therein or may bo otherwise attached.
Suitable stops b' b', preferably formed by cutting and bending a portion of tho
metal springs, are provided to ensure the carrier being properly held in place.
For greater security the scrows cc which hold the springs in place enter threaded
metal bushings embedded in the insulating block B.
The rose A with its centre of insulating material is secured to the ceiling,
wainscot or other surface and by slipping the carrier block B into position
between two of the terminals a a a movable lamp at one end of a flexible cord, or
conducting wires, can be readily put in circuit with the fixed lead wires. When
three terminals are used as shown in Fig: 6, the central one may take the flow or'
return current of both the other terminals. A guard plate protects the terminals
and carrier from sight and touch when in position, as in the coupling abovo
referred to. When a puli is put on the lamp support perpendicular to the rose and
its fixed terminal the better becomes the contact, but an oblique pull when the
guard plate is removed easily disengages the carrier block.
To enable the current passing to a lamp or lamps to be controlled without injury.
to the parts by torsion, and with greater ease than by rotary switches, as at present
used, I adapt to the lamp or its fittings, and preferably at or near the point where'
the lamp is attached to its support an expansible and compressible frame provided
with a pair or pairs of distinctively marked or colored studs or buttons and'
formed and mounted in such a manner that pressure on one or other of the studs'
or pairs of studs will cause an alteration in the position of the members composing
the said frame after the manner of lazy tongs or toggle levers.
This device I enclose in a spherical or other divisible case, the studs protruding'
through the sides, and thus the current can be easily controlled by simple pressure
by one hand.
Two switches constructed on this principle are illustrated in Figs: 7 to 11
inclusive,
Fig 7 being a face view of one half of a switch operated by pressure on one or
other of two pairs of studs,
Fig: 8 a cross section of the two halves of this switch,
Figs: 9 and 10 plan views of the two halves respectively of a switch operated by
pressure on one or other of a single pair of studs, and
Fig: 11 a cross section of this switch complete.
de are the studs or push buttons of insulating material and ff are the members
of the expansible and compressible frame, which are hinged or articulated together
after the manner of lazy tongs, as in Fig: 7, or a toggle lever, as in Fig: 9.
g is a metal pin or stud mounted on or in metallic connection with the members
of the frame ff, and also with the springs hh the rear ends of which are soldered
to a metal plate i attached to, but insulated from, the case E. The end of one
conductor or part of a conductor is secured by a binding screw to this plate i and
hence is in electrical connection with the metal terminal stud g.
The end of the other conductor or part of the conductor is secured to an insulated
terminal plate ; on the other side of the case E, and this plate is clear of the study
and frame ff, when the studs ee are pushed in. The front part of the plate j is
formed into a spring tongue gl adapted to make contact with the stud g when the
studs d d are pressed in, and to break contact therewith when the studs e e ard
pressed in, as clearly shown in Figs : 7 and 8.
'

page_text: The spring tongue gl holds the stud ping locked, when it is properly pressed
home; and the springs hh force these parts asunder when the stud g is disengaged
froin the spring tongue g¹.
In the switch shown in Figs: 9 10 and 11 the members of the movable frame ƒƒ
on which the stud g is mounted are arranged after the manner of a toggle lever
and are held in their operative and inoperative positions by the springs hh
and only one pair of push buttons de is employed to effect their change of
position. When the stud d is thrust in, the metal pin or stud g makes rubbing
contact with the spring tongue g' on the other half of the case E, and completes
the circuit, as will be readily understood. The springs h h are soldered as before
to a metal plate i with which one conductor or part of a conductor is electrically
connected, and hence the study is always in electrical connection with the said
conductor through the springs h h and members ff of the togglo lever. The
corresponding conductors or parts of conductors adapted to bo electrically connected
by the switch are lettered and respectively, and it will be understood that
these conductors are insulated, except where they are bared to make connection
with the appropriate binding screws or plates.
In some cases it happens that a lamp to which the current passes by a flexible
cord or other conductor as above described, breaks and another pattern of lamp has
to take its place.
In such cases a difficulty is found in adjusting the position of the lamp to its
shade or reflector and to remedy this inconvenionco I have devised an improved
construction of shade holder which is illustrated in Figs: 12, 12ª and 13 of the
drawings.
. According to this part of my invention I provide a hollow threaded stem or
support to which the lamp is attached and through which the flexible cord or
other conductor C passes, and I mount thereon two or more sets of hooked arms
or clips for the shade or reflector, which hooked arms or clips can be rigidly
clamped together and locked upon the threaded stem so as to be rigidly united
thereto by a pair of screw nuts m m, but which, when the nuts are slackened, can
be separated to a considerable extent, as shown in Fig: 13, to insert or detach the
shado G, and which can be shifted up and down the stem F as required, being
clamped thereupon by the nuts when moved to the desired position. Thus the
position of the shade with respect to the lamp can be readily adjusted to give the
best results.
The end of the stem or support F may be formned, as shown, with an external
and an internal screw thread for the attachment of electric lamp holders of ordinary
pattern, or it may terminate in a special socket for the attachment of the lamp
itself.
This adjustable shade holder is especially adapted to be used with hanging lamps,
but it might be adapted to a standard lamp requiring a shade for reading, surgical
or other purposes.
In such lamps it is necessary to provide for complete freedom
of movement of the branches without injury to the flexible cord conveying the
current, and I effect this by the use of joints of peculiar construction which while
allowing of a movement of more than a right angle will not cut or twist the said
cord.
A surgical or reading lamp of this description is illustrated in Fig: 14 of the
drawings, and in Figs: 15 and 16 I have shown, on an enlarged scale, details of
the joint which I employ in its construction.
The lamp consists of the vertical standard H and of the movable branches
(preferably three) J, J, articulated at the points 1, 2 and 3, so as to be free to be
moved through considerable angles and be adjusted to a variety of positions to
suit all requirements of the surgeon, accoucheur, or other person using the lamp.
The current is supplied to the lamp proper, *, by a flexible cord C, containing
both the flow and return wires suitably insulated, which passes up the standard H
and through the several movable branches J, J; and to prevent injury to the cord
from cutting at the points 1, 2, 3, when the branches are adjusted to new positions,

page_text: I make use of spherical or circular knuckle joints at these points, and deeply
groove them as shown in Fig: 15, retaining the cord therein by the pull of a
spring, or a simple hanging weight, arranged within the base or stem of the lamp;
and I prevent the joints moving by clamping screws J'.
The free end of the cord conveying the current to this lamp is preferably
attached to a coupling block with springs as described with reference to Figs: 1
to 6; or fitted with pins or hooks adapted to engage with a pair of protected
terminals fixed in or to the wall, floor, or skirting board of the apartment, as
described in the specification of my Patent hereinabove referred to; and the base
of this lamp is preferably fitted with cleats for winding the cord upon when not in
use, or for shortening it when its full length is not needed.
Such a lamp is of especial value for use in midwifery cases, and clinical surgery
owing to the steadiness of the light, the entire absence of danger from fire, and the
facility afforded for adjustment to any position.
The shado or reflector G at the end of the movable arms J, J, of the lamp may
be held and adjusted with respect to the lamp in the manner above described or
may have a tubular support adapted to slide on the arm and be clamped thereon
by a screw, as shown in Fig: 14.
In some cases the lamps or their shades may be provided with a counter-balance
weight and be mounted on pivots so as to swing when the lamp base is moved and
retain a vertical position; and this arrangement is very useful on board ship or
when one lamp in a room is required to serve many purposes, and by inserting the
flexible cord centrally of the pivotted bar or frame or lengthwise through the said
bar or frame no injury to it will result from the changed position of the lamp or
shade.
In Figs: 17, 18 and 19 1 have shown a lamp fitted with a balanced shade holder
or frame of light appearance, which retains its verticality when the position of the
lamp is altered; and in Figs: 20 and 21 I have illustrated a lamp mounted to
swing on trunnions in a steady base and maintain its verticality, the current being
supplied thereto by a flexible cord in such a manner as not to impede its freedom
of movement.
Referring to Figs: 17, 18 and 19 K is the balanced shade holder or frame,
mounted to swing on stud pins o o carried by the lamp support. This lump
support it will be noticed is provided with a double tripod base whereby it may be
stood in two positions on a horizontal surface or be supported against a wall, as
fully described and illustrated in the specification of a Patent granted to me and
dated the 10th August 1883 N° 3883.
By the present improvement the shade upon the holder K maintains its position
above the lamp in any position in which the lamp is adapted to be used.
Such
an arrangement is very useful for Piano lamps, or for reading lamps. The frame K
is slotted to engage with the stud pins oo and hence can be readily detached if
required. The pins o o might be fixed to the frame K and the lamp support be
slotted or formed with eyes to receive them.
In some cases it is desirable that the lamp itself should maintain its verticality
and to enable it to do so without injury to the flexible cord by which the current
is conveyed thereto I adopt the arrangement shown in Figs: 20 and 21, supporting
the lamp stem or standard F on hollow trunnions oo and counterbalancing its
weight by a loaded base 2 of ornamental appearance.
The flexible cord C may pass to the lamp by the hollow trunnions o o, or may
enter the stem F at the point where the stem and trunnions cross one another, and
by this arrangement the cord offers no inconvenience to the free movement of the
swinging lamp holder. The form of the base of this lamp may vary considerably,
but I preferably form one of the legs with an eye or loop by which it can be
supported against a wall.
Thus it will be seen that I obtain great facilities for. bringing a light to bear in
the position where it is most required, and for adjusting the shade or reflector to
the best position for the kind of lamp in use while affording also simple and
-

page_text: efficient means for attaching or detaching the conductor conveying the current to or
from the lead wires, and for controlling the passage of the said current, by which
improvements the internal lighting of houses by incandescent lamps is greatly
facilitated.
By employing luminous paint the studs of my improved form of switch may be
distinguished in the dark whatever its position whether adapted to a hanging or
table lamp, or to a wall bracket.
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. The use in combination with the insulated supporting terminals or hooks, a a,
and a screw cap or an equivalent guard for the same having an opening in it for
the passage of an electrical conductor, of a detachable carrier block or coupling
piece, B, provided with insulated metal springs b b, constituting broad contact
surfaces of great elasticity adapted to engage with and rest upon two of the said
terminals, substantially as and for the purposo described with reference to Figs: 1
to G of the drawings.
2. The combination with an electrical conducting wire or wires, suitably
insulated, of a devisible case or frame containing a contact stud or pin mounted
upon an articulated metallic frame in permanent electric connection with one
conductor, and a spring contact plate or plates insulated from the said frame and
in electric connection with the other conductor, the circuit between the conductors
or parts of a conductor being closed or broken by reversing the position of the
articulated members of the frame under the influence of pressure applied to the
studs dor e respectively, as described with reference to Figs: 7 to 11 inclusive.
3. The adjustable clip or holder for an electric lamp shade or reflector, described
with reference to Figs: 12 12 and 13 of the Drawings for the purpose set forth.
4. The improved construction of electric lamp stand or support described with
reference to Figs: 14, 15 and 16 of the Drawings for the purpose of facilitating
the adjustment of the lamp to the requirements of the user, without injury to the
wires conveying the current to the lamp.
5. In an electric lamp support or holder the combination with two or more
hollow arins or branches, and a single flexible cord containing both the flow and
return wires suitably insulated, of a grooved knuckle joint or joints between the
said arms, and clamping screws, and a spring or weight for retaining the said cord
within the grooves of the joints substantially as described for the purpose of
enabling the said arms to be freely moved and secured in any desired position
without risk of cutting the said cord.
6. The combination with a reversible portable electric lamp stands or supports
of a balanced shade holder, as and for the purpose described with reference to
Figs: 17, 18 and 19 of the Drawings.
7. A portable reversible electric lamp in which a hollow stem or lamp support is
mounted to swing on trunnions or stud axles, and to which electricity is conveyed
by a flexible cord in the manner and for the purpose described with reference to
Figs 20 and 21 of the Drawings.