Improvements in Sockets or Holders for Incandescent Electric Lamps.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Jan., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Feb., 1890
[Communicated from abroad by ALFRED SWAN, of Orange, New Jersey, United
States of America, Gentleman.]
Improvements in Sockets or Holders for Incandescent
Electric Lamps.
I PHILIP ARTHUR NEWTON of the Office for Patents 6 Breams Buildings,
Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to improvements in sockets or holders for incandescent
electric lamps, it being the object of the invention to simplify the construction and
reduce the cost of such holders.
The holder is composed of insulating material of a plastic nature, such as
papier maché, moulded preferably to the form of a truncated cone. The base of
the cone is recessed to receive the base of the lamp, thro' which pass the insulated
wires leading from the carbon filament to insulated contact plates or rings on the
surface thereof. The holder is pierced with ducts or passages for the leading wires
from the electric main circuit, and recesses are provided in connection with these
ducts containing contact plates or terminals.
in some cases, the end of the line wire lying in its recess forms the terminal
against which the contact plate or ring of the lamp base is made to abut whon
screwed into place within the socket, or contact screws may be provided in the recesses
of the ducts, so adapted as to complete the connection between the line wire and
the wire leading to the carbon filament of the lamp.
Should it be desired to provide a switch for putting out the lamp, a spring contact
can be arranged in connection with one terminal, operated by a key, to break or
complete the circuit when required. The holder is finished off with a inetallic cap
piece screwed thereto, which may more or less fully envelope the holder. In pendent
lamps, the electric cable may pass thro' a hole in the summit of the cap piece, and
being knotted below, it supports the lamp.
In standard lamps, the cap piece is screwed onto a tube or other support which
carries the cable.
A suitable shade for the light may be attached to the lower part of the socket
or holder, and fixed by set screws or lugs, and an arrangement of bayonet joint or a
ring screwed onto the holder below the shade, may be employed to support the same.
Dated this 23rd day of March 1889.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sockets or Holders for Incandescent
Electric Lamps.
I, PHILIP ARTHUR NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 6 Breams Buildings,
Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, 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 improvements in sockets or holders for incandescent
electric lamps, it being the object of the invention to simplify the construction. and
reduce the cost of such holders.
An understanding of the invention can best be given by an illustration and a
détailed description of a holder embodying the same, and therefore all preliminary
•

page_text: description of the invention will be omitted, and a full description given, reference
being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:—
Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of an ordinary incandescent electric lamp,
attached to a holder constructed according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross section of the holder, taken on the line 2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a side view illustrating the manner of supporting the shade.
Fig. 4 illustrates the construction of the key or circuit maker and breaker
employed when it is desired to provide the holder with means for lighting and
extinguishing the light.
Figs. 5 and 6 are views illustrating slight modifications which will be hereinafter
referred to.
Fig. 7 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating a construction differing slightly
from that of figure 1.
Fig. 8 is a cross section of the holder taken upon the line 8 of figure 7.
Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7,. showing a slight modification which will be
hereinafter referred to.
Referring to figures 1 to 4, it is to be understood that A represents an incandescent
electric lamp of substantially the ordinary form, a the carbon filament, which is con-
nected to wires 2, 3, in the usual manner. The wire 3 connects with a metallic
band 4, which encircles the base of the lamp in substantially the usual manner, while
the wire 2 is connected to a metallic contact plug 5, which is imbedded in the plastic
material 6, which covers the base of the lamp, and holds the band 4 in position, the
plug 5 being insulated from band 4 by the material 6. The holder B may be of
any suitable form, but will preferably be substantially round in cross section, &
tapered from its base to its top, so as to be of approximately the form of a
truncated cone. The holder is moulded from a plastic material, such, for example, as
papier maché, which can readily be moulded to the desired form, and which is also a
non-conductor of electricity. The holder is provided in its base with a socket 7, of
sufficient size to receive that portion of the base of the lamp surrounded by the
band 4. The lamp is held in position in the holder by means of a threaded
projection or nipple 8 formed upon the plug 5, which enters a correspondingly
threaded socket 9 seated in the plastic material of the holder within the socket 7.
The socket 9 is provided with an opening which communicates with a vertical
duct 10, passing upward through the holder; and through which one of the
wires 12, 13, which constitute the circuit for the lamp, passes, so as to enter the
socket 9, and be bound therein by a plug 27, which screws into the socket, and
is abutted against by the projection or nipple S of the plug 5, when the lamp is
introduced into the holder, thereby establishing connection between the wire 2 of
the lamp and the wire 12 of the circuit. The wire 13 of the circuit passes through a
duct 14 formed in the material of the holder, and enters a recess 15 which opens
laterally out at the side of the holder, and is connected to a binding screw 16, which
passes through a metal block 28 and the holder, so as to enter the socket 7, and abut
against and form contact with the band when the lamp is in position, thereby
establishing connection between the wire 13 of the circuit and the wire 3 of the
lamp. The block 28 is provided with a counter-sink to receive the head of the
screw 16, as shewn, thereby permitting the screw to be advanced slightly varying
distances, to secure perfect contact with the band 4 and the wire 13.
It will be seen that by this means the lamp is secured very firmly in the holder, so
that it cannot be detached therefrom by jarring or accident, nor can it be loosened
sufficiently to break the circuit, & thus extinguish the light. The connection formed
between the wires 12, 2 by the screw plug 5, is, of course, a very reliable connection,
and cannot be broken until the plug is entirely unscrewed from the socket 9. The
unscrewing of the plug from the socket is absolutely prevented by means of the
binding screw 16, which, when the lamp is in position, abuts against the band 4, so as
to form electrical contact at that point between the wires 13, 3, and at the same time
prevent the lamp from being turned in the socket.
As illustrated, the holder is of that class which is designed for a hanging lamp,

page_text: the holder being supported by the wires 12, 13, which form the circuit for the lamp.
The holder is provided at its upper end with a metallic cap 17, which serves to support
the holder and lamp, the wires being knotted immediately below the cap, and thus
relieve the terminals of the wires from strain. If it is desired to adapt the holder to
be connected to a chandelier or other rigid support, the opening in the cap 17 will be
sufficiently enlarged to permit the holder to be screwed onto a pipe or other rigid
support. The cap 17 may be extended to any desired extent, so as to cover the whole
or any part of the holder. Figures 5 and 6 shew a construction of this character, in
which the cap 17 is extended, so as to cover and conceal the plastic material of the
holder. This will be desirable in some cases where it is desired to give a metallic
appearance to the holder. The cap 17 may in this case be secured to the holder by
one or more screws, as shewn in Figures 1 and 4, or it may be secured in the manner
shewn in Figs. 5 and 6, in which case the cap is provided with a recess 31, which
receives the socket of the key 24, which socket is threaded upon its exterior, and is
provided with a binding nut 30, which can be screwed up against the cap so as to hold
it in position. In this way, the screw 16 may be concealed. The plastic material of
the holder may be moulded into a metallic shield or casing. If it is desired to adapt
the holder to also support a shade, it can be readily done in the manner indicated in
Figs. 1 and 3, in which case the holder is provided with a depending flange 18, which
may be integral with the body of the holder, or may be a metallic ring set into the
holder. This flange is provided with two or more studs 19, which project inward so
as to enter slots formed in a detachable ring 20, which fits inside the flange 18, and is
secured thereto by means of the well known bayonet joint formed by the studs 19 and
the slots in the ring, as shown in Fig. 3. The ring 20 is provided at its lower edge
with a laterally projecting flange, upon which rests the shade C. For the purpose of
preventing the shade from rattling, there may be a spring ring 21 interposed between
the holder and the shade.
The manner of assembling the parts is as follows:-The ring 20 will be introduced
through the central opening in the shade, and the ring 21 placed upon the opposite side
of the shade around the ring 20. The upper end of the ring 20 will then be introduced
inside the flange 18, and locked in position by the bayonet joints, as before
explained. The lamp will then be screwed into the socket 9, until the projection
or nipple 8 of the plug 5 abuts against the plug 27, so as to establish connection
between the wires 2, 12. The screw 16 will then be set up against the band 4, so
as to establish connection between the wires 13. 3, and at the same time lock the
lamp in the holder.
In those cases where it is desired to provide the holder with a circuit breaker or key
by which the circuit through the carbon filament can be made and broken, so as to
light and extinguish the individual lamp, the screw 16 will be located somewhat
higher on the holder, and will serve to bind the wire 13 to a spring contact point 22,
which is arranged to be pressed inward against the band 4. Acting against the
outside of a spring 22, is a stud 23, made of insulating material, which projects
outward through the holder, and is provided with a suitable key or handle 24, by
which it can be turned. The stud 23 is provided with one or more lateral projections 25,
which act upon cam surfaces 26 in such manner, that when the key is turned to
one position, the stud will be moved inward so as to press the spring 22 into
contact with the band 4, while, when the key is moved a quarter turn in either
direction, so as to be at right angles to its original position, the spring will be
permitted to move outward, so as to be removed from contact with the band, and
thus break the circuit through the lamp and extinguish it. It is evident from this
construction, that the key may be rotated through an entire circle, or through a half
circle, and then returned to position.
Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, it will be seen that the construction and arrange-
ment of many of the parts just described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4, are in the
main substantially the same as in the latter figures. In the construction illustrated
in these figures, however, the metal band 4" (corresponding to that designated 4 in
in the preceding figures) is screw threaded upon its exterior, and is adapted to be

page_text: screwed into the threaded socket 7 formed in the base of the holder, in such manner
that when the lamp is in position in the holder, the contact plug or plate 5 (corre
sponding to that numbered 5 in figures 1 to 4), will form electrical contact with the
wire 12 of the circuit, while the metallic ring 4 form contact with the wire 13 of
the circuit, as hereinafter described. The socket 9 is screw threaded upon its interior,
and receives the plug 27, which is arranged to be screwed into the socket, so as to
.bind the end of the wire 12 between the socket and the plug. When the lamp is screwed
into the socket 6, the plate 5ª forms contact with the plug 27, and thus connects the
wire 2 of the lamp with the wire 12 of the circuit, as before.
In the construction illustrated in these figures also, the socket 7 receives a metal
thimble or collar 14ª, which is screw-threaded upon its interior to receive the band 4.
This thimble is provided upon its upper edge with an extention 1.5", which is imbedded
in the material of the holder, and terminates in a plate 16ª located in a laterally
opening recess 15 in the side of the holder, which recess (as in figures 1 to 4)
communicates with the duct 14, so that the terminal of the wire 13 can be secured
to the plate 16 by the binding screw 16, thus forming the metallic connection between
the wire 13 and the wire 3 of the lamp.
If it is desired to give a more finished appearance to the holder of figures 7 and 8,
the cap 17 may be extended so as to cover the screw 16, and the greater part of, or
the entire holder, or the holder may be cast into the sheath thus formed. If it is
desired to construct this holder so as to adapt it for supporting a shade as well as a
lamp, the thimble 14ª can be screw-threaded upon its exterior, so as to receive a
threaded-ring 20" for supporting the shade C, as indicated in figure 7, the shade
being provided with the usual central opening by which it is passed over the thimble
to the proper position, after which the ring 20 is screwed onto the lower end of
the thimble, to hold the shade in position, before the lamp is introduced into the
socket.
In some cases it may be desirable to dispense with the metallic thimble 14ª, & this
can readily be done by forming the threads for the interior of the socket 7 in the
material of the holder, as indicated in Figure 9. In such case, the binding screw 16
will be so located, that after the lamp has been screwed into the socket, so that the
plate 5 forms contact with the plug 27, the screw 16 can bo set up, so as to abut
against the band 4ª, and thus complete the circuit through the lamp, and at the
same time locking the lamp in position in the socket, as in Figures 1 to 4.
In this case, the shade C may be secured to the holder by set screws 25ª,
which enter a recess 26* formed upon the outside of the holder, as also shewn in
Figure 9.
In the construction shewn in figure 7, the thimbe 14°, as will be observed, projects
below the insulating material of the holder, so as to be exposed, and as this thimble
forms the terminal of one of the wires of the circuit, this exposure of the thimble is
to some extent objectionable, because of the liability of making connection with the
thimble accidentally in handling the holder when the lamp is detached, and thus
divirting the current. This objection is largely overcome in the construction shown
in figure 9, in which the thimble is omitted, and the terminals of both wires of the
circuit substantially enclosed within the holder & concealed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
from abroad, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A holder for incandescent lamps consisting of a base or body moulded from a
plastic insulating material substantially as described.
2. A holder for incandescent lamps consisting of a base or body moulded from a
plastic insulating material, and having one or more conductors moulded and imbedded
therein, substantially as described.
3. A holder for incandescent lamps consisting of a base or body moulded from a
plastic insulating material, and a lamp receiving metallic thimble or collar, moulded
and imbedded in said body, substantially as shewn and described.

page_text: 4. An improved socket or holder for incandescent electric lamps, the same consisting
of a base or body moulded from a plastic insulating material, and having two ducts
through which the line wires pass to contacts for the poles of the lamp, substantially
as shewn and described.
5. An improved socket or holder for incandescent electric lamps, the same consisting
of a base or body moulded from a plastic insulating material, and having two ducts
through one of which the line wire passes direct to a central contact for one pole of
the lamp, and through the other of which a line wire passes direct to a side contact for
the other pole of the lamp, substantially as shewn & described.
6. A holder for incandescent electric lamps, consisting of a base or body moulded
from a plastic insulating material, a lamp-receiving metallic thimble or collar that
connects with one line wire, and a socket 9 that receives a part that connects with the
other line wire, said thimble and socket being imbedded in said body, substantially as
shewn and described.
7. A holder for incandescent electric lamps moulded from a non-conducting plastic
material, and having the socket 7, ducts 10. 14, binding screw 16, and contact plug 27,
substantially as described.
8. A socket or holder for incandescent electric lamps, moulded from a plastic
insulating material with the socket 7 formed therein, and having the screw 16 con-
nected to one of the line wires, and entering the socket 7 for direct contact with the
base of the lamp. substantially as shewn and described.
9. A socket or holder for incandescent electric lamps, whose body is moulded from
non-conducting plastic material, and has imbedded therein a threaded socket 9 for
connection with one wire of the circuit, and adapted to receive a threaded projection
extending from the base of the lamp, substantially as described.
10. In an incandescent lamp holder, the combination of the base or body formed of
insulating material, and provided with a metallic socket for receiving a line wire, of a
plug clamping the line wire against the socket, and forming a contact for the lamp,
substantially as described.
11. As a means for securing a line wire to an incandescent electric lamp holder,
the screw threaded socket 9, and clamping contact screw plug 27, substantially as
described.
12. The combination with an incandescent electric lanp and its socket or holder, of
the socket 9 set into the holder, and receiving the end of one of the wires of the
circuit, and the plug 27 adapted to be screwed into the socket 9, to bind the wire, and
to form contact with the base of the lamp, substantially as described.
13. The combination with an incandescent electric lamp having the threaded
nipple 8 extending from its base, of the threaded socket 9 for receiving said nipple,
the wire 12 entering the base of the socket, and the screw plug 27 for binding the
wire to the socket, substantially as described.
14. The combination with the holder having the threaded socket 9 connected to one
wire of the circuit, of the lamp provided with a base entering the socket, and having
the plug 5 with the threaded nipple S attached to its base, and connected to one of its
wires, substantially as described.
15. The combination with the holder or socket, moulded from non-conducting
plastic material, and having the extending flange 18, of the ring 20 connected to the
flange by a bayonet joint, substantially as described.
16. The combination with the holder or socket made of non-conducting plastic
material, and having the extending flange 18, of the ring 20, connected to the flange
by a bayonet joint, and the spring ring 21, substantially as described.
17. A socket or holder for an incandescent lamp, having the contact spring 22
connected to one wire of the circuit, and arranged to be pressed into contact with the
outside of the side wall of the lamp base, to close the circuit through the lamp, and
longitudinally moving stud 23 for operating the contact spring, substantially as
described.
18. The combination with the lamp having the metal band 4 forming the side of its
base, of the contact spring 22 connected to one wire of the circuit, and arranged to

page_text: the band 4, and the key 24 having a longitudinally moving stud 23
for operating the spring, and the stud or studs 25 acting upon a cam surface or
surfaces, for moving the stud 23, substantially as described.
19. The combination with the holder or socket B, made of non-conducting material,
of the removable cap 17 fitting over and covering said holder, and the nut 30 upon
the key socket for securing said cap in position, substantially as described.
Dated this 22nd day of January 1890.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.