Improvements in Electric Lamp Holders.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Lamp Holders.
I, ALFRED WATSON, of Hockley Street, in the City of Birmingham, Electrical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to holders for electric lamps, and principally to holders
of that type which have key operated or other switches combined with them, and
the said invention has for its primary object, to provide a double-pole double-
break key-switch lamp holder, in which there is perfect electrical connection
between the required parts, when the switch is in its "make" position, whilst
the respective connections of the negative and positive contacts of the holder are
properly and efficiently insulated from one another, thus preventing short cir-
cuiting.
In carrying out one form of my invention as applied to a lamp holder with a
double-break key-actuated switch, I fit within the outer casing of the holder, an
earthenware or other non-conducting block or plug, which is chambered or
recessed out on two opposite sides or parts so as to form a pair of spaces or com-
partments separated from one another by an intervening partition or diaphragm.
Directed through the top walls of these divided chambers respectively, are the con-
nections of the negative and positive lead wires, each of which is in electrical con-
nection, with a spring metal contact plate located on the inside of one of the
said chambers, whilst fitted to another part of this same chamber is another spring
contact plate, electrically connected by any suitable means (such as by the arrange-
ment described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me and bearing date
the 3rd day of December 1896 and numbered 27482) with the one platinum ter-
minal of the lamp filament.
i.
Directed transversely through a convenient part of the divisional partition of
the plug is a rotating spindle, upon which is mounted a pair of switch blocks,
disposed one on either side of, and separated and insulated by, the said partition
and each consisting of a sleeve of insulating or non-conducting material surround-
ing the spindle and having two radial projections or short arms, which, together
with a part of the sleeve are faced with a continuous metal strip, running around
their peripheral surfaces. In connection with the spindle is a coiled or other
fly "action to the
spring. acting upon the same in such a manner as to give a
spindle and switch picces as hereinafter described, whilst one end of the same has
a rib or equivalent means with which the double flared gapped end of a key
suitably mounted in the walls of the outer casing or other part of the holder,
engages for giving a turning movement to the said spindle and the switch pieces
carried thereon, so that when the said spindle is moved in one direction pre-
ferably against the force of the spring the metal faced arms of each switch block
are caused respectively to impinge and make electrical connection with the
separated spring contact plates of the lead wires and lamp filament in which
position they may be retained by the nose or tip end of the one arm of each engag-
ing behind a shoulder or like formation on one of the terminals, whereby contact

page_text: is
made" and current flows from the positive lead-wire contact, along the con-
tinuous metal facing of the block to the corresponding filament contact, through
the said filament to its negative contact, and then returns along the metal facing
of the second block (which, with its contacts are separated and insulated from the
first named by the intervening partition wall) to the negative lead wire contact,
whereby the continuous circuit is completed, but when the said blocks
are disengaged from the spring retaining shoulders by partially
rotat-
ing the spindle through the key. they Hy out of contact with the lead
plates and the circuit is broken between the contact plates of each chamber, hence
à double break switch.
The invention is also applicable to single-break switch lamp holders, in which
case one of the leads and filament contact plates would be in direct and constant
communication with one another, whilst connection between the other pair of
plates (which would be insulated by a non-couducting wall as in the first arrange-
ment) would be made by a rotating and spring-actuated switch block controlled by
a key as before.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise arrangement
herein described, as the details of construction may be varied without departing
from the nature of my invention.
Hated this 05th
Improvements in Electric Lamp Holders.
I, ALFRED WATSON, of Hockley Street, in the City of Birmingham, 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 holders for electric lamps and principally to holders
of that type which have a key-operated or other switch combined therewith and
the said invention has for its primary object, to provide a double-pole double-
break key-switch lamp holder, in which there is perfect electrical connection
between the required parts, when the switch is in its make position, whilst
the respective connections of the negative and positive contacts of the holder are
properly and efficiently insulated from one another, thus preventing short cir-
cuiting.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents an electric lamp holder
provided with a key-operated double break switch constructed and arranged
according to one form of my invention, the easing of the said switch being shewn
in section to show the arrangement of the switch mechanism.
Figure 2 represents, upon an enlarged scale, a vertical section of the said lamp
holder, with the casing removed and showing one of the switch tumblers, with
its contact plates and their respective connections with one of the circuit lead wires
and a spring plunger or other contact fitting of the lamp. This view shows the
respective parts in their "make" positions, with the circuit complete.
Figure 3 is an elevation showing the switch in its break" position, with
the tumblers or contact levers out of contact with their respective lead and lamp
terminal plates.
"

page_text: Figure 4 represents a section of the lamp holder upon the dotted line <, with the
parts in the same position as Figure 3 and shewing the pair of tumblers and how
the same and their respective sets of terminals or contact plates are insulated
from one another by an intervening wall of non-conducting material.
Figure is a cross section of Figure 2 upon the dotted line a¹, but with one of
the tumblers in elevation.
Figure 6 is a topside plan of the carrier block or body part of the switch portion
of the holder, which is made of earthenware or other insulating material.
Figure 7 is a cross section of the said body part, taken upon the dotted line,
Figure 3 and looking upwards to show the terminal plates in connection with the
lead wires.
Figure 8 is an elevation of the said body part, separately and with all the
metallic fittings removed.
Figure 9 is a topside plan and Figure 10 an underside plan of Figure S.
Figure 11 represents in elevation and edge view respectively, one of the
tumblers or double armed contact blocks of the switch separately.
Figure 12 represents an elevation of the opposite side of the switch to that
represented in Figure 3, with the tumblers and contact plates removed and the
axis of the tumblers in section and showing the disposition and arrangement of
the spring by which a "fly" or quick-break action is given to the said tumblers.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures
of the drawing.
whilst
is an electric lamp, the cap al of which is secured by a bayonet joint con-
nection a, to the lower part , of an electric lamp holder b, which part b₁, is
connected to the switch casing 6, of the said holder by a union 63, or in any
other convenient manner. Within this casing 2, is an earthenware or other
non-conducting block or body part c, which is chambered or recessed out on two
opposite sides or parts so as to form a pair of spaces or compartments c, c²,
separated from one another by an intervening partition or diaphragm³,
directed through the top walls, e, of these divided chambers are the connec
tion fittings, d, to which the negative and positive lead wires e', e, are secured
by binding screws f¹, f. These fittings d', 'd, are in electrical connection with
spring tongues or metal contact plate gl, g, located respectively within the insides
of the said chambers c, c², whilst fitted to the bottoms or other convenient parts
of the said chambers are other and corresponding spring contact plates such
ash, electrically connected by any suitable means (such as by spring
plungers,, constructed in accordance with the Specification of Letters Patent
granted to me and bearing date the 3rd day of December 1896 and numbered
27482) with the platinum terminals of the lamp filament.
Directed transversely through a convenient part of the divisional partition c³, of
the body is a rotating spindle, upon which is mounted a pair of switch blocks k, l,
disposed one on either side of, and separated and insulated by, the said partition.
These blocks or tumblers may be of any convenient form, but in the arrange-
ment shown, they each consist of a bush 3, of insulating or non-conducting
material surrounding the spindle j, and having two radial projections or short
arms, such as, which, together with a part of the said middle bush, are
faced with a continuous metal conducting strip, running around their peri-
pheries. In connection with the spindle is a coiled or other spring m, lying
within a recess, in the wall 3, and with one arm m³, thereof engaged in an
end slot j, of the said spindle and acting upon the same in such a manner as
to give a fly action to the spindle and switch tumblers as hereinafter described,
whilst one end of the said spindle has a rib or equivalent means with which
the gapped end n¹. of a key n, suitably mounted in the walls of the outer casing b²,
or other part of the holder, engages for giving a turning movement to the said
spindle and the switch pieces carried thereon, so that when the said spindle is
moved in one direction, preferably against the force of the spring, the metal faced
arms of each switch block are caused respectively to impinge and make electrical

page_text: connection with the separated spring contact plates of the lead wires and lamp
filament, (see Figure 2) in which position they may be retained by the nose or tip
end, of the one arm of each tumbler engaging behind a shoulder or like forma-
tion g³, on the lead terminals g', g², whereby perfect contact is ensured and then
current flows from the positive lead-wire contact, along the continuous metal
facing of the one tumbler to the corresponding lamp contact, through the said
filament to its negative contact, and then returns along the metal facing of the
second tumbler (which, with its contacts is separated and insulated from the first
named by the intervening partition wall) to the negative lead wire contact,
whereby the continuous circuit is completed but when the said tumblers are
disengaged from the spring retaining shoulders by partially rotating the spindle
by means of the key, they fly out of contact with the lead plates and the circuit is
broken between the contact plates of each chamber, hence a double break switch.
The invention is also applicable to single-break switch lamp holders, in which
case one of the leads and filament contact plates would be in direct and constant
communication with one another, whilst connection between the other pair of
plates (which would be insulated by a non-conducting wall as in the first arrange-
ment) would be made by a rotating and spring-actuated switch block controlled
by a key as before.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise arrangement
herein described, as the details of construction may be varied without departing
from the nature of my invention.
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:-
-
First I switches for electric lamp holders, making the tumblers from non-
conducting material. faced upon their edges or at parts with a conducting strip,
adapted to make and break the circuit between suitable contact plates or terminals
in connection with the lamp and the lead wires, substantially as hereiu described
and set forth.
:
Secondly In a double-break switch for lamp holders, mounting the tumblers
upon a common axis passing through an insulating partition, diaphragm or
intervening wall, whereby the said tumblers and their respective contacts are
insulated from one another and short circuiting is prevented, substantially as
herein described and set forth.
:
Thirdly Ina lanp holder switch, the employment of an earthenware or non-
conducting block or body part, which is recessed upon its two opposite sides to
form insulated chambers adapted to receive either a pair of switch tumblers and
their respective contacts in a double-break switch, or a switch tumbler and its
terminals on the one side and a lead wire or equivalent connection on the other
side in a single-break switch, substantially as herein described and set forth.
Fourthly double-break lamp holder switches, the combination with a
body part made of non-conducting material and provided on its opposite sides with
insulated chambers or compartments, of a pair of contact tumblers, mounted upon
a spring or fly action spinille and respectively disposed with their several contact
plates within the said insulated chambers, the said parts being constructed and
arranged substantially as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 21th love of in
1000