Improvements in Holders for Electric Incandescent Lamps.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Holders for Electric Incandescent Lamps.
JOHN PULLAR PHIBBS, 16, Wool Exchange, Basinghall Street, London, E.C.,
Electrical Engineer & Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention consists of an improved method of holding and supporting
electric incandescent lamps and their accessories, and of connecting the same to
the conducting wires, which improved method also supplies the means for making
or breaking at will the circuit at the lamp terminals without the necessity of
removing the lamp from the holder, or of using any form of key switch between
the conductors and the terminals.
My holder consists of the following principal parts:-
(1) A support in the form of a spring clip (hereinafter called "the clip") for
holding or gripping the cap of the lamp as hereinafter described.
(2) A centre piece composed either partially or wholly of insulating material
and made up of one or more parts (hereinafter called "the centre") which is
placed between the clip. The terminals for the conducting wires are attached
to the centre, forming also the contacts to the lamp.
(3) A cap, cover, thimble or sleeve which is placed over or around the clip
(hereinafter called the "cap").
In carrving out my invention I arrange for the cap of the lamp being held
or gripped by the clip, which latter is provided with the well-known bayonet,
or other joints for attachment to the lamp. At suitable positions on the outer
surfaces of this clip one or more angular spiral projections or grooves are formed
which can engage with corresponding grooves or projections respectively in the
outer cap, or vice versa. The clip, carrying the lamp, is inserted into the cap, and
the latter, by means of an angular movement in one direction, controlled by the
spiral connection, is caused to draw the clip further into the cap, and by this
mean's the contacts of the lamp are carried up to the contacts at the bottom of
the centre. When the clip is thus drawn into the cap, a part of the latter may
be brought into conjunction with the bayonet or slip joint, so that, in combina-
tion with the above mentioned actions, the removal of the lamp from the holder
is prevented. When the cap is moved angularly in the reverse direction the
clip holding the lamp is pushed away from the contacts on the centre, by which
means the breaking of the circuit is ensured, after which the lamp may be
removed from the holder, when desired.
The conducting wires are passed through a passage at the top of the centre,
a space being provided at the inner end of this passage to allow of a knot on
the wires or other suitable wedging device being introduced in order to support
the holder, by which means I also prevent any pull on the wires being caused
at the terminals.
I arrange the clip upon the centre in such a manner that the former cannot

page_text: revolve around its axis but is free to have a limited movement along the line
of its axis.
:
The cap, when placed over or around the clip, is held in position or supported
by a bearing formed on the centre. By means of a stop, collar, or nut, the cap
is prevented from having a movement relatively to the centre along the line
of its axis. This, or a similar arrangement may also be used to prevent the total
disengagement of the angular spiral connection between the cap and the clip
as previously described.
I
arrange a stop between the cap and the clip or the centre in such a manner
as to limit the angular motion of the cap relatively to the clip.
In the case where the holder is to be attached to a bracket or other electrical
fitting I provide a nipple (with a shouldered end) which is screwed on to the
tube of the bracket, and on which the cap has been previously slipped, this latter
being retained by the shoulder of the nipple. The outside of this nipple is
screwed so that a nut may be brought against the outer part of the cap in such
a manner as only to allow an angular movement of the cap.
As an alternative arrangement of the parts of the holder to those previously
described, wherein the clip has movement in the line of its axis relatively to
the cap & centre, I may cause the cap and the centre to have similar movement
relatively to the clip, in which case I can support the clip by means of a knot
or its equivalent in a similar manner as aforesaid. In arranging this alter-
native method in combination with a holder attached to a bracket or fitting, I
can rigidly attach the clip to the bracket or fitting, by screwing, locking or any
other convenient means.
I may arrange a thumbspring (or other similar) device on the cap, so that the
cap and clip may be connected together as one part, when the holder is gripped
for the purpose of inserting or removing the lamp.
I may introduce a spring between the upper end of the clip and the underside
of the cap top, which will ensure the clip being pushed out of the cap to its
full intended extent, when the reverse angular movement of the cap as before
mentioned, shall have been started..
"
I may utilise this spring, in conjunction with the following described parts,
for the purpose of obtaining a quick break" of the circuit. When the forward
angular movement of the cap (which draws the contacts of the lamp up to the
contacts of the centre) has been made I cause the projection in the spiral groove
to lock or lodge itself at the end of the groove, either by entering an indent
there made, or by means of frictional pressure induced by the continued move-
ment of the cap, or as may be found suitable. I place a moveable ring or piece
on the outside of the cap, attached thereto by a coiled spring, the ring and
spring to be capable of a certain amount of movement of their own before a
part of the ring makes contact with a fixed stop formed on the cap. When the
circuit is to be broken, the ring is turned, by which means the spring is
extended or compressed. As soon as the ring comes into contact with the fixed
stop on the cap, the latter will begin to be moved along with the ring, & the
first action of this will be to unlock or dislodge the projection in the end of the
spiral groove.
When this has been done, the extension or compression of
the outside 'spring will rapidly effect the remainder of the intended reverse
angular movement between the cap & the clip as before described..
Dated 100
1
с
1000
WM. LLEWELLIN, C.E.,
15, King Square, Bristol, Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Holders for Electric Incandescent Lamps.
I, JOHN PULLAR PHIBBS, of 16, Wool Exchange, Basinghall Street, London,
E.C., Electrical Engineer & Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement; -
My invention consists of an improved method of holding and supporting
electric incandescent lamps and their accessories, such as shade carriers and
shades; and of connecting the lamps with the conducting wires; which method
also supplies the means for making or breaking at will the circuit at the lamp
terminals without the necessity of removing the lamp from the holder, or of
using any form of key switch between the conductors and the lamp terminals.
My holder consists of the following principal parts:-
66
(1) A support in the form of a socket or spring clip (hereinafter called the
clip") for holding or gripping the head of the lamp, illustrated in detail in
Figs. 5, 6, 7 of the accompanying drawings.
(2) A centre piece composed either wholly or partially of insulating material,
and made up of one or more parts (hereinafter called the "centre"). The
terminals for the conducting wires are attached to the centre, forming also the
contacts to the lamp terminals. The centre is illustrated in detail in Figs. 9
to 16 inclusive.
(3) A cap, illustrated in detail in Figs. 3, 4, and 8, which is placed over or
around the clip and centre (hereinafter called the "cap").
Figs. 1 and 2 show the arrangement and method of action of the several parts.
In both figures the cap a and clip e, are shown in section taken on the same
plane, with the centre and lamp o in elevation between them. The cap a,
preferably made of metal, Figs. 3, 4, 8 is of cylindrical form, partly closed at
one end. It may be made with an inner reinforcing tube b, in opposite sides
of which curved, angular or spiral grooves are formed. In cases where there
is no reinforcing tube, the grooves are formed in or through the surface of the
cap a, as shown in Fig. 1 at 12.
The clip is illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 7. Figs. 5 and 6 are elevations showing
positions at right angles to each other, and Fig. 7 is a plan view. The clip e
is made preferably of metal, of partial cylindrical form, and is provided with
the usual bayonet joint e' at its bottom end for receiving the pins of the head o'
of the lamp o. On the outer surface of the clip, projections f are formed,
preferably made with a slight angular or curved inclination, which are intended
to enter into the grooves 162 of the cap a. By means of this connection, when
an angular movement shall be given to the cap a around and relatively to the
clip e, the latter will be drawn into the former in the direction of or parallel
to their vertical axes. A reverse movement given to the cap a will reverse or
push the clip outwards. If preferred, the grooves 6162 may be formed in the
clip e and the projections f inside the cap a.
The centre, Figs. 9, 10, 11, is made, preferably, of a block of porcelain or
other insulating material. Fig. 9 shows a view in elevation, Fig. 10 a vertical
section on the line a, a, and Fig. 11 a plan. A vertical hole or passage is
made in the upper part of the centre h through which the conducting wires k
are passed, which are then able to be spread or knotted (Figs. 1, 2) in a trans-
verse opening formed at the lower end of the passage i. At the bottom end
of the centre h I place a pair of connections (which may be of any suitable
or convenient construction) which extend through the insulating material, and

page_text: are spread underneath at to form the contacts against which the terminal
plates of the lamp filaments may be pressed. The upper ends of the connections ¹
are fitted with binding screws around and under which the naked ends of
the positive and negative "leads" respectively may be bound in any usual or
convenient manner. A middle piece of insulating material keeps the two
connections and the ends of the leads" separated and therefore insulated
from each other. The top end or neck 2 of the centre h is passed through the
opening in the top end of the cap a, and a circular recess is formed on the
centre at around which is, preferably, slipped a split ring threaded on its
outside. A nut internally threaded is screwed on to this ring "; and by this.
or other well known contrivances the cap a may be retained in position around
the centre h, though free to receive an angular or other suitable movement as
before mentioned.
The parts above described are placed around each other in the relative posi-
tions as shown in Fig. 1, the head o¹ of the lamp o being supported in the joint e
of the clip e.
As there shown, the lamp terminals are removed from and are
out of contact with the bottom ends of the lead connections 2; if, now, the
cap a be moved angularly, relatively to the other parts, the clip e carrying the
lamp o will, by reason of the projections f engaging with the spiral grooves bib,
be drawn upwards into the interior of the cap a, and the lamp terminals will
be pressed against the connections, thus, by making contacts, completing the
circuit, as shown in Fig. 2. A reverse movement of the cap a will break the
circuit, and the clip e and lamp o will be returned to their first or normal
position.
To ensure the quick break of the circuit, I arrange a spring c between the
underside of the cap a and the top of the clip e which acts so as to assist in
pushing out the clip from the cap as soon as the movement is commenced. To
prevent the withdrawal of the clip from the cap to any greater extent than is
desired, I form a stop on the clip, preferably by turning over the top ends of
it, as at g, which turned over parts y may come in contact with and rest upon
shoulders m formed on the centre h. (See detailed figures). The clip e relatively
to the centre is compelled to move vertically only, or parallel to its axis, and
thus is prevented from turning angularly. I provide for this, preferably, by
forming indents gl in the upper part of the clip e on opposite sides of it; which
engage with corresponding grooves N made on opposite sides of the centre h.
In order to hold the head o¹ of the lamp firmly, I may slit the bottom end
of the clip e, and impart to the partly free end a closing tendency, as of a
spring. Or I may, preferably, form spring tongue pieces e² on opposite sides
of the clip e, Fig. 6, which shall press inwards upon the head of the lamp.
I may provide in the usual manner for carrying a shade, or other accessory, as
may be required, on the cap. In that case, I, preferably, form a ring or band d
on the outside of the cap a, Figs. 3, 4, below which a screw thread is formed
on to which a loose ring may be screwed, the shade being supported between
the two rings d².
The centre h, instead of being made of one piece of insulating material, may
be formed of two or more parts as shown in Figs. 12, 13, 14. Figs. 12, 13 are
two views in elevation, in positions at right angles to each other, and Fig. 14
is a plan of the same. A block of insulating material provided with con-
ducting wire terminals ¹, as before described is held or gripped, preferably,
between two legs of a metal upper portion j, in which case indents ja and.
turned in ends are formed in the sides of the legs j; which parts slip over
and key or grip in corresponding recesses nn formed in the insulating block h³.
The outside recessed or grooved parts of these indents, and also the parts of
the legs made in the form of shoulders at 3, are intended to serve the purpose
of guides and stops to retain the clip e in its position relatively to the centre h
as before described. The top is made with a hole or passage i through which
the conducting wires are intended to pass; and the outside surface of the top

page_text: end is threaded so as to receive a nut 3 screwed on to it, which may serve to
retain the cap a in its place round the centre, as shown in Fig. 13.
When the holder is required to be attached to a bracket, instead of being
suspended, I employ, preferably, the arrangement shown in Fig. 15, 16; where
Fig. 15 is a view of the centre in elevation and Fig. 16 a vertical section of
the same, taken on the line 'x'. A nipple p, threaded both inside and outside,
is put through the opening a¹ in the top of the cap a, by which the cap may
be secured on the bracket arm p¹. A nut 22 is screwed on to the outside of
the nipple p, and serves to retain the cap a in its desired position. The upper
portion of the centre, preferably constructed as shown in Figs. 12, 13, 14, is
formed with a top end externally screwed and shouldered at 5, which part
may be screwed into the lower end of the nipple p. The clip e is intended to
be placed around the above described alternative centres in a similar manner
and for the same purpose as first described and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.
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. In electric incandescent lampholders the use of a cap furnished with spiral
grooves or projections and able to be moved angularly around and in combina-
tion with the part carrying the lamp constructed substantially as herein set forth
and described.
2. In electric incandescent lampholders the use of a clip for carrying the lamp,
able to be moved in a parallel or axial direction up to or away from the con-
ducting wire contacts substantially as illustrated and described.
3. In electric incandescent lampholders the use of a centre constructed wholly
or partially of insulating material mounted on the cap arranged and intended
to contain a passage able to receive a knot formed on the conducting wires on
which the lampholder and its accessories may be hung or supported in the manner
substantially as illustrated and described.
4. In electric incandescent lampholders consisting of clip, cap and centre, the
several parts intended to constrain and limit the movements of the clip and cap,
namely, the grooves and projections f, the guides stops and shoulders
lettered g, gl, m, n, nj, j, ja, the necks h², and the nuts 12, 72, substantially as
illustrated and described.
و
5. In electric incandescent lampholders, the relative combination and move-
ments of three principal parts herein named clip, centre and cap, which cause
the circuit between the conducting wire contacts and the terminal plates of the
lamp filaments to be made or broken by moving the lamp terminals in a parallel
or axial direction up to or away from the wire contacts respectively in the manner
substantially as described and set forth.
6. In electric incandescent lampholders the operation of making or breaking
the circuit between the conducting wires and the lamp terminals by moving
the part or clip carrying the lamp in a parallel or axial direction up to or away
from. the wire contacts respectively substantially as described and set forth.
Dated this 18th day of October 1900.
WM. LLEWELLIN, C.E.,
15, King Square, Bristol, Agent for Applicant.