Improvements in Apparatus for Placing Electric Lamps in Circuit in any desired Order or Sequence.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 6th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 10th Sept., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Placing Electric Lamps in Circuit in
any desired Order or Sequence.
I, ANTHONY GEORGE NEW, of No. 53 Gresham Road, Brixton in the County
of Surrey, Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for placing electric lamps
in circuit in any desired order or sequence so that the configuration or outline of
the lighted lamps shall present a definite form of predetermined significance.
In carrying my invention into effect, I arrange a series, group or groups of
lamps, so that one terminal of each is connected to a lead or main wire common to
all the lamps. The opposite terminals of each lamp is connected to a separate
wire which is carried to the contact making device, which forms the essential feature
of my said invention.
.
This consists of a number of metallic bars or plates, corresponding to the number
of lamps in the frame hereinbefore referred to. Said plates are arranged longi-
tudinally with strips of insulating material between them, and each separate plate
is connected by means of a wire to one terminal of a lamp. Above the bars or
plates I arrange a number of transverse bars, working within vertical guides or the
like, and provided with a key for depression against the tension of a spiral spring
or like means for restoring said bars to their normal position. Contact screws or
pins are attached to the bars, so that when each one is depressed, electrical contact
is established between it and certain of the insulated plates so that any given sign,
device, or arrangement of lighted lamps corresponding to the contacts upon the key
is reproduced at any distance from the keyboard.
By the alternate depression of the several keys any variation of the lamps placed
in or cut out of the electrical circuit may be effected.
I do not confine myself to the arrangement of the contact plates as a parallel
series, but may arrange them in a curvilinear, concentric, or angular form, the
essential feature of the invention being in that the keys in all cases are shaped
and placed so as to bridge across the series in all cases, the contacts thereof
depending upon the number and position of the pins before referred to, and the
number of leads or wires being limited to the number of lamps.
Dated this 4th day of November 1891.
FREDK. WALKER,
11, Furnival Street, Holborn, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Placing Electric Lamps in Circuit in
any desired Order or Sequence.
I, ANTHONY GEORGE NEW of No. 53 Gresham Road Brixton in the County
of Surrey, 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for placing electric lamps in
circuit in any desired order or sequence so that the configuration or outline of the
lighted lamps shall present a definite form of predetermined significance.
In order that my said invention may be the better understood, I have appended
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred
D

page_text: form of the arrangement, shewn with several transverse arms removed in order
to shew the position of the leads, and the elastic insulating bed upon which they
rest, and Figure 2 shews a cross section of the above. Similar letters of reference
are used in both figures to indicate corresponding parts.
In carrying my invention into effect, I arrange a series, group or groups of-lamps,
so that one terminal of each is connected to a lead or main common to all the
lamps. The opposite terminal of each lamp is connected to a separate wire which
is carried to the contact making device which forms the essential feature of my
said invention and hereinafter is fully described.
A base plate A is provided of suitable size and material, preferably slate or the
like, upon which is placed a bed B of any elastic insulating material, such as
india rubber. A number of metallic bars or leads C are arranged longitudinally
upon the bed B, and may if necessary be separately insulated. Each lead is
connected to a separate terminal all of which are arranged at the end of the bed
plate A as shewn by D, each such terminal being coupled to one lead of one the
lamp of the group or series as herein before stated. Above the bars or leads C,
which are clamped at. E and tightly retained in tension by springs F to resist the
action of expansion, I arrange a number of transverse bars G working upon guide
pins e which are tapped into a brass strip d fixed to the bed plate A. A spiral
spring for the like coiled upon each screw or pin e keeps the bars G out of
contact when in a normal position. A key a is provided at or near the centre
of each bar G so that it may be evenly depressed when required against the
tension of the springs Contact screws or pins are attached to the bars G in
such a manner that when said bar is depressed, a certain number of the leads C are
placed in circuit, and as the bars d into which the guides of the transverse bars G
are screwed are connected to one terminal or electrode of the source of electric
energy, and the other terminal or electrode thereof is connected to the lead
common to all the lamps hereinbefore referred to, it follows that those lamps are
lighted or. vitalised that are connected to the leads C which are placed in circuit.
by the depression of any one of the bars G as aforesaid. The position of the
contact pins or screws b may be varied on each bar by having a hole bored
opposite each of the leads C, and by this method of changing and by reason of the
fact that any number of bars G and leads C may be used alternately or in any order
or sequence, it follows that devices, designs or configurations may be produced as a
light effect, and may be rapidly changed at the will of the operator at the key board
and such effect may be produced at any distance from the key-board and in any
required position.
I do not confine myself to the arrangement of the contact plates or bars, or of
the leads, but may place them in a curvilinear, concentric or angular form, the
essential feature of the invention being in that the upper bars corresponding to G
in the drawing may be shaped and placed so as to bridge across the leads in
all cases, the contacts thereof depending upon the number and position of the
pins and the number of leads being limited to that of the lamps required.
In the electrical circuit controlled by the key board, we may substitute discs
mirrors or equivalent actuated by any suitable electro magnetic device in a manner
analogous to the lighting and extinguishing the lamps, in order that our said
invention may be adapted to daylight signalling and other purposes.
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 :-
"
t.
First.,, In an electric system the combination of a number of electric lamps or
electro magnetic devices with a corresponding number of contact bars or leads
arranged suitably for a number of depressed contacts to place any of such lamps or
electro magnetic, devices in circuit at will, substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth with reference to the appended drawings.
Second. In an arrangement of contacts as referred to in the preceding claim the

page_text: construction and employment of transverse contact bars, with guides and springs
in combination with suitably arranged contact pins, substantially as herein described
with reference to the drawing.
Third. The employment of transverse contact bars shaped or arranged so as to
bridge over a certain number of contact plates or leads, in whatever manner
these may be situated or shaped substantially as herein described and set forth.
Fourth. The method of and means for varying the points of contact and the
order or sequence of the lighted lamps or electro magnetic dévices, substantially as
herein described and set forth.
of Tul 1802
FREDK. WALKER,
11, Furnival Street, Holborn, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.