New or Improved Means for Placing, Removing, and Oleaning Incandescent Electric Lamps.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 13th Jan., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Means for Placing, Removing, and Oleaning
Incandescent Electric Lamps.
I, HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co., of 18,
Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., London, Consulting Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention a communication to me from abroad by
Elwyn Emer Simms, of Albert Lea, Freeborn County, Minnesota, United States
of America, Electrician, 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 means for placing and removing incandescent electric
lamps or for cleaning the glass bulbs of the same without removal of the lamps
from their sockets and is specially designed for use in connection with incan-
descent electric lamps located in high ceilings, chandeliers and other places in-
accessible except by the use of long high ladders; and the primary object of
the invention is to provide means whereby the operator may stand on the floor
of the building and by using a long pole and novel means remove
dead" or
"burned out incandescent electric lamps from their sockets in the ceiling or
chandelier quickly, readily and easily, without danger of breaking the glass bulbs
thereof, and replace the same with new or "live" lamps, or may clean the dust
and dirt from the glass bulbs of the lamps without removing the same from the
Bockets.
68
The invention consists generally in the devices, mechanisms and combinations
of parts hereinafter fully described and set forth in the claims.
The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accom-
panying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which:
Fig. 1 is a side view of an incandescent electric lamp and socket in connection
with a device embodying the invention, one of the fingers or clamps being
removed to more clearly show the construction of the spreader and means for
operating the same, the spreader being shown in section."
Fig. 2 is a similar view with the clamping or gripping fingers closed upon
the lamp.
Fig. 3 is a similar view, the spool or drum and its shaft and a portion of its
supports being sectioned to show the internal construction.
Fig. 4 is a sectional detail showing the adjustable means employed for con-
necting the handle with device proper.
Fig. 5 is a detail of the spindle.
As shown in the drawings, 2 represents the main frame of the device. This
frame may be of any preferred construction or material, preferably however of
the form shown. A spool or drum 3 is mounted on a sleeve 4 which has bear-
ings in the ends A of the frame (as shown best in Fig. 3). A set screw 5
extends through the spool and bearing against the sleeve 4 fixes the spool on
the sleeve 4, preventing any movement of the spool independent of the sleeve.
A circular frame or collar 6 is slipped over the extending end of the sleeve 4
and is fixed against station independent thereof by a set screw 7 which enters
01

page_text: a circular opening in said sleeve 4 provided therefor, and for the purpose herein-
after mentioned by means of rivets 10, four spring grasping fingers or clamps 8,
preferably of the form shown and for the purpose hereinafter mentioned.
The fingers or clamps are preferably covered with rubber tips 9 as shown. A
spindle 11, having a headed end 12 and a screw threaded end 16, passes through
the sleeve and through the end A of the frame 2. A set screw 17 is provided
in the end A of the frame 2 and is adapted to be screwed against the spindle 11,
by which means all rotation of the spindle 11 is prevented. I provide a
spreader 14, formed of a circular piece of metal, having a bevelled edge or
periphery and provided on its bevelled edge with a series of pins 15 (preferably
four in number) and having a cential opening threaded to receive the threaded
end 16 of the spindle 11. A cord of suitable weight and material has its central
part wound upon the spool or drum 3 as shown and the ends B and C thereof
pass through respective eyes or loops 19 formed on opposite sides of the frame 2
and the cord thence passes down the pole to the operator. In proximity to the
respective eyes 19 are springa 20, one end of each of which is coiled about a
screw 21 and thereby the spring is held in place. The free ends of the springa
exert their tension on the respective portions of the cord passing through the
eyes and prevent any free movement of the spool or drum or any slackening and
tangling of the string on the drum. The frame 2 is provided at its central
portion with a circular projection 22, the face of which is serrated. A pole
cap 23 is adapted to be slipped over the end of the pole and through a small
hole 24 a nail or screw may be driven into the pole to prevent the cap from
slipping off. A projection 25. corresponding in size and form to the projec-
tion 22, is provided on the end of the cap 23, and has its inner face serrated
to correspond with the face of the projection 22. The parts 22 and 25 are provided
with central openings 26, that in the part 22 being screw threaded. A thumb
screw 27 has its shank threaded to correspond to the threaded opening 26 and
has a suitable head. The frame 2 is clamped to the cap 23 by passing the thumb
screw 27 through the opening of the part 25 and screwing it into the opening 26
of the part 22, and serrations on the parts 22 and 25 preventing any revolution
of the parts with respect to each other. By loosening the thumb screw the
parts 22 and 25 are disengaged and the frame 2 with the clamp may be turned
into any desired position with respect to the pole and set in that position by
turning up the thumb screw 27.
The operation of the device is as follows:-The device being in the position
shown in Figure 3, the operator revolves the spindle 11 to engage the threaded
end thereof with the thread of the central opening in the spreader 14 and
whereby carry the spreader up into the threaded end of the spindle. The
operator then forces the spindle and spreader forward so that the spreader 14
coming into contact with the inward bend of the clamps or fingers 8 forces or
spreads the clamps or fingers out, as shown in Fig. 1. The set screw 17 is turned
up against the spindle 11 and whereby said spindle is prevented from slipping
back into the position shown in Fig. 1 and the spreader 14 held in position to
distend the clamps or figures 8 as shown. The spindle 11 is, by this set screw 17,
prevented from turning when the spreader 14 revolves as hereinafter men-
tioned. The operator then raises the pole and device into the air, adjusting
the angle, at which the device is held with respect to the pole, to correspond
with the angle at which the lamp to be removed is set with respect to the
wall or ceiling. This is done by releasing the thumb-screw 27, permitting
the rotation of the frame 2 with respect to the pole. Any desired angle can
thus be secured. The operator then places the distended fingers 8 over
the lamp and, holding the pole in one hand, pulls downward on the string or
cord B revolving the drum 3 and therewith the sleeve 4, the frame or collar 6
and the clamps or fingers 8. The tension of the fingers 8 hold them against the
spreader 14 and as the fingers 8 revolve they carry with them the spreader 14,
the fingers 8 engaging the pins 15 thereon and preventing any slipping of the

page_text: fingers 8 on the edge of the spreader. If desired the spreader 14 may be made
square or provided with the same number of straight sides as there are fingers 8,
the corners between straight sides forming the equivalents of the pins 85. I
therefore wish to be understood as claiming either construction when I refer to
the spreader 14 and pins 115. As the fingers 8 and spreader 14 revolve the
spreader is forced towards the collar 6 by the threads on the end of the spindle 11
and in the central opening in said spreader. As soon as the spreader reaches the
end of the thread on the spindle 11 it drops onto the portion 13 of the spindle,
which is of smaller diameter than the opening in said spreader. The tension of
the fingers 8 then forces the spreader back to the positions shown in Figs. 2
and 3. The clamps or fingers then spring against the lamp, the shock being
broken by the rubber tips 9. The further revolution of the fingers 8 unscrews
the lamp from its socket and permits it being readily removed to the operator.
If it is desired to place a lamp in a socket the device is used with the operative
parts in the positions shown in Fig. 2, the lamp being slipped between the fingers 8.
The lamp is then raised by the pole and the threaded end thereof held against
the thread of the socket. The lamp is then rotated in the direction of the thread
of the socket, by rotating the fingers 8. This is accomplished by pulling down
on the cord C, thereby rotating the drum 3, sleeve 4. collar 6 and fingers 8. As
soon as the lamp has been screwed into the socket the fingers are pulled off the
lamp:
If it is desired to clean the dust off the glass bulbs of the lamps without removing
them from the sockets the spindle 11 is revolved to take up on its threaded end
the spreader 14 and the spindle 11 and spreader 14 forced forward to distend
the fingers 8 so as to be wide enough apart to clear the bulb. The set screw 7
is then screwed up to bear against the spindle 11 and carry it around with the
collar 6. Suitable cleaning felts are then slipped over the ends of fingers 8 and
bear lightly against the glass bulb. The fingers are then slipped over the bulb
of the lamp to be cleaned and revolved through the respective cords B and C.
As the set screw 17 has not been set against the spindle 11 and the set screw 7
extending through the collar 6 and sleeve 4 bears on the spindle 11, the spindle
is rotated with the spreader 14.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim
is:-
1. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a pole, with expansible
grasping fingers or clamps, means for expanding or contracting said fingers or
clamps, revolving mechanism the motion of which operates said expanding or
contracting means and revolves said fingers or clamps, and means whereby said
revolving mechanism may be operated, substantially as described.
2. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a pole, with expansible
grasping fingers or clamps, means for expanding or contracting said fingers or
clamps, revolving mechanism the motion of which operates said expanding and
contracting means and revolves said fingers or clamps and means whereby power
is applied to said revolving mechanism by force exerted lengthwise of said pole,
substantially as described."
3. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a pole, expansible
grasping fingers or clamps, mechanism for expanding, contracting and revolving
said fingers or clamps and means within the reach of the operator and operated
lengthwise of said pole for operating said mechanism, substantially as described.
4. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a pole, expansible
grasping fingers or clamps, mechanism for expanding, contracting and revolving
said fingers or clamps and means within the reach of the operator and operated
lengthwise of said pole and independent of any motion thereof for operating
said mechanism, substantially as described.
5. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a pole, expansible

page_text: fingers or clamps, means whereby said expansible fingers or clamps may be
expanded and contracted, a revolving drum, operative connections between the
said drum and said fingers or clamps and said means whereby the revolution of
said drum expands, contracts and revolves said fingers or clamps, as desired, and
means whereby said drum may be revolved, substantially as described.
6. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a pole, expansible
grasping fingers or clamps, a spreader, a drum or spool, means whereby said
fingers or clamps may be revolved by the revolution of said drum, operative
connections between said drum and spreader whereby said fingers and clamps
may be expanded or contracted as desired by the revolution of said drum, and
means within the reach of the operator for revolving said drum, substantially as
described.
7. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a pole, expansible
grasping fingers or clamps, a spreader, a spindle 11, a drum or spool, means
whereby said spindle and spreader may be revolved with said drum or said spindle
may be held stationary while said drum is revolved, means whereby said fingers
or clamps may be revolved with said drum, and means within the reach of the
operator for revolving said drum, substantially as described.
8. The combination, in a device of the class described, with a pole, of a series
of fingers or clamps 8, a spreader 14 having arms 15, a spool or drum, connections
between said drum and fingers or clamps whereby the rotation of said drum is
imparted to said fingers or clamps, a frame wheroin said drum or spool is mounted,
a spindle 11, means whereby said spindle and spreader may be revolved with
said drum or said spindle held against rotation therewith," means within the
reach of the operator for revolving said drum, and mechanism for mounting
said frame on said shaft so that it may be adjusted at various angles with respect
thereto.
9. The combination, is a device of the class described, with a pole, of a frame,
means for mounting the froine adjustably thereon, expansible grasping fingers
or clamps, means for expanding or contracting said fingers or clamps, revolving
mechanism the motion of which operates said expanding or contracting means
and revolves said fingers, and means whereby said revolving mechanism may be
operated, substantially as described.
10. The combination, with a pole of a frame adjustably secured thereto, a drum
or spool rotably mounted therein, a spindle, clanips or fingers, a spreader, means
for rotating said clamps or fingers with said drum, means whereby said spreader
and spindle are rotated with said fingers and hold said fingers distended as desired,
means whereby said spreader is rotated with said fingers and said spindle held
stationary, and means for rotating said drum, substantially as described.
11. The combination, with a pole, of a frame adjustably secured thereto, a
drum rotably mounted in said frame, a sleeve or hollow shaft whercon said drum
is fixed, a spindle having a threaded end, a spreader having a threaded opening,
a frame or collar provided with clamps or fingers, a set-screw whereby said spindle
may be fixed against rotation with said sleeve and spreader, a second set-screw
whereby said spindle may be fixed to rotate with said sleeve and spreader, and a 4
cord wound upon said drum so that its respective ends may be used to rotate
said drum in opposite directions, substantially as described.
12. The combination, with a pole, of expansible grasping fingers or clamps,
a spool or drum in connection therewith, a frame adjustably secured to said.
pole, and therewith said spool or drum and said fingers or clamps are mounted,
and means for rotating said drum or spool and therewith said fingers or clamps,
substantially as described.
13. The combination, with a pole, of expansible grasping fingers or clamps,
a spool or drum in connection therewith, means within the reach of the operator
for rotating said spool or drum, and means in connection with said fingers or b
clamps whereby said fingers or clamps may be held expanded as desired, substan-
tially as described.

page_text: 14. The combination, with a pole, of a frame adjustably secured thereon,
expansible grasping fingers or clamps supported on said frame, means for revol-
ving said fingers or clamps, and means extending from said revolving means to
within the reach of the operator and operating longitudinally of said pole for
operating said revolving means, substantially as described.
15. The combination, with a pole, of a frame adjustably secured thereon, a
hollow sleeve or shaft having bearings in said frame, a spool or drum mounted on
said sleeve, expausible fingers or clamps fixed on said sleeve, a second shaft
adapted to rotate within said sleeve, means in connection with said second shaft
whereby said clamps or fingers may be expanded as desired and held in an
expanded position, and means for rotating said spool or drum, substantially as
desired.
16. The combination, with a pole, of a frame adjustably secured thereon, a
spool or drum mounted in said frame, expansible fingers or clamps supported
from said frame, operative mechanism between said spool or drum and said
fingers or clamps whereby by the revolution of said drum said fingers may be
expanded, contracted or revolved, and means within the reach of the operator
for revolving said spool or drum, substantially as described.
17. The combination, with a pole, of fingers or clamps, a spool or drum,
operative mechanism between said spool or drum and said fingers or clamps
whereby said fingers or clamps may be contracted and revolved, a cord or cords
passing from about said drum to within the reach of the operator, and tension
devices in connection with said cord and drum, substantially as described.
18. Tho combination, with a pole, of fingers or clamps, a spool or drum, means
whereby said fingers or clamps and said drum are operatively connected, means
for revolving said drum, and means whereby movement of said spool or drum
independent of said revolving means is prevented, substantially as described.
19. The combination, with a pole, of fingers or prongs, expanding or contracting
means, and means operatively connected with said fingers or prongs and extend-
ing from said connection therewith to within the reach of the operator and by
which by means of a pull thereof towards the operator said fingers or prongs
may be revolved and said contracting or expanding substantially as described.
Dated this 11th dov of November 1899