Improvements in Centre Light Suspending Arrangements.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Mar., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 22nd June 1895-Accepted, 3rd Aug.,
1595
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Centre Light Suspending Arrangements.
We, WINFIELDS LIMITED Manufacturers, and ARTHUR ABBOTT, Department
Manager, both of Cambridge Works, Cambridge Street, in the City of Birmingham,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in centre light suspending arrangements,
and it is particularly applicable to gas lights such as those of the Incandescent
Gas Light Co. It may also be applied however, to other gas lights, oil lamps, or
electroliers.
The object of the invention is to dispense with the ordinary suspending weights
and chains of the usual centre light or gasalier, and to provide a more convenient
system of support for a centre light in such a manner as to allow the light to be
raised and lowered at will, and left in any particular position while also permitting
the light to be moved around a considerable circle.
In one method of carrying our invention into effect we arrange a roof plate
which we screw to the roof and this plate carries a deep parallel cylinder, to which
the gas is led. Within this cylinder we fit a turned projection from a suspending
tube, and we secure this projection in place by means of a screwed cup having a
ball or couical seat to fit the lower part of the turned projection. At the lower
part of the centre tube we arrange two tubular arms, one on each side, which arms
hinge on conical plugs of usual gas fitting construction.
At the outer end of the arms we suspend from like plugs the tube carrying the
centre or other light.
The gas is passed through the arrangement of tubes to reach the suspended light.
From the outer part of the centre tube we pivot two tubular cases and arrange
them to telescope outside of two similar tubular cases pivoting from the bracket
arms. Within these tubular cases we place long springs, preferably tension springs,
and we so arrange the strength of the springs that they are just sufficient to
balance the weight of the gas globe, fittings and other parts.
By this device we are enabled to move the suspended light up and down, and to
leave it in any desired position.
Other spring arrangements may be used, for example the pivoting lever arms
may operate on a circular disc, containing a box spring or spiral spring, and the
disc may be cut with a spiral curve on its surface similar to that of a watch fusee,
and the connection made by means of a flat steel band or steel wire, over the
curved surface. By this device the increasing tension of the spring as the bracket
is moved from one position to another may be compensated for to any desired
extent.
In another method of carrying the invention into effect we dispense with the
spring supports altogether, and arrange a friction disc attached to the centre tube
This
and having a spring pressed disc forced into it from the moving arms.
arrangement is provided with an adjusting screw to increase or diminish the
pressure of the spring.
The friction is arranged to be sufficient to support the extended arms with the
load of lamp and lamp fittings.
It is to be distinctly understood that we may vary the mechanical construction
herein before described to a considerable extent without departing from the essential

page_text: feature of our invention, which is to provide a vertical movable gas fitting capable
of easy remaining in any position in which it is put, and capable of easy rotation
from the centre, while at the same time dispensing with the ordinary chains and
balance weights of gasaliers, and so allow the production of a smooth and easy
motion.
Dated this 18th day of March 1805
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicants.
improvements in Centre Light Suspending Arrangements.
We, WINFIELDS LIMITED, Manufacturers, and ARTHUR ABBOTT, Department
Manager, both of Cambridge Works, Cambridge Street, in the City of Birmingham,
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:-
-
Our invention relates to improvements in centre' light suspending arrangements,
and it is ‘particularly applicable to gas lights 'such as those of the Incandescent
Gas Light Co. It may also be applied 'however, to other gas lights,' oil lamps, or
electroliers.
The object of the invention is to dispense with the ordinary suspending weights
and chains of the usual centre light or gasalier, and to provide a more convenient
system of support for a centre light in such a manner as to allow the light to be
raised and lowered at will, and left in any particular position while also permitting
the light to be moved around a considerable circle.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of drawings illustrating the application of
our invention ;-
Figure 1 is a side elevation showing our invention applied to a centre light.
Figure 2 is a front elevation at right angles to the plane of Figure 1 partly in
section and drawn to a larger scale.
Figure 3 shows another modification of our invention in side elevation; in this a
cbited up circular spring is adopted.
Figure 4 is an end elevation of the spring box, part in section and drawn to a
larger scale than Figure 3.
In one method of carrying our invention into effect we arrange a roof plate B
Figures 1 and 2 which we screw to the roof and this plate carries a strong tubular
projection to which the gas is led. This projection is screwed to receive a conical
coupling C within which we fit a conical plug D forming part of a suspending tube A,
and we secure this conical plug D in place by means of the said screwed conical
coupling C: At the lower part of the centre suspending tube A we arrange two
tubular arms H, one on each side, which arms hinge" on conical plugs of usual gas
fitting construction.
At the outer' end of the arms we suspend from like plugs the tube I carrying the
centre or other light K.
The gas is passed through the arrangement of tubes to reach the suspended
light K.
From the upper part of the centre tube A on a cross piece E we pivot two
tubular cases F and arrange them to telescope outside of two similar tubular
cases G pivoting from the tubular bracket arms H. Within these tubular cases
we place long springs O, preferably tension springs and we so arrange the strength
of the springs that they are just sufficient to balance the weight of the gas globe,
fittings and other parts.

page_text: By this device we are enabled to move the suspended light up and down, and to
leave it in any desired position.
A lower position is indicated in dotted lines at Figure 1.
It is to be observed that this spring balance arrangement would not permit the
light to be placed in any position vertically and left there but for the friction of
the various parts but in practice it is found that this friction is sufficient to prevent
the increasing tension of the springs O from raising the light K after it has been
pulled down.
Another spring arrangement is applicable see Figures 3 and 4 in which the
springs are so applied as to have a uniform lifting effect upon the suspended light
in all positions in which it may be placed.
In this the pivoting lever arms H Figure 3 operate on a rotating disc M
attached to a spiral spring M¹ contained in the casing M². The casing M² is
attached to the centre suspending tube A. The disc M is cut with a spiral curve
on its surface similar to that of a watch fusee as indicated at a b c Figure 3, and a
connection is made to the arms H by means of flat steel bands or steel wires L
which pass over the curved surface, a b c one end being attached at c.
By this device the increasing tension of the spring M¹ as the bracket is moved
from one position to another is compensated for and a constant lifting effect is
produced.
The conical plug D in the conical coupling C permits the arms H carrying the
light to be rotated around the axis of the centre tube A to any desired extent.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is ;-
1. A centre light suspending and balancing device in which the light is
suspended from a tube attached to hinging arms; the said arms being pivoted from
a centre tube and sustained by springs contained within pivoted telescopic tubular
cases connected at the top to the centre tube and below to the hinging arms
substantially as described.
2. A centre light suspending and balancing device in which the light is
suspended from a tube attached to hinging arms; the said arms being pivoted from
a centre tube and sustained by a spring device attached to the centre tube, the said
spring device consisting of an enclosed spring, such as a circular spring attached at
one end to the outer tube and at the other end to a rotating disc the said disc
having a curved cam surface cut upon it upon which a wire, flat band, or chain
operates so as to equalize the pull of the spring and produce a uniform effect on
the hinging arms to which the other end of the wire band or chain is attached
substantially as described.
Dated this 22nd day of June 1895.
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicants.