Improvements in and relating to Electric Switch or Key Lamp Holders or Sockets.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Dec., 1898
Complete Specification Left. 6th Sept., 1899-Accepted. 18th Nov. 1899
Improvements in and relating to Electric Switch or Key Lamp
Holders or Sockets.
We, PERCY GARNISS EBBUTT, and VERITY'S LIMITED, all of Plume Works,
Aston, near Birmingham, Electrical Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the production of a cheap and efficient quick
make and quick break switch or key lamp holder or socket of either the single
pole double pole or triple pole type and it consists of the hereinafter described
improvements.
For our purpose we provide an interior portion the upper and lower parts of
which are composed of china or other insulating material, preferably this interior
is made up of three parts namely an upper part which contains the terminals to
which the wires that supply the lamp are attached and also one or more spring
contact pieces, a centre part which consists preferably of a disc-shaped piece
provided with a suitable contact (or with contacts) and which revolves by means
of a spindle and handle attached thereto in a suitable frame, which carries the
said spindle and lastly the lower part which contains the plungers and cylinders
necessary for making contact against the base of the incandescent lamp and which
lower part also contains other spring contact or contacts.
The main principle and action of our invention is that when the three parts
above described are placed together in position, by turning the key or handle
of the spindle the disc thereon is made to revolve with a sharp snap action and
the contacts carried on the disc alternately make and break contact with the
spring contacts contained in the upper and lower parts. The snap action caused
by the actuation or revolution of the disc is obtained by the employment of suitable
cams and springs fixed upon the spindle on which the disc is carried and also
fixed in the frame previously referred to which supports the said spindle.
Or the snap action of the disc can be brought about by other suitable means.
for the purpose.
By constructing electric switch or key lamp holders or sockets as above set
forth we are able to obtain in addition to a single pole, a double pole or triple
pole, switch socket or holder.
Dated this 7th day of December 1898
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
Warwick Chambers, 104, Colmore Row, Birmingham.
Patent Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Electric Switch or Key Lamp
Holders or Sockets.
We, PERCY GARNISS EBBUIT, and VERITY'S LIMITED, all of Plume Works,
Aston, near Birmingham, Electrical Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature
if this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement reference being had
to the drawings accompanying this specification and to the figures and letters
shewn therein;-
Our present invention has for its object the production of a cheap and efficient
quick make and a quick break switch or key lampholder or socket of either the
single pole, double pole, or triple pole type, and it consists of the hereinafter
described improvements especially relating to the switching on and "off"
arrangements of the electric current supply to each individual lamp, as the case
may be.
A double pole arrangement is shewn in the drawings.
"
"
Figure 1. Represents an elevation of the interior of the lampholder or socket
with our improvements.
Figure 2. Is a vertical section of the holder and switch arrangements and upper
and lower parts of non-conducting material shewing the several parts in position.
Figure 3. Is a top plan of the upper part of the interior composed of china or
other non-conducting material.
Figure 4. Represents an interior plan view of same part.
Figure 5. Is a plan shewing the disc shaped centrepiece & switch arrangements
in position in the frame carrying same.
Figure 6. Shews a plan of the disc shaped centre piece of the switch, also
the washer, and contact pieces.
Figure 7. Is an under side plan of the lower porcelain interior which carries
the spring plungers or contacts.
Figures 8 to 12 inclusive shew the various parts in connection with the snap
action of the switch mechanism.
Figures 13 and 14 are respectively side elevation and plan of the contact pieces
to which the circuit wires are attached.
For our purpose we provide an interior portion preferably made up of three
parts or sections all enclosed within a metal casing of the usual or other suitable
kind for the type of lampholders forming the subject of our improvements. The
upper and lower parts A, B, are composed of blocks of porcelain china or other
non-conducting material the upper part A, is adapted by being slotted or
recessed A to contain the terminals or contact pieces C, to which the circuit
wires I that supply the lamp are attached and also one or more spring contact
pieces Care located within the interior of the part A. the terminals or contact
pieces Care preferably of the section shewn (or of other suitable section) cut to
the desired length from a piece of rodding and cut down mid-way in the length
to form a recess for a screw head D¹ the screw engaging horizontally the tapped
and screwed hole in each terminal and impinging the circuit wire D that passes
through the vertical hole in the said terminal or contact piece C. The centre
part of the interior of the lampholder contains the switch arrangement which
consists preferably of a disc shaped portion E of porcelain or other non-conducting
material or other material suitably insulated. The disc E is provided with
suitable contact pieces or contacts El and is rotated either by means of a spindle F
and handle F¹ attached thereto and carried in a suitable frame G or caused to

page_text: revolve by other means. In addition to the moveable or rotating block or disc F
the spindle F also carries a toothed cam or ratchet H and a cam H¹ having an
oval hole therein and a projection H2 a washer or collar H³ and projection H*.
similar to Fig. 11 is carried by the disc E and engages the cam H₁, a washer H³.
is eccentrically fixed upon the spindle F, other washers or collars H H are also
carried by the disc and spindle with a spring J around the end of same, one end
of the spring catches or bears against a projection H8 upon the washer or collar Ho
and the other end is engaged by a projection H upon the washer or collar H7.
The said spring J governs the snap action for alternately making and breaking
contact by the switching "on or "off" of the electrical current by the manipu
lation of the handle or key F¹. The lower part of the interior viz:-the porcelain
or other non-conducting block B contains the spring plungers and cylinders K
necessary for making contact against the base of the incandescent lamp and
which part 1 also contains other spring contacts K¹ for maintaining the electrical
connection between the circuit wires and the lamp. The main principle and
action of our invention is constructing the interior portion of a lampholder in
three separate parts or sections" preferably assembled and placed in position
in the usual metal case.
<
"
The action is thus. By operating the key or handle F¹ of the spindle F the
eccentrically fixed washer or collar H5 is rotated in the oval hole of the cam H¹
thus causing the said cam to ride up, or lift, this action brings the projection H2
upon the cam H¹ into engagement with the teeth of the cam or ratchet H and
prevents the complete revolution of the spindle F. The spring J is coiled or
tightened up by the partial turning of the spindle. Upon further turning the
spindle the washer or collar H lifts the cam H¹ until the highest point of its
rise is reached and disengages it from the toothed cam H the spring J now
returns to its normal position and completes the revolution of the spindle and the
several parts mounted thereon with a sharp snap action and the contacts E¹ carried
by the disc E alternately make and break contact with the contacts C¹ contained
in the upper part A, and the spring plungers and contacts K K¹ contained in
the lower part B.
Or the snap action or other suitable action of the disc can be brought about
by other convenient means for the purpose.
By constructing electric switch or key lampholders or sockets in the manner
above set forth not only are we able to obtain perfect insulation but also a single
pole, double pole or triple pole switch lampholder or socket.
We do not necessarily limit ourselves to the particular details or the more
precise arrangements herein set forth for carrying our invention into effect as the
same can be varied within the scope of our said invention without departing from
the essential features of the same, but,
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:―
:-
Firstly In electric switch or key lampholders or sockets forming the interior
of same in three separate sections or parts viz:-a top and bottom block of
porcelain or other suitable material provided with metallic contacts and an
intermediate part containing a revolving disc or block of non-conducting material
provided with metallic contacts and with means for actuating said disc all in
combination and for the purpose set forth.
Secondly. In electric switch or key lampholders or sockets the employment of a
rotating disc or block of porcelain or other non-conducting material operated
by a spindle and handle or other means, switch mechanism operated by said
spindle consisting of toothed cams or cam and ratchet arrangements, with the
necessary collars or washers in connection therewith, a spring for governing the
snap action imparted by the manipulation of the said spindle all in combination
with the upper and lower parts comprising the interior of the lampholder sub-
stantially as set forth,

page_text: Thirdly. In combination the upper and lower blocks of non-conducting material
the upper blocks having recesses or slots separate from each other
within which the terminals or contact pieces are located also other
spring contacts, the lower block containing the spring plungers and
contact pieces, an intermediate portion containing a revolving disc of insulating
material all in electrical connection with the circuit wires and the lamp substan-
tially as described.
Fourthly. In electric switch or key lampholders the general arrangements
constituting our invention by which either a single pole, double pole, or triple pole
electric switch lampholder is provided for the purpose herein described.
Dated this 5th day of September 1899.
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
Warwick Chambers, 101, Colmore Row, Birmingham.
Patent Agents for the Applicants.