IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LAMPS, AND IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REGULATING OR CONTROLLING THE SAME
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Mori, Charles Edward Hallewell, William
Milner, and William Griffin, all of Leeds, in the County of York, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LAMPS, AND IN THE METHOD OF
AND APPARATUS FOR REGULATING OR CONTROLLING THE SAME."
Sealed the 22nd August 1879, and dated the 24th February 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Mori, Charles
Edward Hallewell, William Milner, and William Griffin at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 24th February 1879.
FREDERICK MORI, CHARLES EDWARD HALLEWELL, WILLIAM MILNER, and
WILLIAM GRIFFIN, all of Leeds, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ELECTRIC LAMPS, AND IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REGULATING OR
CONTROLLING THE SAME,"
This Invention relates, firstly, to electric lamps in which provision is made for
the reception of several pairs of candles or carbons in order that when one pair is
nearly consumed another pair may be lighted, so that there is only a momentary
extinction of the light.
In lamps constructed on this principle it is necessary to transfer the current from
one pair of carbons to the next of the series, and hitherto this has been effected by
an attendant, and where a number of lamps are in operation the amount of personal
attention required is considerable, and greatly increases the expense of this mode
of illumination. The object of our improvements is to render such lamps self-
acting in diverting the current from one pair of carbons to another, and this we
effect by the use of a commutator operated or set in motion by spring or other
motor, and kept stationary when necessary by other springs or stops, the action of
which is determined by the consumption of the carbons or candles, or by clockwork
mechanism.
The apparatus may be constructed in various forms, of which the following will
serve as an example:-

page_text: For a lamp designed to receive and consume four pairs of carbons we employ a
circular disc or plate of glass or other insulating material, in the centre of which is
an upright pillar or stem having four branches which carry one of the candles of
each pair, the other candles being supported by separate brackets fixed to the plate.
The central pillar or stem is connected with one of the conducting wires, and being
formed of conducting material the candles carried by it are always ready to receive
and transmit the current. The remaining candles may be brought into the circuit
by the commutator, which consists of a circular disc having eight branches which is
mounted upon the central stem but insulated therefrom.
Four of the branches transmit the current to the four outer candles by coming in
contact with studs connected therewith.
On commencing with the first pair of candles the commutator is placed on the
stud in connection with the outer candle of that pair, and is kept there by a spring
or other equivalent, which prevents the commutator from moving until the carbons
are sufficiently burned, when the spring or other retaining power is released by the
fusion of a wire or other automatic agency, allowing the commutator to pass to the
stud of the next pair of candles, where it is held as in the first case, and so on,
until the whole of the carbons have been consumed.
Should it not be desired to consume the whole of the candles or carbons the
commutator may be prevented by any convenient check mechanism from continuing
its revolution, in which case the circuit instead of being broken is rendered complete
by one of the other four arms of the commutator coming in contact with one of a
second series of studs or terminals which complete the circuit, so that where there
are several lamps in one circuit the extinction of one does not interfere with the
remainder.
Secondly. Our Invention consists in the use of an apparatus constructed as above
described for regulating the transmission of currents to different circuits, as when
once properly adjusted it will operate with regularity, and may be so arranged as
only to require personal attention at considerable intervals of time.
An important feature of our apparatus is the manner of making contact by
surfaces which rub or slide over each other, so that the terminals are kept bright
and clean.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frederick Mori, Charles Edward Halle well, William Milner, and
William Griffin in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd August 1879.
FREDERICK MORI, CHARLES EDWARD HALLEWELL, WILLIAM MILNER, and
WILLIAM GRIFFIN, all of Leeds, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ELECTRIC LAMPS, AND IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REGULATING OR
CONTROLLING THE SAME."
This Invention relates,-Firstly. To that form of electric lamp in which provision
is made for the reception of several pairs of carbons or candles in order that when
one pair is nearly consumed another pair may be lighted, so that there is only a
momentary extinction of the light. In lamps constructed on this principle it is
necessary to transfer or commute the current from one pair of carbons to the
next of the series, and hitherto this has been effected by an attendant, and where
a number of lamps are in operation the amount of personal attention required is
considerable and greatly increases the expense of this mode of illumination.
It is the object of our improvements to render such lamps selfacting so far as
regards the diversion of the currents from one pair of carbous to another, and this
we effect by the use of a commutator operated or set in motion by a spring or other
motor, and controlled by a series of stops or triggers, the action of which is
determined by the consumption of the carbons or candles, or by clockwork
mechanism.
The apparatus may be constructed in various forms, according to the number of
carbons it is intended to consume; and the first Sheet of the accompanying
Drawings illustrate a lamp designed to consume four pairs of carbons, and will
serve to explain the nature of our Invention.
'
Fig. 1 is a view in elevation; Fig. 2, a plan view; and Fig. 3, a plan view of the
underside. In comparing the two plan views it must be observed that the position is
reversed, that is to say, the top of one view corresponds to the bottom of the other.
Figs. 4 and 5 are details. A is a circular disc or plate of glass, ebony, or other insu-
lating material, in the centre of which is an upright pillar B having four radial arms C,
each of which supports a carbon or candle a. Other candles bare carried by holders D
hinged upon pedestals c fixed to the plate by screws & inserted from the underside.
Attached to the lower part of the brackets Dare iron armatures E, and fixed to the
plate A, but also passing through the same are a series of electro-magnets F.
These magnets by attracting the armatures place the carbons parallel with each
other, as soon as the current has passed through them and established the luminous
arc. The coils which pass round each electro-magnet are connected at one end to
studs f, f', ƒ³, ƒ³, and at the other to the screws which secure the footsteps or
brackets D to the plate A. G is a commutator having four arms g, g², g², g³. This
commutator is insulated from the central pillar by a nonconducting ring or washer e,
and the central portion is always in contact with a pin or stud H which passes
through the disc, and is attached on the underside to a flat metal strip h and
secured by the binding screw J. Each of the commutator arms g is furnished at
the outer end with a small rounded stud, so placed that as the commutator revolves
around the central pillar, the studs or contact makers on the commutator will rub
over the faces of the studs f. On reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the com-
mutator arm g rests upon the stud f, and is held there by means of a stop k on the
bottom of the upright rod K. which is opposed to the stud L on the commutator
arm. Through the top of the spindle K is inserted a pin 2, and when the rod K is
turned so that the pin bears against the carbon a, the stop piece k is turned
partially round, and opposed to the stud L on the commutator. When the candle
is burnt down as low as the pin L the spring m which is coiled round the rod K
turns the same round and removes the stop k out of the way of the stud L, and the

page_text: cominutator then passes forward in the direction of the arrow until the arm g¹ rests
upon the stud f' where it is arrested as before, and remains until the candles are
consumed, and so on for each pair of carbons in succession. When the whole of
the carbons are consumed the commutator turns a little further round, bringing a
short arm g' upon a stud f, which communicates with the binding screw M in the
centre of the plate underneath. The course of the current is as follows:-One of
the terminal wires being connected to the binding screw J and the other to the
screw M, the current may be supposed to enter at J, pass along the strip h to
stud H into the commutator. It then passes down that arm g which happens to
be resting upon a stud f through the magnetic coil in connection therewith, thence
through the outer bracket and carbon to the inner carbon, whence it passes to the
central pillar and terminal M. If the arm f is resting upon stud g the circuit is
complete without including any of the magnets or carbons. N are adjustable
weights for tilting the outer carbon holders, so as to bring the tips of the carbons
close together ready for the passage of the current. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation
of the central pillar and commutator; e is the non-conducting ring or washer,
which insulates the commutator from the central pillar; N is a coiled spring lying
in a circular groove or ring formed in the plate A, and attached at one end to the
commutator. Before setting the lamp the commutator is turned round in a
direction opposite to the arrow by which the spring acquires sufficient tension to
turn the commutator in the other direction when unopposed. Fig. 5 is a plan view
of commutator and contact studs f with the stops and studs L. It will be seen
that the actual distance traversed by the cominutator is very little, being no further
than from arm g' to stud f. The object in rendering the circuit complete when
the carbons are all consumed is to prevent interruption of the current when there
is more than one lamp in the same circuit.
In Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 we have illustrated a lamp for consuming eight pairs
of carbons. This lamp is constructed so as to revolve upon a central spindle and
possesses advantages over the foregoing, inasmuch as the lighted carbons always
occupy the same position whilst the construction of the lamp is simpler and more
mechanical. Fig 6 is a sectional elevation, and Fig. 7 is a plan view. A is a disc
of hard wood, glass, or other suitable substance, and B is a circular box fixed
underneath, in the middle of which is a binding screw a and a fixed spindle b.
Another binding screw C is fixed to the underside of the disc connected
with which is one end of a coil of insulated wire forming the electro-magnet D.
The other end of which wire is fixed to the stud c, which projects slightly
above the upper face of the disc. On the surface of the disc is also a
metal stop d, the use of which will be hereafter explained. E is a hollow
metal tube which fits upon the spindle b resting upon the bottom of the box,
and free to revolve upon the said spindle. At the upper end of the tube is
a circular table F which carries a series of carbons, numbered 1 to 8, which are the
inner carbons of each pair, the outer carbons being carried in holders G hinged to
brackets H screwed to the underside of a circular plate J secured upon the hollow
tube E. Between the brackets and the plate is a thickness of vulcanito e, and over
the screws which secure the brackets to the plate are bone insulating eyelets, see
detail, Fig. 8. To each bracket H. is secured a contact maker h, that belonging to
number 2 pair of carbons being shown resting upon the stud c. On the upper side
of the plate J are a series of flat curved springs f secured by screws to the outer
edge of the plate, and having pins at their inner ends which pass down through
holes in the plate. When the springs are pressed down close to the surface of the
plate, the pins on the end are lower than the stop piece d, but when released the
bend of the spring lifts the pin clear of the stop piece. For pressing down the
springs we have a series of fingers f¹ inserted at right angles into upright rods K;
Lare adjustable weights for tilting the outer series of carbon holders, so as to
bring the tips of the carbons together; in the circular box is a coiled spring M
which is hooked into the tube E. To set the lamp the requisite supply of carbons
are inserted, and the lamp wound up by turning it round upon the spindle b until

page_text: the spring M is in such a state of tension that it will when released carry the lamp
round in the direction of the arrow; the rods K. are then turned round, tightening
the springs on the lower portion thereof, and causing the fingers f¹ to press down
the springs f; and in this position they are retained by the fingers k which are
placed so as to bear against the inner carbons; the lamp being then released it will
turn round until one of the pins g comes in contact with the stop piece d, at the
same time one of the holders G will be opposite the magnet, and the contact
maker will rest upon the stud c. The circuit is then complete between the two
poles of the current represented by the two binding screws C and a. Supposing
it to enter at the screw cit will pass through the magnet to the stud c, to the contact
maker h, and through the holder G to the outer carbon, thence through the inner
carbon forming the luminous arc, and down the pillar E to the terminal a. The
moment the current is established the magnet attracts the armature N, and places
the outer carbon parallel to the inner one, towards which it had been inclined by
the weight L, so as to facilitate the first flow of the current. When the carbons are
consumed (as shewn by pair number 1) as far as the finger k, the rod K is released,
and the spring m turns it outward, removing the finger f¹ from its spring f, which
rises and removes the pin g from contact with the stop piece d; the spring M then
causes the lamp to revolve until stopped by the next pin g, and so on for the whole
series. As soon as the rod K turns a contact maker n at the bottom thereof is
caused to bear against the bracket H, and so makes the circuit complete, whilst
diverting it from the carbons. It will be seen from the foregoing description that
although the current is diverted from the carbons by the contact maker n it still
passes through the magnet, and continues to attract the armature, opposing the
revolution of the lamp. To obviate this the current may be caused to pass from
the screw C to a pin q see Fig. 10 which secures one end of a flat spring r, the
other end of which is raised a short distance from the face of the plate A. A pin s
attached to the free end of this spring passes through the plate A, and directly
underneath it is a contact maker which leads to the magnet. As the lamp revolves
the part n presses upon the spring, and presses the pin down upon the contact-
maker, thus rendering the circuit complete; as soon as the carbons are consumed
the part n leaves the spring r, which then rises and leaves the contact-maker, thus
interrupting the current until the armature has left the magnet, and another taken
its place.
Figs. 8 are details of carbon holder G, and of the manner in which the same is
secured to the plate J. The spring O and pin P are for the purpose of holding
the carbon, instead of employing screws as heretofore. The same principle is
employed for holding the inner carbons (see Fig. 9), one spring serving for two
carbons, the spring being attached to the table F and secured by a screw in the
middle.
Secondly. Our Invention consists in the use of an apparatus constructed in a
similar manner to the lamps above described for regulating the transmission of
currents to different circuits. For this purpose a self-acting or spring commutator
may be employed, and its operation controlled by a series of triggers released at
the required time by the consumption of a pair of carbons, one pair of carbons
releasing one or more triggers either simultaneously or at different intervals as may
be required. Such an apparatus may be so arranged as to require personal
attention at considerable intervals only, and may be made to perform operations,
which at present are only performed with less regularity by hand.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and shown by Drawings how
the same may be performed or carried into practice, we would have it understood
that we do not confine ourselves to the precise details of construction or
arrangement herein given, as from the two examples which we have illustrated
it is evident that such details may be considerably varied, neither do we claim
the whole of the parts herein described, but what we do claim as our Invention
is,-
Firstly. The use of a commutator actuated by a spring or other mechanical

page_text: equivalent for diverting the current from one pair of carbons to another, substantially
as herein shewn and described.
Secondly. The employment of spring triggers or other apparatus released by the
consumption of the carbons for regulating the action of the commutator, substantially
as herein shewn and described.
Thirdly. The use of a commutator and controlling mechanism of the kind herein
described and shown for effecting the diversion of currents in electric lighting|
apparatus.
In witness whereof, we, the said Frederick Mori and William Griffin, for and
on behalf of ourselves and the said Charles Edward Hallewell and William
Milner, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-first day of
August, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy
nine.
Witness,
J. W. TASKER,
Patent Agent,
Halifax.
FREDERICK MORI.
WILLIAM GRIFFIN.
(L.S.)
(L.S.)