An Improved Coupling for Lightning Conductors.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 29th June, 1892-Accepted, 30th July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Coupling for Lightning Conductors.
1 JOSEPH LEWIS of 5 Great Winchester Street in the City of London
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-My invention relates to the couplings which in lightning conductors serve to
connect the top rod to the copper tape and it has for its object to provide a device
by means of which bad contact, which is liable with couplings now in use owing to
the two parts which constitute the coupling not fitting properly and to negligence
on the part of the workman or otherwise may be avoided.
According to my invention the coupling instead of being made in two pieces as
heretofore is made in a single piece (approximately of link or stirrup form) and
having sockets at its upper and lower parts the former being cylindrical and screw
threaded for attachment of the top rod while the latter is of flattened and of dove-
tail or wedge shape for retaining the tape which is secured to the coupling by
passing it through the socket and out laterally and then doubling the end of the
tape on itself so that when the tape is drawn back its end is jammed in the socket
and it is effectually prevented from becoming detached the strain on the tape assists
materially in maintaining good contact.
Dated this 30th day of September 1891.
JOSEPH LEWIS,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Coupling for Lightning Conductors.
I, JOSEPH LEWIS of 5 Great Winchester Street in the City of London,
Engineer and Lightning Conductor Manufacturer 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 :-
This invention relates to the couplings which in lightning conductors serve to
connect the top-rod (sometimes called the elevation rod) to the copper tape, and it
has for its object to provide a device by means of which bad contact which is liable
with couplings now in use owing to the two parts which constitute the coupling not
fitting properly and to negligence on the part of the workmen or otherwise may be
avoided.
According to my invention the coupling instead of being made in two pieces as
heretofore is made in a single piece and having sockets at its upper and lower parts
the former being cylindrical and screw threaded for attachment of the top-rod
while the latter is of flattened and of dovetail or wedge shape for retaining the
tape which is secured to the coupling by passing it through the socket and out
laterally and then doubling the end of the tape on itself so that when the tape is
drawn back its end is jammed in the socket and it is effectually prevented from
becoming detached the strain on the tape assists materially in maintaining good
contact.
Of the accompanying sheet of drawings
Figure 1 represents a side view of my improved coupling when in use. A is the
dovetail or wedge shape socket, B is the copper tape in position, C is the lower
part of the top-rod screwed into the cylindrical and screw threaded socket through

page_text: which it may be screwed down to and upon the copper tape as represented in the
drawing.
Figure 2 represents a vertical section of my improved coupling showing the
copper tape B doubled over on itself and drawn back and jammed in the dovetail
or wedge shape socket A.
Figure 3 represents a possible variation of the relative positions of the dovetail
or wedge shape socket A and the sides of Figure 2, which variation does not
materially alter or change any essential feature described herein.
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
1st. The improved coupling made in one piece substantially as and for the purpose
herein set forth and illustrated.
2nd. In the device claimed in Claim 1 the dovetail or wedge shape socket
marked A in Figures 1, 2, and 3 substantially as and for the purpose herein set
forth and illustrated.
In witness whereof I have set my hand this 29th day of June 1892.
JOSEPH LEWIS.