Improvements in Arc Light Poles or Masts.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Apr., 1892.
Complete Specification Left, 28th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 18th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Arc Light Poles or Masts.
We, BENJAMIN DEAKIN of 2 Raeburn Street, The Avenue, Brixton,
London S.W. Electrical Engineer, and WILFRID L. SPENCE, of The Elms,
Seymour Grove, Manchester, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows :—
When are lighting, by means of lamps on high poles, is used in busy streets a
means of access for cleaning, and for trimming the carbons, other than by lowering
the lantern to the ground must be employed on account of the necessity for non-
interference with the traffic. Hitherto, as far as we are aware, the most general
method has been by means of a portable ladder, on which the trimmer mounts to
the lamp while an assistant stands at the base doing nothing for the time being, but
carrying the ladder from one post to another during the intervals. Thus at any
instant the time of one man is being thrown away.
Our invention relates to a combined lamp-post and ladder which is possessed of
the following advantages. The ladder part is a separate attachment which, when
not in use, disappears completely within the body of the pole. The whole of the
steps are controlled from one place, preferably at the base, and are under lock and
key so that unauthorized persons cannot climb the column. The movement, also,
can be connected with the switch lever so as to cut off the current when the lamp
is climbable, thus preventing the possibility of accident. The requisite gear is
easily fixed and it in no way disfigures the pole.
In carrying out our invention we form the body of the pole (which is hollow)
with an appropriate number of holes or slots on opposite sides of one diametral
plane, through which the steps project when in use: the steps may be any suitable
form but we prefer either that of a simple rod, straight or curved, or of a fixing
hinged so as to swing in a vertical plane. The controlling link also may take
several forms, as that of an ordinary chain, of a continuous stiff rod, or of a series
of short links hinged together, or, it may be, of a combination of any of these.
In order, further, to balance the weight of the ladder the system may be
suspended from the top by means of a spring or other suitable contrivance such as
balance weights.
The drawings, Figures 1 to 4, will be sufficient to make the nature of the
invention clear, these figures relating to the methods which we prefer. A section
of part of the post, with the ladder closed, is shown in Figure 1, while Figure 2
shows the same open. The only operation in extending the ladder, has been
unlocking the door at the base and drawing down the connecting rod, R, to the
lower position. Figure 3 is a modification of the same, the steps in this case being
coupled to the rod through links, L. At A in this figure is shown a guide block
which may be used if necessary on very long poles. It is threaded up the post and
secured by set-screws or cottars from the outside.
The guide block may, otherwise, be fastened to the rod or chain and run loose in the
post, this method is preferable in some cases; it is shown at A, Figures 1 and 2.
In Figure 4 hinged steps are used which are manipulated by means of a couple
of chains or rods, R, to which they are attached through links, L. Figures 6, 7
and 8, relate to a different plan, the steps here moving outwardly in a horizontal
plane, and the main controlling rod, R, having imparted to it a motion of rotation
only and not one of translation as in the previous figures. The climbing gear is
shown closed in Figure 6 and extended in Figure 7, the steps being pushed bodily
outwards. In Figure 8 hinged steps which are swung out when required by the
D1:

page_text: The method of attachment of the steps to the controlling gear presents some
difficulties in a solid pillar, but Figures 9 and 10 show an effective coupling.
The controlling rod, R, consists of two limbs which are rivetted together,
through distance-pieces, at intervals the step, S, consists of a single piece of such
thickness as to work freely between the parts aforementioned, and it carries a short
pivot, P, which engages corresponding holes in the rod, R. Suppose now a set of
steps is to be connected up: wedges, W, are driven between the limbs of the
vertical rod separating them sufficiently to permit of the insertion of the step and
pivot, which when driven home and fairly in, knocks out the wedge, allowing the
limbs of the rod, R, to spring together closing over the pivot and holding the step
in a free but secure manner.
Of course, if desired, the rod may be in a single piece and the step in two but.
the preceding method is preferable. Figures 11 and 12 show 'couplings applicable
more particularly to the designs shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8; the controlling rod, R,
takes the form of a flat bar with curved horns at intervals corresponding to the
positions of the steps. The idea being to tbread on the steps at the diameter a a,
then by turning the rod through a small angle to secure them at the diameter, b b,
by fixing the rod in this position. Figure 11 is the plan of a horizontal section. A
simple hook joint is shown in Figure 12.
Many other forms of step are possible but nearly all 'require larger holes or slots:
in' the column and so weaken it to a greater degree.
Dated this 30th day of April 1892.
BENJAMIN DEAKIN.
WILFRID L. SPENCE.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
"Improvements in Aro Light Poles or Masts.
We BENJAMIN DEAKIN of 2 Raeburn Street, Brixton, London, S.W.,
Electrical Engineer and WILFRID L. SPENCE of The Elms, Seymour Grove, Man-
chester, Civil Engineer 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 improvements relate to a combined lamp post and ladder which is possessed
of the following advantages: The ladder part is a separate attachinent which when
not in use disappears completely within the body of the pillar. The whole of the
steps are controlled from one place, preferably near the ground, and are under lock
and key so that unauthorized persons cannot climb the column.
The movement also can be connected with a switch gear so as to cut off the
current when the lamp is climbable thus preventing the possibility of accident from
electric shock. The requisite gear is easily fixed and it in no way disfigures
the pole.
Since filing our Provisional Specification we have been advised that certain of
the forms illustrated in the drawings left witli the same are of doubtful novelty or
utility, and we would therefore have it understood that we make no claim to the
methods of construction shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12.
In carrying out our invention we form the body of the pole (which is hollow) with an
appropriate number of holes or slots, on opposite sides of one diametral plane, through
which the steps project when in use. The steps may be of any suitable form but
we prefer that of a simple rod, straight or curved, hinged at its inner and free at-its
outer end so as to swing in a vertical plane. The controlling link may also take
several forms as that of a chain, of a continuous stiff rod or of a series of short
links jointed together, or it may be of a combination of any of these.
In order,
further, to balance. the weight of the latter the system may be supported by means
of a spring or by balance weights.

page_text: We will now describe our invention more particularly with reference to the
drawings left with the Provisional Specification.
A section of part of the post with the ladder closed is shown in Figure 1, and
Figure 2 shows the same extended. The only operation in opening the ladder has
been unlocking the door at the base and drawing down the connecting rod, R, to
the lower position.
Figure 3 is a modification of the same, the steps in this case being coupled
to the rod through short links L. At A in this figure is shown a guide block
which may be used if necessary on very long poles. It is threaded up the pole
and secured by set. screws or cottars from the outside. The guide blocks may
otherwise be fastened to the controlling link, R, and run loose in the post as shown
at A Figures 1 and 2. "This construction is preferable in some cases.
The method of attachment of the steps to the controlling gear presents some
difficulties-in a solid pillar but Figures 9 and 10 show an effective coupling. The
controlling rod, R, consists of two limbs which at intervals are rivetted together
through distance pieces, the step consists of a single piece, S, of such thickness as
to work freely between the parts aforementioned and it carries a short pivot, P,
engaging corresponding holes in the rod R. When a set of steps are to be
connected up wedges, W, are driven between the limbs of the vertical rod separating
them sufficiently to admit of the insertion of the step and pivot. The rod is then
inserted in the pole and the steps each through its appropriate slot are driven into
position knocking out the wedges and allowing the two limbs to spring together,
thus closing over the pivot and holding the step in a free but secure manner.
A somewhat lighter construction may be obtained by having only one member
of the rod, R, continuous the other portion being in separate short lengths rivetted
to it at the appropriate places. And instead of independent wedges a series of
them may be attached to a subsidiary rod or chain by which they may be inserted
or withdrawn simultaneously so releasing or securing the steps by a simple
movement.
Figure 5 illustrates a different construction involving straight line motions only.
The controlling link which may consist of either one or two limbs has an oblique
slot as shown working in connection with a pin on the step. As the former is moved
up or down the latter moves horizontally in or out.
Figure 13 accompanying the Complete Specification shows one method of
automatically cutting off the current when the ladder is open. This particular
form is for series working, the lamp being first short circuited and then cut
completely out. The rod, R, has secured to it an insulating piece, I, which carries
at either end a copper strip, C. This strip connects the line wires, L, either with
the arc lamp or other transforming device, A, or with the short circuit S. It is
however of such a length as to make contact with the one before breaking with
the other.
The simpler modification for parallel working will be obvious.
In order to protect from abrasion the, current carrying wires leading to the upper
portion of the post we prefer to place them inside a metal tube.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:
1. In an arc lamp post or a mast adapted for climbing, the combination with a
controlling link capable of vertical motion of moveable steps hinged or coupled at
their inner ends to the said link and which move bodily outwards, through a hole
or slot, in the direction of their axis, substantially as described and illustrated with
reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5.
2. In an arc lamp post or a mast adapted for climbing, the combination with a
controlling link capable of vertical motion and a series of steps operated by the
same of a connection between them and the method of making the connection
substantially as described.

page_text: 3. In an arc lamp post or a mast adapted for climbing the combination with a
controlling link capable of vertical motion and a series of steps operated by the
same of a spring or balance weight so arranged as to facilitate working or to reduce
friction in the pivots.
4. In an arc lamp post, the combination with a controlling link capable of
vertical motion and a series of steps operated by the same of an electric switch
coupled to the link aforesaid in such a manner as to cut off the current from the
upper portion of the post when the steps are extended for climbing.
Dated this 28th day of January 1893.
BENJAMIN DEAKIN.
WILFRID L. SPENCE.