AN IMPROVED ARRANGEMENT OF CIRCUIT CONNECTIONS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING
Year: 1884

page_text: I HENRY EDMUNDS, Junior, of 2 Victoria Mansions in the City of Westminster,
Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "AN
IMPROVED ARRANGEMENT OF CIRCUIT CONNECTIONS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING," to
be as follows:-
The object of the present invention is to give greater facilities than heretofore
for economically and efficiently controlling the supply of electricity to lamps and
especially incandescent lamps whether singly or in groups, used in the lighting of
houses and similar structures.
To this end the invention consists in an improved arrangement of circuit
connections or switches adapted to be operated from various points in the house
or structure, and control the current to the lamp or lamps in such a manner as to
suit all ordinary requirements.
In applying my improved arrangement of electrical connections to, say for
example, a drawing room I fit to the wall or other surface one or more sockets
adapted to receive detachable electric lamps and I provide a permanent lamp in
the centre of the ceiling or elsewhere which I call a pilot lamp.
Interposed in the circuit leading to this pilot light is a switch controlled by an
electro magnet which magnet is arranged and wound so as to be excited by the
current or currents passing to the terminals in the sockets above referred to.
When it is desired to illuminate the apartment at any particular place or places,
one or more of the detachable lamps are connected with the terminal plates or
wires of the fixed sockets, the current passes, and one or more lights are obtained.
So soon however as this is done the electro magnet is excited and operates the
switch or bridge piece by which the current had passed to the pilot lamp, auto-
matically cutting that lamp out of the circuit and economizing the current. On
detaching the local lamps on the contrary, the magnet becomes inoperative the
switch or bridge piece falls or swings round, and the pilot lamp is again rendered
incandescent.
The advantage of this automatic arrangement is that sufficient light is afforded
by the pilot lamp to enable the position of the local detachable lamp sockets to be
easily found, and when the lamps have to be detached and removed elsewhere,
there is no necessity to grope for the door in the dark,

page_text: It may however happen that the pilot lamp is required to be lighted at the
same time as the local lamps and for this purpose a double push button spring
switch is provided: one button serving to force a spring into close electrical contact
with a locking catch, and the other button serving to disengage the spring
therefrom. I arrange this auxiliary device in any convenient spot, so that by
simply pressing on one or other of the buttons the pilot lamp (or it may be a
group of lamps of which it forms one element) may be brought into use or
extinguished.
In order however to have full control over these lamps it is necessary in addition
to the foregoing arrangement of leads and circuit connections, to provide for the
final extinguishing of all the lamps including the pilot lamp during the day or
when the householder retires to rest.
This I effect by a balance mercury switch or equivalent device operated by a
pair of small electro magnets capable of being excited by a current from a single
small battery such as a Léclanché battery, and by a pair of push buttons or
switches by which one or other of the magnets may be brought into action, and
the mecurial balance switch, or equivalent lamp circuit making and breaking
device, be operated from any distance.
On quitting the drawing room for example the pilot lamp of which room is
controlled by the foregoing arrangement the said lamp may be extinguished from
the hall, or bedroom or other convenient part of the house, and no. diversion for
this purpose of the valuable current from the storage battery or other source of
electricity for the lamps need take place; the feeble current from a single Léclanché
cell being fully sufficient for the purpose.
The extinction of the pilot lamp may also be effected by disengaging the lamp
proper from its socket, and for this purpose the lamp is fitted with a pair of broad
flat plates or springs with flanged outer extremities which are adapted to be
inserted at right angles between two parallel plates or bars of metal in the socket,
and on being turned by hand to snap into place against and in close contact with
the said parallel plates and this simple connection may be applied to all the lamps
in the room. Thus it will be seen that by my improved arrangement of electrical
connections, a pilot light may be left burning in a room, which will be automatically
extinguished when other local lights are used in that room, but which if desired
can be used in conjunction with those lights; that the pilot light may be lighted
or extinguished from any convenient part of the house as for instance on entering
the dining room from the drawing room or vice versa, or when returning from
town or on retiring to bed, and this by using a feeble source of electricity such as
is sufficient to work an ordinary electric bell, thereby economizing the electric
light current; and finally that the pilot and other lamps in the room may be
lighted or extinguished if desired individually within the room itself by means of
the simple spring snap connection above described.
By this arrangement of circuit connections the most complete control over the
lamps in a room or house can be exercised and a great economy of current be
effected.

page_text: I, HENRY EDMUNDS, Junior, of 2 Victoria Mansions in the City of Westminster,
Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "AN
IMPROVED ARRANGEMENT OF CIRCUIT CONNECTIONS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING" and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of the present invention is to give greater facilities than heretofore
for economically and efficiently controlling the supply of electricity to lamps and
especially incandescent lamps, whether singly or in groups, used in the lighting of
houses and similar structures.
To this end the invention consists in an improved arrangement of circuit
connections or switches adapted to be operated from various points in the house
or structure and control the current to a lamp or lamps therein, in such a manner
as will provide for all ordinary requirements.
In applying my improved arrangement of electrical connections to say, for
example a drawing room, I fit to the wall or other surface one or more sockets
adapted to receive detachable electric lamps and I provide a permanent lamp in
the centre of the ceiling or elsewhere which I call a pilot lamp.
Interposed in the circuit leading to this pilot light is a switch controlled by an
electro magnet which magnet is arranged and wound so as to be excited by the
current or currents passing to the terminals in the sockets above referred to.
When it is desired to illuminate the apartment at any particular place or places,
one or more of the detachable lamps are connected with the terminal plates or
wires of the fixed sockets, the current passes, and one or more lights are
obtained.
So soon however as this is done the electro magnet is excited and operates
the switch or bridge-piece by which the current had passed to the pilot lamp,
automatically cutting that lamp out of the circuit and economizing the current.
On detaching the local lamp or lamps on the contrary, the magnet becomes
inoperative, the switch or bridge piece falls or swings round and the pilot lamp
is again rendered incandescent.
The advantage of this automatic arrangement is that sufficient light is afforded
by the pilot lamp to enable the position of the a socket or sockets for a local
detachable lamp or lamps to be easily found, and when the lamps have to be
detached and removed elsewhere there is no necessity to grope for the door in
the dark.
It may however happen that the pilot lamp is required to be lighted at the same
time as the local lamps, and for this purpose a double push spring switch is
provided; pressure on one part thereof serving to force a spring or springs into
close electrical contact with a locking catch or socket, and pressure on the other
part serving to disengage the spring or springs therefrom.
I arrange this auxiliary device in any convenient spot so that by simply
pressing on one part or another of the switch, the pilot lamp (or it may be a

page_text: group of lamps of which it forms one element) may be brought into use or
extinguished.
In order however to have full control over these lamps it is necessary in addition
to the foregoing arrangement of leads and circuit connections to provide for the
final extinguishing of all the lamps including the pilot lamp during the day or
when the householder retires to rest.
This I effect by a balance mercury switch or equivalent device operated by a
pair of small electro magnets capable of being excited by a current from a single
small battery such as a Léclanché battery, and by a pair of push buttons or
switches, by which one or other of the magnets may be brought into action and
the mercurial balance switch or equivalent lamp circuit making and breaking
device, be operated from any distance.
is
On quitting the drawing room for example, the pilot lamp of which room,
controlled by the foregoing arrangement, the said lamp may be extinguished from
the hall, or bedroom or other convenient part of the house, and no diversion of the
valuable current from the storage battery or other source of electricity for the
lamps, need take place, the feeble current from a single Léclanché cell being fully
sufficient for the purpose.
The extinction of the pilot lamp may also be effected by disengaging the lamp
proper from its socket, and for this purpose the lamp is fitted with a pair of broad
flat plates or springs with flanged outer extremities which are adapted to be
inserted at right angles between two parallel plates or bars of metal in the sockets,
and on being turned by hand to snap into place against and in close contact with,
the said parallel plates, and this simple connection may be applied to all the lamps
in the room.
My Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing in which
Fig 1 is a diagram view explanatory of my arrangement of circuit connections
and devices for controlling the supply of electricity to lamps.
Fig: 2 is front view of a fixed socket containing terminals for the attachment of
a lamp bracket.
Fig 3 is a front view of a pair of hooks adapted to engage with the said fixed
terminals.
Fig 4 is a sectional side view of Fig: 3.
:
Fig 5 is a front view of a switch for controlling the current to an electric pilot
light in its open or inoperative position the cover being removed to shew the
interior.
Fig: 6 is a similar view of this switch in its closed or operative position.
Fig 7 represents my improved arrangement for operating a main line switch
from a distance by the feeble current from a Léclanché or other small battery.
Fig: 8 shows another form of main line switch adapted to be similarly
operated.
:
Fig 9 shews the arrangement of bridge-piece and electro magnet by which the
lighting or extinguishing of a pilot lamp may be automatically governed by the
removal or insertion of a detachable bracket lamp.
Fig's 10 are detail views of my snap connection for attaching lamps to their
sockets or detaching them therefrom.
Referring now to Fig: 1 which represents a portion of a room and indicates the
method of economically controlling the several electric lights therein, according to
my system it should be understood that although represented as grouped in or
closely around one apartment, the several circuit connections might be carried out
on the same principle in several or all of the rooms in a house, and that the above
diagram is given merely by way of example for the purpose of illustrating, the
principle of the arrangement on a simple scale.
In this diagram A represents a detachable bracket carrying a lamp or lamps a.
B represents an electric pilot light consisting of a lamp b. or it might be a
cluster of lamps. C represents a moveable arinature or bridge piece in the cireuit
leading to the pilot light B, and. D is an electro magnet so arranged with respect

page_text: to the fixed socket of the detachable bracket A that when this bracket is fixed in
place the current will pass through the coils of the magnet D on its way to the
lamp a, and by exciting that magnet effect the lifting or deflection of the armature
or bridge piece C, and break the circuit by which the current passes to the pilot
light B.
Hence when entering the room the pilot lamp, being incandescent, will enable
the position of the detachable bracket A or the point for its attachment to be
found without difficulty or accident, but when the said point has been found and
the bracket A has been fixed in place the pilot lamp will be automatically
extinguished.
In case, however, it be desired to have the pilot lamp or lamps alight, notwith-
standing the presence in position of the bracket A, I arrange a bye pass circuit e. e
controlled by a push spring switch E-This switch under normal conditions will be
off, as drawn in full lines, but by pushing it to the dotted position the circuit will
be closed and current will flow to the pilot lamp or lamps.
To enable the current in a main or principal lead to be electrically controlled
without waste from any part of the house or structure I arrange a switch as
indicated at. F in combination with a pair of electro magnets f. f¹ which can be
separately and alternately energized by the feeble current from a Léclanché or
other single cell battery G, by wires g. g. from any part of the house or structure.
The magnets f. f1 are respectively energized by completing the circuit connecting
them with the battery by push buttons such as g¹ g².
This arrangement enables all or a part only of the lights in the house (according
to the importance of the lead in which the switch is located) to be lighted or
extinguished from any part of the house to which the small wires from the
Léclanché or the simple battery may be led, and without wasting the current from
the generator or storage battery for that purpose.
Finally it will be understood that the several lamps themselves (such as a and b)
may be individually detached from their supports by means of a spring snap
connection details of which will be given hereafter.
Referring now to Figures 2. 3 and 4
1 represents the socket containing a pair of insulated terminal plates 2. 2. secured
in place by screw 3. 3, and electrically connected with the flow and return
wires 4. 4 respectively.
5. represents a strong spring for locking the pins 6. 6. of the bracket A. in
place, when they have been brought into engagement with the said terminal
plates 2, 2.
The wires from the lamp a. are attached respectively to the pins 6. 6., a fusible
strip of mica and tin foil, 7, being interposed in one circuit.
A¹ is a block of wood on which the pins 6 6 are fixed, and 8 is a metal bearing
plate for protecting the wood from cutting, by the end of the spring 5. The
plate 8 and spring 5 form a locking snap connection between the block A¹ and
fixed socket 1.
It will be obvious that other well known forms of detachable brackets for
electric lamps may be used in place of that above described in combination with
the circuit connections leading to the pilot lamp and with the movable bridge
piece or switch C and automatic electro-magnet regulator D.
Referring now to Figures 5 and 6 I will describe the construction of the double
push spring switch indicated by letter E in the diagram view Fig: 1.
9 represents a wooden cylindrical box or case slotted at diametrically opposite
points for the reception of a double acting push piece 10, of insulating material
titted midway of its length with a sheath of metal 11, connected by a pair of spiral
springs 12. 12. with the bottom or back of the case.
13, is a spring clip consisting of two separate and insulated halves fitting rather
closely around the sliding push piece 10 and having their inner edges flared to
allow of the insertion of the bevilled or rounded edge of the sheath 11. when the

page_text: push piece is in its operative-position: one part of the branch circuit e. is electri-
cally connected to one half of this spring clip, and the other part of the circuit e.
to the other half of the clip 13.
Normally the switch is off, and the circuit broken between the two halves of the
clip 13 the springs 12. 12 thrusting back the push piece 10.; but when the push
piece is thrust so that the metal sheath 11 enters and forces open the clip 13, the
circuit e. e. is completed and a light will pass to the pilot lamp at B, whether or
not the bracket A be in position.
I distinguish the "off" and "on" ends of the push piece 10, by a mark on one,
such as a black disc. This double push spring switch is intended to be covered in
by a rose or metal plate.
Referring now to Figures 7 and 8,
F is the switch or contact making and breaking device arranged in the main or
a branch line, and operated by a pair of electro magnets f. f1; the said electro
magnets being respectively energized by a separate current from a Léclanché or
other single cell battery G when one or other of the circuits from that battery is
completed by the pressing in of one or other the buttons g¹g³, which may be
located at any distance from the battery and magnets.
For example on pressing the " on " button g¹ the circuit between the battery G
and electro magnet f. will be completed; the electro magnet will be energized, and
the armature f¹ will be attracted, forcibly drawing up the spring tongue f³ between
and into close electrical contact with the flexible terminals ƒ ƒ in the main line
or branch conductor F¹, and allowing the current therein to flow.
The spring tongue f³ of the armature f2 is retained in contact with the flexible
terminals ff after the magnet f. has become impotent, by a hook or catch with
which the end of the armature ƒ of the other electro magnet f¹ is provided.
On the other hand on retiring to rest the lights in that part of the house or
structure supplied with current by the said conductor F, may be extinguished by
reversing the switch F, which is effected by pressing in the "off" button g' and
. thereby completing the circuit between the battery G and electro magnet f¹,
whereupon that magnet will be in turn excited and by attracting its armature fo
provided with a hook or catch at its end as before stated, will release the arma-
ture f, which will fall and withdraw its spring tongue f³ from engagement or
contact with the flexible terminals f* f³, and interrupt the main circuit F.
A pair of push buttons gl g³ may be arranged in any convenient part of the
house, and at any distance from the main line switch F; and the battery G may be
located near the pair of switch-actuating electro-magnets ƒ ƒ¹, or near the push
buttons g1 g, and at a distance from the said electro magnets fƒ³.
I preferably combine with the main line or branch conductor F¹ and the switch
actuating magnets f. f1, an automatic current interrupter such as H-for unlocking
the switch or bridge piece F, and breaking circuit when the current exceeds the
normal strength or safety limit.
This interrupter H consists of a simple core of soft iron arranged in the main or
branch line, and wound with wire of a section equal to that of the conductor F¹,
or with a portion of the said conductor; its armature h. being provided with a
hook engaging with the armature ƒ*, and acting to draw back that armature
when the current in the line F¹ becomes so strong as to energize the interrupter H
sufficiently to overcome the resistance of an adjustable spring h. When this takes
place the armature ƒ will be withdrawn, and its catch will be inoperative to
restrain the armature f' in its raised position, whereupon that armature will fall,
and its spring tongue f³ will break contact with the terminals ƒ^ƒ³ and interrupt
the circuit in the line F¹
•
Instead of the spring tongue f³ and flexible terminals f* f³, I may use mercury
connections such as are indicated at Fig: 8. In this case the circuit is made by
allowing the bridge piece f* to drop into the mercury terminal cups f*ƒ³ and is
broken by lifting the said bridge piece out of the said cups; bence the functions
of the magnets f. f¹ are reversed in this arrangement, and the magnet f' is that

page_text: which effects the closing of the circuit and the magnet f. that which opens the said
circuit,
The push buttons g¹ g* respectively, therefore in this arrangement act reversely
to those in Fig: 7.
I might use the well-known balanced rocking mercury switch in lieu of the
spring tongue and flexible terminals, or bridge piece and mercury cups, above
described for effecting the same object, combining it with the pair of magnets f. f¹
and a Léclanché or other battery and a-pair of separate circuits from that battery
in the manner and for the purpose above explained, but I prefer to employ the
forms of switch shewn in Figures 7 and 8.
In Fig 9 is represented in diagram view the automatic economiser represented
by similar letters of reference in Fig: 1 and consisting in the combination with
a socket containing a pair of fixed terminals for the reception of a detachable
bracket lamp such as A, and with a pilot light such as B, of suitable circuit
connections or leads, a movable bridge piece C in the circuit leading to the pilot
light B, and an electro magnet or its equivalent D in the circuit leading to the
pair of fixed terminals, whereby when the bracket A is fixed in position and a
current flows through the circuit in which the magnet D is located, the bridge
piece C will be deflected and the circuit leading to the pilot light B be inter-
rupted, thereby extinguishing that light, but allowing it to become again
incandescent so soon as the bracket A is detached, and the bridge piece C falls
under the influence of a light spring c.
In Figures 10, I have shewn in plan and sectional views, the two parts of my
spring soap attachment for securing lamps to their sockets.
In these Figures K is a block of insulating material supported on the end of the
bracket or lamp support, and provided with a pair of metal plates k. k. of semi-
circular or segmental form fixed over or across a shallow recess in the block K,
with their flat sides facing one another but at some distance apart.
The wires are connected respectively to these plates k. k.
L represents the base of the lamp holder carrying flat spring tongues of L-shape
also insulated, the one from the other. These spring tongues are of such width as
will allow of their being inserted between the plates k. k¹, and their ends are
slightly bent to engage with the underside of the said plates when the base of the
holder L and its spring tongues are turned a quarter round, the spring tongues
yielding to allow of this movement and snapping into place and pressing throughout
their breadth against the flat edges of the plates k. k¹ respectively; thereby making
good electrical contact and holding the parts securely in place.
By this means the lamps may be individually extinguished and facilities are
afforded for detaching the lamp and lamp base from the end of its bracket or other
form of lamp support and replacing it by another when desired, For heavier
work I use the stronger form of spring snap connection shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4
in which the tongues which engage with the terminal plates are rigid, and the
locking is effected by a separate spring as above described. Thus it will be seen
that by my improved arrangement of electrical connections, a pilot light may be
left burning in a room, which will be automatically extinguished when other local
lights are used, in that room, but which, if desired, can be used in conjunction with
those lights; that the pilot light may be lighted or extinguished from any con-
venient part of the house, as for instance on entering the dining room from the
drawing room, or vice versâ, or when returing from town, or on retiring to bed,
and this by using a feeble source of electricity such as is sufficient to work an
ordinary electric bell, thereby economizing the electric light current; and finally
that the pilot and other lamps in the room may be lighted or extinguished if
desired, individually, within the room itself, by means of the simple spring snap
connection above described.
By this arrangement of circuit connections the most complete control over the
lamps in a room or house can be exercised, and a great economy of current be
affected

page_text: 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
1. The combination and arrangement of electric lamps, circuit connections and
switches described with reference to Fig. 1 of the Drawing, whereby provision is
made for the lighting or extinction of a pilot lamp or lamps in a room or rooms, as
occasion may require, and for controlling the supply of current to the whole of the
light in a room or house, from one or more convenient points, by the feeble current
from a Leclanché or similar battery.
2. In a system of electric lighting the combination with a detachable bracket or
other local lamp such as A, and wires for conveying the current thereto, of a pilot
lamp B, a circuit leading thereto, a bridge piece or switch C in the said circuit, and
an electro magnet D for operating the said switch substantially as described with
reference to Figs. 1 and 9, for the purpose of automatically switching the current
to or from the pilot lamp when the bracket or local lamp A is detached or inserted,
as set forth.
3. The double push spring switch described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6 of
the Drawing.
4. Controlling the current supplying all the lights in a house or part of a house
or other structure in a simple and economical manner from any convenient spot
and from any distance, by means of a switch such as F adapted to be actuated by
the feeble current derived from a Leclanché or other single cell battery, as described
with reference to Figs 1, 7 and 8.
5. The combination with a pair of terminals in a main or branch circuit, of a
bridge piece or switch such as F, controlled by an electro magnet f, a locking and
releasing device controlled by an electro magnet f1, a single cell battery such as G,
and suitable circuit connections, whereby either of the said magnets may be excited
at will, and the switch be opened or closed from any convenient part of the house,
substantially as described with reference to Figs. 1, 7 and 8.
6. The locking connection described with reference to Figs 2, 3, 4 and 10 of the
Drawing for securing electric lamp bases or supports to their sockets.
Doted this 20th day of December 1884