An Improved Candle-stick Socket.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Sept., 1896-Accepted, 31st Oct., 1896
An Improved Candle-stick Socket.
I, THOMAS WILLIAMS, of Tygevyn, High Street, Argoed, Monmouthshire,
Builder, 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 candle-sticks and consists in an improved socket for
holding candles in the candle-stick.
The improved socket in which this invention consists is made of steel, wrought
iron or other suitable metal, shaped to constitute a spring clip which yields to
enable a candle to be inserted and closes on the candle when inserted, and thus
securely grips it. The socket is in the form of a divided hoop having horns or
arms extending vertically upwards from the hoop at the division thereof. The
socket is secured to the base or tray of the candle-stick by a rivet or screw bolt,
or by any other suitable means. Candles can be inserted in the socket with one
hard only.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings, Fig. 1 represents,
in vertical section, a candle-stick fitted with one example of socket as made in
accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a view at right angles to Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the socket.
The socket a, which is made of steel, wrought iron or other suitable metal, is in
the form of a divided hoop from which extend upwards the horns or arms a¹ which
are preferably knife edged at top. The socket a is secured to the tray b by a
rivet c, but it may be secured instead by a screw bolt, or by any other suitable
means.
By the act of inserting a candle d between the horns a¹ they are forced apart,
the socket being a spring clip. The knife edges of the horns serve to pare the
candle so as to facilitate its insertion if unduly large. The candle d when
introduced between the horns a', which can be done with one hand only, is securely
gripped thereby by virtue of the tendency of the said horns to approach one
another under the contracting influence of the spring clip which constitutes the
socket. As a candle becomes consumed towards the bottom, the horns a' become
warmed by the proximity of the flame, and hence, the candle becoming softened,
and the horns a' becoming lubricated thereby, the horns a' cause the candle to be
pushed upward between them and so to be consumed to the extremity. The lower
part of the socket being hoop shaped or a partial circle, a considerable area is
exposed to the air which keeps the hoop cool so that it may be grasped while the
horns are still warm.
At Fig. 4 is shown, in plan, a modified socket in which the divided band or hoop,
instead of having shoulders, as in the example shown at Figs. 1, 2, and 3, is tapered
to the horns a¹ as shown.
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
In a candle-stick, a socket for holding the candles; the said socket being a
spring bow or partially circular band or hoop, of steel or other suitable metal,
rivetted or otherwise fixed to the tray of the candlestick and divided at top and
surmounted with horns or arms such as a¹ which spread apart by the insertion of a

page_text: candle and grip the same between them by the tendency of the said horns or arms
to spring towards each other, substantially as hereinabove described with reference
to the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.
Dated this 14th day of September 1896.
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Bristol, Chartered Patent Agent.