Improvements in Lamp Shade Supporting Devices.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lamp Shade Supporting Devices.
We, ALBERT EDWARD KEARSLEY, of 287, Great Cheetham Street, Higher
Broughton, Manchester, Commercial Traveller, and HENRY CROWTHER BOWMAN,
of 16, Peru Street, Higher Broughton, Manchester, Clerk, do hereby declare the
nature of our said invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to and consists of a novel construction and arrangement
of devices for supporting the shades of electric incandescent lamps. Heretofore
such shades have generally been supported by a ring screwing on to the lamp
holder inside or beneath the shade, but with shades of small dimensions or peculiar
ornamental outline, it has been a tedious and difficult operation to fit or remove
the shades. Moreover, in requiring to effect the fixing, or unfixing, of the
shades by the slow screwing on, or off, of a ring, the time occupied in a large
establishment, or where shades require to be frequently cleaned, is very
considerable.
The object of our invention is to enable the shade to be connected and dis-
connected from the holder instantly and by a simple device, or set of devices
operated (by preference) at a point above the shade.
According to our invention we employ a device which comprises parts which
are so formed and mounted as to be capable of lying within or projecting through
the neck of the shade and of separating from and approaching each other, and
thereby attaching or detaching the shade to, or from the lamp holder.
Such parts are, by preference, in the form of two or more segmental grips or
clutches lying in close proximity to the holder, and operated by any suitable
device or devices for pressing them inwards and causing them to press outwards.
According to one arrangement they may be operated by small spring-pressed
plungers, carried by a ring, which screws on to the holder, or by the holder
itself. By another arrangement the grips may be mounted on a vertical pivot
and be operated by compressing or separating their free ends by means of a
screw or spring.
Each grip has, by preference a small ledge or projection adapted to lie below
the shade when supported from the holder.

page_text: -
We, ALBERT EDWARD KEARSLEY, of 287, Great Cheetham Street, Higher
Broughton, Manchester, Commercial Traveller, and HENRY CROWTHER BOWMAN,
of 16, Peru Street, Higher Broughton, Manchester, Clerk, 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 invention relates to and consists of a novel construction and arrangement
of devices for supporting the shades of electric incandescent lamps. Heretofore
such shades have generally been supported by a ring screwing on to the lamp
holder inside or beneath the shade, but with shades of small dimensions or peculiar
ornamental outline, it has been a tedious and difficult operation to fit or remove
the shades. Moreover, in requiring to effect the fixing, or unfixing, of the
shades by the slow screwing on, or off, of a ring, the time occupied in a large
establishment, or where shades require to be frequently cleaned, is very
considerable.
The object of our invention is to enable a shade to be connected and dis-
connected from its holder instantly and by a simple device, or set of devices
operated at a point above the shade.
According to our invention we employ a device which comprises parts which
are so formed and mounted in relation to the holder-as to be capable of lying
within or projecting through the neck of the shade and of separating from and
approaching each other and thereby attaching the shade to, or detaching it from
the lamp holder.
Such parts are, by preference, in the form of two segmental grips or clutches
lying in close proximity to the holder, and of a suitable device or set of devices
for pressing them inwards and causing them to press outwards.
According to one arrangement the grips may be operated by small spring-
pressed plungers, carried by a ring which screws on to the holder, or by the
holder itself. By another arrangement the grips may be mounted on a vertical
pivot and be operated by compressing or separating their free ends by means
of a screw or spring.
To make our invention clear we have hereto annexed a sheet of drawings in
which:
Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate our invention as applied to an existing lamp holder,
or as an attachment, and shewing the manner of attaching and detaching the
shade.
Fig. 3 illustrates one form of our invention as applied to a new lamp holder,
or as an integral part of the holder. Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate modifications, and
Figs. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate inverted plan, perspective and side views respectively
of certain important parts of our invention separate from the holder.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, which illustrate our invention as adapted more
particularly for attachment to existing lamp holders, we employ two segmental
grips (A) which are of the same curve as the socket (1) of the holder (C), and
when lying against the said socket extend almost completely around the socket.
Each grip is, by preference, of a channel section with the vertical side of the
channel cut away as shewn, and with the space between the two flanges of a
size which will allow the edge of the shade (D) to lie snugly therein without
being a slack fit. The upper flange of each grip is slightly wider than the
lower flange, and connected to the upper flange at a point midway between the
two ends of the grip is a thimble-like plunger (E). The form and arrangement

page_text: of the grips and flanges are best seen in Fig. 7. Upon the usual screw thread
of the holder (C) we screw a ring (F) and upon the opposite sides of such ring (F)
we provide fixed studs (G). Over these studs we fit the plungers (E), but
previously to being placed thereon a small spring (H) is placed in each plunger,
and such spring, with the plunger on the stud, lies between the closed end of
the plunger and the end of the stud as illustrated.
In each plunger is a small slot (I), and upon each stud (G) is a small pin (J)
which projects into the slot (I) and serves to keep the plunger on the stud.
With the holder (C) of the same form and proportions as now made we prefer
to first screw the ordinary shade carrier ring (K) on to the holder, and cause it
to abut against the body of the holder, and then screw on the ring (F), our
object being to bring the grips (A) directly opposite the plain part of the
socket (B), but we may make the ring (F) of extra depth to suit.
To attach a shade with the grips so mounted the modus operandi consists
in first pressing the two plungers (E), as illustrated, until the grips come in
contact with the socket (B) or sufficiently near to each other to allow the neck
of the shade to slip over the lower flange of each grip, and take into the space
between the flanges, and then, by relaxing the pressure on the plungers allow
the grips, under the expanding influence of the springs (H) to move outwards,
or away from each other, and by abutment grip or hold the shade and attach it
securely in position, as shewn in Fig. 2.
To detach the shade the plungers are compressed until the grips allow the
shade to pass the lower flange, as illustrated in Fig. 1.
new
In both attaching and detaching the shade the operation is practically instan-
taneous, and obviously avoids the drawbacks of the present arrangement.
Referring to Fig. 3, which illustrates our invention as applied to a
holder, we apply the studs (G) direct to the holder (C) and leave the socket quite
plain. The studs (G), in lieu of being on the socket portion, may be on the
body of the holder.
Referring to Fig. 5, which shews a modification of our invention as applied to
an existing holder, the plungers (E) are solid and slide within hollow studs (G),
and the grips (A) are connected thereto by narrow strips (A*) which take through
a slit (I) in the hollow studs, as illustrated.
The manipulation of the parts is precisely similar to that of the arrangement
shewn in Figs. 1 and 2.
In Fig. 4 we shew a further modification in which the grips are carried at
one end by a small vertical pin (L) fixed to the underside of the ring (F), or an
equivalent part of the holder, and upon which the grips are adapted to turn
horizontally and grip or support the shade under the separation of their free
ends by a spring (M), or release the shade when such ends are pressed together.
The lower flanges of the grips in this modification are, or may be slightly narrower
at the hinge end.
Whilst preferring the channelled section of grips we may employ other cross-
sections which will give the needed support.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is: -
(1) An incandescent lamp shade carrier consisting of segmental grips, spring-
pressed plungers connected with the said grips, studs on, or about, the lamp
holder for carrying and guiding the plungers, and means for limiting the move-
ments of the plungers, substantially as herein described and illustrated on the
accompanying drawing.
(2). In incandescent lamp shade carrier devices, segmental grips of the kind
described, in combination with hollow thimble-like plungers, substantially as
and for the purposes herein set forth and illustrated on the accompanying
drawing.

page_text: (3). In incandescent lamp shade carrier devices, segmental grips of the kind
described, in combination with solid plungers connected thereto by a narrow
strip, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth and illustrated on
accompanying drawing.
(4). In incandescent lamp shade carrier devices, a ring capable of being fitted
on to the lamp holder and having studs on its opposite sides (solid or hollow and
slotted), substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
(5). An incandescent lamp holder with studs (solid or hollow and slotted) on
its opposite sides, as and for the purposes herein set forth.
(6). In incandescent lamp shade carrier devices, segmental grips of the kind
described carried by a vertical pivot on and about the lamp holder, and a spring
(or screw) between the free ends of the grips, substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth and illustrated as the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 19th day of January 1900.
ALBERT EDWARD KEARSLEY,
HENRY CROWTHER BOWMAN.
By John G. Wilson & Co., Fels.I.P.A.,
Manchester.