IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LAMPS OR LIGHTING APPARATUS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake of the firm of Haseltine Lake
& Co Patent Agents Southampton Buildings, London, for an invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LAMPS OR LIGHTING APPARATUS" A commu-
nication from abroad by John Bryant Wallace, of Ansonia, Connecticut,
United States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th August 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LAMPS OR LIGHTING
APPARATUS A communication from abroad by John Bryant Wallace, of Ansonia
Connecticut, United States of America
This invention relates to improvements in electric lamps or lighting apparatus
the chief objects being to construct a protector or shade for the light which shall
completely enclose the carbons and prevent circulation of air around the points of
the same; and to arrange the entire mechanism of the lamp in a common holder
below the shade, whereby the carbons and all the mechanism may be easily
removed without disturbing or removing the globe or protector. It also has for its
object the support and adjustment of the carbon or carbons. The said invention
comprises a protector composed of a lower section of spherical shape open at its
bottom and top, and an upper section closed at its upper end, and arranged to be
set upon, and close, the upper opening of the lower section, and so that the upper
or adjustable carbon may extend through the lower section, and up into the upper
section, and be readily removed therefrom without disturbing either section of the
protector; it also comprises various improvements in the details of construction as
hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the hanging lamp, partly in section

page_text: enlarged scale.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation taken at right angles to Figure 3
Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, are detached detail views
Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 represent a modification of the clutch and its actuating
mechanism.
I will describe the first part of the said invention as applied to a hanging lamp,
as shewn in Figures 1 and 2. A represents the globe, within which the carbons
are arranged to form the electric arc, by the mechanism hereinafter described, or
otherwise. This globe is surmounted by a second section or chimney B; both the
globe or body 4, and the section or chimney B are made preferably of glass, but
the upper section may be made of metal; the globe is arranged to fit upon the
holder a, and be there secured in the usual manner for securing globes to globe-
holders, or otherwise, the said globe is preferably of spherical shape as shown. The
second section B, is cylindrical, fitted at its base to be set into or upon the opening
in the top of the globe, as at b, Figure 2, and closed at the top. The globe holder
or lower part of the lamp is supported by two tubular rods C, C from above, con-
nected to a hanger D, by a cross-bar E, or otherwise. The line wires are con-
nected to the posts e, d at the top, from thence connection is made by wires
through the rods C to the respective carbons. At the centre the cap F, bears upon
the upper end of the chimney section B, so as to hold it in place, and in engage-
ment with the lower section or globe A, as seen in Figure 2. This cap is adjustable
vertically by being attached to a vertical central sliding rod f through the central
tubular hanger, and by means of a spring or set-screw g, so that when occasion
requires the glass sections A B may be removed by raising the cap F from the top
of the chimney section. By this construction of the globe or protector the circu-
lation of air is avoided, the mechanism for the support of the carbons is entirely
enclosed, and the lamp as a whole presents a neat and tasteful appearance. The
supporting rods C may be made highly ornamental, so that the lamp will be an
ornament to any apartment, when compared with the electric lamps in general
use. A reflector G, is provided at the top and in connection with the central
support.
This construction of protector is applicable to various kinds of mechanism for
holding and feeding the carbons, and is also peculiarly adapted to a bracket lap,
as seen in figure 3, the bracket arm H, extending from the base or rest for the
globe, or to a pedestal, the globe holder being constructed as a cap for the
pedestal.
Another part of the said invention, which relates to the support and automatic
adjustment of the upper carbon, is illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4
I is the rod which carries the upper carbon h; it extends through guides i, at
the base, up into the section B, and is there turned in inverted U-shaped, its end
carrying a clutch L, to grasp the upper end of the carbon h, as seen in Figure 2, so
that any vertical movement imparted to the rod I, correspondingly moves the
carbon h. The lower carbon m, is secured by a clutch n, in vertical axial line
with the upper or movable carbon .
The lower part of the rod I, passes down through a clutch o, hung to one arm L
of a bell-crank-lever; this clutch is shewn enlarged in Figure 4, and consists of
one fixed jaw r, and one adjustable jaw t the bite of the two jaws on the rod I
being, the one r, above, and the other t, below a line through the fulcrum s of the
clutch. Below the body of the clutch within which the adjustable jaw t is
arranged, is a bearing upon which the body part of the clutch will strike, this
bearing, as here represented, consists of an adjusting screw u, which may be raised
or lowered, so that the point where the body of the clutch will strike will be
higher or lower according to the position of the screw u; the other arm M, of the
bell-crank-lever is connected to the armature N of the magnet P, The armature N
is arranged in a position parallel to the axis of the magnet, and hinged by one end
to one pole R, as at W, the opposite end being constructed to come into contact

page_text: with the pole R¹ which is arranged at the opposite end of the magnet P. The
meeting surfaces between the armature N and the pole R¹, are at an angle of
about forty-five degrees to the axis of the magnet. The arm M, is hinged to the
armature near its contact end, as at x; the movement of the armature is oscillatory,
turning upon the pivot was its centre of motion, and as indicated in broken lines
Figure 3. When the circuit is closed and the armature is in contact with the
pole R' as seen in Figure 3, the arm L is raised, and the clutch with the rod
which it holds is also raised sufficiently far to take the movable carbon from the
stationary carbon, and form the electric arc, and in this position the parts remain
until the carbons have been consumed to such an extent that the arc is greater
than the circuit will support, then the circuit is broken in the usual manner of
breaking the circuit in carbon lights. So soon as the circuit is broken, the weight
of the rod I operating upon the armature through the clutch, and the bell-crank-
lever which carries it, turns the armature upon its pivot, away from its pole, the
clutch descending with the rod until the body comes in contact with the set
screw u, or whatever the stop may be, then the hinged end s, of the clutch con-
tinues its descent with the arm L, of the lever, until the armature is fully thrown
back, this last movement turns the jaws out of their grasp upon the rod, as seen in
broken lines Figure 4, and brings the jaws of the clutch to a point below where
the body of the clutch was stopped; in the meantime, the rod I, with the carbon
which it carries, having been freed by this turning of the clutch, is dropped until
the movable or upper carbon comes in contact with the lower carbon, and closes
the circuit which was before broken. Then the armature N, will be again drawn
to its pole R, and in such movement will correspondingly turn the lever L M.
The first part of the movement of the arm L, is to raise the clutch from the
position seen in broken lines Figure 4, to the clasping position seen in the same
Figure, then continuing its movement the lever raises the clutch with the rod I in
its grasp, and this last part of the movement of the lever L, raises the rod I, to
take the movable carbon away from the lower or stationary carbon to form the are
as before, and so continuing, the carbon will burn until the are becomes too large,
when the circuit will be broken, the parts separate, and permit the closing of the
circuit by the falling of the rod I, the arc is then formed by again lifting the rod,
as herein before described
In the clutch the jaw t is made adjustable by means of a set-screw T introduced
longitudinally through the body, and so as to bear against the jaw, as seen in
Figure 4; by turning the screw inward, the jaw t is moved toward the other jaw r,
and so as to contract the space or gripe of the two jaws; or by turning it in the
opposite direction it will correspondingly increase the distance between the
jaws; the nearer together the two jaws are brought, the quicker will be the
gripe upon the rod, and vice versa, so that the arc made by the closing of the
armature upon its pole may be adjusted, that is to say, made greater or less,
according to the time at which the clutch clasps the rod.
The time at which the clutch will release the rod so as to permit it to fall after
the arc is broken may also be adjusted by means of the set screw u or stop upon
which the clutch strikes in order to turn it from its grasp, that is to say, the
sooner the clutch strikes the stop, the sooner it will release its grasp upon the rod.
In the usual construction of the armature of a magnet with relation to its pole,
the movement of the armature is at substantially right angles to the face of the
pole, and the movement of the armature corresponds to the distance between the
face of the pole and the face of the armature when the circuit is broken. By
making the meeting faces of the pole and armature on an angle, as described, when
the circuit is broken, the movement of the armature is measured on a line at right
angles to the axis of the magnet, as from 2 to 3, Figure 5, but the break in the
circuit is measured at right angles to the respective faces, as from 4 to 5; this
distance from 4 to 5 indicates the movement of the armature in the usual con-
struction, but by making the surfaces inclined, the movement is increased by so
much as the distance 2, 3 is greater than the length of the break 4 5 if therefore

page_text: the break 4, 5 be the utmost limit, the movement of the armature is increased
beyond that extreme as described, and consequently in proportion to the angles of
the faces of the armature and pole, the movement of the clutch with the bell-crank-
lever is proportionately increased, or the power which operates the clutch is
proportionately increased.
The clutch in this construction simply acts to raise the bar and carbon to form
the arc, and hold them in their proper relative position until the circuit is too weak
to support the rod, then the rod is free to drop independent of the clutch.
With only one light upon a circuit, the single magnet P is all that is required,
but where two or more lights are on the same circuit, a shunt circuit is made by a
second magnet V, arranged in axial line with the magnet P, and an armature Z is
hinged to the pole 6, at one end, and arranged so as to vibrate to and from the
pole 7, at the opposite end; the two armatures N and Z, are joined by a non-metallic
connection 8, or otherwise, so as to operate in the usual manner in making a shunt
circuit. It will be observed that the armatures are hinged at opposite ends of
their respective magnets, the pivot of the two being in the same axial line, as seen
in Figure 3. By their connection 8, the movement of one is imparted to the other,
and so that the closing of the magnetic circuit in one breaks the magnetic circuit
in the other, the arrangement of the wires for so doing are well known.
Instead of making the connection 8, between the two armatures, as above
described, whereby the one moves the other, the shunt magnet V, may be used to
operate mechanism for short circuiting the magnet P, thus allowing the carbon to
feed down.
By the above described construction the mechanism is all contained in the lower
portion of the lamp, and is enclosed by a casing, as shewn in Figures 1 and 2.
The casing is made detachable from the globe holder a or that part to which the
arms C, are attached, in the manner usual for detaching the lamp of a common
lantern, that is to say by a bayonet joint; or by a screw joint, as shewn at 10
Figure 2, or so that one part may be removed from or engaged with the other, and
beld in position when so engaged. All the mechanism and the lower carbon-holder
are attached to the part 11 of the casing, and so as to be removed or replaced with
that part; the lower part 12 of the casing is made removable from the part 11 by
Bcrews, or otherwise, so as to expose the mechanism should occasion require.
By this construction whenever it is desired to replenish the carbon to adjust the
mechanism or to make any repairs, alterations, or examinations of the operative
parts of the lamp, it is only necessary to take hold of the lower part, turn it
partially around to its unlocked position, then remove it, substantially in the same
manner as a common lantern lamp is taken from the base of the lantern, and to
replace it in like manner, the removal of the globe or protector is unnecessary.
To break the circuit when the mechanism is to be removed, and to close it when
replaced, the wires through the respective rods C, terminate within the base of the
globe holder in the shape of springs 13 and 14 (see Figures 6 and 7). These are
preferably flat strips of brass, or equivalent metal. On the lower carbon-holder is
a similar flat spring, 15, which when the mechanism is secured in place, comes in
contact with the spring 13, so as to make connection of one line with the lower
carbon. 16, is a similar spring arranged in connection with the magnet, and so
that when in place it comes in contact with the spring 14, or the end of the other
wire, and connects through the magnet with the other carbon to make the circuit
in the usual manner. When the part 11 which carries the mechanism is turned,
as for the purpose of removal, it takes the springs 15 and 16 respectively from the
two springs 13 and 14, as seen in broken lines Figure 7 and consequently breaks
the circuit, which cannot be again closed until they are returned into the locking
position, hence before the mechanism of the lamp can be removed for any purpose
the circuit must be broken. Other devices than the springs mentioned may be
employed to open and close the circuit on the removal and replacing of the
mechanism.
In some cases it is desirable to adjust the lower carbon, leaving the upper one

page_text: stationary, in that case substantially the same mechanism is employed, and
arranged in the lower part of the lamp in substantially the same manner, it only
being necessary to reverse the action of the clutch, and provide a counter-balancing
mechanism for the lower carbon-holder to correspond to the action of gravity in
the case of the upper carbon being adjustable.
In other cases it is desirable that both the upper and lower carbons should be
adjustable, in such case the two holders will be connected together by gearing, or
otherwise in the usual manner for such connections, the clutch operating in the
manner herein before described to adjust the one carbon holder, which communicates
its adjustment to the other
Instead of the clutch, as herein before described, the clutch of a construction
substantially such as shown in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 may be employed, and as I
show this modification of the clutch in connection with an armature in reverse
position from that herein before described, I will make special reference to the said
Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11, and describe the construction in detail.
A, represents the armature, hinged to the one pole B, as at a and arranged to
vibrate upon its hinge toward and from the opposite pole C, according as the
circuit is closed, or broken, D, E are the two arms of a bell-crank-lever, hung as
at d the one arm D extending down into connection with the armature A so that
the movement of the armature imparts a corresponding movement to the arm D,
and through that arm to the other arm E, of the same lever. F is the vertical rod
which carries the movable or adjustable carbon. Preferably the arm E is forked
as seen in Figure 9, so as to pass the one part on each side of the rod F.
H, is the clamp-block, which has an opening through its centre, so that the
rod F, will play freely up and down therethrough, bearing upon opposite sides of
the rod. Upon the other two sides of the rod recesses e are made to receive the
clamps f; these clamps are arranged upon an axis h at right angles to the axis of
the rod, each having its own independent shaft, or pivot, and to each of these
pivots a lever i is attached, and connected by a link to the rod E, as seen in
Figure 8, so that a portion of the vibration of the rod E, will be imparted to the
clamps ff. The backs of the two clamps ff are made cam-shaped, and the
adjacent surfaces of the block are made of corresponding shape, as seen in Figure 9
so that a rotation of the clamps in one direction forces them inward against the
rod, as seen in Figure 10; but turned in the opposite direction permits them to fall
back and release the rod as seen in Figure 9. When the circuit is closed and the
armature is upon its pole, as indicated in broken lines Figure 8 the arm E, is
raised, and the block stands in the position also seen in broken lines Figure 8
holding the rod, with the carbon it carries, in the proper relative position to the
other carbon. When the circuit is broken, the armature escapes from its pole, and
correspondingly turns the arın E downward, permitting the block H with the rod
to full until the block H is arrested by a stop I, this arresting of the block occurs
before the armature is fully opened, and when so arrested, say at the position L
Figure 8, the further movement of the armature causes the continued movement of
the arm E, which turns the lever i, downward upon the pivot of the clamps as a
centre of motion, to the position seen in broken lines Figure 8, correspondingly
turning those clamps as seen in Figure 9, so as to release the rod F and permit
it to fall.
When the circuit is closed, and during the movement of the armature in so
closing, the first part of the movement raises the lever H, as from the position
P to L which closes the clamps upon the rod, as seen in Figure 10 then the block
with the clamps will be lifted, together with the rod, to the position indicated in
broken lines Figure S, there to remain until the circuit is broken as before.
The inclined or cam shape of the back of the clamps causes them to act quickly
in closing, and be easily and positively released, so that there is no danger of the
rod sticking in the clamp
To prevent the possibility of the block E, turning so as to cramp the rod and
prevent its free action, the stop I, is made of inverted V-shape, upon its upper

page_text: surface, the apex of the V being in the central line of the rod, and the under side
of the block H is correspondingly V-shaped, so that when it drops it will come
upon the V-shaped part of the stop I thereby ensuring the proper relative position
of the block and clamp to the rod, which position will not be changed by the
movement of the clamps after the block has been seated.
The time for the arrest of the block H, may be adjusted by a set-screw R,
beneath the stop I, or otherwise, it being desirable that there shall be some
adjustment for this purpose.
While I have illustrated this clutch as operated by an armature of peculiar
construction with relation to its magnet, it will be understood that it may be
employed with magnets or mechanism of other construction, the essential feature
of this part of the said invention being the rotating cam-shaped clamps arranged
in the block through which the rod which carries the carbon passes.
While I have described two clamps f f upon opposite sides of the rod, and so 819
to grasp the rod between them, it will be understood that one clamp only may be
employed, the opposite side of the rod bearing against a stationary cheek in the
block.
Instead of constructing the clamps with the cam-shaped backs, they may be
screw-threaded through the bearing in the block in which they rotate, as seen in
Figure 11, so that turning in one direction they may be forced inward, and in the
opposite direction outward, receiving substantially the same movement as from the
cam-shape, I do not wish therefore to be understood as limiting the said invention
to the particular method described for imparting the axial movement to the clamps,
the essential feature being that one or both of the clamps shall be moved toward
and from the rod by a rotative movement imparted from the armature, and while
the block which carries them is substantially at rest
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim-
First. The herein described protector for electric lamps, consisting of the lower
or globe section A, and the upper section B constructed to close the upper opening
in the lower section, substantially as described.
Second. In an electric lamp, the lower carbon-holder, and the rod carrying the
upper or adjustable carbon-holder, all arranged and supported from below the globe
or protector, substantially as described.
Third. In an electric lamp, the two carbon-holders, one or both made adjustable,
with the mechanism for operating the said holder or holders, all arranged in a
portion of the lamp below the globe-holder, which portion, with the said holders
and mechanism, is made detachable from the globe - holder, substantially as
described
Fourth. In an electric lamp, the two carbon holders, one or both adjustable, and
the mechanism for adjusting the said holder or holders, all arranged in a portion
of the lamp below the globe-holder, which portion with the said carbon-holders
and mechanism is made detachable from the globe-holder, combined with mechanism
substantially as described, whereby the circuit is broken in the act of disengaging
the said mechanism from the globe-holder, and the circuit is closed in replacing the
said mechanism, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. In an electric lamp, the two carbon-holders, one or both adjustable, and
the mechanism for adjusting the said holder or holders, all arranged in a portion
of the lamp below the globe-holder, which portion, with the said carbon-holders
and mechanism, is made detachable from the globe-holder, combined with a shunt
circuit in connection with the mechanism for adjusting the carbon, and also
arranged in the portion of the lamp below the globe-holder, substantially as
described.
Sixth. In an electric lamp, the combination of the stationary or lower carbon-
holder n, the rod I carrying the upper carbon-holder at its upper end and extending

page_text: downward through the base of the lamp, and mechanism substantially as described,
in the base of the lamp below the lower carbon-holder for disengaging the said rod
when the circuit is broken, and to raise and hold the said rod when the circuit is
closed, substantially as set forth
Seventh. In an electric lamp, the clutch consisting of the two jaws r, t in
connection with the armature through a bell-crank-lever L, M, substantially as
described
Eighth. In an electric lamp, the clutch consisting of the two jaws r, t in
connection with the armature through a bell-crank-lever L, M, the jaw t of the
clutch being made adjustable relatively to the jaw r, substantially as described.
Ninth. The armature N, arranged substantially parallel with the axis of the
magnet P, hinged to the pole R at one end, and having its meeting surface with
the pole R¹ at the other end on an angle to the axis of the magnet, substantially
as described.
Tenth. The combination of the armature N, arranged substantially parallel with
the axis of the magnet P, hinged to one pole R at one end, and having its meeting
surface with the pole R¹ at the other end on an angle to the axis of the magnet,
and the bell-crank-lever L, M carrying the clutch o, with the rod I carrying the
adjustable carbon of an electric lamp, substantially as described.
Eleventh. A clutch for electric lamps, consisting of a block arranged for the free
longitudinal passage of the carbon-carrying-rod through it, with clamps arranged
to grasp the said rod from opposite sides, one or both of the said clamps arranged to
rotate upon its axis, and also for axial movement toward and from the said rod,
with mechanism substantially as described in connection with the armature to
impart rotation to the said clamp or clamps, whereby a combined rotative and
axial movement will be imparted to one or both of the said clamps to grasp or
release the rod, all substantially as set forth.
Twelfth A clutch for electric lamps, consisting of a block arranged for the free
longitudinal passage of the carbon-carrying-rod through it, with clamps arranged
to grasp the said rod from opposite sides, one or both of the said clamps arranged to
rotate upon its axis, and also for axial movement toward and from the said rod,
with mechanism substantially as described in connection with the armature to
impart rotation to the said clamp or clamps, whereby a combined rotative and
axial movement will be imparted to one or both of the said clamps to grasp or
release the rod, the under side of the said block being V-shaped, and a stop
correspondingly V-shaped to arrest the said block in its descent, all substantially
as set forth.
Thirteenth. The herein described clutch for electric lamps, consisting of the
block H, arranged for the free longitudinal passage of the carbon-carrying-rod
through it, with a clamp or clamps f, arranged to rotate upon an axis at right
angles to the axis of the rod, the back of the clamps cam-shaped, and the adjacent
surfaces of the block correspondingly cam-shaped, so that the rotation of the clamp
or clamps will force it or them against the surface of, and so as to grasp the rod,
substantially as described.
Fourteenth. The herein described clutch for electric lamps, consisting of the
block H, arranged for the free longitudinal passage of the carbon-carrying-rod
through it, with a clamp or clamps f, arranged to rotate upon an axis at right
angles to the axis of the rod, the back of the clamps cam-shaped, and the adjacent
surfaces of the block correspondingly cam-shaped, so that the rotation of the clamp
or clamps will force it or them against the surface of, and so as to grasp, the rod,
the underside of the said block being V-shaped, and a stop correspondingly
V-shaped to arrest the said block in its descent, substantially as described.
Fifteenth. In an electric lamp, the two carbon-holders, one or both adjustable,
and the mechanism for adjusting the said holder or holders all arranged in a portion
of the lamp below the globe-holder, which portion with the said carbon-holders

page_text: and mechanism, is made detachable from the globe-holder, combined with a shunt
circuit arranged to operate mechanism to short-circuit the principal magnet P,
substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this ninth day of August in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.