Improvements in or connected with Sockets or Holders for Incandescent Electric Lamps.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 5th May, 1891-Accepted, 6th June, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by ALFRED SWAX, of Orange, State of New Jersey,
United States of America, Gentleman.]
Improvements in or connected with Sockets or Holders for
Incandescent Electric Lamps.
I ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to sockets or holders for incandescent electric lamps, and
more particularly to that class of sockets used with lamps known as individual
lamps, or such as are provided with circuit makers and breakers, whereby the
lamp may be lighted and extinguished.
The object of this invention is to improve the general construction of this
class of incandescent lamp socket, and to provide a simpler and cheaper socket
than those heretofore in use, and one which shall perinit of more convenient
attachment of the line wires, and more ready access to the same, and afford a
more convenient means of attachment of the lamp and shade.
One of the special objects of this invention is to provide an improved con-
struction of switch, by which the circuit is made and broken, which shall avoid
the danger of sparking, to which this class of electric lamps is liable.
The sockets herein described are the same in some respects as those of British
Letters Patent No. 5066 for the year 1889, and the invention in the present case
consists in part of improvements upon these sockets, which improvements, however,
are of general application in this class of construction.
The base, which carries the lamp, is attached adjustably to the socket in order
to maintain electric contact between the line wires and the lamp, and is readily
detachable from the socket, screw or elastic pressure being used for retaining the
base in place.
The socket may be described as a tubular metal bracket fitted with a non-
conducting core, through the centre of which passes a metallic tube in metallic
contact with one of the line wires, and with one of the wires of the lamp.
Standing up from the tubular bracket, or it may be from the insulated core,
are two standards, which are embraced at their upper ends by a nozzle, that
serves to connect them with the enclosing tube of the line wires.
This may
be a swivel connection, or not, as thought desirable. There are also attached to
the core two contact pieces, which are connected together by a curved switch.
These contact pieces are in metallic contact the one with a line wire, and the-
other directly or indirectly with an electric conductor of the lamp.
The switch consists of a spring rigidly connected with one contact piece, and
held in contact with the other by a simple pressure screw or its equivalent, the.
turning of which either breaks or makes the circuit.
The socket and its fittings are enclosed by a hinged or sliding cover that affords
ready access to the fittings.
In order to avoid sparking, there may be substituted for the simple screw
pressing upon the spring switch, and serving as a key to make and break contact,
the following device :-Working in a sleeve attached to the socket, is a key.
composed of two parts. This sleeve is provided, at one end, with cam surfaces,
and within the sleeve slides a stud forming the forward part of the key, and
provided with an insulating plug which engages with the spring switch.
The
stud is provided with a cross pin upon which the cam surfaces operate to carry

page_text: the stud forward against the resiliency of the spring, and force the latter into
contact with the contact piece, as the stud is rotated in either direction.
The cam faced end of the sleeve is formed with notches which engage the
cross pin when the stud is in its forward position, and the latter is thus held in
position to close the circuit.
The rear end of the stud is forked to receive a flat blade or finger projecting
from the rear portion of the key, and serving to rotate the stud as the key is
moved by its cross head in either direction. To prevent the longitudinal movement
of the finger, the rear part of the key is secured by a flange or lip entering an
annular groove in the sleeve.
By this construction, the stud engaging and moving the spring switch is carried
forward by the cam surfaces independently of the interlocking blade. Thus, upon
the rotation of the key in either direction, to throw the pin out of the notches,
the resiliency of the spring will fo ce the stud back to its inner position within the
sleeve. The prongs of the fork are convex on their inner face, and. the inter-
locking blade is flat. This allows for a certain amount of lost motion when the
stud is partially rotated by the cams before engaging the, blade. This con-
struction of key provides for an instantaneous break of the circuit (by turning
it), and being entirely independent of the further movement of the finger, the
danger of sparking is avoided.
As a modification of this device, the two parts of the key may be connected
together by a rod projecting rearwards from the front portion, and, passing through
the rear portion, and terminating in a rivet head. Again, the socket admits of
various modifications; thus, its insulating core may be moulded in plastic material,
the attached metallic parts being inserted in the mould. The external, portion
of the socket may also be made, if desired, of the same material, and the metallic
parts connected therewith coated with insulating enamel. For the convenience
of applying the lamp shade, the metallic socket may have a pendent extension slit
up longitudinally to form clip springs, which springs will receive, the base of the
lamp, and having a projection on their outer faces, will serve as an elastic holder
for the lamp shade.
Dated this 1at dari
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Sockets or. Holders for.
Incandescent Electric Lamps...
I ALFRED, VINCENT NEWTON of the Office for Patents, 6, Bream's, Buildings,
Chancery Lane in the County. of Middlesex, Patent Agent, 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 sockets or holders for incandescent electric lamps, and
more particularly to that class of sockets used with lamps known as individual
lamps," or such as are provided with circuit. makers, and breakers, whereby, the,
lamp may be lighted and extinguished,
The object of the invention is to improve the general construction of this class of
incandescent lamp sockets, and to provide a simpler and cheaper socket than those
heretofore in use, and one which shall permit of more convenient attachment, of the,
line wires, and more ready access to the same, and afford, a more convenient means,
of attachment of the lamp & shade.
With these objects in view, the invention consists in various constructions, and,
combinations of parts, all of which will be more particularly described in the
Specification, and pointed out in the claims.
B

page_text: A full description of the invention will now be given, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings forming a part of this Specification, in which-
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a complete socket with a lamp and shade
attached.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the socket, taken at right angles to Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a cross section, taken on the line 3, 3 of Figs. 1 and 2.
Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are detail sections of the switch.
Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are detail sections, showing modifications of the switch.
Figs. 10 and 11 are detail views of the means for attaching the holder to the
line wire carrier.
Figs. 12, 13 and 14 show modifications of the same.
Fig. 15 is a detail of the cap for enclosing the socket; and
Fig. 16 a plan view illustrating a socket provided with a central core in which
the contact and supporting plugs are moulded and embedded.
A is the lamp and B the socket, which is connected to the line wire carrier C by
the nozzle D. The lamp A consists of the usual glass flask 11, within which is
supported a carbon filament 12, attached to wires 13, 14, which extend respectively
to contact plugs 15, 16 embedded in an insulating block 17, in which the glass flask
is sealed, this insulating block forming the base of the lamp, and being surrounded
by a supporting, ring 18, preferably of metal, which is provided with studs or pro-
jections 19, by which the lamp is supported in the socket. These projections 19
are preferably formed in the metal of which the ring 18 is made, and may be of
any required number to hold the lamp in position.
The socket B consists of the base 20 and a central core 21 therein, of insulating
material, preferably plastic, forming a contracted neck, and having an opening
through its centre to receive a metallic tube 29.
The base 20, of plastic non-conducting material, is surrounded and enclosed in a
metallic ring 22, which is extended beyond the body of the socket, to form the
flange 23, by which the lamp is supported, or this flange may be attached to the
base in any other suitable manner. This flange 23 is constructed as shown, so as
to constitute a spring flange, being cut into blades of suitable width, and is pro-
vided with sockets 24 adapted to receive the projections 19 upon the base of the
lamp, these projections and sockets, together with the resiliency of the blades of
which the flange is composed, holding the lamp firmly in position. The flange 23
is also adapted to support a shade E each of the flange blades being provided near
its outer end with a shoulder 25, over which the shade E is sprung into place, the
shoulders being formed preferably by bending the blades outward, as shown. It is
evident that by this construction of a single spring flange supporting both the
lamp and shade, one upon the inside and the other upon the outside of the flange,
the lamp and shade are firmly locked in position against accidental displacement,
the lamp preventing the blades being sprung inward to release the shade, and the
shade locking the blades against movement outward to release the lamp. For the
purpose of holding the shade E rigidly in position, and preventing rattling of
the parts, a ring provided with spring fingers 26 is sprung into position upon the
flange 23 outside the shade E, the spring fingers pressing upon the shade and
holding it firmly.
To the core 21 are secured preferably by moulding and embedding, as hereinafter
described, standards 27, 28, upon opposite sides of the socket, forming an open,
extended neck, to which standards the ring 22 is attached, and by which is carried
the nozzle D for securing the socket to the line wire carrier C, the open neck thus
formed affording convenient access to the line wires for purposes of inspection and
repair. The contact tube 29 extends through the centre of the core, and upon the
side of the socket next the lamp is formed into or connected to a contact socket 30,
which receives the contact plug 15 carried by the lamp. A similar contact socket 30
on the opposite side of the body is connected to or formed into contact piece 31
secured to the side of the core.
The upper end of the opening in the central core 21 is countersunk, and the

page_text: upper end of the tube 29 is expanded into this countersunk portion, the tube being
thus prevented from movement by its engagement with the upper and lower portions
of the central core.
The line wires 32, 33 enter the socket from the line wire carrier C, between the
standards 27, 28, the line wire 32 passing direct to a central contact inside the
tube 29, the wire being pressed into contact with the side of the tube by means of
the contact screw 1, provided with an insulating plug 2, and metallic contact
piece 3. The line wire 33 passes to a contact on the outside of the core formed by
the supporting piece 34 secured to the core, and carrying the contact spring 35,
the wire 32 being pressed against the contact spring 35 by means of the screw 36.
For the purpose of holding the wire 32 in position, and preventing its moving
outward from beneath the screw 36, the end of the contact spring 35 is bent at 4, as
shown in Fig. 3, so that the wire is held firmly within the angle formed by the bent
portion of the spring. The spring 35 is operated so as to form contact with the
contact piece 31 at the opposite side of the core, thus closing the circuit between
the wires 33 and the contact plug 16 of the lamp, by means of the key F, the
contact being formed by a rubbing action of the spring 35 upon the face of the
contact piece 31.
The construction of the key F is as follows:-Secured to the side of the base 20
of the socket, preferably by a screw 37 passing through the standard 28 and the
metallic ring 22, as shown, is a post 38, carrying a sleeve 39, within which rotates
the key F, this key being composed of two parts. The sleeve 39 is provided on
opposite sides with cam surfaces 5, and within the sleeve 39 slides a stud 40,
forming one part of the key, and provided with an insulating plug 41, which
engages the spring or switch arm 35. The stud 40 is provided with a cross pin 6,
upon which the cam surfaces 5 operate to carry the stud forward against the
resiliency of the spring 35, and force the latter into contact with the contact
piece 31 as the stud is rotated in either direction. The sleeve 39 is also provided
with notches 7, which are engaged by the cross pin 6, when the stud 40 is in its
forward position, and the latter thus held in position to close the circuit.
The switch mechanism thus far described with a single part key, embodies this
feature of the present invention in its simplest form, but the invention also includes
further improvements, which will now be described.
The rear end of the stud 40 is forked inside the sleeve 39, forming forks 42, and
.he finger piece 51 having the shank 52, and forming the other part of the key, is
provided with a blade 43, extending between the forks, by which blade the stud 40
is rotated as the key is moved in either direction, the finger piece and blade being
held from longitudinal movement by means of the shoulder 44, over which the
sleeve 39 is flanged, as shown clearly in Fig. 4. It will be seen that by this
construction the stud 40, engaging and moving the spring, is carried forward by
the cam 6, independently of any forward movement of the finger piece and blade,
and that upon the rotation of the key in either direction, to throw the pin out of
the notches 7, the resiliency of the spring 35 will force the stud 40 back to its inner
position within the sleeve 39, independently of the finger piece, the forks 42 of the
stud and the blade 43 being so constructed that there is a certain amount of lost
motion between the two, enabling the stud to be partially rotated by the cams 5,
without engaging the blade. For the purpose of increasing this lost motion, it is
preferable to make the forks 42 convex, as shown in Fig. 5, so as to allow a greater
movement of the forks 42, before engaging the blade 43. The same result, however,
may evidently be obtained in other ways, as, for instance, by cutting away the
central parts of the forks and blade, as shown in Fig. 7. By this construction of
key, an instantaneous break of the circuit by the rotation of the key is secured, this
break being entirely independent of the further movement of the finger piece, thus
avoiding entirely the danger of sparking to which this form of lamp is especially
liable.
It will be understood that while the cross pin 6 has been shown as extending
through the stud so as to project and engage the cam surfaces 5 on both sides of

page_text: the stud, this is not absolutely necessary, but the cross pin may project only on one
side of the key. The construction shown, however, is preferable, as securing a
more uniform movement, and less strain upon the parts. While there is shown a
key that may be rotated through a full circle in either direction, it is evident that
the present improvements are equally applicable to a key that rotates in but one
direction, or in one or both directions through a partial circle, and such application
is within the invention. The special lost motion and independent longitudinal
movement features of the two-part key are applicable also to other classes of switch
construction than that shown.
A modification of this switch construction is shown in Figs. 8 and 9, in which the
finger piece is provided with a recess 45 within its outer face, adapted to receive
the pin 46, secured to and carrying the plug 40, the whole key being free to move
longitudinally within the sleeve 39. In this construction, the finger piece and
stud 40 move forward together, as the stud is rotated by means of the blade 43,
the pin 46 connecting the two parts of the key together. When, however, the
stud 40 is returned by the spring 35, the pin 46 slides outward into the recess 45,
and the stud is returned independently of the operator.
In this construction also,
as shown in Fig. 8, the forks of the stud are preferably made convex to increase
the amount of lost motion.
The line wire carrier C is shown in the ordinary form of a pipe, screw threaded
at its end, to which the socket is to be attached, and the standards 27, 28 carry at
their upper ends a cylindrical block 47, to which is swivelled the nozzle D, the
latter being screw threaded to engage the outside of the line wire carrier.
This feature of the present invention in its simplest form is shown in Fig. 14,
which will be hereinafter referred to, after first describing the more improved form
of Figs. 10, 13.
In the construction shown in Figs. 1, 10, and 11, the block 47 has one or more
shoulders 48, provided with openings, or forked, as shown, and the screw 8 passes
through the side of the nozzle D, and through the opening in one of the shoulders 48,
to engage the line wire carrier when forced inward. The shoulders are upon the
inner sides of the block next the carrier, so as to leave a space between their outer
surfaces, and the inside of the nozzle. The screw 8 will preferably be provided
with an enlarged inner head, as shown in Fig. 1, to prevent its being withdrawn
from the nozzle D. A number of shoulders, or a continuous flanged shoulder,
provided with a suitable number of openings, may be used, but two shoulders, one
on each side of the block, as shown, have been found convenient.
The operation of the construction is as follows:-
In attaching the socket to the line wire carrier, the screw 8 will be withdrawn
from between the forks of the shoulder 48, so that the swivelled nozzle D may be
screwed on the line wire carrier C, to the desired extent, without rotation of the
socket. The screw 8 is then driven inward through the shoulder 48, and against
the line wire carrier C, and thus locks the nozzle to the socket, and both to the line
wire carrier, so that the parts are held securely in position against any accidental
movement through contact with the lamp or otherwise. The especial advantage of
my construction consists in the screw 8 being withdrawn sufficiently to release the
nozzle from the socket, while still extending through and inside the nozzle, thus
avoiding the danger of removal of the screw from the nozzle. If the screw be
provided with the shoulder at its inner end, such removal is impossible; but it is
found in practice that this shoulder is not necessary with ordinary cases.
A modified construction is shown in Figs. 12 and 13, in which the shoulders 48
are below the block, and form part of the standards by which the socket is supported,
and two screws 9, 10 are used. The screw 10 passes through an opening in the block,
being driven by means of a screwdriver inserted through a corresponding opening in
the nozzle, and is adapted to be forced against the line wire carrier C, to lock the block
and line wire carrier together, while the screw 9 passes through the nozzle D and
into the block 47, thus locking the block and nozzle together. In using a nozzle of
this construction, both screws 9 and 10 will be withdrawn, so as to release the

page_text: nozzle from the block 47, and the latter from the line wire carrier. The nozzle D
having been screwed upon the line wire carrier; both screws 9 and 10 will be forced
inward, so as to lock the parts firmly together. It will be seen that the movement
of the screws is very slight, the release of but one part being effected by cach
screw.
.
In Fig. 14 is illustrated another modification of the swivelled nozzle D. In this
case the shoulders 48 of the preceding figures are omitted, and but one screw
employed, the plug 47 having no direct connection with the line wire carrier C, to
prevent its rotation after the nozzle D has been adjusted to position upon the line
wire carrier. The screw 9, however, of Figs. 12 and 13 is retained, and when the
nozzle D has been adjusted to proper position upon the line wire carrier (the screw 9
having been first withdrawn as before to permit of this adjustment), its further
rotation is prevented by the tightening of said screw, as in Figures 12 and 13.
This construction, as before remarked, 'embodies this feature of the present inven-
tion in its simplest form, and will be found advantageous in many instances.
A cap H (see Figure 15) surrounds the socket, extending froin the nozzle D to
the ring 22, thus enclosing and protecting the line wires and switch and contact
pieces of the socket. This cap H has previously been constructed to slide over the
nozzle D being put in place prior to the attachment of the nozzle to the line wire
carrier. In order, therefore, to permit of the cap H being withdrawn over the
nozzle and line wire carrier a sufficient distance to permit of inspecting and
repairing the line wires and contacts, the line wire carrier has necessarily been
extended a considerable distance from the wall or ceiling of the room from which
it projects. This is frequently inconvenient, especially in lamps supported in the
wall, and one object of the present invention is to provide a cap by the use of which
the line wires and contacts may be readily inspected, and the socket be placed close
to the support. For this purpose, the cap His formed in two parts, as shewn in
Fig. 15, these parts being hinged so as to open and close in a plane transverse to
the socket, and held normally closed by means of a spring 49 attached to studs 50
on the inside of the cap, the sections of the cap thus being held together while
permitting them to be readily opened for removal of the cap from the socket.
As before remarked, the core 21, as it is shewn, may be of any suitable non-
conducting material, and when the tube 29, contact pieces 31, 34, and standards 27, 28
are attached thereto, the ring 22 will be attached to one or both of the standards,
by rivets, as shown, or in any other suitable manner, the core 21 and standards 27, 28
forming the neck of the socket. The parts thus attached to the core form the
contact and supporting parts of the socket. The base 20 of the socket is then
formed by moulding about the core 21, and around and between the parts, a plastic
non-conducting material, as shewn in Figures 1 and 2. In its preferred form,
however, the core 21 will also be composed of a plastic non-conducting material, the
contact and supporting parts of the socket being moulded and embedded therein,
and the base 20 moulded about the core as before. In Figure 16 is illustrated 'a
construction of core composed of plastic non-conducting material, in which the
parts are moulded and embedded.
This feature of the invention may be applied to sockets using different forms of
supporting and contact pieces, the essential feature being providing a supporting
core of insulating material for the parts which need to be held in place during the
process of moulding, and moulding the insulating material around and between the
parts to form the base of the socket. It is obvious that all the parts to be' moulded
and embedded in the insulating material need not be attached to the core, but.only
those which are more difficult to hold in place, as, for instance, the 'contact pieces
and central tube 29.
It is to be understood that the claims of this application include not only the core
when made of plastic material in which the parts are embedded, the core in turn
being embedded in the base, but also when made of non-plastic material; also
embedded in the plastic material of the base.
+
It will also be understood that while-specific constructions are shewn embodying

page_text: the different features of this. invention, variations may be made in detail, by one
skilled in the art, without departing, from the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the. said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me from abroad, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In an incandescent lamp socket, a neck forming a part of the socket, and
supporting the body from the line wire carrier, said neck-being open at the side to
permit of access to the line wires inside the neck..
2. An incandescent lamp socket having an, enlarged base and contracted neck, a
contact piece for one of the line wires on the outside of said neck, a switch, moving
about said neck within the circumference of the base, and an extended, open neck
through which the line wires pass, and by which the socket is supported from the
line wire carrier.
3. An incandescent lamp socket having an enlarged-base and contracted neck, a
centrai conducting piece forining a contact for the lamp, and connected with, one of
the line wires, a contact piece on the outside of the neck for- attachment of the.
other line wire, a switch, moving about the neck within the circumference of the
base, and an extended open neck through, which the line wires pass, and-by which
the socket is supported from the line wire.carrier...
4. In an incandescent lamp socket, a central tube forming a contact for the base
of the lamp and entered by, one, of the. line wires, and a binding screw passing
through the side of the socket into the tube, for, pressing said wire into.contact with
the tube.
5. In an incandescent lamp socket, a contact piece for a line wire- and a screw
provided with an insulating, plug and metal cap pressing said wire against the
contact piece.
6. In an incandescent lamp socket laying an enlarged base and contracted neck,.
the outer wall of the base being provided with a depressed. portion or recess, a
shoulder mounted in and constructed to fit said recess, and a switch key carried by
said shoulder.
7. An incandescent lamp socket consisting of a central core of non-conducting
material, to which are attached some or all of the contact and supporting parts, and
having its base formed of plastic non-conducting material, in which said core and
parts are moulded and embedded.
8. In an incandescent lamp.socket, a central contact piece connected to one line
wire and forming one contact for the lamp, an outside contact piece for the other
pole of the lamp, and a switch for making and breaking circuit between the outside
contact piece and the other line wire.
9. An electric lamp socket consisting of a base and contracted neck, a lamp
support on the base, and a switch moving about said neck, within the circumferential
area of the base.
10. In an electric lamp socket, the combination of a contact plate secured in the
neck of the socket, and a spring arm mounted on the neck of the socket, so
as to move in a plane transverse to the neck, and form rubbing contact with
said plate.
11. The combination with key F, provided with cross-pin 6, and fixed sleeve 39,
provided with cam surfaces 5, of spring switch arm 35, operated by the key
in its forward movement, and effecting the return of the key, substantially as
described.
12. In a switch, the combination with circuit closing devices and a spring for
breaking the circuit, of the rotating key formed in two parts, and cam surfaces
engaged by one part on the rotation of the key, and by which said part is advanced
longitudinally for closing the circuit, said part having a longitudinal movement
independent of the other part, when returned by the circuit-breaking spring, and
the key being constructed with lost motion between the two parts in their rotary
movement, substantially as described.

page_text: 13. The combination with a spring switch arm closing and breaking the circuit,
of a rotating key formed in two parts, and means whereby the rotation of the key
advances one part longitudinally for operating the spring switch arm to close the
circuit, said part having a longitudinal movement independently of the other
part, when returned by the spring switch arm, and the key being constructed
with lost motion between the two parts in their rotary movement, substantially as
described.
14. The combination of the sleeve 39, having cam surfaces 5, the stud 40, having
cross-pin 6, the spring switch arm 35, engaged by the stud in its forward movement,
and effecting the return of the stud, and finger piece 51 for rotating said stud, said
finger piece being held from longitudinal movement, and the stud and finger piece
being constructed with lost motion between them in their rotary movement,
substantially as described.
15. The combination with a lamp socket having a spring flange provided with
independent supports on its inner and outer faces, of a lamp and shade sprung into
position, and held by the supports, one on the inside, and the other on the outside
of the flange, substantially as described.
16. The combination with the line wire carrier C and socket B, of the block 47,
carried by the socket, and having an inner shoulder or shoulders 48, swivelled
nozzle D, and a screw locking the nozzle and shoulder together, substantially as
described.
17. A. socket or holder for an incandescent lamp, having secured directly thereto
a swiveled coupling piece for attaching the same to the line wire carrier,
substantially as described.
18. The combination with the socket or holder for an incandescent lamp, of a
coupling piece swiveled thereto for attaching the same to the line wire carrier,
and a set screw passing through the socket and coupling piece, and pressed against
the line wire carrier, whereby the parts are locked in position after attachment,
substantially as described.
Dated this 5th day of Mow 1001
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.