Improvements in Candle Holders.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Aug., 1897
Cumplete Specification Loft 3rd May 1898 Accented 11th June 1898
PROVISIONAL DITUIFICATION.
Improvements in Candle Holders.
I, JOHN WILLIAM SANKEY, of the Firm of Joseph Sankey and Sons, of Albert
Street Works, Bilston, in the County of Stafford, Sheet Metal Workers and
Stampers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
A candle holder constructed according to this invention has two or more sliding
jaws, each formed at its inner end of suitable shape to bear against a candle.
The jaws are mounted opposite to one another upon, or at equal intervals around,
a fixed annular plate by which they are guided in a manner which admits of
their being slid to-and-fro in a radial direction so that their inner ends may be
brought up against the candle to hold it, or be moved outwards therefrom to
release it. The jaws are moved inwards and outwards by means of a second
annular plate which is capable of being partially rotated and has curved slots
formed therethrough which are eccentric to the plate, or has inclined slots formed
therethrough, into which project studs which are carried by the jaws. As the
slotted or turning plate is partially rotated in one direction, the slots through it
move outwards the studs which project thereinto and consequently move out-
wards the jaws; and as such plate is turned in the opposite direction, the reverse
action of the jaws takes place and their inner ends are brought up against the
candle, when such is placed in position within the holder. The slotted plate
is moved automatically by means of a spring in the direction which causes it to
move the jaws inwards, and the spring causes the jaws to bear with sufficient
pressure against the candle. The slotted plate is, of course, turned back, to move
the jaws outwards, against the elasticity of the spring; and this is effected, con-
veniently, by a short thumb or finger piece which projects from one edge of the
slotted plate, and to facilitate the operation a similar projection is formed from
a fixed portion of the holder, so that by means of the finger and thumb applied
to the two projections, respectively, the one may readily be drawn towards the
other and the plate thus turned as required.
The fixed annular plate may be formed at its underside with a socket to fit
within the top of a candlestick or like support, or may itself form the top of a
candlestick or like support; and this plate is also formed with an upward flange
or rim.
A rimmed cap or cover plate, having a hole therethrough for the candle,
is passed down with its rim around the rim of the fixed annular plate and is
fixed in such position, and the jaws and slotted plate are consequently, inclosed
(except for the opening through the nozzle) between the fixed annular plate and
the cap, and the slotted plate is maintained concentric with the holder by the
surrounding rim of the fixed plate. The projection from the edge of the slotted'
plate passes through an opening which is cut out from the rims of the fixed plate
and cap for the required distance around the circumference thereof to allow of
the movement of such projection. The fixed annular plate may be formed with
shallow depressions which receive, and act as guides for, the jaws, or the jaws

page_text: may be carried by the plate and guided in any convenient manner.
The jawa
are conveniently formed of sheet metal with their inner ends flanged downwards
to give the desired bearing surface against a candle, and the bearing surfaces
are, preferably, roughened to increase their hold against a candle. The spring
by which the slotted plate is moved in a direction which causes the moving in
of the jaws may be, conveniently, of a spiral form and be fixed at the one end to
the rim of the fixed plate and at the other to a stud carried by the slotted plate.
Dated this 3rd day of August 1897.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Candle Holders.
I, JOHN WILLIAM SANKEY, of the Firm of Joseph Sankey and Sons, of Albert
Street Works, Bilston, in the County of Stafford, Sheet Metal Workers and
Stampers, 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:-
A candle holder, constructed according to this invention, has two or more
sliding jaws, each formed at its inner end of suitable shape to bear against a
candle. The jaws are mounted opposite to one another upon, or at equal intervals
around, a fixed annular plate by which they are guided in a manner which admits
of their being slid to-and-fro in a radial direction, so that their inner ends may be
brought up against the candle to hold it, or be moved outwards therefrom to
release it. The jaws are moved inwards and outwards by means of a second
annular plate, which is capable of being partially rotated, and has curved slots
formed therethrough which are excentric to the plate, or has inclined slots
formed therethrough, into which project studs which are carried by the jaws.
As the slotted or turning plate is partially rotated in one direction, the slots
through it move outwards the studs which project thereinto and, con-
sequently, move outwards the jaws; and as such plate is turned in the opposite
direction, the reverse action of the jaws takes place and their inner ends are
brought up against the candle, when such is placed in position within the
holder. The slotted plate is moved automatically, by means of a spring, in
the direction which causes it to move the jaws inwards, and the spring causes the
jaws to bear with sufficient pressure against the candle. The slotted plate is, of
course, turned back, to move the jaws outwards, against the elasticity of the
spring; and this is effected, conveniently, by a short thumb or finger piece which
projects from one edge of the slotted plate, and to facilitate the operation a
similar projection is formed from a fixed portion of the holder, so that by means
of the finger and thumb applied to the two projections, respectively, the one may
readily be drawn towards the other and the plate thus turned as required.
The fixed annular plate may be formed at its underside with a socket to fit
within the top of a candlestick or like support, or may itself form the top of a
candlestick or like support; and this plate is, also, formed with an upward
flange or rim. A rimmed cap or cover plate, having a hole therethrough for the
candle, is passed down with its rim around the rim of the fixed annular plate
and is fixed in such position; and the jaws and slotted plate are consequently,
enclosed (except for the opening through the nozzle) between the fixed annular
plate and the cap, and the slotted plate is maintained concentric with the holder
by the surrounding rim of the fixed plate. The projection from the edge of the
slotted plate passes through an opening which is cut out from the rims of the
:

page_text: fixed plate and cap, for the required distance around the circumference thereof,
to allow of the movement of such projection.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood, I will proceed to
describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate
it, by way of example, as applied to a loose nozzle or holder which in use is
carried in a suitable stem or support.
Figure 1 is a plan with the cap-plate, turning-plate, and spring removed, and
shews the jaws in their closed and open positions, by full, and broken lines,
respectively. Figure 2 is a corresponding view to Figure 1, but shews also the
turning plate and spring, and the broken lines indicating the open position of
the jaws are omitted. Figure 3 is a corresponding view to Figure 2, but shews
the turning plate to have been moved to bring the jaws nearly into their extreme
open position. Figure 4 is a plan view of the complete nozzle, shewing the jaws
in their closed position. Figure 5 is a section through the complete nozzle,
taken in the plane indicated by line, Figure 2. Figure 6 is a section through
the nozzle taken in the plane indicated by line y y, Figure 3; and Figure 7 is a
side elevation of the nozzle, as seen looking in the direction of the arrow,
Figure 4.
secure
An annular plate A is formed with parallel-sided radial sinkings ог
depressions a a, and with a socket 6 for insertion into a candlestick or other
candle-holder. Jaws c c are placed within the sinkings a and are capable of end-
way movement therein, but are prevented by the sides of the sinkings from
moving sideways. Studs or projections f f are formed with or fixed to the
jaws and stand upwards therefrom, and the inner ends of the jaws are turned
down and form portions d d which are within the socket b. The opposing faces
of the portions d are corrugated or otherwise roughened to ensure a
hold or grip of the candle. When corrugations are used they are, preferably,
formed inclined to present increased resistance to the tendency of the candle to
slip. A turning plate B, having excentric or inclined slots g g formed therein,
is placed over the plate A and jaws c, with the studs f engaging with the slots g.
As this plate, therefore, is turned in one direction the engagement of the studs
with the slots causes the jaws to move inwards, and as the plate is turned in the
reverse direction the jaws are moved outwards. This plate B is kept in place,
central with the nozzle, by a rim or flange h of the plate A, and the cap C. The
cap is secured to the plate A by means of a flange or rim i of the cap which is
turned or spun under the plate A. A spiral spring m is connected at one end
with the rim of the nozzle and at the other with the turning plate B, and the
spring constantly tends to move the plate in the direction in which it is moved
to close the jaws, and tends, consequently, when the jaws are against a candle, to
maintain the grip of the jaws thereagainst. The spring m may be fixed to the
rim of the nozzle and to the plate B, respectively, in any convenient manner.
In the drawings, the spring is shewn as fixed at one end to a loop which is
pressed inwards from the rim of the plate A, and at its other end to a hook o
formed with the plate B and bent up into the position shewn. In turning the
plate in the direction to open the jaws, the force required is exerted against the
pull of the spring. The turning of the plate to open the jaws may be effected,
if desired, by making the cap C of the nozzle a turning fit around the plate A
and connecting the turning plate B with the cap C, but according to a method
which prefer for this purpose a thumb or finger piece k, formed with or fixed
to the turning plate B, projects through a slot n cut through the rim of the
nozzle, and a corresponding thumb or finger piece forms a rigid projection from
the rim of the nozzle, and the turning of the plate is readily effected by pressing
the thumb or finger piece k towards the thumb or finger piece 1.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is: :-
1 A candle holder having jaws which are automatically pressed by an elastic

page_text: force towards one another for the purpose of gripping a candle, and a turning
plate by means of which the jaws may be moved apart, substantially as described.
2. A candle holder having jaws for gripping a candle, a turning plate by means
of which such jaws are operated, and a spring by means of which such plate
is turned in the direction to close the jaws against a candle, substantially as
described.
3. A candle holder having jaws for the purpose of gripping a candle, a turning
plate by means of which the jaws are operated, and a projection from such
turning plate which passes through a slotted opening formed through the side
of the nozzle, substantially as described.
4. A candle holder having jaws for the purpose of gripping a candle, a turning
plate by which the jaws are operated, a projection from such turning plato
which passes through a slotted opening formed through the side of the nozzle,
and a fixed projection or abutment from the nozzle which forms an abutment
for the thumb or finger while the finger or thumb is pressed against the back
of the projection of the turning plate, substantially, as described.
5. A candle holder having jaws for the purpose of gripping a candle, a turning
plate by means of which such jaws are operated, a spring by means of which the
plate is turned in a direction to close the jaws against a candle, a projection
from the turning plate which passes through a slotted opening formed through
the side of the nozzle and a fixed projection from the nozzle, substantially as
described.
6. A candle holder constructed substantially as described and shewn by the
drawings herewith, whether the same is formed as a separate nozzle or as a
portion of an entire candlestick, candle bracket or the like.
Dated this 2nd day of May 1900
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.