Improvements in Connections or Couplings for Electric Leads and for Incandescent and other Lamps.
Year: 1884

page_text: Improvements in Connections or Couplings for Electric Leads
and for Incandescent and other Lamps.
We WILLIAM BROOKS SAYERS of Belgrave Road, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Electrical Engineer and GEORGE HOOKHAM of New Bartholomew
Street, Birmingham aforesaid, Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature
of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTIONS OR COUPLINGS FOR ELECTRIC
LEADS AND FOR INCANDESCENT AND OTHER LAMPS " to be as follows:-
When incandescent electric lamps are used with flexible lead, it is sometimes
desirable to provide means whereby the flexible lead can be readily attached to and
detached from the source of supply. This we effect as follows:-
We take a small cylindrical block of wood or other insulator about one inch in
'diameter and about one and a half inches long. In one end of the cylinder we
sink a circular groove of rectangular section concentric with the circular end of the
cylinder. This groove is about three sixteenths of an inch wide and of about an
equal depth; its outer wall being about one sixteenth of an inch. from the periphery
of the cylinder consequently the central portion is left standing in the shape of
a cylindrical stud about half an inch in diameter, and three sixteenths of an inch
deep. In the side of this cylindrical stud and about half way down we turn
a small semi-circular groove about one sixteenth of an inch deep. We now drill
through the main cylinder two holes about one sixteenth of an inch in diameter
parallel with its axis, and in such a position that their outer edges touch the
periphery of the circular stud at points diametrically opposite. Through these
holes we carry two small wires preferably of hard-drawn phosphor-bronze. At the
far end of the cylinder these are bent outwards away from one another, are formed
into eyes, and are firmly held against the flat end of the cylinder by two screws
passing through them into the material of the cylinder in directions parallel to its
axis. The other ends of the wires are also bent outwards, and away from one
another, at right angles, and at such a point that when the eyes above mentioned
are held in position by their screws these second bends are level with the small
semicircular groove in the cylindrical stud already described. The ends of the
.

page_text: wires are cut off so as to allow these bent portions to be about half an inch long.
These portions are again bent left and right so as to lie spirally across the
rectangular groove in the face of the cylinder and in a plane at right angles to its
axis. The extreme ends are turned back so as to form hooks or stops. (In practice
these latter operations would be performed first; the rest of the wires would be left
straight, and be formed into eyes and bent after being passed through the drilled
holes.)
We now take another cylindrical piece of wood of the same diameter but only
about half an inch in depth. Through this on opposite sides of the centre we drill
two holes about three thirty seconds of an inch in diameter parallel to the nxis.
If the dimensions given in the last paragraph be taken as exact, then the centres
of these holes will be eleven sixteenths of an inch apart. In these holes we fix
straight pieces of brass or other metal fitting the holes, and projecting beyond the
faces of the cylinder at both ends. On the one side they are screwed and fitted
with nuts, which screw up against this face of the cylinder, and hold them in
their places, and which also serve to connect them with the terminals of a flexible
lead. Their other ends project from the other face of the cylinder, forming
cylindrical studs of metal about three sixteenths of an inch high and an eighth of
an inch in diameter. There is therefore a shoulder on these metal pins which
presses against this face of the cylinder. They have semicircular grooves about
one sixteenth of an inch in diameter turned round them at their central parts.
It will be seen that when this end of the second cylinder with its studs is applied
to the grooved end of the cylinder formerly described, the studs will enter the
middle of the rectangular groove; and that by turning to right or left, as the case
may be, the grooves in the studs will engage with the spirals of phosphor-bronze
wire before described, and will be stopped by the hooks at the ends of these
spirals. The straight parts of the phosphor-bronze wires form springs by torsion,.
and thus maintain close contact with the metal studs.
We cut a screw-thread on the side of the smaller cylinder and screw on to it
a hollow wooden cap with a hole in its apex through which the flexible lead
passes; the object of the cap being to protect the flexible lead.
Wooden blocks are fixed in a wall or other convenient situation, having deep
cylindrical holes bored into them, which fit the larger wooden cylinder, and into
which from behind the branch-leads from a dynams or other generator are brought.
These branch leads are affixed to the same screws which pass through the eyes of
wire before mentioned. The grooved end of the wooden cylinder is fitted with
a flanged ferule, the ferule and its flange projecting about an eighth of an inch
beyond this face of the cylinder; the flange is pierced with holes for wood-screws.
The terminals of the branch lead are secured to the screws passing through the
eyes of the wires as before described and the wooden cylinder together with the
slack of the branch leads is pushed into the deep hole in the wall-block, and the
flange of the ferule screwed on to the flat face of the block. The larger cylinder is
permanently fixed in this position; the smaller with its cap and the flexible lead
attached can readily be attached and detached at will. The ferule projecting
beyond the face of the larger cylinder forms a recess into which the shallower.
cylinder drops, and by which it is held concentrically.
For use either with the above arrangement or separately we supply a lamp-
holiler for incandescent lamps of that type in which the attachment is made by
means of small platinum loops or eyes. Instead of attaching these loops to spring
looks fixed to a wooden block in the usual way, we provide two flat metal pieces
standing at right angles to the face of the block. These pieces are about a quarter
of an inch wide by half an inch high by one eighth of an inch thick. Suppose the
face of the circular wooden block to be placed vertically, and the horizontal
diameter drawn upon it-Then the two metal pieces are fixed each with one side
lying upon the diameter, the thickness of the one piece being 'above the diameter,
and the thickness of the other below. They are placed about one eighth of an inch

page_text: apart, and at equal distances from the centre. A screw with a broad flat head is
screwed into each, into the one from above and into the other from below; but so
that in each case the underside of the screw head comes against that side of the
metal piece which lies upon the diameter. The platinum loops are firmly held by
being pinched between the underside of the screws and the faces of the metal
projections. The lamp is further supported by narrow strips of spring metal fixed
to the lamp-holder and pressing against the sides of the lamp, or by any of the
other methods in present use.
WILLIAM BROOKS SAYERS.
GEORGE HOOKHAM.
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham,
Agent to the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in Connections or Couplings for Electric Leads
and for Incandescent and other Lamps.
We, WILLIAM BROOKS SAYERS of Belgrave Road, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Electrical Engineer, and GEORGE HOOкHAM of New Bartholomew Street
Birmingham, aforesaid, Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of said
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTIONS OR COUPLINGS FOR ELECTRIC LEADS
AND FOR INCANDESCENT AND OTHER LAMPS" and in what manner the same is to.
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
When incandescent electric lamps are used with flexible lead, it is sometimes
desirable to provide means whereby the flexible lead can be readily attached to and
detached from the source of supply.. This we effect as follows:-
We take a small cylindrical block of wood or other insulator about one and
a half inches long. In one end of the cylinder we sink a circular groove of
rectangular section concentric with the circular end of the cylinder. This groove
is about three sixteenths of an inch wide and of about an equal depth; its outer
wall being about one sixteenth of an inch from the periphery of the cylinder.
Consequently the central portion is left standing in the shape of a cylindrical stud
about half an inch in diameter, and three sixteenths of an inch deep. In the side
of this cylindrical stud and about half way down we turn a small semicircular
groove about one sixteenth of an inch deep. We now drill through the main
cylinder two holes about one sixteenth of an inch in diameter parallel with its axis,
and in such a position that their outer edges touch the periphery of the circular
stud at points diametrically opposite. Through these holes we carry two small
wires preferably of hard-drawn phosphor-bronze. At the far end of the cylinder
these are bent outwards away from one another, are formed into eyes, and are
firmly held against the flat end of the cylinder by two screws passing through them
into the material of the cylinder in directions parallel to its axis. The other ends
of the wires are also bent outwards and away from one another, at right angles,
and at such a point that when the eyes above mentioned are held in position by
their screws these second bends are level with the small semicircular groove in the
cylindrical stud already described. The ends of the wires are cutt off so as to
allow these bent portions to be about half an inch long. These portions are again
bent left and right so as to lie spirally across the rectangular groove in the face of
the cylinder and in a plane at right angles to its axis. The extreme ends are turned
back so as to form hooks or stops; this piece we call the socket (In practice these
latter operations would be performed first; the rest of the wires would be left
straight, and be formed into eyes and bent after being passed through the drilled
holes.)
We now take another cylindrical piece of wood of the same diameter but only
about half an inch in depth. Through this, on opposite sides of the centre we drill
two holes about three thirty seconds of an inch in diameter parallel to the axis.
If the dimensions given in the last paragraph be taken as exact, then the centres of

page_text: these holes will be eleven sixteenths of an inch apart. In these holes we fix
straight pieces of brass or other metal fitting the holes, and projecting beyond the
faces of the cylinder at both ends, on the one side they are screwed and fitted with
nuts, which screw up against this face of the cylinder and hold them in their
3 places, and which also serve to connect thein with the terminals of a flexible lead.
Their other ends project from the other face of the cylinder, forming cylindrical
studs of metal about three sixteenths of an inch high and an eighth of an inch in
diameter. There is therefore a shoulder on these metal pins which presses against
this face of the cylinder. They have semi-circular grooves about one sixteenth of
an inch in diameter turned round them at their central parts. This piece we call
the terminal piece.
It will be seen that when this end of the second cylinder with its studs is
applied to the grooved end of the cylinder formerly described, the studs will enter
the middle of the rectangular groove; and that by turning to right or left, as the
case may be, the grooves in the studs will engage with the spirals of phosphor
bronze wire before described, and will be stopped by the hooks at the ends of these
spirals. The straight parts of the phosphor bronze wires form springs by torsion,
and thus maintain close contact with the metal studs.
We cut a screw thread on the side of the smaller cylinder and screw on to it a
hollow wooden cap with a hole in its apex through which the flexible lead passes,
the object of the cap being to protect the flexible-lead.
Wooden blocks are fixed in a wall or other convenient situation, having deep
cylindrical holes bored into them, which fit the larger wooden cylinder, and into
which from behind the branch-leads from a dynamo or other generator are brought.
These branch leads are affixed to the same screws which pass through the eyes of
wire before mentioned. The grooved end of the wooden cylinder is fitted with a
flanged ferrule, the ferrule and its flange projecting about an eighth of an inch
beyond this face of the cylinder, the flauge is pierced with holes for wood-screws.
The terminals of the branch lead are secured to the screws passing through the
eyes of the wires as before described and the wooden cylinder together with the
slack of the branch leads is pushed into the deep hole in the wall-block, and
the flange of the ferrule screwed on to the flat face of the block.
The larger
cylinder is permanently fixed in this position; the smaller with its cap and the
flexible lead attached can readily be attached and detached at will. The ferrule
projecting beyond the face of the larger cylinder forms a recess into which the
shallower cylinder drops, and by which it is held concentrically.
For use either with the above arrangement or separately we supply a lamp
holder for incandescent lamps of that type in which the attachment is made by
means of small platinum loops or eyes. Instead of attaching these loops to spring
hooks fixed to a wooden block in the usual way, we provide two flat metal pieces
standing at right angles to the face of the block. These pieces are about a quarter
of an inch wide by half an inch high by one eighth of an inch thick. Suppose
the face of the circular wooden block to be placed vertically, and the horizontal
diameter drawn upon it. Then the two metal pieces are fixed each with one side
lying upon the diameter, the thickness of the one piece being above the diameter,
and the thickness of the other below. They are placed about one eight of an inch
apart, and at equal distances from the centre. A screw with a broad flat head is
screwed into each, into the one from above and into the other from below; but so
that in each case the underside of the screw head comes against that side of the.
metal piece which lies upon the diameter. The platinum loops are firmly held by
being pinched between the undersides of the screws and the faces of the metal
projections. The lamp is further supported by narrow strips of spring metal fixed
to the lamp-holder and pressing against the sides of the lamp, or by any of the
other methods in present use.
Referring to figures 1 & 2.
a is the cylinder which carries the springs, b is a groove of rectangular section,
c the cylindrical stud in the contra having th

page_text: ee are the wire springs fastened to the cylinder at one end by screws and bent so
as to lie spirally across the circular groove at the other. The connections with the
main m m are made by means of the screws f, f, as shown. g is a block of 'wood
or other material into which the socket is fixed by means of the flanged tube h.
Referring to figures 3 & 4. a is a cylinder having the two metal studs 6 6 fixed
in it, which are fitted with nuts at one end, and have cylindrical heads formed on
the other. These cylindrical heads are slightly less in diameter than the width of
the groove b, figure 1, and are arranged to drop into it, when the two are placed
together. The groove in the cylindrical head corresponding with the position of
the spirally placed wires, so that when the studs are rotated in the proper direction,
until stopped by the bent ends of the springs, on the axis of the cylinder, the wires
lie in the groove and are formed into a circular position, the straight part of the
wire acting as a spring by torsion. The ends of the wires which lie spirally across
the circular groove when the two parts of the coupling are separated, thus lie
concentrically round the head of the stud c figure 1, when they are together and
consequently have no tendency to force the metal studs b b figures 3 & 4 back and
become disconnected. c figure 3 is the cap which protects the conducting wires dd,
which latter are secured under the nuts on the ends of the studs b b.
Figure 5 illustrates the form of the part which carries the lamp when arranged
for a lamp. holder. a is, the cylinder. bb are the metal pieces carrying the
screws cc, to which the lamp is attached. d, d, d, are the nietal strips to give
additional support to the lamp.
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
First. The socket, having the circular channel and cylindrical grooved stud
formed in one end; in combination with the terminal piece, having the two metal
studs with cylindrical grooved heads, passing through or fixed into it, and the
method of fixing by means of the spirally curved wires, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
.. Secondly. The flat metal pieces placed one on either side of the axis of the
cylinder and each having a flat face coincident or nearly so with a plane passing
through a diameter and the axis of the cylinder, and each provided with a broad
headed screw.
003.
WILLIAM BROOKS SAYERS.
GEORGE HOOKHAM.
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham,
Agent to the Applicants.