US1053354A - Locking mechanism for electrical-lamp sockets. - Google Patents

Description

W. BROAD.

LOOKiNG MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKETS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 26, 1912.

1,053,354. Patented Feb. 18, 1913.

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LOCKING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC-.-LAMP SOCKETS.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18,1913.

Application filed March 26, 1912. Serial No. 886,401.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM BROAD, a'

citizen of the United States, residing at Beaver Falls, in the county of'Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Looking Mechanism for Electric-Lamp Sockets, or" which the following is a-specification.

The primary object of my invention is a concealed locking mechanism, coiiperating with the well known'and' commonly used socket for retaining an electric light bulb or lamp of the incandescent type, whereby the lamp or bulb is held and secured against removal from the socket until such a time as the life of the lamp is exhausted or burned out. This locking device insures the retention of the lamp until its usefulness is expended, preventing theft thereof, and can only be removed from the socket by breaking or destroying the glass bulb.

I do not set up 'any claim for novelty or invention in the socket itself, as my idea is applicable to any of the numerous sockets now in common usage, nor .do I desire to limit myself to any particular style or configuration of socket, but what I do claim as my invention is the basic idea of arranging a simple, comparatively inexpensive, and positive concealed locking mechanism. in conjunction with any suitable form of socket.

I am aware that inventions for a somewhat similar purpose and intention have been patented heretofore, some involving keys, while others adopt an additional fixture to enter the socket, thereby adding to and extending-the length of the ordinary socket fixture.

I do not alter the size'or shape. of the socket, but arrange my locking mechanism interior or the socket, concealed from view, and inaccessiblefor being reached by any tool or instrument, or for being tampered with in any manner whatever.

My invention therefore involves the constructive features, and combination of old and new elements, hereinafter specifically described in detail, and shown in the accompanying drawing.

Referring then to said drawing, which illustrates one embodiment of my invention: lti ure 1 is anexterior view in elevaworkin appearance of the ordinary well known lamp socket with bulb attached; Fig. 2 is a vertical section of my improved lock socket showing the relative positions of the new elements involved in my invention; F g. 3 is an enlarged tragmental View, partly in section, of the'assembled features incorporated in this invention; Fig. 4is a I plan view of a non-metallic disk used in conjunction with the remaining elements; Fig. 5-shows a plan view of a fixed member involving a notch-or aperture, and carrying a ratchet spring element; Fig. 6 is an inverted view in perspective of the fixed member in its blank formation; Fig. 7 shows the blank formation of a rotatable element to receive and retain the screw base of the lamp; and Fig. 8 is an edge view of the member shown in Fig. 5.

Throughout the respective views the numeral 1 designates the crown or cap portion of a lamp socket, which is of ordinary construction, and used for a purpose well known in the art, the lower extremity of which part carries and supports the removable shell or casing 2, which is also'oii' ordinary construction, and houses the interiorly positioned working parts, including the porcelain or non-metallic head piece 3. This said head 3 is of ordinary construction and usage, also well known in the art, involving suitably positioned recesses 4 in the upper portion thereof for receiving the inner ends of thumb screws 5, which are here shown in the formation of knurled or. milled ball heads, for convenience in removing or tight ening up purposes, having screw shanks which pass through the two members 1 and 2, entering said recesses 4; thereby securing all three arts in removable position. The inner end s out said screw 5 are preferably flattened slightly, after insertion through the said members 1 and 2, in order to prevent being entirely backed out, when it becomes necessary to drop the casing 2 in order to expose the interiorly positioned parts.

Canned by the lower extremity of the non-metallic member 3, ,and closely engaging the same as shown preferably by means of the bolts 6, shown'in Fi 2, 1s the fixed mem er 7 scenin'Fig. 6, which involves an aperture 8 formed in the flange portion 9,

and flared or hell mouthed apertures 10 to receive and counter-sink the screwrheads of said bolts 6; a space of sufiicient area being allowed between said bolts to prevent arcing at this point, and carry out'a well known electrical construction in devices of this nature.

The rotatablesheath or screw sleeve member '11, which receives and retains the screw base of the lamp, shown in blank formation, Fig. 7, is provided in its upper extremity with an aperturel2, and also carries the non-metallic, preferably porcelain, disk 13, shown in detail Fig. 1. This said member 13 is preferably provided with "a rounded 01f edge, and is held in fixed position within the said member 11 by crimping or beading the upper edge thereof over the said rounded periphery of the disk 13; the aperture 12 registering with a notch 14 formed in said disk. This latter mentioned member is provided with apertures 15, to permit free insertion through the said disk of-securin'g bolts 6, and register with the aperture 10,

also with a central aperture 16 to receive a metallic contact piece 17. A suitable spring element 18 seated between said member 17 and current conductor 19 carried by the head 3, affords sufficient contact to carry current in proportion with the capacity of the socket, and overcomes any looseness or play of the respective parts.

When assembling my device the depending flange portion 9 of the fixed member 7 is spun or otherwise turned to form a race or guide embracing the beaded top of the rotatable sheath 11, whereby said member 11 will be allowed free and unhampered movement within said fixed member 7, be

I adequately supported thereby, and bear the combined weight of the lamp and sheath.

As will be seen by reference to the drawings the notch 14 formed in the rotatable disk 13, is provided with a tapered surface and also a straight or vertical portion; for a purpose to be more fully explained farther on. A spring actuated dog or ratchet 20 is firmly secured at one end-to the rounded ofl flange 9 exteriorly of the fixed member7, the free end thereof adapted to engage in the notch 14. This .construction permits the free uninterrupted rotary movement of the sheath 11 and secured disk 13 mono direction within the fixed housing 7 and this rotary movement can be kept up indefinitely, as the ratchet 20 will ride the I tapered part of the notch 14 at every revolution, but on a reverse movement of the said sheath the spring ratchet will catch against the straight face of saidnotch 14 and arrest further rotation of said sheath; It will thus be readily apparent that when a lamp, involving the ordinary well known screw base, is inserted in the socket, entering .l e sheath 11, said lamp may be turned to the limit of'its screw thread, andto revolve just as soon as the ratchet 20 engages against the straight face of the notch 14, the result being that upon a still further rotation of the lamp it will be turned more securely into said sheath. I

After the lamp is once positioned in the socket, and secured by the revoluble sheath, no separation between these two elements is possible without first breaking the glass bulb, unloosening the set screws 5, and permitting the casing 2 being slipped down over the sheath and lamp base. When the concealed locking mechanismpis thus exposed to view it is possible to ecfiect a speedy and easy separation of the lamp base from the sheath, in order to replace with a new one, by simply grasping said sheath in one hand, or by a suitable gripping tool, and with the other hand turn said lamp base out of its seat in the sheath. If theglass bulb should be broken off close up to the said base, thereby reducing the gripping surface, a prepared tool of simple and inexpensive construction", to be inserted therein and turn the said base while the sheath is being held firmly, can easily be provided for.

The added features of the rotatable sheath or screw sleeve, to receive the lamp base, fixed race or housing to receive the said sheath, and means for permitting uninterrupted rotation of the combined sheath and lamp in one directi n, and for locking them against movement in the opposite direction, which combination of new elements forms the basic features of my invention, when assembled as shown, in conjunction with any adequate form of lamp socket, Wlll not interfere or endanger the requisite essentials of proper insulation and good electrical contact necessary to a' device of this nature;

The construction here shown renders my device applicable to being utilized in any desired osition, or at any angle, and in conjunction with various forms and welghts of shades, without endangering the separation of the parts or of short .circulting.

Various modifications and alterations in the detail form ,of construction and assembling the several 'elements may be necessary as the progress of experimentat on advances, therefore I do not l1m1t myself to the exact formation or arrangement of the respective parts shown and herewlth described, reserving the right to make' such alterations as may be deemed necessary,

without departing from the original spirit of the invention, and that will be within 1 ment. when turned in an opposite direction.

2. 'In a locking mechanism for" electric 1am sockets, a fixed member positioned at the ower extremity of the insulating head portion, and interiorly of the casing, in

volving a circular grooved race or gu1de; a

memberto receive and retain the screw base of the lamp, involving an insulating head portion rovided with one or more ratchet teeth, a apted for uninterrupted rotation within'the said race portion when turned in one direction; and a pawl, carried by the .fixed member and engaging in the teeth formed in the rotatable member, for locking said latter member against movement when turned in anopposite" direction.

3. In a lock socket for electric lamps, the combination with the porcelain head and removable outer casing, of a conoealed'locking mechanism'involving a fixed member rigidly secured to the said head, in which is a circular grooved race or guide portion supplied with an aperture and carrying a spring actuated pawl to engage in said aperture, and a screw socket to receive the lamp base, involvin a beading provided with one or more ratc et teeth, to seat in and be clenched by said circular race, and adapted for indefinite rotation in one direction, but locked against rotation by said pawl engaging in the ratchet teeth when turned in an opposite direction.

4. An electric lamp socket having a concealed locking mechanism involving a fixed member and a rotatable screw sleeve toreceive the base of the lamp, a beading carried by the upper portion of said sleeve in which, is one or more ratchet teeth, a circular cular groove ing, and a spring actuated pawl carried by the race portion to enter said aperture engage in the teeth and hold said sleeve against rotation when turned in an opposite direction. I

5. In a lock socket for electric lamps the combination with the porcelain head, involving suitable contacts, and removable outer casing, of a locking mechanism normally concealed and protected by the said casing when the lamp is in position in the socket, and requiring breakage of the lamp to lower .the said casing and expose the lockin mechanism, said mechanism involving a fixe member secured to theporcelain head and carrying a circular grooved race or guide portion in which is an aperture, a rotatable screw sleeve to receive the base of the lamp,

its upper portion carrying a heading supplied with one or more ratchet teeth, said member being heldfor indefinite rotation in one direction within the said race, and a pawl carried by the said race adapted to engage in the teeth and lock said sleeve against movement when turned in an opposite direction.

6. A new article of manufacture consist ing of a su porting member having a circurace or guide, a second memlar groove ber held for rotation within the said guide, and means .for locking the said second-member against movement when rotated in. one direction. Y

7. Anew article of manufacture consist ing of a supporting member having a cirrace or ide involving'an aperture, a pawl carried y the said member, a second member held for rotation within the first member, involving a ratchet adapted to be engaged by the said pawl to lock said second member against movement when turned in one direction. o

8. A new article of manufacture consistingof a supporting member havin a c'ircular groove aperture, a pawl carriedby the said member, .21. ,second member involving a beadin in which is one or more ratchet teeth, held for uninterrupted rotation within the first member when turned'in one direction, but locked against movement by the said pawl and ratchet teeth when turned in an opposite direction.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM- BROAD. Witnesses 'EowAnn G. JENNINGS,

EMMA F. SEA.

Copies of this patent may beobtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iatents,

Washington, D. C.

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