US1148299A - Chain switch-pull for electric lights. - Google Patents

Description

APPLICATION FlLEli "MN. 22. 1915.

Patented July '27, 1915.

gnmwnkw awou/wn new E. EADE, OFIPROVIDENCE, nnonn ISLAND.

CHAIN SWITCH-PULL FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTS.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patented July 2'7, 1915.

Application filed. January 22, 1915. Serial No. 3,722.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN E. EADE, a cit zen of the United States, residing at PI'QVldence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Chain Switch-Pulls for Electric Lights, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in chain switch pulls for electric lights, and the primary object thereof is to provide means whereby in cases where an insulator is required to be inserted within the chain, that such insertion may be expeditiously made without the use of any tools except such as may be necessary to effect cutting of the chain.

A further object of the invention is to provide an insulator of simple and economical structure, which embodies a minimum of parts capable of being easily assembled, and also easily and quickly connected to the chain at the severed portion of the latter.

Other and further objects of the invention will belater herein set forth and of themselves manifested in the course of the following description.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a chain constructed in accordance with the present invention and equipped with two insulators also constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of one of the insulators. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a detail side elevation of the locking collar.

In proceeding in accordance with the present invention, the chain is composed of a series of flexibly connected balls 1 terminating in an enlarged ball 2 that affords a substantial finger grip for the hand of the operator in pulling the chain downwardly to actuate the electric lamp switch.

The insulators are each formed of a cylindrical body 3 constructed of any suitable or appropriate insulating material, and of a length which may be varied as desired. To each end of the central body 3 there is secured a metal sleeve 4, which sleeves may be rigidly connected to the central body 1, by prick punches 5, the sleeves tapering toward their free ends, the tapering portions projecting beyond the ends of the central body 1, so as to form sockets for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

For the purpose of effectively and positively locking the adjacent balls 1 formed by severance of the chain, locking collars 6 are employed which collars have tapered outer end portions and are secured within the aforementioned sockets against longitudinal movement therein by causing the base or inner ends'of the collars to abut the ends of the central body 3, outward movement of the collars being prevented by virtue of the stops or abutments which the tapered outer ends of the sleeves 3 provide. The collars ti are split at 7 so as to enable same to give 1n an obvious manner.

In some instances regulations require the presence of one or more insulators in electric pull chains, and the present invention is especially purposed to cover such cases, though incidentally, the invention may be utilized for the purpose of lengthening the chain when desired. If therefore for the reasons mentioned, it should be desired or necessary to provide one or more insulators in the chain, then same is severed at the de sired point, following which the balls at the severed point are forced manually into the sockets aforementioned, and due to the split character of the collar 6 the balls may be readily forced into the sockets, where they will be efiectively retained by the presence of the locking collars whichlatter upon outward movement of the balls are contracted so as to prevent disengagement of the balls from the sockets. Obviously the greater the pull on the balls, the greater the contractile action of the locking collars, with the result that the balls are prevented from being disengaged, once engaged in the sockets. By

referring to Fig. 2 it will also be apparent,

that the balls provide universal joint connections between the ends of the insulator and the chain portions.

Having thus described my invention. I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent K 1. In an insulator of the type set forth, in combination with a chain composed of flexibly connected balls, a central cylindrical insulating body, sleeves having tapered outer portions disposed over the ends of the body to form sockets beyond said body ends, means to secure the sleeves to the ends of the body, and split taperedlocking collars disposed within the sockets and having their inner ends abutting the ends of the body and adapted to receive and engage the balls of the chain.

2. In combination with a chain composed of connected balls, an insulator having a body, sleeves secured to the ends of the body and projecting therebeyond to form sockets, and split locking collars in the sleeves adapted to receive the balls therein.

3. In an insulator, a central body, sleeves on the ends of the body projecting therebeyond, and locking means in the sleeves, the outer ends of the sleeves and locking means being tapered.

4. An insulator for chains, comprising a body having socketed ends, and means in the sockets to engage the chain ends to frictionally lock the latter against movement rela- 15 tive'to the chain.

5. An insulator for chains, composed of a body having socketed ends, and resilient locking rings in the sockets to engage the chain ends to lock the latter to the insulator. 20

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN E. EADE.

Witnesses:

ADA E. HAGERTY, J. A. MILLER.

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