US1598038A - Electrical-fixture-supporting device - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 31 1926. R. B. BENJAMIN ELECTRICAL FIXTURE SUPPORTING DEVICE File M y 20, 1921 2 sheets-sheet 1 Aug. 31 1926. 1,598,038

R. B. BENJAMIN ELECTRICAL FIXTURE SUPPORTING DEVICE File ay 20, 1921 2 shets sheez 2 Human 1 Il mam??? Patented Aug. 31, 19269 i'TiED STAT ES PATENT OFFICQ.

REUBEN IB. BENJAMIN, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BENJAMIN ELECTRIC MIANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRICAL-FIXTUREUPPORTING DEVICE.

Application filed May 20, 192-1. Serial No. 471,078.

My invention relates to electrical fixture supporting devices and connections there'- for;

One of the objects'of my invention is to provide an improved fixture supporting device in""which the fixture can be readily connectedand disconnected with respect to the receptacle both electrically and me-v chanically.

A further object of my invention is to provide such a device which will be simple in construction, cheap to manufacture and durable and eiiicient in use.

Further objects will appear from the de tailed description to follow and from the appended claims.

In the drawings in which two embodiments ofmy invention are shown Fig. 1 is an axialsection of an'electrical fixture with a support and electrical connections, the section being substantially on the line 11 of Fig.

Fig. 2 is a "front view of the receptacle and face-plate;

Fig. a'is a perspective view of the mechanical connector member and the plugs mounted thereon Fig. 4 is a front elevation showing the connector member in position with respect Fig. '5 is a rear view of the receptacle and face-plate;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing a diiierent formof fixture and connector device; and

Fig.7 is a section showing the connection between the fixture and mechanical connector of Fig. 6.

Reterringto Figsi 1 to 5 inclusive, the

construction shown therein comprises'a fixture'10(the stem 11 and canopy 12' alone being shown) a receptacle 13', a plug-in device l t, for electrically connecting the fixture 10 with the receptacle 18, and a me chanical connecting and supporting member 15 in the form of a bracket for mechanically connecting the fixture with respect to the receptacle.

As shown in Fig. 3 the plug-in device 1 1 is carried by the mechanical connector member 15, being slidably mounted thereon, 1

to permit the necessary movement of the mechanical connector 15 for maklng the mechanical connectlon-without mtertering with the insertion of the contact blades. 16 of the plug-in device let into the openings 17 provided in the receptacle.

The mechanical connector member 15 is secured to a supporting plate 18" (which may be a sort of cover for the outlet' box) by means of four hook members 19,, which book over the edges otthe openings in the supporting plate 18; The connection between the member 15 and the; supporting the openings 17. This sliding-engagement of the pltw-in device 14 onthe connecting member "15 is effected by means of a pair of lugs 20, struck up'tromthe material'ot the connecting member-'15, and overlying portions of the insulating base 21 on which the contact blades 16are' mounted.

The greater part ofthetrontof the connecting member 15 is open as shown in Figi l to permit access to the binding screws 22 which are screwed into the con 7 tact blades" 16. 'However', retaining wings or ears 23 are-formed on the supporting member 15 to hold theinsulati-ng'base 21 in position, this insulatingbase being slidably mounted between the wings '23 and thefllu-gs 20. The lugs 20 may be bent down after the-insulating base 21 is placed in position."-

In order to securely hold the connector member 15 iii-connected position, a pair of bent leaf springs12 i, is provided; These springs may be formed as a part of an integral sheet metal stamping 25 secured in place between the receptacle 13- and the plate 18. The free ends of these springs 24: engage the upper hooks 19 to prevent the connecting member 15 from being accidentally lifted up and disconnected.

The fixture 10 is secured to the connector member 15 by means of a transversely extending strap 26 (Figs. 1 and 4) the ends of which are secured to the canopy 12 and the central portion of which is slipped behind the upstanding post 27 which extends upwardly from theconnector member 15. v

Suitable binding screws 28 are provided for the contacts 29 of the receptacle 13. A suitable ornamental finishing plate or es-o in place. The connection is effected by presenting the connector member in position with respect to the receptacle so that the blades 16 can be pushed into the receptacle 13, and the hooksIlQ pushed through the opening in the supporting plate 18. After the hookshave been pushed in far enough, the connector member 15 is slipped down, to engage the hooks 19 in back of the plate 18. After the connector member 15 is in position, the fixture is-secured to it by slipping the strap 26 in behind the post 27, the wiring for the fixture 10, being sufficiently slack to permit this manner of assembly.

The construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is substantially the same as that just described, except that here the fixture 31 is rigidly secured with respect to the mechanical connecting andsupporting member 32, in the form of a bracket, by a connection shown in'detail inFig. 7. The plug-in device 14 is the same as in the form previously described, and its connection with the mechanical connector member is the same as in the form previously described. The con nection between the mechanical connecting member and the supporting plate ,18 is also the same as in the form previously described. In some cases it is necessary or required that the fixture 31 shall be insulated with respect to the outlet box. In the present instance, this is efiected .by theconnection shown in detail in Fig. 7. The fixture plate 33 is se cured to the connecting member 32 by means of a screw 34 threaded into the fixture plate, an insulating washer 35 and insulating bushing 36 being provided to insulate the fixture plate 33 from the connecting member 32.

The mechanical connecting members 15 and 32 may be formed of an integral sheet metal stampinghaving portions struck up to form the hook members 19, the retaining i lugs 20 and the post 27. v

In the construction shown in Figs. 6' and V 7 the fixture is electrically and mechanically connected simply by pushing the blades 16 inwardly into engagement. with the contacts of the receptacle, until the hook members 19 are in back of the supporting plate 18, and then drawing the fixture 31 and its supporting member 32 downwardly to engage the hook members 19 in back of the supporting plate 18.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1, A receptacle having contacts, a fiat'supporting plate in front of said receptacle, and having an opening therein affording access to said receptacle, said receptacle being substantially flush with said supporting plate, and means for mechanically supporting a fixture in position with respect to said re ceptacle comprising a bracket having hooks which pass through said supporting plate and hook in behind it and means for electrically connectingsaid fixture with respect to said receptacle comprising a plug, having contacts for engaging the receptacle contacts, slidably mounted onv said bracket, whereby said hooks can be hooked behind said plate after the plug contacts have entered the receptacle, and latching means for holding said bracket connected with said plate, said latching means acting between said supporting plate and bracket being mounted on said supporting plate.

'2. A receptacle having contacts, a flat supporting plate in front of said receptacle, and having an opening therein afiording access to said receptacle, said receptacle being substantially flush with said supporting plate,

and means for mechanically supporting a fixture in position with respect to said receptacle comprising a bracket having hooks which pass through said supporting plate and hook in behind it and means for electrically connecting said fixture with respect to said receptacle comprising a plug, having contacts for engaging the receptacle contacts, slidably mounted on said bracket, whereby said hooks can be hooked behind said plate after the plug contacts have entered the receptacle, and spring latching means for holding said bracket connected with said plate, said spring latching means actingbetween said supporting plate and bracket being mounted on said supporting plate.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribe my name.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN.

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