US1718368A - Fixture chain - Google Patents

Description

Junezs, 1929. L LAUPOT 1,718,368

FIXTURE CHAIN Filed Jan. 17, 1927 ZSheetS-Sheet 2 'D f E f I l 1%@ y?? laf/0 O.; f l :O o: lr i l i I l I z i g I i l ,l 1 1 C: I@ .J ri/ m 6 5 n i i l i I I I i z 1 1 e s l I l I l j" G O:

IN VEN TOR.

3y/M 9 AM 'A TTORNEY Patented June 25, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS LAUPOT, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO lUNIVERSAL METAL CHAIN CO.

' INC., A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

FIXTURE CHAIN.

Application filed January 17, 1927. Serial No. 161,554.

My invention relates to chains, and particularly tochains adapted to utilization in an electric light fixture, to support membersof the fixture and conceal the conductors supplying the lights. Lighting fixtures of the electrolier type quite commonly incorporate in the construction thereof chain members for the support of various parts. For instance, in the indirect and semi-indirect pattern of fixtures, a bowl member is used within which the lamps are position. These bowls are commonly supported by one or more chain members, depending from a canopy member which may be attached tothe ceiling of the room, or to other convenient support. In other cases a lamp and shade with a socket are supported by a single chain from a suitable canopy, which in turn is attached to the ceiling or other support. In the past these chains have been of a very simple pattern, rather unornamental, and without suitable provision for the passage and concealment of the conductors which supply the light. lVhere these conductors are electric wires, they have frequently been allowed to dangle freely from the canopy to the light. In other cases they have been wound around one of the chains. In each case, therefore, the conductors have been exposed to View, and have been awkward and ungainly in appearance, and have seriously detracted from the grace and beauty of the fixture. Likewise'inmany other cases it has been found desirable to incorporate chain members into various Structures, and to parallel the chain with a. conductor, and in nearly every case the conductor has been conspicuously visible, so as to detract from the appearance of the structure.

I have invented a. new and improved chain construction which is adapted to ornamenta- .tion in various ways, which makes provision for the concealment ofthe conductors and which `is ahighly desirable element for incorporation in the structure of a lighting fixture or similar ornamental device.

The chain of my invention provides a plurality of serial link members. which may desirably be made with flat portions, and a tuhular portion so construct-ed that the tubes in successive links are in alignment, through which the conductor may bev drawn, and within which it is hidden from view, the links thus being ornamental in character, sufficiently strong to support the fixture members, and

adapted to conceal a conductor. The tubular channel through the successive links may be a single channel lar e enough to take two conductors, for use w 1ere a single chain carries the light. Or the links may Vincorporate two tubes, cach large enough to carry two conductors, in the event that the fixture requires two circuits, or smaller, to take a single conductor each, in' the event that but a single circuit is required. l Or the channel may be single and large enough for but a. single conductor, for use where a plurality of chains are utilized, and entering and returning conductors may be conveyed in separate chains.

By the device of my inventionI have thus produced a highly ornamental chain, of adequate strength, which is adapted to position, convey and conceal conductor members. This is the principal purpose of my invention, but other objects and vdetails will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein 1 is a vertical View of a lighting fixture incorporating a length of the chain of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a simple form of the chain of my invention embodied in the device illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an edge View of a single half-member portion of a linkof the embodiment of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a View in horizontal section of a link of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a side view of a modification of the chain of my invention showing two tubular portions Fig. 6 is a view in horizontal section of the embodiment of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of my invention in which the auxiliary connecting links are formed from integral tongues of the main links;

y Fig. 8 is a view in horizontal section of the embodiment of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a side view of thesame embodiment shown in Fig. 7 at right angles to the showing of Fig. 7;

Fig. l() is a side view of a further modification showing a plurality ofl tubes at the edges thereof; Y l

Fig. 1l is a horizontal section of the embodiment shown in Fig. 10; Y

Fig. 1Q is n View of a further modification Cil Referring to the iignres,andparticularly` Figs. 2, 3 and 4,1 provide link members as shown, which `may be formed trom stamped sheet metal, having flat wing portions 1 and '2, and havinga semicircularly curved portion` Sas indicated in Fig. 3. Pertorations 4 and 5 ar provided as indicated and auxiliary link members 6 and 7 are incorporated between successiveV wings ot the principal links Vfor holding the series et links in proper relationship.. As indicated, in Fig. 4 two ot the flat members of 3 are utilized'in each link, the 'hollews ot the curved portions being Ipositioned 'face to tace Ytor the formation of a tubular channel through each link. The successive tubular channels in successive links arej then maintained in alignment by the auX- iliary links 6 and 7, :forming a complete channel from end to end et the length ott chain, through which suitable conductors 8V may be conveyed.

A lengthot chain so constructed may desirably be incorporated in a fixture Yas indicated in Fig. 1, acanopy member' 9V having a center tube 11, and a ring member 12 is provided. A pair of auxiliary links 14 may beutilized to support the upper. end el the chain15 as indicated, the links 14 being inserted in the openings 4 and 5 of the links and passed through the ring member 12. A socket member 16 and shadel? enclosing a lamp, not shown, maybe attached to the lower end ot the chain by means ot a loop member 18 and other auxiliary link members 19 as indicated.V The conductor 8- may then be passed through openings in the loop members 12 and 18., and through the channel termed by the portions 3 of the success-ive lin-ks. By this construction,y as previously stated, adequate strength tor the support oi the lamp and shade members is provided, and a channel for the conveyance and concealment of the conductors is 'formed in the supporting chain. By this means the conductor members are substantially invisible when in place, and the undesirable appearance `ot' a. loosely vhanging conductor or a conductor threaded around the linksof an ordinary chain is avoided.

The construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 is ot the ultmost simplicity and is particularly adapted vto utilization with' a fixture havingvbut a single chain and buta single supply circuit thereto.

In the event that two circuits are desired to the lights, a chain of the pattern shown in Figs. land 6 may be utilized, in which, asindicated, two channels are provided through the length oi the chain. These channels may be made suiiiciently large to convey two conductors in each channel, in whichcasetwo circuits are available. Or, alternatively, the channels 'may be made smaller and less conspicuous, and may contain but a single conductor in each, thereby providing a somewhat less bulky chain, of somewhat more ornamental appearance. `Likewise it is possible to provide three auxiliary coupling links as indicated, and .thus obtain a. greater strength, which is desirable 'tor the support et heavier .globes and lamps.

Alternatively, it is possible te avoid the utilizationot the auxiliary links 6 and 7 et 2 by providing hook members integral with the main links as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. In this ligure flat portions 1 and 2 corre-V sponding to the similar portions in Fig. 2 are provided, with similar curved portions 3. Pertorations 4 and 5 are provided as in Fig, 2, and in addition, tongue members 18 and 19 are formed upon one end ot each link. These tongue members are desirably oiiset slightly as indicated in Fig. Sand bent at a short distance trom their point of attachment to the link. The bent tongue members may then be passed throughthe pertorations in an adjacent link, the bending continued and the ends passed through openings in the iirst links adjacent to the point of attachment as shown.V By this means a very streng connection between'adj acent links is provided without the utilization of auxiliary links separate from the main links. Y

Alternatively, it may be tound convenient when a plural-ity et channels are desired tor the passage o1 several conductors, to position the channels at the outeredges ot the successive links, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. This construction provides aribbon-like chain ol substantial strength, which is tree from serrated edges, and free from the tendency which may occur with other patterns et chain to engagement ot fragments ot material which may comein contact with the chain, as 'for instance when paper decorations are, on occasion, attached. This construction is def sirably lightened and ornamented by periorations ror vembossing oi' the flat portions as indicated. The Vadjacent links may be held together and in alignment by auxiliary-links 6 `and 7 as indicated, or an integral tongue connection may be embodied 'similar to the construction indicated in Fig. 9. Y Y

For certain uses it may be found undesirable toY provide pertorations of the kind indicated at 4 and 5 in Fig. 2. In such'cases slots, as indicated at 21. and 22 in Fig. 12, may be provided tor the positioning of the links 6 and v7. This construction is somewhat easierto assemble, and'likewise'provides adequate strength. Y

In the" construction of thechain of my invention, the respective halves of successive links may be formed by stamping and bending from sheet metal, similar members being combined face to face for the completion of cach link. Vhen so combined, the respective stampings of each link are held in position by the auxiliary links 6 and 7.

I prefer, however, to make each link of a single piece of sheet metal by stamping both halves from the sheet simultanenously, with the members united at a convenient point as shown in F ig. 13. This construction is preferably formed by bending the blank material to forni the two semicircular channel portions, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15 thereafter bending` the blank to bring the two semicircular channel portions together face to face as in Figs. 16 and 17 and then stamping out the finished link as in Figs. 18 and 19. By this means the respective halves of each link are held much more firmly in contact, and there is less tendency to spreading of the links when a conductor is drawn through the channel, which is sufficiently large to make a close fit therethrough.

I have previously described my invention as made by either one of two different processes, the simplest one resulting in a link having two separate members which are held in proper relationship by the cooperation of auxiliary links, the second embodiment describing a link made of a single piece of sheet material, folded to bring the curved portions in proper relationship to form a tube. It is, however, not necessary that the'links of my invention be made in Vthis manner.

Alternatively, it is possible to form the links of cast material as by a die-casting with the tubes as an integral element of the link, successive links being held in proper linear position in any convenient way. Alternatively, a number of modifications of the link of my invention may be made. The links may be made in halves as previously described, and the halves may be held together by suitable means, such as riveting. Or the linksk may be made with small projections, adapted to be folded over the adjacent member,

thereby clamping the member together. As a further modification the links may, if desired, be constructed of the previously men'- tioned two parts, which may then be soldered or brazed together in any convenient Way for the production of a very high grade chain of unusual strength.

By the device of my invention I am enabled to produce an ornamental chain of substantial and adequate strength, inexpensively formed of stamped sheet metal, having a channel therethrough for the substantially complete concealment of a conductor member.

While I have shown several embodiments of my invention, it is capable of still other modifications therefrom without departing from the spirit thereof, and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed thereon as are required by the prior art or indicated by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: v

1. An electric fixture chain consisting of a series of links, each link composed of two layers of sheet metal, said layers having opposing semi-cylindrical channels which imite to form a conduit, said layers extending laterally therefrom in close relation to one another, andhaving openings on either side of the conduit, and links passing through said openings in planes at right angles to the plane of the layer.

2. An electric fixture chain consisting of a series of links, each link composed of two layers of sheet metal, said layers having opposing semi-cylindrical channels which unite to form a conduit, said layers extending laterally therefrom in close relation to one another, and having openings on either side of the conduit, and links passing through said openings in planes at right angles to the plane of the layer, said layers being cut away between said openings and the margins of the layer to permit engagement and Vdisengagement of said links with respect to said layers.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my signature.

LOUIS LAUPOT.

Images