US1730031A - Fixture support - Google Patents

Description

Oct; 1, 1929. H. D'OLIER. JR

, FIXTURE SUPPORT Filed Jan. 11, 1928 I INVENTOR fi emj Z7 0/10; J7: BY

\ %\W MTORNEY Patented Get. 1, 1929 HENRY DOLIER, 3a., or ianrnenronr, CONNECTICUT FIXTURE SUPPORT Application filed January 11, 1928.

This invention relates to fixture supports and is particularly adapted for use in supports for lighting fixtures, such as electric lighting fixtures depending from a ceiling 5 and which are usually characterized by a member adapted to be secured to the ceiling permanently and having a hanger to receive :1 depending chain at the lower end of which is secured and supported a lighting unit, such as an electric lamp and its shade, reflector, or

other associated parts of a lighting unit.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a supporting device for such fixtures characterized by a link formed of wire bent 5 to form an elongated shank with an attaching loop at each end, one of said loops being relatively long and formed with a free end of the wire bent toward said shank and backward along the shank, thereby constituting a resil- 2o ient hook upon which can be readily snapped a link of the supporting chain but which prevents casual displacement of said chain therefrom, the other loop being formed with an opening adapting said link to be readily connected and disconnected from a co-operating eye or loop which constitutes the hanger already mentioned.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a link member in combination with a section of tube surrounding the link and movable thereon along the axis of the link, so that the tube can cover the hook portion of the link, the tube being also adjustable to expose the resilient hook, to permit connection or disconnection with the chain, the relative size of the link and tube being preferably such that when the tube is adjusted to cover the hook, the loop at the other end of the link will be exposed to permit ready connection and disconnection with the supporting hanger.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a link and tube with a canopy which can be moved slidingly upon the tube into a position which permits the operator to observe the loop end as he applies the same to a hanger or disconnects it therefrom, and which will also expose the region 01 connection between the loop and hanger at certain times when the chain is still in place Serial No. 245,832.

upon the hanger, for the purpose of making the connections between the electrical conductors which are associated With such an electrical fixture support.

The above object and vother. objects of the invention are illustrated and described fully in the accompanying drawings and specification and are pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, V

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a complete electrical fixture support embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is adetail View in perspective partly in Tection showing certain parts on a larger sca e.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of a link of special construction constituting part of the invention.

Fig. 4: illustrates the mode of applying the chain to the link before the tube is placed on the link.

I In the now preferred embodiment of the invention selected for illustration and description, the part designated by the reference numeral 1 is a supporting member adapted to be secured permanently -to a ceiling, being shown in the instance illustrated as a well-known form of electrical outlet box, provided with a hanger 2 secured suitably to the base of the box, as by riveting the shank of the hanger into the base of the box, or to a cap 18 adapted to be screwed on to the usual stud 19, or otherwise, the parts thus far described being of well-known form or of any suitable character.

' The part designated by the reference character 8 is a chain, adapted to support a lighting unit comprising an electric lamp and socket 4, a shade holder 5, and a glass globe or shade 6, these parts being also of wellknown form, and being merely illustrated by way of example of a lighting fixture of the type which the invention is adapted to support.

In carrying the invention into efiect, a link is provided for the purpose of connecting the chain 3 with the hanger 2, and-in its preferred form this link, which is designated generally by the reference character 7 is formed of a suitable length of wire bent to form a loop at each end, one of the loops being formed by bending an end of the wire around to form the loop 8 and then bending the wire at 9 in substantial parallelism with the shank 10, the free end of the wire being bent backward along the shank for a short distance at 11 in position to lie closely .adjacent to the shank, thereby constituting a resilient hook 12 which is adapted to permit the end link of the chain 3 to be easily snapped upon the hook,'as illustrated in Fig. 4.

The hook thus formed serves to prevent casual displacement of the chain from the link, but can be sprung outward from the shank manually when it is desired to disconnect the chain from the link. The other end of the wire is bent to form a loop 14 which preferably is formed with an opening so that this loop can be readily connected and disconnected with the loop or hook of the hanger.

' In further pursuance of the invention there is provided preferably with a tube15 of adia-meter and length suitable to adapt the tube to surround the shank of the link and to move readily down over the shank and the elongated lower loop into a position which surrounds the hook 12 at that part of the link and aids to prevent casual displacement of the chain from the link. As shown the lower loop 8 may be of such a character as to limit this sliding movement of the tube, and said loop 8 supports the tube 15.

WVhen in its lower position the tube is preferably so disposed as to expose the upper loop in such a manner as to permit the same to be readily applied to or disconnected from the hanger. When the canopy is pressed against the ceiling and the canopy screw fastened to the tubing which in turn is resting on the loop, a rigidness is given to the whole construction.

In still further pursuance of the invention, there is preferably provided a canopy 16 having a neck portion 17 of a size suitable to engage the tube 15 snugly, and which may be readily secured in an adjusted position on the tube by suitable means such as a set screw 18.

When the canopy is in the upper position illustrated in Fig. 1, it is adapted to con ceal the region of connection between the link, the tube, and the hanger, and also to conceal the outlet box or other fixture support, and the electrical conductors 20 at the region of connection between the leading-in wires or other electrical connecting devices and the insulated conductors leading to the lamp. WVhen the canopy is moved downward on the tube, the above mentioned parts are exposed for observation or to permit a workman to complete the electrical connections or to disconnect them, and also to permit the fixture to be readily removed from the hanger.

The link above described constitutes a novel and compact member capable of being cheaply and strongly made from wire, and constitutes a separately formed article of manufacture which can be easily installed in connection with existing ceiling boxes and aiiy special work thereon.

When combined with the tube and canopy, the link is pleasing in appearance, is strong and acts to support the lighting fixture firmly in the desired position. It also constitutes a supporting device which obviates the use of the complicated structure comprising threaded pipes, hickeys, and casting heretofore commonly employed for such .a supporting function in fixture supports.

I claim:

1. A support for lighting fixtures of the type characterized by a member adapted to be secured to the ceiling and having a hanger to receive a'dependent chain adapted to support a lighting unit such as an electric lamp and its associated parts, said fixture support being further characterized by a link member adapted to be readily connected removably with said chain and hanger respectively, and a tube mounted slidingly on said link and adapted when in adjusted position to permit ready connection and disconnection with said hanger.

2. A support for lighting fixtures-of the type characterized by amember adapted to be secured to the ceiling and having a hanger to receive a dependent chain adapted to support a lighting unit such as an electric lamp and its associated parts, said fixture support being further characterized by a link member adapted to be readily connected remova'bly with said chain and hanger respectively, and a tube mounted slidingly on said link and adapted when in adjusted position to permit ready connection and disconnection with said hanger, but to prevent casual disconnection of said chain from said link, said tube being adjustable to permit disconnection of said chain from said link at times.

3. A support for lighting fixtures of the type characterized by a member adapted to be secured to the ceiling and having a hanger to receive a dependent chain adapted to support alighting unit such as an electric lamp and its associated parts, said fixture support li hting units and chains, without requiring being further characterized by a link member I to the ceiling and having a hanger, a chain adapted to depend from said hanger, a lighting unit comprising an electric lamp and its associated parts, said fixture being further characterized by a link member connected removably with said chain and hanger respec tively, a tube mounted slidingly on said link and adapted when in adjusted position to permit ready connection and disconnection with said hanger, but to prevent casual disconnection of said chain from said link, said tube being adjustable to permit disconnection of said chain from said link at times, and a canopy mounted slidingly on said tube.

5. A support for lighting fixtures of the type characterized by a member adapted to be secured to the ceiling and having a hanger to receive a dependent chain adapted to support a lighting unit such as an electric lamp and its associated parts, said fixture support being further characterized by a link formed of wire bent to form an elongated shank with an attaching loop at each end, one of said loops being relatively long and formed with a free end of the wire bent toward said shank,

thereby constituting a resilient hook upon which a chain link can be readily snapped, but which prevents casual displacement of said chain therefrom, the other loop being formed with an opening adapting said link to be readily connected to, and disconnected from, said hanger, a tube mounted slidingly on said link and adapted when in adjusted position to permit ready connection and disconnection with said han'ger, but to prevent casual disconnection of said chain from said link, said tube being adjustable to permit disconnection of said chain from said link at times, and a canopy mounted slidingly on said tube.

6. A link for fixture-supporting chains of the class described, said link being formed of wire bent to form an elongated shank with an attaching loop at each end, one of said loops being relatively long and formed with a free end of the wire bent toward said shank, thereby constituting a resilient hook upon which a chain link can be readily snapped, but which prevents casual displacement of said chain therefrom, and in combination with said link a tube adjustable slidingly over said link into position to surround said hook and into another position to expose said hook.

7. A link for fixture-supporting chains of the class described, said link being formed of wire bent to form an elongated shank with an attaching loop at each end, one of said loops being relatively long and formed with a free end of the wire bent toward said shank, thereby constituting a resilient hook upon which a chain link can be readily snapped, but which prevents casual displacement of said chain therefrom, and in combination with said link a tube adjustable slidingly over said link into position to surround said In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

HENRY DOLIER, JR.

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