US1853503A

US1853503A - Time controlled incandescent lamp device

Info

Publication number: US1853503A
Application number: US243966A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence W Burger
Original assignee: LEROY MARK
Current assignee: LEROY MARK
Priority date: 1927-12-31
Filing date: 1927-12-31
Publication date: 1932-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 1949-04-12

Description

TIME CONTROLLED INCANDESCENT LAMP DEVICE Filed Dec. 51, 1927 s sheets-sheep 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY April 12, 1932. c. w. BURGER TIME CONTROLLED INCANDESCENT LAMP DEVICE Filed Dec. 31, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. f/az'e zce %.B azyey BY 6 d ATTORNEY.)

April 12, 1932. c. w. BURGER TIME CONTROLLED INCANDESCENT LAMP DEVICE Filed Dec. 31 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

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Patented Apr. 12, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE BURGER, F CHERRYDALE, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD T0 LEROY MARK AND ONE-THIRD TO J OHN' E. SHQEMAKER TIME CONTROLLED INCANDESCENT LAMP DEVICE Application filed December 31, 1927. Serial No. 243,966.

My invention relates broadly to incandescent lamp devices and more particularly to a time controlled mechanism for incandescent lamps.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction of time controlled switch mechanism for the socket of an incandescent lamp for controlling the time period over which a light may be energized after the circuit at the light is initially closed.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide a compact arrangement of time controlled switch mechanism for incandescent lamp sockets, wherein the energization of the lamp may continue over a predetermined time period after the circuit of the lamp is first closed.

A further object of my invention is to provide a simplified arrangement of time controlled switch mechanism for installation in incandescent lamp sockets which may be readily manufactured and produced inexpensively on a quantity production scale and which provides a positive circuit interrupter for an incandescent lamp circuit after the lapse of a predetermined time interval for preventing the continuous consumption of current at the light socket when such consumption 1s unwarranted.

My invention will be more clearly understood from the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the incandescent lamp socket embodying the time controlled mechanism of my invention; Fig 2 is a cross-sectional View taken through the casing of the switch mechanism on line 22 of Fig. 4t; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the switch mechanism looking in the direction of line 3-3 of Fig. 4; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the time controlled mechanism with the casing broken away showing the interior parts of the apparatus; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the switch mechanism on line 55 of Fig. 7 Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 7 Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the lam socket showing the arrangement of parts 0 the switch mechanism which constitutes the circuit controller in the device of my invention; Fig. 8 is a lateral cross-sectional view taken through the casing of the switch operating mechanism on line 88 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the time actuated mechanism on line 9-9 of Fig. 7; and Figs. 10, 11 and 12 show perspective views of the parts of the circuit controlling mechanism within the time controlled device of my invention.

The time controlled circuit interrupter of my invention is particularly applicable for incandescent lamps which are employed in warehouses, libraries, store-rooms, factories, and in places where it is often possible to inadvertently leave the light turned on when the light was originally intended for use for only a short period of time. Lamps often burn continuously for many hours with a wasteful consumption of electrical energy whereas the useful period over which the lamp is employed may be relatively short.

The purpose of my invention is to eliminate the unreasonable waste of electrical energy by providing means for cutting off the incandescent lamp at a predetermined time after the switch controller for closing the electrical circuit has been actuated. The time lapse between the turning on and the cutting off of the energization circuit to the lamp is governed by the particular association of parts within the time controlling mechanism as will be more fully hereinafter explained.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 1 designates a screw plug having insulated bushing 8 and end contact 2 arranged to enter a light socket in place of the usual incanc escent lamp. The plug 1 supports a body portion 4 to which is secured an insulated plate member 10. A frame structure extends from the insulated plate member including the post members 14, plate member 12, plate member 15, post members 16 and insulated end plate member 11. A casing 5 extends between the

plate members

10 and 11 enclosing the switch operating parts. A socket shell 7 is supported by means of arms 17 from the end plate 11 and encloses the screw threaded receptacle 9 into which an incandescent lamp 8 plugged. A contact 18 is provided in ti o center of the screw threaded receptacle 9 and insulated therefrom by means of insulated member 19 with terminals 20 and 21 carried on the plate 11 and extending from the receptacle 9 and one side of the switch mechanism which I have designated generally at 22. The center terminal 18 connects through conductive member 23 with the other side of switch mech anism 22 so that the switch mechanism is normally interposed in series with the power line and the incandescent lamp 8 forming a circuit closer or a circuit interrupter. The switch mechanism includes an intermit ent actuator which I have designated at 24 having a plurality of cam faces indicated at 25. I provide a central shaft member 26 positioned in an end socket bearing designated at 27 and journaled in

plate members

12 and 15 as illustrated. The central shaft 26 has a ring gear 28 pinned on the end thereof and arranged to turn with the central shaft. At one Side of the mechanism, I provide a bearmg 30 secured to intermediate slate 15 on which there is journaled the pinion 29 in engagement with the ring gear A ring gear 31 is journaled for rotation about shaft 26 and meshes with the pinion 29 and has a pin 35 projecting therefrom and engagcablc by means of a cam device 36 which may be moved around the hub member 37 on shaft 26 when the operating chain 6 is pulled. The hub member 37 is fast on shaft 26 while the device 36 is free to revolve around the hub 37 under tension of spring 55 whereby the teeth on member 36 engage cam faces on the intermittent actuator 24. The operating chain follows around a curved guide 38 and is anchored as represented 39. The normal position of the cam member 36 is shown in abutment with one of the posts 16, the cam member being maintained under ten sion by means of the spring 55, the tension on which may be adjusted by fitting the end of the spring 56 in a selected one of the holes 57 in the cam 36. The opposite end of spring 55 is secured to one of the posts 16. The cam 36 carries a pair of gripping faces represented at 40 for cooperation with the gripping faces 25 associated with the switch actuating mechanism 22 in such manner thatwhen chain 6 is pulled, the switch operating mechanism may be snapped to given posh 5 tion at the same time that ring gear 28 is revolved by reason of the fact that the cam faces 40 on the member 36 engage the cam members 25 on the switch mechanism 24 as shown more clearly in Fig. 10. Mechanism 24 revolves in one direction to close or open the circuit to the lamp. Movement of ring gear 31 by shifting of abutting pin 35 results in the winding of spring 43. The spring 43 is secured at 44 at one end and the other end thereof is secured to the central shaft 26 so that this spring may have energy stored therein by rotation of shaft 26 when the chain 6 has been pulled. The shaft 26 is rotatable in either direction and is driven in one direc tion for winding spring 43 by the force transmitted by rotation of ring gear 31 and in the opposite direction under power of spring 43 for imparting movement through cam faces- 42 to the cam faces 25a on intermittent actuator 24 for shifting the switching device 22. A ratchet 45 carried by shaft 26 is engaged by a pawl 46 secured upon gear member 47 The gear 47 is in mesh with pinion 48 upon a shaft which carries gear 49. The gear 49 meshes with a pinion 50 on the same shaft with gear 51 which in turn meshes with the pinion 52 carried on the shaft with escapement gear 53 which operates escapement mechanism 54 by which the gear train is controlled to limit the rate at which the energy in spring 43 is expended.

The winding of the main spring is accomplished by rotary movement of the cam member 36 and the movement of the gear train by Wl'llCll the main spring 43 tends to wrap around the shaft 26. The unwinding of the main spring 43 requires considerable period of time determined by the size of the spring, arrangement of the gear train and the operation of the escapement mechanism.

he unwinding of the spring 43 revolves shaft member 26 at a rate determined by the gearing and escapement mechanism imparting motion to ring gear 28, intermediate or idler gear 29 and correspondingly imparting motion through the ring gear 31 which tends to restore cam member 36 in one direction while the hub member 37 is revolving in engagement with intermittent actuator 24. This is accomplished by the fact that the cam faces 42 on hub 37 engage cam faces 25a on the actuator 24 to move the switch actuating mechanism 22. The cam 36 is restored to its original position upon release of the chain, after being pulled by action of spring 55. The composite result is a shift of the switch operating mechanism to a position in which the circuit to the incandescent lamp may be opened. An interruption is therefore effected in the circuit between the lamp and the power source. The circuit is originally made by action of the pull chain mechanism. The circuit continues complete over a period of time and then the switch mechanism is again automatically tripped by coaction between the cam members 42 and 25a, the cam members 42 being rotatable under action of the main spring 43.

The lamp socket device of my invention has been found to be extremely practical for use in stock-rooms where a hurried trip may be made to the stock-room for the selection and withdrawal of material, the light turned on and then the material taken away from the stock-room with the assurance that the incandescent light will automatically be extinguished after a predetermined time interval.

The device of my invention may also be actuated manually without awaiting the unwinding of the spring. That is to say, the switch may be snapped on or off independently of the automatic trip mechanism and it is unnecessary toawait the automatic tripping of the device in order to effect an operation of the switch.

The construction of the time controlled switch mechanism of my invention has been found to be extremely practical, and while 1 have described the invention in one of its preferred embodiments, I desire that it be understood that modifications may be made and that no limitations are intended other than are imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. An incandescent lamp device for controlling the period of energization of an incandescent lamp comprising a central rotatable shaft member, a pair of ring gears concentrically positioned with respect to said central shaft member, an intermediate gear meshing with each of said ring gears, a main spring secured to said central shaft between saichring gears, and a switch mechanism concentrically positioned with respect to said central shaft and controlled. by the movement of said ring gears under the action of said main spring.

2. An incandescent lamp device for controlling the period of energization of an incandescent lamp comprising a circuit maker and interrupter, a pair of ring gears, a main spring disposed between said ring gears, and a shaft connected with said circuit maker and interrupter and with said ring gears and said main spring for effecting a winding of said main spring and a circuit interruption after a predetermined time interval.

3. An incandesecent lamp device for controlling the period of energization of an incandescent lamp comprising a circuit interrupter and time controlled mechanism for actuating said circuit interrupter, said time controlled mechanism comprising a main shaft, a pair of ring gears concentrically mounted on said main shaft, a main spring disposed between said ring gears, means meshing with said ring gears for imparting simultaneous movement of said gears upon rotary movement of said shaft, one of said ring gears being arranged to effect a circuit interruption after a predetermined time interval under the action of said main spring.

4.. An incandescent lamp device for controlling the period of energization of an incandescent lamp comprising a rotary switch mechanism and a spring winding and unwinding mechanism, said last mentioned mechanism including a rotary shaft extending axially with respect to said incandescent lamp device and having a ratchet connection with said switch mechanism, a pair of ring gears disposed concentrically about said shaft, a main spring connected to said shaft and to a fixed point relative to said ring gears, said switch mechanism being movable to either one of two positions, means for manually moving said mechanism to one of said positions, and means under control of said main spring and said ring gears for moving said mechanism to the other of said two posi tions.

5. ii. lamp socket attachment device for controlling the period of energization of an incandescent lamp comprising a casin a rotatable shaft joiu'naled in said casing, sp ing mechanism connected with said shaft, said shaft having a ring gear connected with one end thereof and having a toothed hub portion intermediate the ends thereof, a rotary switch mechanism including an actuator, cam faces projecting therefrom, a rotatable member having cam faces arranged to grip with the aforesaid cam faces and manually movable to effect a movement of said rotary switch mechanism, an auxiliary ring gear concentrically mounted with re spect to said shaft and arranged to turn with respect thereto and coacting with said shaft for winding said spring mechanism.

6. ln time controlled switch for a lamp socket attachment, a. rotary actuator, a switch having successive current carrying and non-current carrying positions, means extending from said rotary actuator for engaging said switch and shifting said switch to a selected position, a central shaft disposed in alignment with the central axis of said attachment, means on said central shaft for engaging said switch independently of the means on said rotary actuator, and time controlled means for moving said shaft independently of said rotary actuator for effecting movement of said switch subsequent to the movement of said switch under control of said rotary actuator.

7. In a time controlled incandescent lamp device, a central shaft, a rotary switch having successive current and non-current carrying positions, a rotary actuator having a clutch face thereon for engaging said switch and effecting a movement thereof under manual control, a clutch face carried by said shaft and arranged to independently engage said switch, and means connected to said shaft for shifting the clutch face thereon at a predetermined rate of speed to a limiting position over a predetermined time interval subsequent to each operation of said rotary actuator for tripping said switch.

8. An incandescent lamp device comprising a switch having successive current and noncurrent positions, a rotary shaft member disposed in alignment with the central axis of said device, a clutch carried by said shaft member and arranged to engage said switch, a manually controlled rotary actuator, a clutch carried by said rotary actuator for engaging said switch independently of the engagement between the clutch on said shaft and said switch, a spring motor connected to said shaft, means operative upon movement of said rotary actuator for storing energy in said spring motor upon the movement of said switch to a current carrying position, means for effecting an engagement between the clutch on said shaft and said switch upon movement of said switch to a current carrying position for shifting said switch to a non-current carrying position under control of said spring motor at the end of a predetermined time interval.

9. In an incandescent lamp attachment, a rotary switch having successive current and non-current carrying positions, a pair of independent clutches, a rotary actuator rotatable about an axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of said attachment for shifting one of said clutches under manual control for moving said switch to a current carrying position, a spring motor, means controlled by said rotary actuator for storing energy in said spring motor, and means governed by said spring motor for shifting the other of said clutches automatically for moving said switch to a non-current carrying position at the end of a predetermined time interval.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CLARENCE W. BURGER.