US663420A

US663420A - Arc-light hanger.

Info

Publication number: US663420A
Application number: US818800A
Authority: US
Inventors: George Cutter
Original assignee: GEORGE CUTTER Co
Current assignee: GEORGE CUTTER Co
Priority date: 1900-03-10
Filing date: 1900-03-10
Publication date: 1900-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 1917-12-11

Description

No.. 663,420. Patented Dec. Il, |900. G. CUTTER.

ARC LIGHT HANGER.

(Application filed liar, 10, 1900. 1

(No Model.)

@will UNITED STATES PATENT Errori..

GEORGE CUTTER, OF CHICAGO, lLLlNOlS, ASSTGNOR TO THE GEORGE CUTTER COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

ARC-LlG HT HANGER.

SPEGKFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 663,420, dated December l1, 1900.

Application filed March 10,1900. Serial No. 8,188. lNo model.)

To all who/1t 'it' 717,01/ concern:

Be it known that 1, GEORGE CUTTER, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Arc-Light Hangers, of which the following is a speeilication.

My invention relates in general to hangers by which arc-lamps can be suspended or sustained in elevated positions and from which they can be detached and lowered for trimming or other purposes while the hangers themselves remain in their elevated positions, and it relates in particular to a class of such hangers in which the lamp is automatically included in the circuit when in its elevated position and automatically cut out and the circuit closed across its terminals when lowered.

The principal objects of my invention are to secure certain new and desirable results in arc-light hangers of this kind and to provide a simple, practical, and inexpensive construev tion of hanger capable of securing such new results.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an arc-lam p suspended by a hanger embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are views of a longitudinal half of the hanger with the lamp in different positions relatively thereto. Fig. e is a side elevation of the hanger. Fig. 5 is a view of a portion of the hanger, and Fig. 6 a View of a modied form of the hanger.

The hanger which I have shown in the drawings to illustrate my invention consists, essentially, of two membersan upper member A and a lower member B, which I shall term the lamp-bracket. The upper inember A is always maintained in an elevated position-as, for example, by a large guywire 1, passing` through a long aperture formed in a piece 2, secured to the top of such member.

The lamp-bracket B serves as a holder i'or the lamp C, and the latter is for all practical purposes attached permanently to it, as by rings 3 and 4, respectively, on the bracket and on the lamp. By such arrangement any style of lamp can be supported by the hanger by merely connectingl it to the bracket B, no

special form or construction of lamp being required to cooperate with the hanger.

The upper member A and the lamp-bracket B can be detachably engaged with one another and can be disengaged and separated, in which way the lamp C can be held and supported in an elevated position by engaging` the two and can be lowered by detaching the bracket B and allowing it to descend. For the proper lowering and hoisting of the lamp the bracket l5 is provided with a couple of ropes 5 5, which are secured to a cross-arm (i on the bracket and extend upwardly and over pulleys 7 7 on the member A. They are conveniently connected by a yoke 3, and to the latter is attached another rope 9, which is led to any desirable locality where it can be operated to raise or lower the lamp. The line-wires 10 10 are attached to a cross-bar 11, conveniently secured in position above the piece 2 on the upper member A, and are led thence downwardly to the lower end of such member and into the interior `from below. They are termina-ted at binding-posts 12 12, Figs. 2 and 3, on insulating-blocks 13 13, respectively secured to the opposite side walls ofthe member A, it being understood that Figs. 2 and 3 each show but one of two like halves of the member A. In the normal condition of the hanger when it is not supporting the lamp the terminals of the line-wires 10 10 are short-circuited, so as to maintain the line continuous and uninterrupted. The arrangement l have shown for this purpose conveniently consists of a couple of switchlevers le 14, pivoted to the blocks 13 13 and connected to the binding-posts 12 12 by metallic strips 15 15. These levers 111 14- are arranged to make contact with contact-jaws 1G 16, likewise secured to the insulatingblocks 13 13, and are held normally in contact with the jaws 16 16 by springs 17 17, Fig. 2. The jaws 16 16 are connected with one another, as by conductors 18 1S, which are understood to extend between the opposite sides of the mem ber A. Bysucharrangement it will be seen that the circuit is normally closed through the hanger from one line-wire 10 to and through the corresponding strip 15, switch-lever 1e, and contact-jaw 16, thence across, by the conductors 18 18, to

IOO

the other contact-jaw 19, and thence through its lever 14- and strip 15 to the other linewire 10.

When the lamp is supported in elevated position by the hanger, the short circuit between the terminals of the line-wires is broken, and the lamp is connected with these wires. In accordance with lny invention the weight of thelampitsel'f operates to break the short circuit, a sim ple and highly-effective arrangement being to provide the switch-levers 14111 with extensions or arms 19 19 and to construct the upper end et" the lamp-bracket B with lateral projections 2O 20, capable of engaging` the extensions er arms 19 19 on the levers 14 14E. In this way when the bracket B is placed in position with its lateral projections 2O 2O above the extensions or arms 19 19 and then allowed to descend the extensions or arms 19 19 will swing downwardly and the levers 1e 1a upviardly and away from the jaws 10 16, Fig. 3,

l desirably provide stops 21 21 on the side walls of the member A for limiting the downward movement of the extensions 19 19 when the same are acting to support the lamp.

As a matter of further improvement the extensions 19 19 on the switches 11 14 also serve as connections between the line-wires and the lamp, they being to such end made of copper or the like and the lower sides ot the projections 2O 2O on the bracket B being provided with metallic contacts 23 23, Fig. 5, adapted to make contact with the extensions or arms 19 19. The contacts 23 23 are suitably insulated from the bracket B, as by be- `ing mounted upon wooden blocks 24 24e, Figs. 3 and 5. rEhey are connected with lamp-wires 25 25, which are conveniently extended along the sides of the bracket Band attached to insulators on the ends of thearms G and then connected with the lamp. 1n this way as soon as the contacts 23 23 rest upon the arms or extensions 19 19 of the switch-levers 14.- 11 the switches 14 14 are swung upwardly, so as to break the short circuit, and at the same time the current is conveyed to the lamp by means of the arms 19 19, contacts 23 23, and lamp-wires 25 25. As long as the lamp is supported by the supporting-arms 19 19, so as to retain the lamp in the elevated position, the short circuit remains broken, and the line-wires are connected with the lamp; but when the lamp is elevated and lifted from the supporting-arms 19 19 preliminary to lowering the hanger and lamp the terminals of the line-wires are short-circuited and the lamp is positively disconnected therefrom. 1t will be seen that this arrangement is simple, practical, and thoroughly eliective and that it secures positiveness and absolute reliableness of action. y

The supporting-arms 19 19, which thus desirably have the dual function of supporting the lamp and serving as connections thereto, are desirably combined with suitable means forguiding the projections 2O 2O of the bracket B te them and also for allowing the withdrawal of the bracket l5 suitably t'rom the member A. Any desired means can be employed for this purpose. As a preferred method, however, 1 provide the member A. with guideways similar in general arrange ment lo those of the supporting and locking device for electric lights illustrated and described and claimed in Patent No. 455,5 t7, of July 7, 1891, owned by me.

The guideways referred to are the guide ways 2G 2U and 27 27, both understood to be on both sides or walls of the member A. The guideways 26 26 are constructed with downwardly and upwardly opening mouths and extend thence inwardly and outwardly. The guideways 27 27 extend upwardly and inwardly from substantially the inner end of the guideways 2G 2G. rlhe arms 19 are arranged below the junction ot' these two sets ol' guideways. 1n operation when the lamp is elevated by the hoisting-rope 5 5 the projections 2O 2O at the upperends ot' the bracket B enter the mouths of the guideways 26 2G and pass upwardly and inwardly, and then the guide-ropes being slackened they descend and rest upon the arms 19 19. When the lamp is to be lowered, the ropes 5 5 are first drawn to elevate it, whereupon the projection's on the bracket pass upwardly and out through the guideways 27 27and then downwardly through guideways 29 29 and out of the member A.. The guideways 26 2o', 27 27, and 29 29 are conveniently provided by projections or lugs 30 30, 31 31, and 32 32, cast upon the longitudinal halves of the member A. It will be seen that this engagement of the bracket B with the member A and its disengagement therefrom can be easily and readily performed and is entirely automatic in operation.

rihe pulleys 7 7 for the hoisting-ropes are desirably arranged outside of the member A and conveniently provided with housings 39 ln this way all of the electrical mechanisms ot the hanger can be arranged inside of such member, and the size el' the same can therefore be greatly reduced.

In Fig. 6 1 have shown a modiied form of my invention particularly adapted for use in connection with arc-lam ps ugon incandescent or constant-potential circuits. ln this form the supportiufr-arms 19 19 are merely connected with the contacts 12 12 and the jaws 1G 16 are dtspensed with. By this arr-angoment it is obvious that when the bracket is suspended by the supporting-arms the current will iiow to the lamp C, as before; but when it is removed from such arms the lamp will be disconnected and the circuit will be open at that lamp, it beingl unnecessary to close it.

What l claim as my invention is- 1. The combination in a lamp-hai'xger, ot' a pair oi pivoted swinging levers provided with arms or extensions adapted to serve as switches the said levers and arms thereof be- IOO IIO

ing arranged on opposite sides of the pivotal points, contacts with which said levers can make connection, springs normally holding said levers in position to connect with said contacts, a bracket or holder for the lamp having laterally-projecting conducting members adapted to engage and rest upon said arms or extensions, and to operate the same so as to swing the levers away from said contacts.

2. In a lamp-hanger, the combination of a pair of pivotally-supported swinging levers provided with extensions or arms arranged on sides of the pivotal support opposite the levers, contacts with which the `levers can make connection, springs tending to hold the levers normally against said contacts, and a lamp bracket or holder provided with lateral projections adapted to engage and rest upon said arms or extensions, and to swing the same when so engaged, so as to cause the levers to separate from said contacts.

3. In a lamp-hanger, the combination of a pair of switching devices, each consisting of a pivotally-supported swinging lever provided with a substantially horizontally extending armor extension arranged on the sides of the pivotal support opposite the lever, contacts with which said levers can make connection, springs normally holding said levers against said contacts, a lamp hanger or bracket adapted to support the lamp and provided at its upper end with lateral projections and conductors extended on the lamp bracket or hanger from the lamp upwardly to the lateral projections and beneath the same, and having the insulation removed from their lower surface below said projections, whereby said conductors can engage and rest upon the arms or extensions of said switching devices and can operate the devices when suspended therefrom, substantially as described.

Li. In a lamp-hanger, the combination with a bracket or holder for the lamp, of a circuitcontrolling device adapted for operation by the weight of the lamp, and guideways leading to the circuit-controlling device forguiding the bracket or holder to such device.

5. In a lamp-hanger, a member having switching devices and also having` pulleys, the switching devices being arranged inside of a casing and the pulleys being arranged on the outside of the opposite sides of the same, whereby moisture is prevented from gaining access to the interior of the device.

U. In a lamp-hanger, a lamp-bracket consisting of a stem having its upper end provided with lateral projections and its lower end constructed in the form ot'across-arm in combination with a member adapted to coperate with the lateral projections on the upper end of said hanger, substantially as described.

7. In a lamp-hanger, a lamp-bracket consisting of a stein having its upper end provided with lateral projections and its lower 0nd constructed in the form of a cross-arm, in combination with ropes attached to the opposite sides of said cross-arm and a member adapted to coperate with the lateral projections on the upper end oi said bracket, substantially' as described.

S. The combination with a member carrying lamp-supporting devices, of an upper supporting-piece having a swivel connection with said member and provided with a rigidly-seen red, transverse]y-extending insulating-arm.

Sl. In a lamp-hanger, the combination with a member carrying lamp-supporting devices, of pulleys on the side of said member, a lampbracket adapted to engage said supporting` devices and constructed with a transverse arm, and ropes extending over said pulleys and downwardly from the same and attached to said cross-arm. Y

lO. In a lamp-hanger, the combination of a member carrying lamp-supporting devices, pulleys on the opposite sides of said member, a lamp-bracket adapted to engage said supporting devices and constructed with a transverse arm, ropes extended about said pulleys and downwardly from the same, and attached to the cross-arm, a supporting-piece for supporting said member and having a swivel connection therewith, a cross -arm rigidly secured to said supporting-piece, and conductors extending from the cross-arm on said supportingpiece downwardly to said member.

ll. The combination with a member provided with lamp-supporting devices, and also provided with guideways, a supporting-piece with which said member has a swivel connection, and a lamp-bracket adapted to engage said lamp-supporting devices and to travel in said guideways.

l2. The combination with a member adapted to support the lamp, of a lamp-bracket adapted to engage said member at its upper end, and ropes attached to said lamp-bracket below its upper end, whereby the bracket can move or swing laterally relatively to the ropes.

I3. In a lamp-hanger, a supporting member consisting of a casing containing lampsupporting devices, and pulleys arranged on the outside of the opposite sides of the casing, whereby the connections to the lamp can be made within the casing from which the moisture will he excluded, and the ropes for elevating the lamp can be supported outside of the casing.

I4. A lamp-hanger comprising a supporting member, consisting of a casing containing lamp-supporting devices and provided on its outside with pulleys, a lamp-bracket adapted to support the lamp and constructed so as to engage the lamp-supporting devices in said casing, ropes arranged over said pulleys and attached to said lamp-bracket, whereby the bracket can be elevated or lowered by the IOO IIO

ropes which are outside of the casing` and ztt the saine time the connection of the lmnp can occur within the casing.

l5. A lztinpdianger comprising` n supporting-piece adapted to engage a supportingwire und provided with a rigidly-secured cross-arm, n supporting niember consisting` of at casing containing' lamp-supportingy devices, the sstid casing` being provided on its interior with guidewftys leading to and from said supporting devices, and being provided on its exterior with pulleys, a lamp-bracket consisting' of a stem having' its upper end provided with projections adapted to move in said guideways and to engage the lamp-supporting,` devices, said bracket having its lower end constructed in the forni of a cross-arm, conductors nrran ged upon said lmnp-bracket and extending;` up the stein of the saine and outward on the under side of said projections, line conductors extended from the cross-Erni of the supporting-piece downwardly to the bottoni of the casing and upwardly into the sinne, and connected with the lump-supporting devices therein, it couple of guide-ropes passing over said pulleys and having their lower ends attached to the cross-Erin, forniing the lower end of the lmnp-bracket, a connecting-piece connecting the opposite ends of sztid ropes, and zithird rope attached to said connecting-piece.

1G. In a lamp-hanger, n lmnp-bracket consisting of n stein having` its upper end provided With projections, and having` its lower end constructed in the'forni of at cross-arm in colnbinzttion with conductors arranged upon seid cross-arm and upwardly along The sides of said stein, and thence outwardly on the under sides of seid projections, the portions oli' s-(tid conductors below said projeclions being' insulated therefrom and free from insul-(ttion on their lower sides.

Signed by nie tt Chicago, Illinois, this 3d day of March, 1900.

GEORGE CUTTER. Witnesses:

A. MILLER BELEIELD, CHARLES E. HUBERT.