US1395084A - Outlet-fitting - Google Patents

Description

R. B. slim/umm, OUTLET FITTING.

APPLICTION FILED JUNE 28,'1915.

Patented Got. 25, 1921.l

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

RE'UBEN BENJAMIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TQ BENJAMIN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLI- NOIS.

OUTLET-FITTING.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, REUBEN B. BENJAMIN, a. citizen of the United States, residinnf at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented newA and useful Improvements in Outlet-Fittings, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

'My invention relates to outlet fittings.

One of the objects of m invention is to provide a fitting which wi l have improved means for making electrical connection with the outlet and supporting a lamp device such as a sh'ade or other fixture.

In the drawings, in which I have shown several embodiments of my invention- Figure 1 is an axial section of an outlet box in which the cover is supported by a strap secured to theconduit,v and in which a special connector for supporting a xture having a stem support and making electrical connection with the conduit is provided;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing center and side contacts of the connector and the manner in which they are secured on the base;

Fig. 3 is a section substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing the arrangementof the binding plates;

Fig. 4 is an axial section of the modification in which the outlet box cover is secured to the' ears of the outlet box and is provided with a threaded connector for supporting a lamp shade or' other device, an ornamental cover also being provided; and

Fig. 5 is an axial section showing my inventionin connection with a connector for supporting a fixture having a chain support.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and iirst to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I have here shown my invention in connection with an outlet box 10 having an opening 11 therein through which extends a Iconduit 12 forming an outlet for the feed circuit. The outlet box is secured in place vby means of a nut 13 threadedon the end of the conduit. A lstrap 14 for supporting the outlet box cover has an opening throughwhich the end of the conduit extends and isl held in place on the conduit by'means of a nut 15. The cover 16is held in place on the conduit by means of screws 17 threaded inthe ends of the strap 14." Secured to the cover Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 25, 1921.

Application filed .Tune 28, 1915.` Serial No. 36,819.

1.6 is a supporting member 18 which may be of sheet metal threaded at 19 to engage a suitable connector 'and reduced, as shown at 20, to form a shoulder for engagement with the shoulder of a receptacle, and flanged over as shown at 21 ,to secure it in place on the cover `16. A reinforcing washer 22 may be provided to strengthen the connection between the member 18 and the cover 16. The member 18 is provided with an insulating base 26a, which base is provided with a flange or shoulder 27 in en- I gagement with the shoulder 20 of the member 18 and is recessed at 28 to receive the spring tongues 23 which hold the receptacle in position. The receptacle is provided with suitable binding terminals 28a.` Supported by the member 18 is a combination connector andsupporting device 29 having a U-shaped spring center contact. 30 for engagement with the center contact of the receptacle, an insulating base `portion 31 for supporting the center contact, side contacts 32 for engagement with .the shell contact 26 of the receptacle, binding terminals 33 .and 34 for the lamp connection, an insulating base portion 35 for supporting the side contacts and binding terminals, and a mechanical connecting device 36 for connecting a lamp fixture having a stem support with the supporting member 18. The mechanical. connecting device 36 comprises a threaded :shell portion 37 for engaging the threaded portion 19 of the member 18, a bushing 38 for engagement with the threaded end 38a of a stem for supporting a lamp fixture such as an electrolier, and a cup member 39 in which the insulating base 35 is seated and to which the threaded shell is connected. The base portion 31 is recessed at its upper end as shown at 40 to receive the center contact 30 (which is held in place on the base portion by means of a hollow rivet or eyelet 41. The center contact 30is electrically connected to the binding plate 42 by means of a screw 43 which also serves to hold the two base portions 31 and 35 together. The binding plate 42 is held in place on the base portion 35 by means of a screw 44 and is provided with a binding screw 45 for connection with one of the conductors leading to the lamp.

Each side contact 32 comprises a spring tongue portion 46 seated in a recess 47 in the base 31, and a base portion 48 seated in a recess 49 in the portion 35. Theseside contacts 32 are both electrically connected to a yoke shaped binding plate 50 by means of screws 51 having their heads seated in recesses 52 in the base 35, these screws extending through openings 52a in the base portions 48 of .the side contacts and being threaded into the binding plate '50. A binding screw 53 is provided for connection with the other conductor leading to the lamp.

The cup member 39 isA providedwith an outwardly extending flange 54 over which the lower end of the threaded member 37 is flanged, as shown at 55. The bushing 38l is provided with a hexagonal flange 56 which is located in a hexagonal recess 57 in the base portion 35.\ The cup member 39 may be .flanged over as shown at 58 beneath the flange 56 to strengthen the connection between the bushing and cup member. F or holding the'base portion 35 in position in the cup member 39 a retaining member 59 is provided which may be a split sheet metal ring having an inwardly extending flange portion 60vfor engagement with the upper face of the base 35.` The threaded member 37 is flanged over as shown at 61 to hold the retaining member 59 after it has been slipped into place. Y

The use and operation of the device of this modification is as follows: The receptacle 24 is slipped in place within the supporting member 18, the spring tongues 23 yielding to permit this and snapping into place in the recesses 28 when the receptacle 1s properly positioned. Thef'eedwires are then connected to the binding terminals 28a of the receptacle 24 after which the cover 16 carrying the receptacle is secured in place on the outlet box by means of lthe screws 17. Any lamp lixture having a threaded stem supported such as 38a is connected with the bushing 38'by threading the stem 38a therein.. The terminals 33 and 34 are then wired and the base portions 31 and'35 se-l cured'together by means of the screw 43. The retaining ring 59 is then slipped into place to hold the base 35 in position in the cup 39. A member, capableof rotary movement and including the parts 54, 55 and 37, is threaded as shown at-37 to provide fas` tening means operable upon a rotary movement of said member to co-act with threaded portion 19 to mechanically connect the fixture to the outlet box cover. As the shell portion 37 is screwed into the vthreaded portion 19 the side contacts 32 and center contact 30 will be brought into contact .with the center and shell contacts25 and 26 of the receptacle 24 to complete" the electrical connection between the outlet and the fixture. The circuit will be from the center contact 25 to the contact 30, screw 43, binding plate 42, binding screw 45, lamp circuit, binding screw 53, binding plate 50 and side contacts 32 to the threaded shell contact 26 of the receptacle.4

In the modification of Fig. 4 I have shown my invention in connection with an outlet box 62 having a cover 63 which may be of sheet steel which is connected to the outlet box by means of screws 64 extending through openings in the cover and threaded into the ears 65 of the outlet box. The cover 63 has an opening 66 through which extends the reduced portion 67 of a supporting device 68 which has a portion flanged over above the cover of the outlet box to hold the supporting device 68 in place. The supporting device has a threaded portion 70 for supportinganysuitable lamp device, such kas a lamp shade, and is provided with stamped up tongues 71 for holding a receptacle in place. The receptacle used with this device may be similar in all respects to the receptacle 24 ofthe modification of Fig. 1. An ornamental cover 72 is provided having an opening 73 therein to receive the threaded portion 70 of the lsupporting device 68. This cover 72 is slit adjacent the opehing 73, on'e edge ofthe slit being bent up and the other being bent down, as shown at 74 to cause the edge of the opening 73 to assume a helical shape to conform to the threads on the threaded portion 70. A

'shade 75 having a threaded neck portion 76 is 'secured to the supporting member 68, the

upper edge of which neck portion 76 may be flanged inwardly as shown at 77 for engagement with the flange 27 on the receptacle 24. The use of the device of this modification is as follows:

The receptacle 24 is slipped in place within the supporting device 68V and the feedl wires from the outlet are connected thereto. The cover 63 is then secured to the outlet box by means of the screws 64; the ornamental cover 72 is then screwed into placer after which the shade is attached.

In Fig. 5 I have'shown my invention in connection with a supporting device 78 for a chain supported lamp fixture. This supi In the claims, where the expression lamp fixture device is used, it will be understood to-include, but not in limitation, refiectors, shade-holders, shades, electroliers, etc.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to securev by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the class described, a connector device adjacent to an electrical outlet, comprising an insulating base, and a wiring terminal supported thereby, and 'a contact also supported thereby for engagement with the contact of a coperatin connector device, said contact being e ectrically connected to Said wiring terminal, a cover forv said outlet provided with an annular connecting member, and a supporting device having an annular portion for making connection with said member, and a" portion for holding said base in position with respect to said outlet, said supporting device being also' provided with means for mechanically supporting a lampv fixture device.

2. A connector device provided with means for mounting it adjacent an electrical out- Y let comprising an insulating base, a wiring terminal supported thereby, a contact also supported thereby for engagement with the contact of a coperating connector device, said contact being electrically connected with said wiring terminal, a cover for said outlet having an annular connecting portion, and ay an annular porsupporting device havin tion for making connection with said first portion, and a portion for holding said base in position with respect to said outlet, a cup-shaped member supported by said second annular portion, and a lamp fixture supported by said cup-shaped member.

3. An outlet fitting comprising an outlet cover, an electrical connector device located adjacent Said cover, including an insulating base and a contact supported byvsaid base for engagement with the contact of a coof a plug having a contact for engaging the receptacle contact, and having `a wiring terminal for the fixture wire, and common supporting means Jfor supporting the plug and fixture in position with respect to the receptacle, comprising a ring swiveled with respect to said plug and fixture, said receptacle having a contact member extending into said swivel ring. i

5. The combination with an electric lamp fixture and a receptacle having a contact, of a plug having a contact for engaging the receptacle contact, and having a wiring terminal for the fixture wire, and common supporting means for supporting the plug and fixture in position with respect to the receptacle, comprising a ring swiveled with respect to said plug and fixture, said receptacle having an insulating housing for the receptacle contact extending into said ring.

6. The combination with an outlet box cover having an opening therein, a receptacle having its outer face substantially fiush with said opening, and an .electric light! ing fixture, of a plug having contacts for engaging the receptacle contacts, and having wirin terminals for the wires of the lighting `Xture, and common supporting means for supporting said plug and fixture in position with respect to said receptacle, comprising a swivel ring swiveled with respect to said plug and fixture, and extending into and engaging the opening in the cover. n

7. The combination with a receptacle hav- ,ing a contact, and a fixture, of a plug having a contact for engaging the receptacle contact, and having a wiring terminal for the wire for the fixture, and common supporting means for supporting the plug and fixture in position with respect to the receptacle, comprising a fixed annular connector member surrounding said receptacle and spaced therefrom, and a swivel ring swiveled with respect to said plug and fixture, and extending into the annular space between sai-d fixed annular member and said receptacle, and detachably connected with said fixed annular member. Y

8. The combination with an electric lamp fixture and a receptacle having a contact,

of a plug having a contact for engaging the receptacle contact, and having a wiring terminal for the .fixture wire, and common supporting means for supporting the j,

plug and fixture in position with respect to the receptacle, comprising a ring swiveled with respect to said plug, said receptacle having an insulating housing forv the receptacle-contact extending into said ring.

9. The combination with a receptacle having a contact, anda fixture, of a plugA having a contact for engaging the receptacle contact, and having a wiring terminal vfor the fixture, and common supporting means for supporting the plug and fixture in position with respect to the receptacle,

comprising a fixed annular connector member surrounding said receptacle and spaced therefrom, and a ring swiveled with respect to said plug and extending into the annular space between said fixed annular member and said receptacle, and detachably connectevdl with said fixed annular member.

l0. The combination With an'electric lamp fixture and a receptacle having a Contact,

of a plug havinga contact for engaging the receptacle contact, and having a Wiring terminal for the fixture Wire, and supporting means forsupportng the plug and fiX- ture in position with respect to the receptacle, comprising a member including connecting means operable upon a rotary movement of said member, said receptacle having an insulating housing for the receptacle Contact surrounded by said connecting means When the parts are connected.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN.

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