US1501029A - Lighting fixture - Google Patents

Description

A HEY 'l willi/1,11,

v H. R; SARGENT LIGHTING AFIXTURE lFiled March 28. m21

"HigL nventm Howard R. Sargent,

His Attorney p To all whom z't may concern.'

Patented July 8, 1924,

UNITED .STAT-Es! PATENT 'o-rFFlcs.

HOWARD R sARGENT, or scHENEOTADY, NEW YORK, AssIGNO'R To GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION or NEW YORK.

. LIGHTING FIXTUREk Application mea March 2a, 1921. serial No. 456,244'.

Be it known that I, `HOWARD R. SARGENT, acitizen of the United' States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lighting Fixtures, `of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to lighting fixtures such as wall brackets, ceiling fixtures and the like, and particularly fixtures 'of the type wherein the wall or ceiling portion of the fixture comprises a wired unit and the bracket or hanging portion of the fixture comprises a second wired unit, the lat- I ter beingy adapted to be detachably connected mechanically and electrically to the former, electrical -connection being made by means of a receptacle and' plug connection.

The object of my invention is to' provide an improved structure and arrangement in an apparatus of this character and for a consideration of what I believe to be novel andmy invention, attention is directed to the accompanying description and the claims appended thereto.

More particularly, the obj ect of my invention is to provide an improved arrangementA for attaching a lamp bracket or lamp hanging meansA to the Wall portion of a fixture whereby the bracket or hanging portion of the fixture may be attached to and detached A from the wall portion in a manner as sim le and easy as that of attaching and detaching' 1 essarily limited thereto.

an ordinary plug to and from a receptacle whereby any person is enabled to mount the fixture in place or change it at will without` the assistance of an electrician. At the same timethe attachment of the fixture is strong and firm and imposes no strains on the electrical connections, this latter being of primary importance.

My invention relates more particularly to- `ceiling fixtures, and in the specification I have described it as applied to such fixtures but it will vbe understood that it is not nec- In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section of a fixture embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan` viewf thereof; Fig. 3 is a perspective view ofY a' face plate; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a 4part of the hanging portion of the fixture;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation ofa modified structure embodying my invention; Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view thereof, and Fi 7 is a perspective view of a part of thegiianging portion of the fixture shown in Figs. 5.and 6.

Referring to the drawing, 10 indicates an outlet box to which is fixed a face plate 11 by means of screws 12, the faceplate being provided with key hole slots 13 throughv which screws 12 pass, and the Outlet box being provided with inwardly projecting ears 13a having holes into which the screws thread. The use of key hole slots enables the face plate to be removed from the box screwed down. In face plate 11 is a central f opening 14 and fastened to the rear of plate 11 in line with opening 14 is a plug receptacle 15 having the usual openings 15BL and contacts 15b for receivingl and making engagement with the contacts of a plug. 16

indicates screws fastening the receptacle to the face plate, and 16a binding screws for` connecting lead wires to contacts 15b.

The foregoing arrangement may be taken as being typical of any outlet box having a face plate which carries a plug receptacle; in other words, a fiush plate receptacle, and it will be understood that in general the out- -let box is fastened in or to a wall or ceiling with theface plate fiush or substantially flush with the surface of the wall.

According to the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to`4 inclusive, I modify the wall portion ofthe fixture, that is a suitable lug receptacle structure, by providing the ace `'plateawith opposed projections or ears 17 having threadedopenin s adapted to re- ,ceive screws 18, the4 screws aving heads 19.-

Ears 17 are locatedon opposite sides of contacts 22 being adapted to engage the con` tacts of the receptacle. The plug may be of any suitable or standard. structure and is provided with a central opening 23 for the t passage of lead wires which are connected to the plug contacts by binding screws 23a. The supporting member proper comprises a yoke 24 having angularly bent ends 25 which are provided with slots 26 of a size to receive the Shanks of screws 18. -Ends 25 are provided with outturned feet or iianges 2.7 which are adapted to it behind screw heads 19 and aga plate 11. Fixed to the central portion of yoke 24 is a tubular stud 28, the yoke being provided with a hole 29 in line with the. hole through the stud. Stud 28' is threaded to receive a ixture supporting member such as a hook or hooks for supporting chains, a hickey, a tube, or other supporting means, it-being understood that the particular form of support will dependupon the nature of the ixture to be hung. In the present instance, a pipe 30 is shown attached to stud 28 and at' its lower end it may support a suitable chandelier or other device. Stud 28 is provided with opposed openings 31 for the passage of lead Wires. The plug is attached to yoke 24 by screws 32 the opening in the yoke through which the screws pass being indicated at 33 in Fig. 4.

In use the Wall portion of the xture is wired in the usual manner, the circuit terminals which enter the outlet box through an opening formed by` removing a knockout plug being connected by binding posts to the receptacle terminals. `The wall portion of the fixture thus forms a completely wired unit.. The hanging portion of the xtureis also completely wired, the lead wires which extend through tube 30 being connected at one end by the binding screws tofplug cont'acts 22 and at the other end to the electrical device or devices such as a lamp socket or socketscarried by tube 30.1 To hang the '.ixture, screws V18 are screwed out far enough, as shown in Fig. 3 -so feet 27 on anges 25 can pass between ears 17 and the heads 19. The plug vcontacts are then pushed into the receptacle openings, the entire hanging portion, of the fixture being pushed toward the wall portion. During 'the latter part of thisinovement ends 25 .ber mechanically connected inst the surface of face` The parts are pushed together` until feet 27 strike face' plate 11. Screws '18 are now screwed in so heads 19 come in front of feet or flanges 27 and ears 17`and ends 25 `are tightly clamped together. The hanging portion of the fixture is then hung securely'r in place, the plug being electrically connected to the receptacle and the supporting memto the face plate. y These connections, it will be noted are en-v tirely independent of each other so the weight -of the hanging portion of the {ixture puts no strainA on the electrical con-A nections. To remove the han ln ortion of the ixture it is only neceair It@ unscrew screws 18 until heads 19 are beyond the ends of feet 27 when the hanging portion can be pulled from engagement with the wall portion in an obvious manner.

It will thus be seen that the hanging portion of the fixture can be quickly "and easily attached to or detached from the wall portion without the services .of an electrician and in a manner almost as simple as that of connecting an ordinary plug to a receptacle. The only tool required is a screw driver. At the same time the fixture, when in place, is firmly held and not likely7 to come loose accidentally.V F urthermore.

to apply my invention to existing structures rcqinres only slight and simple changes which can be readily carried out at small expense. l

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7 I have shown a modified structure which in many respects is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and the same reference numerals with the cxponent .b added have been applied to corresponding parts. In this arrangement screws 18h thread into holes in face plate 11b and feet 27h are. provided with slots 26" which fit the Shanks of the screws, the head 19b being screwed up against the lower surface of feet 27".. The plug 21b is connected toyoke Y24" in such a manner that the yoke can turn relatively to the plug by a small amount and for this purpose ends 25Irv are provided with struck in lugs 35 which enter elongated slots in plug 21b the slots being suiiiciently long `to permit of the desired amount of relative movement. The feet 27" are provided with downturned ends 36 which' serve as a locking means for the hanging portion of the fixture. f l Manipulation of themodification shown in Figs. 5 to 7 is in all essentials the same as that of Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. T0 connect the hanging portion of the Iixture to the wall portion the screws 18" are, screwed -down suiiiciently far so that ends 36 may pass between. the heads of the screws and the surface ot face plate 11"..y

The plug contacts 22h are inserted into the receptacle opening and the hanging portion ot the tixture pushed toward the receptacle. At this time the yoke 24" is positioned relatively to plug 21" so that feet 27 strikev the tace plate at one side of screws 18". After the plug is fully inserted into the receptacle, the surface of the plug coming in contact with the face plate,.yoke 2,4 together with the hanging .portion of the fixture supportedby. tube 3()b is turned relatively to plug 2lb and face plate 11". This brings slots 26b over the shanks of screws 18", Vthe projections 3G sliding beyond heads 19". Screws 18b are then tightened to clamp feet 27 against,-

tace plate 11. The heads 19" then lie .be-v hind the downturned ends or projections 36 to lock the fixture against accidental release. To remove the hanging portion of the fixture, it is only necessary to screw screws 18b part way out giving the fixture first a turn to move-feet 27b from engagement with the screws and then pull the hanging portion ot the fixture away from the wall portion.

In accordance Withthe provisions of the patent statu-tes, l have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which l 'now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but l Adesire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention may 'be carried out by other means.

What l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent ot the United States, 1s,-

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plug receptacle, a tace plate associated therewith, headn 'ed screws threaded 'into said faceplate, a

plug for electrical connection to the receptacle, a supporting member asociated with the plug and provided with slots adapted to receive the Shanks of the screws without the removal of the screws from the face plate, and a fixture member carried by the supporting member, said fixture member and plug being wired as a unit. A

2. ln an apparatus of the character de.- scribed, the combination ot a plu receptacle, a face plate associatedtherewlth, headed screws threaded into said tace plate, .a plug for electrical connection to the receptacle, a supporting member associay with the plug and provided with slots adapted to receive the shanks oi the screws without the removal of the screws from the face plate, means for locking the supporting member to the tace plate when the screws are screwed in, and a fixture member carried by the supporting member, said xture member and plug being wired as a unit.

-.3. In an apparatus of the characterdescribed, the combination of a plug receptacle, a tace plateassoci'ated therewith, headed screwsv threaded intosaid face plate, a

plug for electrical connection to the receptacle, a supporting member associated with the plug and adapted to be fastened to said face plate by said screws, .said supporting member being provided with slots in which the Shanks of the screws lie and parts with which the heads of the screws engage to lock the supporting member to the face plate, and a fixture member carried by the supporting member, said fixture member and .plug being wired as a unit.v

It. ln a fixture of the character described,

a wallportion comprising a tace plate,

are screwed out a predetermined amount, the supporting member can be moved relatively to the face plate to bring the Shanks of the screws into the slots, and when the screws are 'screwed in the supporting memher is clamped and locked to the face plate.

5. In a fixture of the character described, a wall portion comprising a face plate, spaced hea ded screws therein, a plug receptacle, va hanging portion comprising a yoke member having ,angularly extending ends provided with slots and a contact plug carried b v theyoke, said contact plug being adapted to make electrical connection with the plug receptacle and said yoke being adapted to be moved simultaneously with the plug to bring the Shanks of said screws into said slots',fwherebv when the screws are 6. lin a fixture ofl the character described,

a wall portioncomprising a face plate, outwardly projecting ears thereon, headed screws in said ears, and a` plug receptacle, and a hanging portion comprising a yoke having bent .ends adapted to lie alongside said ears, slots in said ends J.tor the Shanks of said screws and feet adapted to lie against the face plate and behind the heads et said screws, said wall portion and said hanging portion being each wired as separate units.

7. ln a lighting fixture, a permanently wired wall portion comprising a face plate having a central opening, a plug receptacle in line with said opening. and spaced headed screws in the face plate, and a permanently wired vhanging portion comprising a fixture member, a contact plug at one end assomme thereof, and parts carried by such end of cally and mechanically to the wall ortion' the fixture member and projecting along by a continuous movement to insert t e plug 10 the sides of the plug, said parts comprising contacts in the receptacle and brin -the feet adapted to engage the surface of the Shanks ofthe screws into said' slots, an then 5 face plateand being provided with slots into a tightening of the screws. y which the Shanks of the screws are adapted In witness whereof,' I have hereunto set to pass, the hanging portion of the ixture my hand this 26th day of March, 1921. being adapted to be connected both electri- HOWARD R. SA'RGENT.

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