Patent GB-402827-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to electrical signalling systems
IPC: H04Q1/38
Filed: 1932-06-10
Abstract: 402,827. Totalizators. AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC CO., Ltd., Strowger Works, Liverpool, and McCABE, F., 40, Russell Gardens, Golders Green, London. June 10, 1932, No. 16470. [Class 106 (i).] In an electric signalling system wherein a group of devices at the receiver is connected in parallel to two groups of line wires and any one of the devices may be selectively operated by applying battery to a selected lead in each group, incorrect operation of a plurality of devices in circuits in parallel with that of the selected device is prevented by the provision of a dry rectifier in series with each device. Alternatively, each device may comprise a neon lamp which when operated inherently tends to prevent operation of parallelly connected lamps. The Figures show the system applied to an electric totalisator which facilitates the registration of " double betting," i.e. a bet is won only if selected runners in two different races are both successful. The code leads 1-8 of ticketissuing machines, one of which is shown in Figs. 1 and 4, are connected to corresponding contacts in the banks of assigner switches ACS, BCS at the central station which during operation successively associates the code leads of the various machines with the registering equipment. Code leads 1-4, 5-8 are allocated to the different races, and the central station equipment is provided with registers 11-44, a separate register being provided for each possible pair of runners. Moreover, a " total " registering device is provided which is operated together with any one of the runner registering devices. Registration of double-betting. Preferably each ticket machine has two rows ACC, BCC of four keys and a double bet is recorded by operation of a key in each row in the desired combination. Alternatively, the machine has sixteen keys, operation of a key being adapted to close a contact in each of the sets ACC, BCC. At the commencement of betting the various " start " keys individual to the " runner " registers 11-44 are operated to operate contacts s<1>, s<2> in the corresponding registers Fig. 3. Operation of the master " start " key, earths lead 50 and relay SR is operated over wipers 5a, 5b to energize the stepping magnets ACM, BCM. Operation of ACM, BCM, de-energizes SR at the interrupter contacts acm, bcm and ACM, BCM release to step forward the corresponding switches. Relay SR is again operated and the cycle is repeated to step the wipers over the banks. The betting keys ACC, BCC mark the contacts in the banks of the assigner switches and when the wipers engage the marked contacts, a circuit is closed over contacts MCH, which are operated upon depression of the keys, relay B, selected line in group 1 ... 4 corresponding wiper, relay M of the selected register, e.g. 14 M of register 14, rectifier mc, wiper and selected line in group 5 .. 8, lead 53 relay A in " total " register TAM, relay MT and interrupter springs ucm. Relay M in the individual register alone operates in this circuit owing to its high resistance and at contacts m<1> shunts the upper winding and thereby increases the current in the circuit to bring about operation of relays B, A. Relay A locks up, provides an alternative holding circuit for SR to arrest the operation of the assigner switches and at contact a<3> prepares MT. Relay B operates a selflocking latching magnet LM which starts the motor MTR for driving the ticket printing and issuing machine. A circuit also is closed over relay L, which however remains inoperative due to its differential lower winding, but as its resistance is less than that of B, the current is further increased and relay MT is operated. Relay MT operates the units counter (not shown) which when the bet is recorded operates springs ucm and thereby effects release of relays MT, A, M, and B. Relay L is then operated to disconnect the totalizing equipment and prevent possibility of further operation. Release of relay A allows the assigner switches to continue their rotation and after the printing and issuing operation at the ticket machine, LM is mechanically unlatched to disconnect the motor MTR and allow release of the operated keys. Relays M of the individual registers are connected in common to the line wires so that for any particular selection, a circuit is established through the appropriate M relay and parallel circuits are established through other M relays. In order to prevent operation of these latter relays, copper-oxide rectifiers are connected in circuit with the M relays in order that current may be precluded from the parallel circuits. Arrangement of counting-apparatus. Fig. 7 shows counting apparatus which, with a slight change is suitable for either the individual or the total registering devices. The apparatus comprises rotary digital switches arranged in serial relationship. When used as an individual registering device, operation of a relay S by the " start " keys prepares the stepping circuit so that upon operation of register relay M, the units switch UCS is operated. When switch UCS engages its last contact, stepping magnet TCM of the " tens " switch is operated and similar circuits are provided for higher digit switches. Upon release of the keys, S releases and homing circuits are closed for the switches. When used as a total registering device, the contact M is operated by the relay MT, Fig. 2, and the dotted connection is wired to the upper winding of MT. Registering bets on all possible combinations. Each machine is provided with a key DUK to facilitate registration on all individual registers and the operation of the " totals" register to record the individual bets. Upon operation of DUK relays B, N are operated over lead 55 and wiper 6b, relay B initiating the printing and issuing operation, while N is partially energized to operate contact nl and energize SR to arrest the motion of the assigner switches. Operation of contacts lm1 shunts B and relay N operates fully and energizes relay NA. NA releases N and allows L to pull up and further operates F which pulls up D to apply signalling potential simultaneously to the leads 1 ... 8 to effect a registration on all the individual registering devices. When all the registers have operated, a series circuit is closed over contacts m2 for driving magnet DUM of switch DUC and the switch takes a step. Relays F, D are released and signalling potential is removed from the code leads. The switch DUC then interacts with the " totals " register to count off the bets registered in the individual registers. The start relays of the individual registers are provided with contacts 11s3, 12s3 &c. so that contacts in the bank 1c. of DUC are marked. When the wiper 1c engages a marked contact, relay MT is operated to operate the " totals " counter and at mt 1 the magnet DUM. Relay MT and magnet DUM interact, the former registering the total of the individual bets as the latter drives the wipers 1c, 2c over the banks. If in the event of a reduction of runners, some of the individual registers are not brought into use, the corresponding contacts in the group 11s3, 12s3 &c. remain inoperative and mark contacts in the bank 2c to provide self-driving circuits for switch DUC without affecting the " totals " register. Modifications. Instead of using rectifiers, neon tubes which only permit current flow when the applied potential reaches a definite striking value may be used.