IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ELECTRICAL ALARM APPARATUS FOR THE PROTECTION OF DWELLING HOUSES OR OTHER STRUCTURES OR PLACES FROM BURGLARY
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Harris Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ELECTRICAL ALARM APPARATUS
FOR THE PROTECTION OF DWELLING HOUSES OR OTHER STRUCTURES OR
PLACES FROM BURGLARY." A communication from abroad by Henry Clay
Roome, of Jersey City, New Jersey, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Harris Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th September 1881.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO
ELECTRICAL ALARM APPARATUS FOR THE PROTECTION OF DWELLING HOUSES OR
OTHER STRUCTURES OR PLACES FROM BURGLARY." [A communication from
abroad by Henry Clay Roome, of Jersey City, New Jersey, United States of
America].
This Invention relates to improvements in electric burglar alarm apparatus, and
comprises ineans for ascertaining whether the electric circuit is or is not intact and
in the proper condition, means for ascertaining whether an alarm proceeds from
inside or outside a structure to be guarded, means whereby part of the premises
protected may be maintained in circuit, and another part or parts cut or short
circuited out of the circuit; means whereby windows are effectually protected; and
means whereby a telephonic transmitter is effectually utilized to detect attempts to
gain access to premises guarded or articles contained therein.
These improvements relate more particularly to burglar alarm apparatus, which
comprise electric circuits extending through or partly through a number of houses,
or other buildings or structures to be protected or guarded, and establishing com-
munication between them and an office where watchmen are kept. Usually
alarms are given by the cutting out of resistance coils through the opening of a
window or door, or by breaking the electric circuits at the structures to be
guarded.

page_text: One object of the present improvements is to provide simple and effective means
whereby the watchmen at the office may, whenever desirable, ascertain whether
the electric circuits traversing the structures to be guarded are intact and in the
proper condition.
To this end the said improvements consist in the combination in an electric
burglar alarm apparatus of an instrument located in a structure to be guarded and
adapted to be released by the watchmen at the office, so as to cause it to operate
and transmit back a signal. Preferably the means employed to enable the watch-
men to effect the release of this instrument comprise an electro-magnet and
appurtenances, and the electro magnet is actuated by augmentation of a force or
potential of the electric current flowing through the electric circuit in the structure
to be guarded. The instrument employed to give the signals may consist of a
train of wheels, comprising a wheel or device which closes a short circuit when
the instrument is running, and thereby transmits a signal from the structure to be
guarded to the office.
Electric burglar alarm-apparatus as ordinarily constituted depend for the
sounding of an alarm on a change in the resistance of the electric circuit, and are
defective in that alarms are liable to be sounded at the office through the electrical
action of the natural elements outside a structure to be guarded by the momentary
contact of another wire or conductor, swaying, for instance, in a storm, or even by
induction from adjacent electric circuits. At the office such an accident causes the
giving of an alarin just as though there had been a change in the resistance withio
the structure to be guarded, occasioned, for instance, by the opening and instan-
taneous closing of a window or door. Frequently much useless trouble is in this
manner entailed, as the watchmen have to be sent to the structure to ascertain
whether anything is or is not wrong there.
Therefore another object of the present improvements is to afford means
whereby alarms occasioned by momentary changes in the condition of the circuit,
accidentally or in any other way, outside the structure to be guarded may be
distinguished from alarms produced from some cause at or within the structure,
even where the latter are caused by the opening of a door or window, which is
instantly closed again. To this end there is combined with the electric circuit in
the structure a mechanism which, when the electric circuit is short-circuited at or
within the structure, as, for instance, by the opening of a door or window, will hold
or maintain it short circuited, preferably leaving it however free to be released at
the office.
Another object of the present improvements is to afford provision for com-
municating with the inmates of a structure from the office, notwithstanding the
use of the mechanism just referred to for holding or maintaining the electric circuit
short circuited as aforesaid. The said improvements therefore further consist in
the combination with an electric-circuit and electro-magnet comprised in the
mechanism for holding or maintaining the electric circuit short-circuited, of a
battery of sufficient force to enable the electro-magnet to attract an armature to
effect and maintain the short circuiting, another battery of greater force for
causing the electro-magnet to attract another armature for effecting the operation
of a bell or other signal in the structure, and means for bringing either
battery into communication with the electric circuit at will to attain the desired
end.
In structures to be guarded which are used as stores or warehouses, partitions,
walls, skylights, and like parts are commonly protected by fine wires traversing
them, and arranged in the electric circuits 80 that burglars cannot effect an
entrance through them without severing the wires and causing an alarm to be
Bounded at the office. Frequently these fine wires are accidentally broken during
the day when the warehouses are open, and the alarm is thereby inoperative. In
th & manner much annoyance is occasioned, as their breakage is not discovered
until the warehouse is closed, and it is too late to repair them without great
inconvenience to the tenants.

page_text: Another object of the present improvements is therefore to provide a means for
indicating when such a breakage occurs, so that it can be repaired before the
ordinary time of closing the warehouse. This is accomplished by placing all the
partitions, walls, skylights, and other like parts, which are protected by fine wires
in the manner described, in one portion of the electric circuit which extends
through the structure, and all openings, such as doors and windows, which need to
be guarded when the structure is closed, but which are used while the structure is
in use in another portion, and by combining with these portions of the electric
circuit a suitable switch or switches whereby the tenants of the said structure may
cut out of the electric circuit the doors, windows, and other like openings and
allow the partitions, walls, skylights, and other like parts to remain in the electric
circuit and in communication with the station or office. A breakage of the fine
wires would cause an alarm to be given at the office as soon as such breakage
occurred.
To prevent burglars from concealing themselves in the structure to be guarded,
and by means of the switch or switches cutting out the portion of the electric
circuit which includes the doors and windows without giving an alarm at the
station or office, the present improvements also comprise a resistance-coil, and
another switch or switches, preferably connected with the former, by means of
which when the portion of the electric circuit which includes the doors and
windows is cut out, the resistance coil will be short-circuited out so as to cause an
alarm to be sounded at the station or office.
Another object of the present improvements is to provide a more effectual
protection to windows where a permanently affixed lattice traversed by wires in
the electric circuit cannot be employed, for instance, because it would spoil the
appearance of the windows or interfere with a display of merchandise. To this
end the said improvements consist in the combination with a window of a switch
and a removable lattice traversed by wire, which when the lattice is in place is in
the electric circuit. A severing of the wire of the lattice will cause alarm to be
given at the office, and the removal of the lattice will cause the switch to operate
and short-circuit the resistance coil, and entail the giving of an alarm at the office.
This lattice therefore affords great protection to the window.
The shutters used in connection with a window are frequently employed as a
means of protecting or guarding the window through the agency of electric burglar
alarms, but as heretofore employed they have been liable to get out of order, and
when the shutters have been made of iron they have been liable to establish a
short circuit or escape to the ground through contact of the electric circuit with the
shutter, and electric communication from that by moisture on the exterior of the
building.
To obviate these objections my improvements consist in the employment in
connection with a shutter arranged outside a window of a switch provided with a
pin, and operating in conjunction with an independent pin which is in contact
therewith, so that the shutter when closed may impinge against it, thereby forcing
it and the piu of said switch inwards, and maintaining the said switch inoperative,
but so that when said shutter is opened a spring comprised in the switch may
actuate the switch, and effect the short-circuiting of the resistance coil out of the
circuit. It is best to arrange this switch inside the structure comprising the
window, and make the independent pin extend to the outside of the structure,
where the shutter when closed may come in contact with it. The pin of the switch
and the independent pin are better than a single long pin, as they will be less apt
to be detrimentally affected in their operation by warping, shrinking, or other
changes of the window-casing. The independent pin is preferably provided with a
head of insulating material at the inner end; such head will afford an extended
bearing between the two pins, will prevent the independent pin from falling outside
the structure comprising the window, and will insulate the independent pin from
the pin of the switch, so as to prevent the forming of a short circuit or escape to
the ground, in the manner hereinabove referred to.

page_text: As the lattice before described will effectually prevent burglars from cutting their
way through a window, it may be advantageously employed in addition to the
switch and its appurtenances which the shutter controls. An advantage of employing
switches in connection with the shutter and lattice, instead of utilizing a shutter
and lattice to close or break a circuit is, that the circuit may then be short-circuited
80 as to afford access to the window when the tenants of the structure desire it, and
may still be maintained through the remainder or any portion of the structure where
it may be desired.
Another object of the present improvements is to more effectively apprise the
watchmen at the office of any attempt to gain entrance to a structure to be guarded.
To this end the improvements consist in the combination with a structure to be
guarded, and an electric circuit establishing communication between the same and
the office, of a visual signal connected with the electric circuit at the station or
office, and a telephonic transmitter connected with the electric circuit at the structure
to be guarded, and serving to affect the said visual signal. The telephonic transmitter
will preferably be a microphone.
The said improvements also consist in the combination with a structure to be
guarded, and an electric circuit establishing communication between the same and
the office, of a visual signal and a telephonic receiver connected with said electric
circuit at the office, and a telephonic transmitter connected with said electric circuit
at the structure to be guarded, and serving to affect the visual signal and the
telephonic receiver..
The said improvements further consist in the combination with a structure to be
guarded, having an electric covering or lining, and an electric circuit establishing
communication with the same and a station or office furnished with a suitable
_ receiving instrument,-of a-telephonic transmitter so adjusted and so connected with
the circuit at the structure to be guarded as to transmit noises occasioned by
tampering with the electric covering or lining to the station or office.
The said improvements further consist in the combination with a series of
structures to be guarded of electric circuits communicating therewith and with a
common ground or return wire or conductor at a station or office, preferably a series
of telephonic transmitters connected with the electric circuits, a telephonic receiver
in communication with this common ground or return wire or conductor, and a
system of switches whereby the electric circuits may have their connection with the
common ground or return wire or conductor severed to facilitate rapidly ascertaining
from which of the structures sounds heard in the receiver proceed.
The said improvements also consist in a number of electric circuits establishing
communication between a number of structures to be guarded and a station or office,
telephonic transmitters connected with said electric circuits at the said structures,
visual signals connected with said circuits at the station or office, a ground or
return wire or conductor connected with said electric circuits at the station or office
and common to them all, a telephonic receiver connected to said ground wire or
conductor, and a system of switches, the whole being so combined and organised
that the telephonic transmitter is adapted to affect the visual signal and receiver,
and that the said switches may be manipulated to connect and disconnect the said
electric circuit and visual signals to and from said ground or return wire or conductor
and receiver at will.
The said improvements also consist in the combination of a telephonic transmitter
and a resistance coil or device in the electric circuit at the structure to be guarded,
an induction coil, the primary wire of which is in the circuit at the office, and a
telephonic receiver at said office connected to the secondary wire of the induction
coil, so that the resistance will not materially affect the electric circuit.
The said improvements also consist in the combination of a telephonic transmitter
in the electric circuit at the structure to be guarded, a telephonic receiver in the
circuit at the office, a sounding instrument at the structure to be guarded, and means
whereby said sounding instrument may be set in operation from the office to
occasion at the structure noises that will be transmitted to the office by the telephonic

page_text: transmitter and receiver. In this way the watchmen are afforded additional
means of ascertaining whether the electric circuit is or is not correct. Preferably
this sounding instrument gives a definite signal, so as to obviate any possibility of
mistaking it, but an ordinary train of wheels will suffice to make a noise sufficient
for the purpose.
Means may be provided whereby a watchman at the station or
office may effect the short circuiting of the telephonic transmitter out of the
circuit, and obtain signals at the station or office from the signalling and sounding
instrument, the telephonic transmitter being reinstated in the circuit between the
signals. Then the noise produced by the running of the signalling and sounding
instrument may be transmitted to the station or office in the interims between the
signals.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Harris Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th March 1882.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO
ELECTRICAL ALARM APPARATUS FOR THE PROTECTION OF DWELLING HOUSES OR
OTHER STRUCTURES OR PLACES FROM BURGLARY." A communication from
abroad by Henry Clay Roome, of Jersey City, New Jersey, United States of
America.
This Invention relates to improvements in electric burglar-alarm-apparatus, and
comprises means for ascertaining whether the electric circuit is or is not intact
and in the proper condition, means for ascertaining whether an alarm proceeds
from inside or outside a structure to be guarded, means whereby part of the
premises protected may be maintained in circuit, and another part or parts
cut or short-circuited out of the circuit, means whereby windows are effectually
protected, and means whereby a telephonic transmitter is effectually utilized to
detect attempts to gain access to premises guarded or articles contained therein.
These improvements relate more particularly to burglar-alarm-apparatus, which
comprise electric circuits extending through or partly through a number of houses
or other buildings or structures to be protected or guarded, and establishing
communication between them and an office where watchmen are kept. Usually
alarms are given by the cutting out of resistance coils through the opening of
a window or door, or by breaking the electric circuits at the structure to be
guarded.
One object of the present improvements is to provide simple and effective means
whereby the watchmen at the office may, whenever desirable, ascertain whether
the electric circuits traversing the structures to be guarded are or are not intact
and in the proper condition.
To this end the said improvements consist in the combination with an electric
burglar alarm apparatus of an instrument located in a structure to be guarded, and
adapted to be released by the watchmen at the office so as to cause it to operate
and transmit back a signal. Preferably the means employed to enable the
watchmen to effect the release of this instrument comprise an electro-magnet and
appurtenances, and the electro-magnet is actuated by augmentation of a force or
potential of the electric current flowing through the electric circuit in the structure
to be guarded. The instrument employed to give the signals may consist of a
train of wheels comprising a wheel or device which closes a short circuit when the
instrument is running, and thereby transmits a signal from the structure to be
guarded to the office.
Electric burglar alarm apparatus as ordinarily constituted depend for the
sounding of an alarm on a change in the resistance of the electric circuit, and are
defective in that alarms are liable to be sounded at the office through the electrical
action of the natural elements outside a structure to be guarded by the momentary
contact of another wire or conductor, swaying, for instance, in a storm, or even by
induction from adjacent electric circuits. At the office such an accident causes the
giving an alarm just as though there had been a change in the resistance within the
structure to be guarded, occasioned, for instance, by the opening and instantaneous
closing of a window or door. Frequently much useless trouble is in this manner
entailed, as the watchmen have to be sent to the structure to ascertain whether
anything is or is not wrong there.
Therefore another object of the present improvements is to afford means whereby
alarms occasioned by momentary changes in the condition of the circuit, accidentally
or in any other way, outside the structure to be guarded, may be distinguished
from alarms produced from some cause at or within the structure, even where the

page_text: latter are caused by the opening of a door or window, which is instantly closed
again. To this end there is combined with the electric circuit in the structure a
mechanism which, when the electric circuit is short-circuited at or within the
structure, as, for instance, by the opening of a door or window, will hold or
maintain it short-circuited, preferably leaving it however free to be released at the
office.
Another object of the present improvements is to afford provision for communi-
cating with the inmates of a structure from the office notwithstanding the
use of the mechanism just referred to for holding or maintaining the electric
circuit short-circuited as aforesaid. The said improvements therefore further
consist in the combination with an electric circuit and electro-magnet comprised
in the mechanism for holding or maintaining the clectric circuit short-circuited, of
a battery of sufficient force to enable the electro-magnet to attract an arinature to
effect and maintain the short-circuiting, another battery of greater force for causing
the electro-maguet to attract another armature for effecting the operation of a bell
or other signal in the structure, and means for bringing either battery into
communication with the electric circuit at will to attain the desired end.
In structures to be guarded which are used as stores or warehouses, partitions,
walls, skylights, and like parts, are commonly protected by fine wires traversing
them and arranged in the electric circuits so that burglars cannot effect an
entrance through them without severing the wires and causing an alarm to be
sounded at the office. Frequently these fine wires are accidentally broken during
the day when the warehouses are open, and the alarm is thereby inoperative. In
this manner much annoyance is occasioned, as their breakage is not discovered until
the warehouse is closed, and it is too late to repair them without great inconvenience
to the tenants.
Another object of the present improvements is therefore to provide means for
indicating when such a breakage occurs, so that it can be repaired before the
ordinary time of closing the warehouse. This is accomplished by placing all the
partitions, walls, skylights, and like parts, which are protected by fine wires in
the manner described, in one portion of the electric circuit which extends through
the structure, and all openings, such as doors and windows, which need to be guarded
when the structure is closed, but which are used while the structure is in use in
another portion, and by combining with these portions of the electric circuit a
suitable switch or switches whereby the tenants of the said structure may cut out
of the electric circuit the doors, windows, and like openings, and allow the
partitions, walls, skylights, and like parts to remain in the electric circuit and
in communication with the station or office. A breakage of the fine wires would
then cause an alarm to be given at the office as soon as such breakage occurred.
To prevent burglars from concealing themselves in the structure to be guarded,
and by means of the switch or switches cutting out the portion of the electric
circuit which includes the doors and windows, without giving an alarm at the
station or office, the present improvements also comprise a resistance coil and
another switch or switches, preferably connected with the former, by means of
which, when the portion of the electric circuit which includes the doors and
windows is cut out, the resistance coil will be short circuited so as to cause an
alarm to be sounded at the station or office.
Another object of the present improvements is to provide a more effectual
protection to windows where a permanently affixed lattice traversed by wires in
the electric circuit cannot be employed, for instance, because it would spoil the
appearance of the windows or interfere with a display of merchandise. To this
end the said improvements consist in the combination with a window of a switch
and a removable lattice traversed by wire which when the lattice is in place is in
the electric circuit. A severing of the wire of the lattice will cause an alarm to be
given at the office, and the removal of the lattice will cause the switch to operate
and short-circuit the resistance coil and entail the giving of an alarm at the office.
This lattice therefore affords great protection to the window.

page_text: The shutters used in connection with a window are frequently employed as a
means for protecting or guarding the window through the agency of electric
burglar alarms, but as heretofore employed they have been liable to get out of
order, and when the shutters have been made of iron they have been liable to
establish a short circuit or escape to the ground through contact of the electric
circuit with the shutter, and electric communication from that by moisture on the
exterior of the building.
To obviate these objections my improvements also consist in the employment in
connection with a shutter arranged outside a window of a switch provided with a
pin and operating in conjunction with an independent pin which is in contact
therewith, so that the shutter when closed may impinge against it, thereby forcing
it and the pin of the said switch inwards, and holding the latter in that position,
but so that when the said shutter is opened a spring comprised in the switch may
actuate the switch and effect the short-circuiting of the resistance-coil. It is best
to arrange this switch inside the.structure comprising the window, and make the
independent pin extend to the outside of the structure, where the shutter when
closed may come in contact with it. The pin of the switch and the independent
pin are better than a single long pin, as they will be less apt to be detrimentally
affected in their operation by warping, shrinking, or other changes of the window
casing. The independent pin is preferably provided with a head of insulating
material at the inner end; such head will afford an extended bearing between the
two pins, will prevent the independent pin from falling outside the structure
comprising the window, and will insulate the independent pin from the pin of the
switch, so as to prevent the forming of a short circuit or escape to the ground in the
manner hereinabove referred to.
As the lattice before described will effectually prevent burglars from cutting
their way through a window, it may be advantageously employed in addition to
the switch and its appurtenances which the shutter controls. An advantage of
employing switches in connection with the shutter and lattice, instead of utilizing
a shutter and lattice to close or break a circuit is, that the circuit may then be
short-circuited so as to afford access to the window when the tenants of the
structure desire it, and may still be maintained through the remainder or any
portion of the structure where it may be desired.
Another object of the present improvements is to more effectively apprise the
watchmen at the office of any attempt to gain entrance to a structure to be
guarded. To this end the improvements consist in the combination with a
structure to be guarded and an electric circuit establishing communication between
the same and the office of a visual signal connected with the electric circuit at the
station or office, and a telephonic transmitter connected with the electric circuit at
the structure to be guarded, and serving to affect the said visual signal. The
telephonic transmitter will preferably be a microphone.
The said improvements also consist in the combination with a structure to be
guarded, and an electric circuit establishing communication between the same and
the office, of a visual signal and a telephonic receiver connected with the said
electric circuit at the office and a telephonic transmitter connected with the said
electric circuit at the structure to be guarded, and serving to affect the visual signal
and the telephonic receiver.
The said improvements further consist in the combination with a structure to be
guarded having an electric covering or lining and an electric circuit establishing
communication with the same, and a station or office furnished with a suitable
receiving instrument, of a telephonic transmitter so adjusted and so connected with
the circuit at the structure to be guarded as to transmit noises occasioned by
tampering with the electric covering or lining to the station or office.
The said improvements further consist in the combination with a series of
structures to be guarded of electric circuits communicating there with and with a
common ground or return wire or conductor at a station or office, preferably a series
of telephonic transmitters connected with the electric circuits, a telephonic receiver

page_text: in communication with this common ground or return wire or conductor, and a
system of switches whereby the electric circuits may have their connection with
the common ground or return wire or conductor severed to facilitate rapidly
ascertaining from which of the structures sounds heard in the receiver proceed.
The said improvements also consist in a number of electric circuits establishing
communication between a number of structures to be guarded and a station or
office, telephonic transmitters connected with the said electric circuits at the said
structures, visual signals connected with the said circuits at the station or office, a
ground or return wire or conductor connected with the said electric circuits at the
station or office, and common to them all, a telephonic receiver connected to the
said ground wire or conductor and a system of switches, the whole being so
combined and organized that the telephonic transmitter is adapted to affect the
visual signal and receiver, and that the said switches may be manipulated to
connect and disconnect the said electric circuit and visual signals to and from the
said ground or return wire or conductor and receiver at will.
The said improvements also consist in the combination of a telephonic transmitter
and a resistance coil or device in the electric circuit at the structure to be guarded,
an induction coil, the primary wire of which is in the circuit at the office, and a
telephonic receiver at the said office connected to the secondary wire of the
induction coil, so that the resistance will not materially affect the electric circuit.
The said improvements also consist in the combination of a telephonic transmitter
in the electric circuit at the structure to be guarded, a telephonic receiver in the
circuit at the office, a sounding instrument at the structure to be guarded, and
means whereby the said sounding instrument may be set in operation from the
office to occasion at the structure noises that will be transmitted to the office by
the telephonic transmitter and receiver; in this way the watchmen are afforded
additional means of ascertaining whether the electric circuit is or is not correct.
Preferably this sounding instrument gives a definite signal so as to obviate any
possibility of mistaking it, but an ordinary train of wheels will suffice to make a
noise sufficient for the purpose. Means may be provided whereby a watchinan
at the station or office may effect the short-circuiting of the telephonic transmitter,
and obtain signals at the station or office from the signaling and sounding instru-
ment, the telephonic transmitter being reinstated in the circuit between the
signals; then the noise produced by the running of the signalling and sounding
instrument may be transmitted to the station or office in the interims between the
signals.
In the accompanying Drawings,
Figure 1 is a diagram view of electric burglar alarm apparatus einbodying my
improvements.
Figure 2 is a side view of the mechanism whereby the circuit, when short-
circuited in a structure to be guarded, is maintained short-circuited.
Figure 3 is an inside view of a window and appurtenances.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section through the casing of the same; and
Figure 5 is a front view of a sounding and signalling instrument.
A is an electric covering for a safe which is protected by my electric burglar
alarm apparatus, and provided with mechanismn whereby any attempt to tamper
with it will be indicated at the station or office where watch is kept. It is also
provided with means which enable the watchmen at the station or office to
ascertain at any time whether the circuit is or is not correct, and it has a hinged
door whereby access may be had to its interior.
A' is a partition in the building where the safe is located, protected by fine
wires u, c, employed in conjunction with a resistance coil F, so that any attempt
to cut through the said partition will effect the rupture of the fine wires, and cause
an alarm to be given at the station or office. A is an electric covering for another
safe located in a different building; it is also protected by my electric burglar alarm
apparatus, and provided with mechanism for giving alarms and for enabling the
watchmen at the station or office to ascertain whether the circuit including it is or

page_text: is not correct. This mechanism, which is employed in conjunction with the electric
coverings for the safes will be described more particularly hereinafter, as its
functions and operation can then be more clearly understood.
B, B1, B2, B3, are batteries which are severally employed at the station or office
in circuits including different buildings or structures to be guarded. I will first
describe the circuit which includes the structure in which the safe A and
partition A are arranged.
From the battery B a wire C leads to a galvanometer D, also located at the
station or office, thence a wire C leads to a switch E, whereby a more powerful
battery B³ may he introduced into the circuit. The switch is connected with a
wire C which leads to mechanism arranged in the structure to be guarded, and
which, when the electric circuit is short-circuited at or within the structure, as for
instance by the opening of a door or window, will hold or maintain it short-
circuited. The switch E may be shifted against the contact piece E', as shown,
to include the battery B in the circuit, or it may be moved against the contact
piece E to include in the circuit the more powerful battery B³ for a purpose
presently to be described.
The wire C connects with a binding screw b extending from the base piece of
the aforesaid mechanism for maintaining the circuit short-circuited. The
description of this mechanism will be better understood by referring to Figures 1
and 2 of the accompanying Drawings, and the said mechanism is shown in Figure 1
so intimately connectod with a system of switches marked No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and
No. 4, that I will describe it in connection therewith. The said switches are
employed to enable the circuit to be maintained during the day through the fine
wires of the partition A¹, and the fine wires of any walls, skylights, and other
parts which may be similarly protected, and yet be discontinued through the
devices which protect the doors, windows, and other openings, whereby access is
had to the structure or building which is to be guarded. A wire C³ extends from
the binding screw b to a circuit-breaker, consisting of a metallic flap spring or
elastic strip b' secured at or near one end to the base-plate, and provided with a
thumb-piece or button whereby it may be manipulated. This circuit-breaker is
combined with a keeper b² consisting of an arm of metal or other conducting
material projecting over the circuit-breaker, so that the latter will, when in its
normal position, maintain a contact with it. This keeper may be pivoted to the
base-plate so that it can be swung aside out of contact with the circuit-breaker
when it becomes desirable to retain the circuit broken for any length of time
without incurring the trouble of holding the circuit breaker depressed.
From the keeper 6 a wire C extends to the electro-magnets ³, whence a
wire C extends to a binding screw b. From the binding screw 6' a wire C leads
to the binding post o' of the switch No. 1. These several switches No. 1, No. 2,
No. 3, and No. 4, consist of metal bars pivoted at one end to a common base board,
and adapted to be vibrated one way or the other to make electrical contact with
metal contact points, two of which are provided for each switch, and which are
respectively marked o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v. These switches are connected by a bar 20³
of insulating material, so that they may be moved in unison. The contact
points p, q, t, and v, are respectively connected by wires p', q', t¹, and v', with
binding posts p, q, t, and v³, on the said base board and the switches No. 1, No. 2,
No. 3, and No. 4, are respectively connected by wires o', ', s, and u', with
binding posts o,,, and .
Attached to the ends of the wires a, c, at the resistance coil F, are wires x and z
which lead to and are connected with the binding posts q2, 3, of switch No. 2, and
when this switch is turned or vibrated to the left, it will short-circuit the resistance
coil F. Beyond the last window in the circuit the wire a is connected by a wire a¹
with the binding post s of switch No. 3. A wire a connects the binding post t
of switch No. 3 with the aforesaid mechanism which is employed in the electric 5
covering A for the safe. A wire a³ traverses this covering so that it cannot be cut
without severing the wire. This wire is connected to a contact point w³, which in

page_text: conjunction with another contact point to continues the circuit to the door of the
electric covering A, when the said door is closed. A wire a traverses the door and
connects with one of the hinges, whereby the circuit is continued to the top of the
body of the covering again. From the covering a wire a extends to the windows,
and thence to the binding post p² of switch No. 1. A ground wire L leads to an
earth plate L from the binding post v of switch No. 4, and the wire c at the first
window in the circuit connects with this binding post. A wire a connects the
mechanism which is used at the electric covering A with the ground wire L and
earth plate L2. The circuit is continued through the ground from the earth
plate L' to the earth plate L, and thence to a wire C' which communicates through
switches J, J, and other wires with the battery B. A wire C³ also connects the
battery B with the ground. A wire n connects the binding post u of the switch
No. 4 with the binding post 6 of the aforesaid mechanism, which is employed to
hold the circuit short-circuited.
To set the burglar alarm apparatus for the night, the switches No. 1, No. 2,
No. 3, and No. 4, are moved to the right, and the electric current entering on the
wire C, and passing thence arrives at the switch No. 1. Thence it passes to the
contact point p of this switch along the wire p' to the binding post p³, and from
the latter to the wire a. It then passes along the circuit wires a, as, and a², to
the binding post t2 of the switch No. 3, and thence out at the binding post s³, and
the wire to the wire a, and through the partition A¹ to and through the
resistance coil F, returning on the wire c to the ground wire L.
After the structure to be guarded is opened in the morning the switches are
turned to the left, whereupon the electric current after reaching switch No. 1, as
before explained, passes to the contact point o of the said switch, and thence by a
wire to the contact points of the switch No. 3. It then passes from this switch
by the wire a¹ through the wire a to the resistance coil F. Thence the current
passes along the wire z to the binding post, and by wire to the switch No. 2.
From this switch it passes to the contact point q, and thence by the wire q' to the
binding post q. Leaving the binding post q, it traverses the wire x to the wire c,
and thence it passes to the ground wire L. The circuit is thus completed so as to
short-circuit the resistance coil F and the windows and doors. Any break of the
fine wire of the partition A' occurring during the day will be instantly indicated at
the station or office, and can at once be repaired without closing the structure to be
guarded, and before the tenants desire to close and leave the same.
The wires a and c are so combined with the windows, that on the opening of the
latter, switches or springs will operate to connect them and short-circuit the
resistance coil F, the electric current flowing then to the first window which is
open, and thence to the ground wire L.
The wire n connects the binding post 6 of the mechanism for maintaining the
circuit short-circuited to the binding post u of switch No. 4, and from this
binding post the electric current passes by the wire u' to the switch, and when the
switch is turned to the right, along it to the contact point v. From the contact
point the electric current passes along the wire v to the binding post v2, and
thence to the ground wire L. Therefore when this switch is turned to the right, it
establishes communication between the said mechanism and the ground, and when
it is turned to the left, it severs the communication between the said mechanism
and the ground. When switch No. 1 is turned to the right, it is in communication
with the resistance coil F, as above explained.
66 is a vibratory armature arranged in proximity to one end of the electro-
magnets b and pivoted to a supporting bracket 67, so that it can be attracted by
the magnets into contact with them, or when released may swing away from them
under the influence of a spring or otherwise.
Extending from the armature 6 is an arm 6³ of conducting material, such as
metal, which, when the armature is attracted to the electro-magnet 6³, moves out-
ward, and thereby comes in contact with an arm 69 of conducting material
extending from a post 610, also of conducting material, fixed to the base plate of the

page_text: instrument. A wire C extends from the armature be to the wire C³; another wire
C10 extends from the post 610 to the binding screw b³, connecting there, if switch
No. 4 is turned to the right, with the ground wire L.
When the switches No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 are set for the night, and the
windows and doors of the structure to be guarded are closed properly, the electric
current will enter on the wire C2, pass through the circuit breaker 61, keeper 6%,
and wire C, to and through the electro-magnets ; thence it passes along wire C5
to wire C, thence through the switch No. 1, the wires a³, a, a³, a², switch No. 3,
wires a¹, a, and resistance coil F to the wire c, and from the latter to the ground
wire L. Then any momentary change in the resistance of the circuit outside the
structure, or in other words between the station or office, and the mechanism for
maintaining the circuit short-circuited will cause only a momentary alarm to be
given at the station or office. If, however, one of the doors or windows be opened
beyond the mechanism for maintaining the circuit short-circuited, the electric
circuit will be short-circuited from the wire as to the wire c, and the resistance
coil F will be short-circuited, and an alarm will be given at the station or office.
Whenever the electric circuits is short-circuited at a window or door, and the
armature be attracted to the electro-magnet, the electric current will be short-
circuited again, this time through the wire C to the wire C, from the latter to the
arm 68, thence to the arm bº, thence through the post 610 and wire C10 to the wiren,
switch No. 4, and ground wire L. In consequence of the latter short-circuiting, the
electro-magnets will hold the armaturo be to them even if the opened door or
window be instantly closed again, because the greater portion of the electric current
will take the easiest course to the ground, and an alarm will continue to be given
until the existing short circuit is broken by a watchman at the station or office,
opening the line or otherwise operating to effect the release of the armature 6º,
whereupon the normal electric circuit may be reinstated through the resistance
coil F. The mechanism in the structure to be guarded will then be in condition to
be again operated when a door or window is opened.
The arm 8 at the upper end extends into contact with an indicator b", when the
armature bis attracted by the electro magnets bs, and thus indicates to the
inmates of the structure to be guarded that the short circuiting bas occurred, and
hence that some window or door is open. An armature 61 may be employed at
the other end of the electro magnets to operate the clapper of a bell b₁s. This
armature is so adjusted that it will operate only when the powerful battery B' is
thrown into the circuit and enables the watchman at the station or office to
transmit signals to the inmates of the structure to be guarded.
The short alarm given through a momentary change in the resistance of the
electric circuit from any accidental or other cause outside the structure to be
guarded, and the long continued alarm given through a change in the resistance
occasioned at or in the said structure from short circuiting the resistance coil, may
be easily distinguished from each other at the station, hence the difficulty heretofore
experienced from the failure to distinguish between alarms from such causes and
sources is obviated.
When the electric circuit has been short-circuited, before locking up the structure
to be guarded for the night, the circuit breaker b¹ may be employed to release the
armature 6º, to re-instate the normal electric circuit through the structure and the
resistance coil F, and where the building is to be left after being locked the circuit-
breaker may be utilised (prior to locking the building) to signal to the watchman
at the station or office to re-instate the circuit through the structure by opening the
circuit after the opening and closing of the door of the said structure to permit
the exit of the tenants.
I will now describe more particularly the manner in which the windows are
protected, making special reference to Figures 3 and 4. In these Figures a window
is shown as protected through the agency of a lattice, and also by means of a
shutter. All the wires have insulated coverings, so that electrical contact between
them cannot accidentally occur.

page_text: G is the window frame, both the wires a and c pass down the right hand side
of the said window frame or casing, and along the bottom. The wire a³ is con-
nected at the bottom with a metal plate d. Through this plate d passes a pin d¹,
which is impelled upward through it by means of a spring ³, so as to make good
electrical contact with a metal plate arranged just above it on the bottom of a
lattice H when the latter is in place, as shown in Figure 3. On the lower side of
the plate d is a projection d, to which is affixed a block of wood or other insu-
lating material d, and from this block of insulating material extends a metal
spring do, which, when not otherwise actuated, bears away from the under side of
the said plate out of contact therewith. A shoulder d' on the pin d¹ bears against
the spring do, when the pin d' is impalled upwards by the spring d³ and causes the
spring to make electrical contact with the plate d. The wire o is connected to
the spring de, and passes thence to and extends up along the left hand side of the
window casing to and over the top. The wire a³ passes from the plate to the
left along the frame of the lattice H, then up the frame to the top, and to the
right along the top to the nearest rail of the said lattice, then downwardly along
this rail to the bottom of the frame, and after arriving at the bottom of the frame
it turns to the right, extending as far as the next rail, and along this rail to the
top of the frame, and so on to the right hand side of the frame, down which it
extends to the bottom of the frame, then to the left along the bottom, where it is
connected with a metal plate d on the under side of the frame.
d' is a metal plate arranged on the window casing below the metal plate d³.
This plate do is furnished with a movable pin 10, which is forced upwards through
the bottom of the window casing, and the said plate by means of a spring 1,
so that it will make good electrical contact with the metal plate d³ of the lattice H.
The wire a³ starts again from the plate and extends along the bottom of the
window casing to the left, up the left hand side, and along the top of the said
casing. When the lattice H is in place the pin d' is forced down and the spring d
moves out of contact with the plate d, and then the electric circuit is continued
along the wire a³. But when the lattice H is removed the spring d³ impels the
pin d upwards, and the shoulder d' of this pin forces the spring do in contact with
the plate d, thereby making a connection of the wire us and the wire c. The
spring d plate d, pin d, with its shoulder d', and the spring d, thus form a
switch whereby when the lattice is removed the resistance coil is short-circuited
out of the electric circuit around the window, and an alarm is given at the station
or office.
The lattice may be secured in place by any suitable means; in the present instance
it is retained in place by the pressure exerted upon it by the pins and ɗ¹º
forcing it up against the window casing.
The cutting of the lattice and consequent severing of that portion of the
wire as which traverses it will also occasion an alarm at the station or office.
At the top of the window casing the wire a³ is connected to a metal plate e
arranged, as here shown, in a recess in a block of wood e' (see particularly
Figure 4) affixed to the under side of the top of the window casing. Leaving
this metal plate the said wire passes away from the window to the next part or
place to be protected in the building. The wire c is connected to a metal spring o³
which is affixed to a block of wood or other insulating material e supported by a
projection et extending from the said plate. This spring has a tendency to bear
away from the plate e so as not to make electrical contact therewith. The wire o
after leaving this spring e passes to the next part or place to be protected in the
building. A pine is arranged on the plate e so as to project outwardly towards
and slightly into a recess e in the top of the window casing. A spring e' impels
this pin outwardly when it is not otherwise actuated; and when it moves outwards
a shoulder e with which this pin is provided bears against the spring and
forces it in contact with the plate e. e is a pin which, to ensure the requisite
strength, is preferably of metal and projects outwardly through the window
casing. At its inner end this pin e³ is provided with a head eo of wood or other

page_text: insulating material which fits loosely in the recess e. This pin extends out to a
swinging shutter I arranged outside the window G, and when the said shutter is
closed the said pin e is forced inwards and pushes back the pin eo against the
resistance or the spring e7, thus allowing the spring e to move out of contact with
the plate e.
Then the electric current passes to and from the plate e along the
wire a. If the shutter I is opened the spring e pushes the pin e³ outwards,
thereby forcing the spring e² into contact with the plate e, and at the same time
pushing out the pin e. Thus the wire a³ is connected to the wire c, and the
resistance coil is short-circuited.
The use of the two pins e, e, is far more advantageous than a continuous pin
for the reason that the wood-work of the window casing may warp or shrink
without causing any binding in the bearings, as it would almost inevitably do
with a single long pin. For instance, the warping or shrinking of the wood-work
supporting either of these two pins may dispose that pin at an angle to the other,
or move it to one side without causing the pin so moved to bind in its bearings
or carrying it out of contact with the other. With two pins thus combined the
switch composed of the plate e, spring e', and their appurtenances may be arranged
inside the building so as to be protected from the weather.. The head e¹⁰ of the
pin serves to prevent the pin from falling outside of the building, and where the
shutters are of iron, as they usually are for windows to be protected, it insulates
this pin from the pin e, so that no communication with the ground will be made
through the pin e³.
When the windows are out of circuit during the day the lattice can be
removed.
Switches and connections similar to those just described may be used in
conjunction with doors.
Referring to the mechanism which is employed at the electric covering A for the
safe, K is a telephonic transmitter mounted on the inside of the covering, and
here shown as consisting of a microphone composed of two buttons or plates of
carbon and a bar or piece of the same material loosely supported between them.
The wire a³ is connected to one end of this telephonic transmitter, and from the
other end of it a wire T¹ extends to the electro magnets T² of a signalling and
Bounding instrument T, shown particularly in Figure 5. This instrument consists
essentially of a train of gear-wheels, which may be made of metal and are
supported in a metal-frame. The said wheels are driven by a convolute spring
which is combined with them through the agency of a ratchet-wheel and pawls, so
that it may be wound without disturbing them, and they comprise an escapement
wheel and detent to cause them to run slowly. A fan may be used instead of this
escapement. Normally the electric circuit extends from the electro magnets T₁ to
the wire a², and while the structure to which they are applied is being guarded a
current of electricity is flowing through the instrument from the battery B. The
electro magnets T* are provided with an armature To arranged on one end of a
lever T, which at the other end is impelled by a spring T" to obtrude itself in
the way of a pin f carried by a gear wheel T's On the same shaft as the wheel T
is what I term a short-circuiting wheel T13, which is made of metal and
provided with a number of radial projections. When this wheel rotates its pro-
jections come in contact with what I term a short-circuiting finger T, which
consists of a metal spring attached to a block of insulating material mounted on
the frame of the instrument T. This short-circuiting finger has connected with
it the wire a which leads to the ground. A wire T's connects the wire a³ with
the frame of the instrument T, and the wire a is thereby in electric communication
with the wheel T¹s.
The current produced by the battery B is insufficient to cause the electro-
magnets T to attract the armature To, hence, while the electric circuit in the
structure to be guarded is in its normal condition the instrument T remains
inoperative. If the watchinan at the station or office desires to ascertain whether
or not the circuit is all right he shifts the switch E before described, so as to

page_text: throw into the circuit the more powerful battery B³, and thus increase the potential
of the electric current passing through the circuit, so that the electro-magnets T
will attract the armature T. Thereupon the lever T⁰ releases the pin f on the
wheel T, and the instrument T begins to run. The battery B5 is only momentarily
left in circuit; hence, as soon as the instrument starts, the electro-magnet releases
its armature and the lever resumes its former position, so as to be ready to engage
with the pin f and stop the instrument again. The instrument runs only long
enough for the short-circuiting wheel T3 to make one rotation, and stops with the
projections of this short-circuiting wheel out of contact with the short-circuiting
finger T. When the projections of the short-circuiting wheel during its rotation
make contact with the short-circuiting finger, the electric current from the
battery B passes through the frame of the instrument T to the short-circuiting
wheel and finger, and thence to the ground wire a6. The radial projections of the
short-circuiting wheel are so grouped that when they make contact with the short-
circuiting finger they will cause to be given at the station or office a peculiar and
distinctive signal, not liable to be confounded with signals from other structures
to be guarded. This signal is given by the vibration of the needle of the
galvanometer D, and in the telephonic receiver L' which is employed at the station
or office, and it is given through the short-circuiting of the resistance coil F.
Not only may the watchman by means of this instrument obtain a signal from
the structure to be guarded, but he may also through the telephonic transmitter and
receiver ascertain whether the signalling instrument is running. This instrument T
will preferably be constructed to develop a distinctive noise in running, so that if a
mechanism should be substituted for it by a burglar, the watchman would become
cognizant of it.
The receiver L' is located in the station or office. It is connected with the
secondary wire of an induction coil M, whose primary wire is connected to the
wire C. The advantage of combining an induction coil with the receiver is, that
the resistance of the receiver is then out of the circuit, and a much less resistance
introduced in lieu of it. This is advantageous in that the less resistance there is
in the circuit at the station or office, the less there need be in the circuit at the
structure to be guarded; less battery force will then be required.
The induction coil which I employ for this purpose differs from the induction
coils commonly used for telephonic purposes, in that the primary wire is made of
greater resistance because of the great resistance in the line with which it is
connected, while in induction coils as ordinarily used for telephonic purposes the
primary wire is made of as little resistance as possible.
When the sounding and signalling instrument T is thus used in the same
structure to be guarded in conjunction with the mechanism for maintaining the
circuit short-circuited, when short-circuited at the said structure, the electro-
magnets T2 of the signalling and sounding instrument must have sufficient
resistance to prevent the armature 66 of the mechanism for maintaining the
circuit short-circuited from being attracted by the electro-maguets 63 of the said
mechanism when the resistance coil F is short-circuited by the signalling and
sounding instrument, and the resistance coil F preferably should be of considerably
more resistance than the electro-magnets T of the signalling and sounding
instrument, so that when the said resistance coil is short-circuited there will be a
considerable difference in the resistance of the circuit.
The electric covering A* for the safe located in the other building has a
telephonic transmitter and a sounding and signalling instrument similar to that
bereinbefore described. A wire N extends from the battery B₁ to the
galvanometer D¹, and a wire N' extends thence to a switch 0, 0, 0%. A wire N°
extends from this switch to the sounding and signalling instrument of the
electric covering A². By means of this switch the battery B³ may be connected
with the wire N³. A wire T extends from the telephonic transmitter K to the
electro-magnets T' of the signalling and sounding instrument, and a wire T20
extends from the electro-magnets T' to a resistance coil F1, and thence to an earth

page_text: plate L. A wire T¹ extends from the wire T¹ to the frame of the instrument T,
and a wire T extends from the short-circuiting finger of the instrument to the
wire T20 beyond the resistance coil F. When the battery B³ is by the switch O
thrown into the circuit, the electro magnets T2 attract the armature T, thus
causing the release of the pin f and allowing the instrument to run.
short-circuiting wheel T3 makes contact with the short-circuiting finger T, the
electro magnets T and the resistance coil F' are short-circuited, and signals are
thereby given at the station or office.
When the
When the mechanism for maintaining the circuit short-circuited, when short-
circuited at the structure to be guarded, is omitted as in this case, the resistance
of the electro-magnets T of the signalling and sounding instrument need not be
so great as when the said mechanism is used, and the said electro magnets may be
short-circuited as well as the resistance coil F by the short-circuiting wheel T¹³
and short-circuiting finger T" if desirable.
In connection with the galvanometers D, D¹, I employ a local circuit P
communicating with an electro-magnetic bell or sounder P₁ and a battery P².
It comprises branch wires g, gl, connecting with the needles h, h¹, and branch
wires i, i, j, j, connecting with stops k, k¹, 1, 1, between which the needles
vibrate. When one of the needles is, by a rupture of the circuit or a change
of resistance therein, deflected into contact with either of the stops i, i¹, j, j',
it closes the local circuit and causes an alarm to be given. These needles give
visual signals themselves.
Any strong vibration in either telephonic transmitter will vary the resistance
in the circuit sufficiently to affect the needle of the galvanometer which is
in circuit therewith, and thus a visual signal will be given at the station or
office.
These
I will now describe the functions and operation of the switches J, J¹, J², J³, J, Jo.
The wire C with which the receiver L is connected extends to two contact
pieces, y, against which the switches J, J, may be adjusted, as shown. The
switch J is connected by a wire m with two contact points y, y', against which
the switches J, J', may be shifted. Wires nt, no, connect the switches J, J', to the
batteries B, B¹. The switch J5 is connected by a wire O to two contact
points 2, 3, against which the switches J, Js, may be shifted.
switches J2, J, are connected by wires 2, p³, with the batteries B2, B³. It is
obvious that when the watchman sees or hears an alarm, he can, by adjusting either
of the switches J, J5, cut off one half of the structures to be guarded, and that by
manipulating either of the switches J, J¹, or J³, J³, he can cut off one half of the
structures remaining in circuit, and hence that even with a large number of
structures he can readily ascertain from which structure an alarm proceeds.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim,―
First. The combination with an electric burglar alarm apparatus of an
instrument located in a structure to be guarded and adapted to be released by a
watchman at the office where watch is kept, to cause a signal to be given at the
office, substantially as specified.
Second. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus of an instrument
located in a structure to be guarded and adapted to cause a signal to be given at
the office where watch is kept, an electro-magnet and an electric circuit extending
to the office, and through which the said electro-magnet may be caused to effect the
release of the said instrument, substantially as specified.
Third. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus of an instrument
located in a structure to be guarded, adapted to cause a signal to be given at the
office where watch is kept, and having an electro-magnet whereby it may be started,
a battery or source of electricity for the structure to be guarded, and another
battery or source of electricity whereby the potential of the electric current flowing
through the electric circuit in the structure to be guarded may be increased at the

page_text: office to cause the electro-magnet to release the instrument, substantially as
specified.
Fourth. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus of an instrument
located in a structure to be guarded, and comprising a train of wheels, a short-
circuiting wheel and finger, and an electro-magnet for releasing it, an electric
circuit extending to the office where watch is kept, and means whereby a sufficient
current of electricity may be sent from the office to the said electro-magnet to
cause the latter to release the said instrument and allow it, through the short-
circuiting wheel and finger to cause a signal to be given at the office, substantially
as specified.
Fifth. The combination with an electric burglar alarm circuit in a structure to
be guarded of mechanism located at the said structure, and which, when the line
or circuit is short-circuited, at or within the structure, will hold or maintain it short-
circuited, even after the cause of the alarm is removed, substantially as specified.
Sixth. The combination with an electric burglar alarm circuit in a structure to
be guarded of an electro-magnet and armature, and arms located at the said
structure and brought into contact by the armature on a change of resistance in
the circuit within the said structure, and serving thereby to short-circuit the said
circuit and hold it short-circuited, substantially as specified.
Seventh. The combination with an electric burglar alarm circuit in a structure
to be guarded of a resistance coil, an electro-magnet and armature, and arms located
at the said structure and brought into contact by the armature on a change in the
resistance in the circuit within the said structure, and serving to short-circuit the
said circuit and hold or maintain it short-circuited, substantially as specified.
Eighth. The combination with an electric burglar alarm circuit in a structure to
be guarded of an electro-magnet and armature, and arms located at the said
structure and brought into contact by the armature on a change of resistance in
the circuit within the said structure, serving thereby to short-circuit the circuit
and maintain it short-circuited and a circuit-breaker, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
Ninth. The combination with an electric burglar alarm circuit in a structure to
be guarded of an electro-magnet and armature, and arms located at the said
structure and brought into contact by the armature on a change of resistance in
circuit within the said structure, serving thereby to short-circuit the circuit and
maintain it short-circuited, and a circuit-breaker having a keeper pivoted to its
support, so that it may be swung away from the said circuit-breaker, substantially
as specified.
Tenth. The combination with an electric burglar alarm circuit in a structure to
be guarded of an electro-magnet and armature, and arms located at the said
structure, and brought into contact by the armature on a change of resistance in
the circuit within the said structure, and serving to short-circuit the circuit and
maintain it short-circuited, and an indicator located at the said structure, for
showing whether or not the circuit is short-circuited, substantially as specified.
Eleventh. The combination with an electric burglar alarm circuit for a structure
to be guarded and an electro-magnet comprised in mechanism for short-circuiting
the said circuit, and holding or maintaining it short-circuited on a change of
resistance within the structure to be guarded, of a battery sufficient in force to
enable the electro-magnet to attract an armature and effect and maintain the
short-circuiting, another battery of greater force for causing the electro-magnet to
attract another armature to effect the operation of a bell or signal in the structure
to be guarded, and means for bringing either battery into communication with the
electric circuit at will, substantially as specified.
Twelfth. The combination with an electric burglar alarm circuit in a structure
to be guarded of an electro-magnet and armature, arms brought into contact by
the armature of the magnet, and serving to short-circuit the circuit within the said
structure and maintain it short-circuited, and an electric bell operated by the
D

page_text: electro-magnet for sounding an alarm in the said structure, substantially as
specified.
Thirteenth. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus of an electric
circuit at a structure to be guarded, including windows, doors, and like openings,
and fine wires protecting partitions, walls, skylights, and like parts, a switch 5
located at the said structure for cutting out a portion of the said electric circuit,
including the windows, doors, and like openings, a resistance coil located in the
said electric circuit at the said structure, and a switch also located at the said
structure for short-circuiting the resistance-coil when the said portion of the
electric circuit, which includes the windows, doors, and like parts, is cut out, 1
substantially as specified.
Fourteenth. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus of an electric
circuit at a structure to be guarded, including windows, doors, and like openings,
and the fine wires protecting partitions, walls, skylights, and like parts, a switch
located at the said structure to be guarded for cutting out a portion of the said 1
electric circuit, including the windows, doors, and like openings, a resistance-coil
located in the said electric circuit at the said structure, and a switch also located
at the said structure and connected with the aforesaid switch for short-circuiting
the resistance coil when the said portion of the electric circuit, which includes the
windows, doors, and like parts, is cut out, substantially as specified.
2
Fifteenth. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus with a
window of an electric circuit and a removable lattice in the electric circuit,
substantially as specified.
Sixteenth. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus with a
window of an electric circuit, a resistance coil in the circuit, a switch for short-
circuiting out the resistance-coil, and a lattice, which controls the operation of the
switch so that the resistance coil will be short-circuited out when the lattice is
removed, substantially as specified.
Seventeenth. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus with a
window of an electric circuit, a resistance coil in the circuit, a lattice, which when
in place inside the window is in the circuit also, and a switch for short-circuiting
out the resistance coil when the lattice is removed, substantially as specified.
Eighteenth. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus with a
shutter of an electric circuit, a switch provided with a pin whereby it is controlled,
and another pin in contact with the former and extending to the shutter, sub-
stantially as specified.
Nineteenth. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus with a
shutter of an electric circuit, a resistance coil in the said circuit, a switch for short-
circuiting out the said resistance coil, a pin controlling the operation of the switch,
and another pin in contact with the former and extending to the shutter, sub-
stantially as specified.
Twentieth. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus with a
sbutter and window of an electric circuit, a switch arranged inside the window, a
pin controlling the said switch, and an independent pin in contact with the former
and extending through the window casing to the shutter, substantially as
specified.
Twenty first. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus with a
shutter of an electric current, a switch, a pin controlling the operation of the
switch, another pin having a head of insulating material in contact with the former,
substantially as specified.
Twenty second. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus with a
window of an electric circuit provided with a resistance coil, a shutter arranged
outside the window, a switch controlled by the shutter for short-circuiting out the
resistance coil, a lattice arranged inside the window, and a switch controlled by
the lattice, so that on the removal of the lattice it will short-circuit out the
resistance coil, substantially as specified.
Twenty third. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus with a

page_text: structure to be guarded and an electric circuit establishing communication between
the same and a station or office of a visual signal connected with the electric
circuit at the station or office, and a telephonic transmitter connected with the
electric circuit at the structure to be guarded, and serving to affect the said visual
signal, substantially as specified.
Twenty fourth. The combination in a burglar alarm apparatus with a structure
to be guarded and an electric circuit establishing communication between the same
and a station or office of a visual signal and a telephonic receiver connected with
the said electric circuit at the office, and a telephonic transmitter connected with
the said electric circuit at the structure to be guarded, and serving to affect the
visual signal and the telephonic receiver, substantially as specified.
Twenty fifth. The combination in a burglar alarm apparatus with a structure
to be guarded having an electric covering or lining, and an electric circuit
establishing communication with the same and a station or office furnished with a
suitable receiving instrument, of a telephonic transmitter so adjusted and so con-
nected with the circuit at the structure to be guarded as to transmit noises,
occasioned by tampering with the electric covering or lining, to the station or
office, substantially as specified.
Twenty sixth. The combination in a burglar alarm apparatus with a series of
structures to be guarded, and electric circuits communicating therewith and with
a common ground or return wire or conductor at a station or office, of telephonic
transmitters connected with the electric circuits, a telephonic receiver in communi-
cation with this common ground or return wire or conductor, and the system of
switches or devices herein before described, whereby any of the electric circuits
may have their connection with the common ground or return wire or conductor
severed to facilitate ascertaining from which of the structures to be guarded sounds
heard in the receiver proceed, substantially as specified.
Twenty seventh. The combination in a burglar alarm apparatus with a series of
structures to be guarded, and electric circuits communicating therewith and with
a common ground or return wire or conductor at a station or office, of a telephonic
receiver in communication with this common ground or return wire or conductor,
and the system of switches herein before described, whereby any of the electric
circuits may have their connection with the common ground or return wire or
conductor severed to facilitate ascertaining from which of the structures to be
guarded sounds heard in the receiver proceed, substantially as specified.
Twenty eighth. A number of electric circuits establishing communication
between a number of structures to be guarded and a station or office, telephonic
transmitters connected with said electric circuits at the said structures, visual
signals connected with the said circuits at the station or office, a ground or return
wire or conductor connected with the said electric circuits at the station or office,
and common to them all, a telephonic receiver connected to the said ground wire
or conductor, and the system of switches herein before described, the whole being
so combined and arranged that the telephonic transmitter is adapted to effect the
visual signal and receiver, and that the said switches may be manipulated to
connect and disconnect the said electric circuit and visual signals to and from the
said ground or return wire or conductor and receiver at will, substantially as
specified.
Twenty ninth. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus of a
telephonic transmitter and a resistance coil or device in the electric circuit at the
structure to be guarded, an induction coil, the primary wire of which is in the
electric circuit at the office where watch is kept, and a telephonic receiver at the
said office connected to the secondary wire of the induction-coil, so that its resistance
will not affect the said electric circuit, substantially as specified.
Thirtieth. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus of a tele-
phonic transmitter in the electric circuit at the structure to be guarded, a telephonic
receiver in a circuit at the station or office where watch is kept, & sounding

page_text: instrument at the structure to be guarded, and means whereby the said sounding
instrument may be set in operation from the office, substantially as specified.
Thirty first. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus of a
telephonic transmitter in the electric circuit at the structure to be guarded, a train
of wheels, and means for driving them at the said structure, a telephonic receiver
at the office where watch is kept, and means whereby the said train of wheels may
be started from the said office, substantially as specified.
Thirty second. The combination in an electric burglar alarm apparatus of a
telephonic transmitter in the electric circuit at the structure to be guarded, a
telephonic receiver in the circuit at the office where watch is kept, a signalling and
sounding instrument at the structure to be guarded, and means whereby a watch-
man at the office may effect the short-circuiting of the telephonic transmitter out
of the circuit, and obtain signals at the station or office from the signalling and
sounding instrument, and the telephonic transmitter may be restored into the
circuit between the signals, so that the noise produced by the running of the
signalling and sounding instrument may be heard at the office, substantially as
specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Harris Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.