IMPROVEMENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF JUNCTION OR SWITCH APPARATUS, SPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOR USE IN TELEGRAPH OR TELEPHONE EXCHANGES OR STATIONS. PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edwin Jrish, of Sunderland, in the County of
Durham, for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH THE
CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF JUNCTION OR SWITCH APPARATUS, SPECIALLY
APPLICABLE FOR USE IN TELEGRAPH OR TELEPHONE EXCHANGES OR STATIONS.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edwin Irish at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd March 1882.
WILLIAM EDWIN IRISH, of Sunderland, in the County of Durham.
" IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF JUNCTION OR
SWITCH APPARATUS SPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOR USE IN TELEGRAPH OR TELEPHONE
EXCHANGES OR STATIONS OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR OR EQUIVALENT USES."
The objects of this Invention,-which relates to certain improvements in or
connected with the construction and working of junction or switch apparatus
specially applicable for use in telegraph or telephone exchanges or stations, or for
other similar or equivalent uses in which it may be desired to put any one or more
of a number of wires speedily in connection or electrical continuity with any other
or others thereof for telegraphic, telephonic, or other similar or equivalent purposes
uses;are, to simplify the construction and arrangement mechanically and
electrically of the means by which this object can be obtained, and to greatly reduce
the number of parts required, to avoid all complexity in the arrangement thereof,
so that the operation of effecting the required connection may be expedited and more
simply effected than as hitherto, and so that the operation of the apparatus may be
rendered more reliable and accurate.
or
The apparatus comprises an annunciator or "call "apparatus of a simplified and
generally improved construction and arrangement, and in which all springs and
catches as hitherto used are dispensed with, and by which I avoid many dis-
advantages attendant upon auch apparatus in which they are used. The apparatus
...מ
077

page_text: also comprises a commutator of a novel and generally improved construction;-and
these two parts which are in electrical connection-may (for small exchanges) be
arranged on the same table or support so that they may be respectively operated
and attended to by a single attendant,— -or (for more extensive exchanges or offices)
the commutators may be arranged separately and on tables or supports conveniently
situated for the operator or attendant, and the annunciators (with their slippers
and jacks hereinafter more particularly referred to) apart therefrom, so that they
can be attended to by a different operator.
The construction of the commutator according to my present improvements is as
follows; On a suitable table I place an annular or concentric series of studs each
of which is in connection or electrical continuity with a different subscriber or line
wire, and centrally of the ring of studs I arrange a freely turning arm which can
be revolved about its centre of motion and over each and all of the ring of studs,
with the radius of which its radius is about coincident. This arm is in electrical
connection with the attendant's instrument;-the combined arrangement is thus
such as on receipt of a "call "indicated by means of the annunciator part of
the apparatus, the operator by turning the arın (by means of a suitable handle
with which it is provided) to the stud corresponding with the subscriber calling
can place himself at once in communication with the subscriber calling; to ascertain
his desire, or with whom he wishes to communicate; or he can thus place himself
in communication with any subscriber with whom he may desire to speak by
moving the arm to the proper or corresponding stud.
The outer end of the arm is provided with an insulated part carrying the handle,
and a metallic spring carried by this part, and which normally keeps the insulated
parts in electrical connection, so that upon the arm being brought over and depressed
into contact with any one of the studs the operator's instrument will be in circuit
with the corresponding subscriber,-is fitted with a button or an equivalent part by
which it can be depressed into contact with another point or continuous ring, thus
breaking the normal circuit and establishing another for acknowledging the sub-
scriber's call, or ringing a subscriber's bell, so long as the arm is kept upon the
stud, and upon realeasing this button, the operator's instrument is, again in circuit
for speaking.
"
The annunciator or "call "apparatus is constructed so that the armature when
attracted simply pushes the " drop out of its normal position and equilibrium
thereby causing it to fall, and show the number of the subscriber wishing to com-
municate, or to be put in communication with some other subscriber. The drop
requires the operative's attention to be put again in position, and when so put it
sets the armature ready to indicate another "call " from the same subscriber.
In carrying my present improvements into practical effect, I employ an improved
arrangement of slippers, springs, and jacks-somewhat similar to those hitherto
employed for corresponding purposes; but in which the springs when in their
normal position are allowed to rest upon a ground connection. Further as regards
the jacks which are employed for connecting the slippers, I make thein in pairs so
that while one jack of a pair connects with the spring, when put into the slipper,
the other connects with the slipper, in each case raising the springs from off the
ground connection, by this means an advantageous result is obtained as one of the
annunciators is left in the circuit, so that the subscribers can indicate to the exchange
when they have finished their communication.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
OR
by the said William Edwin Irish in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd August 1882.
WILLIAM EDWIN IRISH, of Sunderland, in the County of Durham. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF JUNCTION
SWITCH APPARATUS, SPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOR USE IN TELEGRAPH OR
TELEPHONE EXCHANGES OR STATIONS OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR OR EQUIVALENT
USES."
The objects of this invention, which relates to certain improvements in or
connected with the construction and working of junction or switch apparatus
specially applicable for use in telegraph or telephone exchanges or stations or for
other similar uses in which it may be desired to switch or speedily put any one or
more of a series of independent wires in connection or electrical continuity with
any other or others thereof for telegraphic telephonic or other similar purposes or
uses, are; to simplify the construction and arrangement mechanically and
electrically of the means by which this object can be obtained, and to greatly
reduce the number of parts required, and avoid all complexity in the arrangement
thereof, so that the operation of effecting the required "switching or electrical
connection of subscribers of an exchange or others with each other for telephonic
or other such purposes may be expedited and more simply effected than by the
comparatively complex arrangements and intricate and tedious means and systems
in use hitherto, and so that the operation of the apparatus may be rendered more
reliable and accurate.
"
The invention is illustrated on the accompanying drawings which will be herein-
after referred to.
The apparatus comprises as one portion, an annunciator or "call" apparatus, of
a simplified and generally improved construction and arrangement, and in which
all springs and catches as hitherto used for supporting the drop are dispensed with,
and by which I avoid many disadvantages and means of rendering the apparatus
unreliable or not always certain in action such as appertain to such apparatus in
which such parts are used.
The details of this part of the Invention so far as the present improvements have
reference, are illustrated in Figs 1 to 5.
The apparatus also comprises as another portion, a commutator of a novel and
generally improved construction, and in which are grouped together fifty or any
other number of line wires connected to pins springs and pieces arranged con-
centrically about a common key, and by which the operator is enabled to perform
the necessary duties of ringing or acknowledging the "call" of any subscriber, and
of placing himself in oral communication with such subscriber to ascertain his
desire, by but one movement:
The details of this part of the Invention are illustrated in Figs 6 and 7.
These two parts when placed in electrical connection as hereinafter described,
and illustrated in Figs 8 to 12, or in any equivalent manner, constitute the
improved junction or switch apparatus.
For small exchanges say of fifty subscribers, a group of annunciators of this
number, and a commutator of similar extent, may be placed on the same table or
support, so that they may be respectively operated and attended to by a single
attendant; but for greater convenience in more extensive exchanges or Offices, the
commutators (each of the extent suitable for a small exchange) may be arranged
separately on tables or supports, or consecutively at suitable distances apart on the

page_text: same table, the commutators being convenienty situated for the operators or
attendants and for the well working of the system, and the annunciators (with
their details of electrical connection hereinafter more particularly referred to) in
electrical connection with but apart therefrom, but preferably in consecutively
disposed series, each according to and co-extensive with the range of its particular
commutator according to the method illustrated in the perspective view Fig 9, in
which the two left hand upper series A of annunciators are equal in extent to, and
has each one of its series electrically connected with the respective details of, the left
hand commutator A×; the next two lower series B of annunciators being con-
nected with the next commutator B*, and so on, and if required each series A. B.
C. D of annunciators being suitably distinguished by color or otherwise so that
the relative connection and the relative parts in use or connection at any time can
be ascertained at a glance, the whole series of the annunciators being attended by
a different attendant or attendants to those operating the commutators, each of
which has its separate attendant, and being arranged in full view of the latter as
illustrated in this figure.
In large exchanges also, the combined arrangement permits of the provision of
simple means of supervision, necessary in a large switch-room to keep the operators
on the alert for any "call" and attentive to their duties. This arrangement
consists of a superintendent's series of keys A**, B**, C**, D**, and telephone
instrument arranged on a table placed facing the group of annunciators, and
behind and in full view of the operators at the commutators, and of the entire
working of the whole apparatus, the keys being equal in number to the
commutators, and each key being in electrical connection with one thereof, so that
the superintendent can at any time render himself cognizant of what is transpiring
at any table, as by pressing any one (say C**) of the series of keys, he can at
once put himself in circuit with the connected commutator table (C*), and by
another key G**, he can also place himself in communication with any subscriber
he may desire, without the knowledge or need of assistance of the operators at the
commutators, and can receive reports direct from subscribers of inattention on the
operator's part.
The details of this provision, and of the electrical connection with the
commutators and annunciators, are also illustrated in Fig 8. and the arrangement
is shown in situ in Fig; 9.
The annunciators or "call" apparatus serve the purpose of calling the attention
of the operator at the relative commutator table as to what subscriber is calling, so
that he by means of his instrument may place himself in electrical and telephonic
connection with the subscriber calling to acknowledge his " call," and ascertain his
desire.
The call-indicator part of this apparatus, is as hereinbefore referred to, contrived
and arranged in such a manner as to dispense with all springs and catches or
other means which have been hitherto used for detaining the drop in its normal
position. The drop has been hitherto retained by a catch engaging in a slot at the
outer or front end of the armature as shown in Figures 8; and 10 to 12, and when
the armature was attracted the catch of the drop was released from the slot and
the drop fell by the attraction of gravity; with this arrangement however the
slot frequently detained and did not release the drop, and this prevented the
indication the subscriber required to make.
According to my present improvements, this drawback is quite avoided, as I so
contrive the armature 1. and drop 2. by making the outer or front end of the armature
with an upward incline 3 and the inner face of the free end of the drop with a
corresponding incline 4. (or with other equivalent or suitable means) as that the
drop when in its normal raised position slightly inclines towards and rests upon
the outer end of the armature in front of its centre of motion 5. and is supported
thereby without any possibility of being caught or detained, and supports the
inner end of the armature clear of its coils, and with certainty of being pushed over
or of receiving a positive impetus to its indicating position upon the armature

page_text: being attracted when the subscriber wishes to make an indication to the exchange,
and of indicating or exposing the number of such subscriber. The upright 6.
carrying the centre pin 5 of the armature is continued forward at 7 to carry the
centre-pin 8 of the drop, and at 9 to carry a screw 10, or equivalent means of
adjustment for setting the armature and drop in the best relative positions to
obtain certainty of action. The drop falls to the position indicated by the dotted
lines in Fig 1, and full lines in figure 2, and when it is re-set in its normal position
by the operator, it at the saine time sets the armature clear of the coils ready to
indicate another "call" from the same subscriber.
I desire it should be understood that I do not confine myself to the use of this
improved form of annunciator, as my present improvements as otherwise herein
described, are equally applicable to and can be used with any ordinary form of
annunciator as shown in Figures 8 to 12.
Another part of the annunciator or "call" apparatus consists of the means of
putting two subscribers in electrical connection, with only one of the respective
annunciators in circuit (See Fig: 12) and these means consist of an improved
arrangement of slippers 11, springs 12, and connecting jacks or pegs 13. (see
Figures 3. 4. 5, and 12) somewhat similar to those hitherto employed for corre-
sponding purposes, but in which the spring contacts 12 when in their normal
position and not in use, are allowed to rest (in lieu of upon the slipper, upon a
ground connection separate from the slipper, such as a longitudinal bar 14 running
under the series of spring contacts and connected to earth. Further as regards the
jacks or pegs 13 which are employed for connecting any two slippers and
consequently any two subscribers, I arrange or connect them in pairs with an
intervening flexible cord 15, and arrange the contacts 16 on their entering ends on
reverse sides or faces, and provide the pegs with depending parts 17. as a guide to
facilitate the insertion of the pegs so that when both are inserted into their
respective slippers in the inverse positions shown in Figs 5 and 12 the one peg of
the pair makes contact with the spring of the one slipper while the other peg
makes direct contact with the other slipper, each peg also raising its spring clear
of the ground connection 14. By this means the advantageous result above
referred to is obtained, as though two members are connected, only one of the
annunciators is left in circuit, and thus the resistance of one annunciator of the
circuit is entirely eliminated, and in consequence the sounds are transmitted much
more distinctly than in existing arrangements in which the two annunciators are
left in circuit which gives too great a resistance for clear telephonic converse; and
yet enabling the subscribers to signal or indicate to the exchange when they have
finished their communication, as whichever one rings off, the drop of the annun-
ciator in circuit must fall, the current from each end passing through the
annunciator left in the circuit.
The construction of the commutators according to my present Improvements is
as follows:-
Centrally of an annular or concentric series of studs 18, each of which passes
through a table 19, and rests upon and is supported in position by a spring 20,
normally clear of contact with a continuous ring 21, the springs being each in
connection or electrical continuity with a different line wire x as at a, and the
continuous ring in electrical connection with a local battery 31. and the attendant's
instrument as at b. see Figure 8, I arrange a freely turning arm 22 which can be
revolved about its centre of motion 23 over each and all of the ring of studs 18
with the radius of which its radius is coincident, the arm at its axis being
also in electrical connection with the attendants instrument as indicated by c. c.
Fig 8.
The outer end of the commutator-arm or key is specially contrived and provided
with an insulated part 24, carrying a bandle 25 by which the arm can be turned
about its centre of movement, and a metallic spring 26. carried by this part (and
which normally keeps the insulated parts 22, 24 of the arm in electrical connection
as shown at d Fig 7.) is fitted with a button 27 or with an equivalent part by

page_text: which it can be depressed from its normal contact into contact with another point
or continuous ring 28 in connection as at, e. with a ringing battery 32, and with
the effect hereinafter described.
The combined arrangement of the annunciators and commutators is thus such as
that on receipt of a call which is indicated by the fall of the relative drop 2 as
herein before described, the operator by turning the arm 22. (by means of its
handle 25) to the stud 18 corresponding with the subscriber calling and depressing
it thereupon so as to remove its spring 20 from contact with the point f. in
connection with the subscribers annunciator coils, to the ring 21 and at the same
time depressing the spring 26 (by means of its button 27) from its normal
contact d, with the arm 22, into contact with the continuous ring 28, thus
.establishes a circuit through only the part 24, of the arm in connection with the
bell battery as shown in Figure 10; and then upon simply releasing the button 27
he establishes the telephonic circuit as shown in Figure 11. so that by this one
movement of the arm he places himself in direct communication with the
subscriber calling so as to acknowledge his call and ascertain his desire, or with
whom he wishes to communicate, and then by similarly moving the arm to the
proper stud of the subscriber required, and similarly depressing the arm into
contact with this stud, and the spring into contact with the continuous ring 28, he
can ring the subscriber's bell, and call his attention to the fact that some
subscriber wants him, and upon releasing the spring, the operator's instrument is
again in circuit for speaking, and all this is effected without the necessity of putting
in any pegs or other similar or usual means.
The bottom bar 29 of the series of slippers and springs illustrated in Fig 9 is
electrically connected with the rings 28 of the operator's commutators, a separate
section being connected to each commutator, and the whole series of jacks in con-
secutive series corresponding with (but not necessarily equal in number to) the
series of annunciators, are supported therein or thereby when not in use, their flexible
cords being preferably of different colors, each of which corresponds with its section
of the bar, and with its particular commutator, and series of annunciators, to
facilitate the task of the switch-man, as he can then. see at a glance which table
any peg is in connection with.
If the subscriber required by the calling subscriber is within the series in con-
nection with the same commutator, the operator calls his attention as herein before
described; but if the subscriber required is not in connection with the same
commutator table, the operator tells the switch-man the number of the subscriber
required and he then simply takes one peg of a pair of the series in connection
with this table from the said bottom bar and puts it in the slipper opposite the
number of the subscriber asked for in whatever part of the annunciator-board this
may be situated and immediately this is done the operator at the said commutator
can place himself in direct connection with the subscriber asked for in the manner
herein before described, through the said bottom bar, pegs and flexible cord, and
when he has called his attention to the fact that some other subscriber requires
to converse with him, the switchman removes the other peg of the said pair from
the bottom bar and places it in the slipper of the calling subscriber:-This operation
places the two subscribers in through communication and disconnects the operator
ensuring privacy of. communication the connection of the subscribers being
through one line wire, the slipper in connection therewith, the bottom contact of
its jack, the flexible cord, the upper contact of the other jack, the spring of the
other slipper, the one annunciator in circuit, the contact f, the spring 20, to the
other line wire, all as shown in Figure 12.
The advantages of this improved system and arrangement of means over all
other arrangements in present use for a similar purpose, are manifest, as the whole
system is rendered as simple as possible and yet thoroughly effective and more
accurate and reliable than any arrangement in present use, and it can be
manipulated with far greater ease and rapidity, actually only four movements
being requisite to place any two subscribers in electrical connection and private

page_text: communication with each other, and to disconnect them on completion of
conversation.
In large exchanges wherein a superintendent's table is used the same is fitted
with a telephone and transmitter connected with each section of the bottom
bar (29) and thence to the respective commutators through a key board having a
separate key for each such section and commutator so that the superintendent by,
pressing the key in connection with the section or commutator required can at once.
be aware of anything that is transpiring in that particular section or commutator.
His telephone is also in connection with a centre portion of the bottom bar 29 so.
that he can at any time be placed in direct communication with any subscriber
throughout the system.
The superintendent's key board consists of a series of simple contact keys A**,,
B**, Cxx, D**, (E**, F**) and G**, each, excepting the key G**, being
connected with a different commutator, the key G** which is distinguished from
the others by a different colored press button being connected to the centre section
of the bar 29, of the switch-board, and being used to complete the circuit when
the superintendent wishes to ring a subscriber's bell; on releasing the key and then
removing the telephone from the hook 30 upon which it is suspended, the telephone
is in switch circuit for speaking without any connection with any of the
commutators.
Having now described the nature and objects of my said invention together
with the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect I would remark in conclusion that what I claim as the improve-
ments constituting the Invention secured to me by the bereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent are :-
1. The herein before described improvements in the construction of annunciators
for use in or as part of junction or switch apparatus in telegraph or telephone
exchanges or stations or for other similar uses, the same consisting in so arranging
the "drop" thereof as that it keeps its normal raised position simply by gravity,
and in this position sets and retains the armature clear of the coils in such a
manner as that, upon the subscriber in connection completing the circuit in making
an indication to the exchange it receives a positive impetus to its indicating
position by and upon the armature being thus attracted, substantially in the
manner hereinbefore described and as illustrated on the accompanying drawings, or
in any equivalent manner.
"
2. The herein before described means of putting two subscribers or others in
electrical connection the same consisting in retaining only one of the subscribers
annunciators in circuit to lessen the resistance and obtain a more distinct trans-
mission of sound, by electrically connecting the "jacks or pegs in pairs with a
single intervening conductor in a flexible cord and making the contacts of each
pair of jacks on inverse sides of their entering ends and with depending guide
parts, so that when a pair of jacks is inserted in any two slippers they raise the
two springs clear of a common ground connection upon which they normally rest
and the one peg is in electrical connection with the slipper and line wire of the one
subscriber, while the other peg is in electrical connection with the spring apper-
taining to the other subscriber substantially in the manner herein before described
and as illustrated on the accompanying drawings or in any equivalent manner.
3. The herein before described improved construction of commutator suitable for
use as part of junction or switch apparatus in telegraph or telephone exchanges or
stations or for other similar uses the same consisting in the combination with a
freely turning arm or its equivalent in electrical connection with a local battery and
the attendant's instrument and telephone, of a series of concentrically disposed keys
or their equivalents supported in a table upon springs each in electrical connection
with a different line wire, and of a continuous ring or its equivalent in electrical
connection with a ringing or call battery and instrument, and normally with the
said arm, and of other contact points in electrical connection with the annunciator
coils of the said line wire and normally with the spring of the relative key, in such

page_text: a manner as that the simple depression of the arm upon and with any of the said
keys, and the simultaneous depression and release of an attachment of the arm
shall break and establish the necessary electrical circuits to acknowledge any
subscriber's call (or to call a subscriber) and to ascertain his desire; substantially
in the manner hereinbefore described, and as illustrated on the accompanying
drawings, or any mere equivalent thereof as regards either the method of operation,
or the means employed.
4. The construction of the commutator-arm with insulated but normally
connected parts in such a manner, substantially as hereinbefore described, as that
by the one movement and depression of the arm and the simultaneous depression
and release of an attachment thereof, the attendant can complete the circuit to
acknowledge any subscriber's call, or to call a subscriber, and can place himself in
telephonic communication with him; and the use of an arm thus constructed with
other arrangements of commutators than that herein before described for the
purposes specified, or for any equivalent purpose.
5. The grouping of the annunciators in series and the electrical connection and
combined arrangement of consecutive sections thereof with co-extensive commu-
tators, and the combination there with of a bottom bar to the switch board for
supporting the jacks in sections, in electrical connection with the respective
commutators, all substantially as herein-before described, and as illustrated on
the accompanying drawings, and in such a manner as that the parts shall have
the relative action, or inter-action, hereinbefore described, or in any equivalent
manner.
6. The means of distinguishing the connected commutators, sections of annunci-
ators, and sections of flexible jack cords, by color or otherwise, to facilitate the
task of the switch-man, as substantially as and for the purposes herein before
described.
7. The further combination in large exchanges, with such means, of an
arrangement for the general supervision of the switch room for ensuring the
proper conduct of business, the same consisting of a telephone and transmitter and
series of keys in electrical connection with the respective commutators, and sections
of the bottom bar supporting the connecting jacks, and with a centre section of the
bottom bar, so that the superintendent can place bimself in circuit with any
commutator and can be placed in direct electrical connection with any subscriber
throughout the system without any connection with any of the commutators,
substantially as herein before described, and as illustrated on the accompanying
drawings, or in any equivalent manner.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edwin Irish, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this 18th day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand,
eight hundred, and eighty two.