Improvements in Telephone Exchange Instruments.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Telephone Exchange Instruments.
We, FRANK A. LUNDQUIST, Inventor, and JOHN ANDERSON, Secretary to Tele-
phone Co., both of Salina, Kansas, U.S.A., do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide an instrument which can be used in
places where the cost of maintenance of the ordinary exchange is prohibitive;
which permits of a number of conversations being carried on simultaneously; in
which it is impossible for others to interrupt or hear what is said; and in which
no time is lost in calling to the "central" and awaiting the pleasure of the
operator there to connect one with the number desired.
The instrument comprises a suitable casing in which are a series of electrical
contact points and a pointer, which is adapted to be moved in successive steps
into contact with the points by a magnet and connections, and to be returned
into its normal position, when released from its propelling mechanism, which
A circuit closing
release is brought about by a second magnet and connections.
device is provided and consists of a mercury receptacle and a pitman adapted
to be thrust therein by a crank arm which is caused to rotate about a pivot by
a crank handle geared or connected in such manner as to give a rapid movement
to the crank, to make connections to the first mentioned magnet. Indicating
points are arranged in the path of the arm for shewing the number of times the
circuit device is operated. A telephone receiver is supported upon a hook having
a lever adjacent to it and arranged to be moved and released by the descent of the
hook to close the circuit through the second magnet and cause the release of the
pointer from its propelling and holding mechanism.
R. RAINSFORD,
Agent for Applicants.
Improvements in Telephone Exchange Instruments.
We, FRANK A. LUNDQUIST, Inventor, and JoHN ANDERSON, Secretary to Tele-
phone Co., both of Salina, Kansas, U.S.A., do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
-
This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:-
Figure 1 shews the telephone boxes open and the electrical connections thereto.

page_text: Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively a side elevation and a plan of the switching
mechanism. Fig. 4 is a partial section on the line X-X of Fig. 2. Figs. 5
and 6 are details, and Fig. 7 is a diagram shewing the connections between the
telephones and the switching mechanism.
In the said drawings the cover A of the box B has secured to it a metallic
frame A', which carries a spindle A2, to which is secured a gear A, on the inside
of the cover, and a crank arm 30 on the outside. The gear A³ engages a small
pinion B secured to the same spindle with the crank disc C, to which is connected
the pitman 1, that projects down into a mercury receptacle 2, also connected to
the crank-dise C is a link and a spring C2, which acts to hold the crank in
position shewn in the drawings and resist by a moderate force the action of
turning. It will be evident that every time the crank C is turned it, will have a
tendency to stop in the position shewn in Fig. 1 and also that each revolution
of the crank-disc C will move the arm 30 a definite distance. By making the
gear A³ ten times the diameter of the pinion 331 on the spindle with the crank-
disc C the arm 30 will stop at ten points in its revolution which points are illus-
trated by the dotted circle D. One of these points is called the "normal," and
near it is located a contact 29, so placed that the spring C2 will have a tendency
to keep the lever 30 against it when pushed to the normal position. It will be
evident that turning the arm 30 by nand will cause the pitman 1 to be plunged
into the mercury 2 as many times as the arm 30 passes points D, and that a com-
plete revolution will make ten contacts between the plunger 1 and the mercury 2.
The arm 30 (see Fig. 5) is of flexible and resilient material and the bracket or
contact 29 has a projection 29", which is cut away beneath so that the arm 30
may pass it when depressed. Near the lever 60, for supporting the receiver R, is
another lever 55 which is held against a stop 58 by a spring 58a. The lever 55
is flexible and is provided with a curved lip 55", Fig. 6, which permits the pin 54
on the lever 60, to pass under it into the position shewn in Fig. 1 when the
receiver R is removed. When the receiver is again hung up, the lever 650) in
descending causes the pin 54 to tilt the lever 55 until it slips off and returns to
its normal position. On the rear end of lever 55 is a pin 56, that, upon tilting
of the lever 55, comes into contact with the spring 20 that is connected to the
binding post 19. This contact between pin 56 and spring 20 breaks
the electrical connection between spring 20 and the post 21 and
completes it between 55 and 19. Simultaneously with the contact between
pin 56 and spring 20 there is another contact between a pin 57, also on lever 55,
and a spring 59, that is connected by wire to ground G. Connected to the
lever 60 is an arm 4, that comes into contact with the spring 3" when the receiver
is removed from its hook and in contact with another spring 36" when the
receiver is hung up. Located near 36 a is a contact point 50, which is in electrical
contact with 36a when the hook 60 is up, but which contact is broken when the
arm 4 comes into contact with spring 36 a.
In the lower part of the box B is the ordinary induction coil I in which 50"
represents the primary coil and 37 the secondary. In the box E is a generator F,
that is operated by a crank K and gear 17.
A spring H keeps the gear 17 and crank K in the position shewn; but they
may be pushed to the left by hand when a contact is made between gear 17 and
spring 18 and broken between 18 and the point 40. The ringer 24 and the trans-
mitter 53 are shewn attached to the cover of the box E.
For each telephone in use there is, at a central station, a frame L, supporting
a spindle L, upon which is loosely mounted a spur and crown-toothed ratchet
wheel L. A lever L³, secured to a spindle L4, and a magnet M8, serve to rotate
the ratchet wheel L2 by means of the pawl L. Another pawl L serves to keep
the wheel Le from backward movement. Secured to the spindle L' is an arm N,
provided with a tooth or projection N1, adapted to engage the crown teeth of the
wheel L, and a second projection N2, similar to N₁, adapted to engage the in-
cline N3 of the stopping post N+ to lift the projection N from the teeth of the

page_text: wheel L. This contact between №2 and N³ takes place only in the event of a
complete revolution of the arm N. Secured to the lower end of the spindle L' is
a pointer P adapted to come into successive contact with the contact points Q;
the spacing of which corresponds to the spacing of the teeth on the wheel L.
One of the contacts Q is considered at normal and the pointer P is adjusted on
the spindle I, so as to be at the normal position when the arm N is in contact
with the post N as shewn. Every time an electric current is sent through the
magnet M8 it serves to rotate the wheel L³ one tooth and to turn the pointer P,
by means of the arm N and spindle I from one point Q to the next one. A
spring P¹ serves to turn the pointer P again to normal when the arm N is re-
leased from contact with the wheel L2 by the magnet 64, acting through the
arm 64 a, that engages a collar P2 on the spindle L, to lift it and consequently
the arm N. A spring P3 serves to again depress the spindle L' when the
magnet 64 ceases to act. Located at a convenient point is an insulated binding
post 65, to which is attached a spring contact 62. An arm 61, secured to the
lever L³, holds this spring normally from engagement with a contact point 66
(see Fig. 7) which is supported by and insulated from a post 66a, (shewn broken
off in Fig. 2). When a current acts upon magnet M8 to move its armature, the
arm 61 is withdrawn from the spring 62 and permits it to come into contact with
the point 66. The electrical connections at each station are illustrated in Fig. 1
and the connections between each telephone and the central station are illustrated
diagramatically in Fig. 7, in which there are represented three telephones,
designated, respectively, Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Each telephone is connected directly
to its own switch at the central, which switches are arranged in order as shown.
Near the said switches are a series of conductors 81, 82 83 etc. At the normal
contact point which is indicated by Q in Fig. 7, there is a connection from the
switch of telephone No. 1 to conductor 81, from No. 2 to 82, from No. 3 to 83,
and from No. 4 to 84, and so on. The first contact point beyond Q is marked Q',
the second Q2, the third Q³ and so on. In the first switch there is a connection
from Q to Q', in the second switch from Q to Q and so on. There is also a
connection at each switch from Q1 to 8.1, from Q to 82, from Q3 to 83 and so
on, except that there is none from Q' at the first switch, from Q2 at the second,"
and so on.
To illustrate the operation it will be assumed that subscriber from telephone
No. 1 wishes to talk to subscriber at telephone No. 3. He first turns the crank
arm 30 three spaces on the cover A of the box B, which spaces may be con-
veniently marked 1, 2, 3 etc. He then removes the receiver R from the hook 60
and turns the crank 30 back into contact with 29. This gives the crank-disc C
three revolutions and plunges the pitman 1 three times into the mercury 2.
The current then flows from ground 6 through 15, 2, 1, base A1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6,
M8, (Fig. 7) 9, 10, battery 12 to ground G at the central. This current is re-.
peated as many times as the pitman 1 comes into contact with the mercury 2,
and each time it energizes the magnet MS and causes the pointer P to move one
space. Under the assumption that there were three contacts the pointer P of
the switch connected to telephone No. 1 (which is the one calling) would be on
contact Q3, which is connected to the conductor 83, which in turn is connected
to the normal of telephone No. 3. The subscriber at No. 1 then pushes in and
turns his crank K which makes the connection between 17 and 18 and generates
current that flows from F (see Fig. 1) through 17, 18, 28, 29,
30, A4, 3, 3, 4, 5 line 6 from telephone No. 1 (see Fig. 7) M8,
9, a, 10, a a a, line 9, (of the switch for telephone No. 3) M8, line 6 to tele-
phone No. 3; 5, (see Fig. 1 again), 4, 36 a, (receiver still being on at No. 3)
36, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 31, (see Fig. 7) to 62 of switch for telephone
No. 3, 61, L, framework L to pointer P, Q, 83, Q3 of switch for telephone No. 1,
P; L, L, 61, 62; 31 to 19 of telephone No. 1, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,
27; and back to the beginning in generator F of telephone No. 1. This rings the
bell at telephone No. 3 and calls the subscriber, without connecting to or dis-
a

page_text: turbing any of the other telephones. The subscriber at No. 3 then removes
his receiver, when the talking circuit goes over the same course as the ringing:
circuit except that in each telephone instead of going through 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,
F and 17 to 18 it goes from 22 to the secondary 37, 38, R, 39, 39", 40, to 18.
The primary circuit goes from 52, through 53, 53, 36, 36", 50, 50, 51 to 52.
When the subscriber at telephone No. 1 hangs up his receiver, the pin 54
depresses the lever 55 and makes a contact between 56 and 20 and also between
57 and 59. The current then flows from ground G at telephone No. 1 through
59, 57, 55, 60, 5, 6, M8, 9, 10, 12, to ground G at central and simultaneously.
with this another current flows from ground G at telephone No. 1 through 59, 57,
55, 56, 20, 19, 31, 62, 66, 64, 11, 9, 10, 12 to ground G at central. The first
of these circuits closes the connection between 62 and 66, and the second in'
passing through magnet 64 lifts the arm N from engagement with the crown
teeth of the wheel L² and permits the spring P' to return the pointer P to its
normal position. As the contact between 57 and 59, and also between 50 and 20,
is broken instantly after being made by the lever 55 slipping off of the pin 54
when the hook 60 is at its lowest position it is evident that when the receiver R
is hung upon the hook 60 all parts return instantly to normal position and are
ready for the next call. The currents closed to ground through battery 12
operate magnet M8 and move the pointer P, but the current from the generator F
and the secondary current through the induction coil are not powerful enough to
do so, and may consequently pass over the line going through the said magnet
without disturbing the switch. It will be observed that each telephone has the
normal of its switch connected to a different conductor. Consequently when any
subscriber wishes to talk to another he simply moves his own switch into con-
nection with that particular conductor and thus obtains the proper connections
without disturbing any other subscriber. If he finds that the one he calls is
already talking he can hang up his receiver and disconnect his own line without
disturbing anybody. It will also be observed that when the receiver is on its
own hook 3 and 4 are disconnected and consequently that the lever 30 can be
turned any amount without sending a current over the line 3, also that the
lever 30 should be in contact with 29 at all times except when being turned, so
that the current can pass over line 28. Therefore for any subscriber to call any
other one, as No. 37, he first moves the lever 30 to the point D that is marked "7"
on it and then removes the receiver. He then moves the lever 30 to contact with
29, which gives him seven steps with his pointer P, and follows this by making
three complete revolutions of the lever 30, (each time passing under the lip 29 a)
stopping it in contact with 29. This gives him. 30 more steps with his pointer P,
which, added to the previous 7, gives thirty-seven.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is-
(1) A contact closing device consisting of a crank-disc, a pitman connected
thereto an electrical connection with which said pitman makes a contact once
during each revolution of said crank-disc, a device connected to said crank-disc
and adapted to draw it to and hold it at a position where said pitman will not
be in electrical contact, and connections between said crank-disc and a crank
arm for permitting said first-mentioned crank-disc to be turned by hand.
(2) In a circuit closing device, a crank-disc, a pitman connected thereto, a
mercury receptacle into which said pitman is thrust by said crank-disc, means
for causing said crank-disc to stop at a fixed poition, and connections for per-
mitting said crank-disc to be turned by hand.
(3) In combination with a circuit closing device consisting of a crank-disc,
a pitman, and a mercury receptacle, into which said pitman is thrust by said
crank-disc, a hand lever, and connections between said hand lever and said crank-
disc for giving said crank-dise a rapid revolution,

page_text: (4) In combination with a telephone, a mercury receptacle, a pitman adapted
to be thrust into said receptacle by a crank-disc, a crank-disc for so thrusting it,
devices for so turning said crank-disc by hand, a bell ringing device located at a
distant telephone, and connections from said receptacle and said pitman to said
bell ringing device.
(5) A receiver hook provided with a pin, a flexible lever adjacent thereto and
provided with a curved or inclined part for permitting said pin to pass said
lever when moving in one direction by bending it but to engage and move said
lever when moving in the other direction, and means for disengaging said lever
from said pin when moved a required distance.
(6) A circuit closing device consisting of a mercury receptacle, a pitman
adapted to be thrust therein, a crank arm adapted to be rotated about a pivot and
provided with connections for operating said circuit closing device, a stop in
the path of said crank arm at its normal position and against which it is normally
held, and electrical connections whereby a circuit may be completed, from the
support of said crank arm, through said mercury receptacle when said arm is
being rotated, and from said support through said stop when said arm is in its
normal position.
(7) A circuit closing device operated by the rotation of an arm about its pivot,
a stop in the path of said arm against which it is normally and automatically
held, a bell ringing generator, a pointer located at a distant station, and adapted
to be rotated about a pivot, a magnet for moving said pointer into successive con-
tact with a series of insulated points, electrical connections from said contact
closing device to said magnet, a separate connection from said stop through said
generator to said pointer, and a series of connections from said insulated points
to a series of telephones.
(8) A ratchet wheel mounted on a spindle, devices for turning said wheel step
by step, means for connecting and disconnecting said wheel and spindle, a spring
for returning said spindle to normal position when released, a pointer carried
by spindle, a series of insulated contact points in the path of said pointer, con-
nections from a telephone to said pointer, and means for controlling the move-
ment of said pointer from said telephone.
(9) A ratchet wheel loosely mounted on a spindle, a magnet and pawl for
turning said wheel step by step, means for connecting and disconnecting said
wheel and spindle, a spring for returning said spindle to a normal position when
released from said wheel, a pointer carried by said spindle, a series of insulated
contact points over which said pointer sweeps and into electrical contact with
which it comes, connections from a telephone to said magnet and to one of said
contact points, connections from each of the other contact points to a different
telephone, and means for enabling a subscriber at the first mentioned telephone
to operate said magnet so as to move the said pointer into electrical connections
with any one of said other telephones.
(10) A ratchet wheel loosely mounted on a spindle, spur ratchet teeth on said
wheel by which it receives and crown ratchet teeth by which it transmits motion,
a magnet and connections for turning said wheel, a stationary pawl for holding
it, an arm secured to said spindle and provided with a lug for engaging said crown
teeth, a second magnet and connections for raising said arm to release it from
said wheel, a spring for returning it to normal position when so released, and
a second spring for returning it to engagement with said wheel when returned
to normal position.
(11) A ratchet wheel, a magnet and devices for causing to turn in one direction
only an arm mounted on the axis of said wheel and arranged to turn in two direc-
tions, means for engaging said arm to and disengaging it from said wheel, a
series of contact points connections to which are closed in succession when said
arm is rotated by said wheel, and means for controlling said operations from a
distant telephone.
(12) A circuit closing device and a stop for holding it open, a bell ringing

page_text: generator, a pointer and a series of insulated points, a magnet for moving said
pointer into successive contact with said points connections from the circuit
closing device to said magnet, separate connections from said stop through said
generator to said pointer, and a series of connections from said insulated points to
a series of telephones.
(13) An arm movable about a pivot, a circuit closing device, connections
between said arm and said circuit closing device for operating the latter rapidly
by the movement of the former, a series of fixed points in the path of said arm
each one representing a position in which said circuit closing device is open, a
spring, the tension of which is exerted to stop said arm at said points, a second
circuit closing device closed by said arm when stopped at its normal position,
connections from the first-mentioned circuit closing device to mechanism for
making electrical connections between a given telephone and any one of another
series of telephones and connections from the second circuit closing device to
the calling mechanism of the second telephone.
(14) A ratchet wheel loosely mounted on a spindle, spur teeth on said wheel
by which it receives and crown teeth by which it transmits motion, means for
turning said wheel in one direction only means for engaging said spindle to and
disengaging it from said wheel, a spring for returning said spindle to a normal
position when disengaged from said wheel, and means for controlling said opera-
tions from a distance.
(15) A series of contact points, a pointer adapted to be moved into successive
contact with said points, a ratchet wheel connected to said pointer, devices for
turning said wheel in one direction and preventing its turning in an opposite
direction, means for disengaging said pointer from said wheel, a spring for
moving said pointer in an opposite direction when disengaged, and a stop for
said pointer at its normal position.
(16) A flexible and resilient arm adapted to be rotated about a pivot and to
operate a circuit closing device a successive number of times during each revolu-
tion, a stop against which said arm rests when in normal position, an opening
in said stop for permitting said arm to pass when depressed, and electrical con-
nections from said stop and also from the support of said arm whereby said arm
and stop form a part of an electrical circuit when said arm is in its normal
position.
(17) A circuit closer, an arm for operating it, a spring for stopping said arm
at positions that will leave said circuit closer open, a second circuit closer closed
by said arm when stopped at its normal position, a pointer and a series of insu-
lated contact points, connections from each contact point to a different telephone,
a magnet for moving said pointer into successive contact with said points, and
connections from the first circuit closer to said magnet and from the second
circuit closer to said pointer.
(18) A circuit closing device, an arm for operating it, a second circuit closed by
said arm when in its normal position, a third circuit closer operated by the re-
ceiver hook of a telephone, a bell ringing generator, a pointer and a series of
insulated contact points, a magnet for moving said pointer into successive contact
with said points, connections from each point to a different telephone, connections
from the first circuit closer and through the third to said magnet, and separate
connections from said second circuit closer through said generator to said pointer.
(19) A circuit closing device consisting of a crank-disc having a pitman
adapted to be thrust into a cup of mercury once during each revolution of said
crank-disc, a spring arranged to hold said pitinan normally from contact with
said mercury, a revoluble arm and connections for giving said crank-disc a
number of revolutions for each revolution of said arm, and indicating marks in
the path of said arm for shewing the number of times that said circuit closing
device is operated.
(20) A circuit closer operated by the rotation of an arm about its pivot, a
second circuit closer closed by said arm when at its normal position, a selecting

page_text: device for making connections from a pointer to any one of a series of telephones,
connections from the first mentioned circuit closer to the selecting device, a
separate connection from the second circuit closer through a telephone-receiver
to said pointer and thence to the selected telephone, a bell ringing generator, a
crank for turning it, and means connected therewith for breaking connection
through the receiver and completing it through said generator.
(21) A series of telephones connected to a series of contact points, a pointer
adapted be moved by successive steps into electrical connection with said contact
points, a magnet for so moving it, connections from said magnet to a circuit
closing device operated by the receiver hook of a telephone, means whereby said
circuit closing device will be open when said hook is depressed and closed when
elevated, connections from said circuit closing device to a second circuit closer
for completing a circuit through said magnet when. the first mentioned circuit
closing device is closed, an arm for operating said second circuit closer and
adapted to be moved by hand over the face of a dial, and distinguishing marks
on the face of the dial for indicating the number of times said second circuit
closer has completed a circuit through the magnet for moving said pointer.
(22) A series of electrical contact points, a pointer adapted to be moved into
successive contact with said points, a magnet and connections for moving said
pointer by successive points from one point to the next, a spring for returning
said pointer to normal position when released from its propelling mechanism, a
second magnet and connections for causing such release a circuit closing device
operated by a crank dise for making connections to said first-mentioned magnet,
an arm and connections for turning said crank-dise, indicating points in the path
of said arm for shewing the number of times said circuit closing device is operated,
a telephone receiver and a hook for supporting it, a lever adjacent to said hook
and arranged to be moved and released by the descent of said hook, and means
whereby the movement of said lever will close the circuit through said second
magnet and cause the release of said pointer from its propelling and holding
mechanism.
(23) In combination with a switching mechanism provided with propelling
and releasing devices, connections from cach device to a telephone, a circuit closer
located in the connection to oue device, and operated by the other device, contact
terminals on each connection at the telephone, a second circuit closer adapted
to make simultaneous contact with both terminals, a receiver hook, and means
for operating said second circuit closer by the movement of said hook.
(24) A ratchet wheel, devices for moving it intermittently in one direction
and preventing its return, a pointer carried by said wheel, means for releasing
said pointer from said wheel and returning it to normal position when so released,
a series of insulated contact points in the path of said pointer, connections from
a telephone to one of said contact points and to said propelling and releasing
mechanisms, connections from each of the other contact points to a different
telephone, and means for enabling the subscriber at the first mentioned telephone
to operate the propelling and releasing devices to move the pointer into connec-
tion with any one of said telephones and return it to its normal position.
(25) A propelling mechanism arranged to turn in one direction, devices for
preventing it from turning in an opposite direction, a pointer, means for con-
necting said pointer to and releasing it from said propelling mechanism, a spring
for returning it to normal position when released, connections from the pro-
pelling and releasing mechanisms to a telephone, a circuit closing device located
at said telephone and operated by hand for controlling said propelling mechanism,
and a second circuit closing device operated by the weight of a telephone receiver
for controlling said releasing mechanism.
(26) A pointer and an electrically operated propelling mechanism therefor, a
magnet for releasing said pointer from its propelling mechanism separate con-
nections from said magnet and said propelling mechanism to a telephone, a cir-
cuit closer located in the line to said magnet and operated by said propelling

page_text: mechanism, a second circuit closer adapted to make simultaneous contacts with
each of said connections, a movable receiver hook, and means for operating said
second circuit closer by the movement of the said hook.
(27) A magnet, a ratchet wheel and a circuit closer operated by said magnet,
a pointer carried by said wheel, a second magnet for releasing said pointer from
said wheel and provided with connections to said circuit closer, separate connec-
tions from said first mentioned magnet and from said circuit closer to a telephone,
and means operated by the weight of a receiver for sending simultaneous
electrical impulses over each of the connections to said telephone.
(28) A ratchet wheel, a magnet and pawl for turning it, a second pawl for
holding it, a pointer adapted to engage and be turned by said ratchet wheel, a
second magnet for releasing said engagement, a spring for returning said pointer
to normal position when so released, connections from each magnet to a telephone,
a circuit closer located in the connection to one magnet said circuit closer being
normally open but closed by the movement of the other magnet, a second closer
located at the telephone and adapted to make simultaneous electrical contact to
both connections, a movable receiver hook, and means for operating said second
circuit closer by the movement of said hook.
(29) A pointer and a ratchet wheel for moving it, a magnet for turning said
wheel, a second magnet for releasing said pointer from said wheel, connections
from each of said magnets to a telephone, a circuit closer operated by a crank-
disc, for sending a current through the propelling magnet, and separate circuit
closers operated by the weight of a receiver for sending simultaneous currents
through both magnets.
Loga