Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Aug., 1887
Complete Left, 5th May, 1888
Complete Accepted, 15th June, 1888
I, WILLIAM HAMILTON BLAKENEY of Edengrove by Dundee in the County of
Forfar, Draper do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to render the working of pneumatic tube systems
such as are used for the carrying of cash, small parcels, &c., more automatic in their
action and easier of manipulation. One part of my invention consists of a device for
opening the carrying recepticle on its arrival at either end of the tube causing it to
discharge its contents. I carry this part of my invention into effect by placing a stop,
lever, or catch at or near to the end of the tube in such a position relative to the lid or
covering of the travelling recepticle as to unlock or uncover the recepticle and cause
it to discharge its contents.
Another part of my invention consists of means whereby the carrier is made auto-
matically to intimate or register its arrival at the end of its journey. I carry this
part of my invention into effect by causing the carrier on arrival at the end of its
journey to close an electric contact, in the circuit connected with which is placed a
semaphore or bell which intimates the arrival of the carrier to the operator.
Another part of my invention consists of a convenient arrangement of the tubes at
the central portion of the system, whereby the receiving operator may with greater
convenience manipulate a large number of tubes.
This portion of my invention I carry into effect by providing a curved tube which
surrounds the operator either partially or completely.
This tube is a recepticle common to the system and controls the system by either
a plus or minus pressure.
The ends of all the branch tubes converge on this tube and are thus brought in the
greatest number and within the shortest distance of the operator. In this manner
I increase the ease of manipulation.
Dated this 4th day of Angust. 1887.

page_text: Improvements in Pneumatic Carrying Apparatus.
1, WILLIAM HAMILTON BLAKENEY, of Edengrove, Arbroath Road, Dundee, in the
County of Forfar, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN PNEUMATIC CARRYING APPARATUS, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
The object of my invention, is to render the working of pneumatic tube systems
such as are used for the carrying of cash, small parcels &c. more automatic in their
action and easier of manufacture.
One part of my invention consists of a device for opening the carrying receptacle
on its arrival at the "off end" of the tube; causing it to discharge its contents.
I carry this part of my invention into effect by placing a stop, or catch at, or near
to the end of the tube in such a position relative to the lid or covering of the travelling
receptacle, as to unlock or uncover the receptacle and cause it to discharge its
contents.
Another part of my invention consists of means whereby the carrier is made
automatically to intimate or register its arrival at the end of its journey.
I carry this part of my invention into effect, by causing the carrier on arrival at
the end of its journey, to close an electric contact in the circuit, connected with
which is placed a semaphore and bell, which intimates the arrival of the carrier to the
operator.
Another part of my invention consists of a convenient arrangement of the tubes at
the central portion of the system, whereby the receiving operator may with greater
convenience manipulate a large number of tubes.
This portion of my invention I carry into effect by providing a curved tube which
surrounds the operator, either partially or completely.
This tube is a receptacle, common to the system and controlls the system by either
a plus or minus pressure.
The ends of all the branch tubes converge on this tube and are thus brought in the
greatest number within the shortest distance of the operator.
In this manner I increase the ease of manipulation.
To more clearly enable the working of my invention to be understood, I will briefly
describe the general arrangement of the system.
A central office, placed in the most suitable position for the purpose in view is
fitted with a number of pipe ends arranged in a curve around the operator, said pipes
being led to the various stations with which communication is to be maintained.

page_text: (I will in future refer to the central office end as the
as the "off end.")
near end, and to the other
All the pipes at the "near end" are connected with the plus and minus reservoirs
in such a manner, that a valve may open or close communication alternately between
the said plus or minus reservoir as may be desired.
This valve may also close communication entirely between the plus and minus
pressures.
These tubes terminate in a closed end, and are fitted with a sliding door which may
be opened or closed at will.
The "off end" of the tube terminates in a receptacle for catching the contents
of the carrier.
The tube for a short distance above the said receptacle is open towards the front,
and fixed midway to this opening is a coned ring for catching the rear end of the
carrier when it is sent through the tube from "near end," the point of carrier and
contents of same being discharged into said receptacle.
At the end of opening furthest away from receptacle is an electrical apparatus,
which is actuated by the passing carrier in such a manner as to close an electric
contact in the circuit, connected with which is placed a semaphore and bell ;
which intimates the arrival or departure of carrier to operator for that particular
tube.
When I place a carrier into the tube at the "off ond" the electrical apparatus
indicates to the operator at the "near end" that a carrier is within a particular
tube.
"
near end."
The operator by manipulating the valve or transformer causes a vacuum, which
allows the atmospheric pressure to force the carrier to the
On its arrival there it closes the aperture through which the air has been passing,
until such time as the operator closes the valve.
The sliding door on the side of tube being then opened the carrier is withdrawn
and the contents taken out.
To return the carrier to the "off end."
It is placed in the tube with the point facing towards the direction in which it is
to be sent, the sliding door is closed and again through the medium of the transformer
a plus pressure is put on and the carrier is sent off.
On its arrival at the "off end" the point passes through the cone ring but its rear
end is caught, the effect being that the point of carrier and contents of same fall into
receptacle.
The electrical apparatus indicates to operator that carrier has reached its destina-
tion, and the positive pressure may then be shut off.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Figs. 1. 2. and 3. Sheet No. 1. represents a side view, front view, and plan,
respectively, of the "off end" of a tube.
daical annometre for indicating when carrier has passed out of tube, or
Figs. 1. 2. and 3. Sheet No. 1. represents »
respectively, of the "off end" of a tube.
Brut
1. is the electrical apparatus for indicating when carrier has passed out of tube, or
when it has been inserted into same.
2. is a curved spring so situated that when carrier passes, or is opposite to it; it
closes the electrical contact and thus actuates semaphore and bell.
3. is the tube leading to
"
near end."
4. is the coned ring for catching rear end of carrier 5.
6. is the point of carrier which is permitted to drop into box 7. preferably fitted
with a leather bottom.
8. is the one half side of tube, the other portion being removed to permit of the
withdrawal of carrier and entering of same.
The carrier is of improved construction and has been designed to combine
simplicity of manipulation, with cheapness of construction.

page_text: I do not however desire to particularly describe nor claim in this application my
invention of the carrier, it being designed to form subject matter for a separato
application.
Fig. 4. Sheet No. 2. represents in a diagramatic form, the electrical arrangements
in connection with my invention.
A. B. C. D. E. are the pneumatic tubes.
a. b. c. d. e. are the numbers or semaphores electrically connected to the pneumatic
tubes.
Although for convenience I have only shewn five tubes and five semaphores in my
diagram, I do not limit myself to that number.
The conducting wires 12. from A. B. C. D. E. respectively, all join into one which
is in circuit with 13. of the electro-magnet M.
Note: The reason for requiring or using an electro-magnet M. to ring bell 26.
through another battery 21.-24. is as follows:-
1
Should say six carriers be inserted into six tubes, simultaneously, or be put in one 1
after another it might require more, or it might require less electrical energy to
actuate the numbers or semaphores, and the bell might stop ringing should there be
no electro-magnet; whereas with my arrangement no number or semaphore can go
up, before the current passes through the clectro-magnet and thus rings the bell.
It keeps ringing as long as any number or semaphore holds up, or a carrier is in a
given tube.
The wires 9. connect the tubes A. B. C. D. E. with the semaphores a. b. c. d. e. the
terminal 10. of A. being in circuit with the terminal 11. of a; the remaining tubes
and semaphores being joined in like manner.
The other terminals of the semaphores 14. all run into one wire which is in circuit :
with 15. of battery 15.-16.
The other terminal 16. of battery is in circuit with 17. of M.
A contact maker 18. hinged about 19. can be actuated by the electro-magnet M.
completing circuit between 22. and 20., and thus making battery 21.-24. ring
bell 26.
The action of the whole arrangement may be illustrated by what takes place when
a carrier is inserted into a tube at the "off end."
The carrier being inserted into say tube A. makes contact by means of spring 2.
Fig. 1. permitting a current of electricity to flow from battery 15.-16. through 14.
and 11. of a. thus raising its semaphore.
At the same time the current flows through M., through 10. and 12. of A. causing
contact maker 18. to touch 20. thus causing bell 26. to ring.
Fig. V. Sheet No. 3. represents a view of the "
near end."
P, is the pressure or plus reservoir and V, the vacuum or minus reservoir.
28. and 29. are pipes from reservoirs to transformer.
T. is the valve or transformer for controlling communication between P₁ V₁
and 3.
27. represents the sliding door, the description of which is to form subject matter
for a separate application.
Figs. 6. 7. and 8. Sheet No. 3. represents sectional views of the transformer T.
Fig. 6. shows transformer, with handle in position H, and both the plus and minus
pressures P. and V. shut off from tube 3.
"
Fig. 7. shows transformer, with handle in position H., and communication open
between the minus pressure V. and the tube 3..
Fig. 8. shows transformer with handle in position H., and communication open
between the plus pressure P. and the tube 3.
Fig. 9. Sheet No. 3. shows a plan of the plus and minus tubes or reservoirs, the
operator being intended to stand within the space 0. 0. 0.; 28. and 29. being the
upright pipes to transformer.
The same number or letter on each sheet indicates the same part or detail of my
invention.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
(1) The use of a tapered ring for stopping and uncovering the carrier and dis-
charging its contents, arranged and constructed in the manner hereinbefore described.
(2) The use of a curved spring, placed longitudinally in the tube to notify departure
and arrival at "off end," substantially as described.
(3) The use of curved tubes or reservoirs for pressure and vacuum, with branches
and valves or transformers attached thereto, as hereinbefore described.
(4) The use in connection with a main battery of a system of numbers or sema-
phores, and contacts, and also an electro-magnet, for ringing bell as described.
GEO. C. DOUGLAS & Co.,
Agents for Applicant.
Dated this or any of Blay 1000.
GEO. C. DOUGLAS & Co.,
Agents for Applicant.