An Improved System of Automatic Telegraphic Apparatus.
Year: 1886

page_text: An Improved System of Automatic Telegraphic Apparatus.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention a communication to me
from abroad by Madame Veuve Meyer née Glossinde Decharme of 2 Rue de
l'Église, Malzéville près Nancy (Meurthe and Moselle) France, to be as follows :-
This Invention relates to a system of automatic telegraphic apparatus which
is intended to supersede manually operated telegraphic apparatus, and to avoid
the errors consequent on retransmission.
I will proceed to describe this improved automatic system with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
The Invention comprises first; The composing apparatus by which the message
is prepared manually for automatic transmission; 2nd. The transmitter; 3rd. The
receiver. These last two may be combined and actuated by the same clockwork,
or they may be independent. 4th. The method of transmission of this improved
telegraphic system.
The composing apparatus, by which the message is printed in such manner on
a tape that the latter will itself serve for the electrical transmission, has a purely
mechanical action and is represented in plan in Figure 1; and in longitudinal
vertical section in Figure 2. Figure 3 represents the tape as printed by it. The
Morse code is employed, the grouping and method of reading being the same, but
the form and position of the signs upon the tape differ, the dots and dashes being
respectively represented by thin and thick transverse lines of uniform length.
The signs or characters thus arranged are regular, clear, and easily legible so that
the general public may, by means of this composing apparatus, prepare the messages
in readiness for transinission. This apparatus comprises a roller a for feeding the
tape actuated by a ratchet motion b every time one of the keys c c¹ c² is released
after it has been pressed down by the finger.-Depressing the key c effects the
printing of a thin line, and also forms, opposite one end thereof, the left for
example a small convex boss or protuberance by which the electrical transmission
is effected by embossing the tape as represented at d Figure 3. The second key c

page_text: produces a thick line, and at the right hand end thereof a similar boss or pro-
tuberance which will be hereinafter explained in describing the transmitting
apparatus. The return movement of either of these two keys causes the tape to
advance a distance corresponding to the space between two consecutive signs, by
acting through suitable levers upon the ratchet motion b. The key c advances the
tape a rather greater distance than the space separating the elements of a letter,
and it operates the ratchet motion b through the lever c³. The message is now
ready to be automatically transmitted. The signs are printed by a wheel e which
is inked by a roller e¹ and against which the tape is pressed, by a lever. The mode
of printing and the embossing of the tape being exactly and necessarily the same.
as in the receiver, I will reserve further description, merely mentioning here that
the feed roller a and inking wheel e are operated simultaneously through ratchet
motions by the lever f and that the keys c³ c¹ c act respectively upon the levers
c3 c c which act on lever f the first on one side and the other two on the opposite
side of its fulcrum f¹. The feed of the tape is actuated directly by the depression
of key c², and indirectly on the return movement of keys c. c¹.
Although the transmitter and receiver are combined and actuated by one clock
train I will describe each separately. The clockwork is enclosed in a casing g and
provided with a fly. Figure 4 represents a side elevation, and Figure 5 a plan, of
the combined apparatus. Figure 6 is a detail view in elevation and plan of the
transníitter.
The tape is drawn through the transmitter, in the direction of the arrow in
Figure 6, by the rollers i. The transmitter is provided with two feelers k each
carried by a lever having an arm k² which plays between studs and closes the
circuit every time the feeler is raised by one of the protuberances on the tape, the
two rows of these protuberances d shown in Figure 3, respectively passing under
the two feelers k. The action of the feelers is regulated to the greatest nicety, the
closing of the circuit by the one producing positive currents, and by the other,
negative currents. The positive and negative currents thus transmitted respectively
produce in the receiving apparatus, impressions of thin and thick lines upon a
tape identical with those mechanically produced in the composing apparatus, and
this electrically printed tape may be used in the transmitter for retransmission if
required.
Figures 4 and 5 show an elevation and plan of the receiver, while Figures 7
and 8 represent details of the printing apparatus. The tape is drawn through by
the drum m in the direction of the arrow and the printing of the signs is effected
by the wheel e inked by roller el, the impression being produced by positive or
negative currents of equal duration, so that the signs are always sharp and legible.
The apparatus, like the composing apparatus, is arranged as follows:-The thin
lines are printed by a knife edge n (Figures 4 and 7) pressing the tape against
the inked roller e, said knife edge being carried by a lever n' fixed on the axis n³
of the armature of the electro magnet n³ which is excited by the passage of a
positive current. The plate o¹, Figure 8, has a stamped up portion with a slot o in
it for the knife edge n to pass through. The edges of this stamped up slotted
portion press that part of the tape h comprised between them against the roller e
and thus produce the thick line, the plate o' being mounted on the axis o² of the
armature of an electro magnet o³ which is excited by the passage of the negative
current.
To the electro-magnet n³, for printing the thin lines corresponds, a second electro-
magnet p which is excited by the same current, and whose armature carries a
lever p¹ provided with a punch p2, which stamps up the paper, into a corresponding
die, in plate o¹ in a line with the slit o to form the little boss d corresponding to
the thin line, as before described. With the electro-magnet o³, which produces the
thick lines, corresponds a fourth electro-magnet q, whose armature q', actuates a
punch q, for the purpose of producing in the same way, as in the other case,
the bosses d, corresponding to the thick lines. The receiver thus has two pairs
of levers, the two of each pair, acting in the same transverse line, on the tape.

page_text: A Morse key, may be adapted to the receiver The method of transmission is as
follows, The message having been mechanically composed, or prepared, by being
printed, and embossed, on the tape, by the apparatus first described, the tape is
passed into the transmitter, whereby the electrical transmission of the message is
automatically effected by the embossed portions of the tape, acting on feelers which
close electrical circuits, whereby the receiving apparatus is caused to produce a
duplicate of the original tape, which duplicate may be used for re-transmission as
many times as required, without the necessity of having to again compose or
prepare the message, as is now done The message is thus transmitted without
any possibility of error, as it is only composed, or prepared once, at the outset,
whatever may be the number of times the message is re-transmitted. Figure 9
shows a relay, which is employed in connection with the apparatus, but which it
is unnecessary to describe, as any other kind of relay may be substituted. The
system of automatic apparatus herein described may be used for multiple trans-
mission without requiring any change in their arrangement, or in the mode of
composing the messages; moreover a telegram received by a simple receiver, is
re-transmittable by a multiple receiver, and vice-versa.
A. M. CLARK.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark, Patent Agents,
53, Chancery Lane, London."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved System of Automatic Telegraphic Apparatus.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention (a communication to me
from abroad by Madame Veuve Meyer, née Glossinde Decharme, of 2 Rue de
l'Eglise, Maleéville, près Nancy (Meurthe and Moselle) France, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
This Invention relates to a system of automatic telegraphic apparatus which is
intended to supersede manually operated telegraphic apparatus, and to avoid the
errors consequent on re-transmission.
I will proceed to describe this improved automatic system with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
The Invention comprises, first ;-The composing apparatus by which the message
is prepared manually for automatic transmission; second-The transmitter ;-

page_text: Third The receiver. These last two may be combined and actuated by the same
clockwork, or they may be independent. Fourth-The method of transmission of
this improved telegraphic system.
The composing apparatus, by which the message is printed in such manner on a
tape that the latter will itself serve for the electrical transinission, has a purely
mechanical action, and is represented in plan in Figures 1 and 1a with the inking
roller thrown back and in longitudinal vertical section in figure 2 taken on line 1, 2,
3, 4 figure 1. Figures 2a, 2b, and 2e represent details of the parts for feeding
printing and perforating the tape. Figure 3 represents the tape as printed by it.
The Morse code is employed, the grouping and method of reading being the same,
but the form and position of the signs upon the tape differ, the dots and dashes
being respectively represented by thin and thick transverse lines of uniform length.
The signs or characters thus arranged are regular, clear, and easily legible, so that
the general public may, by means of this composing apparatus, prepare the messages
in readiness for transmission.-This apparatus comprises a roller a for feeding the
tape actuated by a ratchet motion b every time one of the keys c c¹ c² is released
after it has been pressed down by the finger. Depressing the key c effects the
printing of a thin line and also forms, opposite one end ther-of-the left for example
a small nodule or boss by which the electrical transmission is effected, the tape
being embossed as represented at d, figure 3. For this purpose, lever c³ of key c
raises a pallet 1 oscillating upon a centre 2 which pallet is provided with a flat
spring 3 bearing against a pallet 4 carrying a punch 5 (figure 2b) which in rising
embosses the tape as above mentioned. Upon a plate 6 screwed to the underside
of pallet 4 bears a pin 7 attached to the underside of a pallet 8 carrying a knife-
edge 9 by which the tape is raised. The tape being pressed against the inking
wheel e by a narrow knife-edge causes a thin line to be printed on the tape, the
knife edge and punch being raised simultaneously. Depressing the second key c¹
effects the printing of a thick line and at the same time the embossing of the tape
with a nodule or boss at the end of the line opposite to that at which the nodule or
boss corresponding to the thin line is situated. The lever et of key c¹ raises a
pallet 11 having a spring which acts upon a pallet 12, (figures 1, 1, and 2c) furnished
with a spring 13 which takes under a pallet 15 that carries a pair of raised edges 10.
These raised edges 10 are situated at either side of an aperture in the pallet 15
through which the knife edge 9 passes, the pallet 8 being situated beneath pallet 15,
the pallets 4, 8, 12, and 15 all oscillating on a fixed centre at 16. 17 and 18 are
springs for retracting pallets 8 and 15. The return movement of either of these
two keys causes the tape to advance a distance corresponding to the space between
two consecutive signs by acting through suitable levers upon the ratchet-motion b.
For the purpose of feeding the tape and rotating the inking wheel, a lever f
which is pivoted at f1 is provided with a pawl at each end respectively engaging
in ratchet wheels b b¹. Every time the key c, for example, is raised a friction
roller 19 on pallet 1 bears against a projection 20 formed on lever f lifting
the same and causing the pawl to advance one tooth of the ratchet-wheel 1
of the printing wheel e and allowing the other pawl to slip on ratchet b. When
the key is released the return motion of lever f rotates the ratchet wheel b
and advances the paper tape. The key c¹ produces the same effect through the
medium of a pallet mounted on axis 2 and oscillating together with pallet 11.
Depressing the key c² causes the tape to be advanced a rather greater distance than
the space separating the elements of a letter. This key acts on the lever f through
an intermediate lever c³, the key lever and the intermediate lever being arranged
as in figure 2a. The inking wheel e by which the signs are printed is inked by a
roller e¹. As the lever c acts on lever f at the opposite side of its fulcrum f¹ to
that at which levers cc act on it, the feed of the tape is actuated directly by the
depression of key c², and indirectly on the return movement of keys c c¹.
The message is now ready to be automatically transmitted.
Although the transmitter and receiver are combined and actuated by one clock-
train I will describe each separately. The clockwork is enclosed in a casing g and

page_text: provided with a fly. Figure 4 represents a side elevation and figure 5 a plan of
the combined apparatus Figure 6 is a detail-view in elevation and plan of the
transinitter.
The tape is drawn through the-transmitter, in the direction of the arrow in
figure 6 by the rollers i. The transmitter is provided with two feelers k each
carried by a lever having an arm 2 which plays between contact studs and
closes the circuit every time the feeler is raised by one of the nodules or bosses & on
the tape, the two rows of nodules, shewn in figure 3, respectively passing under
the two feelers k. The action of the feelers is regulated to the greatest nicety, the
closing of the circuit by the one producing positive currents, and by the other
negative currents. The positive and negative currents thus transmitted respectively
produce in the receiving apparatus impressions of thin and thick lines upon a
tape identical with those mechanically produced in the composing apparatus, and
this electrically printed tape may be used in a transmitter for re-transmission if
required.
Figures 4 and 5 shew an elevation and plan of the receiver, while figures 7 and 8
represent details of the printing apparatus. The tape is drawn through by the
drum m actuated by the clockwork g in the direction of the arrow and the printing
of the signs is effected by positive or negative currents of equal duration, so that
the signs are always sharp and legible.
The
The apparatus is like the composing apparatus, the thin lines being printed by a
knife-edge n (6gures 4 and 7) pressing the tape against the inked roller e, said
knife-edge being carried by a lever n fixed on the axis n² of the armature of the
electro-magnet n³ which is excited by the passage of a positive current.
plate o, figure 8, has a stamped up portion with a slot o in it for the knife-
edge n to pass through. The edges of this stamped up slotted portion press that
part of the tape h comprised between them, against the roller e and thus produce
the thick line, the plate o¹ being mounted on the axis o² of the armature of an
electro-magneto which is excited by the passage of the negative current. To the
electro magnet n³ for printing the thin lines, corresponds a second electro-magnet p
which is excited by the same current and whose armature carries a lever p¹
provided with a punch p² which stamps up the paper into a corresponding die in
plate o in a line with the slit o to form the nodules or bosses d corresponding
to the thin lines, as before described. With the electro-magnet o³ which produces
the thick lines corresponds a fourth electro-magnet q whose armature q' actuates a
punch q² for the purpose of producing, in the same way as in the other case, the
nodules or bosses d corresponding to the thick lines. The receiver thus has two
pairs of levers, the two of each pair acting in the same transverse line on the tape.
A Morse key may be adapted to the receiver.
The method of transinission is as follows; The message having been mechanically
composed or prepared, by being printed and embossed on the tape by the apparatus
first described, the tape is passed into the transmitter whereby the electrical
transmission of the message is automatically effected by the embossed portions
of the tape acting on feelers which close electrical circuits, whereby the receiving
apparatus is caused to produce a duplicate of the original tape, which duplicate
may be used for re-transmission as many times as required without the necessity
of having to again compose or prepare the message, as is now done. The message
is thus transmitted without any possibility of error, as it is only composed or
prepared once at the outset, whatever may be the number of times the message is
retransmitted.
Figure 9 shews a relay which is employed in connection with the apparatus, but
which it is un-necessary to describe, as any other kind of relay may be substituted.
The system of automatic apparatus herein described may be used for multiple
transmission without requiring any change in their arrangement, or in the mode
of composing the messages; moreover, a telegram received by a simple receiver is
re-transmittable by a multiple receiver and vice-versa.

page_text: Having now pa ticularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is ;-
1st. Automatic telegraphic apparatus in which messages are transmitted by
means of a tape h having at opposite sides of a row of signs consisting of thick
and thin lines (or of dots and dashes) rows of nodules or bosses punched up in the
paper tape, the row at the one side corresponding to the thin lines and the opposite
row to the thick lines, the passage of the punched tape through the transmitter
determining the emission of positive and negative currents which respectively
correspond to the two rows of bosses on the tape, and which by exciting the electro-
magnets of the receiver cause the latter to similarly print and punch another tape,
as described.
2nd. In a telegraphic apparatus of the kind herein described; (a) the mechanism
for manually composing-i.e. printing and punching-the messages on the tape,
consisting of the feed roller a, printing wheel e impression devices 9, 10, and
punches 5, 14, and the mechanism for operating them, all combined for operation
substantially as shewn and described; (b) the transmitter consisting of roller i,
figure 6, the feelers k¹³ acted on by the bosses on tape, and the contacts 1
whereby positive and negative currents are transmitted to the receiver, as
described; (c) the receiver represented in Figures 4, 5, 7, and 8, consisting of
feed-drum m, printing wheel e, impression devices n and o' and their respective
electro-magnets n³ and o³, and the punches p³ q3 and their respective electro-
magnets p and q one of the impression magnets and the corresponding punching
magnet being actuated by positive and the others by negative currents substantially
as and for the purpose specified.