An Act to amend the Law touch- ing Letters Patent for Inventions:
Year: 1853

page_text: ISCLAIMER entered by the said John Walker Wilkins at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents. pursuant to an Act passed in
the fifth and sixth years of the reign of His late Majesty King
William the Fourth. intituled An Act to amend the Law touch-
ing Letters Patent for Inventions: " and also to an Act passed in
the fifteenth and sixteenth years of Her present Majesty Queen
Victoria, intituled "An Act for amending the Law for granting
Patents for Inventions."
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
OHN WALKER WILKINS. of Hampstead, in the County of Middlesex,
Clectric Telegraph Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty by Her Letters Patent
nder the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and

page_text: Ircland, bearing date the Thirteenth day of January, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, did, for Herself,
Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said John
Walker Wilkins, my executors, administrators, and assigns, and such
others as I, the said John Walker Wilkins, my executors, administra-
tors, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times hereafter during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, my Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS, AND IN
THE INSTRU-
MENTS USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH;" in which Letters Patent there
is contained a proviso, requiring that I, the said John Walker Wilkins,
shall particularly ascertain and set forth the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and seal to be filed in the Great. Scal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the now recited Letters Patent: And whereas, in compli-
ance with the said proviso, I, the said John Walker Wilkins, did par-
ticularly ascertain and set forth the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, in and by a certain
Specification or instrument in writing under my hand and seal, bearing
date the Thirteenth day of July, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
three, and did cause the same Specification to be filed in due time in
the Great Seal Patent Office: And whereas I have been, advised that
doubts may be entertained respecting the meaning of certain portions
of the said Specification of my said Invention, and to prevent any such
doubts I am desirous to enter and file such Memorandum of Alteration,
and a Disclaimer, as herein-after contained, and have for that purpose
obtained leave of Her Majesty's Solicitor General, certified by his fiat
and signature, according to the form of the Statutes in that behalf
made and provided.
NOW KNOW YE, therefore, that with the leave aforesaid, and for
the reason aforesaid. I do by this Disclaimer and Memorandum of
Alteration, alter the said Specification as follows (that is to say):
In the Specification as to so much of the said Specification as con-
sists of these words, "The electro-magnets 1, 1, 2, 2, are formed in the

page_text: Composing the magnets are connected in pans, In place of the
word "coils," inserted therein by mistake instead of the word " cores,'
I hereby substitute the word "cores."
*
"
*
[Cancelled in
the Original.]
*
"
"
And also immediately after the
words "and will be held there so long as the current is passing," I in-
troduce the words and figures following (that is to say):-"When the
magnets 1, 1, and 2, 2, are used separately they may be worked either
by means of currents passing along two separate conducting or line
wires, so that either of them may be brought into action at pleasure,
or by means of a single conducting wire and an auxiliary current in
"connexion with my automaton repeater herein-after described." And
also immediately after the words seen in section in the Drawing, which
may be inked," I introduce the words following (that is to say):-
"with some ink which will not without pressure adhere to the paper
" passing over it." And immediately the words and figures "but
"when a current of electricity is sent through either of the electro-
magnets 1, 1, 2, 2," I introduce these words, "when used separately."
And as to so much of the said Specification as consists of these words,
By reversing the current of electricity the marker will be moved aside
in the opposite direction, and lines will be produced deviating from
"the normal straight line in the contrary direction to those before pro-
duced." I hereby alter the same so that the same shall be in these
"words, "By sending the current of electricity through the other of the
magnets 1, 1, and 2, 2, the marker will be moved aside in the oppo-
"site direction, and similar lines will be produced deviating from the
"normal straight line, and on the opposite side of it to those before
produced." And also in place of the word "are," following immer
diately after the words, letters, and figure "E. E'," "when either of
"the keys E. E'," I substitute the word "is." And I hereby disclaim
so much of the said Specification as consists of the words following (that
is to say)" By means of this arrangement or key board which can
"be acted upon if required by magnets instead of manual operation, I
"

page_text: "
65
"
am enabled to bring into action batteries or other sources of electric
power so as to work other circuits, (that is to say,) I can work the first
"key board of the series by manual operation, and then through the
"intervention of clectro or other magnets work another similar key
"board or key boards, which may be made to work other circuits and so
on ad infinitum." And as to so much of the said Specification as con-
sists of these words, "This instrument in one electric circuit is used for
"the purpose of. bringing into operation currents of electricity to work
"telegraphs or telegraph circuits, whether short or long, or other instru-
ments or other extended circuits. working or connecting other tele-
"graphs, which telegraphs or extended circuits can be made to work
"other automaton repeaters to any extent and through any distance,"
I hereby alter the same so that the same shall be as follows (that is to
say) This instrument placed in one telegraph circuit is used for the
purpose of bringing into operation other currents of electricity to
work telegraphs or other telegraph circuits, whether short or long, or
"other instruments, which telegraphs or circuits can be made to work
other automaton repeaters to any extent and through any distance."
And as to so much of the said Specification as consists of these words,
"I make use of this alternate motion of the moveable parts b, b, of the
magnets to bring into operation' galvanic or other electric power, so
"arranged that upon causing one of the pendant or moveable poles of
"the magnets to come in contact with another portion of the apparatus
as shewn at the extremities of the core A of the magnet W, A, W,
a circuit is completed which may be employed to work other circuits
"and other instruments, and also to work the magnets of the recording
instrument, first herein-before described," hereby alter the same So
that the whole sentence as hereby altered shall be as follows, that is to
say make use of this alternate motion of the moveable parts b, b,
of the magnets to bring into operation galvanic or other electric
power, so arranged that upon causing either of the pendant or move-
able poles of the magnets to come in contact with a projection as
"shewn at the extremities of the core A of the magnet W, A, W, a
circuit is completed for the passage of a current of electricity coming
"from the zinc or positive pole of a battery through one of the stands
"

page_text: "and spiral springs communicating with the pendant b. and a portion
"of the core A, and wire to C. to the copper or negative pole, which
"may be employed to work other circuits. and other instruments, and
"also to work the magnets of the recording instrument. first herein-
"before described." And as to so much of the said Specification as
consists of these words, "by increasing the length of surface between
"the point of suspension and the outside of the conductor," in lieu of
the word conductor "I substitute the word "insulator." And after the
words "fastens the insulator to the. arm D of the," immediately pre-
ceding the word "post" I insert the word "wooden." And in place of
the words "confine myself to the details herein described so long as the
"peculiar character of either part of my invention be retained," which
follows immediately after the words "I declare that I no not." I sub-
stitute the words following, that is to say: "claim as of my Invention
any of the elements of either part of my said Invention separate
"and apart from the combination or application thereof as herein de-
scribed." And for the purpose of shewing more clearly the language
and contents of the said Specification as hereby altered. I declare that
the same as hereby altered shall be and be deemed to be in these
words:
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOHN WALKER WILKINS. of Hampstead, in the County of Middlesex,
Electric Telegraph Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight. hundred and fifty-three, in the fifteenth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me. the said John Walker Wilkins, Her special, license
ihat T. the said John Walker Wilkins, my executors. administrators,
and assigns, or such others as T. the said John Walker Wilkins, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, usc. exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the

page_text: Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS, AND IN THE INSTRUMENTS USED IN CONNECTION
THEREWITH," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John
Walker Wilkins, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Walker Wilkins, hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement. reference being had to the Drawings
annexed (that is to say):
My Invention consists, first. in arranging telegraphic apparatus
worked by electro or other magnets, or by electricity, however de-
veloped, in such a manner as to give motion to a marker or tracer, and
thereby to impress, mark, or otherwise render visible in a continuous
line upon a suitable recording surface arbitrary characters or signs,
cach composed of two or three, five or more lines, in different positions,
representing letters, words, or figures, and connected in an unbroken
line throughout the length of the paper or other material used as the
recording surface, and which surface is kept moving under the marker
or tracer by means of clockwork or other suitable apparatus, whilst the
characters and signs representing letters, words, and figures are being
marked or otherwise produced thereon.
And in order that this part of my Invention may be most fully
understood and readily carried into effect, I will proceed to describe
the Drawings annexed, which represent different views of electric
telegraph apparatus arranged according to my Invention.
Figures 1, 2, and 3. represent in plan and elevation an arrangement
for giving motion to a marker or tracer, so as to produce characters or
signs on a moving recording surface. 1. 1, 2, 2, are electro-magnets,
having an armature A, B, mounted between their opposing poles. H. is
an arm or lever fixed at one end to the armature, and moving with it
when the armature is caused to vibrate between the poles of the

page_text: magnets. The arm or lever H, seen in the Figure from above or in
plan, has a marker or tracer L fixed to its free end, and this marker
or tracer is caused by means of a spring or otherwise to be in contact
with and press against the paper or other material used for receiving the
impression, and it is by the movement of the armature A, B, conveyed
to the arm or lever H, and consequently to the marker or tracer L,
which is in contact with the recording surface together with the move-
ment of such surface, that the peculiar form of the characters or signs
is obtained. The eléctro-magnets 1, 1, 2, 2, are formed in the usual
way by winding insulated wire round a soft iron core, and the cores
composing the magnets are connected in pairs by the pieces M, M, of
soft iron, which again are connected by the cross piece G, which latter
serves as part of the magnets and also to hold the pair of magnets in
their relative positions. The armature A, B, may be cither a per-
manent or electro-magnet, or composed of soft iron, and when it is an
electro-magnet, the wire forming the coil or coils may receive a current
of electricity from a separate battery, or two independent coils may be
placed round the armature, the one connected with the coils of the
magnet 1, 1, and the other with the coils of the magnet 2, 2.
It may
also be employed as the marker or tracer without the intervention of
other apparatus, but I prefer to have a marker attached.
current of electricity, however obtained, is made to pass through the
coils of the magnets 1, 1, the wire of which is wound so that the ex-
tremities D, C, of the iron cores shall, when magnetized, be of opposite
polarities, the armature A, B, whether a permanent magnet or soft iron,
will be deflected on its centre Q. that is to say, if a permanent or electro-
magnet, it will be attracted at each end by its presenting contrary poles
to those made in the electro-magnet 1, 1, or if of soft iron the movement
will be similar. By this deflection or motion of the armature A, B,
the extremity of the arm H will be moved in the direction of the
arrow 0, and held in that position so long as the same current is
passing in the same direction through the coils of the electro-magnet
J. 1. In a similar manner when the current of electricity is passed
through the coils of the magnets 2, 2, the extremity of the arm H will
also be moved, but in the opposite direction, or in that of the arrow N,
When a

page_text: and will be held there so long as the current is passing. When the
magnets 1, 1, and 2, 2, are used separately, they may be worked either
by means of currents passing along two separate conducting or line
wires, so that either of them may be brought into action at pleasure, or
by means of a single conducting wire and an auxiliary current in con-
nection with my automaton repeater, hercin-after described. A like
result would be produced when the armature A, B, is a magnet or electro-
magnet, and both magnets 1, 1, 2, 2, were used at the same time, in
which case it would only be necessary to arrange the wire on them, so
that while one of the magnets used was attracting, the other should be
repelling the armature; the reverse being the case on reversing the
current of electricity.
The method adopted in this arrangement of producing signs and
characters from the motion of the armature, is by causing the recording
surface to pass between the marker L, fixed on the end of the arm H,
and a roller or other surface K, seen in section in the Drawing, which
may be inked with some ink which will not without pressure adhere to
the paper passing over it, and the ink will be transferred to the paper
or other material used, by simple pressure of the arm and marker; or
a pencil, pen, or other point may be attached to the arm H, so as to
mark directly on the paper or material used. I prefer the recording
surface being in the form of a narrow slip or strip of paper, &c., which
is caused to move between the marker or tracer L and the roller K,
by means of clockwork arranged so as to give motion to a receiving
drun on which the said paper, &c. is wound, and by which it is drawn
at any required speed, passing under the marker or tracer in its course.
As the marker or tracer is always pressed into contact with the tra-
velling slip of paper, a continuous straight line will be produced on it,
when the magnets 1, 1, 2, 2, are not in action, but when a current of
electricity is sent through either of the electro magnets 1, 1, 2, 2, when
used separately, and the marker caused to move to one side or the
other, a corresponding diversion or deviation of the line, drawn by the
marker will take place; and after such deviating line, and as long as
the current continues to pass through the electro-magnet, a straight
line will be produced in a directipu parallel to the original straight line

page_text: before mentioned, and when the current is broken the armature and
marker will return to their former position, the marker being all the
time in contact with the paper and thus producing a continuous line.
By sending the current of electricity through the other of the magnets
1, 1, and 2, 2, the marker will be moved aside in the opposite direction,
and similar lines will be produced deviating from the normal straight
line, and on the opposite side of it to those before produced. By
combining two, three, five, or more of the marks thus produced in
different positions, signs or characters will be obtained which may be
the representatives of letters, figures, or words. The table, Figure 4,
shews one set of signs which I employ to represent the alphabet and
cardinal numbers; but I do not confine myself thereto, as other com-
binations of lines may be employed in the case of any particular letter
or number: Similar combinations of lines may be also adopted to
indicate words of frequent occurrence.
For the purpose of sending positive and negative currents of elec-
tricity upon lines of telegraph, to work one or more of my telegraphic
instruments, such as described in the same electric circuit, I employ
the arrangement of key board shewn in Figures 5, 6, and 7, of the
Drawings. By tracing the course of the current as it would flow from
the positive and negative poles of a galvanic battery or other source of
electricity, when either of the keys E, E', is pressed down, it will be
seen that a current of electricity will be sent in a given direction
through one wire, say "line wire down," and at the same time it will
return through "line wire up," and the direction of such current will be
reversed on depressing the other key, and releasing that which had been
previously depressed, so that to send a positive current already alternately
through the same wire in different directions it is only necessary to
press down the keys E, E', alternately so as to make contact with the
brass stops D, D'. Thus when the key E, Figures 5 and 6, is pressed
down, so as to make contact between the metal F and the metal D at
the point I, the screw K at the end of the lever F, H, will raise the
spring A, and break its contact with the pin B at the point M; and when
this is done, while the negative current of electricity is passing through
the spring G, Figures 5 and 6, to the metallic lever F, and thence to D,
.

page_text: and through a conductor D, B. Figure 7, to line wire down," the
other current will be passing through the spring J to H, and through
the screw K, and spring A, to the bracket C. and thence through the
spring A', and pin 13', to line wire up." So also when the key E is
pressed down so as to make contact. with the stop D. the one current
will pass along line wire up," whilst the other current will "follow
line wire down." For the purpose of facilitating the working of the
recording apparatus herein-before first described, I employ, as well as
key boards as before described, an arrangement of apparatus which
1 term the "automaton repeater." This instrument, placed in one
telegraphic circuit, is used for the purpose of bringing into operation
other currents of electricity to work telegraphs or other telegraph
circuits, whether short or long, or other instruments, which telegraphs
or circuits can be made to work other "automaton repeaters" to any
extent and through any distance.
The "automaton repeater" arranged according to my Invention - is
represented in Figure 8. W, A, W, is an electro-magnet; A, repre-
senting the iron core, and W, W, the wire coiled on it. B, B, are fixed
permanent or electro-magnets; and b. b, pendant continuations of such
magnets, formed of soft iron or steel or other metal, magnetizable by
induction or otherwise, preferring the former, and moveable at the pivots
or hinges C, C, placed so as to be very near the poles of the magnet
W, A, W. Now, if a current of electricity be sent by means of the
keyboard last described through the magnet W, A, W, by pressing one
of the keys described, and completing the circuit through a galvanic
battery or magneto-electrical machine, the core A will be rendered mag-
netic with opposite poles; and if the magnets have been so magnetized
that the pendant poles b, b, are like poles, that is, both positive, or both
negative, then one of them will be attracted to the iron core A, and the
other repelled from it. In order to attract that pendant pole which
was before repelled, and to repel that which was attracted before, it is
only necessary to reverse the current of electricity through the wire
W, W, and the iron core A becomes magnetized in reverse directions;
whence, the pendant poles b, b, remaining the same, it follows that the
pole which was before attracted will now be repelled and vice versa.

page_text: I make use of this alternate motion of the moveable parts b, b, of the
magnets, to bring into operation galvanic or other electric power, so
arranged that upon causing either of the pendant or moveable poles
of the magnets to come in contact with a projection, as shewn at
the extremities of the core A of the magnet W, A, W, a circuit is
completed for the passage of a current of electricity coming from the
zine or positive pole of a battery through one of the stands and spiral
springs communicating with the pendant b, and a portion of the core
A, and wire to C. to the copper or negative pole which may be
employed to work other circuits and other instruments, and also to
work other circuits and other instruments, and also to work the
magnets of the recording instrument first herein-before described.
Another part of my Invention has relation to the insulating of
exposed or overground telegraph conductors or wires. It may be
observed that overground conductors have heretofore been insulated,
for the most part, by masses of insulating substances, and some have
been made with a capping of zinc or other material to protect from
the conducting effect of rain. These modes of insulating have not
effectually answered the purpose intended. It is well known that in
dry situations an exposed conductor is well insulated by a thin coating
of any good insulating substance at the point of suspension or contact,
but in damp and wet weather this small surface of insulating substance
would be easily wetted over, and the electricity would escape from the
wire through the water, and thence, if connected by more water, as on
a wet post, or support, to the ground. Now the object of my improved
mode of insulating is to remedy this disadvantage, which I effect by
insulating only with the quantity of insulating substance absolutely
required in fine dry situations, and then guarding against connection or
escape of the electricity by water, by increasing the length of surface
between the point of suspension and the outside of the insulator. In
constructing my insulators make a core of wood or any other
substance, not of necessity an insulator, since iron would answer the
purpose, around which I place outside each other one, two, three, or
more tubes of glass, metal, or other material, with a space intervening
between each, so as to form chambers round the core, up and down the

page_text: sides of which electricity must travel to connect the point of suspension
of the wire with the exterior. The wire is suspended from the core by
a hook, the hook being insulated from the core by a coating of gutta
percha or other non-conductor, and as a finish the whole of the
insulator is dipped in a solution of any non-conducting substance so as
to leave a thin coating over all. Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12, are
sections of different constructions of insulators, according to my Inven-
tion. A, A, A, are the cores; B, B, B, tubes of glass or other material
surrounding the cores; C, C, C, the suspending hooks. In Figure 11,
the hook from which the wire is suspended fastens the insulator to the
arm D of the wooden post on which it is supported.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I do not
claim as of my Invention any of the elements of either part of my said
Invention separate and apart from the combination or application
thereof as herein-before mentioned; but what I claim is,-
First, the arrangement of electric telegraph apparatus in such
manner as to give motion to a marker or tracer, held continuously in
contact with a moving recording surface, and thereby to mark or
produce upon such surface characters or signs indicating letters, words,
or figures, and connected together in a continuous line.
Second, moveable terminations to fixed magnets for the purposes
herein-before described.
Third, the construction of electric telegraph insulators with tubes of
glass or other material, arranged concentrically around the core from
which the electric conductor is suspended, and having spaces between
them so as to form an extended non-conducting surface between the
point of suspension of the conductor and the connection of the insulator
with its support as herein-before described.
Jn
witness whereof, I, the said John Walker. Wilkins, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of July,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
And I, the said John Walker Wilkins, do further declare that
these Presents are not, nor is any part thereof, intended to extend the

page_text: exclusive right granted by the said Letters Patent; and that these
Presents shall not extend the said exclusive right in any way what-
soever.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Walker Wilkins, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of February,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
JOHN W. WILKINS. (L.S.)
To the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions.
I hereby grant my fiat, giving leave to the above-mentioned John
Walker Wilkins to file in the Great Scal Patent Office, with the
Specification to which the same relates, the above-written Disclaimer
and Memorandum of Alteration, as amended by me and marked with
my initials.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Walker Wilkins, of Ilampsiend, in the
County of Middlesex, Electric Telegraph Engineer, for the In-.
vention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS, AND IN THE
aled the 10th June 1853, and dated the 13th January 1853..
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Walker
Wilkins at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition. on the 13th January 1858.
I, JOHN WALKER WILKINS, of Hampstead. in the County of Mid-
dlesex. Electric Telegraph Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS, AND IN
THE INSTRUMENTS USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
My improvements in electric telegraphs consists in arranging tele-
graphic apparatus worked by an electro magnet or electro magnets, or
other source of electricity. in such manner that motion shall be given
to a pointer or marker so as to impress or mark upon a strip of paper,
or other material, moving in contiguity to an inking roller or surface,
letters, figures, or words, or combination of words, the letters of which

page_text: are formed of a combination of characters or signs (two, three, or five
lines in different positions being used to represent cach letter), which
letters and words form an unbroken or continuous line from end to end,
connecting letter to letter, and word to word, throughout the length of
the strip of paper, which is constantly kept moving (by means of clock-
work or other suitable apparatus) past the inking roller or surface,
whilst the letters or words are being marked or impressed upon it.
My improvements in apparatus used in connection with electric
telegraphs have relation to insulators, and consist in constructing the
same of wooden or other suitable cores, around which are placed two,
three, or more open-ended tubes of glass, metal, or other material, so
as to form chambers which serve to keep in a dry state the surface
between the point of suspension of the wire and the exterior of the
insulator. The hook or eye by which the wire is suspended is insu-
lated from the core by any non-conducting substance. and the whole
insulator is coated with a non-conducting substance, such as pitch,
resin, gums, or marine glue, or compounds thereof.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Walker Wilkins in the Great Seal Patent
Ollice, on the 13th July 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOHN WALKER WILKINS, of Hampstead, in the County of Middlesex,
Electric Telegraph Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
given and grant unto me, the said John Walker Wilkins. Her special
licence that 1. the said John Walker Wilkins, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I. the said John Walker
Wilkins, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might

page_text: make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS, AND IN THE INSTRU-
MENTS USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH," "pon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said John Walker Wilkins. by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascer-
tain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I. the said John Walker Wilkins, do hereby
declare the nature of said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement. reference being had to the Drawings
annexed, that is to say:
My Invention consists. first. in arranging telegraphic apparatus
worked by electro or other magnets, or by electricity, however deve-
Inped. in such manner as to give motion to a marker or tracer, and
thereby to impress, mark, or otherwise render visible, in a continuous
line upon a suitable recording surface. arbitrary characters or signs,
each composed of two or three. five or more. lines in different positions,
representing letters, words, or figures, and connected in an unbroken
line throughout the length of the paper or other material used as the
recording surface. and which surface is kept moving under the marker
or tracer by means of clockwork or other suitable apparatus, whilst
the characters and signs representing letters. words, and figures are
being marked or otherwise produced thereon. And in order that this
part of my Invention may be most fully understood and readily carried
into effect will proceed to describe the Drawings annexed, which
represent different views of electric telegraph apparatus arranged
according to my Invention.
Figures 1, 2, and 3, represent, in plan and elevation, an arrange-
ment for giving motion to a marker or tracer so as to produce cha-
racters or signs on a moving recording surface. 1, 1, 2, 2, are electro
magnets, having an armatüre A, B, mounted between their opposing

page_text: poles. H, is an arm or lever, fixed at one end to the armature, and
moving with it when the armature is caused to vibrate between the
poles of the magnets. The arm or lever H. seen in the Figure from
above or in plan has a marker or tracer L. fixed to its free end, and
this marker or tracer is caused, by means of a spring or otherwise, to
be in contact with and press against the paper or other material used
for receiving the impression, and it is by the movement of the arma-
ture A. B. conveyed to the arm or lever H, and, consequently, to the
marker or tracer L. which is in contact with the recording surface,
together with the movement of such surface, that the peculiar form of
the characters or signs is obtained. The electro magnets 1, 1, 2, 2, are
formed in the usual way by winding insulated wire round a soft iron
core, and the coils composing the magnets are connected in pairs by the
pieces M. M. of soft iron, which again are connected by the cross
piece G, which latter serves as part of the magnets, and also to hold
the pair of magnets in their relative positions. The armature A, B.
may be either a permanent or electro magnet, or composed of soft. iron.
It may also be employed as the marker or tracer without the inter-
vention of other apparatus: but I prefer to have a marker attached.
When a current of electricity. however obtained, is made to pass
through the coils of the magnets 1, 1, the wire of which is wound so
that the extremities D, C, of the iron cores shall, when magnetized, he
of opposite polarities, the armature A. B. whether a permanent magnet
or soft iron, will be deflected on its centre Q; that is to say, if a per-
manent or electro magnet, it will be attracted at each end by its
presenting contrary poles to those made in the electro magnet 1, 1;
or if of soft iron, the movement will be similar. By this deflection or
motion. of the armature A. B, the extremity of the arm H. will be
moved in the direction of the arrow O. and held in that position so long
as the same current is passing in the same direction through the coils
of the electro magnet 1, 1. In a similar manner when the current of
electricity is passed through the coils of the magnet 2, 2. the extremity
of the arm H, will also be moved, but in the opposite direction, or in
that of the arrow N, and will be held there so long as the current is
passing. A like result would be produced when the armature A, B,

page_text: is a magnet or electro magnet, and both magnets 1, 1, 2, 2, were used
at the same time, in which case it would only be necessary to arrange
the wire on them, so that while one of the magnets used was attracting,
the other should be repelling, the armature; the reverse being the case
on reversing the current of electricity.
The method adopted in this arrangement of producing signs and
characters from the motion of the armature is, by causing the record-
ing surface to pass between the marker L, fixed on the end of the arm
H, and a roller or other surface K, seen in section in the Drawing,
which may be inked, and the ink will be transferred to the paper or
other material used by a simple pressure of the arm and marker, or a
pencil, pen, or other point may be attached to the arm H. so as to
mark directly on the paper or material used. I prefer the recording
surface being in the form of a narrow slip or strip of paper. &., which
is caused to move between the marker or tracer L, and the roller K,
by means of clockwork arranged so as to give motion to a receiving
drum on which the said paper, &c., is wound, and by which it is
drawn at any required speed, passing under the marker or tracer in its
course. As the marker or tracer is always pressed into contact with
the travelling slip of paper. a continuous straight line will be produced
on it when the magnets 1, 1, 2, 2, are not in action, but when a current
of electricity is sent through either of the electro magnets 1, 1, 2, 2,
and the marker caused to move to one side or the other, a corresponding
diversion or deviation of the line drawn by the marker will take place;
and after such deviating line, and as long as the current continues to
pass through the electro magnet, a straight line will be produced in a
direction parallel to the original straight line before mentioned; and
when the current is broken the armature and marker will return. to
their former position, the marker being all the time in contact with the
paper, and thus producing a continuous line. By reversing the current
of electricity the marker will be moved aside in the opposite direction,
and lines will be produced deviating from the normal straight line in
the contrary direction to those before produced. By combining two,
three, five. or more of the marks thus produced in different positions
signs or characters will be obtained which may be the representatives 'of

page_text: letters, figures, or words. The table, Figure 4. shews one set of signs
which I employ to represent the alphabet and cardinal numbers, but
I do not confine myself thereto, as other combinations of lines may be
Similar
employed in the case of any particular letter or number.
combinations of lines may be also adopted to indicate words of frequent
Occurrence.
For the purpose of sending positive and negative currents of elec-
tricity upon lines of telegraph to work one or more of my telegraphic
instruments, such as described. in the same electric circuit, I employ
the arrangement of keyboard, shown in Figures 5. 6. and 7. of the
Drawings. By tracing the course of the current. as it would flow from
the positive and negative poles of a galvanic battery, or other source of
electricity, when either of the keys E. E. are pressed down it will be
seen that a current of electricity will be sent in a given direction
through one wire, say line wire, down, and at the same time it will
return through line wire up, and the direction of such current will be
reversed on depressing the other key, and releasing that which had
been previously depressed, so that to send a positive current alternately
through the same wire in different directions it is only necessary to
press down the keys E, E, alternately, so as to make contact with the
brass stops D, D'. Thus, when the key E. Figures 5, and 6, is pressed
down so as to make contact between the metal F, and the metal D,
at the point I, the screw K. at the end of the lever F, H, will raise
the spring A, and break its contact with the pin B, at the point M:
and when this is done, while the negative current of electricity is passing
through the spring C, Figures 5, and 6, to the metallic lever F, and
thence in D, and through a conductor D. B. Figure 7, to "line wire
down," the other current will be passing through the spring J, to H,
and through the screw K, and spring A. to the bracket C. and thence
through the spring. A', and pin B', to "linc wire up." So, also, when
the key E', is pressed down so as to make contact with the stop D',
the one current will pass along "line wire up," while the other current
will follow "line wire down." By means of this arrangement or
keyboard, which can be acted upon, if required, by magnets, instead
of manual operation, I am enabled to bring into action batteries or

page_text: other sources of electric power so as to work other circuits; that is
to say, I can work the first keyboard of the series by manual operation.
and then, through the intervention of clectro or other magnets, work
another similar keyboard or key boards, which may be made to work
other circuits, and so on ad infinitum.
"
"
For the purpose of facilitating the working of the recording appa-
ratus herein-before first described I employ, as well as keyboards as
before described, an arrangement of apparatus which I term the
automaton repeater." This instrument in one telegraph circuit
is used for the purpose of bringing into operation currents of elec-
tricity to work telegraphs or telegraph circuits, whether short or long,
or other instruments or other extended circuits working or connecting
other telegraphs, which telegraphs or extended circuits can be made
to work other "automaton repeaters to any extent and through any
distance. The automaton repeater arranged according to my
Invention is represented in Figure 8. W, A, W, is an electro mag-
net, A, representing the iron core, and W, W, the wire coiled on it.
B, B, are fixed, permanent, or electro magnets, and b, b, pendant con-
Linuations of such magnets, formed of soft iron or steel or other metal
magnetizible by induction or otherwise (preferring the former), and
moveable at the pivots or hinges a, e, placed so as to be very near the
poles of the magnet W, A, W. Now if a current of electricity be
sent by means of the keyboard last described through the magnet
W, A, W, by pressing one of the keys described, and completing the
circuit through a galvanic battery or magneto electrical machine, the
core A, will be rendered magnetic with opposite poles, and if the
magnets have been so magnetized that the pendant poles b. b, are like
poles, that is, both positive or both negative, then one of them will be
attracted to the iron core A, and the other repelled from it. In order
to attract that pendant pole which was before repelled, and to repel
that which was attracted before, it is only necessary to reverse the
current of electricity through the wire W, W, and the iron core A,
becomes magnetized in reverse directions, whence the pendant poles
b, b, remaining the same, it follows that the pole which was before
attracted will now be repelled, and vice versa. I make use of this,

page_text: alternate motion of the moveable parts b, b, of the magnets to bring
into operation galvanic or other electric power so arranged that upon
causing one of the pendant or moveable poles of the magnets to come
in contact with another portion of the apparatus, as shewn at the
extremities of the core A, of the magnet W, A, W, a circuit is com-
pleted, which may be employed to work other circuits and other instru-
ments, and also to work the magnets of the recording instrument first
herein-before described.
"
Another part of my Invention has relation to the insulating of
exposed, or overground telegraph conductors or wires. It may be
observed that overground conductors have heretofore been insulated
for the most part by masses of insulating substances, and some have
been made with a capping of zinc or other material to protect from
the conducting effect of rain. These modes of insulating have not
effectually answered the purpose intended. It is well known that in
dry situations an exposed conductor is well insulated by a thin coating
of any good insulating substance at the point of suspension or contact,
but in damp and wet weather this small surface of insulating substance
would be easily wetted over, and the electricity would escape from the
wire through the water, and thence, if connected by more water, as on
a wet post, to the ground. Now the object of my improved mode of
insulating is to remedy this disadvantage, which I effect by insulating
only with the quantity of insulating substance absolutely required in
fine dry situations, and then guarding against connection or escape of
the electricity by water by increasing the length of surface between the
point of suspension and the outside of the conductor. In constructing
my insulators I make a core of wood, or any other substance not of
necessity an insulator (since iron would answer the purpose), around
which I place, outside each other, one, two, three, or more tubes of
glass, metal, or other material, with a space intervening between each
so as to form chambers round the core, up and down the sides of
which electricity must travel to connect the point of suspension of the
wire with the exterior. The wire is suspended from the core by a hook,
the hook being insulated from the core by a coating of gutta percha
or other non-conductor, and, as a finish, the whole of the insulator is

page_text: dipped in a solution of any non-conducting substance so as to leave a
thin coating over all. Figures 9, 10, 11. and 12,. are sections of dif-
ferent constructions of insulators according to my Invention; A, A, A,
are the cores: B. B. B. tubes of glass or other material surrounding
the cores; C, C, C. the suspending hooks. In Figure 11, the hook
from which the wire is suspended fastens the insulator to the arm D, of
the post on which it is supported.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed. I declare that I do not
confine myself to the details herein described, so long as the pecu-
liar character of either part of my Invention be retained; but what
I claim is,
First. the arrangement of electric telegraph apparatus in such
manner as to give motion to a marker or tracer held continuously in
contact with a moving recording surface. and thereby to mark or
produce upon such surface characters or signs indicating letters, words,
or figures, and connected together in a continuous line.
Second, moveable terminations to fixed magnets for the purposes
herein-before described.
Third, the construction of electric telegraph insulators with tubes of
glass or other material arranged concentrically around the
from
which the electric conductor is suspended, and having spaces between
them so as to form an extended non-conducting surface between the
point of suspension of the conductor and the connection of the insulator
with its support, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Walker Wilkins, have here-
unio set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of July, Onc
thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
JOHN W. WILKINS. (..s.)