Improvements in Transmitting Printed Telegraphic Messages.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 18th Mar., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Transmitting Printed Telegraphic Messages.
I, ALBERT SILBERMANN, of No. 74, Blumen Strasse, in the City of Berlin, in the
German Empire, Manufacturer, 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 :-
The subject of the present invention is a process for transmitting printed telegraphic
messages. The essential features of the process are as follows:
(a.) Synchronism between the movements of transmitting and receiving
instruments in telegraphing in one direction, otherwise a condition, is rendered
unnecessary.
(b.) The receiving instrument only receives rotations through one, two, three. etc.
teeth corresponding to the positive and negative currents sent.
(c.) The printing of the letters takes place when the whole apparatus is at rest, and
the normal position is then immediately assumed.
(d.) A letter can be signalled either by the depression of ordinary contact buttons
intermittently by the depression of members of a set of keys; or by the depression
of a single key of a complete key-board.
The accompanying drawing shows one form of carrying the invention into
effect.
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the nature of the invention in general, showing the
circuit connection between the one or other transmitter and the receiver and the
principal parts of the latter.
Fig. 4 shows the application of a complete key-hoard.
Fig. 5 shows the construction of a single key.
Fig. 6 is a view of a detail to be referred to.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the manner of operation of the toothed, stop
and printing wheels, and
Fig. 8 is a face view of the stop arrangement.
Fig. 9 is a similar view of the printing stopping and other devices.
Fig. 10 is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the process used in multiplex and duplex telegraphy
over a single line.
Figs. 12 and 13 show a modification of the process applicable in simple and also in
multiplex and duplex telegraphy.
On the shaft K (Fig. 3) are mounted the toothed-wheels 5 and 24, the combination
of discs 7, u, and the printing-wheel T. The wheel 24 is provided with the same
number of teeth as the wheel T has letters, whilst the small wheels 5 has only one-
fifth of the number. These wheels 5 and 24 are under the influence of the electro-
magnets R R, and rotate one tooth at a time. If, now, these wheels under the action
of one or other of the electro inagnets R. + R, move forwards through the space
one tooth at a time, each tooth by which the wheel 24 is advanced signifies the
advance of a letter; and each tooth by which the wheel 5 is advanced signifies the
advance of 5 letters. If, then, the electromagnets R, Rare caused to operate
1
-
of

page_text: from the transmitting station, so that the desired letter on the wheel T takes up the
lowest position, and an impulse of current is then passed, influencing the electro-
magnet & alone, the letter in question will then be imprinted.
-
The arrangement A (Fig. 1) consists only of three contact buttons: plus, minus
and
8, which complete circuit for the strong line-current + S, S and the weak-
current 8. The current flows further through L to the receiver, passes around the
electromagnets - R, + R, 8 (or corresponding relays) and then flows to earth. It is clear
from this, that on depressing the plus key at A, the current flows in one direction;
by depressing the minus key, in the opposite direction; and by depressing the key 8,
either a weak current flows, or a weak closed circuit is broken.
In Fig. 3 relays are arranged, two of them being counter polarised strong current
relays (operating the electromagnets R, R) and one likewise polarised weak
current relay, or a neutral relay (operating the electromagnet s).
From this it follows:
(1.) That on depressing one of the contacts +, ors (Fig. 1) only the correspond-
ing electromagnet (see Fig. 3) operates.
(2.) That if the button + (Fig. 1) is depressed, the printing-wheel T (Fig. 3)
rotates forward through the distance of one letter, whilst if the button - (Fig. 1) is
depressed, the printing-wheel T advances 5 letters.
-
-
(3.) That the appearance of the desired letter opposite to the electromagnet s
(Fig. 3) is dependent upon the intermittent depression of + or (Fig. 1). For
instance, if the third letter is to be brought opposite the printing device, it is only
necessary to depress + three times. If, on the other hand, the seventh letter is
desired, must be depressed once and + twice. If, now, the desired letter is above
the printing device, it is only necessary to depress the button 8, when only the
electromagnets, the duty of which is to feed the paper ribbon to this letter operates.
The device A (Fig. 1) can be replaced by the device A¹ (Fig. 2) whereby for each
letter only one depression of any one key is necessary. This device A¹ consists of a
fixed non-conducting disc having 8 metal contact pieces on its face. Of these four
are connected with the buttons, the purpose of which latter is: with the first 4
contact-pieces, to conduct the minus current ; and with the other 4, the plus current.
In addition there is another metal contact 8', which is for the purpose of making, or
of breaking, the weak current circuit. On the axes of this disc is pivoted a metal
contact arm 15, which is completely rotated by depressing one or other of the keys.
From the axis of this arm the wire L leads to the receiving instrument (Fig. 3). If,
now, any desired number of keys is depressed, for instance 1, 5 and 6, the arm 15
will be caused to rotate and a strong minus impulse of current will pass over the
corresponding contact-pieces 1, 5 and 6, and then two strong plus impulses of current
one after the other, the result being that the seventh letter comes over the electro-
magnet & (Fig. 3). The arm then passes over the contact piece s¹ (Fig. 2) exciting
the corresponding electromagnet s (Fig. 3). From all this it is obvious that in the
construction of the apparatus the following points must be observed:
(1.) The armature of the electromagnets
-
R, R must be arranged in such
manner that the wheels 5, 24 only rotate one tooth at a time, and the teeth remain
unoperated when the relay is not working.
(2.) After the letter has been imprinted by means of the device shown in detail in
Figs. 9 and 10, there must be an arrangement whereby
(a.) the paper ribbon is correspondingly advanced, and
(b.) what is most important, the whole system returns again to the original
position at once.
The manner in which the toothed wheels and printing-wheel T can be rotated one
tooth at a time, is shown in Fig. 6. The whole system is here shown in position of
rest. The armatures act upon the wheels in the direction of the arrow. The spring F
would again cause the apparatus to turn round, if not opposed by a pawl Z, which
only allows rotation in the direction of the arrow.
The spring F, therefore, can only operate when the pawl Z is brought out of
action; if this is effected (after completion of the impression) the original position

page_text: is at once reassumed, and the apparatus is ready to print a new letter.
The manner
in which these motions are brought about will be seen from Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10.
The system of wheels B (Figs. 7 and 8) is composed of the disc p, which serves
simply as a stop-wheel both in respect of the arm 13 (Fig. 6) and the pawl Z; of the
wheel having small ratchet teeth; and of the wheel having a smooth periphery and
mounted eccentrically in such manner that when in the normal position its rim, at
the point where the pawl Z engages with the teeth of the wheel u, is on a level with
the points of these teeth (Figs. 7 and 8). The pawl z turns not only on the horizontal
axis 3, but also on the vertical axis 4, and is borne against the periphery of the
wheel by the spring n and against the rim by the spring
(Fig. 7). If the complete system is brought out of the normal
position through a quarter rotation, for instance, it can only be brought back
again by the spring F, when the pawl is withdrawn from the teeth. If, now, the
pawl is turned against the influence of the spring f, it springs up against the
periphery of the wheel .c. As, however, the latter is smooth, the system experiences
no resistance, and the spring F brings it into the normal position. The surfaces
and u however, are now level with one another, so that the spring ƒ can assert itself,
bringing the pawl against the rim of the wheel 1.
Figs. 9 and 10 show more clearly the operation of the pawl, the first being a face
view and the latter a plan view.
The up and down motion of the armature e operates the bent lever qz c pivoted
at z and having pivotally attached to it at h a pawl borne against a ratchet wheel by
means of a spring y. The dotted lines (in Fig. 9) show the position of the bent
lever and pawl when the armature e is attracted by the electromagnet 8. When this
latter is the case, the pawl engages with one of the teeth of said ratchet wheel 8.
If, now, the spring 33 operates, the wheel 8, and with it the roller, will be rotated in
the direction of the arrow through the distance of one tooth. The first result of this
is to advance the paper ribbon p (Figs. 9 and 10) the upper roller c assisting in the
operation as in the usual Morse apparatus.
The rotation has a second result. On one side of the roller (Figs. 9 and 10) are
radial and rigidly fixed spokes ttt, corresponding in number to the teeth on the
wheel 8. At the place where the spokes pass the pawlz an enlargement m is formed
upon the latter, so that the spoke, which comes from right to left, strikes against
the enlargement pushing the pawl aside. In this manner the pawl is caused to hear
against the smooth rim of the wheel x (Fig. 7), the system is brought back to the
normal position, and finally the pawl is again pushed against the rim of the disc 1.
The arrangement is such, that one spoke stops on the right hand side, and the one
which has been advanced, on the left hand side, of the enlargement m, in the
position of rest, (Fig. 9).
From this it is clear that after the plus and minus impulses of current, which rotate
the wheels and 24, and thus operate the whole mechanism, have passed, and the
current & has effected the impression, the complete arrangement returns to its original
position, ready to receive a second current.
-
In Fig. 4 the arrangement is shown with a complete key board, so that the
depression of a single key suffices to print the letter. Here, instead of buttons
at+S, S (Fig. 1) binding-screws are provided, whereby the wires can be further
branched, so that for a key which has to signal a letter which, for instance, is produced
through 2 plus and 1 minus, three wires are attached, one being minus and the others
plus. If, now, this key is depressed, a connection is effected between the battery
minus S and the corresponding minus contact-piece (Fig. 2), and between the
battery plus $ and two corresponding plus contact-pieces and so on. The transmis-
sion of the impulse of current s, takes place in well-known manner. The
arrangement of the buttons of these keys, and the manner in which the contact is
made with the respective batteries, is seen from Fig. 5. The button itself is non-
conducting; the two insulated contact-pieces are likewise divided into as many
insulated contact-pieces as there are wires to connect. This arrangement is

page_text: necessary (1.) to prevent short-circuiting, (2.) to prevent complication of the
wires.
The present process is also well adapted for multiplex and duplex telegraphy
over a single line. In this case, however, it is necessary that there be synchronous
movements of the arms 15 (Fig. 2.) at each terminal station.
Fig. 11 shows how this multiplex and duplex telegraphing is effected according to
the process here described. A and B are the two terminal stations arranged for double
transmission and receipt of messages, and L is the line-wire. At B the two devices
for transmitting and receiving are shown on the drawing in detail; at A, for the sake
of simplicity, only one transmitter and one receiver is shown.
According to this method, it is not necessary that there be so many contact-
pieces at the receiving contact-device E, as at the transmitting contact-device, as
the distribution of the impulses of current is here effected by polarised relays. If,
for example, at the moment when the arm 15 moves out of contact, at A the
keys 1, 2 and 5, and at B the keys 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 are depressed, the first trans-
nission from A, and the first receipt at B, take place by the wheel 5 being rotated
through 2 teeth from E, and the wheel 24 rotated through 1 tooth, so that the
printing-wheel T brings the 11th letter over the electromagnet 8. Hereupon the
current s is sent from A and the electromagnet s prints at B, and so on. On further
motion of the two arms, the keys depressed at B operate, sending 3 minus impulses
and 2 plus impulses to A. As now the contact arm here simultaneously passes over
the receiving contact-pieces E, these impulses operate, producing 3 times minus R
and twice plus R, so that the wheel T shows the 17th letter, whereupon s effects its
impression.
In the case that there is synchronous and isochronous motion, the herein described
process can also be applied without polarised relays, with a current of one kind only,
whether for simple or multiplex telegraphy. The difference in the arrangement in
such a case really only essentially consists in the incoming impulses of current passing
through the same number of contact pieces at the receiving disc, as there are contact
pieces at the transmitting disc, and separate from the former, to the corresponding
electromagnets, which are likewise separate, and from there further to earth. The
details of this arrangement are shown in Figs. 12 and 13. Fig. 13 is a diagram of a
simple receiving apparatus. The axis K, the printing-wheel T and the system B
are the same as before, except that instead only of two, there are several toothed
wheels provided. The number of the toothed wheels can be any desired; ou the
Drawing 5 are shown, and so constructed that if each tooth of the wheel 5 pushes
forward the printing-wheel one letter, those of the wheel 4 push it two letters, these
of the wheel 3, four letters, those of the wheel 2 eight letters, and those of the
wheel 1 sixteen letters. In Fig. 12 the receiving disc is shown above (see also B,
Fig. 13) from the contact pieces of which the same number of wires run to the
corresponding electromagnets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and from these flow to earth. From the
contact piece 81 a wire leads to the printing electromagnets, and thence to earth.
The part A (Fig. 13) shows the transmitting device, the part B the receiver.
buttons 1, 2, 3, 5 are the keys, the depression of which in sets produces the desired
letters at the receiving station. J is the only battery, which serves to send both
the correcting and the line current. One pole is connected to the earth, and the
other pole to the commutator W and rails m n. Each key is in connection with the
corresponding contact-piece. The small contact-pieces x x x¹ have no further
purpose than to effect the discharge of the line after the transmission of an impulse
of current.
The
The receiving device B is arranged in a similar manner, only here the individual
wires each conduct to an electro-magnet. If, now, it is desired to telegraph, the
circuit is made by means of the commutator W. The arm 15 at each terminal
station then rotates, so that at the commencement of each rotation a decreasingly
small interruption of the circuit occurs and a signal is given. On sending the
signal the corresponding set of keys is depressed. For instance if the 24th letter is
to be signalled, letters 1 and 2 are simultaneously depressed; if the 7th letter is then

page_text: to be sent 3, 4 and 5 are depressed. At the receiver, in the first case the electro-
magnets 1 and 2 operate; in the second case the electromagnets 3, 4 and 5; the
result being that the 24th and then the 7th letters are brought before the electro-
magnet. The latter immediately operates both arms 15 traversing the contact-pieces S¹
forthwith. The further operation is the same as already described with reference
to Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10.
The arrangement for multiplex and duplex telegraphy of this modification is
the same as already described with reference to Fig. 11 and requires no further
explanation.
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. A process for telegraphic printing, according to which on receipt of impulses of
current of either kind, the letter to be printed comes opposite to an electro-
magnet, so that on a further impulse of current being sent, whilst the whole
system remains at rest, said letter is impressed, the system then automatically
reassuming its original position, all substantially as herein before set forth.
2. An apparatus for carrying into effect the process claimed in Claim 1, com-
prising a system of toothed, printing and stop wheels (Figs. 7 and 8) by means
of which the letters are brought into position for printing, the toothed wheels,
the teeth of which bear a certain numerical relation to the letters to be printed,
being influenced by the impulses of current sent, such currents, in the case
polarised relays being used, being partly negative and partly positive, thus rotating
the one or other wheel, all substantially as herein before set forth.
of
3. In combination with the system of wheels as claimed in Claim 2, the arrange-
ment of a stop-device (Figs. 9 and 10-%f no ttt bg hqzly) whereby after printing
of the letters, the system reassumes its original position, all substantially as herein-
before set forth.
4. In combination with the process claimed in Claim 1, the arrangement for use in
multiplex and duplex telegraphy, substantially as set forth with reference to
Fig. 11.
5. A modification of the apparatus claimed in Claim 2, wherein instead of polarised
relays, neutral relays (Fig. 13) each in combination with a contact-piece are used,
operating automatically and influencing the system of wheels not by repeated
impulses, but by single impulses from a depressed set of keys, synchronous motion
being at the same time produced, all substantially as herein before set forth.
6. In combination with the process and apparatus claimed in Claims 1, 2, 3, 4
and 5, two transmitting devices (Figs. 2, and 4) with the one of which a letter is
transmitted by depressing a set of keys, with the other by depressing a single key,
all substantially as hereinbefore set forth.