Improvements in Electrical Signalling Apparatus, chiefly designed for Police Service.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Sept., 1891-Accepted, 3rd Sept., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by THE NEW HAVEN CLOCK COMPANY, of New
Haven, Connecticut, United States of America.]
Improvements in Electrical Signalling Apparatus, chiefly designed
for Police Service.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
Figure 1, represents a view in front elevation of the combined main-receiver and
switch-board of the central-station apparatus, this view also showing a telephone.
Figure 14, is a similar view showing the variable-signal transmitter of the central-
station apparatus, together with the plug which is used in connection with the
switch board of the preceding figure, the case of the said transmitter containing also
the rheotome which co-operates with it.
Figure 2, is a broken view in inside elevation of the main-receiver, and principally
showing the gang-switch, the circular series of terminals and the revolving circuít
closer thereof.
Figure 3, is a similar view principally showing the locating and the signal-trains
and the restoring-lever of the said main-receiver.
Figure 4, is a broken view of the main-receiver in vertical central section with
its door closed.
Figure 44, is a small vertical section on the line a-b of Figure 2 of the right hand
end of the gang-switch.
Figure 5, is a simplified vertical section of the main-receiver, and designed to
show the gang-switch freed from the other elements thereof.
Figure 6, is a broken view in front elevation of the movement of the main-receiver
and particularly showing the heart-shaped cam of the want-train, and the winding
mechanism for winding the springs of both the locating and want trains.
Figure 7, is a broken view in front elevation of the mechanism of the variable
signal-transmitter located at the central-station.
Figure 8, is a broken view in vertical central section of the mechanism shown in
the preceding figure.
Figure 9, is a detached view of the dial of the said transmitter.
Figure 10, is a detached view of the rheotome which is located in the lower
portion of the case inclosing the said transmitter with which it is in circuit as shown.
Figure 11, is a view in elevation of a specialized lamp-post such as may be used
to constitute a sub-station and to contain the several elements thereof.
Figure 12, is a view partly in section and partly in elevation showing the interior
of the box of the said post and the several instrumentalities therein contained.
Figure 12ª, is an enlarged view in central horizontal section through the variable-
signal transmitter of the sub-station on the line c-d of Figure 12.
Figure 13, is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section of the upper
section of the lamp-post and showing the visual-signal and the mechanism for turning
the gas on and off.
Figure 14, is another and larger view of the box of the lamp-post and particularly
showing the devices for tripping the visual-signal so as to permit it to be displayed.
Figure 15, is a view showing the variable-signal receiver and transmitter of the
sub-station, together with elements of the visual-signal tripping mechanism, the
case normally covering all of the said parts having been removed.
Figure 16, is a view in elevation of the mechanism of the citizens' transmitter
located at the sub-station.

page_text: apan view of the said mechanism.
Figure 18, is a detailed plan view showing the handle-lever and its spring-
mounted bevelled pin in its relation to the fingered end of the operating-lever with
which the said pin co-operates.
Figure 19, is a sectional view of the hub of this instrument and the cut out fingers
which engage it.
Figure 20, is a diagrammatic view of the circuits at the central-station together
with some of the parts thereat.
Figure 21, is a diagrammatic view of the circuits at a sub-station, together with
some of the parts thereat.
This invention relates to an improved electric annunciating apparatus, of that
class in which a series of variable-signal transmitters located at sub-stations are
connected with a main-receiver located at a central-station and arranged to locate
the sub-stations and reproduce the signals to which the instruments at the same
are set, the apparatus herein shown being adapted for police service, but containing
many features available for use in hotel-annunciators. This present invention is an
improvement on the apparatus disclosed by British Patent No. 17,610 of 1889,
granted to Henry Harris Lake, as a communication from Frank Edward Morgan
of No. 546 Chapel Street, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America.
The objects of the present invention are as follows: viz. :-To provide for
avoiding the accidental starting of the main-receiver at the central-station owing to
a too great reduction in the resistance of the resistances placed in the line, by
arranging the sub-stations and hence the resistance magnets in groups composed so
that their location on the same line will not reduce the resistance therein,
sufficiently to permit the starting-magnet of the main-receiver to be operated.
To provide for restoring the variable-signal transmitters to their normal adjust-
ments by automatic mechanism controlled by the current, instead of relying upon
the current itself to do the work.
To provide for the central-station an improved gang-switch adapted to simul-
taneously cut in and cut out all of the sub-stations. To provide a simple, compact
and safe citizen's transmitter having its key and circuit-changing mechanism
isolated, and furnishing it with a supplemental private wire attachment.
provide for automatically turning the gas off and on at the sub-stations simul-
taneously with the exposure and retirement of the visual-signal thereat, and
To
To increase the efficiency of the class of apparatus to which the invention
belongs, and to reduce the expense of construction and of attention, maintenance
and repair.
With these ends in view, this invention consists in certain details of construction
and combinations of parts as will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the
claims.
In carrying out the invention, the central-station is provided with a main-
receiver, having independent electrical connection with each of the sub-stations,
and adapted to be started therefrom, and to automatically locate them and repro-
duce signals sent in from them; a switch-board which, as shown in the accom-
panying drawings is combined with the said main-receiver; a telephone outfit, a
variable-signal transmitter, a rheotome connected with the magnet of the said
transmitter, and as herein shown located in the same case therewith; a relay
and a register connected therewith. The particular construction and operation
of the devices above mentioned, will be fully described later on.
In independent electric connection with a central-station equipped with the above
mentioned apparatus, or equivalents thereof, are placed a series of sub-stations of
approved construction, and distributed throughout the field under surveillance, in
the beats of the several officers stationed therein. The said sub-stations may take
a variety of forms, but preferably they will have the form of specialized lamp-
posts, and are so shown herein. Each of these lamp-posts is provided with a visual-
sigual, adapted to be electrically displayed under the control of apparatus at the
central-station, or mechanically from the post itself. Each lamp-post also contains

page_text: a variable-signal receiver, adapted to co-operate with the variable-signal trans-
mitter of the central-station, a variable-signal transmitter adapted to co-operate
with the main-receiver of the central-station; a citizen's transmitter also adapted
to co-operate with the said main-receiver; a telephone outfit; and a switch for use
with a portable-transmitter, designed to be carried by a policeman in his pocket.
The particular construction and the operation of the devices above enumerated will
also be described later on.
The main-receiver which is located at the central-station, is designed, as herein
shown, for use in connection with one hundred sub-stations, and has a case A, pro-
vided with a dnor B, carrying upon its outer face a dial C, displaying a circular
series of numbers extending from 1 to 100, running from right to left, and beginning
at the centre of its upper edge. The said numbers are specified by means of a
locating-indicator D, arranged to sweep over them, and secured to a rotating
spindle E, projecting centrally through the dial, the said indicator being normally
at rest, and started and swept over the dial when the apparatus is set in motion,
from any one of the sub-stations and then stopped against the number identi-
fying the sub-station calling. Within the said series of numbers, signals or wants,
chosen with special reference to the work which the apparatus is to do, are
arranged in a circular series of compartments F, and specified by a signal-
indicator G, normally at rest over the zero or uppermost compartment, and
secured to a sleeve H, encircling the spindle E, aforesaid.
By opening the door B, of the case A, a flat frame I, removably secured to
the back of the case is disclosed. This frame contains a contact-button J, for each
of the whole number of sub-stations, each button being connected by an independent
wire K, (see Fig. 4) with binding-screws K', located in the top A¹ of the case, as
shown by Figures 4 and 20 of the drawings. Wires K', (see Fig. 20) lead from
the said button J, through an opening I¹ (see Fig. 4) in the frame I, to corre-
sponding terminal plates L' arranged in a circle, and insulated each from the other
in a flat rubber-disk L, secured to an annular metallic plate L', held off from the
frame I, by means of pillars L', secured to and projecting forward from a corre-
sponding plate L, rigidly secured to the frame I, and inclosing the opening I'
therein. The said terminal plates L constitute in effect the terminals of the special
or line wires M, (see Fig. 20) leading to the binding-screws K¹ of the respective
sub-stations. A ring N, located in the circuit of the main-receiver, is arranged
concentrically within the circular series of terminal-plates L', and insulated there-
from in the rubber disk L. A rotating circuit-closer designed to form electrical
connection between the several terminal plates L', and the said concentric ring N,
consists of an arm O, secured midway of its length to a small disk O' (see Fig. 4)
of rubber or equivalent insulating material, the said disk being mounted upon a
short shaft O, having its inner end journalled in a bearing 0³, and its outer
end journalled in a three armed frame O', which has the ends of its arms secured
to the circular metallic plate L³, before mentioned. One end of the arm O, is
provided with three spring fingers O, arranged to trail over the terminal-plates L'
as the circuit-closer is rotated, the said springs being longitudinally bowed to con-
form to the circle in which the plates are arranged. Three springs are used so as
to be sure of securing a good contact with the plates. The other end of the arm O,
is provided in Fig. 4, with three spring-fingers, and in Fig. 2 with one_corre-
sponding spring-finger O, arranged to engage with the concentric ring N, and
longitudinally bowed to conform to the circle thereof. The extreme outer end of
the shaft O' has rigidly secured to it a locking-wheel P, which is therefore perma-
nently and positively coupled with the circuit-closer, whereby the integrity of the
relations between the same and the locking-wheel is always preserved, and relia-
bility of operation secured. The face teeth of the said wheel P, are engaged by
the short arm of a locking-lever P', pivoted to the frame O', at a point below the
wheel, and having the free end of its long arm notched to adapt it to be engaged
with a catch formed at the lower end of an armature P', hung from its upper end
in bearings P³, and located in the presence of the poles of a magnet P4, secured to

page_text: the frame I, as shown by Figure 2 of the drawings. From the function that it
performs, this magnet P will be hereafter called the "locking-magnet" of the
apparatus. A spring P, attached to the upper end of the armature P³, and adapted
to be adjusted in tension, is provided for controlling the action of the same. A
spring P, attached at one end to the long arm of the lever P¹, and at its other end 5
to a movable arm P', connected with the frame O, is provided for engaging the
short arm of the said lever with the locking-wheel P, the moment the long arm of
the lever is released by the armature P³.
The contact buttons J, are arranged in parallel vertical rows in the upper
portion of the frame 1, and are normally engaged by circuit-closers in the form
of bifurcated contact-springs Q, attached to the inner faces of perpendicular
bars Q', arranged side by side, and secured to the inner face of a long, heavy hori-
zontal metal bar Q' attached to the upper ends of two heavy upright bars Q',
and insulated therefrom by a rubber strip Q. A metal bar Q, and an insulating
strip Q, interposed between the extreme upper ends of the upright bars Q', and
the upper ends of the strips Q', prevent the same from springing outward, and
insure the contact of the springs Qwith their proper buttons J. The lower ends
of the upright bars Qare rigidly connected together by means of a cross-bar Q',
which together with the bars Q and the cross-bars Q and Q, form the rigid frame
of the gang-switch, the term that is chosen to designate the feature or device now
being described. The said rigid frame is connected to the frame I, by means of
four links pivotally attached to its upright bars Q³, and also pivotally connected
with small blocks Q, attached to the said frame, as shown by Figs. 2, 4, and 5 of the
drawings. Under the described construction the rigid frame carrying the contact
springs Q, is suspended from the frame A, and will, when moved up or down, travel
in a circular path owing to the character of its connection through the links Q
with the said frame. Normally, the springs Q are held in engagement with their
proper buttons by locking the frame in its lifted or closed position by means of a
notched tripping-lever Q, (see Fig. 4) provided with a shoulder Q", and arranged
to engage with the lower cross-bar Q', midway the length thereof, the inner end of
the said lever Q being passed through an opening Q, formed in the frame I and
pivoted to the back of the case A, and its outer end being pivotally connected
through a link Q with the lower arm of an armature Q hung in adjustable
centres Q1, having the form of a bell-crank lever, the upper arm whereof stands in
the presence of the poles of a tripping-magnet Q, which, when energized, attracts
its armature to it, and so effects the lifting of the arm Q, and releases the gang-
switch, which thereby drops downward under the control of the long, spiral counter-
balance springs Q" Q, which are attached to its arms Q³ Q³, toward the lower
ends thereof, and to the upper portion of the case A, of the main receiver. When
the gang-switch drops downward, as described all of its springs Q are simultaneously
disengaged from the contact-buttons J. The gang-switch is lifted into its normal
position, in which it is locked by the mechanism just described, by means of two
lifting-arms R. R, arranged to engage with the outer face of its lower cross-bar Q',
and mounted in a heavy shaft R', having its opposite ends journalled in
bearings R' R', secured to the lower end of the frame I, the said shaft R¹ being
rotated by means of a pin R³, mounted in it, so as to project outward, and
arranged to be engaged by the free end of a horizontal lever R*, forming a part
of the mechanism secured to the inside of the door B, of the case of the main-
receiver. A small foot or standard R, secured to the frame I, is arranged to
support the pin R³, and so hold the same in a position of readiness to be engaged by
the lever R, before mentioned.
The bars Q before referred to, are insulated each from the other by rubber
strips Q and Q, but are coupled together in groups of three by means of
horizontal straps S, as shown by Figure 2 of the drawings, where the cross-bar Q
and the insulating strip Q, are broken away for the purpose. One of the said
strips is also shown by Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings. In this manner the
contact-springs Q are divided into isolated groups, whereby the buttons with which

page_text: they respectively engage and which form terminals of the sub-stations, are also
divided into groups. The number of sub-stations so grouped will depend upon
practical conditions, and may be more or less, but as herein shown, each group
contains ten sub-stations, it having been found that that number can be conveniently
operated in one group. Each group of contact buttons J, is provided with a relay-
button J connected by a wire J', (see Fig. 20) with a relay J³, connected by a
wire Jwith the main relay line J, which includes the gravity battery Jo, connected
through a wire J' with the ground. One of the three bars Q' of each group, is
provided with a bifurcated contact spring for engagement with the relay-button J'.
These springs are like the springs Q, but for convenience of identification they
will be designated by Q. Each group of bars Q', therefore carries eleven contact-
springs, while each group of buttons contains the same number, although of course,
the number of buttons and springs in each group may be varied if desired, as before
referred to. Each group has its independent relay, and each relay is independently
connected through a wire corresponding to the line J' with the main relay line J³,
including the battery Jo, as before referred to. The object of arranging the sub-
stations in groups, as above set forth, will be fully explained after a detailed
description of the other apparatus of the central and sub-stations has been given.
At the inner end of the horizontal series of contact-buttons including the buttons J
and the relay buttons J', are located two buttons J-197 J-200 (see Fig. 2)
which are arranged one above the other, and respectively engaged by contact-
springs Q-199, Q-199 (see Fig. 44) attached to the inner face of the vertical
bar located at the extreme inner end of the gang-switch. The said buttons
and springs make and break the circuit through the tripping-magnet Q", as
will appear later on.
A coupling-pin T, projecting from the locking-wheel P (see Figs. 2 and 4) is
engaged when the door B, is closed, by a rotating-arm T', (see Fig. 3) secured to the
inner end of the spindle E, carrying the locating-indicator D, which is thus caused
to operate in unison with the rotal circuit closer O, as the same sweeps over the
terminal-plates L'. When the said arm T' is engaged with the coupling-pin T, the
said circuit closer, the locking-wheel P, and the locating-indicator D, are, for all
purposes of reliable indication, positively coupled together.
The said spindle E, is journalled in two movement-plates U and U³, secured
together and to the back of the door B, and corresponding to the two plates of a
clock-movement. A heavy coiled spring W, is located between said plates and
drives a train of wheels and pinions, including a pinion W¹ and a wheel W²,
mounted on the spindle E, which is thus actuated. An escapement wheel Wi
engaged by an anchor-shaped pallet W*, controls the running of the train, which
is normally locked by the engagement of a stop-tooth W, located upon the
periphery of a wheel W, mounted on the same shaft with the escapement wheel W*,
with a detent formed by the tail of an armature W', located in the presence of the
poles of the starting-magnet WB, which is mounted horizontally upon the upper
edges of the plates U and U', and located over the train just described, the upper
end of said armature being provided with a finger W, adapted to engage when the
magnet is energized and the armature attracted to its poles, with an adjustable
contact-point W10, insulated from the said plates. A light spiral-spring W
attached to this armature, serves to hold it normally away from the poles of the
magnet, with its tail in position to be engaged by the stop-tooth W' of the
wheel W. The said train, which will be called the locating-train because it drives
the locating-indicator, forms mechanical means for actuating the said indicator,
leaving nothing for the current to do, so far as locating the sub-stations is concerned,
but to release the train, whereby the device may be operated with a very light
current. Although the said train has been fully shown in the drawings, it has
been deemed unnecessary to specify and letter its several members further
than to identify those wheels and pinions directly co-operating with other parts of
the machine.
The spindle E, also carries the sleeve H, of the signal-indicator G, such sleeve

page_text: being provided with a heart-shaped cam V (see Figs. 4 and 6) the function of
which will be set forth later on. A pinion V, frictionally coupled with the said
sleeve, meshes into an idle pinion V, which in turn meshes into a pinion V³, secured
to an arbor V', journalled in the plates U and U, and also carrying a pinion V*,
and a wheel V', constituting elements of a train actuated by a coiled spring V',
forming the motive power for the actuation of the signal-indicator C, and corre-
sponding to the spring W before mentioned. The said train is controlled in
running down by an escapement-wheel V, and an anchor-shaped pallet V, shown
by Figure 3 of the drawings. The hub of the said escapement-wheel V³ is
provided with a detent-arm V10, which normally engages with a detent-pin V",
carried by a stop-lever V", pivotally secured to the plate U, and having its lower
end normally held in engagement with the cogs of the make-and-break wheel V",
by the spiral-spring W before referred to. The upper end of this lever V, is
pivotally connected with an armature V", located in the presence of the poles of
the signal-magnet V, which is secured to the upper edges of the plates U
and U over the train last described, which will be called the signal-train, because
it actuates the signal-indicator G, in reproducing the signals to which the variable-
signal transmitters at the sub-stations are set. This train thus forms mechanical
means for operating the signal-indicator, leaving nothing for the current to do, so
far as the reproduction of the signal is concerned, but to release the signal-train,
whereby the apparatus works with the minimum of current. The signal-train also
has another important function in actuating the make-and-break wheel, and thus
relieving the current of that work. Although the locating and signal trains are
herein shown to be operated by springs, it is apparent that they may be operated
by weights if desired. The signal-train is also fully shown by the drawings,
but for reasons before set forth in connection with the locating-train, it has
been deemed unnecessary to identify each of its members by letters or numbers.
A long restoring-lever X, adapted to be vertically reciprocated in bearings X'X'
secured to the back of the door B, is located between the same and the outer
plate U of the two plates U and U. This lever is adapted at its lower end to be
engaged with the long horizontal lifting-lever R with which it is kept in engage-
ment by the guard-plate X'. The outer end of the said lever R is pivoted in a
bracket X, secured to the back of the door near the outer edge thereof. The free
inner end of the lifting-lever R rests upon the edge of an eccentric X, rigidly
secured to a horizontal shaft X', journailed in the said door, and provided at its
outer end with a crank X, having a handle X, by means of which the crank is
swung from the vertical to lift the restoring-lever X through the medium of the
eccentric ✗', and the horizontal lifting-lever R. Small rollers YY (see Fig. 6)
located side by side, and extending inwardly from the lever X1, to which they are
secured, are respectively engaged by the inner ends of two horizontal winding-
arms Yi Y', attached to the forward ends of the arbors to which the inner ends of
the actuating-springs W and V' are attached, whereby the lifting of the said
restoring-lever operates to wind the springs, and so furnish power for the actuation
of the locating and signal-trains. A lever Z, pivoted to the restoring-lever at a
point thereon near the rollers YY, but on its opposite side therefrom, stands in an
inclined position and has its upper end notched for engagement with an anti-
friction roller Z³, carried by the lower end of a short lever Z pivoted to the outer
face of the movement plate U. The lower end of the said lever Z, receives one
end of a bowed spring 2, the opposite end whereof is secured to a small block Z*,
attached to the outer face of the operating-lever X. When the said operating-
lever is lifted by the means heretofore described, the notched upper end of the
lever Z, lifts the anti-friction roller Z' of the lever Z¹ into engagement with the
periphery of the heart-shaped cam V, and inverts the same with the effect of
restoring the signal-indicator G, carried by the sleeve H, which also carries the
said cam, to its normal position, in which it points to the uppermost or zero
compartment in the series of signal compartments on the dial C, the said indicator
and cam being arranged so that the indicator extends in exactly the opposite

page_text: direction from that in which the depression of the cam normally faces. The said
spring Z is provided for holding the lever Z up in position for doing its work, and
yet permitting it to yield after the cam has been inverted, so as to avoid any strain
upon the spindle E upon which the sleeve H, carrying the cam is mounted. The
wheel V' is frictionally coupled with the sleeve H in order to permit the cam V
and the signal-indicator G to be restored to their normal positions independent of
the wheels V, V and V, which are in positive connection with the signal-train.
The friction established between the said pinion V' and the sleeve H, is however,
sufficient to couple the two parts together for all purposes of driving the signal
indicator G from the train.
A long pin 2, projecting inwardly from the upper end of the restoring-lever X,
co-operates with a horizontal catch 3, pivoted over the starting-magnet W, and
provided upon its lower face with a shouldered finger 4, the shoulder whereof is
normally engaged with the upper end of the armature W' of the said magnet, so
that when the magnet is energized, and the armature is withdrawn from under the
said shoulder, the catch 3, will drop by gravity, and hold the armature in its
attracted position in which its lower end, forming a train-detent, is carried beyond
the range of the stop-tooth W of the wheel W of the locating-train, which will
run as long as the armature is so held, and there is any power in its actuating
spring W. When the restoring-lever X is lifted, its pin 2 lifts the catch 3, and
permits the spring W" to pull the armature W' back to its normal position, in
which its detent stands in the path of the stop-tooth W. The lifting of the
restoring-lever therefore permits the spring W" to lock the locating-train and hold
it against operation after the locking-lever P' has by the same movement of the
lever been disengaged from the locking-wheel P. A bent arm 5, secured to
the inner face of the restoring-lever X, is shaped so that when the door B of the
case A is closed, its free end will extend under the long arm of the locking-lever P¹.
The function of this rod is to lift the said arm of the locking-lever, and so disengage
the short arm thereof from the locking-wheel P, which is thus unlocked, the lever
being held in this adjustment by the engagement of the end of its long arm with
the lower end of the armature P of the locking-magnet P. The said locking-
lever P is automatically released for locking the locking-wheel P when the locking-
magnet P, is energized, whereby the armature P is attracted thereto and
disengaged from the long end of the lever, permitting the spring P* to throw the
short and hooked end of the said lever into engagement with the teeth of the
locking-wheel P. The arm 5, therefore provides for mechanically operating the
locking-lever to release the locking-wheel, and leave it in a position of readiness
to perform its locking function automatically.
In connection with the main-receiver a switch-board 6 is employed. As herein
shown (see Figs. 1 and 4) it forms an extension of the lower end of the case A,
but this is not of course essential as it may constitute an independent structure.
Each jack has a bowed arm 7, having its inner end pivoted to a binding-screw 8,
and its outer end shaped to fit into a shoe 9, with which it is normally engaged by
a spring 10. If desired, however, the construction described may be replaced by a
plug-switch, or any other form of spring-jack, or any equivalent thereof, but what-
ever form they or equivalent devices replacing them assume, they will be connected
with the respective sub-stations. This is illustrated in Fig. 20 of the drawings,
which shows a wire K leading from the shoe 9 of the spring-jack to one of the
contact-buttons J, additionally identified by the number 171, and a wire K³ leading
from the stud 8 of the jack to one of the binding-screws K¹ located in the top of
the case and also identified by the number 170. The spring jacks are thus virtually
interposed between the contact-buttons and the terminal-plate L, and their function
is to cut the main-receiver out of the main-line and to cut a telephone or a
variable signal-transmitter into that line, as will be fully described at another
5 time.
The apparatus at the central-station also includes, as has been already mentioned,
a telephone (see Fig. 1) having a receiver 11. a transmitter 12. and a plu 13. the

page_text: latter being adapted to be inserted into any of the spring-jacks of the switch-
board, so as to cut out the main-receiver, and cut the telephone into connection with
any of the sub-stations. The central-station also includes a variable-signal
transmitter inclosed in a case 14, (see Fig. 1A) and having a magnet 15, (see
Figures 7 and 8) an armature 16 therefor, hung between bearings 17 and a vertically
movable operating-rod 18, having its upper end arranged under the outer end of
the armature, and its lower end pivotally connected with a link 19, the lower end
of which is pivoted to an arm 20, connected with an anchor-shaped pallet 21,
pivoted between two frame-plates 22 (only one of them is shown). A spring 23,
connected with the said anchor-shaped pallet, is provided for lifting the same, and 1
hence the link 19 and the operating-rod 18, so as to hold the latter in an elevated
position for being depressed when the armature 17 is attracted by the magnet 15.
The anchor shaped pallet 21, co-operates with a star-wheel 24, mounted upon an
arbor 25, journalled in the plates 22, and also carrying a hub 26, provided with an
insulating strip 27, which is set into its surface, the said bub being constantly
engaged by two trailing spring-fingers 28, (only one of them is shown,) the connec-
tions whereof will be described hereafter. An indicator 29, (see Fig. 1^) secured
to the outer end of the arbor 25, sweeps over a dial 30 (see Fig. 9), secured to the
front of the case 14, and having its face divided into a circular series of compart-
ments, each of which contains a signal or want. The insulating strip 27, before
referred to, and the indicator 29, are relatively arranged so that when the indicator
is in its normal or zero position, in which it stands against the star-compartment of
the dial, the insulating strip will stand under the spring-fingers 28, the circuit being
thus normally broken through the instrument. A knob 31, (see Fig. 8) secured to
the extreme outer end of the arbor 25, is provided for turning the same, in setting
the indicator against the compartments on the dial containing the signal which it is
desired to transmit to a sub-station. A spring, (see Fig. 8) encircling the arbor,
and having one of its ends attached thereto and its other end secured to the outer
of the two plates 22, is provided for actuating the arbor in its retrograde move
ment instead of relying upon the current for such work, the spring operating to
turn the arbor and the star-wheel as rapidly as the latter is released by the actuation
of the pallet 21 through the link 19 and the rod 18, which are thereto moved by
the armature 16, under the influence of the magnet 15. Heretofore the pallet
itself has been relied upon to actuate the star-wheel, and hence the arbor and
indicator in their retrograde movement, and this improvement consists, so far as the
transmitter is concerned, in providing means for actuating the said parts in their
retrograde movement independently of the current, whereby positiveness of action
is secured, and therefore greater reliability of communication. A stop-pin, 33 (see
Fig. 7) carried by the hub 26, and projecting radially therefrom, is arranged to
be engaged with a corresponding stop-pin 34, mounted in a block 35, and thus
prevent the arbor from being turned more than one revolution in either direction
to avoid the winding or unwinding of the spring 32 beyond safe limits. It is
however to be understood that the invention is not limited to the use of a spiral-
spring for mechanically effecting the retrograde movement of the indicator under
the control of the magnet of the instrument, but that the said spring may be
replaced by a spring of other form, or by a weight; nor is the invention limited to
using this feature with the particular form of instrument shown and described, as
it is applicable to other forms of transmitters, such for instance as one in which
the indicator is moved over a series of wants arranged in a straight line, in which
case the star-wheel would be replaced by a rack, and the anchor-shaped pallet by
a pawl.
A rheotome 36, (see Fig. 10) located in the lower part of the case 14 containing
the transmitter, is operated by a rotary handle 37, (see Fig. 14) projecting forward
from the said case, and located under the dial 30 before mentioned. This rheotome
may be of any approved construction, and will not be particularly described. It is
provided with a plug 38, designed for insertion into any one of the spring-jacks of
the switch-board for the purpose of cutting the main-receiver out of line, and for

page_text: cutting the variable signal-transmitter into the line, and connecting it with any one of
the sub-stations. In operating the variable signal-transmitter the knob 31, located
at the outer end of its arbor, is grasped and the indicator 29 turned to a signal
displayed on its dial, the signals whereof correspond to the signals upon the dials of
the receivers located at the sub-stations, but arranged in reverse order. After the
transmitter has been so set, the rheotome is operated by its handle to make and
break the circuit so as to step the indicator of the transmitter back to its normal
or zero position, and the indicator of a receiver at a sub-station forward to the
same signal to which the indicator of the transmitter at the central station was set,
as will be hereinafter described.
The central-station apparatus is also provided with a relay 39, see Fig. 20,
which operates in conjunction with a register 40, shown in the same figure of the
drawings..
Having described the apparatus located at the central station, all of the apparatus
connected with one of the sub-stations will now be explained. The sub-stations, as
herein shown (although not necessarily) have the form of specialized lamp-posts,
each consisting of a standard 41 (see Fig. 11), forming its lower section, a box 42,
having a door 43 forming its central section, and a top 44, forming its upper section.
The upper end of the said top of the post is enlarged as at 45, to receive a visual
signal formed by a colored glass globe 46, (see Fig. 13) which is removably secured
to a globe-carrier 47, attached to the upper end of a tube 48, encircling the gas-
pipe 49, and adapted to be raised and lowered over the same, so as to permit the
said globe to be lifted to inclose the gas-burner 50. The said tube 48, extends
downward into the box 42, and is provided at its lower end with two horizontal
arms 51, 51, to the ends of which are attached chains 52, 52, running over
rollers 53, 53, journalled in the tapering upper end of the box 42, the said chains
being provided with weights 54, 54, which exert a constant tendency to lift the
globe into position to inclose the gas-burner. Normally, however, the globe is
retained in its retired position against the tendency of the said weights to elevate
it, by means of a finger 55, (see Fig. 14) having the lower face of its outer end
beveled, and forming a part of a collar 56, secured to the lower end of the tube 48,
the said finger 55 being normally caught under a corresponding finger 57, (see
Fig. 14) having its upper face beveled, and projecting forward from the inner end
of a short shaft 58, journalled in bearings 59, 59, connected with the back of the
box 42. The said shaft 58, is provided with a downwardly projecting tripping-
pin 60, having its lower end notched and beveled for engagement with a beveled
nose 61, formed at the outer end of the armature 62, of the magnet 63, which is of
high resistance. A long, flat spring 64, (see Figs. 12, 14 and 15) having its upper
end curved to pass in front of the shaft 58, is arranged to engage with a pin 65,
mounted therein, and exerts a constant effort to rotate the shaft and swing the
notched tripping-pin 60 into position to engage with the beveled nose 61 of the
armature 62. The said armature is itself normally lifted into position for being
engaged by the pin 60, by a coiled spring 66 (see Fig. 15) adapted to be adjusted
in tension, and connected with a curved arm 67, united by a link 68, with a small
vertically movable rod 69, the upper end whereof stands in close proximity to the
inner end of the said armature when the same is in its normal or unattracted
position. The curved arm 67, before referred to, is pivotally connected with an
anchor-shaped pallet 70 (see Fig. 15,) which co-operates with the star-toothed
escapement wheel 71, of a variable signal-receiver. The said wheel 71, is mounted
upon an arbor 72, journalled in a frame, consisting of two plates 73 (only one of
them is shown) and provided at its outer end with an indicator 74, see Fig. 12,
consisting of a disk having a heavy line 75, marked upon its outer face, and located
behind a dial 76, provided with a central opening through which the said mark 75,
is visible, and divided into a circular series of compartments, each containing a
signal or want, the said signals or wants corresponding to those inscribed upon the
dial of the variable-signal transmitter located at the central-station. The said
arbor is also provided with a small pinien 77; (see Fig. 15) which inter-meshes with
B

page_text: a toothed segment 78, hung on a pivot 79, and provided with an offsetting arm 80,
to which a restoring arm 81, is pivoted by a screw 82, on which the arm is
permitted to turn within the limits of a short slot 83, receiving a stop-pin 84,
mounted in the arm 80. A stiff-spring 85, secured to the lower edge of the
segment 78, and engaging with the lower edge of the inner end of the restoring-
arm 81, holds the latter in its normal position, but permits it to yield and be
depressed within the limits of the slot 83, in case the outer end of the arm 81 is
pushed down too far in retiring the visual signal globe 46. When the magnet 63
is energized, which it will be when the circuit at the central-station is closed, its
armature 62, is attracted, releasing the pin 60, and permitting the shaft 58 to turn
in its bearings under the action of the weights 54, 54. As the said shaft is rotated,
its finger 57, see Fig. 14, clears the finger 65 of the collar 56 on the tube 48, which
is now free to be raised by the weights, whereby the signal-globe 46 is lifted into
its elevated position, in which it surrounds the burner 50. It will thus be seen that
the visual signal is automatically displayed under the control of the central-station.
It is mechanically retired by the officer at the sub-station by means of a manual
hook 86, secured to a rigid upright bar 87, having its upper end attached to the
forward face of the collar 56, and its lower end attached to the corresponding face
of a collar, 88, located upon the lower end of the tube 48, the extreme lower end
whereof carries a nut 89, forming a buffer, which engages with a spiral spring 90, 1
see Fig. 12, encircling the gas-pipe 49 at the point where the same enters the lower
end of the box 42. A restoring-pin 91, see Fig. 14, secured to the rear face of the
collar 88, and guided at its inner end between two upright parallel guides 92, only
one of thèm is shown, attached to the back of the box, is provided for engaging
with the outer end of the restoring-arm 81, when the hook 86 is pulled down to
retire the glass globe 46, whereby the segment 70 (see Fig. 13) operating upon the
pinion 77, causes the indicator 74 to be restored to its normal or zero position, in
which its indicating line or mark 75 is brought into alignment with the compartment
on the face of the dial 76 containing the zero mark or star.
By this invention also the gas is turned on and off by the vertical movements of
the tube 48. To this end the burner 80) before mentioned, see Fig. 13, is constructed
in the well known manner of sustaining an extremely small flame constantly, so that
when the gas is turned on full head, the small flame will light the gas. As these
burners are well known, the one shown will not be described specifically. Its key 93
is provided with an arm 94, having a rod 95 attached to its outer end, the lower
end of the said rod being connected with an arm 96, attached to the tube 48. A
spring 97 encircling the upper end of the rod 95, is secured thereto at its upper
end, while its lower end is provided with a washer 98, loose to move up and down
on the rod. A corresponding spring 99 encircling the lower end of the rod and
held thereon by a small button 99, is adapted to be engaged at its upper end by
the arm 96. Under this construction when the tube is raised, the arm 96 will
engage with the movable washer 98, and gradually compress the spring 97, until
the end wise resistance thereof is sufficient to overcome the friction under which the
pin 93 turns in its bearings, after which the arm 94 will be gradually lifted and the
gas turned on, and immediately lighted by a flame communicated from the small
constant flame before referred to. On the other haud, when the rod 48 is pulled
down, the arm 96 will engage with the upper end of the spring 99, and in the same
manner gradually pull the arm 94 down and turn off the gas, except for the small
quantity which is allowed to escape to sustain the constant flame. The springs 97
and 39 prevent the gas fixture from being in any way strained under any sudden
upward or downward movement of the tube 48. small buffer 100 located within
the carrier 47, is provided with a small spiral spring 101, which engages with the
base of the burner 50, and cushions the rising action of the carrier. It will thus be
seen that the gas is automatically turned on and shut off by means of the tube 18,
which in its vertical movement, also retires and displays the signal and restores the
variable signal-receiver to its normal adjustment.
A telephone consisting of a receiver 102, see Fig. 12, and a transmitter 103, is

page_text: also located within the box 42, for use in conjunction with the variable signal-
receiver already described. The said receiver and telephone are supplemented by
a variable signal-transmitter, which is provided for use in communicating with the
central-station, when it may not be possible or convenient to use the telephone.
This variable signal-transmitter corresponds in its essential features to the variable
signal-transmitter located at the central-station and already described. It is
provided with a dial 104, divided into a circular series of compartments, containing
a series of signals or wants chosen to meet the requirements of code communication.
and corresponding in matter and arrangement to the wants or signals on the dial of
the main-receiver. This dial has a large central opening 105, see Fig. 124, through
which is displayed an indicator 106, consisting of a disk having an indicating
mark 107, drawn upon it, the disk being secured to the outer end of an arbor 108,
which is also provided at its outer end with a knurled thumb-nut 109, by means of
which it is manually rotated to set the mark 107 in line with any one of the signals
or wants in the compartments on the dial. The said arbor is journalled at its
outer end in a frame-plate 110, and at its inner end in the back 127 of the
case 120 which incloses the instrument being described, as well as the variable
signal-receiver and the tripping mechanism interposed between the magnet of
the same and the tube of the visual signal. The said arbor 108 also carries a
star-wheel 111, see Fig. 15, embraced by an anchor-shaped pallet 112, the shank
whereof is rigidly secured to one leg of an armature 113, pivoted in the frame 110,
and having its upper arm located in the presence of the poles of a magnet 114,
the connections whereof will be described hereafter. A spiral-spring 115, connected
with the armature 113, and adjustable in tension, is provided for regulating its
action. A hub 116, also mounted on the arbor 108, is provided with an insulating
strip 117, set down flush with its periphery, which is constantly engaged by two
spring-fingers 118 118, normally engaged with the said strip, whereby the circuit is
broken through the instrument, the indicator 105 whereof normally stands against the
star located in the uppermost compartment of the dial 104. A strap 119 secured to
the case 120, carries at its outer end a circuit-interrupter, consisting, as shown, of a
hasp 121, provided midway of its length with a hollow boss 122, adapted to fit over
the thumb-nut 109, and forming a guard therefor, an operating-button 123, and an
inwardly projecting finger 124, which engages, when the hasp is closed, with a
contact-spring 125, inclosed in a chambered block 126 of insulating material,
secured to the case 120, at a point thereon opposite the strap before mentioned.
When the hasp is closed, the circuit through the magnet 114 is completed, but when
the hasp is open, this circuit is broken. It will be understood from this construction
that when the hasp is open, the transmitter is cut out of the circuit, whereby its
indicator may be set against any of the signals displayed upon its dial. After the
instrument has been set as described, the hasp is closed, and the circuit completed.
Except for breaking the circuit before setting the indicator of the instrument, the
circuit would be closed with the first movement of the indicator, and the main-
receiver located at the central-station would be actuated in operation before the
officer at the sub-station had time to set the indicator, in case he desired to place it
against any signal removed more than one point from its zero position, but by
temporarily cutting out the instrument by means of the hasp, the officer is given all
the time that he needs for setting it. The shaft 58, the variable signal-transmitter
and the variable signal receiver are secured to the back 127 of the case 120, the
said back being a plate which is fastened to the back of the box 42, as well shown
by Figure 12 of the drawings. The inner edge of the case 120 is cut away to
permit the restoring-arm 81 to project through it into the range of the restoring
pin 91.
A citizen's-transmitter, located within a case 128, see Fig. 12, secured to the
back of the box 42, and located under the telephone-transmitter 103, is designed to
be operated by means of a key inserted into a key-hole 129, see Fig. 11, formed in
one, corner of the door 43. This device is designed to enable citizens as well as
policemen or officers to send in numbers to the central-station, where such numbers

page_text: are recorded as identifying special localities. As herein shown, this instrument is
provided with a flat-key lock 130, see Fig. 16, constructed on the principle of
retaining the key when the bolt is thrown. As locks of this description are well
known, detailed description of the lock is unnecessary.
A handle-lever 131, hung midway of its length upon a screw-stud 132 entering
the frame-plate 133, projects at its upper end through an opening in the case 128,
so that it may be operated by an officer when the door 43 of the box 42 is opened
for restoring the instrument to its normal adjustment. Normally the lower end of
the lever is engaged with the inner edge of the bolt 134 of the lock 130, as shown
by full lines in Figure 16 of the drawings. When, however, a suitable key 135, is
inserted into the lock, and the bolt 134 thereof retracted, the lever is at once
thrown by its spring 131* into the vertical position in which it is shown by dotted
lines in the same figure of the drawings. The lower end of the lever now stands
directly over the bolt, which cannot be thrown out again until the lever has been
swung back into its normal position, which can only be done from the inside of the
box 42, and as the key cannot be withdrawn from the lock except when the bolt
thereof is thrown, the person using the key is forced to leave it in the lock, whereby
he becomes responsible for the operation of the device, for the different persons
having the keys are charged with them, and a record kept at the central-station.
A flat spring 136, having its upper end secured to the handle-lever just below the
stud 132 thereof is provided at its extreme lower end with a beveled pin 137, see
Fig. 18, which projects through an opening 138, formed for it in the lower end of
the handle-lever. This beveled pin co-operates with a finger 139 having its outer
edge made straight and beveled, and its inner edge cut on an incline, the said finger
forming the outer end of an operating-lever 140, the inner end whereof is rigidly
secured to an arbor 141, carrying a star-wheel 142, embraced by an anchor-shaped
pallet 143, the shank whereof is rigidly secured to one arm of an armature 144,
pivoted in the frame 145, and having its other arm located in the presence of the
poles of a magnet 146. A spiral spring 147, adapted to be regulated in tension
and attached to the said armature, controls the action of the magnet. The
arbor 141 also carries a hub 148, see Fig. 19, provided with an insulating strip 149,
normally engaged by two spring contact-fingers 150, whereby the instrument is
normally cut out of circuit. When, however, the key is entered into the lock
through the door 43 of the box 42, and turned, and the bolt withdrawn from
engagement with the lower end of the handle-lever, the same is thrown by its
spring 131 into the position shown by broken lines in Fig. 16 of the drawings. As
this movement of the handle-lever takes place, the straight outer edge of the
beveled pin 137 engaging with the inclined inner edge of the finger 139 of the
operating lever 140, causes the same to be lifted and the arbor 141 to be rotated
on its axis sufficiently to carry the insulating-strip 149 out of engagement with the
fingers 150, whereby the instrument is cut into the circuit. When the handle-
lever is manually swung back into its normal position, the beveled pin 137 being
carried by a spring-plate 136; rides over the said finger 139 formed at the outer
end of the operating-lever and engages with the inclined inner edge thereof, and
thus resumes its position of readiness to lift the operating-lever and when the bolt
is withdrawn by the key as before described. A light spiral-spring 151 connected
at one end with the arbor 141, and at its opposite end with the frame 145, is
provided for automatically turning the arbor 141 back into its normal position, in
which the insulating strip 149 is brought into engagement with the contact-
fingers 150, when the escapement wheel 142 is released to permit the said movement
of the arbor by the anchor-shaped pallet 143, which is thereto actuated by the
armature 144 acting under the control of the magnet 146, which is energized once
for the purpose by a single closing of the main circuit in the main receiver at the
central station, the said arbor having to move only one step so to speak, in order
to be restored to its normal position, inasmuch as the citizen's transmitter is
constructed with reference to locating the want which indicates its use, in that one
of the compartments next to the zero or uppermost compartment on the dial C, of

page_text: the main-receiver. The spring 151 acts in exactly the same way as the spring 32,
see Fig. 8, of the variable signal-transmitter located at the central station. The
said citizen's transmitter is located in a branch of the main circuit, which includes
the high resistance magnet 63, see Fig. 15, the said branch circuit being normally
closed through the hub 145 and the fingers 152 152, see Fig. 19. When however
the hub is rotated as described, the magnet 63 is cut out of the circuit by the
engagement of the insulating strip 153, mounted in the hub, with the said
fingers 152. The object of cutting out the high resistance magnet 63 before
operating the citizen's transmitter is to clear the line so that the magnet 146, see
Fig. 16, may work freely. The citizen's transmitter is also adapted to be operated
without a key, and from a remote point, such as a private house. With this end
in view the arbor 141, is provided with a secondary operating lever 154, which is
normally engaged by the tail 155 of the armature 156 of the magnet 157, see
Fig. 17, which is secured to the edge of the plate 158 forming the back of the
case 128, the said magnet being located in a local circuit including the private
house, and closed thereat for the operation of the transmitter by any suitable
device, such as a key. When the magnet 157 is energized, it attracts the
armature 156 to it whereby the tail 155 of the armature is caused to move the
secondary operating lever 154, so as to rotate the arbor 141 sufficiently to cut
the instrument out of the circuit of the high resistance magnet 63, and into the
circuit of the magnet 146, which corresponds in resistance to the starting-
magnet V of the main-receiver at the central-station. This actuation of the
arbor 141 in no wise interferes with the handle-lever 131, or the adjuncts thereof.
Each sub-station is also preferably furnished with a switch adapted to receive a
small pocket signal transmitter, designed to be carried by the respective officers,
and adapted to send in their several numbers. As herein shown, see Fig. 21, this
switch consists of two parallel spring-plates 159 159, insulated from each other by
blocks 160 160 to which their ends are secured, the said blocks being in turn
attached to one of the side walls of the box 42. The two sections 161 161 of a
small split tube are respectively secured to the inner surfaces of the plates 159 159,
so that their edges will come close together without touching. These two tube
sections together form a spring-jack and a holder, and receive the circular plug of
the pocket transmitter. It is designed that cach officer shall have one of these
transmitters, adapted to send in to the central station a number corresponding to
his number, every one of them being internally adapted to send in a different
number. For the detailed construction of the said pocket signal transmitter,
reference may be had to British Patent No. 17,610 of 1889. This instrument is
used in conjunction with the variable signal-transmitter in the lamp-post, and with
a small switch located in the main-receiver, situated at the central station, and
shown by Figures 6 and 20 of the drawings. In Figure 6 of the drawings the
sleeve or hub of the heart-shaped cam V is shown to be provided with a pin 163,
arranged so that just before the cam completes a rotation, the pin will operate to
lift the spring 164 out of engagement with a finger 165, and thus cut the starting
magnet of the receiver out of the circuit, see Fig. 20, for wiring, and re-engage
the spring 164 with the finger 166, whereby the relay 212 is cut into the circuit,
and hence also the register 39. By reference to Figure 12 of the drawings, which
also represents the dial of the variable signal-transmitter located at a sub-station,
it will be noticed that the last signal point thereof is represented by the word
"Register." Now whenever the indicator of the said transmitter is set against
that signal, the same signal will be produced in the main-receiver at the central-
station by carrying the signal-indicator D of the said receiver around to the last
compartment in the want series. This movement of the indicator is accompanied
by a corresponding movement of the heart-shaped cam and the sleeve thereof,
whereby the pin 163 is caused to operate to lift the spring 164 from engagement
with the spring 165, into engagement with the spring 166, whereby the main-
circuit is shifted from the starting magnet V" of the receiver to the relay and the
register. When, therefore, an officer having one of these pocket-transmitters

page_text: desires to leave a permanent record at the central-station of a visit made to a lamp-
post or sub-station, he opens the door of the box 42 thereof, and sets the indicator
of the variable signal-transmitter therein to the word "Register." The main-
receiver at the central-station is at once operated to reproduce the signal thereat,
and to cut out the starting magnet V1 and to cut in the relay and register. The
officer now plugs his pocket-transmitter into the switch provided therefor, and then
operates the said transmitter so that the number wheel thereof is released to make
and break the circuit, so as to transmit its number to the relay and register which
makes a permanent record of his visit to the sub-station. To provide for cutting
out the high resistance magnets at the respective sub-stations, the box 42 of each
lamp-post is provided at its upper end with an insulated movable button 167, see
Figs. 14 and 21, arranged to be pushed inward by the upper edge of its door 43,
when the same is closed, so as to make contact between two springs 168 and 169
attached to the box, and forming terminals of the main line of the group in which
the post is located. Under this arrangement, the circuit in the post is closed
through the high resistance magnet of its variable signal receiver so long as the
door of the box remains closed, but the moment the door is opened, the elasticity
of the spring 169 will cause the same to fly away from the spring 158, and thus
break the circuit through the high resistance magnet of the post, and cut it out of
the circuit. The resistance of this magnet being removed, the normal battery
current of the apparatus is enabled to operate the relay magnet of the group in
which the post is located, and hence the starting magnet of the main-receiver
located at the central station, the said starting magnet being located in a local
circuit, and controlled by the relay-magnet of the respective groups.
The object of locating the sub-stations in groups and connecting each group
with the main circuit by means of an independent relay located at the central-
station, may now be explained. It will be apparent that in order to permit the
operation of the main-receiver located at the central-station from any one of the
sub-stations, the special circuits of all of the sub-stations must normally be closed in
the gang-switch located in the main-receiver, and through the relay magnets, and
therefore virtually through the starting-magnet V" of the said instrument. It will
also be apparent that in order that the officer at the central-station may communicate
with the officers in the field under surveillance by means of the visual-signals at
the sub-stations, the circuits must be kept closed through the variable signal-
receivers located at such stations. It is necessary therefore to operate the
apparatus, considered as a whole on the basis of resistances. Thereto the magnets
of the variable signal-receivers located at the sub-stations are wound to higher
resistance than any other magnets connected with the apparatus, except the magnet
of the variable signal transmitter at the central-station which has to work in
connection with the said magnets. But as the high resistance magnets of the
respective sub-stations are connected with the central station by what is known as
the multiple arc principle, it follows that the resistance in the main line of the
central-station apparatus will be reduced in proportion as the number of high
resistance magnets in connection with it is increased, and that the number of
co-operating high-resistance magnets, and hence sub-stations, must be limited so
that the average resistance in their main line will be sufficiently above the resistance
required to control the receiver at the central station." As this invention
contemplates the connection of a large number of sub-stations with a single
receiver, making the resistance of the high resistance magnets excessively high, is
avoided, or working the main-receiver on a very light current, by arranging the
sub-stations in groups containing so few stations that the average resistance in
their main line will be correspondingly high and connecting each group with an
independent relay located at the central station and connected with a starting-
magnet placed in a local circuit and common to all the relays.
As herein shown, the sub-stations are arranged in groups of ten and assuming
that the high resistance magnet of each of these stations is wound to a resistance
of three hundred ohms, then the average resistance of the main line with which

page_text: all of the magnets in the groups are connected, will be thirty ohms. To provide,
under this arrangement, for an ample protection for the main-receiver, the relay-
magnet of each group is wound to five ohms, and its armature spring made very
weak for a reason to be disclosed later on. Preferably the starting-magnet is also
wound to five ohms, although its resistance has no direct relation to the resistance
of the relay-magnets. In order to balance the magnets throughout the apparatus,
including those at the central and sub-stations, they are wound to the same
resistance as the relay magnet except as specified, but in order to prevent the
variable signal-transmitters located at the sub-stations from operating in unison
with the relay-magnets, the springs connected with the armatures of their magnets
are placed under sufficient tension to prevent the said armatures from being
attracted to their magnets, which are energized at the same time the relay-magnets
are energized, so that the indicators of the said transmitters will not be disturbed
after being set until the main-receiver has located the sub-stations containing them,
and has shunted sufficient additional battery power onto the main line to overcome
the tension of the said spring and permit the armature of the transmitter magnets
to be operated, whereby the transmitters are caused to send in their messages.
The foregoing will show why it is necessary to provide for maintaining a higher
average resistance in the main line than in the main-receiver so that the latter may
be controlled and the danger of its accidental starting avoided. It will be under-
stood, of course, that when the door of any sub-station post is opened, its high
resistance magnet will be cut out so that when the variable signal-transmitter in
the post has been set and cut into the line and its hasp closed, the entire battery
current will flow over the line of the group in which the sub-station is located, for
the reason that all of the magnets now on the line are balanced each with the
other, and that the battery-current will take the path offering the least resistance.
Normally, as aforesaid, the high resistance magnets at the sub-stations are located
in the main circuits, and to cause them to operate in releasing the normally
retired visual-signals, the high resistance magnet of the variable-signal transmitter
located at the central-station is temporarily cut into the circuit by means of the
insertion of the plug 38, see Fig. 14, into one of the spring-jacks of the switch-
board thereat. It will thus be seen that although the circuit of the apparatus is
constantly through the variable signal-receivers located at the sub-stations, they
cannot operate automatically or abnormally, inasmuch as the normal current is
entirely insufficient to energize their magnets, and that although the current of
the apparatus is constantly through the relay magnets of the main-receiver located
at the central station, said receiver can never be automatically or abnormally
started, on account of the resistance offered to the current by the high resistance
magnets located at the sub-stations.
Of course the number of sub-stations located in each group may be varied
according to the dictates of circumstances, and the invention is not limited to using
groups of ten herein shown for illustration, but in fact forming a convenient and
effective arrangement.
The various mechanical features of both the apparatus located at the central
and at the sub-stations having been now described, the wiring of the entire apparatus
and the circuits thereof will be set forth.
Each sub-station is connected with the central-station by a special or independent
wire M, see Fig. 20, only one of which is shown as that is sufficient to illustrate
all of the others. This wire is led to one of the binding-screws K, located in the
top of the case of the receiver, the particular screw to which the wire is led being
also designated 170, for convenience of identification, and for the same reasons others
of the screws K' will be identified in the same way by numbers. From this screw the
current flows through a wire K³, to the stud 8, and curved arm 7 of one of the
spring-jacks in the switch-board, and thence through the shoe 9 of said spring-jack,
and the wire K to one of the contact-buttons J, this button being also designated 171
for convenience, thence to one of the springs Q of one of the groups of springs in
the gang-switch, thence, to the relay-spring Q of the said group, thence to the

page_text: relay-button J¹ thereof, thence through wire J' to the relay magnet J* of the group
in question, and from this magnet through the wire J to the binding-post 172,
which is one of the screws K³, and thence through the line J to the gravity
battery J, and thence through the main-relay line J to the ground-plate G. The
completion of the circuit just described has for its object the energization of the 5
relay-magnet J, which, when energized, attracts its armature 173 and causes
the free end thereof to be engaged with the adjustable contact-screw 174.
the
Beginning at the said adjustable contact-screw 174, the current of the relay
circuit thus closed, flows through the wire 175, to the post K-176 in the top of the
case A of the main-receiver, thence through the wire 177 to the call-bell 178, 1
which is thus actuated in giving a single stroke, thence from the bell through the
line 179 to the local battery 180, thence through the wire 181 to the binding-
screw K-182, located in the top of the case, thence through, the wire 183 to the
starting-magnet W, and through the wire 184 to the heel of the armature 173.
The completion of the circuit last described has for its object the energization of 1
the starting-magnet W³, which by attracting its armature W' to it, disengages the
lower end thereof from the stop-tooth W, see Fig. 3, in the wheel WⓇ of the
locating-train, which is thus liberated, and allowed to start in sweeping the circuit-
closer over the circular series of terminal-plates L'. The attraction of the
armature W' to the starting-magnet W' also operates to engage the finger W
carried by the free end of the armature with an adjustable contact-screw W10,
said finger being held in contact with the screw by the catch 3, Fig. 3, which
operates by gravity as soon as the armature drawn to the magnet. The current of
the local circuit thus established flows from the finger W' through the armature W',
the plates U and U¹ of the movement attached to the back of the door B of the
case A, thence through the wire 185, to a flat plate 186, (Figs. 3 and 20,) secured
to the back of the said door, thence through the two fingers of a spring 187, attached
to the extreme upper end of the restoring-lever X, thence to a corresponding
plate 188, thence through the wire 189 to the screw K-190 located in the top of
the main-receiver A, thence through a wire 191 to the battery 192, thence through 3
wire J', thence through wire 193 to the binding-screw K-194 located in the top
of the case, through the wire 195 to the tripping magnet Q", thence through the
wire 196 to the contact-button J-197 (see Figs. 2 and 20) located in the upper
portion of the frame 1, (Fig. 2), thence through the contact-springs Q-199 Q-199
of the gang-switch, thence through the corresponding contact-button J-200, thence
through the wire 201 to the adjustable contact-screw W. The closing of the
circuit last described has for its object the energization of the tripping-magnet O",
which through its armature Q1 (Fig. 4) the link Q", and the tripping-lever Q
operates to unlock the gang-switch, which then falls away and simultaneously breaks
the circuits through all of the simple and special contact buttons J, which are in 4
effect the terminals of the special or independent wires connecting the central
station with the respective sub-stations, and of some of the local circuits. Mean-
while the circuit closer is being driven by the locating-train and swept over the
said terminal-plates L, and so soon as its fingers 0' engage with that one of the
terminal plates L' which correspond to the sub-station at which the circuit has been 4
closed, the gang-awitch having been unlocked and the special-circuits of all the
sub-stations being thereby broken, the current is forced to flow from the contact-
button 171, which is the terminal of the line of the sub-station where the circuit
has been closed, thence through the line K' to the terminal-plate L', thence through
the spring-finger 0% of the circuit-closer, the bar O thereof, the fingers 0° attached!
to its opposite end, the concentric ring N, thence through the wire 202 to the
locking-magnet P, thence through the wire 203 to the spring 204, thence to the
corresponding spring 205, with which the spring 204 is now engaged, the wire 206,
the spring 164, spring 165, the wire 207, the starting-magnet V, thence through
the wire 208, the make-and-break spring 209, the make and break-wheel V, thence t
through the movement plates U U₁, the wire 185, the plate 186, the fingers of the
spring 187, the plate 188, the wire 189, the binding-screw K-190, the wire 191,

page_text: the battery 192, thence to the ground. The completion of the circuit last described
effects the energization of the locking-magnet P (see Fig. 2) whereby the
armature P³ thereof is attracted thereto and disengaged from the long arm of the
lever P¹, the short arm whereof is at once thrown by the action of the spring P³,
into engagement with the locking-wheel P, which is coupled through the pin T,
carried by it, with the arm T', carried by the spindle E, which also carries the
locating indicator D, which is stopped and held against the number on the dial
corresponding to the number of the sub-station on the line M. The completion of
the circuit Last described also energizes the signal-magnet V", whereby the
armature V thereof is attracted thereto with the effect of disengaging the pin V,
(see Fig. 3) carried by the lever V" from the wire V1, whereby the signal-train.
is released for actuation by its spring V', the said wheel being freed for rotation
by the retraction of the extreme lower end of the lever V1 from it. As the make-
and-break wheel is rotated, the intermittent engagement of the spring 209 with its
cogs, operates to make and break the circuit, whereby the magnet 114, (see Fig. 15)
of the variable signal-transmitter located at the sub-station to which the line N
leads, for every interruption of the circuit by means of the said make-and-break
wheel, attracts its armature 113, which operates its anchor shaped pallet 112, in
releasing the star-wheel 111, for being reversely rotated step by step by the spiral
spring 211, (corresponding to the spring 32 seen in Fig. 8) which rotates the
arbor 108 in reverse direction, until the insulating strip 117 mounted in the hub 116
of the arbor is brought into engagement with the springs 118, so as to break the
main line circuit, with the indicator 106 in its normal position in which its mark 107,
stands against the uppermost or star compartment on the dial 104 of the instrument
which is thus restored step by step from the adjustment to which it was set prior
to any action of the main-receiver at the central-station. For every interruption
of the line-circuit the magnet V is demagnetized and when the circuit is finally
broken in the variable signal transmitter located at the sub-station, the magnet Vis
is demagnetized, allowing the lower end of the lever V" to engage with the make-
and-break wheel, which action bas before been prevented during the interruptions
of the line circuit by the closing of the circuit, and the energization of the
magnet V before the lower end of the lever V could enter the depressions
between the cogs of the wheel, this action being attained by a proper adjustment
of the spring 209 with relation to the lever V" When the said lever enters one
of the depressions in the make-and-break wheel the same is stopped, and the signal-
train arrested, with the indicator G, standing opposite the signal on the dial C,
corresponding to the signal to which the indicator of the variable-signal transmitter
at the sub-station was set when the circuit through the apparatus was first closed,
for the main-receiver is started in operation only by closing the circuit at one of
the sub-stations, and it will be understood that all of the operations referred to
have been preceded by the closing of the circuit at one of the sub-stations.
In case the variable signal-transmitter located at the sub-station calling has its
indicator set to the word "Register" upon its dial, which is the last call or want of
the series of calls or wants thereupon, the main-receiver located at the central-
station will, just before its stop, operate through the pin 163 (see Fig. 6) to lift
the spring 164 away from engagement with the spring 165, and into engagement
with the spring 166, whereby the signal-magnet V of the receiver is cut out, and
the register-relay 212 which is located within the case of the main-receiver, is cut
into the line. The circuit will now be from the sub-station through to the
spring 164, as before described, and then through the spring 166, the wire 213, the
register-relay 212, the wire 214, the binding-screw 190, thence through the wire 191,
the battery 192, to the ground-plate G. The closing of the circuit through the
register-relay 212, energizes the magnet thereof, and moves its armature 215,.into
engagement with the contact-screw 216 closing the circuit, which beginning with
the said screw will flow through the wire 217 to the binding-post 218, located on
the outside of the case A, (see Fig. 1) thence through the wire 219 to the register
battery 220; thence to the wire 221, to the register 39, thence through the wire 222

page_text: '
"
to the binding-post 223, and the wire 224 to the heel of the armature 215.
The register when thus cut into the circuit will make a permanent record of the
breaking and closing of the circuit at the sub-station by means of the policeman's
or pocket transmitter, which is adapted, as has been already explained, to repro-
dure the policeman's number, which will therefore be recorded by the register.
Having thus described the circuits at the central-station, and some of their
adjuncts not elsewhere referred to, and the effect upon the central-station apparatus
of closing and interrupting its circuits, the circuits in one of the sub-stations and
some adjuncts thereof not already mentioned, will now be set forth by reference to
the diagram shown by Fig. 21 of the drawings. In the normal condition of the
apparatus in any sub-station the circuit will be from the ground-wire 225 to the
ground-side 226 of the lightning arrester located in the box 42 of the sub-station,
thence through the wire 227 to the spring 152 (see also Fig. 19) thence to the hub 148
mounted on the arbor 141 of the citizen's-transmitter, thence from the said hub to
the corresponding spring 152 thence through the wire 228 to the spring 169 now in
contact with the spring 168, thence from the spring 168 through the wire 229 to
the high-resistance magnet 63 of the variable signal-receiver located at the sub-
station, thence from the said magnet to the wire 230, to the line plate 231 of the
lightning-arrester and thence through the line wire M, which appears on the other
diagram.
Should a call be sent from the central-station to the sub-station following the
path described, the high-resistance magnet 63 therein will be energized with the
effect of releasing the visual-signal, as before set forth.
In case an officer in the field desires to communicate with the central-station, he
opens the door 43 of the box 42 of the lamp-post, and thereby breaks the contact
between the door-springs 168, 169, and thus cuts out the high-resistance magnet 63
from the circuit. It will be understood that directly upon the sending of a call from
the central-station to any of the sub-stations, the operator at the central-station will
remove from the switch-board thereat the switch plug which was required to
connect the sub-station to be called with the ceutral-station, whereby the high-
resistance magnet of the variable signal transmitter located at the central-station
will always be cut out of line, leaving the line connected through the receiver at the
central station, and free to be operated from any of the sub-stations. The officer
at the sub-station now sets the indicator of the variable signal-transmitter therein
to the signal or want. which he desires to have reproduced at the central station.
The circuit closed by setting the variable signal-transmitter as described, will be
from the ground-wire 225, see Fig. 21, to the ground plate 226, thence through the
wire 232 to the right-hand spring 118 of the variable signal-transmitter, thence
through the hub 116 of the transmitter to the corresponding left-hand spring 118,
thence through the wire 233 to the transmitter-magnet 114, thence through the
wire 232 to the right-hand spring 118 of the variable signal-transmitter, thence
through the hub 116 of the transmitter to the corresponding left-hand spring 118,
thence through the wire 233, to the transmitter-magnet 114, thence through the
wire 234 to the strap 119, the hasp 121, the inwardly projecting finger 124 thereof,
the contact-spring 125, see Fig. 124, the wire 235, and the line-plate 231 of the
lightning-arrester, and then out through the line wire M. The closing of this
circuit last described starts the main-receiver at the central-station in locating the
sub-station, and reproducing the signal as before described.
"
In case the officer at the sub-station desires to communicate telephonically with
the central-station, he sets the variable-signal transmitter to the word "Telephone
on the dial thereof, whereby the main-receiver at the central-station is caused to
locate the sub-station, and indicate that the officer at the sub-station desires to
telephone. The officer at the central-station then inserts the plug 38 of the
telephone 11, at the central-station into that spring-jack in the switch-board of
the central-station which corresponds to the sub-station calling. The officer at the
sub-station now removes the handle-telephone 238 from the hook 239, which will
then be lifted into engagement with the spring 240, thus cutting the telephone into

page_text: the line and also into engagement with the springs 241 241, and thus cutting the
transmitter 242 of the telephone into line. The circuit will now be from the
ground-wire 225 to the ground-plate 226 of the lightning-arrester, thence over
the wire 243 to the handle-telephone 238, thence through the wire 244 to the
induction-coil 243 of the telephone-transmitter 242, thence through the wire 246, to
the spring 240, through the hook 239, to the wire 247, and thereto to the line-plate 231.
of the lightning-arrester, and thence to the line M. At the same time the circuit
will be closed through one of the plates 241 through the wire 248, through the
induction-coil 245, thence through the wire 249 to the telephone battery 250, thence
through the wire 252 to the other plate 241, which is now connected with its fellow
by means of a metallic-strip which is not showu.
"
In case a citizen desires to send a call into the central-station, he inserts a key
which is charged to him into the key-hole 129 (see Fig. 11) formed in the door 43
of the box 42 of the lamp-post forming the sub-station. The turning of the key
interrupts the operation of the citizen's transmitter, as before described, in moving
the star-wheel thereof one point so as to close the circuit through the instrument,
in opening the normal circuit through the sub-station, and in cutting out the high
resistance magnet 63 of the sub-station, by disengaging the contact-springs 152 152
of the instrument (see Fig. 21) from the metallic strip 153, (see Fig. 19) located
in the non-conducting hub 148. The circuit will now be from the ground-wire 225
to the plate 226, thence over the wire 252 to the magnet 146 of the instrument
thence through the wire 253 to the left-hand spring 150, thence through the con-
ducting-strip 149 to the right-hand strip 150, thence through the wire 254 to the
line plate 231,. thence to the line wire M. In case the citizen's-transmitter is
operated from a private house by closing a local circuit thereat, the current will"
enter the apparatus through the binding-post 255, see Fig. 21, thence through the
wire 256, to the spring 257, thence to the contact-spring 258 thence through the
wire 259, to the magnet 157, thence through the wire 260 to the binding-post 261.
The energization of this magnet 157 by attracting its armature 156, causes the
tail 155 thereof to move the secondary operating-lever 154, and therefore rotate
the star-wheel 142 and the arbor 141 sufficiently to cut the high resistance
magnet 63 out of circuit, and the magnet 146 into the circuit. The circuit now.
established will be the same as that just described.
In case an officer desires to leave a permanent record at the central-station
of his visit to the sub-station and his individual number, he opens the door
of the lamp-post and sets the variable signal-transmitter therein to the word
Register" as before described, whereby he causes the actuation of the main-
receiver at the central-station to cut in the relay and the register thereat. He
then plugs his pocket-transmitter into the switch provided therefor in the lamp-
post. The path of the current now established is from the ground wire 225 to
the ground-plate 226, thence through the wire 262 to the spring-plate 159, thence
to the left-hand section 161 of the split-tube, thence through the pocket-trans-
mitter, thence through the right-hand section 161 of the split-tube, the other
plate 159, and through the wire 263 to the line-plate 231 and over the line
wire M.
Having now described the several circuits of the central station and sub-station
apparatus, the use of the apparatus will be briefly set forth independent of any
special reference to the circuits.
Supposing that at the central-station it is desired to call up any officer in the
field, the officer at the central-station inserts the plug of the variable-transmitter
thereof into the spring-jack connected with the sub-station located in the beat of
the officer whom he desires to call. Having done this, he turns the indicator of
the transmitter against the signal or want which he desires to place before the said
officer in the field, and then turns the crank of the rheotome located at the central-
station, whereby the circuit leading to the said sub-station is interrupted with the
effect of operating the variable signal-receiver at that station, and reproducing
the want or call to which he has set the variable signal-transmitter in the office,
.
i
.:)

page_text: and throwing up the visual signal, which is released by the magnetization of the
magnet of the receiver in the sub-station. The officer in the beat being now
attracted to the sub-station by the exhibition of the visual-signal, goes up to the
lamp-post and opens the door thereof, and reads upon the dial of the receiver the
message sent to him from the central station; his further action will depend upon
the character of that message, but before leaving he retires the visual-signal, and
in so doing restores the variable signal-receiver to its normal adjustment. Should
it be necessary for the officer on his beat to communicate with the central-station,
he opens the door of the lamp-post and sets the indicator of the variable-signal
transmitter therein to the want or signal which he desires to reproduce at the
central-station; if he desires to communicate with the officer at the central-station
telephonically, he sets the indicator of the transmitter to the word "Telephone,"
which is reproduced by the main-receiver in the central station together with the
number of the station which he is calling from. The officer at the central-
station then places his telephone in line, and the two officers telephone to each
other.
Should it be impossible or not desirable to use the telephones for communication
between the central-station and the sub-station, or should the sub-station not be
provided with a telephone, the variable signal-transmitters respectively located at
the central-station and the sub-station may be used as a means of communication.
In this case the door of the sub-station must be closed immediately after the officer
at the sub-station has sent in the signal to the central-station in order that the
receiver at the sub-station may be cut into the circuit for receiving the message
from the central-station. Instead, however, of closing the door of the lamp-post,
the officer may hold the springs 168, 169 closed by his fingers. In this case also
the officer at the central-station must remove the plug of the transmitter thereat
from the switch-board every time he asks a question of the cfficer at the sub-
station, so that the receiver at the central-station will be in readiness to receive
the message sent by the officer at the sub-station. After the receiver at the
central-station has been operated in the receipt of a message, the officer manipu-
lates the crank thereof so as to release its restoring-lever X, which with its
manifold connections, restores all the parts of the said receiver to their normal
positions of readiness to be operated again from any one of the sub-stations.
The use of the apparatus by a citizen sending in a call, and also of the officer
in the field to obtain a permanent record of any visit that he may make to a
sub-station, has been so fully described that it does not need further exempli-
fication.
Although shown and described herein in its adaptation to municipal purposes,
this apparatus is especially suited for use in hotels in the place of the annunciating
mechanism ordinarily employed.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction
shown and described, but such changes and alterations may be made as fairly fall
within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by
my. foreign correspondents I declare that what I claim is :-
First. In an electric-receiver, the combination with a series of contact buttons
insulated from each other and forming terminals of sub-stations, of a gang-switch
normally engaged with all of the said terminals, and having a rigid frame, means
for mounting the switch to move in a curved path, tripping mechanism for holding
the said switch in its normal position, and releasing it therefrom and means for
restoring the switch to its normal position after it has been tripped, substantially
as described.
Second. In an electric-receiver, the combination with a series of insulated
terminals respectively connected with sub-stations, of a gang-switch normally
engaged with the said terminals and having iidama inattrahed to the

page_text: said frame and to the case of the receiver, whereby the frame is caused to more in
a circular path, tripping-mechanism for holding the switch in its normal position,
and releasing it therefrom, a restoring-lever, and connection between the switch and
the said lever for re-engaging the switch with the tripping-mechanism, substantially
as described.
Third. An electric apparatus for inter-communication between a central-station
and a series of sub-stations, having at its central station a series of circuit-closers
connected together for simultaneous movement, and arranged in isolated groups,
each group communicating with an independent relay located in the main-line of
the apparatus.
Fourth. In an electric receiver, the combination with a series of contact-buttons,
of a gang-switch consisting of a movable frame carrying a series of circuit-closers
corresponding to the said terminals, and arranged in isolated groups, independent
relays connected with the respective groups and located in the main line of the
apparatus, tripping mechanism for holding the switch in its normal position in which
its circuit closers are engaged with the said buttons, and manual releasing devices
for returning the switch to its normal position after it has operated, substantially
as described.
Fifth. In an electric-receiver, the combination with a series of contact-buttons,
of a gang-switch consisting of a movable frame carrying a series of circuit-closers
corresponding to the said terminals and arranged in isolated groups, independent
relays for the respective groups, relay-terminals arranged with the terminals
mentioned, and relay-circuit-closers carried by the switch and arranged thereon for
engagement with the respective relay terminals, terminals of the circuit of the
starting-magnet arranged with the terminals referred to, a special circuit-closer
carried by the switch for the said terminals, tripping mechanism for holding
the switch in its normal position in which all of the circuit-closers are engaged
with their proper terminals, a circuit-closer in the starting-magnet circuit
arranged to be closed by the switch when it drops away from the terminals, and
manual restoring mechanism for returning the switch to its normal position, substan-
tially as described.
Sixth. In an electric apparatus for inter-communication between a central-
station and a series of sub-stations, the combination with a series of variable
signal-receivers located at the respective sub-stations, having the circuit normally
closed through them, and each containing a magnet of high resistance, of a series
of variable signal-transmitters also located at the respective sub-stations, and each
containing a magnet of low resistance, a variable signal-transmitter also located
at the central station and containing a magnet of high resistance, a series of
terminals located at the central-station and respectively connected with the sub-
stations, and a series of movable contact-fingers located at the central station,
connected together for simultaneous movement and arranged in isolated groups, in
position to engage with the said terminals to which they correspond, an independent
relay located in the main line of the apparatus for each group of terminals,
substantially as described and whereby the abnormal operation of either the
central or sub-station apparatus by reason of a too great reduction of electric
resistance is avoided.
Seventh. In a citizen's transmitter, the combination with a circuit-controller, of
an operating-lever connected therewith and provided with a shoulder baving its
outer edge beveled, and its inner edge inclined, a handle-lever provided with a
spring-arm carrying a beveled finger which jumps from the beveled outer edge of
the said shoulder to the inclined inner edge thereof when the instrument is set, a
spring for moving the said handle-lever, whereby the said beveled finger and
shoulder co-operate to shift the operating-lever and hence the circuit-controller;
and a lock arranged to have its bolt engaged by the lower end of the handle-lever
for holding the same in its normal position, and constructed to retain its key when
its bolt is retracted, substantially as described.
Eighth. In a citizen's transmitter, the combination with a circuit-controller, an

page_text: operating-lever connected therewith and provided with a shoulder having its outer
edge beveled and its inner edge inclined thereto, a handle lever provided with a
spring-arm carrying a beveled finger arranged to normally engage with the inclined
inner edge of the said shoulder, a spring for moving the said operating-lever when
the same is released, whereby the beveled finger and inclined edge of the shoulder
co-operate to shift the operating-lever and hence the circuit-controller, a lock
having its bolt arranged to hold the lever in its normal position, and means for
cutting out the high-resistance magnet by the shifting of the operating-lever,
substantially as described.
Ninth. In a variable signal-transmitter, the combination with a dial displaying a
series of signals or wants, of an indicator to specify any one of them, an escape-
ment mechanism through which the indicator is automatically operated, a magnet,
and an armature for controlling the said escapement mechanism, and means for
automatically actuating the escapement mechanism in its retrograde movement
when released by the armature and magnet, substantially as described.
Tenth. In a variable signal-transmitter, the combination with a dial displaying
a circularly arranged series of signals or wants, of an indicator to sweep over
them, an escapement-wheel, a pallet co-operating therewith, an armature connected
with the pallet, a magnet for actuating the armature, and a spring combined with
the wheel to actuate the same in its retrograde movement when released by the
pallet which is thereto operated by the armature and magnet, substantially as
described.
Eleventh. In a variable signal-transmitter, the combination with a dial dis-
playing a circularly arranged series of signals or wants, of an indicator to sweep
over them, an escapement wheel mounted on the same arbor with the said indicator,
a pallet engaging with the wheel, a magnet, an armature therefor_connected
with the said pallet, and a coiled spring encircling the said arbor and arranged
to actuate the same in its retrograde movement when the wheel is released by
the pallet which is thereto actuated by the armature and magnet, substantially
as described.
Twelfth. In an electric apparatus for police-service, the combination with a
central-station apparatus, of a series of sub-stations having independent electrical
connection with the central-station, and each comprising a normally retired
vertically movable glass-globe, a gas supply-pipe, a gas-cock and gas burner
adapted to maintain a constant flame, and connections between the gas-cock and
the globe-carrier, whereby the gas is automatically turned on when the globe is
raised to display the signal, and turned off when the globe is retired, substantially
as described.
Dated this 9th day of September 1891.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.