Improvements in Telephonic Apparatus.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 18th May, 1895
Improvements in Telephonic Apparatus.
I, NORVAL LANDON BURCHELL, of No. 1102 Vermont Avenue, North West,
Washington City, District of Columbia, United States of America, Lawyer and
Merchant, 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 :-
My invention relates to telephonic apparatus and has for its object to provide a
telephone of any ordinary type with means of supporting the transmitter and
receiver so that they can be adjusted to suit persons of different height and to allow
the receiver to be applied to either ear. For this purpose I provide a telephone
with a swinging arm carrying the transmitter, and an extensible arm carrying the
receiver, the parts being so arranged that the distance between the transmitter and
receiver may be readily varied; the position of the receiver can be adjusted to suit
persons of different heights and its adjustment is accompanied by a suitable relative
adjustment of the transmitter, and also that the receiver can be reversed in order to
be applied to either ear, its reversal being accompanied by a corresponding change
in position of the transmitter. The swinging arm moreover is combined with
contacts and conductors so arranged that in its normal position it switches, the
magneto-bell into the line and cuts out the receiver and transmitter, and, by
swinging it into position for use, it switches both the receiver and transmitter into
line and cuts the bell-circuit out.
I also utilise the motion of the swinging arm for operating the magneto-bell;
combining with it circuits and contacts such that the magneto-machine supplies
current to the bell-coils during the whole or part of the movement of the arm, at
the will of the operator, the arm being supported in any position when the
telephone is in use, by the resistance of the armature of the magneto mechanism.
I shall describe my invention referring to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section the front wall of the telephone-box
being partly broken away to expose the interior.
Figure 2 is a central vertical section through the telepbone-box, the parts below
being shown in side elevation.
Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of circuits.
Figure is a detail perspective showing part of the mechanism for operating the
magneto and for limiting, or extending, the supply of current to the bell-coils.
Figure 5 is a central, or axial section, showing the circuit-controller.
Figure 6 is a plan of its rear end.
Figure 7 is a transverse section through the pivotted arm and the supporting-arm
for the transmitter.
1 indicates the telephone-box, which, contains only the bell-coils and the
magneto machine exciting them. The bell-gongs 2 are mounted on the front of the
box and their coils 3 upon the inner face of the front, the striker 4 being between
the gongs on a vibrating armature 5.
The magneto machine by which the coils 3 are excited and by which current is
supplied to the line wire and bell-coils at a distant station consists of a set of
permanent horse shoe magnets 6, forming the magnetic field and a Siemens “H”
armature which is carried by a shaft 7 mounted in bearings 8 and driven by
multiplying gear 9.
The first wheel of the multiplying gear 9 is on a shaft 10, journalled in a closed

page_text: bearing 12 which is supported upon the edges of the permanent magnets 6 next to
the front wall of the telephone box in a metallic bracket 13, bolted, or screwed, to
the pole-pieces. In this bracket is formed a vertical channel 14 of such depth that
it passes through the outer wall of the bearing and exposes the shaft 10 on which
is a small pinion 15, the teeth of which project into the channel 14, as shown in
Figure 2, and gear with a rack 16 the lower end of which has lugs 17 jointing it to
a link 18. This link passes through a hole 19 in the bottom of the box and is
jointed by a pin 18* between two arms 20 which project from the periphery of a
circular bearing 21. This bearing forms part of, or is attached to an arm 22 and
lies between the sides of a double bracket 23 being pivotted on a pin 24. When
the arm 22 hangs vertically, as in Figure 2, the arms 20 are inclined backwards as
shewn.
Upon the arm 22 is fitted a sleeve 25 which can turn partly round, but is
prevented from moving longitudinally by a pin or screw 26 passing through a slot 27.
From the sleeve 25 projects a bracket 28 carrying a transmitter 29 of any known
kind. The diaphragm of the transmitter is usually at right angles to the axis of
the arm 22, and the transmitter casing may be conveniently attached to a flat
plate 30 fixed to a part of the bracket 28. The slot 27 is such that the transmitter
may be moved to either side of the arm 22.
The sleeve 25 extends some distance beyond the end of the arm 22 and has
inserted in its open end a telescopic tube 31 which is split for part of its length, so
as to form a spring causing sufficient friction to hold the tube 31 at any point and
at the same time allowing the tube to be more or less turned or moved longitudinally.
Upon the end of the tube 31 is a forked bracket 32 to which is jointed by a pin 34
a short link plate 33 carrying a clip 35 one arm of which is detachable and is
fastened by a screw 36. This clip embraces the body 36° of a telephone receiver
which can be moved longitudinally in the clip if necessary. A person swinging the
arm 22 forward to nearly a horizontal position and standing directly in front of the
transmitter 29 will have the receiver close to one ear, say the left. By turning
the sleeve 25 so as to swing the transmitter over to the other side of the arm 22 he
can have the receiver at his right ear, it being turned with the sleeve 25.
In front of the bracket 13 is a vertical frame formed of hard rubber or other
insulating material and having two parallel members 37 separated from each other.
In the edge of one of these parallel parts as shewn in Figure 3 is set a strip 38, of
copper or other suitable conducting material. In the edge of the other are set two
strips of like material 39 and 40, the former being the longer, these strips being
separated by insulating material 41. Between these opposite and parallel strips
there is a bridge-contact, consisting of two conducting rubbers 42 mounted on an
insulating block 43, which is fixed to the front of the rack bar 16. The rubbers
are electrically connected so that, as they move up and down with the bar 16, they
connect strip 38 with 39, and with 40.
Upon an insulating bracket 44 on the front of the parallèl members 37, is mounted
a circuit-controller, consisting of a block 45 having a chamber 45 in which is
arranged a spring push-button 46 having a stem 47 which passes through the back
of the chamber. Upon the end of the stem 47 is a conducting washer 48 loosely
mounted on a reduced portion of the stem so that it may rock a little accommodating
its position to the points with which it may bear and press equally on each.
A spring 49 urges the push-button outwards as far as permitted by the washer 48,
which is held by the spring against two contacts 50 and 51 thus connected,
electrically speaking, through the washer. In a chamber 52 is fixed by its one end
by screw 54 an elastic conducting strip 53 the other end bearing against a
contact 55 behind which is a separate contact 56. When the push-button 46 is
pushed in the washer 48 leaves the contacts 50 and 51, thereby breaking their
electrical connection, and the end of the stem 47 pressing upon the strip 53 throws
its end off the contact 55 and on the separate contact 56.
:
As shewn in Figure 3, the signal, or bell-circuit, consists of a wire 57, from one
pole of the magneto machine to the coil of the electro-magnet of the bell-call, and

page_text: thence of a wire 58 to a binding post 59, to which also the line-wire L is secured.
The circuit is completed by a wire 60, from a second binding-post 61, to which also
the main line is connected to the contact 53, theuce, from the contact 55, by a
wire 62, to the contact strip 38. through the rubbers 42 to the contact-strip 40, and
thence by a wire 63 to a brush 8* in contact with the end of the armature shaft, or
the other pole of the magneto machine. When the brushes 42 are between the
contact-strip 38 and 40, which is their normal position when the telephone is not
in use, the magneto machine is short circuited by a shunt wire 64, from the wire 57
to the contact 51, thence through the washer 48, and contact 50 by a wire 65 to the
strip 40, and, from the connection to the wire 65, by the wire 63 to the brush 8*.
In order to call the central station, or to ring up a subscriber, this short circuit is
opened, by pushing the button 46 far enough to move the washer 48 off the contacts 50
and 51 but not farther. The circuit of the magneto machine, including the bell-
coils and line-wire, is then by wires 57, 58 and 60, contact-strip 53, contact 55, wire 62,
strip 38, rubbers 42, strip 40, and wire 63, as described. The magneto machine
being. then operated by swinging the arm carrying the transmitter and receiver,
the bell rings as long as the rubbers 42 remain on the strips 38 and 40.
they pass the break 41, the circuit is broken; thus the peal of the bell has duration
proportioned to the length of the contact-strip 40. When a longer peal is desired,
the button 46 is pressed still further in, so as to break the contact of 53 with 55
and make it with 56. The circuit is then by the wire 57 and on the path already
described as far as contact strip 53, whence it goes by contact 56, through the
wire 66 to 65, and by it and the wire 63 to the brush 8. As this circuit does not
include the contact strips 38-39-40, the bell rings as long as the armature of the
magneto revolves continuously, or, in other words, as long as current is supplied,
while the contact-strip 53 remains on the contact 56. Thus an operator can ring
a short call, or a series of short calls, according to the swings of the arm 22, or to
ring one or more peals continuous during the full length of each swing. This
is convenient, as it enables the operator to avoid all unnecessary clamour of the
bell, while, at the same time, he can prolong the call, should circumstances render
this necessary.
When
The transmitting and receiving circuits are as follows. Starting from the
positive electrode of the transmitter 29, the circuit is over a wire 67 to and through
two connected binding-posts 68, thence by wire 69 to one electrode of the receiver,
and thence by a wire 70 to the binding-post 59 and line wire. The circuit is
completed by wire 60, contact strip 53, contact 55, wire 62, strip 38, rubbers 42,
strip 39 and a wire 71 to the negative electrode of the transmitter.
It is
The receiving-circuit, starting from the line wire and binding-post 61, is by
wire 60, contact-strip 53, contact 55, wire 62, contact-strips 38 and 39, wire 71,
through the electrodes of the transmitter, then by wire 67, binding-posts 68,
wire 69, through the receiver, and by wire 70 to the post 59 and line wire.
to be understood that both the transmitter and receiver circuits are made by
moving the arm 22, so as to bring the transmitter and receiver into position for use,
this movement taking the rubbers 42 off the strip 40 and bringing them between 38
and 39.
When the telephone is not in use, these circuits are open, as the arm 22 is then
hanging vertically as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the bridge-contact is in the
position shown in Figure 3, its rubbers 42 bearing upon the contact strips 38
and 40.
The arm 22 with the transmitter and receiver, is supported anywhere by the
resistance to rotation of the armature of the magneto machine in certain of its
positions, this resistance along with friction being sufficient to sustain the weight.
of the parts.
By my invention the receiver is readily and instantaneously adjustable to any
desired point with relation to the ear, and its adjustment causes a corresponding
and relatively suitable adjustment of the transmitter, which may also be placed at
any suitable distance from the mouth of the person using the telephone.

page_text: The adjustment of the arm 22 may also be caused to operate the magneto-call at
the central station, or at a local station with which communication is being held.
Moreover, swinging of the arm outward switches in the transmitting and receiving
circuits and cuts-out the magneto circuit, while the restoration of the arm to its
normal position when the telephone is not in use, cuts out the receiver and
transmitter circuits and switches the bell-circuit into the main line.
Although I have described and shewn a magneto machine for producing the
electric currents required for the call, obviously other generators may be employed
provided they are arranged to be operated in the manner described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what. I
claim in respect of telephonic apparatus is':-
1. A pivotted arm adapted to vibrate in a vertical plane and provided with a
supporting-arm extended in the same axial line, and having a lateral bracket-arm
carrying the transmitter, and at or near the end of the supporting-arm, a support
for the receiver, capable of a limited rotary movement, to move the transmitter to
either side of the supporting-arm and to give a corresponding adjustment to the
receiver, whereby the latter may be applied to either ear, substantially as
described.
2. The combination with an arm pivotted to swing in a vertical plane, of a
supporting-arm extended in the same axial line and provided with a lateral bracket-
arm carrying the transmitter, and an extensión-arm capable of prolongation in the
axial line of the supporting-arm, and having an attachment for the receiver, the
said arm being capable of a limited rotary movement to shift the transmitter to
either side and to give a corresponding adjustment to the receiver, whereby the
latter may be applied to either ear, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a pivotted arm adapted to swing in a vertical plane, of
a supporting arm having its axis coinciding with that of the pivotted arm which
enters its end, this supporting arm having a transverse slot to receive a pin fixed
in the pirotted arm to allow a limited rotary movement in the common axial line,
a transmitter mounted on a rigid arm projecting laterally from the supporting arm,
and a receiver at or near the end of the same, whereby the receiver may be adjusted
to either ear and the transmitter brought upon either side of the arm, substantially
as described.
4. The combination with a pivotted arm of a supporting arm capable of a limited
rotary movement thereon and having a lateral arm supporting the transmitter, a
receiver on the end of said supporting arm, and a magneto machine the armature
of which is caused to revolve by the swinging of the pivotted arm, substantially as
described.
5. The combination with a pivotted arm supporting a transmitter and a receiver,
of a magneto machine operated by the arm and supporting the same in different
attitudes by the resistance to rotation of its armature, substantially as described.
6. The combination with a pivotted arm supporting one or more of the parts
of the telephone of a magneto machine operated by the arm and supporting the
latter in different attitudes by the resistance which the aimature offers to rotation
substantially as described.
7. The combination with a pivotted arm carrying a receiver and transmitter of
a magneto machine, multiplying gear operating the armature, a rack engaging the
first pinion of the gear and jointed to the pivotted arm, an electric circuit for the
magneto machine including the bell coils, the receiving and transmitting circuits, a
short circuit for the magneto machine, rubbers operated by the pivotted arm to cut
the magueto call out and bring the receiver and transmitter into circuit with the
line, and a circuit controller which normally short circuits the magneto machine
and vice versa, substantially as described.
8. The combination with a pivotted arm supporting a receiver and transmitter
of a magneto.machine, means for operating its armature by the arm, a bell circuit,

page_text: a short circuit for the magneto machine, a transmitter and a receiver circuit and a
circuit controller to cut out the short circuit, substantially as described.
9. The combination with a pivotted arm carrying a transmitter and receiver, of
a magneto machine, bell coils excited thereby, means for operating the armature of
the machine by the swinging of the pivotted arm, circuits for the bell, and for the
magneto machine a short circuit for the machine, transmitter and receiver circuits,
a circuit controller having a push-button and stem carrying a conducting washer
to make and break the short circuit, parallel contact-strips one of them having two
parts, the one connected in the transmitter circuit and the other in the short
circuit of the magneto machine and a bridge contact having rubbers sweeping the
parallel strips as the pivotted arm swings, substantially as described.
10. The combination with a pivotted arm carrying the transmitter and receiver,
of a sliding switch operated by the arm, circuits for the transmitter and receiver
and for the generator supplying current to the bell-coils, a short circuit for the
generator, and parallel contact strips on which the sliding switch moves, these
strips being connected in the separate circuits and one of them having a break for
cutting the bell coils out and the receiver and transmitter in, and vice versa,
substantially as described.
11. Telephonic apparatus arranged and operating substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
... 10
.
ATA 1
1005
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.