A New or Improved Terminal for use in connection with Pneumatic Despatch Systems.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Dec., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 7th Apr., 1900-Accepted, 19th May, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Terminal for use in connection with Pneumatic
Despatch Systems.
We, LOUIS KOSSUTHI GILLSON, of No. 1235 Monadnock Block, Corner of Dear-
born Street and Jackson Boulevard, Attorney-at-law, and CHARLES FREDERICK
BODINUS, of No. 227, S. Franklin Avenue, Mechanic, both of Chicago, County
of Cook, and State of Illinois, United States of America, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
This invention relates to what are technically known as upward discharge
terminals for pneumatic dispatch systems, wherein the carrier or cartridge is
impelled upward through a tube and in being discharged therefrom has its
direction changed so that it is thrown downwardly into the receptacle provided
for receiving it.
The object of the invention is to provide for the more certain and easy action
of the terminal, overcoming the difficulties present in terminals of the same
type now in use, as will be hereinafter more definitely explained.
The invention consists in so locating the discharge end of the delivery tube
with reference to its connection with the suction tube that, while the carrier
is cushioned as it reaches the valve at the end of the tube, the suction upon
it is lateral and does not tend to prevent its discharge from the tube.
Broadly considered, the device for which protection is sought consists of a
terminal having a passage which is divided into two branches, one of which
constitutes a portion of the return or suction tube. and the other of which is
provided with a delivery orifice. The orifice of the delivery branch is normally
closed by a spring controlled flap-valve. The length of the delivery branch is
such that the distance between the valve and the more remote juncture of the
two branches is less than the length of the carrier intended to be used in the
system, while the distance between the valve and the nearer juncture of the
two branches is sufficient to provide an air cushion for such carrier, after it
has passed the throat of the return branch, the diameter of this passage, of
course, being such that the carrier will substantially fill it. I will describe
what is commonly known as an up delivery terminal in which the main passage
leads upwardly and is overturned, through a regular arc, until it is directed
downwardly and the fork in this passage occurs in its downwardly directed
portion. While the fork may consist in leading one of the branches straight
on from the main portion or stem of the passage, and the other being led
laterally at substantially a right angle, such configuration is not essential, nor
does it form a part of the invention. Essentially the device comprises a branch
pipe, and for convenience of manufacture, I prefer to make the entire terminal,
with the exception of the valve, of cast metal and in two parts, the division
being longitudinal and central as to the tube, and the two sections being secured
together by means of screws or rivets.
More specifically described, the device consists of a tube, adapted for attach-

page_text: ment, at one of its ends, to the delivery tube of a pneumatic dispatch system,
being curved regularly through or approximately through 180 degrees, and
having its other end open; a branch, of this tube opens laterally therefrom
near, but a short distance removed from the end, and preferably this opening is
directed towards the centre of the circle of which the main member of the
tube, is an arc. The branch, is curved downwardly and is adapted for attachment
to the return, or suction member of the pneumatic dispatch system.
The tube, and its branch, are preferably of cast metal and made of two sec-
tions, division being longitudinal and central. Each section of this casting
is provided with a number of apertured lugs, by means of which the two sections
may be secured together by screws or rivets.
The delivery branch, of the passage, leads in the same general direction as the
main portion of the passage but is of somewhat reduced diameter and has an
open end, and is equipped with a valve, preferably a simple flap valve, con-
sisting of a disc of leather, attached by means of screws, to an arm, which is
pivoted between a pair of lugs, formed upon the tube. A spring, coiled upon
the hinge pin, upon which the valve swings, is adapted to hold the valve closed.
While I prefer this manner and form of mounting for the valve I do not desire
to be limited thereto as any valve provided with means for normally closing the
same, and which may be opened by the impact of the carrier from within, may
be employed.
I am aware that terminals have been employed which are, generally speaking,
similar in form to the one which is the subject of this application, but so far
as I am aware none have been made which operate in an entirely satisfactory
manner. Either the discharge opening is in such direct communication with
the suction branch that draft is entirely suspended in the delivery branch
when the valve is opened, or the suction branch is so connected with the delivery
branch that there is a strong back pull upon the carrier after it passes this
connection and as a consequence the discharge of the carrier is prevented. When
the former difficulty is present, it results in the dropping of a succeeding
carrier, should there be one in the tube when the valve is opened.
When the suction branch is so located as to produce the back pull upon
the carrier, there is united a closed pocket at the end of the delivery tube, of
such extent, that the advance of the carrier is so gradually checked by the
compression of the air that there is not a sufficient impact upon the valve to open
it, or if opened by the compression of the air, it closes again before the carrier
reaches it and the momentum of the latter has by that time been so far spent
that it is not sufficient to again open the valve, held as it is not only by spring
or counter-weight, but also by the suction within the tube.
These several difficulties I have completely overcome in the terminal forming
the subject of this application by so locating the discharge aperture with reference
to the connection of the branch, with the tube, that only a sufficient cushioning
effect is secured as the carrier passes the mouth of the branch, to prevent a
too violent impact upon the valve, the momentum of the carrier, however, not
being reduced sufficiently to prevent it from forcing its way out. Furthermore,
the mouth of the branch, is located sufficiently near the valve so that the carrier
overlaps it as its forward end reaches the discharge orifice. Carriers as invari-
ably made have enlarged ends, the diameter of which is substantially that of the
passage through which they are to be driven. As the forward end of such a
carrier passes the throat of the suction branch, of the passage, there is, of course,
a partial vacuum before it in the delivery branch, due to the fact that the
system is operated by suction, and as a result there will, for an instant, by a
forward impulse given to the carrier and for the same instant the closing
pressure upon the valve will continue. The advance of the carrier, by reducing
the dimensions of the chamber in front of it, quickly raises the pressure therein
to and above that of the atmosphere. The air cushion thus formed absorbs, in
part, the momentum of the carrier and reaches the force of its impact against

page_text: the valve, thereby greatly lessening the injury to the carrier resulting from
such impact.
On the other hand, as communication between the two branches,
is cut off by this advance end of the carrier the closing pressure upon the valve,
due to the continuing suction in the branch, is of course, stopped. While the
carrier overlaps the throat of the branch passage, it is in effect a balanced valve
therefor, and hence the suction therein is without effect, either to retard or
advance it. As the carrier thus overlaps the throat of the branch passage, at the
time of its impact upon the valve, it follows, from the foregoing that the only
resistance to the advance of the carrier is found in the tension of the spring, and
this the reduced momentum of the carrier is able to overcome. As the forward
end of the carrier emerges from the discharge orifice, its rearward end uncovers
the branch passage, to the main passage, and the inrush of air from the latter,
due to the renewal of draft upon it, tends to impart to the carrier a forward
impulse. When the rearward end of the carrier has passed beyond the throat of
the branch passage, a retarding pressure is applied to it, which, while not
sufficient to hold it in the delivery branch, tends to still further check its momen-
tum and hence to ease its fall into the receptacle.
During this act of delivery there has practically been no interruption of the
suction applied to the main passage. The only period of interruption of the
direct communication between the suction branch, and the main passage, is while
the throat of the former is covered by the carrier. During this time, however,
the carrier constitutes a rapidly moving piston which prevents any reduction
in the speed of movement of the contents of the passage behind it. As soon as the
rearward end of the carrier uncovers the throat of the branch passage, to the
main passage, the direct suction through the latter is again resumed.
A still further and decided advantage present in the construction described
is found in the fact that by the opening of the valve no direct communication
between the outside atmosphere and the interior of the suction branch is opened,
except to the extent of the slight difference between the external diameter of
the carrier and the internal diameter of the branch. As these two diameters
are made as nearly alike as practicable, and as the branch passage is of con-
siderable length the suction in the branch passage, 1S not even for
an instant satisfied by the opening of the valve, and hence as soon as the
rearward end of the carrier uncovers the branch passage to the main passage
the suction within the former is at once applied with full force to the latter.
Though I have described an upward discharge terminal, and my
invention relates more particularly to this type of device, it is nevertheless
applicable to any form of terminal in which the delivery is from a branch
having a valve opened by the impact of the carrier and discharging in a direc-
tion transverse to the return tube, so that an air cushion or buffer may be
provided in the delivery branch in which the body of the carrier lies across
the induction end of the return tube.
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
A New or Improved Terminal for use in connection with Pneumatic
Despatch Systems.
We, Louis KOSSUTH GILLSON, of No. 1235 Monadnock Block, Corner of Dear-
born Street and Jackson Boulevard, Attorney-at-law, and CHARLES FREDERICK

page_text: BODINUS, of No. 227, S. Franklin Avenue, Mechanic, both in the City of Chicago,
County of Cook and State of Illinois, United States of America, 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:-
:-
This invention relates to what are technically known as upward discharge
terminals for pneumatic dispatch systems, wherein the carrier or cartridge is
impelled upward through a tube and in being discharged therefrom has its
direction changed so that it is thrown downwardly into the receptacle provided
for receiving it.
The object of the invention is to provide for the more certain and easy action
of the terminal, overcoming the difficulties present in terminals of the same
type now in use, as will be hereinafter more definitely explained.
The invention consists in so locating the discharge end of the delivery tube
with reference to its connection with the suction tube that, while the carrier
is cushioned as it reaches the valve at the end of the tube, the suction upon
it is lateral and does not tend to prevent its discharge from the tube.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a central vertical section of my improved terminal;
Fig. 2, is a bottom plan view of the same; and
Fig. 3, is a transverse section of the complete terminal, taken on the line 3–3
of Fig. 1.
Broadly considered, the device for which protection is sought consists of a
terminal having a passage which is divided into two branches, one of which
constitutes a portion of the return or suction tube. and the other of which is
provided with a delivery orifice. The orifice of the delivery branch is normally
closed by a spring controlled flap-valve. The length of the delivery branch is
such that the distance between the valve and the more remote juncture of the
two branches is less than the length of the carrier intended to be used in the
system, while the distance between the valve and the nearer juncture of the
two branches is sufficient to provide an air cushion for such carrier, after it
has passed the throat of the return branch, the diameter of this passage, of
course, being such that the carrier will substantially fill it. I show
what is commonly known as an up delivery terminal in which the main passage
leads upwardly and is overturned, through a regular arc, until it is directed
downwardly and the fork in this passage occurs in its downwardly directed
portion. While I show the fork to consist in leading one of the branches straight
on from the main portion or stem of the passage, and the other as being led
laterally at substantially a right angle, such configuration is not essential, nor
does it form a part of the invention. Essentially the device comprises a branch
pipe, and for convenience of manufacture, I prefer to make the entire terminal,
with the exception of the valve, of cast metal and in two parts, the division
being longitudinal and central as to the tube, and the two sections being secured
together by means of screws or rivets.
More specifically described, the device consists of a tube, A, adapted for
attachment, at one of its ends, a, to the delivery tube of a pneumatic dispatch
system, being curved regularly through or approximately through 180 degrees,
and having its other end, A', open; a branch, B, of this tube opens laterally
therefrom near but a short distance removed from the end, A', and preferably
this opening is directed towards the center of the circle of which the main
member of the tube, A, is an arc. The branch B, is curved downwardly and is
adapted for attachment to the return, or suction member of the pneumatic dis-
patch system.
The tube, A, and its branch, B, are preferably of cast metal and made of two
sections, division being longitudinal and central. Each section of this casting
is provided with a number of apertured lugs, E, by means of which the two
sections may be secured together by screws or rivets.

page_text: The delivery branch, A¹ of the passage A is shown as leading in the same general
direction as the main portion of the passage but as being of somewhat reduced
diameter and having an open end, and is equipped with a valve, preferably a
simple flap valve, C, being a disk of leather, attached by means of screws, as
shown, to an arm, F, which is pivoted between a pair of lugs, f, formed upon
the tube. A spring, G, coiled upon the hinge pin, g, upon which the valve
swings, is adapted to hold the valve closed. While I prefer the manner and
form of mounting for the valve shown in the drawings, I do not desire to be
limited thereto as any valve provided with means for normally closing the same,
and which is openable by the impact of the carrier from within, may be
employed.
I am aware that terminals have been employed which are, generally speaking,
similar in form to the one which is the subject of this application, but so far
as I am aware none have been made which operate in an entirely satisfactory
manner. Either the discharge opening is in such direct communication with
the suction branch that draft is entirely suspended in the delivery branch
when the valve is opened, or the suction branch is so connected with the delivery
branch that there is a strong back pull upon the carrier after it passes this
connection and as a consequence the discharge of the carrier is prevented. When
the former difficulty is present, it results in the dropping of a succeeding
carrier, should there be one in the tube when the valve is opened.
When the suction branch is so located as to produce the back pull upon the
carrier, there is united a closed pocket at the end of the delivery tube, A¹, of such
extent, that the advance of the carrier is so gradually checked by the com-
pression of the air that there is not a sufficient impact upon the valve to open it,
or if opened by the compression of the air, it closes again before the carrier
reaches it and the momentum of the latter has by that time been so far spent
that it is not sufficient to again open the valve, held as it is not only by spring
or counter-weight, but also by the suction within the tube.
These several difficulties I have completely overcome in the terminal forming
the subject of this application, by so locating the discharge aperture with refer-
ence to the connection of the branch, B, with the tube, A, that only a sufficient
cushioning effect is secured as the carrier, X, passes the mouth of the branch, B,
to prevent a too violent impact upon the valve, the momentum of the carrier,
however, not being reduced sufficiently to prevent it from forcing its way out.
Furthermore, the mouth of the branch, B, is located sufficiently near the valve
so that the carrier overlaps it as its forward end reaches the discharge orifice.
Carriers as invariably made have enlarged ends, the diameter of which is sub-
stantially that of the passage through which they are to be driven. As the
forward end of such a carrier passes the throat of the suction branch, B, of
the passage, there is, of course, a partial vacuum before it in the delivery
branch, A, due to the fact that the system is operated by suction, and as a
result there will, for an instant, be a forward impulse given to the carrier
and for the same instant the closing pressure upon the valve will continue.
The advance of the carrier, by reducing the dimensions of the chamber in front
of it, quickly raises the pressure therein to and above that of the atmosphere.
The air cushion thus formed absorbs, in part, the momentum of the carrier
and reduces the force of its impact against the valve, thereby greatly lessening
the injury to the carrier resulting from such impact. On the other hand, as
communication between the two branches, A and B, is cut off by this advance
end of the carrier, the closing pressure upon the valve, due to the continuing
suction in the branch, B, is, of course, stopped. While the carrier overlaps the
throat of the branch passage, B, it is in effect a balanced valve therefor, and hence
the suction therein is without effect, either to retard or advance it. As the carrier
thus overlaps the throat of the branch passage B, at the time of its impact upon the
valve, it follows, from the foregoing, that the only resistance to the advance of the
carrier is found in the tension of the spring and this the reduced momentum of the

page_text: carrier is able to overcome. As the forward end of the carrier emerges from the
discharge orifice, its rearward end uncovers the branch passage, B, to the main
passage, A, and the inrush of air from the latter, due to the renewal of draft
upon it, tends to impart to the carrier a forward impulse. When the rear-
ward end of the carrier has passed beyond the throat of the branch passage, B, a
retarding pressure is applied to it, which, while not sufficient to hold it
in the delivery branch, tends to still further check its momentum and hence to
ease its fall into the receptacle.
During this act of delivery there has practically been no interruption of the
suction applied to the main passage. The only period of interruption of the
direct communication between the suction branch,, B, and the main passage, A,
is while the throat of the former is covered by the carrier. During this time,
however, the carrier constitutes a rapidly moving piston which prevents any
reduction in the speed of movement of the contents of the passage behind it. As
soon as the rearward end of the carrier uncovers the throat of the passage, B,
to the passage, A, the direct suction through the latter is again resumed.
As
A still further and decided advantage present in the construction described
is found in the fact that by the opening of the valve, no direct communication
between the outside atmosphere and the interior of the suction branch B, is
opened, except to the extent of the slight difference between the external
diameter of the carrier and the internal diameter of the branch passage A¹.
these two diameters are made as nearly alike as practicable, and as the branch
passage A¹, is of considerable length, the suction in the branch passage B, is
not even for an instant satisfied by the opening of the valve, and hence as soon
as the rearward end of the carrier uncovers the branch passage B, to the
passage A, the suction within the former is at once applied with full force
to the latter.
Though I have shown and described an upward discharge terminal, and my
invention relates more particularly to this type of device, it is nevertheless
applicable to any form of terminal in which the delivery is from a branch
having a valve opened by the impact of the carrier and discharging in a direc-
tion transverse to the return tube, so that an air cushion or buffer may be
provided in the delivery branch in which the body of the carrier lies across
the induction end of the return tube.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. A delivery terminal for pneumatic dispatch systems having a branching
passage, one branch thereof being an air return passage and the other branch a
carrier discharge passage having an open end, and an outwardly opening spring-
closed flap valve for such open end; the diameter of the discharge passage
being substantially that of the carrier intended for use in the system, and its
length being such that it forms an air cushion for the carrier, and the carrier,
when it strikes the valve, will overlap, approximately entirely, the throat of
the air return passage.
2. An upward delivery terminal for pneumatic dispatch systems having a
passage curved to direct its end downwardly, and being divided into an air return
branch leading laterally from the main portion of the passage, and a carrier
delivery branch being continued in the same general direction as the said main
passage and having an open end, a valve for such open end and being openable by
the impact of a carrier; the length of the delivery branch being sufficient to form
an air cushion to check the momentum of the carrier, and the distance from
the open end of the delivery branch to the more remote side of the air return
passage being not greater than the length of the carrier intended to be used in the
system.
3. In a pneumatic dispatch terminal, a tube having a carrier discharge branch,

page_text: the direction of discharge being transverse to the air return portion of the
tube, a valve for the discharge branch openable by impact of a carrier, the dis-
charge branch being the only means of communication with the interior of
the tube opened by the discharge of the carrier, and being prolonged beyond the
air return portion of the pipe to form an air cushion, but the distance from the
outer end of the discharge branch to the more remote side of the air return
portion of the tube being not greater than the length of the carrier intended to
be used in the system.
Dated this 7th day of April 1900
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.