Improvements in Electric Bells and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Bells and the like.
I, JOHN GEORGE DIXON, of "Don Villa," Penistone, in the County of Yorks,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to improvements in electric bells, especially suitable
for outdoor use, the main feature being that a damp proof bell is provided.
With my invention I also arrange that by the operation of a switch or its
equivalent the bell may be changed from a continuous ringing one to a single
stroke one.
The way in which I carry out my invention is as follows:-
I form a jointless box of suitable metal or other material and in this box I
place an electro-magnet or electro-magnets, the core or cores of which is or are
provided with extensions which are brought through apertures in the said box,
being suitable insulated therefrom and from each other, a watertight joint being
formed between the said core or cores and the apertures in the box through which
they slightly project. An ordinary striker is attached to the outside of this joint-
less box by means of lugs or otherwise and the usual gong is also provided. The
line or circuit wires are brought into the box through another aperture or hole
a watertight joint being made by soldering or by any other known means, said
line wires being preferably taken into the box through a lead or other pipe of
suitable material soldered to the hole in the box or casing through, which the
wires, pass. When the magnets and other fittings, which latter are of ordinary
construction, are arranged in the metal box the cover of same is then placed in
position and soldered, brazed or otherwise attached so as to form a watertight
joint.
The above described box or casing is provided with a base plate or flange for
the purpose of attaching same to a wall, post or other support."
The way in which I change from a continuous or trembling ring to a single
stroke is as follows:-
I provide in the circuit through which my improved waterproof bell, as above
described, is operated an ordinary trembling bell apparatus consisting of the
usual electro-magnets, bell striker, and terminals, and in connection therewith
I provide two other terminals and a pivoted arm or movable piece adapted to make
contact with either of said additional terminals according as it is moved, for
example, from left to right or from right to left. When in contact with (say
for example) the left hand terminal, if the ordinary bell push is operated the
armature carrying the striker of this subsidiary bell would be simply attracted
to the core or cores of the magnet or magnets (the other pole being cut out when
the pivoted arm or contact making piece is in contact with the left hand terminal
as above described) thereby giving the single movement or stroke. The same
action (single stroke) taking place on my improved watertight bell which acts
as a repeating bell and is of course situated at any desired spot.
If now the contact making arm is moved into contact with the right hand

page_text: terminal which is connected to the other pole of this subsidiary bell said pole
is then included in the main circuit of the watertight bell and as now, when the
push button is pressed, a vibrating or trembling action takes place on the subsi-
diary bell hammer a rapid series or succession of make and break contacts are
set up thereby sending a series of momentary currents through the magnets of the
watertight bell, consequently giving a succession of beats on its gong. Practically
the striker of the subsidiary bell becomes a very rapidly moving circuit closer
for completing the circuit of the watertight bell.
Improvements in Electric Bells and the like.
I, JOHN GEORGE DIXON, of "Don Villa," Penistone, in the County of Yorks,
Engineer, 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 has reference to improvements in electric bells, especially suitable
for outdoor use, the main features being that a damp-proof bell is provided.
With my invention I also arrange that by the operation of a switch or its
equivalent the bell may be changed from a continuous ringing one to a single
stroke one, as hereinafter described.
The way in which I carry out my invention is as follows:-
I form a jointless box of suitable metal or other material and in this box I
place an electro-magnet or electro-magnets, the core or cores of which is or are
provided with extensions, which are brought through apertures in the said box,
being suitably insulated therefrom and from each other, a water-tight joint being
formed between the said core or cores and the apertures in the box through which
they slightly project. An ordinary striker is attached to the outside of this joint-
less box by means of lugs or otherwise and the usual gong is also provided. The
terminal screws for the line wires are insulated from the metal bell case and
provided with a cover screwed thereto; after the wires are connected molten
paraffin wax is poured in to surround said terminals and protect them from damp.
When the magnets and other fittings, which latter are of ordinary construction,
are fitted in the metal box or case molten paraffin wax is poured in; the cover
of the box is then screwed on or otherwise attached, the paraffin wax cooling hard
and protecting the magnets and other interior fittings from moisture.
The above described box or casing is provided with a base plate or flange for
the purpose of attaching same to a wall, post or other support.
The way in which I change from a continuous ringing or trembling stroke
to a single stroke is as follows:-
I provide in the circuit through which my improved waterproof bell, as above
described, is operated, an ordinary trembling bell apparatus, consisting of the usual
electro-magnets and bell striker, which is enclosed in a box or case preferably
of metal, the two terminal screws to which the line wires are now usually connected
being insulated from said metal case, one of said terminals being normally cut
out of or included in the circuit according as it is desired to give a single stroke
This result is obtained
or trembling stroke on my water-tight bell, or rice versa.

page_text: by providing preferably on the metal cover of the terminals a pivoted arm, one of
the circuit or line wires being connected to this arm which may or may not be
insulated from the metal bell case and which forms a switch for either connecting
or disconnecting the above mentioned terminal, with the circuit wire. I also
provide another lead out terminal to which the electro-magnet of this trembling
bell apparatus. and the wire carrying the current to my water-tight bell are
connected, said terminal being also insulated from the metal case.
I provide a special form of cover for the metal case containing the ordinary
trembling bell apparatus (which apparatus acts also as a repeater for my water-
tight bell), said cover being screwed or otherwise attached thereto, white lead
or other water-proof composition being first applied to the top of the walls of said
box or case in order to exclude moisture; this special form of cover comprises
a water-tight push for ringing my improved bell. The cover consists of a metal
plate on the outer surface of which is formed or provided a chamber in which
the contacts or terminals are arranged, said terminals projecting at both ends
through said plate from which they are insulated, the lower ends projecting into
the metal case containing the trembling bell apparatus. To one of these contact
pieces or terminals a contact spring is attached, the other end of said spring being
normally disconnected from the other contact piece or terminal, the said chamber
being covered by a flexible metallic cover which is soldered, brazed, or otherwise
suitably attached thereto, so as to form a water-tight connection with the walls
of the chamber, the electro-magnets being connected with the contact pieces or
terminals at their ends which project into the case containing the bell apparatus.
In order that my invention may be better understood and more readily carried
into effect, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which :-
Figure 1 is a front view of my improved water-tight bell with the cover removed,
showing the magnets, terminals and striker. Figure 2 is a front view of the
ordinary trembling bell apparatus with the cover removed, said apparatus as
before mentioned being for the purpose of changing the action of my water-tight
bell as illustrated in Figure 1 from a single stroke to a continuous ringing or
trembling stroke or vice versa, also acting as a repeater for same.
Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2 but with the cover placed in position,
said cover comprising the water-tight push for ringing the bell illustrated in
Figure 1, this figure also showing means for rapidly changing from the single
stroke to the trembling or continuous ringing.
Figure 4 is an end view of Figure 3. partly in section showing the construction
of my water-tight bell push forming a cover for the trembling bell apparatus.
The same letters refer to the same parts in the several figures of the drawings.
Referring to Figure 1, a is the metal case of my improved water-tight bell
provided with a base plate or flange b for attaching to the wall or other position.
care the electro-magnets fitted in the case or box a, the cores d of said magnets
e is the
projecting through the walls of the box and being insulated therefrom.
armature attached to the bell case by a spring strip f at its upper end and
carrying the striker g at its lower end. his the gong. are the usual terminal
screws for attaching the line wires, said screws being insulated from the metal
box a by collars or washers of insulating material kk. is the cover for enclosing
the terminal screws ; j¹ said cover being screwed or otherwise attached to the
metal case a and having a hole m through which the line wires pass. m³ is a
guard or hood for the armature e and striker g, and n is an adjusting screw.
When the magnets c are fitted in the case a and connections made to the terminal
screws, molten paraffin wax or other water-proof composition is poured in
so as to fill the box or case a thereby rendering the contents free from damage
by moisture, and when the cover l has been placed over the terminals jj (after
the line wires are attached thereto), a similar waterproof composition is poured
through the hole m, a metal cover or plate being then screwed or otherwise suitably
attached to the box or case a

page_text: o is a battery, o' o being the line wires connecting same with the terminal
screws of my water-tight bell illustrated in Figure 1 and pivoted arm or
switch and terminal screw of the trembling bell apparatus (Figure 2) and
terminal screws of the water-tight push on the cover thereof.
Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the corresponding parts to those in Figure 1
are similarly lettered, that is to say, the case, magnets, armature, terminal and
terminal cover. r is the ordinary pole piece of the trembling bell connected
with the terminal j¹ by wire r, the terminal screws j j¹ in Figure 2 being
insulated from the metal case containing the bell apparatus. The terminals
and are carried up through the top of the cover from which they are insulated
by washers and on the top of said cover l, or in any other convenient position,
is arranged a pivoted piece or arm 7 adapted to be moved into and out of contact
with said terminal for the purpose of changing the action of my water-tight
bell (Figure 1) from single stroke to trembling stroke or vice versa as hereinafter
described, one of the line wires o' being attached direct to this pivoted arm or
switch which is always included in the bell circuit.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, s is the metal cover of the trembling bell case
having the recess or chamber s¹ formed on the outer surface, said recess being
covered by the flexible metal cover or cap p, said cap forming a push for operating
the water-tight bell (Figure 1). are the terminals or contact pieces both ends
of which project through the covers said contact pieces being insulated from
the cover by washers or collars of insulating material. is the contact strip
or spring attached to terminal at one end the other end being normally out
of contact with terminal t.
When the flexible cover or cap p of my water-tight push (Figure 4) is depressed
the spring or strip v moves into contact with terminal thus closing the circuit
to the bell or other apparatus as hereinafter described.
Although I have described the terminal (Figure 2) and pole piece of the
trembling bell apparatus illustrated in Figure 2 as being normally cut out of the
circuit so that when the push 2 is operated a single stroke or beat only will be
given on my water-tight bell (the armature and striker of the trembling bell
being simply attracted to the cores of the magnets) yet it is obvious that if desired
it may be arranged that the said terminal and pole piece r are normally
included in the circuit by keeping the pivoted arm or switch normally in contact
with terminal 1 so that when the push p is operated a trembling or continuous
stroke will be given on the gong (Figure 1) arm being moved over into contact
with terminal (Figure 2) to change to a single stroke or beat on said gong h.
Referring to Figure 2 the action of changing from a single stroke to a trem-
bling stroke is as follows: Assuming that the normal condition is that when
the push p is operated a single beat will be given on the gong h, Figure 1, the
pivoted arm or lever will be out of contact with the terminal and conse-
quently this terminal and the pole piece r to which it is connected by wire r¹ will
be cut out of the circuit, and when push p is depressed a current is set up through
the line wire o¹ which is connected to pivoted arm or lever 1, and through the
electro-magnets c, Figure 2, through wire to terminal 3 and thence by wire o
to terminal and through magnets c (Figure 1) and thence from terminal j¹ back
to the battery o, this action simply attracting the armature e and striker g
(Figures 1 and 2) towards the cores of the magnets, said armatures and strikers
being held in this position as long as the push is depressed. When now it is
desired to change to a trembling or continuous stroke on the gong (Figure 1)
the pivoted arm or lever (Figure 2), which as before mentioned, is always
included in the circuit, (the line wire of being connected thereto), is moved into
contact with the terminal 1 (Figure 2) this including said terminal and pole
piece to which it is connected in the circuit so that when push p is operated
the current set up will pass through the terminal and pole piece r, thence
through magnets c (Figure 2) and wire to terminal 2, through line wire o to
terminal ; of my water-tight bell (Figure 1) through the magnets c thereof and

page_text: back through terminal 1 to battery o, thus setting up a trembling action on
the armature e and striker g of the trembling bell apparatus (Figure 2)
said armature forming a rapidly moving switch or contact maker and
breaker for setting up a current to the watertight bell (Figure 1) that is to say,
the movement of the armature e and striker g (Figure 2) controls the movement
of the armature and striker in Figure 1.
Although I have omitted the gong in the trembling bell apparatus in Figure 2,
if desired it might be retained.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim
is:-
1. An improved water-tight electric bell comprising the combination of a metal
box or case, electro-magnets arranged therein the cores of which project through
the metal case said electro magnets and other interior fittings being embedded
or covered by waterproof composition such as molten paraffin wax, terminal screws
insulated from said metal case, and embedded in waterproof composition covers
for said terminals and the metal bell case, and a guard for the bell striker, sub-
stantially as herein set forth with reference to the drawings annexed.
2. In the current of a single stroke electric bell the combination of a trembling
bell apparatus and a switch whereby said single stroke bell may be changed to
a trembling or continuous ringing one, or vice versa, substantially as herein set
forth.
3. In the circuit of a single stroke electric bell, the combination of a trembling
bell apparatus, a switch whereby said single stroke bell may be changed to a
trembling or continuous ringing one, and a water-tight bell push forming the
cover of the trembling bell apparatus, substantially as herein set forth with
reference to the drawings annexed.
4. An improved watertight bell push consisting of a metal base, a flexible
metal cover attached thereto in a watertight manner, a metal strip or spring
within the chamber formed by said base and flexible cover, and contact pins
insulated from said metal base, substantially as herein set forth.
וו
100d dow of Janua1808
January 1808
JOHN P. O'DONNELL, Fel. Chart. Inst., P.A.,
Agent for the said Applicant,
70 and 71, Palace Chambers, Westminster, S.W.