CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC TELEGRAPHS
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention of "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC TELEGRAPHS."-A communication
from abroad by Mr. Leverett Bradley, of Folsom, City in the County of
Sacramento, and State of California. Doctor of Medicine.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th September 1859.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC TELEGRAPHS," to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists, first, in arranging the type mechanism of electro-
magnetic telegraphs in such a manner that a double closing of the circuit is
effected as each tooth of the type comes in contact with the closing mechanism;
it consists, secondly, in a particular arrangement of the type and composing
sticks in combination with an insulating plate carrying the mechanism for
breaking and closing the circuit, whereby the contact of the closing mechanism
with the face of the type is insured. Thirdly, in the employment of the
vibrating hook or click, and a vibrating arm or bar arranged in combination
with a vibrating insulating plate, and with type and composing sticks for
closing the circuit. Fourthly, in arranging a spring, or its equivalent, in such
relation to the composing stick and type, that the latter are made to form a
portion of the circuit. Fifthly, I a particular arrangement of the carrying
band in combination with the mechanism for closing the circuit, and with the

page_text: composing sticks that are placed on said band, whereby the sticks are succes-
sively carried forward in the order in which they are arranged, brought into the
circuit, and the message transmitted without interuption. Sixthly, in arranging,
in combination with the carrying band, an inclined plane in such a man-
ner that the composing sticks are recieved from the band so as not to interfere
with each others delivery, and in the same order in which they were placed
on the band. Seventhly, in constructing the composing sticks and types in
such a manner that the sticks, when filled with the types, shall present an even
and flat surface on either side. Eighthly, in arranging a movable platform
with the recording mechanism in combination with the cylinder carrying the
record paper, so that the message as transmitted is recorded in parallel lines
on the paper. Ninthly, in the employment of a siphon of particular con-
struction for the purpose of recording the messages. Tenthly, in arranging an
arm and two india-rubber balls or their equivalents in such relation to the pen
that the same is kept steady and in the proper position, as one of its ends is
pressed down into a funnel in the mouth of the inkstand, and the other in a
suitable socket in the end of the arm that connects with the armature; and
lastly, in the peculiar arrangements of a double-armed standard, with a knife-
edged bearing in one arm, and a set screw on the other, for the purpose of
regulating the tension of the spring that carries the armature, and in the
employment of a counterspring or its equivalent in combination with the
spring that carries the armature, to enable its working with the slightest
current.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th
March 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-third year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said William Clark, Her special licence that I, the said
William Clark, my executors, administrators and assigns, or such others
as I, the said William Clark, executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all

page_text: "
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC TELEGRAPHS,' a communication
from abroad by Mr. Levrett Bradley, of Folsom, City in the County of Sacre-
mento, State of California, Doctor of Medicine, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Clark, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing, under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Clark do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto
annexed and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
This Invention consists, first, in arranging the type mechanism in such a
manner that a double closing of the circuit is effected as each tooth of the
type comes in contact with the closing mechanism; it consists, secondly, in
a particular arrangement of the type and composing sticks in combination with
an insulating plate carrying the mechanism for breaking and closing the
circuit, whereby the contact of the closing mechanism with the face of the
type is insured. Thirdly, in the employment of a vibrating hook or click and
a vibrating arm or bar arranged in combination with a vibrating insulating
plate, and with type and composing sticks for closing the circuit. Fourthly,
in arranging a spring or its equivalent in such relation to the composing stick
and type, that the latter are made to form a portion of the circuit. Fifthly,
in a particular arrangement of the carrying band in combination with the
mechanism for closing the circuit and with the composing sticks that are
placed on said band, whereby the sticks are successively carried forward in the
order in which they are arranged, brought into the circuit, and the message
transmitted without interuption. Sixthly, in arranging, in combination with
the carrying band, an inclined plane in such a manner that the composing
sticks are received from the band so as not to interfere with each other's
delivery, and in the same order in which they were placed on the band.
Seventhly, in constructing the composing sticks and types in such a manner
that the sticks, when filled with the type, shall present an even and flat surface
on either side. Eighthly, in arranging a movable platform with the recording

page_text: mechanism in combination with the cylinder carrying the record paper, so that
the message as transmitted is recorded in parallel lines on the paper.
Ninthly, in the employment of a syphon pen of particular construction, for the
purpose of recording the messages. Tenthly, in arranging an arm and two
india-rubber balls or their equivalents in such relation to the pen, that the
same is kept steady and in the proper position, as one of its ends is pressed
down into a funnel in the mouth of the inkstand, and the other in a suitable
socket in the end of the arm that connects with the armature; and, lastly, in
the peculiar arrangement of a double-armed standard, with a knife-edged
bearing in one arm and a set screw in the other for the purpose of regulating
the tension of the spring that carries the armature, and in the employment of
a counteracting spring or its equivalent in combination with the spring that
carries the armature to enable its working with the slightest current.
The Invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying Drawings of this
Specification, in which Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of the Invention;
Fig. 2 is a plan or top view of the same; Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical
section of the same, the line x, x, in Fig. 2 indicating the plane of section;
Fig. 4 is a face view of one of the composing sticks filled with type; Fig. 5 is
a transverse vertical section of the same; Fig. 6 is a plan or top view of a
sheet of paper representing two different modes of recording a message, one in
a continuous line, and the other by dots and lines; Fig. 7 is a detached
sectional view of one of the standards for adjusting the spring with the
armature; and Fig. 8 is a detached sectional view of the platform, with the
recording mechanism arranged to record a message in dots and lines. Similar
letters of reference in all the Figures refer to corresponding parts.
A is a platform on which a frame B is errected, which frame forms the
bearing for the axles a, a', of two rollers C, C', which serve to give motion to
an endless belt D, and attached to one of the axles a is a crank E that
serves to operate the instrument. The belt D is provided with slats 6 placed
crossways on the same end at such distances apart that the composing sticks
(which are all made of uniform length) fit between two of the same. The
composing sticks are constructed of sheet metal bent over so as to form a
groove to receive the types F1, and the lower end of the types is thinner,
leaving a shoulder, and bringing the upper surface of the types up flush
with the upper surface of the composing sticks, as clearly shown in Fig. 5.
The upper edge of the types is notched, and it projects beyond the composing
sticks, so that the teeth formed in said edge between the notches by acting
against a suitable hook or click serve to close the circuit, as will be herein-after
more fully described. Attached to the upper edge of the frame Bare the guides

page_text: G, which serve to keep the composing sticks in proper line; and one of these
guides G is furnished with a plate 2*, that extends across the whole width of
the belt D, leaving only just room enough for the sticks to pass under it. If,
therefore, a number of composing sticks be placed on the belt, one on the top
of the other, and the crank is now rotated, one stick after another will pass
under the plate 72, and under a spring c, which is attached to a cross bar d,
and which slides over the surface of the sticks F; these latter, as well as the
spring c, is made of a good conductor, and they form one way of closing the
circuit, as will be hereinafter fully explained.
The end B¹ of the frame B forms an inclined plane, in which the several
composing sticks are deposited after having passed over the band D. The
lower end of the said inclined plane is considerably lower than the top of the
band, so that the sticks on the inclined plane do not interfere with the motion
of the sticks on the band. The sticks are deposited on the inclined plane B¹,
one above the other in precisely the same order as that in which they were
placed on the band; for the advancing ends of the sticks, as they leave the
band, strike the inclined plane or the stick upon it, and slide up it until their
other ends pass completely over the roller C, and drop down out of the of
way
succeeding sticks, which are deposited each directly upon its predecessors.
By thus collecting the sticks in the same order as that in which they have
been set up in the dispatch, they can be put away in the same manner, and so
preserved till the dispatch is all set up, or for as long a time as may be
desirable to enable any necessary correction to be made in the dispatch, or for
any other purpose. H represents the circuit breaker, the several parts of
which are arranged on an ivory plate e, which is attached to the frame B by
n:eans of a pivot e, and the upper surface of the plate e is flush, or nearly so,
with the upper surface of the belt D, with the exception of the projection e*
that rises above the upper part of the plate e. The corners of this projection
are rounded off, so that the same do not interfere with the motion of the
sticks, and a spring f, that presses on the back edge of the plate e, keeps the
projection e a little in advance of the guides G on the top of the frame B.
The vibrating insulating plate e forms the bearings for two pivots g' and ',
and the pivot g forms the fulcrum of the book or click g, the end of which
The said click is
extends through a slot in the projection e* of the plate e.
subjected to the action of a light spring g, and the distance which it projects
beyond the front edge of the projection e❤ is regulated by means of a hook h
that catches over the arm of the click, and the screwed end of which passes
through an ear h¹, so that it can be lengthened or shortened by means of two
jam nuts and *, which are on opposite sides of the ear h'; attached to th

page_text: second pivot that is fastened in the ivory plate e, is an arm i which is
subjected to the action of a very light spring i, & which is adjusted by a hook
that catches over it. This hook is shortened and lengthened by means of
two jam nuts * and *, similar in every respect to the hook h.
Small pieces
of platina wire l, l', are inserted, one in the back of the click g, and the other
in the front side of the arm i, and just opposite to each other, so that by
pressing back the click g the two platina points and come in contact with
each other, whereby the circuit is closed, as will be presently explained. A
key I is provided similar in every respect to the key with which the telegraph
instrument known as "Morse's telegraph" is operated, so that the circuit can
be closed or broken by means this key, as well as by means of the spring C
and composing sticks, or by the compound circuit breaker H.
The axle a which bears the crank E extends through the frame B and to a
standard J, which serves for its bearing; and attached to a tube a* in which
the axle a slides, there is a bevil wheel K which gears into a similar bevil
wheel K', which is attached to the arbor of the paper cylinder L. This arbor
has its bearings on two pivots 1, 1, which are adjustable in standards 1*, *, so
that the paper cylinder can be made to turn quite easily & perfectly steady.
The axle a has a longitudinal sliding motion in the tubes or sleeves a* and
a¹*, and the ends of these sleeves are slotted so that keys * and * which are
firmly inserted on the axle a, cause both the sleeves or only one of them to
rotate together with the axle, according to the position of the keys. This
position is determined by two collars j, j¹, that are rigidly attached to the
axle a at such a distance, one from the other, that a pawl k²* fits nicely
between them. The width of these collars is such that when the axle has been
moved over the whole stretch towards one side or towards the other, the
pawl catches exactly outside of one of the collars. When said pawl is
placed between the two collars as shown in Fig. 2, both the keys j* and *
fits into one of the grooves in the ends of the sleeves a* and a¹*, and the
transmitting part of the instrument, as well as the recording part, are moved
when the crank is turned. If the pawl * is placed outside of the collar j, the
key comes out of the slotted end of the sleeve a*, and the recording part
remains stationary; but if on the other hand the pawl is placed on the outside
of the collar, the key j¹ leaves the slotted end of the tube or sleeve a¹*, and
the transmitting part of the instrument remains stationary.
The paper cylinder L is provided with fingers 1, 1 which serve to retain
upon the cylinder the sheets of paper on which the messages are to be
recorded, and these fingers are attached to an arbor *, which extends in a
longitudinal direction through the cylinder. A spring m serves to press said

page_text: fingers down on the surface of the cylinder, and a spring catch m¹ retains the
same in a position so as to clear the cylinder and to release the sheets of paper.
When on the cylinder the said sheets are kept in the proper position by the two
spring arms k, k', secured to a sliding bar ², and said arms are made to
follow the motion of the pen by means of a bar k³ secured to the sliding
platform M, which supports the recording mechanism. In order to bring the
sheets of paper into the proper position, stops attached to light springs are
secured to the inside of the cylinder and under the fingers *. When the
fingers are raised the said stops protrude beyond the surface of the cylinder,
and as the fingers are let down on the paper, the stops recede and the sheets
are firmly held by the fingers, as clearly shown in Fig. 8. One side of the
paper cylinder is provided with a projecting rim m*, which forms an endless
screw that serves to give motion to the sliding platform M by meshing in a
toothed rack N. This rack is pivoted to one end of the platform in such a
manner that its toothed edge engages with the screw thread m, in which
case the platform is moved in a longitudinal direction over the distance of one
tooth of the rack for each revolution of the paper cylinder. The rack N slides
under a plate n and guide n', which are attached to the platform M in such a
manner that the friction between them and the rack is sufficient to prevent the
latter coming out of gear with the screw thread m*. The platform M slides on
rods o, o, which have their bearings in ears o' that are attached to the table O,
and it (the platform) forms the support for the electro-magnet P, and for a self-
supplying inkstand Q; lugs r, r, are secured to the under side of the platform
M, which lugs form the guides for the same as it slides on the rods o, o*, and
flat spring c (Fig. 3,) are rigidly attached to said lugs in such a manner that
they (the springs) form a continuous contact between said lugs and the rods
o, o; the ends of the helix of the electro-magnet P are secured one to the
lug r and the other to the lug r¹, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, and the rods o, o*,
are connected by a series of wires, as will be presently explained, so that a
current passing through said rods passes also through the helix, and so
that this current is not interupted by the sliding motion of the platform.
P is the armature which is attached to a spring p, that is supported by a
double-armed standard p', p³, as shown in Fig. 7. The spring is retained
in one of the arms p2 of this standard, by means of a knife-edged bear-
ing p*, and the other arm p' is furnished with a set screw p¹*, so that the
distance of the armature from the poles of the electro-magnet or the tension of
the spring p can be regulated. The front end of the spring, or the arm
attached to the same, bears against a screw p**, and another similar screw
prevents the armature coming in contact with the poles of the electro-magnet.

page_text: An additional spring p' is so arranged that it counteracts the tension of the
spring p. Without this counter spring p the tension of the spring p (par-
ticularly with relays) has to be reduced to such a degree that the same is
almost in a state of entire relaxation, and its action is therefore necessarily slow.
With the counterpoise applied, the spring p is so adjusted that the slightest
current enables the magnet to attract the armature, and still it must be in a
state of tension, whereby it is enabled to overcome the action of the counter
spring. In this state the spring p acts much more rapidly than it does when
used without the counter spring, and the instrument is enabled to transmit
considerably more words or signs in a given space of time. The tension of the
spring can be adjusted by the two screws p' and p, so that the operation of
the armature can be regulated according to the strength of the existing current.
Secured to the spring p is an arm p' that extends to a point right over the centre
of the cylinder L, where it forms a socket p³, which receives a pen q. This
pen is simply a hollow tube made of thin wire, having its end or ends split
open, so as to facilitate the flow of ink, and it is bent in the form of a syphon,
with one of its ends extending down into the inkstand Q. The tube which
constitutes the pen is so small that the ink rises in the same by capillary
attraction, but it does not flow from the same until the point comes in contact
with the paper. In order to keep the pen always filled two inkstands may be
used, and when the pen is taken from the instrument and placed with each
end in one of the inkstands, the ink in the same is prevented flowing out and
the pen is always in working order.
Where it is intended to record the message in a continuous line the electro-
magnet is placed horizontally, as represented in Figs. 1, 2, & 3, and the pen is
placed loosely into the socket p³, so that it drags on the paper; but where it
is intended to record the message in dots and lines the electro-magnet is
arranged vertically, as shown in Fig. 8, and in this case the pen is secured in
the socket p, by means of a set screw, and adjusted so as to touch the paper
only if the armature is attracted by the electro-magnet. When the pen is
intended to drag on the paper it is steadied by an arm u, and it has small
india-rubber balls u' attached near to each of its ends. One of these balls fit
into a funnel u placed in the mouth of the inkstand, and the other ball serves
to raise the pen from the paper if it is desired. At the same time when the
arin u catches over the pen it exerts a gentle pressure on the pen, keeping one
of the india-rubber balls u' depressed into the funnel, and the other near the
top of the arm p, so that the action of the pen is rendered perfectly secure,
and that a slight upward motion of this arm raises the pen from the paper. A
cam that is inserted into the arm p' acts on this arm in such a manner that

page_text: it raises the pen from or depresses it to the paper, as occasion may need, and
a spring extends from some fixed part of the platform M over the paper
right in front of the pen, so as to keep the paper smoothly down upon the
surface of the cylinder L. In order to adjust the pen and to bring it in such
relation to the paper cylinder L that its point is kept at an equal distance from
the paper or that it bears with equal force upon the paper as it is moved
along with the platform M, the table O is so arranged that it can be brought
into the proper relation to the paper cylinder by means of screws 8, 8, which
screw into the table O, and which rest on points that fit into sockets made in
the upper surface of the platform A, and by means of arms s', s', that are
attached to the under side of the table, and which unite in a boss &* in front
of the instrument, which boss can be raised or lowered by means of a thumb
screw s. Another thumb screw s³, which passes freely through the table O,
and which then screws into the platform A, serves to secure the table in the
required position. A relay R, of the usual construction, is secured to the
platform A in a suitable position. The connection of the several parts of
the instrument with the battery and with the relay, and its operation (is as
follows): An insulated wire 8 extends from one of the rods o to one (say the
positive) pole of the local battery, and the other rod o* connects by a wire 11,
with a standard V, that contains the two screws which govern the connection
of the current through the relay. The other or negative pole of the local
battery connects by a wire 13 with the standard T that supports the armature
of the relay. As long as the armature of the relay is up, or if no current
passes through the relay, the current of the local battery is broken, and the
pen q remains stationary. The screw p²* of the relay, therefore, is provided with
an insulating point, so that the current of the local battery is broken until the
armature is attracted, and the spring touches the screw ps (Fig. 1.) The relay con-
nects with the line wire, one end of the helix of the same being connected to a stud.
The other end of the helix of the relay connects, by means of a wire 14, with
the pivot g' of the click g. A stud t¹, which also connects with the line wire,
connects by a wire 20 with a stud v on the under side of the platform A, and
this latter stud connects by a wire 21 with the pivot 1 of the arm i, and by a
wire 22 with the plate d that carries the spring c; this stud also connects with
the back end of the key I, the front end of which connects with the end of the
helix of the relay. If a current passes through the line wire to the stud.t,
this current is closed as soon as the click g is pressed back, so that the pin /
comes in contact with the pin on the arm i. The current is also closed if
a connection is made between the click g and spring c; as soon, therefore, as

page_text: one of the teeth of the types presses against the click g so that the pin / comes
in contact with the pin l, and if at the same time the types or the composing
stick comes in contact with the spring c a double closing of the circuit through
the relay is effected, one from the stud t through the helix of the relay to the
wire. 14, and through the click g and pins 1, l', the arm i, the wire 21, and the
wire 20, and the stud t', and the other from the wire 14 through the click g to
the types and stick, and thence through the spring c, and the wires 21 and 22
back to the stud t¹. The armature of the relay is now attracted, and the
current of the local battery is closed, so that the pen 9 is drawn towards the
electro-magnet P. Whenever the click 9 passes over one of the teeth in
the edge of the types, the current of the local battery is closed, and the pen is
attracted. As soon as the click has passed the tooth, the pen is drawn back
by the action of the spring p. When, therefore, the pen drags on the paper
it will draw a zig-zag line w upon the paper (see Fig. 6), but if the pen is
arranged as shown in Fig. 8, it will make longer or shorter lines or dots,
according to the length of the teeth on the types, and the message will be
recorded, as shown at y, Fig. 6. If it is desired to operate the recording
mechanism alone, the general circuit is closed by means of a
usual manner.
key i in the
Having described the nature of the Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by
the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, arranging the type mechanism for closing the circuit, substantially as
described, or in an equivalent manner, so that a double closing of the circuit
is effected as each tooth of the type comes in contact with the closing
mechanism.
Secondly, the combination of the type and composing sticks with a yielding
insulating plate carrying the mechanism for breaking and closing the circuit,
whereby the contact of the closing mechanism with the face of the type is
insured.
Thirdly, the vibrating hook or click g and bar i, or their equivalents, in
combination with a vibrating insulating plate, and type, and sticks, for the
purpose of closing the circuit.
Fourthly, the combination of the composing sticks and type with the spring c
or its equivalent, arranged substantially as described, so that the type are
made to form a portion of the circuit for the purpose set forth.
Fifthly, the combination of the carrying band D and the mechanism for
closing the circuit with the composing sticks and types, arranged on the band

page_text: in relation to each other, substantially as described, so that the sticks are
successively carried forward in the order in which they are arranged, brought
into the circuit, and the message transmitted without interuption.
Sixthly, the inclined plane B, arranged substantially as described in com-
bination with the band D, whereby the composing sticks are received from the
band in such a manner as not to interfere with each others delivery, and in
the same order in which they were placed on the band.
Seventhly, constructing the composing sticks and types substantially as
described, so that the sticks when filled with the type shall present an even
and flat surface on either side.
Eighthly, the combination of the movable platform carrying the recording
mechanism with the rotating cylinder carrying the record paper, substantially
as described, so that the message as transmitted is recorded in parallel lines on
the paper.
Ninthly, the application of a syphon pen, constructed and arranged sub-
stantially as described for the purpose of recording the messages.
Tenthly, the arrangement of the arm and india-rubber balls u¹, or their
equivalents, in combination with the pen q, socket ps, and funnel u*, whereby
the pen is kept steady and in the proper working position, substantially as
specified.
Eleventhly, arranging a double-armed standard p¹, p", with a knife edge
bearing and set screw q¹*, substantially as described for the purpose of
regulating the tension of the spring that carries the armature, and so that said
spring serves the double purpose of the rock shaft and spring that are usually
employed.
Twelfthly, the employment of the counter spring p', or its equivalent, in
combination with the spring p, whereby the latter can be kept in a state of
tension, so that it works rapidly with the slightest current, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
Witness,
W. G. E. SWINNOCK,
53, Chancery Lane.
W. CLARK.
L.B.)