Improvements in Automatic Fire Alarm Systems and Apparatus.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 28th Oct., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Fire Alarm Systems and Apparatus.
We, GEORGE CONSIDER HALE, Chief of a Fire Department, and MORTON
WOLLMAN, Merchant, both of Kansas City, in the County of Jackson and State
of Missouri, 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 improvements in automatic fire alarm apparatus, the
ubject of the invention being to provide means whereby the breaking out of a fire
will act to cause the transmission of an audible signal, giving, in tones of the
human voice, the exact location of the fire, both to parties in the vicinity, and,
through the medium of a telephone system, to parties at distant points who may
be in communication with the fire department.
In the drawings:-
Figure 1 is a diagramatic view of a fire alarm system embodying my present
improvements.
Figures 2 and 3 are detail views of one arrangement or manner of mounting
the phonograph or graphophone transmitter.
Figure 4 is a detail view of one form of thermostat which may be advantageously
employed in my improved apparatus and system.
Before proceeding to a detailed description of the invention it may, generally
considered, be briefly described as follows:
In each of the rooms or apartments of a building in which my fire alarm
system is introduced is arranged a suitable number of thermostats, so arranged
as to act only upon such a rise in the temperature as accompanies the breaking
out of a fire.
Any suitable form of thermostat may be employed. We prefer to employ one of
the form illustrated in detail in Figure 4, it consisting of two metallic bars or
spring-like bands, a, a'. These are bowed or curved oppositely to each other;
and have their ends connected to a suitable insulating support, a². Each of the
bars, a, a¹, is provided on its inner surface with a lug or stud, a³, and these serve
as supports for a pivot-piece, a', and an adjusting screw, a³. The bar, a, is
connected with one side of an electric circuit and the bar, a', with the opposite
side of said circuit, which is completed through the pivot-piece, a*, and pin or
screw, a5.
When subjected to more than a predetermined degree of heat the bars, a, a,
will be separated a greater distance at their middle and the electrical connection
through the parts, a, a, will be broken.
These thermostats are included in one or more local electric circuits each of
which includes also as many independent, normally energized, magnets as there
are apartments or rooms having their thermostats in that particular circuit.
To the armatures of said magnets in these local circuits are connected the
transmitters or reproducers of a series of graphophone or phonograph cylinders,
each of which bears a record giving the location of the particular portion of the
Die 27

page_text: building through which the thermostats on the particular circuit controlling the
reproducer for that record are arranged.
The breaking of any one of said local circuits, by the action of a thermostat or
other means included therein, releases said armatures and thereby allows the
transmitters or reproducers to fall into operative position on their respective
cylinders.
Said reproducers or transmitters are connected with a speaking-tube or conduit
leading to some selected portion of the building (as to the office of a hotel, the
watchman's room in a store-house or business building, etc.) or has an outlet
through an outer wall of the building; and said conduit is also connected with
a telephone transmitter which is included in the regular telephone system,
whereby the operator at the central or exchange office of such system will be
instantly notified of the exact location of a fire.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like letters of reference designate
corresponding parts in the several figures:
A, A1, A3, designate three groups or sets of thermostats, we having for purposes
of illustration shown our improved system as applied to a building three stories
high; and as having a separate, independent, circuit and signalling apparatus
for each floor.
The thermostats, A, which for example, are arranged on the third floor of the
building, are included in a local circuit independent of the circuit including
the thermostats, A¹, on the second floor, or those, indicated by, A2, on the first
floor, although, as illustrated, a single battery, B, may be the source of current for
all of said circuits.
In each of the above described thermostatic circuits is included an electro
magnet, C, as will be plain by an examination of Figure 1. These circuits are
normally closed and, therefore, the armatures, C¹, connect the poles of their
respective magnets C.
A switch, D, is arranged in each of the local circuits referred to, whereby
either of such circuits may be manually broken, and the signal mechanism set
in operation, in a manner to be hereinafter described, when desired.
The magnets, C, may be arranged at any desired point relative to the
thermostats, A, A1, A2. Preferably all of said magnets are arranged in close
proximity to each other in the room or inclosure wherein is situated the grapho-
phone or phonographic signal device.
This consists of a series of cylinders, E, E¹, E³, all mounted on a common
shaft F.
The shaft, F, is provided with a gear pinion, f. with which meshes a gear, f¹,
mounted on a driving shaft, F¹. To this last shaft is connected a suitable
motor, F. If desired this motor may be a continuously acting motor; but we
prefer to drive the phonograph cylinders intermittently or only when an alarm
is to be sent in and, therefore, have provided a stop or like device that will be
hereinafter described. Each cylinder bears a suitable record, for example, the
location of the building to which the system is applied and, in addition, the
particular portion of that building wherein are located the thermostats of that
particular local circuit which controls the position of the transmitter or repro-
ducer, G, adapted to transmit that record.
Various forms of connection between the armatures, C¹, and the reproducers, G,
may be provided. In the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated each
of said armatures is carried by an arm or standard, c, which is pivotally mounted
on or connected with the back plate or base-piece, c', of the magnet. And the
armature, C, of each magnet is connected, by means of a link, C³, with one of
the graphophone transmitters or reproducers, G.
These are pivotally supported, and the links, C2, are of such length that normally,
when the magnets, C, are energized and the armatures, C¹, thereof against the
poles the points, 9, of the reproducers, G, will be held out of contact with the
records on the cylinders, E, E1, E2, as shown in Figure 3.

page_text: Any suitable pivoted mounting may be provided for the transmitters or repro-
ducers, G; but, at present, we prefer to mount the same upon the tube or
conduit, H, by which the sound signals produced from the graphophone records
are transmitted to the telephonic distributing system.
As shown most clearly in Figure 3 of the drawings, the tubular stem or body
of each reproducer or transmitter, G, is provided with laterally extending, tubular,
trunion-like portions, G', and these extend into the ends of adjacent sections of
the tube or duct H.
The tube, H, is shown as extending from points adjacent to the cylinders, E,
E1, E2, to a mouth-piece, K, which opens through an outer wall of the building, so
that any signal produced by either of said cylinders will be audible to a person
standing or passing in the vicinity of said outlet, K.
With said tube or duct, H, is also connected an ordinary telephone trans-
mitter, L, such connection being, in the embodiment of the invention herein
illustrated, accomplished through a branch duct H¹.
This transmitter, L, is arranged in an electric circuit which includes also a
magneto electro generator M; and is adapted as will be hereinafter described, to
be connected with the regular line or circuit connecting the telephone, N, with a
central or exchange office.
To the shaft, m, of the generator, M, is geared a suitable motor, O; and a brake
or stop device, P, is provided for normally preventing rotation of said shaft.
This stop device is shown as consisting of a bell-crank lever one arm of which
is adapted to engage with said shaft, while the other arm is connected with a lever
arm Q. To this arm is also connected one arm of a bell-crank lever, 11, the other
arm of which is adapted to act as a stop for holding the power shaft, F1, of the
graphophone signal apparatus stationary.
Various forms of motors may be employed for those herein indicated at, F2, O,
we having, for purposes of illustration, presented a merely conventional showing
of an ordinary spring or clock motor.
"
R, designates an electro magnet which is arranged in a circuit including a
battery, S, and the wires, s, s¹. The wire, s, of this circuit which, as it is the
means for assisting in the transmission of signals produced by the breaking of
either of the hereinbefore described local circuits, may be termed the "
circuit is connected with the armatures, C¹, of the local circuit magnets, C. And
the other wire, s¹, is connected with a series of contact points or studs, T, one
being arranged adjacent to and in the path of each one of said armatures, C¹.
common
The armature, S, of the magnet, R, is pivotally supported and is, normally,
by the action of springs, U, U¹, held in engagement with the aforesaid lever
arm Q.
Whenever either of the local circuits is broken, by the action of a thermostat
or the manually movable switch therein, the armature, C, of the magnet, C, in
that circuit being released by gravity, through the pull exerted by the repro-
ducer, G, connected therewith, falls against its co-acting contact point, T, and
thereby connects the wires, s, s¹, and energizes the magnet R. The latter draws
the armature, S', thereof out of engagement with, and from, the path of the
lever-arm, Q, which, under the force or pull of the spring, U₁, is moved against two
contact points, V, V1, which are arranged at the terminals of wires, v, v¹, that are
connected with the wires, w, w¹, leading from the telephone N.
Such movement of the lever arm, Q, also releases the shaft, F1, and the magneto
generator, M, and the action of the latter rings the call bell of the telephone, N,
which call being transmitted over the wires, w, w¹, notifies the operator at the
central office that connection for the purpose of transmitting speech should be
made with the telephone N. As soon as such connection is made the record on
the particular graphophone cylinder whose reproducer has been brought into
operative position will be transmitted to the operator at the central station through
the transmitter, L, and over the wires, v, e¹, w, w¹.
When the magnet, R., is thus energized the armature, 'S', is drawn against the

page_text: pole pieces thereof and the lever, Q, falling releases the magneto generator and the
phonograph mechanism. The action of the magneto, M, causes a current to
pass over the wire, 1, and the wire, 2, of the regular telephone circuit and through
the signal apparatus in the central office back over line wire, 3, and wire, w¹, to
contact, V, and thence to the magneto generator over or through lever, Q, and
the wire connecting it with said generator. A portion of this current also passes
through the subscribers instrument, N, ringing the signal thereon.
The local current of the transmitter, L, is as follows:-From the transmitter
to the battery, S, then through lever, Q, to contact, V, and from there through the
primary circuit, 5, of the inductive coil and over wire 6, back to the transmitter.
This induces a current in the secondary circuit of the induction coil which
travels over the wire, 7, through a 'condenser" or resistance at, 10, and the
wire, w, to one side of the main telephone circuit. The serondary current returns
over the opposite side of said main circuit to the wire, w¹, and through the
contact, V, and lever, Q, back to contact, V, and wire, v, that is connected with
the secondary of the induction coil.
The operator in the central or exchange office is thus advised of the exact
location of the fire and can notify the fire department, or connect the telephone, N,
with the telephone at the fire department headquarters so that the signal will be
transmitted directly from the burning building to the fire department.
The signal will be repeated until the motor, 12, has run down. And, simul-
taneously with the transmission of the signal over the telephone system it will
be delivered through the conduit or tube, H, and outlet K.
It is to be understood that the telephone, N, is the regular office or business
instrument, employed for the transmission of all telephonic messages; and one
of the important advantages incident to my system is that we are able to employ
the regular telephone exchange system to be found in all cities for transmitting
fire alarm signals.
Of course, if desired to connect the above described signalling mechanism with
the fire department headquarters, for example, direct, without going through the
telephone exchange or central office as we have pointed out, or where there is
no established telephone system, a separate circuit would be established for
conducting the signal from the transmitter, L.
By the term graphophone or phonograph herein we mean to include any of the
various forms of apparatus now known for reproducing the human voice or other
sounds which may be adapted for use in my improved system.
We do not herein make any claim to the specific construction of the thermostat
illustrated in the drawing as adapted for use with my improved signal apparatus.
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. In an automatic fire alarm apparatus, the combination of a telephone system,
a thermostat, a phonograph having a cylinder bearing a record indicating the
location of the thermostat, means controlled by the thermostat for normally
holding the reproducer of the phonograph in inoperative position, and a trans-
mitter in the telephone system adapted to receive vibrations from the phonograph,
substantially as set forth.
2. In an automatic fire alarm apparatus, the combination of a telephone system
or circuit, a series of electric circuits each including a suitable number of
thermostats, a series of phonographs, corresponding in number to the number of
said circuits and each having on its cylinder a record indicating the location of the
thermostats in the circuits with which that phonograph is associated, means,
controlled by said circuits, for normally holding the phonograph reproducers in
inactive positions, a transmitter arranged in the telephone circuit, and a conduit
or tube connecting each of the phonograph reproducers with said transmitter,
substantially as set forth.

page_text: 3. In an automatic fire alarm apparatus and system, the combination of a
telephone system, a thermostat, a normally closed electric circuit including the
thermostat, a phonograph having on its cylinder a record indicating the location
of the thermostat, means for normally holding said cylinder stationary, a normally
open electric circuit adapted to be closed when the thermostatic circuit is broken
and when closed to release the locking means of the phonograph cylinder, and a
transmitter arranged in the telephone circuit and adapted to receive vibrations
from the phonograph, substantially as set forth.
4. In an automatic fire alarm apparatus and system, the combination of a
telephone system or circuit, a series of local electric circuits, each including a
suitable number of thermostats, a series of phonographs corresponding in number
to said local circuits and each having on its cylinder a record containing
information as to the location of the thermostats in that circuit with which the
particular phonograph is associated, means for normally locking said phonograph
cylinders against rotation, an electric circuit common to all of said thermostatic
circuits and connected with the locking means for the phonograph cylinders,
whereby when any one of the thermostats is actuated the locking means will be with-
drawn from the phonograph cylinder associated with that thermostat, and a trans-
mitter arranged in the telephone circuit to receive the vibrations produced by the
phonographs, substantially as set forth.
5. In an automatic fire alarm signal apparatus and system, the combination of a
telephone circuit, a thermostat, a phonograph having on its cylinder a record
giving the location of the thermostat, an electric circuit including the thermostat,
means controlled by said circuit for holding the reproducer of the phonograph in
an inactive position, a telephone transmitter arranged to receive vibrations from
the phonograph, and another electric circuit including said transmitter and
adapted, upon the action of the thermostat, to connect said transmitter with the
telephone system, substantially as set forth.
6. In an automatic fire alarm signal apparatus and system, the combination of
a telephone system, a thermostat, a phonograph having on its cylinder a record
giving the location of the thermostat, an electric circuit including the thermostat
and devices for normally holding the reproducer of the phonograph in an inactive
position, power devices for rotating the phonograph cylinder, means for normally
holding the cylinder stationary, a magneto generator connected with a telephone
in the telephone system, a motor for driving said generator, means for normally
holding said generator stationary, a telephone transmitter arranged to receive
sound vibrations from the phonograph, and another electric circuit including
means for actuating the stop devices for the phonograph and magneto generator
motors, and adapted, upon the action of the thermostat, to release said stop and
connect the phonograph transmitter with the telephone system, substantially as
set forth.
7. In an automatic fire alarm signal apparatus and system, the combination of
a thermostat, an electric circuit including the thermostat and an electro magnet,
a phonograph having on its cylinder a record giving the location of the thermostat,
connections between the armature of the electro magnet and the reproducer of the
transmitter, whereby the latter is normally held in an inactive position, power
devices for rotating the phonograph cylinder, a telephone system, a telephone
transmitter arranged to receive sound vibrations from the phonograph, and means
controlled through the thermostatic circuit for setting in motion the phonograph
power devices and for connecting said telephone transmitter with the telephone
system, substantially as set forth.
8. In an automatic fire alarm signal apparatus and system, the combination of
a thermostat, a phonograph having on its cylinder a record giving the location
of the thermostat, means controlled by the thermostat for normally holding the
phonograph cylinder stationary, and a speaking tube or conduit adapted to conduct
sound from the phonograph, substantially as set forth.
9. In an automatic fire alarm signal apparatus and system, the combination of

page_text: a thermostat, a phonograph having on its cylinder a record giving the location
of the thermostat, power devices for rotating the phonograph cylinder, means
controlled by the thermostat for normally holding the phonograph reproducer out
of contact with the cylinder, and a speaking tube or conduit leading from the
phonograph reproducer, substantially as set forth.
10. In an automatic fire alarm signal apparatus and system, the combination
of a thermostat, a phonograph having on its cylinder a record giving the location
of the thermostat, means controlled by the thermostat for setting the phonograph
in motion, and a tube or conduit leading from the phonograph to the exterior of
the building or apartment in which the apparatus is placed, substantially as set
forth.
11. In an automatic fire alarm signal apparatus the combination of a thermostat,
a phonograph cylinder bearing a record giving the location of the thermostat,
an electric circuit including the thermostat and an electro magnet, a pivotally
mounted armature for said magnet, a pivotally mounted reproducer for the
phonograph cylinder, a link connecting the said pivoted armature with the repro-
ducer, means controlled by the thermostat circuit for driving the phonograph
cylinder, and a speaking tube leading from the phonograph reproducer, sub-
stantially as set forth.
12. In a fire alarm apparatus, the combination of a series of thermostats, a
series of phonographs each having on its cylinder a record giving the location of
one of the thermostats, or groups of thermostats, a tube or conduit arranged
adjacent to the phonograph for receiving messages or signals therefrom, the
reproducers of the phonograph being provided with laterally projecting, tubular,
trunions that engage with adjacent sections of said tube, connections between the
thermostats and phonograph reproducers whereby the latter are normally held out
of contact with the respective cylinders, and means controlled by the thermostats
for driving the phonograph cylinders, substantially as set forth.
13. In an automatic fire alarm signal apparatus and system, the combination of
a telephone system, a series of thermostats, a series of local normally closed
electric circuits, each including one or more of said thermostats, and an elcetro
magnet, a manual switch in each of said local circuits, a series of phonographs,
corresponding in number to the local circuits, each having on its cylinder a record
giving the location of the thermostat, in the local circuit with which that phono-
graph is associated, connections between the armature of the electro magnet in
cach local circuit, and the reproducer of the phonograph associated with that
circuit, whereby said reproducer is normally held out of contact with its cylinder,
a speaking tube for conducting the signals produced by either of the phonographs
to another apartment or to the exterior of the building in which the apparatus
is located, a telephone transmitter, L, arranged to receive vibrations from said
tube, a magneto generator for sounding the signal bell of a telephone in the
telephone system, power devices for driving the phonograph cylinders, stop means
for normally holding said power devices stationary and preventing action of the
magneto generator, a normally open electric circuit adapted to be closed by the
breaking of either of the local circuits, said circuit including said stop, and a
branch circuit adapted to connect the transmitter, L, with the telephone system,
substantially as set forth.
1000
GEORGE CONSIDER HALE,
MORTON WOLLMAN.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.