IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH AND OTHER WIRES, AND THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED OR CONNECTED THEREWITH, AND IN LAYING AND SUPPORTING WIRES FOR TELEGRAPH OR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Lewis Matthews Becker, of 2, Guildhall Chambers,
Basinghall Street, in the City of London, Telegraphic Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH
AND OTHER WIRES, AND THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED OR CONNECTED THEREWITH,
AND IN LAYING AND SUPPORTING WIRES FOR TELEGRAPH OR OTHER
PURPOSES."
Sealed the 9th June 1868, and dated the 19th December 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Lewis Matthews Becker
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th December 1867.
I, LEWIS MATTHEWS BECKER, of 2, Guildhall Chambers, Basinghall Street,
in the City of London, Telegraphic Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF ELECTRIC
TELEGRAPH AND OTHER WIRES, AND THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED OR CONNECTED
THEREWITH, AND IN LAYING AND SUPPORTING WIRES FOR TELEGRAPHIC AND OTHER
PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
My improvements consist in arranging the wire or wires used for electric
telegraphs and other purposes in such a manner as to enable the required
degree of tension of the wire or wires to be maintained under all circumstances.

page_text: of temperature and to avoid the necessity of having to take up the slack and
adjust the wire or wires as is now constantly required under the present
system.
In order to obtain a regular and uniform tension in telegraph wires
generally I employ the following means:-On such part of the telegraph poles,
means, or other places employed for supporting or carrying wires, or in such
positions as may be found most convenient or effective, I insert one end of
a metal or other spindle or spindles, fixed or otherwise, which is attached to
the pole or other means employed for carrying the wire or wires, and support
the other end of the said spindle or spindles by means of a bracket or brackets
or other suitable support or supports attached firmly at the opposite end or
ends to the post or support. On the projecting portion of the said spindle or
spindles between the post, means, place, or support and bracket I place one
or more grooved wheel or wheels, pullies or sheaves, insulator or insulators,
so arranged as to turn or revolve independently of each other on the said spindle
or spindles which are to carry the telegraph or other wire or wires to the
drum, cylinder, or barrel, which is herein-after described.
When specially used for telegraph purposes I propose that the said grooved
wheel or wheels, pully or pullies, sheave or sheaves, spindle or spindles,
bracket or brackets, shall be coated, covered with, or made of a non-conducting
material or substance, or otherwise arranged, so as to secure insulation, or the
wire or wires may be insulated, and so prevent the electric fluid or current
passing off from the wires. In place of supporting the wire or wires when
used for telegraph purposes by means of insulators throughout, or the modes
now generally employed for this purpose, I cause the wire or wires coming
from. one direction to pass at certain points, where found most convenient,
over the grooved pully or pullies, wheel or wheels, sheave. or sheaves,
insulator or insulators, and then carry it to the drum, cylinder, or barrel in the
mode herein-after described, and return it or them over another grooved wheel
or wheels, pully or pullies, sheave or sheaves, insulator or insulators, and
lead it or them off in the required direction.
In such position as may be found most convenient I place the drum,
cylinder, or barrel before mentioned, which is constructed in the following
manner: I take a hollow drum, cylinder, or barrel of metal or other
suitable material, one end being closed and the other end fitted with a
closed cap removable at will, through the centre of which is passed a
spindle of metal or other suitable material, which spindle is so attached
to the bracket or brackets support or supports, which carry it. when
attached to the pole or other support in such manner that it shall not revolve

page_text: thereon. without causing the motion. to be given to the spindle, and the.
said spindle is maintained firmly in position by means of: the square ends
passing through the bracket or brackets, or by nuts, screws, bolts, pins, or.
other convenient means. On the said spindle, within the drum, cylinder, or.
barrel I place a spring or springs made of metal or other suitable material,
one end or ends of which is or are firmly attached to the spindle, and:
the other end or ends of the said spring or springs to the drum, cylinder,.
or barrel on the inside, or in such manner as to cause the spring or springs in.
winding or unwinding to carry. the drum, cylinder, or barrel round with it or,
them. The drum, cylinder, or barrel and the spindle are attached to and
carried by brackets or such other.convenient mode as is most suitable, and are
placed in such position on the pole or other support or place for carrying the
wire or wires as may be found best suited for the purpose, and firmly attached.
thereto.
In order to attach the wire or wires which come in one direction and pass.
off in another to the drum, cylinder, or barrel in such a manner as to
maintain electric continuity of current, I. take the continuous. wire or wires
and double it or them and pass the doubled portion in one direction around
the drum, cylinder, or barrel a sufficient number of times to prevent slipping
off when the required amount of wire is unwound, and then wind on in the.
same direction: such further quantity as shall be considered sufficient to supply,
the amount required for the construction under ordinary circumstances, and
when the wire or wires expand, lengthen, or dip the spring or springs by
causing the drum, cylinder, or barrel to revolve on the spindle in the contrary.
direction winds in the amount required to maintain the necessary tension.
On contraction taking place the reverse of this action occurs..
In order to obtain insulation of the drum, cylinder, or barrel it may be made
of or covered with an insulating material or substance which is a non-conductor
of electricity, or any portion or portions thereof may be so made..
The action of this apparatus is as follows:-Taking the average mean
temperature of the climate or country in which this apparatus is to be employed
the amount of tension on the drum, cylinder, or barrel is given by turning the
drum, cylinder, or barrel round against the spring or springs, and the wire or
wires are then wound, as herein-before described, around the drum, cylinder, or
barrel with a strain, which will give the required amount of tension on the
wire or wires. On expansion taking place and the wire or wires slackening,
the action of the spring or springs causes it or them to try to regain its or their
normal position or positions and consequently thereby make the drum, cylinder,
or barrel revolve and take up the slack. On contraction taking place the

page_text: drum, cylinder, or barrel is caused to revolve in an opposite direction by the
strain or pull of the wire or wires and so let out or give the required amount.
of wire or wires, and at the same time winds up the spring or springs ready.
for use when expansion takes place.
In other cases I propose to employ weights or weighted levers or a com-
bination of both to obtain similar results, and in such cases the telegraph pole
or poles or other supports may be made hollow and the weight or weights or
weighted levers or combination of both may be placed inside or at such place
or places and in such positions as may be found most convenient, and so
arranged as to obtain the required results.
The mode hitherto employed for supporting, carrying, or laying the wire or
wires used on land for telegraphic purposes in towns, cities, and other inhabited
places has been by means of poles or other supports fixed in the ground or
secured on the tops of houses or other buildings, or else by placing them
under the surface of the ground. These plans are liable to many objections,
and in order to overcome the same I attach or support the wire or wires by
projecting brackets, supports, or other convenient methods against the sides.
or on the tops of houses or other buildings in the most convenient positions.
.
In order to carry out iny Invention I place or firmly attach against or.
on the tops of houses. or other buildings in such positions as may be most
convenient a metal plate or plates, boss or bosses, or other piece or pieces.
of suitable materials so arranged as to admit of a ready and firm attach-
inent of the projecting portion or portions, standard or standards, bracket
or brackets, or other suitable arrangement which is to support or carry
the wire or wires. The piece or pieces of metal or other suitable material
which is attached by means of bolts, nails, screws, or in any other con-
venient manner against or on the top of the house or other building is or
are provided with a groove or grooves, screw or sorews, socket or sockets,
boss or bosses, or other equivalent arrangement. The projecting bracket or
brackets, support or supports, or other convenient method employed is provided
with one or more projections so arranged as to be readily inserted into a
corresponding recess or recesses in the piece or recesses in the pieces which is
or are attached to, on, or against the house or other building, as before
described, and has also a projecting portion or portions so arranged that by
running in contact with and resting against or on the piece or pieces attached
to the house or other building it or they will counteract the strain it or they
may be subjected to by the wire or wires. The projecting brackets, supports,
or other methods employed may be covered with an insulating material or
substance which is a non-conductor of electricity, or any portion or portions

page_text: thereof may be so covered, or to the projecting brackets, standards, or supports,
or other methods an insulator or insulators may be attached, through or by
means of which the wire or wires may be kept clear of any conducting
medium. On that portion of the projecting bracket, support, or other method
employed I attach by means of a bolt, slot, pin, screw, or other appliance, a
part or parts removable at will, which may be covered with an insulating
material or substance acting as a non-conductor of electricity, or an insulator
or insulators may be. thereon attached, by means of which one or more wire
or wires may be supported separately or conjointly, so as to enable the wire
or wires to be kept clear of any obstacle or obstruction to their conducting
powers. Where angles or other deviations from straight lines occur, and in
order that the wire or wires may be conducted to its or their required direction
or directions, I place at the corner or corners of such angles or deviations,
or in such places & positions as may be most convenient, a runner or
runners insulated or otherwise, or an insulator or insulators, on or through
which the wire or wires have free play. And in order that the wire or wires
may be maintained at a uniform rate of tension I employ the means herein-
before described which is to be attached in such places, in such manner, and
in such form as may be found most suitable.
Although by preference I use the arrangement first described herein and
the means herein-before described, I do not confine myself to the exact,
mode or methods contained herein; but I claim the Invention of so arranging
the apparatus connected with telegraphic wire or other wires in such manner
as to render the taking up and letting out the same a self-acting operation;
and I also claim the Invention of supporting, carrying, or laying the wire or
wires used on land for telegraphic or other purposes in towns, cities, or other
inhabited places by means of projecting. brackets, supports, or other con-
venient methods against or on the tops of houses or other buildings, as herein-
before described.
30 SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Lewis Matthews Becker in the Great Seal, Patent Office on
the 10th June 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, LEWIS
MATTHEWS BECKER, of 2, Guildhall Chambers, Basinghall Street, in the City-
35 of London, Telegraphic Engineer, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Lewis Matthews Becker, Her special licence that I, the said
Lewis Matthews Becker, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Lewis Matthews Becker, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree 'with and no others, from time to time
and at all 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.
AND OTHER WIRES, AND THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED OR CONNECTED THEREWITH, AND
IN LAYING AND SUPPORTING WIRES FOR TELEGRAPHIC AND OTHER PURPOSES,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Lewis Matthews Becker,
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 Lewis Matthews Becker, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the fol-
lowing statement, and accompanying two Sheets of Drawings:-
This Invention consists in arranging the wire or wires used for electric
télegraph and other purposes in such a manner as to enable the required
degree of tension of the wires to be maintained under all circumstances of
temperature, and to avoid the necessity of having to take up the slack and
adjust the wires as is now constantly required under the present system.
In order to obtain a regular and uniform tension in telegraph wires
generally I employ the following means:-On such part or parts of the tele-
graph pole, means, or places employed for supporting or carrying wires, or in
such positions as may be found most convenient or effective, I insert or attach
one end of a metal or other spindle or spindles, fixed or otherwise, which is or
are attached to the pole or other means employed for carrying the wires, and
support the other end of the said spindle or spindles by means of a bracket or
brackets or other suitable support or supports attached firmly at the opposite
end or ends to the post or support. On the projecting portion of the said

page_text: spindle or spindles between the post, means, place, or support, and bracket I
place one or more grooved wheels, pullies or sheaves, insulator or insulators,
so arranged as to turn or revolve independantly of each other on the said
spindle or spindles which are to carry the telegraph or other wire or wires to
the drum, cylinder, or barrel, which is herein-after described.
When specially used for electric purposes I cause the said grooved wheel
or wheels, pulley or pullies, sheave or sheaves, spindle or spindles, bracket or
brackets, or all of them, to be constructed of a suitable non-conducting
material, or to be coated or covered with the same, or otherwise arranged so as
to secure insulation and so prevent the electric fluid or current passing off
from the wires. In place of supporting the wire or wires when used for
telegraphic purposes by means of insulators throughout or the modes now
generally employed for this purpose I cause the wire or wires running from
one direction to pass at certain points where found most convenient over the
grooved pulley or pullies, wheel or wheels, sheave or sheaves, insulator or
insulators, and then carry it or them to the drum, cylinder, or barrel in the
mode herein after described, and return it or them over another grooved
wheel or wheels, pulley or pullies, sheave or sheaves, insulator or insulators,
and lead it or them off in the required direction.
In such position on the telegraph pole, means, or places employed for
supporting the wires as may be found most convenient I place the drum,'
cylinder, or barrel before mentioned, which is constructed in the following
manner: I take a hollow drum, cylinder, or barrel of metal or other suitable
material, one end being closed the other having a closed cap removeable at
will, through the centre of which is passed a spindle of metal or other suitable
material, which spindle is so attached to the bracket or brackets, support or.
supports, which carry it when attached to the pole or other support in such a
manner that it shall not revolve, but nevertheless permit the drum, cylinder,
or barrel to revolve thereon without causing the motion to be given to the
spindle, and the said spindle or spindles is or are maintained firmly in position
by means of screw bolts, screws, nuts, pins, or other convenient means. On
the said spindle within the drum, cylinder, or barrel I place a spring or
springs made of metal or other suitable material, one end of which is or are
firmly attached to the spindle, and the other end of the said spring or springs
to the drum, cylinder, or barrel on the inside or in such a manner as to cause
the spring or springs in winding or unwinding to carry the drum, cylinder, or
barrel round with it or them. The drum, cylinder, or barrel, and the spindle.
are attached to and carried by brackets or such other convenient mode as is
most suitable, and are placed in such position or positions on the poles or

page_text: other supports or places used for carrying the wire or wires as may be found
best suited for the purpose, and firmly attached thereto.
In order to attach the wire or wires which come in one direction and pass
off in another to the drum, cylinder, or barrel in such a manner as to main-
tain electric continuity of current I take the continuous wire or wires and
double it or them and pass the doubled portion in one direction around the
drum, cylinder, or barrel a sufficient number of times to prevent slipping off
when the required amount of wire is unwound, and then wind on such further
quantity as shall be considered sufficient to supply the amount required for
the contraction under ordinary circumstances, and when the wire or wires
expand, lengthen, or dip the spring or springs by causing the drum, cylinder,
or barrel to revolve on the spindle in the contrary direction winds in the
amount required to maintain the necessary tension. On contraction taking
place the reverse of this action occurs.
In other cases instead of winding the wire or wires direct on to the drum,
cylinder, or barrel I cause the wire or wires to pass under a grooved sheave
or sheaves, pulley or pullies, wheel or wheels, so arranged as to admit of being
attached by a chain or chains or other suitable means to the drum, cylinder, or
barrel so that on expansion or contraction taking place the same result is
produced. All or any of the portions of this arrangement can be insulated in
the most convenient way for obtaining the result. When desired the portion
of the wire or wires used for conducting and passing the electric current which
passes over the sheaves, pullies, or wheels to the drum, cylinder, or barrel
may be made in the form of a wire rope, or of a smaller wire or wires, or
arranged in any other convenient manner in order to obtain the amount of
flexibility required.
In order to obtain insulation of the drum, cylinder, or barrel it may be
made of or covered with an insulating material or substance which is a non-
conductor of electricity, or any portion or portions thereof may be so made,
and the spindle or spindles, bracket or brackets, support or supports, may
likewise be insulated by similar means, or the wire or wires themselves or
portions thereof may be insulated if so preferred.
The action of this apparatus is as follows:-Taking the average or mean
temperature of the country or climate in which this apparatus is to be em-
ployed the amount of tension on the drum, cylinder, or barrel is given by
turning the drum, cylinder, or barrel round against the spring or springs so as
to obtain the required amount of tension, and the wire or wires are then
wound with a strain around the drum, cylinder,. or barrel, or else the strain
on the wire or. wires is taken from the drur, cylinder, or barrel by any other

page_text: equivalent arrangement (such as that herein-before described), which is then
turned until such amount of tension of the wire or wires as is required is
obtained. On expansion taking place and the wire or wires becomeing slack
the action of the spring or springs connected therewith causes it or them to
try and regain it or their normal position, and consequently thereby make the
drum, cylinder, or barrel revolve and take up the slack. On contra-action
taking place the drum, cylinder, or barrel is caused to revolve in the opposite
direction by the strain or pull of the wire or wires which makes or make the
drum, cylinder, or barrel revolve and so let out the required amount of wire
or wires and at the same time winds up the spring or springs ready for use
when the contrary action takes place.
In other cases I propose to employ a weight or weights, or weighted levers,
or spiral or other springs, or a combination of all or a portion of the same, to.
obtain a similar result, and in such cases the telegraph poles or other supports
or some of them may be made hollow, and the weight, weights, or weighted
levers, or spiral or other springs, or a combination of all or a portion of the
same, may be placed inside, or at such places and in such positions as may be
found most convenient, and so arranged as to obtain the required result.
The mode hitherto employed for supporting, carrying, or laying the wire or
wires used on land for telegraphic purposes in towns, cities, or other inhabited
places has been by means of poles or other supports fixed in the ground or
secured on the tops of houses or other buildings, or else by placing them
under the surface of the ground. These plans are liable to many objections,
and in order to overcome the same I attach or support the wire or wires used.
for this purpose by projecting brackets, supports, or other convenient methods
against the sides or on the top of houses or other buildings in the most con-
venient positions for avoiding existing difficulties.
In order to carry out this Invention I place or firmly attach against or on the
top of houses or other buildings in such position and at such distances apart as
may be most convenient a metal plate or plates, boss or bosses, or other piece
or pieces of suitable material so arranged as to admit of the ready and firm
attachment of the projecting portion, standard, bracket, or other suitable
arrangement which is to support or carry the wire or wires. The piece or
pieces of metal or other suitable material which is or are attached by means of
bolts, nails, screws, or in any other convenient manner against or on the top
of the house or other buildings is or are provided with a groove or grooves,
screw or screws, socket or sockets, or other equivalent arrangement, so as to,
admit of the ready insertion or attachment of the projecting piece or pieces,
which are to carry or support the wire or wires, as herein-after described.

page_text: The projecting bracket, support, or other convenient method employed is
provided with one or more projections so arranged as to be readily inserted
into a corresponding recess in the piece which is attached to, on, or against
the house or other building, as before described, and has also a projecting
portion or portions so arranged that by running in contact with and resting
against or on the piece attached to the house or other building it will
counteract the strain to which it may be subjected by the wire or wires. The
projecting bracket, support, or other method employed may be covered with an
insulated material or substance which is a non-conductor of electricity, or any
portion or portions thereof may be so covered; or to the projecting bracket,
support, or other method employed an insulator or insulators may be attached,
through or by means of which the wire or wires may be kept clean of any
conducting medium. On that portion of the projecting bracket, support, or
other convenient method employed I attach by means of a bolt, slot, pin, screw,
or other appliance or arrangement a part or parts removable at will, which
may be covered with an insulated or insulating material or substance acting as
a non-conductor of electricity (or an insulator or insulators may be attached
thereon), by means of which one or more wires may be supported separately
or conjointly, so as to enable the wire or wires to be kept clear of any obstacle
or obstruction to their conducting powers. Where angles or other deviations
from straight lines occur, in order that the wire or wires may be conducted to
its or their required direction or directions, I place at the corner of such angles
or other deviations, or in such places and positions as may be most efficient,
a runner or runners, sheave or sheaves insulated, or an insulator or insulators,
on or through which the wire or wires have free play. And in order that the
wires or wires may be maintained at a uniform rate of tension I employ the
means berein-before described, which is to be attached in such places, and in
such manner, and in such form as may be found most suitable.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
In Sheet No. 1 Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal section through the drum,
cylinder, or barrel a, a, on an enlarged scale; b, b, being the moveable cap or
cover for closing the other end; c is the spindle, to which the spring or
springs d, d, d, d, d, d, is or are attached, and also to the drum a, a, by the screw
or screws e, e, in order that the drum a, a, may be caused to revolve by the
action of the same; f,f,f,f, is the insulating medium on the circumference
of the drum a, a; and g, g, are the insulating washers placed between the
ends of the drum a, a, and the brackets h, h.
Figs. 2 and 3 represent front and side views of the apparatus fixed on the

page_text: telegraph posts, h, h, in Fig. 2, being the brackets carrying the drum a, a,
attached to the post or other means employed by the bolts and nuts or
screws p,p; k, k, shows the hood or cover placed over the drum or cylinder a, a,
s being the opening for the passage of the wires to the drum; 1, 1, represent
the grooved sheaves, wheels, insulators, or pullies attached to the top of the
pole or other means employed, over which the wire or wires pass in the required
direction from or to the drum; m is the bracket for supporting the same; and
n, the hood or cover.
Figs. 4 and 5 show the sheaves, wheels, or pullies 1, 1, made of insulating
material, and differently arranged to those in Figs. 2 & 3; n, the hood or
cover, the drum and apparatus being the same as in Fig. 1.
Figs. 6 & 7 show an arrangement which may be employed when the
conducting wire or wires are not carried direct to the drum, cylinder, or
barrel, the desired end being attained by attaching one end of a chain or other
suitable medium to the eye o, and attaching the other to the drum, cylinder,
or barrel a, a, whereby the required effect is produced.
In Sheet No. 2 Fig. 1 is the back plate attached to the house, wall, or other
building, provided with the V-shaped sockets or grooves a, a, a, a, into which
the projecting portions b, b, on Fig. 2 fir.
Fig. 2 is the bracket in elevation, provided with projections b, b, by which
it is attached to the back plate Fig. 1. c shows the insulator, which may be
attached by a screw to the bracket or in any other convenient manner, through
which the wire is passed.
Fig. 3 shows a method of applying the drum, cylinder, or barrel herein-
before described so as to maintain the wire or wires in the desired state of
tension. d shows the barrel; e, the back plate to which it is attached; f,f,
the grooved sheaves, pullies, wheels, or insulators over which the wire or
wires pass; g, the brackets which carry the drum.
Fig. 4 is a side view of Fig. 3, h being the wire, and A the wall or building
supporting the back plate e.
Fig. 5 is a straight arm or bracket to carry the insulator k or other means
used to support or carry the wire or wires. i is a wall or back plate, to
which the arm or bracket j is attached, the insulator & being attached to the
extremity by a screw or other convenient means.
Figs. 6, 7, 8, & 9 show insulators for carrying one or more wires.
Although by preference I use the arrangement first described herein and
shown in Sheet No. 1, and the means herein-before described, I do not confine
myself to the exact mode or methods contained herein; but I claim, the
Invention of so arranging the apparatus connected with telegraphic wire or

page_text: wires, or other wires, in such manner as to render the taking up and letting
out of the same a self-acting operation; and I also claim the method of
supporting, carrying, or laying the wire or wires used on land for telegraphic
or other purposes in towns, cities, or other inhabited places by means of
projecting brackets, supports, or other convenient methods against or on the
tops of houses or other buildings, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Lewis Matthews Becker, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Third day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
Witness,
CHAS. F. T. YOUNG,
7, Duke St.,
Adelphi,
Civil Engineer.
LEWIS MATTHEWS BECKER. (L.S.)