AN IMPROVED ARRANGEMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC POST FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF LETTERS, PAPERS, & OTHER DISPATCHES & ARTICLES IN TUBES
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention of "AN
IMPROVED ARRANGEMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC POST FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF
LETTERS, PAPERS, & OTHER DISPATCHES & ARTICLES IN TUBES." - A
communication from abroad by François Antoine Kieffer, Engineer, of
Paris, in the Empire of France.
Sealed the 10th October 1861, and dated the 17th April 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th
April 1861.
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 "AN IMPROVED ARRANGEMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC POST FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF
LETTERS, PAPERS, & OTHER DISPATCHES & ARTICLES IN TUBES," to be as follows:-
The system of post called atmospheric post, for which I apply for Letters
Patent, has for its object the transmission of dispatches, papers, & parcels,
by means of a vacuum in a tube, in which is a box furnished with a piston
containing the objects to be transported. This system is based on the applica-
tion of parts herein-after described, by means of which the transit is realized
and adapted för regular postal service. The principal idea is easily understood.
Supposing the cylindrical tube to commence from a central point, and after

page_text: paying traversed a certain number of Stations of onces, between which should
be a regular exchange of dispatches to return to the point of departure; that
in this tube a piston moves furnished with an air-tight packing, and attached
to it a box containing the dispatches at each station are disposed stops so as to
be able to take up the dispatches intended for a certain station, & to insert
those for transmission thence, I apply a certain number of apparatus disposed
at.intervals to verify the passage of the boxes by an electrical, agency, serving
to put the one station. in. communication, with the others, and also with the
central station. Such is the system upon which this mode of atmospheric post
is established.
The following description of Drawings will illustrate details of the system of
my Invention Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal vertical section of a part of tubé,
& the method of stoping, showing also the-box and piston; Fig. 2 shows a
transverse section of the tube, showing the stopping apparatus; Fig. 3 shows
an end view of the arrangement of rollers; Fig. 4 shows a transverse section
of the box, and also the lid or cover fitted to the tube at the stations; Fig. 5
shows an elevation of a letter box; Fig. 6 shows a vertical section of the same
box & tube, showing the verifying & electric apparatus at each station;
Fig 7 shows a section of the box & the tube; Fig. 8 shows a horizontal
section of the box parallel to the axis of the tube; Fig. 9 shows a transverse
section of an indicator fixed in the tube by means of screws, which permits of
removing & changing the apparatus easily in case of breakage; Fig. 10
shows a transverse section of tube and rollers adapted for tubes of small
dimensions; Fig. 11 shows a view in which the lower roller by its weight
serves to ballast the other two, which guide in the curves; Fig. 12 shows an
arrangement applicable to large tubes. The guiding is produced by a grooved
roller with a rib running the length of the tube, the same result is obtained by
employing the plain roller, Fig. 13, traversing a groove. in the tube;
Figs. 14 & 15. shows. arrangements' of rollers applicable to large tubes. In
the different Figures, .the same letters represent the same parts seen in different
views.
:
The tube A in which the box moves is disposed similar to water or gas
pipes, & presents inside, a cylindrical surface. The piston B which moves in
the interior is formed of a cast-iron disc rather, smaller than inside of the tube,
to admit of.a cup, leather, or other packing 6 fixed to the disc; it is preceeded,
& followed by a system of rollers g, disposed round the disc c fixed, to the body;
of the piston. These. rollers, six in number, are disposed in groups of three, as
seen. in the Drawing, guiding the piston. in its course, & transforming its

page_text: sliding friction to a rolling friction. In front of the rollers & piston B is a disc
C fixed on the same axis as piston, leaving between the sides and the surface
a space of an inch or so; this plug is intended to stop the box at the stations,
and for that purpose engages between two levers E, which can separate the
one from the other by turning on axes o, o. In operating this movement, the
spiral springs F are compressed (any other spring may be used), the object
of which is to lessen the shock; each of the levers are furnished at their
extremities with a rod M, traversing the packing H, & projecting. on the
exterior. The course of the levers is limited by a stop 'I; which keeps them in
a fixed position when the disc D engages between them & completely stops
the movement of the box K. The attendant is warned by a bell J;.which
rings a small cam L placed on a vertical rod M, when it is wished to transmit
the box, it suffices to raise the stop I, with the aid of a lever N, which works
it. The box itself is fixed to the piston by a joint O, & rests behind on a
roller G; it is divided into several compartments d, d, and numbered according
to the office it belongs to. To prevent the box K turning itself, it is weighted
at its lower part in such way as always to maintain its normal position. It is
important to be able to notify an accident occurring, so that the passage of the
box may take place in a regular manner. Further, in case of accidents, it is
necessary to find out where it occurs; to effect this a projecting spring P is
disposed in the interior of the tube. When the box passes this point, it pushes
the spring which gives movement to a horizontal rod Q traversing a packing e,
to prevent the communication of the principal tube with the exterior. This
horizontal rod Q transmits the movement by the intermediation of a bell-crank
movement R to a vertical rod S, furnished at the upper part with a tooth f;
bearing by a small spring or the ratchet wheel .h: The horizontal rod Q is
.
The vertical one passes
placed in a tube T branched to the principal tube.
to the interior of column U, serving as a gas light or pillar letter box, each
time the box passes and pushes the spring P, and the ratchet wheel advances
a tooth, a disc K', solid with the wheel, indicates the number & order of the
passages, and shows the public through orifices i, i, the time of the next
distribution. The letter box presents besides another special arrangement,
they are movable; when the collection should be made, the postman opens a
small door in front of the box m, withdraws it; and empties it of. its contents
and replaces it. It is indispensible that all the offices should be constantly in
communication with each other, to know the position of the. box & keep the
dispatches ready, so that the attendant of the central station can regulate the
working of the machine. This communication is effected by means of electricity,
for which purpose two wires are disposed throughout the length of the tube; the

page_text: first serves to indicate if the transmission is direct or not. To do this in the
circuit of this wire, at each station is a galvanometer, arranged so that the
needles of the galvanometer turn to the right or left, indicating whether. direct.
or otherwise, according to the central station, if the current is sent from one or
other extremity of the wire. The second wire is in constant communication
with the pile as long as the box runs the whole length, but at each station the
current is interrupted by means of a vertical rod s, which moves the ratchet
wheel h. This rod is furnished with a stop which interrupts the electrical
circuit by pressing on a pedal p, which is pressed by a spring 9 on the table »,
communicating with the wire of the next station. The communication being
interrupted at each station, the needles, of the dials of each advance a distance
& indicate at which station the box is. The rollers which guide the train
are mounted on movable axes, so as to be able to pass slight objects without
difficulty.
Lastly; I employ, to slacken the movement of the train, reservoirs so disposed;
that by intercepting the communication with the pneumatic pump, I obtain a
gradual reduction of the speed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
t. 16th October 1861.
"
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer &
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fourth 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 1; the
said William Clark, 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
"AN IMPROVED ARRANGEMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC POST FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF

page_text: LETTERS, PAPERS, AND OTHER DISPATCHES & ARTICLES IN TUBES," a communi-
cation to me from abroad by François Antoine Kieffer, Engineer, of Paris,
in the Empire of France, 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 par
ticularly 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 imme-
diately 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) :—
The system of postal delivery called atmospheric post, herein described, has
for its object the transmission of dispatches, papers, parcels, & other matters
by means of a vacuum obtained in a tube in which is a box furnished with a'
piston containing the objects to be transported. This system is based on the
application of parts herein-after described, by means of which it may be
rendered practical and adapted for regular postal service. The principle will be
readily understood, thus, supposing the cylindrical tube to commence at a
central point, and, after having traversed a certain number of stations or offices,
between which a regular exchange of dispatches is required, to return to the
point of departure; that in this tube the piston moves furnished with an air-
tight packing, and attached in any suitable manner to a box containing the
lispatches; at each station are disposed stops so as to be able to remove the
dispatches intended for a certain station, & to insert those for transmission
thence; I apply a certain number of apparatus disposed at intervals to register
the passage of the boxes; the whole are also in electrical communication with
each other and with the central station. Such is the system upon which this
mode of atmospheric post is established. The following description and
Drawings will illustrate details of the system according to this Invention.
Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal vertical section of part of a tube, the method of
stopping the dispatch box, also showing the box and piston; Fig. 2 shows a
transverse section of the tube and the stopping apparatus; Fig. 3 shows an
end view of an arrangement of rollers; Fig. 4 shows a transverse section of
the box, and also the lid or cover fitted to the tube at the stations; Fig. 5
shows an elevation of a letter or dispatch box; Fig. 6 shows a vertical section

page_text: of the same letter box and tube, showing the registering and electrical appa-
ratus placed at each station; Fig. 7 shows a vertical section of the box and
the tube; Fig. 8 shows a horizontal section of the box parallel to the axis of
the tube; Fig. 9 shows a transverse section of an electrical_indicator fixed
in the tube by means of screws, which permits of removing & changing the
apparatus easily in case of breakage; Fig. 10 shows a transverse section of
tube and rollers adapted for apparatus of small dimensions; Fig. 11 shows an
arrangement in which the lower roller, by its weight, serves as ballast, and
the other two for guiding the dispatch box in the curves; Fig. 12 shows an
arrangement applicable to large tubes. The guiding is produced by a grooved
roller running on a rib throughout the length of the tube; the same result is
obtained by employing the plain roller, Fig 13, traversing a groove in the
tube; Figs. 14 & 15 show arrangements of rollers applicable to large tubes;
Fig. 16 represents a transverse section of a tube showing a means of guiding
the carriage by four rollers. In the different Figures the same letters represent
the same parts seen in different, positions.
:
The tube A, in which the box moves, is disposed similar to water or gas
pipes, and presents inside a perfectly cylindrical surface: The piston B, which
moves in the interior of this tube, is formed of a cast or other iron disc, having
a small space all round between it, and the inside of the tube, to admit of a
eup: leather 6 being fixed to the disc, which forms a packing; a systeni of
rollers gare disposed round the axis c, fixed to the body of the piston. These
rollers, six in number, are disposed in groups of three, as seen in the Drawing,
guiding the piston in its course and transforming its sliding friction to a rolling
friction. In front of the rollers & piston B is a disc D, fixed on the same axis
as the piston, leaving an inch or so between it and the sides of the tube. This
plug is intended to stop the dispatch box at the different stations, and for that
purpose engages between two jointed levers E, which may be separated the
one from the other by turning or their axes o, o.
the spiral springs F are compressed (any other
object of which is to lessen the shock. Each of these levers is furnished at
their extremities with a rod M passing through the packing H, and projecting
on the exterior. The motion of these levers is limited by a catch I, which
keeps them in a fixed position, when the disc D engages between them, which
completely stops the movement of the box K. The attendant is warned by a
bell J, which rings a small cam L placed on a vertical rod M. When it is
wished to transmit the box it suffices to raise the stop I by means of a lever N
worked by the attendant. The box itself. is fixed to the piston by a joint O,
In operating this movement
springs may be used), the

page_text: on
and rests behind on a roller G; it is divided into several movable compart-
ments d, d, of an equal number to that of the offices situated along the tube it
traverses. To prevent the box R turning, it is weighted at its lower part in
such way as always to maintain its normal position. As it is important to be
able to ascertain if an accident has occurred, or whether the passage of the
box be effected in a regular manner, and further, as in case of accidents it
would be necessary to find out where it is situated, for. this purpose a pro-
jecting spring P is disposed in the interior of the tube, & when the box passes
this point it presses the spring, which gives movement to the horizontal rod Q,
traversing a packing e, to prevent the communication of the principal tube
with the exterior. This horizontal rod Q transmits the movement, by the
intermediation of a bell-crank movement R, to a vertical rod S, furnished at
the upper part with a catch f, bearing by means of: a small spring on the
ratchet wheel h. The horizontal rod Q is placed in a tube T, forming a branch
the principal tube. The vertical rod S passes up the interior of column U,
serving as a gas-light or pillar letter-box; each time the box passes, and-acts
on the spring P, the ratchet wheel advances a tooth; a disc K¹ solid with the
wheel indicates the number and order of the dispatches, and also shows the
public, through orifices i; i, the time of the next delivery. The letter boxes
are further made movable, thus, when the collection should be made the post-
man opens a small door in front of the box m, withdraws and empties it of its
contents, and then immediately replaces it. It is indispensible that all the
offices should be constantly in connection with each other, to know the position
of the box and keep the dispatches ready, so that the attendant of the central
station can regulate the working of the apparatus. This communication is
effected by means of electricity, for which purpose two wires are disposed the
length of the tube; the first serves to indicate if the transmission is direct (or
right through) or not. To obtain this, on the wire at each station is placed
a galvanometer; the needles of this galvanometer turn to the right or left,
indicating whether the delivery is direct or otherwise, according as the current
is sent from the central station to one or other extremity of the wire. The
second wire is in constant communication with the pile while the box is in
motion, but at each station the current is interrupted by means of a vertical
rod s, which acts on the ratchet wheel h. This rod is furnished with a stop n,
which interrupts the electrical circuit by bearing on the treadle p, which is
acted on by a spring 9 on the table r, communicating with the wire of the next
preceding station. The communication being interrupted at each station, the
needles of the dials of each station advance a certain distance and indicate at

page_text: which station the box is. The rollers which guide the train are mounted on
movable axes, so as to be able to pass slight obstacles without difficulty.
Lastly, I employ reservoirs to slacken the movement of the train so disposed.
that by intercepting the communication with the pneumatic pump, I obtain a
gradual reduction of speed.
Having described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I déclare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the arrangements of parts,
herein-before described and represented in the annexed Drawings, applied to
'the transmission of letters and parcels, as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred & sixty-one.
W. CLARK. (L.S.)