IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH PRINTING APPARATUS OR MARKING INSTRUMENTS, AND THE INSTRUMENTS OR APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
Year: 1861

page_text: of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and Declaration, on
the 25th September 1861, pursuant to the 9th Section of the Patent Law
Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
BANKS, of No. 19, Salisbury Street, Adelphi, Electric Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ELECTRO-MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH PRINTING APPARATUS OR MARKING INSTRUMENTS,
AND THE INSTRUMENTS OR APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH," and
have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have made solemn
declaration that I am the first and true Inventor thereof.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Banks, do hereby declare that
the following Complete Specification under my hand and seal fully describes
and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same

page_text: is to be performed, in and by the following statement and accompanying
Drawing.
This Invention of "Improvements in Electro-magnetic Telegraph Printing
Apparatus or Marking Instruments, and the Instruments or Apparatus to be
used in connection therewith," relates principally to the improvements herein-
after described in that description of electro-telegraphic instrument employed for
marking upon slips of paper or other material certain arbitrary signs or marks
pre-determined, as a code for the transmission of letters, words, and figures, in
any language, by means of the electric current, from one place to another, con-
nected by means of a circuit wire.
In the various kinds of instruments employed for "printing," the trans-
mission of the current causes a hammer or a lever carrying a tracer, pointer,
style, or indenter to be moved or made to vibrate and come in contact with the
strip of plain or prepared paper, and so produce the required mark or series
of marks, according to the length of time of contact and the repetitions thereof,
by which means simple dots or lines of various lengths, and dots and lines com-
bined, are produced, and a readable message, according to a pre-arranged code,
is printed or impressed.
In such instruments a going movement or train of clockwork is employed,
to draw forward at an uniform rate the strip of paper or other material. In
the present Invention such apparatus is likewise employed, controlled by a
regulating fly and stop.
In some descriptions of instruments a tracing disc, rotated by the clockwork,
is used in connection with the movement of the lever carrying the tracing
instrument, and in some of such instruments the rotary tracing disc is made to
revolve in a direction contrary to the advance of the paper, whilst by means of
a hammer or striker the paper is pressed in contact.
In the present Invention the only purpose for which the train of clockwork
or going movement is used is for rotating the drawing-off rollers and causing
the strip of material to move through the marking apparatus at an uniform
speed of travel. The marking or pointing apparatus is independent of the
going movement. -
In all electro-magnetic printing instruments heretofore employed in prac-
tice, an adjustment of the distance between the electro-magnets and their
armature or armatures becomes necessary upon a change from a long to a
shorter circuit, or vice versâ, and from other circumstances connected with the
practical working of electro-magnetic telegraph instruments.
Now, one of the objects of the present Invention is to render such adjusting

page_text: apparatus and the changing or working thereof unnecessary in all the ordinary
cases which at present exist in practice, as also under the ordinary conditions,
or where the instrument has been arranged in proportion to the distance to be
worked and the battery power to be employed.
By the present Invention, the number of parts of the printing apparatus is
reduced, and the motions of the parts actuated by the electric current are
direct and simple, instead of being compound and indirect or involving changes
of direction. Thus, instead of employing a vibrating beam or lever, one end
of which is depressed whilst the other is raised, for the purpose of bringing tho
tracer, style, or pointer in contact with the strip of paper, or for the purpose
of bringing the hammer or striker mounted thereon actively against the strip
of paper or other material, I so place the armature and so formn and dispose
the polar terminals of my electro-magnets, as to produce on the transmission of
each current a direct action or upward or longitudinal motion of the armature
carrying the tracer, pointer, or striker, by which, in the machine shewn in the
Drawing, the strip of paper or other material is brought into contact with the
edge of a rotating disc, which in turning by contact with the strip becomes
inked, and in turn imparts the required mark to the strip. In the Drawing a
button-headed striker is shewn as employed.
Inasmuch as the armature of such an apparatus when mounted at one end
of a longitudinally sliding axis or bar, working parallel with the axis of tho
electro-magnetic coils, and always presenting the same parts to the poles or
polar terminals, would soon become unworkable from being magnetised. I
have by my present Invention provided an arrangement by which such defect
and its consequences are avoided, and the rapidity and certainty with which.
such apparatus so constructed according to my present Invention can be
worked under long-continued action is very materially increased, as is herein-
after explained.
Instead of placing the electro-magnetic coils and the armature at one end of
a lever, and the apparatus for marking or converting the more or less prolonged
contact or passage of the electric current into inked marks, indentations, or other
means of conveying signs, letters, or figures at the other end of such lever, or
at some distance from the magnetic apparatus, I by my present Invention pro-
duce the required action and the entire operation within the same mounting,
the paper or tape guide and the marking disc with the inking apparatus
surmounting the magnets.
I construct a "relay" instrument with two electro-magnets and armature,
similar to the printing apparatus described, but of suitably reduced dimensions,

page_text: each magnet being composed of a sufficiently long length of a finer wire than
that ordinarily employed in the printing instrument used in connection there-
with; and I prefer to enclose such relay instrument in a close fitting case or
tube, providing suitable insulation in the cap thereof, or in any other conve
nient part of the apparatus, for the metallic connection provided for receiving
the "line" currents and transmitting local currents to the printing instrument.
And I provide a sufficient number of metallic terminals around the base of the
relay instrument, or in any convenient position externally, by. which the
various lines and connections, local, main line, battery instrument, and earth
may be coupled.
For a transmitting instrument I use the same arrangement of coils and
armature for transmitting through intermediate stations as in the precedingly
described printing apparatus, this I effect by fixing upon the spindle or rod
of the armature another metallic disc of a diameter sufficient to clear the wire
coils. From a suitable "cock" or bracket, and properly insulated therefrom,
I fix two springs or elastic arms, the upper one carrying a metallic point, and
the lower one a metallic roller at its extremity. When the current is trans-
mitted and the armature thereby raised, the lower metallic disc being raised
to a similar extent comes in contact with and raises the lower spring or arm
against the metallic point of the upper spring or arm (they being in their
normal position separated), and thus a circuit is formed by the contact pro-
duced, the effect of which is to call in additional battery power in aid of the
main circuit.
In each of the last-described instruments, namely, the "relay" and the
"transmitting" instrument, a central spindle or rod has mounted upon it a
disc of metal as an armature, by preference circular in form, and the spindle
or rod is free to revolve upon the transmission of each current, the extent of
such revolution. or motion varying according to the duration of contact and the
distance of the armature from the poles when at rest, which is the measure of
the travel or space passed through by the armature at each stroke.
I will now proceed to further describe my said Inyention by referring to the
several Figures in the accompanying Drawings, in which I have shewn the
arrangements and disposition of parts which in practice I prefer to adopt,
although I wish it to be understood that I do not thereby intend to confine
myself to the relations therein shewn between the magnets with their fittings
and the going movement and its apparatus, nor to the disposition of the key or
operating handle in relation to the other parts of the instrument; neither do I
intend thereby to restrict myself to the precise dimensions nor the exact form

page_text: or outline of the several parts of the electro-magnetic apparatus, so long as
they are substantially the same, or the mechanically equivalent substitutes
therefor.
Figure 1 is a plan view of an instrument constructed according to my
present Invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an end view of Figures 1 and 2, omitting the going movement
or clockwork for giving motion to the paper.
Figure 4 shews a modification of the printing portion of the apparatus shewn
at Figure 3.
Figure 5 shews a revolving disc reservoir or self-inking roller adapted for
inking the disc wheel or marker.
Figure 6 is a detached view of the magnetic coils and armature.
Figures 7 and 8 are sectional views of a "relay" instrument constructed
according to this Invention, in which the direct vertical action of the armature
is made to call into play the local apparatus, as herein-before described, the
general construction and nature of such relay instrument being so well under-
stood by all conversant with electro-telegraphy as to render unnecessary any
detailed description thereof as to the parts to be insulated and the mode of
working or operating the same.
Figure 9 exhibits a side elevation in section of a "transmitter" or instru-
ment for transmitting messages through intermediate stations constructed as
herein-before described. The general construction and the mode of working
such instruments is now so well understood as to render unnecessary any
detailed description thereof.
It is understood that for the electro-magnetic printing or marking instru-
ments, the going movement or train of clockwork may be of any convenient
and suitable construction; it is therefore not shewn in detail in the Drawings
hereunto annexed, but only indicated as to its position, &c.; the means of
driving the drawing-off rollers is shown as being a flat band or strap, although
gearing or any other convenient means may be employed.
In Figures 1 and 2, A is the board to which the apparatus is fixed; B, the
clock train or going movement, by which motion is given through the drum
wheel a, and band or strap b, and the drum c, to the lower wheel d, and by which
the strip of paper or other material e is drawn forward between the lower roller d
and the upper or pressure roller f. The key or handle C, by which circuit is
made and broken alternately, does not possess any feature of novelty, but is of
the most simple and ordinary construction. The position of the guard piece g.

page_text: should by preference be placed nearer to the non-conducting knob or handle h.
The proper connections by means of conducting wires is effected in the
ordinary manner. D, D, are the two electro-magnets placed side by side, the
length and size of the wire composing the coils being proportioned to the
nature of the instrument and the purpose for which it is intended. The polar
terminals h, h, are made to project or overhang inwards, or approach each
other, so that by placing the armature on the under side, it is attracted upwards
upon the electric current being passed through the coils. This armature i is
mounted upon a rod or spindle j, working vertically in guides attached to
cross pieces at the top and bottom of the magnets. The upper end is ter-
minated by a striker 7, by which the strip of paper or other material is pressed
against the freely revolving disc m, which, receiving ink from the revolving
disc reservoir, or self-inking roller n, or other equivalent arrangement, pro-
duces the ink mark upon the upper side of the strip, so that it may be readily
read as it is marked. The striker l, instead of being a pointer or style, or of
the ordinary form, is a button-shaped piece terminating the armature spindle
or rod, so that the surface presented to the under side of the strip to be
printed or marked is considerably extended, and performs another function
besides pressing the strip in contact with the freely revolving disc m, which is
mounted securely upon a spindle, and is free to revolve in suitable bearings
provided for it in the carriages o, o, by the drawing through of the paper, or
other strip to be printed; and instead of being placed immediately over the
centre of the vertical spindle or rod j, carrying the armature i, the freely
revolving disc m is placed a little to the one side thereof, so that each time
contact is made between the striker 1, the paper e, and the freely revolving
disc m, the armature i, and its vertical spindle or rod j are caused to
revolve, and so change their positions with respect to poles of the magnet,
and thus prevent the magnetising of the armature i, which would otherwise
take place from the repeated contacts of the poles on the same surface of the
armature if there did not exist a tendency to revolve at each stroke.
I provide a means of adjusting the travel of the vertical spindle or rod j,
carrying the armature i by means of a set screw p shewn in Figure 3;
but in addition thereto the armature i is capable of adjustment upon the
vertical spindle or rod j, by means of the set nuts g, g'; or instead thereof the
spindle or rod j may be hollow, and the shank of the striker made to slide up
and down therein, being held fast and adjusted by means of a set screw, or the
shank of the striker may be hollow, and fit on to the rod. Instead of making
the armature i a solid disc, I prefer to drill, or otherwise form a series of hols

page_text: therein, by which I am enabled to secure a more rapid and uniform action,
and at the same time reduce the weight of the armature in proportion to its
diameter.
The inking roller n is shewn in both Figures 3 and 4, as being mounted in
5 carriages o, o, which also carry the spindle j of the freely revolving disc m.
In Figure 5 I have shewn an improved self-acting inking roller, which is
formed hollow, of any convenient shape to form a reservoir for containing the
ink, there being two flanges, at the bottom of which a series of holes are drilled
communicating with the chamber, the space between the flanges being filled
with worsted, thred, or other suitable material for preventing the too ready
escape of the ink. This inking apparatus may be substituted for that shewn
at n in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
The strip of paper or other material being mounted upon a flanged wheel
or roller in a line with the drawing-off rollers d, f, and the central line of the
printing or marking apparatus, it is carried along through a slot in the guide
piece s, and through the guide sheath t, between the striker and the freely
revolving disc m, and so between the rollers d, f, actuated by the clockwork
or "going" movement, and by which the strip of material after it has been
printed is drawn forward at a regular speed. The upper drawing-off' roller is
shewn as held in its place by spring arms u, u, secured by the pillars v, but
instead thereof spiral or any other description of springs may be substituted ;
w, w, w, w, are terminals or binding screws for connecting up the batteries and
other parts of the circuit arrangement; and a relay instrument, as herein-
before described, may be introduced in connection with the printing apparatus
constructed according to the present Invention.
As before stated, I construct relay and transmitting instruments upon the
same principle as that which I have already described; or, I apply the same
principle of construction as that already described for the purpose of effecting
a "relay," or the calling into action of intermediate battery power.
Having now described my said Invention of improvements in electro-
magnetic telegraph printing apparatus or making instruments, and the instru-
ments or apparatus to be used in connection therewith, what I claim is,-
First, the construction, arrangement of parts, and mode of working electro-
magnetic printing or marking apparatus as herein described.
Second, the revolving armature, and the mode of mounting and working
the same in electro-magnetic telegraph apparatus as herein described.
Third, the combination of the freely revolving marking disc with the direct
acting striker for the purpose and in the manner herein described.

page_text: Fourth, the adaptation of the direct acting and freely revolving armature
for the purposes of "relay" and "transmission" as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Banks, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of September, One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-one.
Witness,
FREDERIC ROBERTS,
19, Salisbury Street,
Adelphi.
JAMES BANKS. (L.S.)