Improvements in or connected with Apparatus for Telegraphic and Telephonic Communication.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 8th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 10th Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Apparatus for Telegraphic and
Telephonic Communication.
We, JOSEPH SACK, Telegraph Superintendent, of Düsseldorf, EMIL VON
MALTITZ and PETER ZIESEL, of the firm Von Maltitz & Ziesel, Building Con-
tractors, of Cologne, both in the German Empire, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the apparatus described in the
Specification of Patent No. 15550 of 1888, and has for its object, to provide better
means for individually calling and automatically cutting out or connecting any
station on a telegraphic or telephonic circuit.
66
Instead of the drop lever w with vanes or air brake and ebonite teeth w¹ w²
described in the Specification of the said Patent, a lever hereafter called
"
contact or "drop lever" may be mounted on a revoluble and insulated axle in
such a manner, that its plane of motion is identical with that of the tooth-wheel k
and pin m, and that the said lever may or may not form electric contact with the
same, according as it is desired to call one or another part of the same circuit.
For this purpose, we employ a regulating lever composed of two parts insulated
from each other, one end of the said lever resting on the revoluble shaft mentioned
above, while the other end rests on an excentric (or similar contrivance, such as a
toothed disc). This excentric is mounted on the shaft of the going work which
carries the automatic escapement mechanism.
When the apparatus is at rest, the position of the excentric is such, that it has
lifted the regulating lever mentioned above, and thereby also the axle of the drop-
If now the
lever, thus bringing the latter out of contact with the pin m.
wheel with pin m is turned forward one tooth by the electric current, and
thereby the going work released, the excentric continues to revolve under the
hooked extremity of the regulating lever and releases the latter after a few seconds.
This lever now drops and transmits its motion to the axle of the contact lever, in
consequence of which the latter is laid on the pin m, thus closing the local alarm
or call circuit. Shortly before the revolution is completed, the hooked extremity
of the regulating lever rises again upon the excentric, thereby lifting the drop
lever off the pin m and opening again the local circuit. At the same time, the
escapement device is set in action and the wheel k automatically replaced into its
original position by means of a weight or spring.
An electric contact between the drop fever and pin m takes place only when
the wheel with pin m is placed accurately in the required position relatively to
the contact lever and then stopped. The pin m is rendered adjustable, and has
at every station a different position. Consequently the alarm or call circuits at
the different stations of the same circuit are not closed simultaneously, but one
after the other.
The call bell is thereby sounded at the required station only, without disturbing
the other stations of the same circuit or line.
To render unnecessary the automatic switch described in Patent No. 15550 of
1888, we combine with the individual calling device an arrangement for auto-
matically putting each station out of circuit and switching it in again. For this
purpose a second insulated regulating lever (or a similar appliance, for instance an
insulated disc mounted.on the same axle with wheel k) is placed in the plane of
motion of a second pin fixed on the wheel k, but insulated from the same in such a
manner, that an electric contact between the second contact or drop lever and the
second pin mentioned above, can only take place, when such a contact occurs
.

page_text: between the contact lever and pin m. The second contact, lever, like the contact
lever, is provided with revoluble axle, regulating lever and excentric, and is
movable between a pair of insulated contact screws.
In all cases, where this contact does not take place, the second contact lever
will fall on one of the contact screws mentioned above. Now, the second contact
lever is connected with a telephonic (or telegraphic) line or main circuit, while
one of the said contact screws is connected with the second contact pin and the
instruments, and the other contact screw is connected to earth or with a con-
tinuation of the main line. Consequently, on those stations of the same circuit,
where the second contact lever lies on the second contact pin, the instruments are
all switched into circuit, while those stations, where the second contact lever lies
on the contact screw, are entirely separated from the main circuit.
After a certain length of time, the second contact lever returns, automatically
and at the same time with the first contact lever, into the position of rest, whereby
all stations of the same circuit are replaced in their normal position.
This arrangement provides, that, without the use of an automatic commutator,
two stations of a circuit or line having several stations are always directly connected
with each other without allowing the other stations of the same line to disturb or
hear the conversation.
Dated this 10th day of January 1890
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Apparatus for Telegraphic and
Telephonic Communication.
We, JOSEPH SACK, Telegraph Superintendent, of Düsseldorf, EMIL VON
MALTITZ and PETER ZIESEL, of the firm of Von Maltitz & Ziesel, Building
Contractors, of Cologne, both in the German Empire, 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 the apparatus described in the Speci-
fication of Patent No. 15550 of 1888, and has for its object, to provide better
means for individually calling and automatically cutting out or connecting any
station on a telegraphic or telephonic circuit.
Instead of the drop lever wo with vanes or air brake and ebonite teeth w¹ w2
described in the Specification of the said Patent, a lever may be mounted on a
revoluble and insulated axle in such a manner, that its plane of motion is identical
with that of the tooth-wheel k and pin m, and that the said lever may or may not
form electric contact with the same, according as it is desired, to call one or another
part of the same circuit.
As shown by the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1 to 7, we employ for this
purpose a regulating lever c, which is mounted on the insulated axle a (adapted to
turn in its bearings) and provided at its lower end with a hook d. The latter
rests on a cam e (or on an excentric or toothed disc) mounted on the axle of
the going work which carries the automatic device serving as escapement.
The said axle a carries also a contact lever / serving to close the call bell circuit,
as will be described later on.
When the apparatus is at rest, the cam e is exactly underneath the hook d,
in consequence of which the lever c, together with the axle a of the lever h,
will be lifted in such a manner, that the latter does not touch the pin of the
wheel 2.
If now the electric current causes the wheel z and pin p to advance
one tooth, thereby releasing the going work, the cam e continues to revolve under-
neath the hook d and releases the lever c after a few seconds.
The latter drops and communicates its motion to the axle a of the lever h, which

page_text: latter is consequently laid upon the pin p, and thereby the local call-bell circuit
closed. The hub of the lever c is insulated from its axle by a concentric lining, in
order that the battery for the call-bell circuit may not be closed constantly, but
only when the lever c with lever h drops upon the pin p. The duration of the
alarm may be arranged at will, but a few seconds are sufficient, after which time
the hook d ascends again upon the cam e, thereby lifting the lever ½ off the pin p
and again opening the local call-bell circuit.
The going-work of the apparatus, however, is not yet arrested by the
escapement, but only after the conversation has been finished, as will be shown
hereafter.
An electric contact between lever h and pin p takes place only, when the wheel z,
together with pin p, is placed into a certain predetermined position relatively
to the lever h, and then stopped. The pin p is adjustable and occupies at each
station a different position; the angle between the pins p of two consecutive
stations corresponds to the pitch of the tooth-wheel, consequently the call bell
circuits at the different stations of the same line are not closed simultaneously,
but one after the other, and the call-bell will ring at the desired station only,
without disturbing the other stations of the same line; furthermore, the con-
nection of the line with the telephone can be effected at the desired station only,
because the lever c drops simultaneously with h, and c¹ with ; consequently they
come simultaneously into contact with the pins p p', whereby on the one hand the
call-bell circuit and on the other hand the speaking circuit is closed at the desired
station only, as mentioned above.
In order to dispense with the automatic commutator described in the Patent
No. 15550, we combine with the separate call an arrangement for automatically
disconnecting each station from the line and then connecting it again. For this
purpose, we employ a second axle », likewise insulated and capable of turning in its
bearings, the said axle carrying a contact lever h¹ which, similarly to the lever h, is
situated with its front end over a second contact pin p' secured to the wheel <.
On the said axle is mounted a second regulating lever c¹ (insulated like lever c)
provided with a hook d¹, which rests on a cam or excentric e¹. The cam e¹ is
mounted on the same shaft of the going work, as the came for the lever h, but is
of different shape, inasmuch as it replaces the lever ' (by means of the lever c¹)
into the normal position later, than is the case for the lever h. The time for placing
the lever into its normal position may be regulated at will; it is advantageous
to make it equal to the average duration of a conversation, namely from 3 to
4 minutes.
At the end of this time, the cam rises underneath the hook d¹ of the lever c', and
lifts the latter, together with the axle b, whereby the lever his replaced into its
normal position. Immediately afterwards the escapement acts on the going work
of the apparatus, and at the same time, the wheel with pins p, p', is placed back into
its starting position, by means of a spring s (coiled around the axle z, but not shown
in the drawing, or by a weight); the speaking station is entirely in its normal
condition.
The lever h¹ now plays with its rear end h² between insulated contacts 1 and 2 in
such a manner, that in case the lever drops upon the contact pin p', the rear
end 2 is free between the contacts 1 and 2.
The position of the lever ' in relation to the contact pin is adjusted in such a
manner, that an electric contact between lever h' and pin p¹ can only take place,
when such a contact occurs between lever hand pin p. The mechanism is so
arranged, that, whenever this latter contact does not exist, the lever h', which
in its normal position touches with its part h² the contact 1, drops upon the
contact 2.
Now, the lever h' is connected with the telephone line or conduit, the contact 1
with the instruments and eventually with the pin p', and contact 2 is connected to
earth or with the continuation of the telephone conduit. Consequently, at those
stations of the same line, where lever h¹ rests on p', the instruments are completely

page_text: placed in circuit, while those stations, where h¹ rests on contact 2, the instruments
are completely separated from the line or main circuit.
Now, as the arrangement of the lever / may be chosen at will, it is evident, that
the nature of the invention is not altered by placing the lever / vertically,
horizontally, at the side, above, or below the lever h. While the lever / returns
into the normal position already after a few seconds, the lever h¹ remains on the
pin p', or with the extremity 2 on the contact 2. Only when the conversation is
finished, that is generally after 3 or 4 minutes, the cam-e moves under the hook d¹
and replaces the lever into the position of rest, whereby all speaking stations in
the same line are replaced into their normal condition.
The result of our arrangement in lines with several speaking stations is therefore,
that two stations may always be connected with each other directly, without
enabling other stations of the same line to disturb or hear the conversation.
The diagrams, Figs. 5, 6 and 7 serve to show the course of the current or the
arrangement of circuits, Fig. 5 representing the normal position, Fig. 6 the speaking
position, and Fig. 7 a disconnected station.
In view of its simplicity, and of the fact, that the arrangement of circuits differs
but little from that of ordinary telephone lines, a further description of our arrange-
ment will not be necessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is-
1. Apparatus for automatically closing and opening the local call bell circuits of
telephone or telegraph stations, in such a manner, that the alarm bell will act at
the desired station only, without interfering with the other stations of the same
line, the said apparatus comprising an insulated contact lever, a regulating lever
composed of two parts insulated from each other, and a cam (excentric or equivalent
device) applied to the going work and adapted to control the said regulating lever,
substantially as described.
2. In apparatus as aforesaid, an additional insulated contact lever, in combination
with two insulated contacts, a regulating lever and a cam (excentric or equivalent
device) applied to the going work and adapted to control the said regulating lever,
in order that any desired station may be automatically switched in and out of
circuit, and thereby a direct connection established between two stations, without
disclosing the conversation to other stations of the same line, substantially as
described.
3. In apparatus as aforesaid, a tooth wheel controlled by an electro-magnet and
provided with two contact pins, for the purpose of establishing or allowing electric
contact between these pins and the contact levers mentioned under clauses 1 and 2,
in a predetermined position of the tooth-wheel only, and thereby calling any desired
station separately, while disconnecting for a given time the station which is not to
be called, substantially as described.
way
JOSEPH SACK.
V. MALTITZ & ZIESEL.
By Fairfax & Wetter,
433, Strand, London, Agents.