Improvements in Telephonic Call Apparatus.
Year: 1884

page_text: Improvements in Telephonic Call Apparatus.
We JOSEPH POOLE Electrician and KENNETH MAC IVER Secretary both of
38 Faulkner Street Manchester in the County of Lancaster do hereby declare
the nature of our said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TELEPHONIC CALL
APPARATUS to be as follows:--
"
The main objects are to provide means for automatically regulating the time of
use of a telephone circuit when such circuit is intended for use by the public
generally; and to count and record the number of times the circuit is used.
The invention consists
Under the first part in providing the speaking end of the Circuit with signalling
apparatus and at either the speaking or central exchange end but preferably at the
speaking end with a circuit regulator or switch controlled by the action of spring
weight or like mechanism set in operation for a given time either mechanically or
electrically from the said central or exchange station.
Under the second part, counting and recording appliances of any usual or suitable
kind operated by studs keys or other convenient means are combined with the
circuit controlling or switch mechanism for the purpose of counting and recording
the number of times the circuit has been in operation.
Under the third part, coin receiving appliances are combined with the circuit
controlling or switch apparatus for setting the said apparatus in motion when a
coin of the required value is deposited in or on the said appliances.
Apparatus under our invention may with advantage be constructed as
follows:-
A box is divided into two portions by a horizontal partition having two
openings. The lid of this box is furnished with one or more slits of sufficient size
to admit coins of different values. When tho coins are inserted into these slits
'they fall into a funnel down which they roll on to the pans of scales one of which
is adjusted so that the weight of say three pence will overbalance it, and another
so that the weight of say a sixpenny piece will overbalance it-When the proper
amount is put through the slit the scale overbalances The money falls into the
lower part of the box and the scale recovers itself. The movement of the scale
causes by means of a projection on it the disconnection of the line wire (which
proceeds from the Central Office) from another connection and brings it into contact
with a battery of a certain strength. The batteries used for the different scales

page_text: being different in strength or direction so that they affect electro magnets at the
Central Office in a different mauner and so indicate at the Central Office which
scale has been moved. By this means the Central Office is informed at the same
time; that attention is required at the Call Office and also what amount is put in
the hox.
Another part of the apparatus is intended to regulate the time allowed for
conversation. This is accomplished by the following means:-Clock work is
employed to drive a wheel whose periphery is roughened, at a certain speed. An
arm is loosely supported on the same centre carrying a spring which bears on the
periphery of the wheel and so is carried round with it, until it comes against a
guide piece which lifts it out of contact with the wheel. Before being so lifted
however the arın comes against another spring lifting the latter away from
contact with a metallic piece through which electrical connection is made between
the Call Office and the Central Office and so stopping further communication with
the latter.
The operator at the Central Office receiving a signal from the Call Office
(caused by the coins being put in the box) sends an electrical current through
the line to the Call Office-instrument,-where it passes through an electro magnet
causing the latter to attract its armature which by means of a projection-on-it-
moves back the arm and the spring on the periphery of the wheel a certain
distance (which may be so regulated that the time taken by the arm to travel until
it presses the contact spring out of contact is equal to the time allowed for con-
versation) At the same time the telephone bell is rung and the caller thereupon
tells the operator the person he wishes to speak with. The latters wire is then
connected and the operator again works the electro magnet so that the time allowod
to the caller starts from the time at which he gets communication with the person
asked for, not from the time of his first calling the Central Office. A pointer in
front of the box shows the caller how his time is progressing and at what point he
will be disconnected. The counting or recording apparatus is operated by the
scales or by projections on them, moving round a toothed wheel to the extent of
one tooth each time it is overbalanced, or by the scale causing a contact to be made
with a battery, which by means of an electro-magnet causes a toothed wheel of the
counting apparatus to be moved round to the extent of one tooth each time the
scale was moved. The checking and signalling apparatus above mentioned may be
operated by coins checks or tokens such as are used in foreign countries of different
weights or shapes or having different magnetic properties or combinations of the
above according as they are of gold silver or other metal or material.
It will be evident that additional length of time may be obtained for the
caller by his repeating the deposition of coins or checks or tokens as above set
forth.

page_text: Improvements in Telephonic Call Apparatus.
"
We JOSEPH POOLE Electrician and KENNETH MAC IVER Secretary both of
38 Faulkner Street Manchester in the County of Lancaster do hereby declare
the nature of the invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TELEPHONIC CALL APPARATUS
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The main objects are to provide means for automatically regulating the time of
use of a telephonic circuit when such circuit is intended for use by the public
generally and to count and record the number of times the circuit is used.
The invention consists under the first part in providing the speaking end of
the circuit with signalling apparatus and at either the speaking or central exchange
end but preferably at the speaking end with a circuit regulator or switch
controlled by the action of spring weight or like mechanism set in operation
for a given time either or electrically from the said central or exchange
station.
Under the second part counting and recording appliances of any usual or suitable
kind operated by studs keys or other convenient means are combined with the
circuit controlling or switch mechanism for the purpose of counting and recording
the number of times the circuit has been in operation..
Under the third part, coin receiving appliances are combined with the circuit
controlling or switch apparatus for setting the said apparatus in motion when a
coin of the required value is deposited in or on the said appliances.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig 1 is a front view, and fig 2 a side elevation of so much of telephonic call
apparatus as is required to illustrate an advantageous method of carrying our
improvements into effect. A box 1 is divided into two portions by a horizontal
partition 2 having two openings 3. 3ª .therethrough. The said box is furnishod
with a lid 4 having two slits 5. 5% of sufficient size to admit coins or tokens of
different value, weight or shape. Ways or passages 6 6 lead from the slits 5. 5
to scale pans 7. 7. The said scale pans are pivotted at 8. Sa and are weighted
at 9. 98 so that say the weight of three pennies will overbalance the pan 7 and the
weight of a sixpenny piece the pan 7*. The weighted ends of the scale pans are
made with projection pieces 10. 10. 11 line wire from central exchange. 12 switch,
13 contact piece connected by the wire 14 to the switch 12ª 13º connected to the
wire 15 leading to that portion of the apparatus shown in fig 2. 16. 16* battery
contacts. 17 tills or drawers. Referring to fig 2 the wire 15 fig 1 is led through
the electro magnet 18 to earth and by a branch to the fixed contact 19. 20 contact
maker connected to the telephone wire 21. 22 contact breaker carried on the
arm 23 pivotted at 24 on the axis of the wheel 25. The wheel 25 is caused to
rotate in the direction of the arrow at a uniform speed by means of clock work.
Motion is given to the arm 23 by means of a friction or ratchet piece 20 on the
contact breaker 22. 27 armature of electro magnet pivotted at 28, the said

page_text: ·
.
4
armature is provided with an extension 29 which extends beneath a stud 30 on the
arm 23 31 screw for regulating the motion of the arm 23. 32 guide piece for
lifting the contact breaker 22 away from the wheel 25 when it has reached the end
of its motion, 33 part of carrying frame or box. The apparatus shown in
fig 2 would usually be contained in the same box as that shown in fig 1 but is
here separately delineated to avoid confusion.
The apparatus is used as follows:-The wire 11 is in connection with a telephone
exchange the battery contacts 16 16ª are coupled to batteries of different potential
or polarities, the wire 15 is led to earth and the wire 21 to a telephone As shown
in the drawings there is through connection from the line wire 11 to earth, and the
telephone wire and batteries are disconnected. If now one or more coins or tokens
of the required value size or weight are caused to fall down one or other of the
ways 66 onto one or other of the scale pans 7, 7ª, one of the said scales is
depressed and one or other of the projecting pieces 10. 10a lifted out of contact
with one or other of the switches 12. 12° so as to allow such switch to press against_
-one-or-other-of-the-contact-pieces 16. 16 The line wire 11 is thereby connected
to a battery and a signal is sent to the telephone exchange showing that a scale
pan has been depressed. Or it may be arranged to send a current through the
electro magnet No 18 the armature of which on being attracted lifts arm 25 and
allows telephone circuit to be completed through 19 and 20. The central office can
then be rung in any ordinary manner. As the batteries for the scale pans are of
different potentials or polarities a relay or other suitable apparatus can be arranged
at the exchange in any usual manner to shew which battery has been in operation
and therefore which scale pan has been depressed. It will be obvious that instead
of using two batteries the required variation in potential or polarity may be
obtained from one battery by different methods of coupling as is well known.
Two scale pans are only used when it is necessary to charge two prices say one for
local and another for distant communication. The signal having been given by the
fall of the scale pan, through communication is established as before by the rising
of the scale pan after the coins or tokens bave been deposited in the till 17. The
operator at the exchange now sends a current along the wire 11 through the
electro magnet 18 to earth. This current causes the armature 27 to rise and the
extension 29 acts on the stud 30 and raises the arm 23 until it comes into contact
with the adjusting screw 31. When the arm 28 is raised the removal of the
contact breaker 22 from the contact maker 20 allows the said contact maker to
press against the fixed contact 19 and establish through communication from the
telephone wire 21 to the exchange. It is advisable that a bell should be interposed
in the electro magnet or telephone circuit to give notice that the operator has put
the telephone wire in communication with the exchange; it is also advantageous
to have an indicator worked by the movement of the arm 23 to show the time
during which the communication is effected, a counter may also be provided to record
the number of times the apparatus is used. After through communication is once
established the arm 23 is carried round by the wheel 25 until it resumes the position
shewn in the drawings and contact is broken the wheel still continuing to rotate
as the friction or ratchet piece is lifted out of contact therewith by the action of
the guide piece 32.
It will be obvious that time regulating apparatus similar to that shown in fig 2
(necessary modifications of connections being made to suit circumstances) might be
arranged to be operated at the exchange end of the line either electrically by the
action of the electro magnet or by a push piece operated by hand, but we prefer
and recommend that the said apparatus should be placed at the speaking end as
shown. An alternative method of working is to allow caller to signal central by
any of the ordinary means, and to use the checking apparatus to show central that
the proper coins or tokens are placed in the apparatus.
Fig 3 is an elevation of a modification of time recording apparatus to be used
in combination with signalling appliances under our invention. In this modification

page_text: the extension 29 of the armature 27 is connected to a flexible reservoir 34 and is
provided with a regulating weight 35. The said extension 29 is also fitted with an.
adjusting screw 36 and is coupled to a counter 37. 38 contact maker coupled to
the line wire 15. 39 adjustable contact connected to the telephone wire, 21. The
flexible reservoir is preferably made like a bellows and is provided with an inlet
valve in the usual way an outlet orifice of small size either adjustable or
otherwise being also provided. Like figures denote parts equivalent to those in
fig 2.
The action is as follows:-On signal being given either by the method described-
in relation to fig 1 or by similar means, or by the usual telephone signalling
apparatus, the operator at the exchange sends a current of electricity through the
electro magnet and raises the armature, so extending the flexible reservoir. The
raising of the armature lifts the screw 36 away from the contact maker 38 and
allows through connection to be made between the telephone wire 21 and the line
wire 15. As soon as the current through the electro magnet ceases the weight 85
causes the armature to descend the speed of such descent being regulated by the
size and position of the weight 35 and the area of the escape orifice in 34. It will
also depend on the nature of the fluid in the reservoir; we prefer to use air, bat
oil glycerine or other liquid might be employed though not so advantageously.
When the armature has descended the required distance the screw 36 presses on
the contact maker 38 so as to remove it from the contact piece 39 and cut off com-
munication between the telephone wire 21 and line wire 15. Each rise and fall
of the armature is recorded by the counter 37. Such counter or recorder may be
of any usual construction.
Fig 4 is an elevation of a further modification of time regulating apparatus for
use under our invention. The same figures denote equivalent parts in fig 2; here
a fly 40 gearing with a wheel 41 is employed to regulate the descent of the
armature 27 by means of the ratchet and pawl 42. The contact maker 38 being
lifted out of action by the lever arm 43 attached to the armature. 44 indicator
actuated by the extension 29 so as to show the length of time through
communication exists.
Fig 5 is an elevation of coin receiving appliances for signalling in combination
with circuit controlling or switch apparatus under our invention. 45 battery
wire. 46 battery contact pieces. 47 line wire contact pieces. 48 telephone wire
contact piece. Here coins or tokens dropped down the way 6 press in their
downward passage the contact pieces 47 against the contact pieces 46 and a signal
is sent to the exchange office as soon as the coins or tokens have passed through
the way 6 into the till 17 the contact pieces 47 spring back and complete circuit
with the telephone contact piece 48 thus coupling the wires 15 and 21.
Figs 6 and 7 are views showing a suitable shape for a token and way to be used
in coin or token receiving appliances under our invention.
Although it is most advantageous to operate the apparatus by means of the
weight of a coin check or token the shape or size of such articles may be used for
that purpose as in fig 5. When iron coins or tokens are used they may actuate a
magnet instead of a scale but these latter arrangements are not so reliable as
when the apparatus is set in motion by the weight of the coin check or token, and
we cannot recommend their use.
Having now particularly described and ascertained. the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
First. In telephone call office apparatus the combination of signalling apparatus
with a circuit regulator or switch controlled and actuated substantially as set
forth..
Second. The combination of counting or recording appliances with signalling
apparatus and a circuit regulator or switch for telephone call office apparatus
substantially as set forth.

page_text: Third. The combination of coin check or token receiving appliances with circuit
|_ controlling or switch apparatus for the purpose and in the manner set forth.
Fourth. In a telephone call office apparatus the combination of signalling
apparatus with regulating apparatus for determining the time. or duration of
use substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
sheet of drawings.
Fifth. In telephone call office apparatus the combination of coin, check or token
signalling apparatus with time regulating apparatus, and counting or recording
apparatus substantially as set forth.
Dated this 15th day of July 1885.
J. T. KING,
Per J. Richman,
Agent for the Applicants.