IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH APPARATUS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jacob Brett, of Hanover Square, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH APPARATUS."-Partly a communication.
Sealed the 27th August 1858, and dated the 11th May 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jacob Brett at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
11th May 1853.
I, JACOB BRETT, of Hanover Square, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH APPARATUS" to be as follows:-
The improvements consist in the application of the force or power
of air or gas to magnetic or electro-magnetic telegraphs, combined
with magnetic or electro-magnetic apparatus escapements, for the
purpose of giving more energy or force to the movement of the
escapements, with a view to the more rapid working of such apparatus.
I prefer to use an air pump for supplying air for the purpose, but other
apparatus may be used suitable for supplying air or gas. The letters
and characters are placed upon the periphery of a type wheel, and the

page_text: type wheel is fixed upon an axis, on the top of which, above the typ
wheel, a small disc is fixed, on which are the letters and signs corre
sponding to the type wheel. This disc moves with the axis behind behin
a small aperture cut in a cover to admit one letter only at a time to b
seen; upon the bottom of or on the underside of the type wheel is a
ratchet wheel, which forms the escapement wheel, and another ratche
wheel is fixed to the upper side of the type wheel for discharging o
giving motion to the printing part of the apparatus. The escapement
is retarded and released by an ordinary pair of pallets, having a tail
piece passing into a slot cut in the side of a horizontal cylinder, in
which a double piston is put in motion by puffs of air or gas.
On the table which supports the machinery is an upright shaft, which
carries four driving pullies, differing in diameter according to the
velocity required in the separate parts of the apparatus; this shaft is
put in motion by a bevil wheel connected with the axis of the air
pump, which turns another bevil wheel. The object of this shaft, with
its driving pullies, is to give motion to the whole of the apparatus by
means of bands passing from the said pullies over other similar pulleys
connected with the axes of,
First, the type wheel and escapement.
Second, the locking can.
Third, the excentric or printing can.
And fourth, the shaft or barrel of the composing machine; the
Invention is, however, also applicable to other instruments requiring
like escapements.
In the air chamber is a collar valve, with a series of rings so adjusted
as to admit of air from the condenser alternately through the tubes to
each end of the escapement cylinder. This collar valve forms part of
or is fitted to the rod, which carries small discs of soft iron (or an
arniature, as the case may be); these are attracted by a series of
electro-magnets fitted within a coil of insulated wire, so that the vibra-
tions of the rod and armatures, caused by a current of electricity passed
through the coils of wire, and acting upon the electro-magnets at the
same time, gives a similar motion to the collar valve suspended within
the vertical cylinder, and this admits of the air passing alternately to

page_text: either end of the cylinder, thus giving motion to the pistons connected
with the arm of the escapement.
For preventing the motion of the cam when the printing is not
required, as also for arresting the type wheel at a given point while the
current is acting on the magnet, gearing is applied, to insure that any
given letter on the composing machine, and also upon the printing
apparatus, shall be at the same point for starting, thus causing the
keys of the composer, and the letters on the type wheel, to agree or
act correctly one to the other.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Jacob Brett in the Great Seal Patent Office, on
the 11th November 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JACOB BRETT, of Hanover Square, in the County of Middlesex, Gen-
tleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto ine, the said Jacob Brett, Her special licence
that I, the said Jacob Brett, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Jacob Brett, my executors, adminis-
trators, 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 Chan-
nel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH APPARATUS," (partly communicated to me from
abroad,) upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Jacob
Brett, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the

page_text: 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 Jacob Brett, 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 thereof (that is to say):
The Invention consists in the application of the force or power of
air or gas to magnetic or electro-magnetic telegraphs, combined with
magnetic or electro-magnetic apparatus escapements, for the purpose
of giving more energy or force to the movement of the escapements,
with a view to the more rapid working of such apparatus; when the
apparatus consists of two parts, as in the printing telegraphic apparatus
named in the Specification of my former Patent, viz', the composing
machine and the printing machine, I apply an air piston and its
connections to the printing apparatus, or to such apparatus as would
be placed at a distant station where the message is to be received.
It is not my intention to confine myself to the use of the ordinary air
pump for compressing the air to work the valves which actuate the
escapements, as for some purposes it may be found more convenient to
use other means of attaining the same object, such as carbonic acid
gas or other suitable gases, generated in suitable receivers, and be used
therefrom as required; or ordinary organ bellows I have found to
answer the purpose well.
I will now describe a mode of applying atmospheric force to printing
telegraphs having an ordinary air pump connected therewith.
DRAWINGS,
MARKED A.
Figure 1, is a plan; Figure 2, an elevation; Figure 3, is a longitu-
dinal section of the coil magnets and air valve; Figure 4, is a trans-
verse section through the key board, shown full size; and Figure 5, is
a front elevation of parts not shewn in the other Figures, drawn one
fourth of the real size. The air pump is mounted on a frame a, a,
which also supports an axis b, and fly wheel c; on the axis b, is a
crank handled, by which the axis b. may be turned, or it may be

page_text: alve
worked by a treaddle; f, is a reservoir or receiver, having a pipe f',
eading to the top of the magnetic coil, which is provided with a collar
which alternately connects the pipe f', with the pipe h, and
vith the pipe h, according as the circuit is made or broken; when the
ircuit is made the collar valve g, is drawn by the action of the mag-
etic coil (herein-after described) into the position shewn in the section
Figure 3, which opens a passage from the pipe f, into the pipe ;
out when the circuit is broken, as hereafter described, the collar valvey,
will be raised by the tension spring i, which will make connection
between the pipe f', from reservoir f, and the pipe or passage, so
that the piston j, will be driven alternately in opposite directions in its
cylinder, by the current of air, as often as the making and breaking
of contact takes place on the piston j, is formed a disc, having a
grooved channel formed around it, into which the tail, of the pallet,
enters, by means of which tho pallet , is moved backwards and for-
wards on its centre in such manner as to govern the movement of
the ratchet or escapemont wheel &, shewn in red in Figure 1. On the
axis b, of the air pump is a bevilled toothed pinion b', taking into and
driving another bevilled toothed pinion ; on the vertical axis b³, keyed
on the axis, are four pullics, 6, 6, 7, 6, differing in diameter accord-
ing to the velocity required by the several parts driven by them. The
pulley, gives motion to the type wheel m, and escapement wheel m³,
on the axis m, by a band m³, passing around it and around the
pulley m. The pulley, gives motion to the locking cam n, on
the axis n', by a band n³, passing around it and the pulley n³. The
pulley gives motion to the excentric or printing cam o, on the
axis o, by a band o², passing around it and a pulley o³. The
pulley, gives motion to the shaft or barrel t, of the composing
machine. a', a', are two metal plates placed horizontally, secured
together by pillars a³, a², to form a framing; upon the top of the upper
plate a', is placed the type wheel indicator or dial plate m³, and the
excentric cam o, and lever o', for performing the printing, and the
apparatus for drawing forward the paper p, and ink band . The
letters and characters are placed upon the periphery of the type wheel m,
and these letters correspond with those on the dial plate me³; upon the

page_text: bottom or underside of the type wheel m, is placed the escapement
wheel m', and another ratchet wheel m", is fixed to the upper side of
the type wheel m, for discharging or giving motion to the printing part
of the apparatus.
.
The palletts, are of the ordinary kind, and are the meaus of retard-
ing and releasing the escapement wheel m', the tail piece k', entering the
groove formed in the piston, by which it is driven, as already explained.
The collar valve y, which causes the air to enter alternately the tubes
or passages h, h, is formed on or affixed to the rod g', which carries
small discs of soft iron g, g, (or an armature, as the case may be);
these are attracted by a series of electro-magnets titted within a coil of
insulated iron, so that the vibrations of the rod and armatures, caused
by a current of electricity passed through the coils of wire, and acting
upon the electro-magnets, gives motion to the collar valve suspended
within the vertical cylinder by the distended wire i, so that the collar
valve g, is drawn down upon making a circuit, and upon breaking
circuit it is drawn up by the tension of the wire i.
The cam n, placed upon the axis n', and driven by the band n,
is for regulating the printing: the axis, revolves in a contrary
direction to the type wheel. The whole being kept in place by
the metal bar, held down by screws to the upper plate a. The
upper surface of the cam or disc n, is slightly hollowed out, and
fitted with washers of cloth or some other suitable material, to retard
the printing, or to prevent the printing going on during the revolution
of the type wheel. Ou the edge of this cam is a tooth or projection
, always resting against the flat surface of one of the teeth of
the upper ratchet wheel, reason of its axis revolving in a reverse
direction to the type wheel, and consequently to the ratchet affixed
thereto. The can n, or timing cap, revolves loosely on the axis,
when the excentric pin ox, is retarded or stopped by coming against
the stop n. The pin o*, is adjusted with a long and a short end, the
excentric rod o, extending to the front of the type wheel, and con-
nected to a bar o', on which is a small pillar or roller o³, fitted
loosely on it; the roller o³, receives motion by the lever and clawker or
catch o, which derive their movement from the excentric o, and

page_text: parts connected therewith, shown by the separate plan of these parts.
o", is a lever, working on the standard o, fixed to the upper plate a²;
within the standard o, is a spiral or other spring, which acts on the
lever o", in a manner to cause it to press against the small pointed biting
roller o, formed or fixed on the roller o, the action of which is such as
to cause the paper when placed between to be gripped or held thereby
sufficiently to feed in as the printing goes on. The lever o", at the part
where the gripping takes place, is grooved or recessed, so as the better
to hold the paper. The ink band q, receives its motion by flat sides
between the rows of points on the biting roller oº. The movements
just described are so arranged as to take place on each stoppage of the
type wheel, such stoppage taking place on the arrival of the letter to be
printed at one of the small flat surfaces on the pillar or roller os. The
printing takes place either by the making or the breaking of the
current in the magnet. r, is a stop lever for arresting the printing train,
to enable the signals to be read without being recorded. s, is a lever
and catch which acts on a pin on the underside of the type wheel, to
bring it to zero when desired. The ink or composition for coloring
the type is upon the band, the band being saturated. The band and
the paper are pressed together upon the type, and the letter appears on
the surface of the paper next to the ink band.
The compound magnet consists of a helix of small insulated wire,
terminating in two poles, or of several, viz, different lengths of wire
being selected applicable to various distances. The inside of the helix
is fitted with a tube of metal, which can be withdrawn at pleasure, and
which contains the series of soft wire ferrules w, w, &c., herein-before
described, at equal distances apart, throughout the length of the tube,
which becomes separately charged and magnetic during the passage of
the current. Inside these rings, at corresponding distances, are placed
on a brass rod a series of soft iron discs g, slightly concave, and on.
the
.passage of a current through the coil the iron ferrules w, w, fixed
in the tube, attract the moveable discs to their surfaces, and thus is the
rod moved to which they are attached. Upon the top of this rod is a
small hook piece, which hooks on to a fine steel wire stretched across
an elliptical frame, and retained in a state of tension by two adjusting.

page_text: screws, one at either end of the frame, the object of the tension wire
being, as herein-before stated, to regain the position of the rod after it
has been drawn downwards by attraction.
There is also another adjusting screw to increase or decrease the
tension, according to the variations of battery power. The pulley b²,
gives motion to the shaft or barrel t, by the band t', passing around it
and the pulley. On the barrel t, are pins or projections t³, t³, which,
when the keys are severally depressed, stop the revolution of the
barrel, by their projections or pins t, t, on their undersides coming
in contact with the projections t", ", of the barrel ; on the other end
of the barrel t, is a circuit wheel, which being of the well-known kind
need not be described.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING B.
I have shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3, another mode of appli-
cation to the air pistons, in place of the herein-before-named air
pump and friction bands and pullies; I have adapted an ordinary
train of wheels, similar to that explained in my former patent of
A, represents the
One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
type wheel; B. B, the escapement wheels; and C, a ratchet toothed
lifting wheel, all upon the same axis; and D, the escapement pallets.
E, armature, which is acted on by the magnet I, for giving motion to
the valve, which regulates the currents of air to the drums with
the wash-leather covers. G, tension spring for regulating the resist-
ance suited to the magnetic force. 1, air tube or conductor, connected
with the air generator and air cylinder 2; and 2, is the piston to the
same. 3, pair of air drums, faced with kid or other clastic material,
to the centres of which is fastened the rod 4, which gives motion
to the escapement by means of a little ferrule 5; this locks into a tail
piece connected with the arbor of the escape pallets.
Figures 4, 4º, and 4", represent a new adaptation to a key shaft of a
key board communicator. A, the shaft. B, driving pinion connected to
the same: this pinion is fastened to a disc C, which presses a friction
spring C, against it and the shaft. D, a toothed wheel of one hundred
and sixty-eight teeth, working into a pinion e, of six teeth; and upon the

page_text: axis of pinion e, is a cam f, for the purpose of giving motion to the
lever g, which has at its extremity contact points of metal for forming
alternately a communication with the battery and the bands of
metal h, h, either by reversing the poles or otherwisc.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING C.
Figures 6, 6, represent that portion of the printing machine to
which is applied a new mode for arresting and releasing the printing
part of the train by means of an electro-magnet. C³, represents a
toothed wheel on the same axis with the type wheel, having 84 teeth,
which works in a pinion of 6 teeth; and on the axis of this pinion is a
small cam or circuit conductor C, for conducting the electricity fromi
the battery to the band d. And in Figure 6", the ratchet toothed
wheel C, is applied, for the purpose of conducting the electricity from
the batteries to band d; this band is connected with one end of the
wire of the magnet coil F'. The connection being made with both
poles of the battery, and both ends of the magnet coils, when the
magnet is to act upon said armature G; so that when the contact is
made between the circuit cam and band d, the armature G², fastened
to the locking cam L. is drawn towards the magnet, and thus acts upon
the printing train.
I have also applied the air piston to give motion to a type wheel.
and another pistou for printing the letters and signs, without using
either the ordinary train of wheels, or the rollers and bands, as before
described, by causing the type wheel to be pushed forward by a step by
step motion. And I propose to apply the power of the air piston to
the ringing of alarum bells, and for discharging detents for acting
upon railway signal apparatus. And to use an apparatus constructed
on the principle of an ordinary organ bellows for generating the
atmospheric air.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING D.
A, represents the type wheel; B, B, the escapement wlieels; C, a
ratchet toothed lifting wheel, all upon the same axis; D, the escape-
ment pallet; d', lever, locking into the ferrule e', for giving the motion
to the escapement pallet, when the armature E, (which is fastened to the

page_text: same rod) is attracted towards the electro-magnet; F, electro-magnet;
f, adjusting piece and screw, to regulate the tension of spring G;
H, H, piston and hammer, acted upon when the letters or characters
are to be printed; 1, roller for drawing the paper after each letter is
printed, to give space for the next; J, paper guide; K, locking lever,
which retards or releases the locking cam L, acting on the printing
part of the train; m, lever connected with an eccentric on the same
axis; this lever carries a clawing piece n, for drawing round the claw-
ing ratchet o, on the axis of the paper roller; P, lever for arresting the
type wheel at zero; Q, stop lever for arresting the printing train, and
so enable the signals to proceed without being recorded.
Having thus described the Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it to be understood that what I claim is,―
First, the application of compressed air or of chemical gases for the
purposes enumerated.
Secondly, the application of friction wheels with bands for giving
motion to the telegraphic apparatus.
Thirdly, the arrangement of compound magnets, as above described,
in connection with a collar valve and cylinder.
Fourthly, the application of a double headed piston in a cylinder, and
in connection with the escapement lever.
Fifthly, the arrangement of the tension spring for giving the recoil to
the magnet armatures.
Sixthly, the application of air cylinder and piston for ringing of
alarum bells, and for giving railway signals.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jacob Brett, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
JACOB BRETT. (S.)
Witness, FREDK HARRIS.