CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING AND REGULATING ELECTRIC CURRENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TIME-PIECES AND IN ELECTRIC PRINTING AND SIGNALTELEGRAPHS
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME I ALEXANDER
BAIN of 320 Oxford Street London in the County of Middlesex Mechanist
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain bearing date at
Westminster the Twenty-seventh day of May in the sixth year of Her
reign did for Herself Her heirs and successors given and grant unto me
the said Alexander Bain Her especial licence full power sole privilege aud
authority that I the said Alexander Bain my exors admors and assigns and
such others as I the said Alexander Bain my exors admors or assigns
should at any time agree with and no others from time to time and at all
times during the term of years therein mentioned should and lawfully might
make use exercise within England Wales and the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING AND
REGULATING ELECTRIC CURRENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TIME-PIECES
AND IN ELECTRIC PRINTING AND SIGNAL TELEGRAPHS" in which said Letters
Patent is contained a proviso obliging me the said Alexander Bain by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal particularly to describe and
ascertain the nature of my said Invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately afterthe

page_text: date of the said in part recited Letters Patent as in and by the same refer-
ence being thereunto had will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE that in compliance with the said proviso I the said
Alexander Bain do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention
and the manner in which the same is to be performed are particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof (reference
being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed and to the letters and figures
marked thereon that is to say
My first improvement consists in producing electric currents in the following
manner as shewn in Sheet 1. Figure 1 E. E. shews a section of the earth
or a body of natural water. A a plate of zinc or any other positive metal
B a plate of negative metal D an insulated conducting wire connecting the
positive and negative plates. When this arrangement is completed an electric
current is produced and passes as shewn by the arrows.
Figure 2 shews an arrangement by which the same surface of metal pro-
duces a greater current the letters referring to the same parts as in Figure 1.
Figure 3 shews the same result by using a quantity of carbon instead of
negative metal A the earth or water B a positive metal plate Ca
quantity of carbon D the conducting wire connecting the metal with the
carbon the arrows shewing the direct of the current.
Ba
Figure 4 shews an arrangement by which an electric current is produced
by depositing only a negative substance and connecting it by an insulated
conducting wire to any positive substance already laid down such as the water
pipes of a town. A represents a section of a body of natural water
water pipe E its branch C a quantity of carbon as the negative substance
deposited in the water D an insulated conducting wire connecting the branch
water pipe with the carbon the arrows shewing the direction of the current.
My second improvement consists in regulating electric currents produced
by voltaic batteries as shewn in Sheet 2. Figure 1 A A a wood frame
B B. the cells of the battery C a bar of wood to which plates CZ CZ
are fixed H. H. a piece of clock mechanism to which the plates act as
the weight K an electro magnet L its keeper carried by the sliding
spindle Pa spring to bring the keeper from the magnet Ma screw to
regulate the distance of the electro magnet from its keeper Q an index
to shew that distance R R the conducting wires N a pin carried by
the slide spindle Oa pin in the top wheel of the mechanism S S the
surface of the ordinary solutions in the battery. F F two slips of metal
let into the frame G. G. binding screws to attach the conducting wires to
the metal slips 1) D two metal springs attached to the electrodes of the

page_text: battery having their free ends pressing upon the metal slips for the purpose of
conveying the current from the moveable plates to the stationary wires. The
action is as follows a portion of the plates being immersed in the exciting
liquid as shewn by dotted lines and a current caused to pass along the con-
ducting wires through the coil of the electro magnet has caused it to attract
the keeper which brings the pin N into contact with the pin D in the top
wheel and prevents its further rotation and consequently the further immersion
of the plates until the magnetism becomes too weak to overcome the resist-
ance of the spring P: which then pushes the keeper from the magnet and
removes the pin N the wheels being thus released rotate by the weight of the
plates which descend until sufficiently immersed to increase the current and
again produce the necessary power in the electro magnet to overcome the
spring P and draw the keeper to itself with the slide spindle when the pins
are again in contact and the further descent of the plates thus prevented until
the current is again reduced to the minimum allowed these actions are
repeated until the plates are wholly immersed in the solution. The strength
of the current is regulated by the distance the electro magnet is set from its
keeper by the regulating screw and shewn by the index it being evident that
the greater the distance the stronger the current necessary to overcome the
resistance of the spring P.
Figure 2 shews an arrangement whereby the electric current is regulated
by means of a clock the plates merely acting as the weight in this case the
supply of metallic surface to the exciting liquid is continuous while the clock is
in action no electro magnetbeing employed. The parts of the voltaic battery
are lettered the same as in Figure 1.
Figure 3 shews another arrangement for regulating electric currents. A A
a wood frame B B the cells of the battery CC the electrodes of the
same D a metallic strap connecting the plates of the cells La cup E a
tube leading from the same O a cistern H a tap K its stopper Q an
electro magnet F its keeper G the centre of motion of a lever carrying the
keeper and stopper P a regulating screw Nan index M a spring. The
action is as follows. The battery is first charged in the usual way the cistern
containing strong exciting fluid while the battery sustains strength to produce
The stop
magnetism sufficient to overcome the resistance of the spring M.
attached to the feeder prevents the escape of the liquid from the cistern but
when the magnetism becomes too weak to overcome the resistance of the
spring the stop is removed from the tap and a supply of the liquid from the
cistern immediately falls through the tube E into the cells of the battery until
the electric current is again sufficiently strong to produce the necessary

page_text: magnetism to overcome the spring and draw the keeper to itself and thus
apply the stop to the tap until the current is again reduced to the minimum
allowed.
Sheet 3 shews the principle upon which certain of my improvements in
time-pieces and in printing and signal telegraphs depend. It has heretofore
been usual to employ the deflection of the magnetic needle or the deflection of
the electric conductor and likewise the attraction of the electro magnet for
the purpose of working these instruments. I here describe the superior means
presented by the attraction and repulsion of electric conductors or permanent
magnets when in conjunction with each other.
Figure 1. A A a wood frame N. S. the poles of a permanent horse-shoe
magnet with its curved end fixed to the stand. C a multiplied coil of in-
sulated wire with its edge to the magnet and fixed to the rod G which is
suspended to the top of the stand by two insulated steel springs DE which
are joined to the conducting wires F F in connection with the source of
electricity the ends of the wire coil are likewise in connection with the springs
thus placing the coil in the electric circuit. Now when the current is sent in
one direction through the conducting wires the coil is attracted between the
poles of the magnet and when the current is reversed the coil is repelled
from them.
Figure 2 shews a side view of an instrument upon the same principle but
with two magnets with poles of dissimilar names facing each other the letters
of reference applying to the same parts as in Figure 1. By employing two
magnets a greater power is gained with the same current as one magnet repels
the coil while the other attracts it whichever way the current is sent.
Figures 3 and 4 act on the same principle as the Figures 1 and 2 and the
letters of reference apply to the same parts but in this arrangement all four
sides of the coils are placed at right angles to the poles of the magnets which
is a better position for them to be acted on by the magnetism whereas in
Figures 1 and 2 only two sides of the coil are at right angles to the magnetic
poles in this arrangement the magnetic.poles of similar names face each
other when two magnets are used.
Figures 5 and 6 shews an arrangement for gaining a still superior power
by the same electric current but in this case the magnet must be made with
one pole within the other which is here done in the following manner
Figure 5 E E: a steel or iron plate N. N. N. magnetized steel rods
screwed to the plate their projecting ends being north poles thus forming a
circular north pole S a larger rod of either steel or iron screwed to the
centre of the plate thus forming a south pole. C a circular coil of wire the

page_text: ends of which are fixed to the springs D E which are in connection with
the conducting wires F F and the rod G if an electric current is now sent
through the coil C it will be either attracted or repelled by the magnet
according to the direction in which the current is sent.
Figure 6 shews a side view of an instrument upon the same principle but
with two magnets the letters of reference applying to the same parts.
Figure 7 shews the coils or electric multiplier kept stationary AA a wood
stand B a permanent magnet suspended compas fashion at D. CC two.
circular coils of wire allowing the ends of the magnet to move freely within
them F. F. conducting wires attached to the coils. Figure 8 is an elevation
of the same the letters corresponding. Now when an electric current is sent
through the conducting wires the magnet will be attracted in wards or repelled
outwards according to the direction given to the current. Figure 9 shews a
different arrangement.
A A a wood stand C. C. circular coils of wire E a
brass bar suspended compas fashion at D. B B two semicircular magnets
fixed to the ends of the brass bar with poles of the same name facing each
other. FF conducting wires attached to the coils. If an electric current
is now sent in one direction through the coils the magnets with the brass bar
moves to the right reverse the current and they move to the left. Figure 10
is an elevation of Fig: 9 the letters referring to the same parts.
Sheet 4 represents my improvements in electric time-pieces. Figure 1
shows a method by which separate pendulums are made to keep the same
time by regulating each other. A A the backs of the cases B B two
pendulums of the same length suspended at N N. CC two permanent
magnets. FF two multiplied coils of wire attached to the springs D D
E E two metallic catches likewise attached to but insulated from the springs
GG are two similar catches attached to the pendulum bobs. L La section
of the earth. HK plates of metal O a galvanic battery with one pole
connected with the plate K to the other pole is attached the wire M which
leads up to the spring D which is in connection with one end of the coil the
other end being connected with the metallic catch E the end of a similar wire
is connected with the catch G of the pendulum and led up the rod into con-
nection with the lower end of the pendulum spring the springs of the two
pendulums being connected by the top wire M the connections are similar at
the other pendulum and the current returned by the earth as shewn by the
arrows at L. The pendulums will be kept in motion by clocks in the ordinary
manner and made to vibrate in the same direction and at the same time.
When the two pendulums are near the extremity of their vibration to the left
and the catches upon the springs and catches on the bobs are in contact the

page_text: electric circuit is complete and the current will pass through the pendulums
and wires in the direction of the arrows at the same time causing the coils to
be attracted by the magnets and thus depressing the catches EE and by this
means allowing the catches G to pass over them. Now when the pendulums
have passed over the catches E the current is broken until upon their return
vibration the faces of the catches G now come into contact with the faces
of the catches E and should one pendulum arrive at this point it must remain
until the other comes up to it to complete the electric current when the
catches E will be again depressed by the attraction of the magnets and both
pendulums released simultaneously.
Figure 2 shews my improved method of working a pendulum by means of
electric currents. F a wood bracket fixed to the back of the case A A. C
the pendulum bob suspended by a steel spring. NS and N S permanent
horse shoe magnets with dissimilar poles facing each other and fixed to the
sides of the case in such a manner that the pendulum bob can vibrate freely
between the poles of both. I a small metal ball fixed to a metal stem on a
spindle carried by the pendulum at K and left free to move from side to side
M a plate of zinc. N carbon G and H two insulated metal blocks 00
conducting wires which are affixed one end to the top of the suspension spring
and the other to the metal block H D and E two metal screws.
Figures 3 and 4 represent two clocks placed in the electric circuit more
fully shown below. To the lower end of the suspension spring of the pendulum
is affixed the end of an insulated wire which is conducted down the pen-
dulum rod and then coiled longitudinally many times round the edge of the
bob in a groove previously made for the purpose then taken up the pendulum
to the bearing of the ball stem at K. The ball is shewn now as resting upon
the screw D which having no connection with the conducting wires the
electric current is now cut off. If the pendulum is now set in motion when it
vibrates to the left the ball I will fall to the right and rest upon the screw E
and thus complete the electric circuit and the wire round the bob is in
consequence repelled by the left-hand magnet and attracted by the right until
near the extreme end of its vibration to the right when the ball will fall to the
left and thus cut off the current and the magnets having no further power
upon the wire on the pendulum it is free to move to the left until near the
extreme end of its vibration to the left when the ball falls again to the right
and the pendulum is again acted upon by the magnets thus keeping a con-
tinual vibration and working simultaneously any clocks that may be placed
in the circuit as Figures 3 and 4 the action of which is explained below.
Figure 8 shows one of my improvements of applying the attraction and

page_text: repulsion of the electric conductor to the movement of time-pieces. The
principle being explained in Sheet 3 it is only necessary here to show the
mechanical application. AA is the back plate of the time-piece B B two
permanent magnets fixed to the plate. Can insulated coil of wire suspended by
two insulated springs pendulum fashion D the crown wheel of the time-piece.
Eaclick carried by the coil. Faspring to prevent the wheel retrogading. Now
supposing this instrument to be placed in the electric circuit of Figure 2 as
at K and the current made or broken at each vibration of the pendulum in
the manner already described the coil C of the time-piece will vibrate in
accordance with the pendulum and when carried to the right the click E will
pass over and take on to one tooth of the wheel and at the same time bending
the suspension springs but when the current is cut off by the next vibration
of the pendulum the coil with the click will be forced to the left by the
suspension springs resuming their natural position the click carrying the
wheel forward one tooth this wheel gives motion to the other wheelwork in
the usual manner well known to clock makers.
Figure 4* shows a method for applying the same power to work the
escapement of time-pieces that are moved by maintaining power such as
weights or springs. A A the clock frame B B two fixed permanent
magnets Ca coil of wire suspended by two insulated springs pendulum
fashion, and carrying the pallets E E. D the escape wheel of the time-
piece. The coil is made to vibrate by the same power and means as shewn
in Figure 3 and thus to release a tooth of the wheel D at every vibration,
similar to the escapement of an ordinary clock the other parts of the
time-piece being ordinary works.
Figure 5 shows my improvement for working electric time-pieces without
breaking the main conducting wire the use of which is that if a number of
instruments were placed in separate buildings and all worked by the same
electric current if any accident or damage occurred to the conducting wire
of one set of instruments it would not affect the rest. A A the main con-
ducting wire B B a small wire conveying the currents to work one set of
CC the currents passing as shown by the arrows. Several
sets of instruments may be connected to the main conducting wire in the
instruments
same manner.
Sheet 5 shews certain of my improvements in electric printing telegraphs.
Figures 1 and 2 are two instruments in every respect counterparts of each
other and the letters of reference apply equally to either. A A are permanent.
magnets B a coil of insulated wire suspended to a block of wood pendulum
fashion by two insulated steel springs fixed so as to keep the coil in the

page_text: position shewn by the dotted lines when not acted on by the electric current
CCC are plates of positive metal. Da quantity of carbon deposited in the
earth at opposite ends of the telegraph F the conducting wire. Ga main
spring barrel with a train of wheels giving motion to the type wheel the hand
and the governor balls K of which wheels H I and L are only seen the
train being calculated for the type wheel and hand to revolve exactly at the
same rate and the governor balls to make about one hundred revolutions to
one of the hand. Pis a second main-spring barrel with its train of wheels Q
and Q2 and the vane R. M is a cylinder upon which the paper is fixed by a
slight line of gum upon its perpendicular edges. L the type wheel. Na long
pinion, taking into the wheel N2 of the cylinder. O the dial plate insulated
from the machine and with ivory studs A 4 A 4 inserted opposite to each
space between the figures the one opposite being treble size to the
others. A 2 a hand or pointer. B 2 a screw fixed into the pointer having
its end pressing gently upon the dial C 2 a spring finger key fixed to
the dial. C3 a metal stud fixed to the frame of the machine. S a crank
upon the axle Q 2. Y the crank rod Y 2 a lever worked by the crank
rod. T and T 2 two pallets upon the crank axle. U a lever moved by the
rising and falling of the governor balls. K 2 a spindal spring to keep the
axis of the governor balls spring tight upon the spindle V an arm fixed
to the spindle K. W an arm projecting downwards and carried by the
coil B. Z Z are rollers carrying an endless silk ribbon which has been
previously saturated with printers' ink and dried. X an arm on the lever Y 2
to press the type wheel against the paper on the cylinder. X 2 a click spring
fixed to the arm X which takes into and drives the ratchet wheel upon the
long pinion N. Now when the telegraph is not in action a current of
electricity is constantly passing from the zinc plates through the earth to the
carbon from thence to the dial of machine Figure 2 and through the
screw B 2 to the machinery to one of the insulated suspension springs of
the coil P which is affixed to the machinery through the coil to the other
spring affixed to a piece of wood where it is connected with the long
conducting wire F along which the current passes to the insulated suspension
spring affixed to the wood in Figure 1 from thence to the coil and up by the
other spring to the machinery by which it is conducted to the hand and
through the screw B 2 to the dial and returns to the zinc plates as shewn by
the arrows. When a communication is to be transmitted from either instru-
ment the operator releases the end of the screw B 2 from contact with the
dial of his machine the electric circuit being thus broken and the coils no

page_text: longer controlled by the magnets fall into the position marked by dotted lines
which thus release the arms V V aud leave the mechanism free to rotate
and as the moving and regulating powers are the same in both instruments
they go together that is the hands of both instruments pass over similar
signals at the same time and similar types are continually brought opposite
the cylinder at the same moment this movement will have caused the
governor balls to make several revolutions and the divergence of the balls in
obedience to centrifugal force will have raised one end of the levers U U
and depressed the other ends which allow the pallets T2T 2 to escape but
the rotation of the arbours are still opposed by the second pallets T T if the
finger-key C 2 is pressed upon the stud C3 a little before the hand comes to
the intended signal the circuit will be again completed as soon as the hands
point to the signal but not before because the screw B 2 in the distant
instrument will be upon one of the ivory studs until opposite the signal. Both
machines will then be instantly stopped by the arm W W being brought into
contact with the arms V V and thus preventing the rotation of the machinery
and the governor balls will soon lose their velocity and collapse and thus
depress the left-hand end of the levers U U and release the other end from
the pallets T T this allows the crank spindle S to make one revolution the
motion of the crank rods Y acting on the levers Y 2 presses the types against
the cylinders M M leaving impressions upon the paper at the same time
the click springs X 2 X 2 take into a tooth of the small ratchet wheels upon
the top of the long pinions N which take into and drive the cylinder
wheels N 2 N 2 so that the crank apparatus going back into their former
position after impressing the types move the cylinders forward and present a
fresh surface to the action of the next types as the cylinders move round
they have also a motion upwards caused by travelling upon fixed screw
spindles by which means the message is printed in continuous spiral lines
until the cylinders are filled.
Figure 3 shews a plan of the cylinders M M and the rollers Z Z carrying
the saturated ribbon. The course of the ribbon being shewn on the instru-
ments by dotted lines. It will be observed that while the screw B 2 of the distant
instrumentis upon any one of the ivory studs that the electric circuit cannot be
completed and consequently that the handsof neither instrument will stopthere-
fore if the operator observes that the pointer of his instrument
a little
beyond or stops a little short of the Figure he intends to print he will know
that his instrument is slow or fast as the case may be and he should then keeping
his finger upon the key C2 with his other hand move back the coil B and thus
goes

page_text: allow the machinery to rotate until the pointero: his instrument stands exactly
at the figure intended and then release the coil. The above applies only
when the instruments are incorrect a portion of the space between the figures
but supposing them tobeinerror one or more complete figures thusonepointing
5 while the other points 4 or 6 the operator would have no means of ascertaining
the error without the assistance of the large ivory stud opposite X but as
this breaks the circuit trebble the space of the small ones every time the dis-
tant pointer travels over the stud if the instruments do not correspond the
pointer of the near instrument will travel over two figures instead of one it is
therefore the operator's duty occasionally to let the hand of his instrument run
a complete circle stopping it an instant at each figure. If he finds his pointer
to go over two figures before it stops he will know that the pointer of the dis-
tant instrument is then stopped at zero when he must proceed as before
directed to set his instrument to the same point if the instruments are correct
he will find upon pressing the key C2 that his instrument will stop at each
figure and zero except X.
In cases where either wood pavement or longitudinal sleepers of railways
present themselves upon lines of proposed electric telegraphs I propose to
cut a groove along the same to the depth of one or two inches in which to lay
the long conducting wires which I should do upon a small quantity of asphalt
or other non-conducting cement previously run in a melting state at the
bottom of the groove and then fill up the groove with the same material.
Sheet 6 shews my improvement for taking copies of surfaces for instance
the surface of printer's types at distant places. Fig. 1 and 2 represent two
machines one of which may be considered at London and the other at Ports-
mouth. These two instruments are in every respect the counterparts of each
other and the letters of reference apply equally to either except X 2 Figure 2
from which instrument the message is sent. A. A. a strong wood frame
B. B a metal frame filled with short insulated wires parallel to each other
and at right angles to the plane of the frame which may be constructed as
follows By coating with sealing wax small wire previously insulated by
thread in the usual manner and then cut into lengths of about an inch and
put as many of these into the frame as can be pressed into it and then pour
a quantity of liquid sealing wax upon them when cold' grind and polish to a
plane and smooth surface on both sides flush with the frame as represented
by the numerous dots. D D pendulums which are continually kept in
motion by powerful clocks QQ and kept regulated by the method shewn in
Sheet 4. Fig. 1: K a steel spring carried by the pendulum the extreme end

page_text: rubbing gently upon the surface of the insulated wires in the frame B B-L
a spring fixed to the wood frame the free end of which presses upon the metal
frame M a slight spring carried by the pendulum having a pin projecting
through the pendulum pressing gently upon the wood frame N. U and V two
metal studs Alush with the frame-W a permanent magnet E a voltaic
battery. T T sections of the earth S S carbon.
R RR conducting
wires C C a piece of clock mechanism to which the metal frame act as a
weight. O. P two pins in the slide spindle P 2 X a coil of insulated wire
suspended by two insulated springs at Y to which are attached conducting
wires. Wa permanent magnet Z a spring. When a communication is to be
made I proceed in the following manner I first set up the types composing
the communication in the usual manner in a metal frame which fits into the
back of the frame B B Figure 2 with the printing surface in contact with
the small parallel wires. In the distant frame BB Fig. 1 will be kept placed
two thicknesses of damp paper previously saturated with a solution composed
of equal parts of prusiate of potash and nitrate of soda and at the back of the
paper asmooth metal plate pressing the paper into contact with the ends ofthe
parallel wire: and exactly fitting the frame B B. The operator having set up
his types and placed them in the frame joins the conducting wire at X 2 and
when the pendulums are at the extreme ends of their vibrations that is when
the pins in the spring M M comes upon the studs U U or V V a current
is sent through the coils X at Fig. 2 which are then repelled by the magnets
WW and pressing upon the slide spindles release one pin of the top wheel
which allows the wheels to make one-seventh of their revolution. When the
pios carried by the springs M M are off the studs U U or V V the current
is broken and the coils being no longer repelled by the magnets the springs
Z Z force the spindles towards the magnets which releases another pin of the
wheels and by these repeated actions the frames B B continue falling until
they descend to the bottom of the franes A A.
It will be observed that the current constantly passes through the portion of
the small insulated wires contained in the frames BB that may be in contact
with the springs K K except when the pendulums are at the extreme ends
of their vibration and as the spring in Figure 2 will only take the current from
the wires whose inner points are in contact with some portion of the type the
current will pass at that point and no other and consequently will deliver the
current at a corresponding point through the paper in the frame of Figure 1
which will produce a copy of the printing surface of the types in a series of
small dots. For simplicity only one conducting wire and one spring K is shewn

page_text: at each instrument but in practice several of each might be used so as to
print a line of types at each vibration of the pendulums it is evident that a
copy of any other surface composed of conducting and non-conducting materials
can be taken by these means.
Ga
Sheet 7 shews my improvements in signal telegraphs. Figures 1 and 2 are
two instruments exactly similar in all their parts and the letters of reference
apply equally to either. A A a wood case B B the interior of the case
CC two semicircular permanent magnets with similar poles facing each
other D D a brass bar carrying the magnets having its centre at E upon
which it is free to move FF coils of insulated wire fixed to the case
pointer fixed to the brass bar IV signals to be indicated by the pointer
K K springs fixed to the metal pillar L and carrying the finger studs I V
M M pieces of metal fixed to the cases immediately under the finger studs
QQ conducting wires OP and S T are positive and negative substances
deposited in the earth. The actions are as follows When the instruments are
not in use the conducting wires N N are attached to the studs Z as shewn
in Figure 1 but when the operator wishes to transmit a message he removes
the wires from Z and hangs them on the insulated studs Y Y as shewn in
Figure 2 if he now presss the finger stud I of Figure 2 into contact with the
metal M this will send the electric current through the two instruments
which will pass from the positive metal S through the earth to the negative
substance P to the stud Z of Figure 1 through the pillar L to the stud R
from thence to the coils return by the wire Q to the instrument Fig. 2
through the coils to the stud R through spring I to the metal M to S thus
completing the circuit. While the current is passing in this direction (as
shewn by the black arrows) the pointers will indicate I if the key is now
released from the metal M the circuit will be broken and the pointers will
resume the position shewn if contact is again made by bringing stud I into
contact with metal M I will be again indicated which will mean two this again
repeated will mean "three" and once more "four" when five is intended
to be shewn the finger key V must be depressed when the current will be
reversed as shewn by the red arrows and the pointers will indicate V when
six is intended the finger key V must be first depressed which will mean five
and then the finger key I must be depressed which will mean one and these
united will indicate six VII will indicate seven and so on as shewn by table
Tuntil eleven which is the stop employed to indicate the end of a number
for instance VIII VVIVVII means two separate numbers of eight and twelve
the words or sentences intended to be conveyed being previously agreed upon

page_text: and placed opposite the numbers in the table. Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 shews
a suitable arrangement to convey intelligence to police or fire stations to apply
which it will be necessary to divide the town into districts each district being
distinguished by a number known at the head station. Figure 3 a piece of clock
mechanism AA a metal frame Da weight suspended to one end ofa cord which
passes over a cylinder C in a ratchet-teethed grove in the opposite end of the
cord by which the weight is drawn up B a metal wheel with wood divisions
on its periphery fixed to the cylinder and spindle E a stop F a pin in the
wheel B to prevent its making more than one revolution.
Ga vane to regu-
late the speed. Ha spring its free end resting upon the periphery of the
wheel B. La spring its free end being clear of the frame. I a block of wood
to which the springs H and L are fixed which keeps them insulated from the
frame but in connection with the conducting wire K. When the instrument
is at rest the spring H always rests upon a metal portion of the wheel B
which enables a current to pass from the positive plate Othrough the earth to
the negative plate P up the wire to the coil N in the instrument Figure S
through the wire K to the spring H in Figure 3 to the metal division of the
wheel B through the wire K2 to the instrument Figure 5 back to the
plate O. Figures 5 and 6 are constructed exactly alike with part of the dial
plate removed in Figure 6 to shew the action within. Ga ratchet wheel
which carries the head. Ka spring to keep the wheel from retrograding.
ffa click with its stem carried by the coil the coil being suspended as de-
scribed in Sheets 3 4 and 5. F F permanent magnets.
Now if the operator at Figure 3 winds up the weight and at the same
time keeps the free end of the spring L in contact with the frame (while
winding up but no longer to prevent the current being broken while winding
up) as soon as the cord is released the wheel B will gradually make one revo-
lution and of course will make and break the electric circuit according to
the number of wood divisions in its periphery which will cause a corresponding
number of actions to take place in the instruments 5 and 6. If three werethe
number of wood divisions three would be shewn and so on to any number."
Figure 4 shews a number of wheels so divided to correspond to the numberof
stations where placed each having an instrument to work it similar to
Figure 3.
I have herein been obliged to describe the parts of well-known instruments
but I distinctly disclaim all and every part of the same except such improve-
ments as I hereby set out and claim as under-
First I claim the production of electric currents produced by positive and

page_text: negative substances placed in the earth or in natural bodies of water when
connected by insulated conducting wires as shewn in Sheet 1.
Second I claim the method herein described for regulating electric currents
when produced by voltaic batteries as shewn in Sheet 2.
Third I claim the following improvements when applied to electric time-
pieces or to printing or signal telegraphs.
1st Employing electric currents produced as shewn in Sheet 1.
2nd Employing the attraction and repulsion of the multiplied electric
conductor by fixed permanent magnets and the attraction and repulsion of
permanent magnets by fixed electric conductors when produced by placing the
line of the electric current at or near right angles to the poles of the magnets
as shewn in Sheet 3.
3rd The method of making pendulums regulate each other as shewn in
Sheet 4 Figure 1.
4th The method of working electric time-pieces by electric currents passing
through secondary conducting wires as shewn in Sheet 4 Figure 5.
5th The arrangement for working electric pendulums as shewn in Sheet 4
Figure 2.
6th The means of enabling the operator to know when the distant tele.
graphic instruments are in unison with his own and if not correct giving
him power to adjust them as shewn in Sheet 5 Figures 1 and 2.
7th The arrangement for taking copies of surfaces at distant places by
means of electricity as shewn in Sheet 6.
8th The method of securing the conducting wires in wood pavement or in
the longitudinal sleepers of railways as herein described.
9th The arrangement of signal telegraphs by which with one conducting
wire and two characters assisted by an explanatory table numerous signals
may be given as shewn in Sheet 7 Figures 1 and 2 and Table T.
In witness whereof I the said Alexander Bain have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twenty-seventh day of November in the year of
our Lord Oue thousand eight hundred and forty-three.
ALEXANDER (L.S.) BAIN.
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED that on the Twenty-seventh day of
November in the year of our Lord 1843 the aforesaid Alexander Bain came
before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery and acknowledged the Speci-
fication aforesaid and all and every thing therein contained and specified in
form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped accord-
ing to the tenor of the Statute made for that
purpose.
Inrolled the Twenty-seventh day of November in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-three.

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME I ALEXANDER
BAIN of 320 Oxford Street London in the County of Middlesex Mechanist
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain bearing date at
Westminster the Twenty-seventh day of May in the sixth year of Her
reign did for Herself Her heirs and successors given and grant unto me
the said Alexander Bain Her especial licence full power sole privilege and
authority that I the said. Alexander Bain my exors admors and assigns and
such others as I the said Alexander Bain my exors admors or assigns
should at any time agree with and no others from time to time.and at all
times during the term of years therein mentioned should and lawfully might
make use exercise within England Wales and the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING AND
REGULATING ELECTRIC CURRENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TIME-PIECES
AND IN ELECTRIC PRINTING AND SIGNAL TELEGRAPHS" in which said Letters
Patent is contained a proviso obliging me the said Alexander Bain by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal particularly to describe and
ascertain the nature of my said Invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's "High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately afterthe

page_text: date of the said in part recited Letters Patent as in and by the same refer-
ence being thereunto had will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE that in compliance with the said proviso I the said
Alexander Bain do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention
and the manner in which the same is to be performed are particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof (reference
being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed and to the letters and figures
marked thereon that is to say
My first improvement consists in producing electric currents in the following
manner as shewn in Sheet 1. Figure 1 E. E. shews a section of the earth
or a body of natural water. A a plate of zinc or any other positive metal
B a plate of negative metal D an insulated conducting wire connecting the
positive and negative plates. When this arrangement is completed an electric
current is produced and passes as shewn by the arrows.
.1
Figure 2 shews an arrangement by which the same surface of metal pro-
duces a greater current the letters referring to the same parts as in Figure 1.
Figure 3 shews the same result by using a quantity of carbon instead of
negative metal A the earth or water B a positive metal plate Ca
quantity of carbon D the conducting wire connecting the metal with the
carbon the arrows shewing the direct of the current.
Ba
Figure 4 shews an arrangement by which an electric current is produced
by depositing only a negative substance and connecting it by an insulated
conducting wire to any positive substance already laid down such as the water
pipes of a town. A represents a section of a body of natural water
water pipe E its branch Ca quantity of carbon as the negative substance
deposited in the water D an insulated conducting wire connecting the branch
water pipe with the carbon the arrows shewing the direction of the current.
My second improvement consists in regulating electric currents produced
by voltaic batteries as shewn in Sheet 2. Figure 1 AA a wood frame
B B. the cells of the battery C a bar of wood to which plates CZ CZ
are fixed H. H. a piece of clock mechanism to which the plates act as
the weight K an electro magnet L its keeper carried by the sliding
spindle Pa spring to bring the keeper from the magnet M a screw to
regulate the distance of the electro magnet from its keeper Q an index
to shew that distance R R the conducting wires N a pin carried by
the slide spindle O a pin in the top wheel of the mechanism SS the
surface of the ordinary solutions in the battery. F F two slips of metal
let into the frame G. G. binding screws to attach the conducting wires to
the metal slips 1) D two metal springs attached to the electrodes of the

page_text: battery having their free ends pressing upon the metal slips for the purpose of
conveying the current from the moveable plates to the stationary wires. The
action is as follows a portion of the plates being immersed in the exciting
liquid as shewn by dotted lines and a current caused to pass along the con-
ducting wires through the coil of the electro magnet has caused it to attract
the keeper which brings the pin N into contact with the pin D in the top
wheel and prevents its further rotation and consequently the further immersion
of the plates until the magnetism becomes too weak to overcome the resist-
ance of the spring P: which then pushes the keeper from the magnet and
removes the pin N the wheels being thus released rotate by the weight of the
plates which descend until sufficiently immersed to increase the current and
again produce the necessary power in the electro magnet to overcome the
spring P and draw the keeper to itself with the slide spindle when the pins
are again in contact and the further descent of the plates thus prevented until
the current is again reduced to the minimum allowed these actions are
repeated until the plates are wholly immersed in the solution. The strength
of the current is regulated by the distance the electro magnet is set from its
keeper by the regulating screw and shewn by the index it being evident that
the greater the distance the stronger the current necessary to overcome the
resistance of the spring P.
Figure 2 shews an arrangement whereby the electric current is regulated
by means of a clock the plates merely acting as the weight in this case the
supply of metallic surface to the exciting liquid is continuous while the clock is
in action no electro magnetbeing employed. The parts of the voltaic battery
are lettered the same as in Figure 1.
Figure 3 shews another arrangement for regulating electric currents. A A
a wood frame B B the cells of the battery CC the electrodes of the
same D a metallic strap connecting the plates of the cells La cup E a
tube leading from the same O a cistern Ha tap K its stopper Q an
electro magnet F its keeper G the centre of motion of a lever carrying the
keeper and stopper P a regulating screw N an index M a spring. The
action is as follows. The battery is first charged in the usual way the cistern
containing strong exciting fluid while the battery sustains strength to produce
magnetism sufficient to overcome the resistance of the spring M. The stop
attached to the feeder prevents the escape of the liquid from the cistern but
when the magnetism becomes too weak to overcome the resistance of the
spring the stop is removed from the tap and a supply of the liquid from the
cistern immediately falls through the tube E into the cells of the battery until
the electric current is again sufficiently strong to produce the necessary

page_text: magnetism to overcome the spring and draw the keeper to itself and thus
apply the stop to the tap until the current is again reduced to the minimum
allowed.
. Sheet 3 shews the principle upon which certain of my improvements in
time-pieces and in printing and signal telegraphs depend. It has heretofore
been usual to employ the deflection of the magnetic needle or the deflection of
the electric conductor and likewise the attraction of the electro magnet for
the purpose of working these instruments. I here describe the superior means
presented by the attraction and repulsion of electric conductors or permanent
magnets when in conjunction with each other.
Figure 1. A A a wood frame N. S. the poles of a permanent horse-shoe
magnet with its curved end fixed to the stand. C a multiplied coil of in-
sulated wire with its edge to the magnet and fixed to the rod G which is
suspended to the top of the stand by two insulated steel springs DE which
are joined to the conducting wires F F in connection with the source of
electricity the ends of the wire coil are likewise in connection with the springs
thus placing the coil in the electric circuit. Now when the current is sent in
one direction through the conducting wires the coil is attracted between the
poles of the magnet and when the current is reversed the coil is repelled
from them.
Figure 2 shews a side view of an instrument upon the same principle but
with two magnets with poles of dissimilar names facing each other the letters
of reference applying to the same parts as in Figure 1. By employing two
magnets a greater power is gained with the same current as one magnet repels
the coil while the other attracts it whichever way the current is sent.
Figures 3 and 4 act on the same principle as the Figures 1 and 2 and the
letters of reference apply to the same parts but in this arrangement all four
sides of the coils are placed at right angles to the poles of the magnets which
is a better position for them to be acted on by the magnetism whereas in
Figures 1 and 2 only two sides of the coil are at right angles to the magnetic
poles in this arrangement the magnetic. poles of similar names face each
other when two magnets are used.
Figures 5 and 6 shews an arrangement for gaining a still superior power
by the same electric current but in this case the magnet must be made with
one pole within the other which is here done in the following manner
Figure 5 E E: a steel or iron plate N. N. N. magnetized steel rods
screwed to the plate their projecting ends being north poles thus forming a
circular north pole S a larger rod of either steel or iron screwed to the
centre of the plate thus forming a south pole. C a circular coil of wire the

page_text: ends of which are fixed to the springs D E which are in connection with
the conducting wires F F and the rod G if an electric current is now sent
through the coil C it will be either attracted or repelled by the magnet
according to the direction in which the current is sent.
Figure 6 shews a side view of an instrument upon the same principle but
with two nagucts the letters of reference applying to the same parts.
Figure 7 shews the coils or electric multiplier kept stationary AA a wood
stand B a permanent magnet suspended compas fashion at D. CC two
circular coils of wire allowing the ends of the magnet to move freely within
them F. F. conducting wires attached to the coils. Figure 8 is an elevation
of the same the letters corresponding. Now when an electric current is sent
through the conducting wires the magnet will be attracted inwards or repelled
outwards according to the direction given to the current. Figure 9 shews a
different arrangement.
A A a wood stand C. C. circular coils of wire E a
brass bar suspended compas fashion at D. B B two semicircular magnets
fixed to the ends of the brass bar with poles of the same name facing each
other. FF conducting wires attached to the coils. If an electric current
is now sent in one direction through the coils the magnets with the brass bar
moves to the right reverse the current and they move to the left. Figure 10.
is an elevation of Fig: 9 the letters referring to the same parts.
Sheet 4 represents my improvements in electric time-pieces. Figure 1
shows a method by which separate pendulums are made to keep the same
time by regulating each other. A A the backs of the cases B B two
pendulums of the same length suspended at N N. CC two permanent
magnets. FF two multiplied coils of wire attached to the springs D D
E E two metallic catches likewise attached to but insulated from the springs
GG are two similar catches attached to the pendulum bobs. L La section
of the earth. H K plates of metal O a galvanic battery with one pole
connected with the plate K to the other pole is attached the wire M which
leads up to the spring D which is in connection with one end of the coil the
other end being connected with the metallic catch E the end of a similar wire
is connected with the catch G of the pendulum and led up the rod into con-
nection with the lower end of the pendulum spring the springs of the two
pendulums being connected by the top wire M the connections are similar at
the other pendulum and the current returned by the earth as shewn by the
arrows at L. The pendulums will be kept in motion by clocks in the ordinary
manner and made to vibrate in the same direction and at the same time.
When the two pendulums are near the extremity of their vibration to the left
and the catches upon the springs and catches ou the bobs are in contact the

page_text: electric circuit is complete and the current will pass through the pendulums
and wires in the direction of the arrows at the same time causing the coils to
be attracted by the magnets and thus depressing the catches E E and by this
means allowing the catches G to pass over them. Now when the pendulums
have passed over the catches E the current is broken until upon their return
vibration the faces of the catches G now come into contact with the faces
of the catches E and should one pendulum arrive at this point it must remain
until the other comes up to it to complete the electric current when the
catches E will be again depressed by the attraction of the magnets and both
pendulums released simultaneously.
Figure 2 shews my improved method of working a pendulum by means of
electric currents. Fa wood bracket fixed to the back of the case A A. C
the pendulum bob suspended by a steel spring. NS and N S permanent
horse shoe magnets with dissimilar poles facing each other and fixed to the
sides of the case in such a manner that the pendulum bob can vibrate freely
between the poles of both. I a small metal ball fixed to a metal stem on a
spindle carried by the pendulum at K and left free to move from side to side
M a plate of zinc. N carbon G and H two insulated metal blocks 00
conducting wires which are affixed one end to the top of the suspensionspring
and the other to the metal block H D and E two metal screws.
Figures 3 and 4 represent two clocks placed in the electric circuit more
fully shown below. To the lower end of the suspension spring of the pendulum
is affixed the end of an insulated wire which is conducted down the pen-
dulum rod and then coiled longitudinally many times round the edge of the
bob in a groove previously made for the purpose then taken up the pendulum
to the bearing of the ball stem at K. The ball is shewn now as resting upon
the screw D which having no connection with the conducting wires the
electric current is now cut off. If the pendulum is now set in motion when it
vibrates to the left the ball I will fall to the right and rest upon the screw E
and thus complete the electric circuit and the wire round the bob is in
consequence repelled by the left-hand magnet and attracted by the right until
near the extreme end of its vibration to the right when the ball will fall to the
left and thus cut off the current and the magnets having no further power
upon the wire on the pendulum it is free to move to the left until near the
extreme end of its vibration to the left when the ball falls again to the right
and the pendulum is again acted upon by the magnets thus keeping a con-
tinual vibration and working simultaneously any clocks that may be placed
in the circuit as Figures 3 and 4 the action of which is explained below.
Figure 3 shows one of my improvements of applying the attraction and

page_text: repulsion of the electric conductor to the movement of time-pieces. The
principle being explained in Sheet 3 it is only necessary here to show the
mechanical application. A A is the back plate of the time-piece B B two
permanent magnets fixed to the plate. Can insulated coil of wire suspended by
two insulated springs pendulum fashion D the crown wheel of the time-piece.
Eaclick carried by the coil. Faspring to prevent the wheel retrogading. Now
supposing this instrument to be placed in the electric circuit of Figure 2 as
at K and the current made or broken at each vibration of the pendulum in
the manner already described the coil C of the time-piece will vibrate in
accordance with the pendulum and when carried to the right the click E will
pass over and take on to one tooth of the wheel and at the same time bending
the suspension springs but when the current is cut off by the next vibration
of the pendulum the coil with the click will be forced to the left by the
suspension springs resuming their natural position the click carrying the
wheel forward one tooth this wheel gives motion to the other wheelwork in
the usual manner well known to clock makers.
Figure 4 shows a method for applying the same power to work the
escapement of time-pieces that are moved by maintaining power such as
weights or springs. A A the clock frame B B two fixed permanent
magnets C a coil of wire suspended by two insulated springs pendulum
fashion, and carrying the pallets E E. D the escape wheel of the time-
piece. The coil is made to vibrate by the same power and means as shewn
in Figure 3 and thus to release a tooth of the wheel D at every vibration,
similar to the escapement of an ordinary clock the other parts of the
time-piece being ordinary works.
Figure 5 shows my improvement for working electric time-pieces without
breaking the main conducting wire the use of which is that if a number of
instruments were placed in separate buildings and all worked by the same
electric current if any accident or damage occurred to the conducting wire
of one set of instruments it would not affect the rest. A A the main con-
ducting wire BB a small wire conveying the currents to work one set of
instruments CC the currents passing as shown by the arrows. Several
sets of instruments may be connected to the main conducting wire in the
same manner.
Sheet 5 shews certain of my improvements in electric printing telegraphs.
Figures 1 and 2 are two instruments in every respect counterparts of each
other and the letters of reference apply equally to either. A A are permanent.
magnets B a coil of insulated wire suspended to a block of wood pendulum
fashion by two insulated steel springs fixed so as to keep the coil in the

page_text: position shewn by the dotted lines when not acted on by the electric current
CCC are plates of positive metal. Da quantity of carbon deposited in the
earth at opposite ends of the telegraph F the conducting wire. Ga main
spring barrel with a train of wheels giving motion to the type wheel the hand
and the governor balls K of which wheels H I and L are only seen the
train being calculated for the type wheel and hand to revolve exactly at the
same rate and the governor balls to make about one hundred revolutions to
one of the hand. Pis a second main-spring barrel with its train of wheels Q
and Q2 and the vane R. M is a cylinder upon which the paper is fixed by a
slight line of gum upon its perpendicular edges. L the type wheel. Na long
pinion, taking into the wheel N2 of the cylinder. O the dial plate insulated
from the machine and with ivory studs A 4 A 4 inserted opposite to each
space between the figures the one opposite × being treble size to the
others. A 2 a hand or pointer. B 2 a screw fixed into the pointer having
its end pressing gently upon the dial C 2 a spring finger key fixed to
the dial. C3 a metal stud fixed to the frame of the machine. S a crank
upon the axle Q 2. Y the crank rod Y 2 a lever worked by the crank
rod. T and T 2 two pallets upon the crank axle. U a lever moved by the
rising and falling of the governor balls. K 2 a spindal spring to keep the
axis of the governor balls spring tight upon the spindle V an arm fixed
to the spindle K. W an arm projecting downwards and carried by the
coil B. ZZ are rollers carrying an endless silk ribbon which has been
previously saturated with printers' ink and dried. X an arm on the lever Y 2
to press the type wheel against the paper on the cylinder. X 2 a click spring
fixed to the arm X which takes into and drives the ratchet wheel upon the
long pinion N. Now when the telegraph is not in action a current of
electricity is constantly passing from the zinc plates through the earth to the
carbon from thence to the dial of machine Figure 2 and through the
screw B 2 to the machinery to one of the insulated suspension springs of
the coil P which is affixed to the machinery through the coil to the other
spring 'affixed to a piece of wood where it is connected with the long
conducting wire F along which the current passes to the insulated suspension
spring affixed to the wood in Figure 1 from thence to the coil and up by the
other spring to the machinery by which it is conducted to the band and
through the screw B 2 to the dial and returns to the zinc plates as shewn by
the arrows. When a communication is to be transmitted from either instru-
ment the operator releases the end of the screw B 2 from contact with the
dial of his machine the electric circuit being thus broken and the coils no

page_text: longer controlled by the magnets fall into the position marked by dotted lines
which thus release the arms V V and leave the mechanism free to rotate
and as the moving and regulating powers are the same in both instruments
they go together that is the hands of both instruments pass over similar
signals at the same time and similar types are continually brought opposite
the cylinder at the same moment this movement will have caused the
governor balls to make several revolutious and the divergence of the balls in
obedience to centrifugal force will have raised one end of the levers U U
and depressed the other ends which allow the pallets T2T 2 to escape but
the rotation of the arbours are still opposed by the second pallets T T if the
finger-key C 2 is pressed upon the stud C3 a little before the hand comes to
the intended signal the circuit will be again completed as soon as the hands
point to the signal but not before because the screw B 2 in the distant
instrument will be upon one of the ivory studs until opposite the signal. Both
machines will then be instantly stopped by the arm W W being brought into
contact with the arms V V and thus preventing the rotation of the machinery
and the governor balls will soon lose their velocity and collapse and thus
depress the left-hand end of the levers U U and release the other end from
the pallets T T this allows the crank spindle S to make one revolution the
motion of the crank rods Y acting on the levers Y 2 presses the types against
the cylinders M M leaving impressions upon the paper at the same time
the click springs X 2 X 2 take into a tooth of the small ratchet wheels upon
the top of the long pinions N which take into and drive the cylinder
wheels N 2 N 2 so that the crank apparatus going back into their former
position after impressing the types move the cylinders forward and present a
fresh surface to the action of the next types as the cylinders move round
they have also a motion upwards caused by travelling upon fixed screw
spindles by which means the message is printed in continuous spiral lines
until the cylinders are filled.
Figure 3 shews a plan of the cylinders M M and the rollers Z Z carrying
the saturated ribbon. The course of the ribbon being shewn on the instru-
ments by dotted lines. It will be observed that while the screw B 2 ofthe distant
instrumentis upon any one of the ivory studs that the electric circuit cannot be
completed and consequently that the handsof neither instrument will stopthere-
fore if the operator observes that the pointer of his instrument goes a little
beyond or stops a little short of the Figure he intends to print he will know
that his instrument is slow or fast as the case may be and he should then keeping
his finger upon the key C2 with his other hand move back the coil B and thus

page_text: allow the machinery to rotate until the pointero: his instrument stands exactly
at the figure intended and then release the coil. The above applies only
when the instruments are incorrect a portion of the space between the figures
but supposing them tobeinerror one or more complete figures thusonepointing
5 while the other points4 or 6 the operator would have no means of ascertaining
the error without the assistance of the large ivory stud opposite X but as
this breaks the circuit trebble the space of the small ones every time the dis-
tant pointer travels over the stud if the instruments do not correspond the
pointer of the near instrument will travel over two figures instead of one it is
therefore the operator's duty occasionally to let the hand of his instrument run
a complete circle stopping it an instant at each figure. If he finds his pointer
to go over two figures before it stops he will know that the pointer of the dis-
tant instrument is then stopped at zero when he must proceed as before
directed to set his instrument to the same point if the instruments are correct
he will find upon pressing the key C2 that his instrument will stop at each
figure and zero except X.
In cases where either wood pavement or longitudinal sleepers of railways
present themselves upon lines of proposed electric telegraphs I propose to
cut a groove along the same to the depth of one or two inches in which to lay
the long conducting wires which I should do upon a small quantity of asphalt
or other non-conducting cement previously run in a melting state at the
bottom of the groove and then fill up the groove with the same material.
Sheet 6 shews my improvement for taking copies of surfaces for instance
the surface of printer's types at distant places. Fig. 1 and 2 represent two
machines one of which may be considered at London and the other at Ports-
mouth. These two instruments are in every respect the counterparts of each
other and the letters of reference apply equally to either except X 2 Figure 2
from which instrument the message is sent. A. A. a strong. wood frame
B. B a metal frame filled with short insulated wires parallel to each other
and at right angles to the plane of the frame which may be constructed as
follows By coating with sealing wax small wire previously insulated by
thread in the usual manner and then cut into lengths of about an iuch and
put as many of these into the frame as can be pressed into it and then pour
a quantity of liquid sealing wax upon them when cold grind and polish to a
plane and smooth surface on both sides flush with the frame as represented
by the numerous dots. DD pendulums which are continually kept in
motion by powerful clocks QQ and kept regulated by the method shewn in
Sheet 4. Fig. 1: Ka steel spring carried by the pendulum the extreme end

page_text: rubbing gently upon the surface of the insulated wires in the frame B B-L
a spring fixed to the wood frame the free end of which presses upon the metal
frame M. a slight spring carried by the pendulum having a pin projecting
through the pendulum pressing gently upon the wood frame N. U and V two
metal studs dush with the frame-W a permanent magnet E a voltaic
battery. T T sections of the earth S S carbon. RRR conducting
wires CC a piece of clock mechanism to which the metal frame act as a
weight. O. P two pins in the slide spindle P 2 X a coil of insulated wire
suspended by two insulated springs at Y to which are attached conducting
wires. Wa permanent magnet Z a spring. When a communication is to be
made I proceed in the following manner I first set up the types composing
the communication in the usual manner in a metal frame which fits into the
back of the frame B B Figure 2 with the printing surface in contact with
the small parallel wires. In the distant frame B B Fig. 1 will be kept placed
two thicknesses of damp paper previously saturated with a solution composed
of equal parts of prusiate of potash and nitrate of soda and at the back of the
paper asmooth metal plate pressing the paper into contact with the ends ofthe
parallel wire: and exactly fitting the frame B B. The operator having set up
his types and placed them in the frame joins the conducting wire at X 2 and
when the pendulums are at the extreme ends of their vibrations that is when
the pins in the spring M M comes upon the studs U U or V V a current
is sent through the coils X at Fig. 2 which are then repelled by the magnets
W W and pressing upon the slide spindles release one pin of the top wheel
which allows the wheels to make one-seventh of their revolution. When the
pius carried by the springs M M are off the studs U U or V V the current
is broken and the coils being no longer repelled by the magnets the springs
ZZ force the spindles towards the magnets which releases another pin of the
wheels and by these repeated actions the frames B B continue falling until
they descend to the bottom of the frames A A.
It will be observed that the current constantly passes through the portion of
the small insulated wires contained in the frames BB that may be in contact
with the springs K K except when the pendulums are at the extreme ends
of their vibration and as the spring in Figure 2 will only take the current from
the wires whose inner points are in contact with some portion of the type the
current, will pass at that point and no other and consequently will deliver the
current at a corresponding point through the paper in the frame of Figure 1
which will produce a copy of the printing surface of the types in a series of
smalldots. For simplicity only one conducting wire and onespring K is shewn

page_text: at each instrument but in practice several of each might be used so as to
print a line of types at each vibration of the pendulums it is evident that a
copy of any other surface composed of conducting and non-conducting materials
can be taken by these means.
Sheet 7 shews my improvements in signal telegraphs. Figures 1 and 2 are
two instruments exactly similar in all their parts and the letters of reference
apply equally to either. A A a wood case BB the interior of the case
CC two semicircular permanent magnets with similar poles facing each
other DD a brass bar carrying the magnets having its centre at E upon
which it is free to move FF coils of insulated wire fixed to the case Ga
pointer fixed to the brass bar I V signals to be indicated by the pointer
KK springs fixed to the metal pillar L and carrying the finger studs I V
M M pieces of metal fixed to the cases immediately under the finger studs
QQconducting wires OP and ST are positive and negative substances
deposited in the earth. The actions are as follows When the instruments are
not in use the conducting wires N N are attached to the studs Z as shewn
in Figure 1 but when the operator wishes to transmit a message he removes
the wires from Z and hangs them on the insulated studs Y Y as shewn in
Figure 2 if he now presss the finger stud I of Figure 2 into contact with the
metal M this will send the electric current through the two instruments.
which will pass from the positive metal S through the earth to the negative
substance P to the stud Z of Figure 1 through the pillar L to the stud R
from thence to the coils return by the wire Q to the instrument Fig. 2
through the coils to the stud R through spring I to the metal M to S thus
completing the circuit. While the current is passing in this direction (as
shewn by the black arrows) the pointers will indicate I if the key is now
released from the metal M the circuit will be broken and the pointers will
resume the position shewn if contact is again made by.bringing stud I into
contact with metal M I will be again indicated which will mean two this again
repeated will mean "three" and once more "four" when five is intended
to be shewn the finger key V must be depressed when the current will be
reversed as shewn by the red arrows and the pointers will indicate V when
six is intended the finger key V must be first depressed which will mean five
and then the finger key I must be depressed which will mean one and these
united will indicate six VII will indicate seven and so on as shewn by table
Tuntil eleven which is the stop employed to indicate the end of a number
for instance VIII VVIVVII means two separate numbers of eight and twelve
the words or sentences intended to be conveyed being previously agreed upon

page_text: and placed opposite the numbers in the table.
Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 shews
a suitable arrangement to convey intelligence to police or fire stations to apply
which it will be necessary to divide the town into districts each district being
distinguished by a numberknown at the head station. Figure 3 a piece of clock
mechanism AA a metal frame Da weight suspended to one end of a cord which
passes over a cylinder C in a ratchet-teethed grove in the opposite end of the
cord by which the weight is drawn up B a metal wheel with wood divisions
on its periphery fixed to the cylinder and spindle E a stop Fa pin in the
wheel B to prevent its making more than one revolution.
Ga vane to regu-
late the speed. Ha spring its free end resting upon the periphery of the
wheel B. La spring its free end being clear of the frame. I a block of wood
to which the springs H and Lare fixed which keeps them insulated from the
frame but in connection with the conducting wire K. When the instrument
is at rest the spring H always rests upon a metal portion of the wheel B.
which enables a current to pass from the positive plate Othrough the earth to
the negative plate P up the wire to the coil N in the instrument Figure S
through the wire K to the spring H in Figure 3 to the metal division of the
wheel B through the wire K2 to the instrument Figure 5 back to the
plate O. Figures 5 and 6 are constructed exactly alike with part of the dial
plate removed in Figure 6 to show the action within. Ga ratchet wheel
which carries the head. Ka spring to keep the wheel from retrograding.
ffa click with its stem carried by the coil the coil being suspended as de-
scribed in Sheets 34 and 5. F F permanent magnets.
Now if the operator at Figure 3 winds up the weight and at the same
time keeps the free end of the spring L in contact with the frame (while
winding up but no longer to prevent the current being broken while winding
up) as soon as the cord is released the wheel B will gradually make one revo-
lution and of course will make and break the electric circuit according to
the number of wood divisions in its periphery which will cause a corresponding
number of actions to take place in the instruments 5 and 6. If three werethe
number of wood divisions three would be shewn and so on to any number.
Figure 4 shews a number of wheels so divided to correspond to the number of
stations where placed each having an instrument to work it similar to
Figure 3.
I have herein been obliged to describe the parts of well-known instruments
but I distinctly disclaim all and every part of the same except such improve-
ments as I hereby set out and claim as under-
First I claim the production of electric currents produced by positive and

page_text: negative substances placed in the earth or in natural bodies of water when
connected by insulated conducting wires as shewn in Sheet 1.
Second I claim the method herein described for regulating electric currents
when produced by voltaic batteries as shewn in Sheet 2.
Third I claim the following improvements when applied to electric time-
pieces or to printing or signal telegraphs.
1st Employing electric currents produced as shewn in Sheet 1.
2nd Employing the attraction and repulsion of the multiplied electric
conductor by fixed permanent magnets and the attraction and repulsion of
permanent magnets by fixed electric conductors when produced by placing the
line of the electric current at or near right angles to the poles of the magnets
as shewn in Sheet 3.
3rd The method of making pendulums regulate each other as shewn in
Sheet 4 Figure 1.
4th The method of working electric time-pieces by electric currents passing
through secondary conducting wires as shewn in Sheet 4 Figure 5.
5th The arrangement for working electric pendulums as shewn in Sheet 4
Figure 2.
6th The means of enabling the operator to know when the distant tele-
graphic instruments are in unison with his own and if not correct giving
him power to adjust them as shewn in Sheet 5 Figures 1 and 2.
7th The arrangement for taking copies of surfaces at distant places by
means of electricity as shewn in Sheet 6.
8th The method of securing the conducting wires in wood pavement or in
the longitudinal sleepers of railways as herein described.
9th The arrangement of signal telegraphs by which with one conducting
wire and two characters assisted by an explanatory table numerous signals
may be given as shewn in Sheet 7 Figures 1 and 2 and Table T.
In witness whereof I the said Alexander Bain have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twenty-seventh day of November in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-three.
ALEXANDER (L.S.) BAIN.
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED that on the Twenty-seventh day of
November in the year of our Lord 1843 the aforesaid Alexander Bain came
before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery and acknowledged the Speci-
fication aforesaid and all and every thing therein contained and specified in
form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped accord-
ing to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Twenty-seventh day of November in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-three.