IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR CHECKING THE VISITS OF WATCHMEN AND CARETAKERS TO VARIOUS PARTS OF BUILDINGS OR OTHER PLACES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John William Fletcher of 93 Chatham Street Stockport
in the County of Chester Telegraph Engineer, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR CHECKING THE VISITS OF
WATCHMEN AND CARETAKERS TO VARIOUS PARTS OF BUILDINGS OR OTHER
PLACES"
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John William Fletcher at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd October 1883.
JOHN WILLIAM FLETCHER of 93 Chatham Street, Stockport, in the county of
Chester Telegraph Engineer “IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR
CHECKING THE VISITS OF WATCHMEN AND CARE TAKERS TO VARIOUS PARTS OF
BUILDINGS OR OTHER PLACES,"
The invention relates to means and apparatus for checking and recording the
visits paid by watchmen or caretakers to various parts of buildings or other places
where their presence is required periodically.
Hitherto two systems of checking and recording have been in use. One consisted
in having a so called tell tale or pog clock at each place to be visited; the other in
having a clock fitted with separate recorders each connected, to a place to be
visited, by an electrical circuit. Both systems have many disadvantages. The
first is costly, on account of the number of clocks employed and is troublesome
inasmuch as each clock must be visited to ascertain whether the watchman or
caretaker has fulfilled his duties. The second system had the advantage that by
observation at one oclock the conduct of a watchman at numerous stations could
be ascertained. There was however the great disadvantage that such clocks were
very expensive and had to be made for a certain number of stations which could
not be exceeded, besides for every station a separate circuit was required, and a
separate clock and system of circuits for each watchman.
Now my invention has for its object to so simplify and improve the system of
checking that only one clock is required for recording, whether there are two or
several watchmen and only one electrical circuit is required for each watchman
whether he visits one or more places. Under my invention the number of places
37

page_text: visited on each circuit and their positions can be varied at will without any
alteration being made in the clock, and the clock may be in the superintendents
room or other convenient place, and show whether the watchmen on each circuit
are performing their duties.
For the above purposes I use a recording clock of any suitable type and connect
the recording appliance to an electrical circuit broken at each place the watchinan
or caretaker has to visit. At each intermediate place I provide means whereby
the watchman may complete the circuit and at the final place apparatus whereby
the circuit is completed and a circuit sent to the recording clock, the said apparatus
also serving to break the circuits at the places previously mentioned. If there are
two or more watchmen or caretakers employed two or more recorders and circuits
are placed in connection with the clock.
In practice I use a clock of any suitable construction say one provided with a
rotating drum carrying a band of paper. I fit or provide tho said clock with a.
record maker say a pencil operated by an electro magnet in the usual way for each
watchmans circuit.
At the places where the watchman has to visit I insert a circuit or contact
maker enclosed in a box or case and fitted with a key whereby the watchman as
he passes the place may complete the circuit or make the contact. The circuit or
contact maker is retained in position when so placed by means of magnetism catches
or other suitable means.
At the final station I place apparatus for sending first an electric current of one
polarity through the completed circuit, to make a mark on the band of paper or its
equivalent and second a current of reverse polarity for the purpose of releasing the
circuit or contact makers at the previous stations. The said apparatus consists
essentially of a rotating drum and connections whereby cross currents are made
to pass from a battery or batteries; the normal position being such that the circuit
is broken.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John William Fletcher in the Patent Office on the 23rd April
1884.
JOHN WILLIAM FLETCHER of 93 Chatham Street, Stockport in the County of
Chester, Telegraph Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR
CHECKING THE VISITS OF WATCHMEN AND CARETAKERS TO VARIOUS PARTS OF
BUILDINGS OR OTHER PLACES
"
The invention relates to means and apparatus for checking and recording the
visits paid by watchmen or caretakers to various parts of buildings or other places
where their presence is required periodically.
Hitherto two systems of checking and recording have been in use. One consisted
in having a so called tell tale or peg-clock at each place to be visited: the other.
in having a clock fitted with separate recorders each connected to a place to be

page_text: visited by an electrical circuit. Both systems have many disadvantages. The first
is costly on account of the number of clocks employed and is troublesome inasmuch
as each clock must be visited to ascertain whether the watchman or caretaker has
fulfilled his duties. The second system has the advantage that by observation at
oue oclock, the conduct of a watchman at numerous stations can be ascertained.
There is however the great disadvantage that such clocks, are very expensive and
have to be made for a certain number of stations which cannot be exceeded, besides
for every station a separate circuit is required, and a separate clock and system of
circuits for each watchman.
Now my invention has for its object to so simplify and improve the system of
checking that only one clock is necessary whether there are two or several
watchmen, and only one electrical circuit is required for each watchman whether
he visits one or more places. Under my invention the number of places visited
on each circuit and their position can be varied at will without any alteration
being made in the clock, and the clock may be in the superintendents room or
other convenient place, and will show whether the watchmen on each circuit are
performing their duties.
For the above purpose I use a recording clock of any suitable type and connect
the recording appliance to an electrical circuit broken at each place the watchman
or caretaker has to visit. At each intermediate place I provide means whereby
the watchman may complete or bridge the circuit connections at that place, and at
the final place apparatus whereby the circuit is completed and a current sent to
the recording clock, the said apparatus also serving to break the circuits at the
places previously mentioned. If there are two or more watchmen or caretakers
employed two or more recorders and circuits are placed in connection with the
clock.
In practice I use a clock of any suitable construction say one provided with a
rotating drum .carrying a band of paper. I fit or provide the said clock with a
record maker, say a pencil or ink marker operated by an electro magnet in the
usual way for each watchmans circuit.
At the places where the watchman has to visit I insert a circuit or contact maker
enclosed in a box or case and fitted with a koy whereby the watchman as he passes
the place may complete the circuit or make the contact. The circuit or contact
maker is retained in position when so placed by means of magnetism, catches or
other suitable means.
At the final station I place apparatus for sending first an electric current of one
polarity through the completed circuit to make a mark on the band of paper or
its equivalent and Second: a current of reverse polarity for the purpose of releasing
the circuit or contact makers at the previous stations. The said apparatus consists
essentially of a rotating drum and connections whereby cross currents are made
to pass from a battery or batteries: the normal position being such that the circuit
is broken.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig 1 is an elevation of apparatus suitable for use at intermediate, stations to be
visited, a circuit or contact maker pivotted at b to the bracket c and held in the
position shown by the spring d. e contact piece connected to the line wire f.
g permanent horseshoe magnet, h coils around the poles of the said magnet. f'line
wire connected through the said coils to the contact maker a. 2 stationary disc,
disc attached to the contact maker to show when contact is made and broken.
j lever operated by a key for raising the contact makor a into the position shown
by the dotted lines.
Apparatus constructed as above mentioned is placed at each intermediate station
L
"

page_text: by means of the action of the permanent magnet g and the line wire or circuit is
completed at that placo.
Fig 2 is an elevation of a modification of apparatus above described, here the
magnet g is affixed to the armature a' which holds the contact maker and breaker
in position so that a current of one polarity will attract and that of the other
repel the said armature. The action is similar to that above described.
Fig 3 is an elevation and figs 4 and 5 detail views of apparatus for use at a
terminal station: here the line wire is connected to the contact maker k whilst
the contact maker k¹ connects to earth through a battery. plug capable of
'being rotated by a key. m indicator and coils operated by the line wire. The
action is as follows:-In the position shown the pieces k k¹ are in contact with the
insulated position of the plug and no current passes. When the watchman has
completed circuit at each of the intermediate stations he causes the plug to revolve
and the piece comes in contact with and the piece k¹ with this causes say a
positive current to pass through the line and actuate any usual or suitable recording
mechanism kept in motion by a clock as tho watchman continues to turn the plug,
the piece k comes in contact with 2 and the piece k¹ with, the current is then
reversed and its action is such as to release all the contact makers a figs 1 and 2
and the apparatus is again ready.
In some classes of recording apparatus where the pencil or ink marker is not
lifted from the paper it is not necessary to send two currents, the current that
releases the contact makers a also serving to effect the recording. In this case the
apparatus fig. 3 may be dispensed with and a battery may be connected to the
terminal of a series of apparatus similar to figs 1 and 2.
Fig 6. illustrates apparatus suitable for use where reverse currents are not
required, here a soft iron armature a' is used for retaining the contact maker in
position and the said apparatus may also be used as a terminal.
Having now described and illustrated my said invention in such manner that
others will be enabled to carry my improvements into effect-I claim :-
First. The combination of any suitable recording clock with an electrical circuit
and contact makers as herein setforth.
Socond. Apparatus for making and breaking contact and sending electic currents
to a recording clock substantially as herein setforth.
⚫ Third. The arrangement and combination with a recording clock of magnetic
and electro magnetic apparatus for the purpose setforth.
Fourth The combination and arrangement with one recording clock of a single
line circuit and contact making and breaking apparatus substantially as setforth.
In Witness Whereof Ì the said John William Fletcher havo hereunto set my
band and seal this twenty second day of April in the year of Our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty four.
Witness
GEO. E. FLETCHER
Chatham Street
Stockport
JNO, WM, FLETCHER (L.S.)