IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CHEMICAL TELEGRAPHS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CHEMICAL TELEGRAPHS." A com-
munication from abroad by Charles Adams Randall and Theodore Marshall
Foote, both of the City and State of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 28th August 1877, and dated the 26th April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th April 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patents
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. " IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING
TO CHEMICAL TELEGRAPHS." A communication from abroad by Charles Adams
Randall and Theodore Marshall Foote, both of the City and State of New York,
United States of America.
This
In chemical telegraphs the recording has heretofore usually been in characters
that required translating before being suitable for commercial purposes.
method of recording has been a serious objection to the so-called automatic chemical
telegraph systems, the translating having required much time, labor, and expense,
and also having been a source of many errors.
In these automatic systems a serious difficulty has also arisen from the prolon-
gation of the characters tending to a continuous mark, and thereby becoming
illegible.
It has been attempted to produce Roman letters on chemically prepared paper,
but in all telegraphic instruments of this class several lines of wires must be
employed in order to produce the desired result.
By this Invention I obtain the following advantages, namely:
-
First. I am enabled to transmit the same number of letters with one-third the
number of electrical impulses over the line, as I obtain a letter to each impulse,
while in the "Morse" characters an average of three impulses to a letter is required.
Second. Transmitting impulses of equal duration and opposite polarity may be
employed when desired instead of long and short impulses, and much longer circuits
can be worked.
Third. The prolongation of the characters or "tailing” is positively prevented.

page_text: Fourth. The message is printed in a reliable manner in clear Roman letters ready
for delivery, thereby saving labor and preventing delay.
Fifth. Any number of instruments can be worked in the same circuit.
The said Invention comprises,―
The receiving apparatus.
The circuits and devices connected therewith to prevent tailing.
Specially perforated paper.
A compound type-circuit wheel.
A method of working terminal and intermediate offices by means of an indirect
current.
The combination with chemical telegraphs of a lettered key transmitter.
An improved translating instrument, to be employed in connection with this
improved system of telegraphy for translating the messages in the absence of the
aforesaid improved receiving instrument.
And improved apparatus for perforating the paper to be employed in said
improved system of telegraphy.
The sending drum and the type circuit wheel may be driven by wheels and
weights, electric engines, or other power, and should be governed to run isochronously,
or nearly so. I propose also to use an unisoning device, by which at a given number
of revolutions any slight variance may be corrected automatically.
But one perforation in the transmitting paper is required for a letter, and the
perforations must have the same relation to each other as the letters on the type
circuit wheel, for instance, in perforating the word "How" the distance between each
perforation must be the same as between the same letters on the type circuit wheels.
The type circuit wheels however may run twice as fast as the perforating paper, and
thus the distance between the perforations will be diminished one-half, so that the
distances between the perforations must be relatively the same as before.
In the receiving apparatus I employ a receiving pen, constructed with a number
of points or wires, but do not confine myself to any particular number. This pen
is in contact with the receiving chemical paper strip, and the incoming current
divides at the pen and passes through the paper from each point as the metallic
letters pass under the same, thereby recording the characters in a series of dots.
I sometimes use an extra wire, which may or may not be in contact with the
chemical paper. The main line is continually to ground, and the incoming current
dividing at the pen circle will pass through the extra point as well as the recording
points of the pen; and to prevent too much of the current passing that way, and
yet virtually keeping the line to ground, I employ adjustable resistance to properly
regulate the amount of current passing to ground.
I may use a single type circuit wheel with chemical paper passing over the same,
and the recording pen in contact therewith. In connection with this device I use
a small local battery, from which the current passes through the paper in an opposite
direction to the recording current without marking the paper. In some cases the
circuit wheel serves to transmit a negative impulse from the line battery through a
pen to the line at each contact of the metallic portion of the circuit wheel with the
circuit closer. The best result however will be obtained by making an extra
perforation in the transmitting paper after each recording perforation. I combine
a small battery at the receiving end with the main battery at the sending end of
the line, so that a current of greater quantity may be made to pass over the inside
wire of the induction coil, thereby increasing the induced current. The induction
coil offering but slight resistance to the main current may also be used at
intermediate offices, and the recording current induced, and a greater number of
instruments worked in a single circuit.
I sometimes use a double type circuit wheel with the beginning of one alphabet
at or near the centre of the alphabet of the other wheel.
In a modification of the above apparatus the type circuit wheel has a series of
circuit closing pens in contact therewith, and a metallic receiving drum or wheel is
provided, with chemical paper passing over the same, and a series of pens in contact

page_text: therewith. These pens are in metallic contact with the circuit closing pens bearing
upon the type circuit wheel. In use the ordinary current passes from the line to
the wheel, and from the metallic portions of the letters on the wheel through the
point or points presented to it, and thence over the respective circuit or circuits to
the pen or pens in contact with the receiving paper to a drum and shaft to ground,
recording the letter as before explained.
That the recorded letters may not be separated too widely the receiving drum
may run considerably slower than the type circuit wheel. Upon circuits of ordinary
length the paper may be fed step by step by any proper device.
I also propose to use an induced current to produce the proper spacing of the
paper.
Although I have above described this apparatus in connection with perforated
paper, I do not desire to confine myself thereto, as I contemplate applying the
same to use in combination with an ordinary lettered key transmitting apparatus
similar to that used in the House or Hughes' printing telegraph.
The type circuit wheel may be constructed by forming the letters on the periphery
of the wheel by means of a series of iron or steel pins set in the same, and which
may be readily replaced when the points have been used or consumed. In use the
wheel would make direct contact with the paper, and the incoming current passing
through the wheel and paper to the ground would record each letter upon the paper
presented there at the time of the passage of the impulse.
The type wheel shaft of the translating instrument is journalled in suitable
upright supports, which are secured to a base in any convenient manner.
The type
wheel may consist of a single disc, having the letters, characters, or figures printed
at equal intervals upon the same, but I prefer to use two or more discs.
On the same shaft is mounted an indicating wheel, consisting of a number of discs
corresponding to the number of discs in the type wheel, and marked to correspond
with the letters and characters on the type wheel discs. A guide is secured above
the said indicating disc, which serves, in connection with a similar guide above the
driving drum, to indicate when the type wheel is is position to print the
letter. The said shaft or journal projects at the front of the apparatus, and is pro-
vided with a drum, which I denominate the driving drum of the instrument, and
over which passes the chemically prepared slip of paper whereon the signals are
received from the transmitting instrument.
proper
The type wheel when constructed with two or more discs is capable of a
longitudinal motion upon the shaft with which it turns. It is formed with an
annular recess at its rear, into which projects the upper end of a lever; the
latter is pivoted to a standard attached to the bed or base of the instrument,
and it provided with two lateral arms, under which the projections on the key
levers engage, and by means of which the type wheel can be shifted on its shaft
either backward or forward to bring either type disc in line with the printing pad.
Duplicate pawls are secured to the ends of springs fastened to opposite sides of the
rear standards, and adapted to be operated by the key levers to be thrown into a
ratchet wheel secured to the type wheel shaft for the purpose of holding the type
wheel in position while the same is being printed from. These levers also operate
the printing lever, which is provided with a pawl that engages a ratchet wheel
secured to the paper feed roller. The printing pad is secured to said printing lever,
which is operated to throw the said pad against any type wheel when in position
by means of the key levers. A lever is pivoted to one side of the front standard,
and extends over the type wheel shaft, being provided with a guide roller for the
reception of the strip of chemically prepared paper. To said lever is pivoted one
end of a self-adjusting arm over the driving drum, a friction roller bears against the
said drum so as to press the prepared paper against the same. I provide the
translating instrument with a series of interchangeable drums of different diameters,
to be employed on the type wheel shaft of the translating instrument.
In some cases I employ an improved band apparatus in which a rectangular
standard is mounted upon a suitable support or base. To the front face of said

page_text: standard is secured a rotating drum, the said drum being of the same diameter as
the type wheel of the receiving instrument to be employed in connection with the
perforated strips. The drum on its face is provided with an alphabet, and the
journal of the drum is provided with a pointer or finger for indicating when the
drum is in proper position for the perforation corresponding to any particular letter.
To the rear face of the drum I secure a gear wheel, ratchet wheel, and pawl, the
gear wheel meshing with a driving wheel, by which the drum may be put in
motion, the ratchet wheel and pawl allowing the wheel to be rotated only in the
proper direction; a spring is secured to the pawl and to the upright standard for
throwing the pawl into the ratchet teeth.
A friction wheel mounted upon one end of a rod pivoted to the upright standard
is caused to bear upon the paper upon the drum by means of a spring.
The
punching device is secured to the upper end of the vertical standard, and is provided
with a punch and cutting dio, the paper being carried between the upper face of
the die and the punch, in a recess formed between the die plate and the lower face
of the support which carries the die and punch.
In a modification of this part of my Invention the die plate is dispensed with,
and the periphery of the wheel at proper intervals is perforated, each perforation, in
conjunction with the punch, operating as a cutting die for its particular perforation.
The drum may be covered with copper, or raw hide, if desired, for the reception of
the end of the punch, and the punch may be operated by means of a suitable lever
instead of directly by hand.
1
In another modification of this perforating apparatus the upright support has
attached to it a table or frame, in which sliding rods are supported. The said rods
are fitted in vertical cylindrical passages arranged in a circle directly under the
rotating drum. They are provided with retractile springs, their lower ends resting
upon the ends of key levers, which represent the lotters or characters of the
alphabet and the necessary numerals.
The drum is arranged in a horizontal position directly above the table or plat-
form, and sliding rods secured therein, the said drum being loosely fitted upon its
support, and kept in position by means of a shoulder above the platform or table;
and all adapted to rotate freely on said support. The said drum is constructed of
metal, with a flat groove on its periphery, for the reception of the strip of paper to
be perforated. To the lower side of the said drum is attached a flat spring, insulated
from the drum, and adapted to be engaged by either of the sliding rods when
elevated, and by the rotation of the drum brought to bear against the insulated
collar attached to the support, and also against a metallic pin secured to the drum,
thus establishing a metallic connection between the support and the drum. To
the insulated collar is secured one end of a wire which is connected at the other end
to one of the poles of a battery for the purpose to be herein-after explained.
The upper end of the aforesaid support is secured to a horizontal arm attached to
the standard, and is provided with a spring and friction roller; the latter by turning
against the rotating drum gives it the proper motion to carry the strip of paper to
be rotated. A die is formed in the end of a rod located at one side of the rotating
drum, and a lever, carrying a punch at its lower end, is adapted to operate in con-
junction with said die, and at its other end there is an armature of soft iron and a
retractile spring. An electro-magnet is secured to an upright standard opposite the
armature on the lever. One end of the wire, forming the helix of said magnet, is
connected to the opposite pole of the battery to that which is connected with the
wire, and the other end of the wire is connected with the support of the table and
rotating drum. A lever attached to the standard carries at its end a friction roller,
which bears against the rotating drum, causing the fillet or strip of paper to be
perforated to nove properly with said drum.
Each of the aforesaid sliding rods represents a letter of the alphabet, or numeral,
and the said rods are relatively placed to correspond with similar letters or numerals
on the type wheel. It is evident therefore that the perforations in the paper will
be made with accuracy.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
26th October 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING
TO CHEMICAL TELEGRAPHS." A communication from abroad by Charles Adams
Randall and Theodore Marshall Foote, both of the City and State of New York,
United States of America.
In chomical telegraphs the recording has heretofore usually been in characters
that required translating before being suitable for commercial purposes. This has
been a serious objection to the so-called automatic chemical telegraph, the translating
having required much time, labor, and expense, and also having been a source of
many errors.
In the automatic systems a serious difficulty has also arisen from the prolongation
of the characters, tending to a continuous mark, and thereby becoming illegible.
It has been attempted to produce Roman letters on chemically prepared paper,
but in all telegraphic instruments of this class, several lines of wires must be employed
in order to produce the desired result.
This Invention relates to a Roman letter chemical telegraph, and to improvement
upon other chemical telegraphs as follows, that is to say :-
First. I am enabled to transmit the same number of letters with one-third the
number of electrical impulses over the line, as I obtain a letter to each impulse,
while in the Morse characters an average of three impulses to a letter is required.
Second. Transmitting impulses of equal duration and opposite polarity may be
employed, when desired, instead of long and short impulses, and much longer
circuits can bo worked.
Third. The prolongation of the characters or "tailing" is positively prevented.
Fourth. The message is printed in a reliable manner in clear Roman letters ready
for delivery, thereby saving labor and preventing delay.
Fifth. Any number of instruments can be worked in the same circuit.
The said Invention comprises,
First. The receiving apparatus.
Second. The method or system of circuits and devices connected therewith to
prevent tailing.
Third. Specially perforated paper.
Fourth. A compound type circuit wheel.
Fifth. A method of working terminal and intermediate offices by means of an
induced current.
Sixth. The combination with chemical telegraphs of a lettered key transmitter.
Seventh. An improved translating instrument to be employed in connection with
the improved system of telegraphy for translating the messages in the absence of
the improved receiving instrument above mentioned.
And, Eighth. Improved apparatus for perforating the paper to be employed in
said improved system of telegraphy.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of receiving apparatus, and Figure 2, a plan of the
same.
Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 show plans of modifications of receiving apparatus.
Figures 7 and 10 shew fillets of perforated paper.
Figure 8 shows the compound type circuit wheel.
Figure 9 shows a fillet of receiving paper.
Figure 11 shows the induction coil and parts connected therewith.
Figure 12 represents a front elevation of the imroved translating instrument;
Figure 13, a top view of the same,

page_text: Figures 14 and 15, side elevations of the transmitting instrument, and Figure 16,
a rear elevation of the same.
Figures 17 and 18 are detached views of the feed drums employed with said
translating instrument.
Figures 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 represent the perforated and recorded strips
of paper employed in transmitting to and recording the messages at the translating
instrument.
Figure 26 is a front elevation of a hand apparatus for perforating the strips or
fillets of paper, and Figure 27, a side elevation of said apparatus.
Figure 28 shows detached views of a modification of the punching dies employed
in said apparatus.
Figure 29 is a view of a punching apparatus operated partly by hand and partly
by electro-magnetism.
Figures 30 and 31 are detached views of portions of said last-mentioned appa-
ratus.
Similar letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the Drawings.
Figure 1 represents the sending and receiving instruments at each end of the
main line, connected to the battery at the sending station and to the ground at the
receiving station.
A represents the receiver and A¹ the sender. A in the receiving apparatus I term
a type circuit wheel, and it may be constructed either in sections of metal insulated
from each other with the letter engraved, as shown in Figure 2, or the letters may
be engraved upon the periphery of an ordinary circuit wheel, with an insulated
portion of the wheel between each letter, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5. A¹ in
the sending apparatus is the transmitting drum, and, as shown, represents a metallic
wheel, over which the perforated paper is carried. 6, 61, Figure 2, are the trans-
mitting brushes to make contact with the drum A¹ through the perforations in the
paper.
The drum A¹ and the type circuit wheel A may be driven by any suitable motive
power, such as trains of wheels and weights, electric engines, or other power, and
should be governed to run isochronously, or nearly so; I propose also to use an
unisoning device, by which, at a given number of revolutions, any slight variance
may be corrected automatically.
The paper for transmitting may be perforated with any suitable perforations, but,
when perforated, as shown in Figure 10, with single perforations, but one trans-
mitting brush will be required, and the impulse will be transmitted from one pole
of the battery.
For the transmission of alternate currents, the paper must be perforated as shown
in Figure 7, and two transmitting circuit closers or brushes b, b', must be used in
connection with the battery or batteries.
But one perforation is required for a letter, and the perforations must have the
same relation to each other as the letters on the type circuit wheel, that is, in per-
forating the word "how" the distance between each perforation must be the same
as between the same letters on the type circuit wheels. The type circuit wheel
however, may run twice as fast as the perforating paper is fed, and thus the distance
between the perforations will be lessened one-half, that the distances between the
perforations must be relatively the same as before.
In the receiving apparatus I employ a receiving pen, constructed with a number
of points or wires, I prefer to use five, but do not limit myself to any particular
number. This pen is in contact with the receiving chemical paper strip, and the
incoming current divides at the pen and passes through the paper from each point
as the metallic letters, in whole or in section, pass under the same, thereby recording
the characters in a series of dots, as shewn in Figures 3 and 9.
In Figure 2 I have shown the type circuit wheel upon the same shaft S with an
ordinary circuit wheel w, an insulated portion of one wheel coming opposite a metallic
portion of the other.
I have also shown an extra wire from pen p drawing upon the said circuit wheel.

page_text: This I may make use of to advantage in several ways.
As shown in Figure 1, it
simply puts the line to ground at every contact with the metallic parts of said circuit
wheel, serving to discharge the line.
In Figure 4 I have shown a solid metallic wheel in lieu of the circuit wheel w,
and the extra wire or circuit closer in contact therewith.
The extra wire may or may not be in contact with the chemical paper. In this
arrangement the main line L is continually to ground, and the incoming current
dividing at the pen p, Figure 4, will pass through the extra point as well as the
recording points of the pen, and to prevent too much of the current passing that
way and yet virtually keeping the line to ground, I have shown the adjustable
resistance R, h, so as to properly adjust the amount of current passing to ground.
In Figure 6 I have shewn a single type circuit wheel with chemical paper passing
over the same, and the recording pen in contact therewith. In connection with
the same I have shown a small local battery, from which the current passes through
the paper in an opposite direction to the recording current without marking the
paper.
By either of the methods described under the arrangement, as shown in Figures
2, 4, 6, the line is properly discharged, "tailing" is prevented, and the letters
recorded in a clear and distinct manner.
In Figure 5 I have shown the same arrangement of the type circuit wheel and
ordinary circuit wheel, as shown in Figure 2. In this case, however, the circuit
wheel serves to transmit a negative impulse from the line battery through the extra
pen b² to line L at each contact of the metallic portion of the circuit wheel with
the circuit closer. This serves to make the recording clear and distinct, and also to
partially discharge the line. The best result, however, will be obtained by making
an extra perforation in the transmitting paper after each recording perforation, as
shewn in Figure 7, which may be availed of to put the line to ground at the sending
station after each recording impulse is sent. By this method the line will be more
perfectly discharged.
In the Drawings I have shewn an induction coil, Figure 11, the construction of
which is well known, and requires no further description. The special features of
its use are the combining of a small battery at the receiving end to act with the
main battery at the sending end of the line, so that a current of greater quantity
may be made to pass over the inside wire of the induction coil, thereby increasing
the induced current, and also the combination with the same of the receiving type'
circuit wheel
The induction coil, offering but slight resistance to the main current, may also be
used at intermediate offices, and the recording current induced and a greater number
of instruments worked in a single circuit.
In Figure 8 I have shewn a double type circuit wheel with the beginning of one
alphabet at or near the centre of the alphabet of the other wheel By thus
arranging the letters they are in more convenient form for use, as the necessity
of making a complete revolution to repeat a letter will be avoided.
In combination with this double type wheel, perforations similar to those shewn
in Figure 7 could be used to the greatest advantage, as currents of opposite polarities
may thus be alternately transmitted, and each impulse makes its own record.
In Figure 3 I have shewn a modification of the receiving apparatus. All repre-
sents the type circuit wheel with a series of circuit closing pens in contact there-
with; d represents a metallic receiving drum or wheel with the chemical paper
passing over the same, and a series of pens in contact therewith. These pens are
in metallic contact with the circuit closing pens bearing upon the wheel A". In
use the ordinary current passes from the line L to the wheel A", and from the
metallic portions of the letters on the wheel through the point or points presented
to it, and thence over the respective circuit or circuits to the pen or pens in contact
with the receiving paper to the drum and shaft S to ground at G, recording the
letter as before explained.
That the recorded letters may not be separated too widely the receiving drum ₫

page_text: may run considerably slower than the type circuit wheel A". Upon circuits of
ordinary length the paper may be fed step by step by any proper device.
I also propose to use an induced current to produce the proper spacing of the
paper.
While I have described and shewn this apparatus in connection with per-
forated paper, I do not desire to confine myself thereto, as I contemplate applying
the same to use in combination with an ordinary lettered key transmitting apparatus
similar to that used in the House or Hughes' printing telegraph, it being well
adapted to the same, and advantageous in several particulars over the printing
telegraphs requiring electro-magnetic or mechanical power to effect the printing.
The type circuit wheel may be constructed by forming the letters on the periphery
of the wheel by means of a series of iron or steel pins set in the same, which may
be readily replaced when the points have been used or consumed. In use the wheel
would make direct contact with the paper, and the incoming current, passing
through the wheel and paper to the ground, would record each letter upon the
paper presented there at the time of the passage of the impulse.
In Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 the letter B represents the type wheel shaft of
the translating instrument journalled in suitable upright supports B¹, B¹, which are
secured to a base C¹ in any convenient manner; D represents the type wheel,
which may consist of a single disc having the letters, characters, or figures printed
at equal intervals upon the same, but for convenience and rapidity of working I
prefer to use two or more discs. In the present instance I have shewn three discs
or wheels, each divided into thirty parts on its periphery, the outer discs containing
at alternate intervals the letters of the alphabet, and the intermediate disc the
numerals necessary for recording the messages. The letter D represents an indi-
cating wheel mounted on the same shaft, consisting of a number of discs corre-
sponding to the number of discs in the type wheel, and marked to correspond with
the letters and characters on the type wheel discs; and E, a guide secured above
the said indicating disc, which serves in connection with a similar guide E¹ above
the driving drum to indicate when the type wheel is in position to print the proper
letter. The letters on the two type wheels are for convenience arranged with
special reference to each other, the letters most often used at the commencement of
words being arranged on one wheel directly opposite those least used, which are
arranged on the other. The intermediate wheel is marked with the numerals or
ciphers in common use. In the instrument as at present constructed, with the
printing pad arranged diametrically opposite the guide E, the letters and figures on
the type wheel are so arranged with respect to the corresponding letters and figures
on the indicating wheel that when a letter or figure on the indicating wheel appears
between the slot in the guide the corresponding letter or figure on the type wheel
is directly over the printing pad, in position to be transferred to the paper slip upon
which the message is printed upon depression of the respective printing key. The
shaft or journal B projects at the front of the apparatus, and is provided with a
drum F, which I denominate the driving drum of the instrument, and to which
motion is given by drawing or otherwise passing over the same the chemically
prepared slip of paper upon which the signals are received from the transmitting
intstrument.
The type wheel D when constructed with two or more discs is capable of a
longitudinal motion upon the shaft B, with which it turns, and is formed with an
annular recess I at its rear, into which sets the upper end of a lever J; the latter
is pivoted below to a standard K attached to the bed or base of the instrument,
and is provided with two lateral arms, one projecting at each side, under which the
projections L, L, on the key levers M³, M³, engage, and by means of which the
type wheel can be shifted on its shaft either backward or forward, in order to bring
either type disc in line with the printing pad, the intermediate disc remaining
normally over the same, and being kept in said position by means of a spring N
which operates against the lower part of the lever J for this purpose. The
letters 0, 0, represent duplicate pawls secured to the ends of the springs P, P¹,

page_text: fastened to opposite sides of the rear standards, and adapted to be operated by the
respective key levers M¹, M¹, to be thrown into a ratchet wheel secured to the
type wheel shaft B, for the purpose of holding the type wheel in position while the
same is being printed from. Said levers also serve to operate the printing lever R
pivotted to one side of the apparatus at one end, and provided with a pawl S¹
which engages a ratchet wheel secured to the paper feed roller T, which carries the
paper to be printed upon, for the purpose of rotating the same, so as to move the
paper the proper distance for the printing of a new letter or figure after each
impression. The printing pad V is secured to said printing lever R,. which is
operated to throw the said pad against any type wheel when in position, by
means of the key levers W, M¹, M³, which extend to the front of the apparatus.
B2 represents a lever pivotted at one end to one side of the front standard B¹, and
extending over the type wheel shaft, being provided at the other end with a guide
roller for the reception of the strip of chemically-prepared paper upon which the
signals are received from the transmitting instrument. To said lever is pivotted one
end of a self-adjusting arm C2, and to the other end, which falls directly over the
driving drum, is journalled a friction roller which bears against said drum, so as to
press the prepared paper against said drum as it is drawn over the same, causing
the drum, its shaft, the type wheel, and indicating wheels to move as said paper is
drawn along.
The transmitting and receiving instruments may be of the usual construction,
and must run regularly or nearly isochronously; but in order that they may run at
different rates of speed I provide the translating instrument with a series of
interchangeable drums F, of different diameters, to be employed on the type wheel
shaft of the translating instrument.
In order to designate the particular driving wheel to be used the operator at the
translating instrument makes two special perforations at the beginning of each
message. As these two perforations pass through the transmitting instrument two
marks, dots, or dashes, as the case may be, are recorded on the chemically-prepared
strips as it passes through the receiving instrument, and these two chemically-
recorded dots, which are terıned the translator's guide, indicate the distance from
zero back to zero, or a complete revolution of the type wheel, and thus show the
rotative speeds of transmitting and receiving instruments, and indicates to the
operator of the translating instrument the proper drum to be employed upon the
type wheel shaft of the same, the said shaft requiring a driving drum, the circum-
ference of which will be the same as the distance between the first two recorded
dots, so that by drawing the chemically-prepared paper over the driving drum the
distance between the first two recorded dots will rotate it just one revolution, after
which the succeeding recorded dots will come opposite the letters they represent, so
that the translation of the recorded dots upon the chemically-prepared paper into
Roman or other characters printed from a type wheel is rendered practicable, as in
the manner more fully herein-after explained.
After the message is properly recorded upon the chemically-prepared paper in the
receiving instrument the record slip is taken from the instrument and the two
special dots or dashes are noted, and the proper driving drum selected and secured
to the driving shaft of the transmitting instrument. The record slip is then placed
on the driving drum under the friction roller which bears against it and under the
guides attached to the lever B2; the paper is then drawn manually or otherwise
over the driving drum rotating the same and its shaft which carries the type and
indicating wheels. As the paper is drawn along the recorded dots or dashes appear
below the slot of the guide over the driving drum, and as each recorded dot or dash
appears the paper is stopped, the indicating wheel indicating the letter, figure, or
character which is to be printed, and upon which wheel said letter, figure, or
character is located; if upon the figure wheel, as said wheel is normally in position
over the printing pad, the central key is depressed, making the proper impression,
and if upon either of the other wheels the key to the right or left, as the case may

page_text: be, is depressed, shifting the type wheel, so as to bring the latter letter in position,
at the same time operating the printing pad to make the impression.
By my Invention, as only a single dot or dash is employed to represent a letter or
character, it will be evident that the messages may be transmitted with about one
fourth the number of impulses required by the "Morse" system, and that no
tailing" or obliteration of the recorded dot can possibly take place, as each impulse
indicates with unerring certainty the proper letter which can be printed in the
ordinary alphabetical characters, and that for this reason the system can be applied
to the working of land or ocean lines of any length, through which sufficient current
can be transmitted to mark the chemically-prepared paper.
Figures 26 and 27 of the Drawings represent an improved hand apparatus, in
which the letter A³ represents a rectangular standard mounted upon a suitable
support or base B³. To the front face of said standard is secured a rotating drum C³
upon a suitable journal D³, the said drum being of the same diameter as the type
wheel of the receiving instrument to be employed in connection with the perforated
strips. The drum on its face is provided with an alphabet the letters of which
correspond in their relative positions exactly with the letters on the type wheel of
the receiving instrument, and the journal is provided with a pointer or finger Es
for indicating when the drum is in proper position for the perforation corresponding
to any particular letter. To the rear face of the drum is secured a gear wheel F
and a ratchet wheel G³ and pawl H³, the gear wheel meshing with a driving
wheel Is, by which the drum may be put in motion, the ratchet wheel and pawl
allowing the wheel to be rotated only in the proper direction. M³ represents a spring
secured to the pawl and to the upright standard for throwing the pawl into the
ratchet teeth.
N³ represents a friction wheel mounted upon one end of a rod O³ pivoted to the
upright standard, which is caused to bear upon the paper upon the drum by means
of a spring Rs, and cause it to travel with the drum. Så represents the punching
device, which is secured to the upper end of the vertical standard, and is provided
at its front end with a punch T³ and cutting die V³, the paper being carried between
the upper face of the die and the punch in a recess formed between the die plate
and the lower face of the support which carries the die and punch, the ends of the
paper passing down through guides W³ at each side of the same.
In the modification shown in Figure 28 the die plate is dispensed with, and the
periphery of the wheel at proper intervals is perforated, each perforation in con-
junction with the punch operating as a cutting die for its particular perforation.
The drum may be covered with copper or raw hide, if desired, for the reception of
the end of the punch, and the punch may be operated by means of a suitable lever,
instead of directly by hand.
The operation of this part of my Invention will be readily understood from the
foregoing description. The paper being in proper position the drum is rotated in
the proper direction, so as to bring the proper letters successively in line with the
pointer, and the paper is perforated by a stroke upon the punch, and as the letters
are all relatively placed to correspond with those of the type wheel of the receiving
instrument it is evident that the perforations will be made with the utmost
accuracy.
Figure 29 shows another form of perforating apparatus, in which the letter A*
represents the base or bed plate upon which the various parts of the apparatus are
supported. B represents an upright support, to which is attached the table or
frame in which the sliding rods Care supported. The said rods are located in a
series of vertical cylindrical passages arranged in a circle directly under the rotating
drum D. The said sliding rods C are provided with retractile springs c*, their
lower ends resting respectively upon the ends of a series of key levers E*, which
represent the letters or characters of the alphabet, and the necessary numerals, only
one of said keys being represented in the present instance.
The drum D' is arranged in a horizontal position directly above the table or plat-
form B', and the series of sliding rods secured therein, said drum being loosely fitted

page_text: upon the support B, and supported in position by means of a shoulder thereon, just
above the platform or table B³, and all adapted to rotate freely on said support.
The said drum is constructed of metal, with a flat groove on its periphery for the
reception of the strip of paper to be perforated. To the lower side of said drum is
attached a flat spring F, electrically insulated from the drum, and adapted to be
engaged by either of the sliding rods C when elevated, and by the rotation of the
drum brought to bear against the insulated collar G attached to the support, and
also against the metallic pin H* secured to the drum, thus establishing the metallic
connection between the support and the drum. To the insulated collar is secured
one end of a wire I, which is connected at the other end to one of the poles of a
battery for the purpose to be herein-after explained.
The upper end of the support B is secured to a horizontal arm K' attached to the
standard L, and is provided with a spring and friction roller M, the latter of
which may be put in motion by any suitable means, and by turning against the
rotating drum gives it the proper motion to carry the strip of paper to be rotated.
N' represents a die formed in the end of a rod O' located at one side of the rotating
drum, and P a lever carrying a punch at its lower end adapted to operate in con-
junction with said die, and at its other end an armature R of soft iron and a
retractile spring St. T' represents an electro-magnet secured to an upright standard
Us, opposite the armature on the lever P*; one end V* of the wire forming the helix
of said magnet is connected to the opposite pole of the battery to that which is
connected with the wire I, and the other end W with the support B of the
table B and rotating drum. The letter Y* represents a lever attached to the
standard U, and carrying at its end a friction roller Z, which bears against the
rotating drum, causing the fillet or strip of paper to be perforated to move properly
with said drum.
The operation of this part of my Invention is as follows:-The slip of paper to
be perforated is placed upon the drum, and carried between the friction roller and
the drum, and also between the cutting die and the punch. The drum is then put
in motion by means of the friction wheel, which may be operated manually, or by
means of any suitable motive power, such as a spring or weight and train of gearing,
or by an electric engine or otherwise. As the drum revolves the paper is carried
along between the punch and die, and upon elevating any one of the sliding rods by
depressing its corresponding key lever the upper end of said rod will engage the
spring on the drum, and throw it into connection with the insulated collar and the
pin on said drum, thus establishing an electric current through the magnet, and
operating the punch lever to make the proper perforation in the paper, the drum at
the same time being stopped in its rotation until the perforation is made and the
sliding rod is released, when said drum continues its motion until another perfora-
tion is to be made.
Each sliding rod represents a letter of the alphabet or numeral, and are relatively
placed to correspond with similar letters or numerals on the type wheel. It is
evident therefore that the perforations in the paper will be made with accuracy.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. The combination in a chemical telegraph of a suitable transmitting apparatus
with a single line wire and a receiving drum, composed of a circuit wheel, the
metallic sections of which represent the letters of the alphabet, so that by a single
impulse of electricity any desired letter can be recorded upon chemical paper passing
over the type circuit wheel, as above described.
Second. The combination in a chemical telegraph of a circuit wheel, whose metallic
sections represent the letters of the alphabet, with a transmitting strip provided
with perforations whose distance from each other corresponds to the distance between
the successive letters to be recorded, as above described.
Third. A compound or double type circuit wheel, as shown and described, for the
purpose set forth.

page_text: Fourth. The method herein described of splitting up the electric current in the
receiving station by combing a series of receiving pens connected to one and the
same line wire as the type circuit wheel, as above described.
Fifth. The combination with a type circuit wheel of an induction coil and a
battery in the receiving station, the induction coil being connected to the line wire,
the battery, the styles, and the circuit wheel, as above described, and as shown in
Figure 11 of the Drawings.
Sixth. The combination with a transmitting apparatus and with its line wire of
a recording apparatus, which after having received an electrical impulse of one
polarity from the transmitting station produces automatically an electrical impulse
of the opposite polarity, as above described, and as shown in Figure 5 of the
Drawings.
Seventh. The method of transmitting telegraphic messages by means of a per-
forated slip or fillet of paper, having the perforations relative to the letters on the
type wheel of a transmitting instrument in such manner that the dots or dashes
recorded on the chemically prepared slip will be formed in proper relation to the
characters on said type wheel, to indicate the proper letters to be printed upon the
slip of paper, which finally receives the message, as above described.
Eighth. The method of transmitting telegraphic messages by a system of dots or
dashes, each representing a particular letter of the alphabet, as above described.
Ninth. The combination in a chemical telegraphic instrument of two or more
type discs mounted upon a common shaft and a corresponding number of indicating
wheels, each type wheel being engraved with a portion of the letters of the alphabet,
and the indicating wheels marked respectively to correspond with the same, with
the driving drum of the instrument, the whole arranged to operate in connection
with the chemically prepared paper which receives the signals from the transmitting
instrument, as above described.
Tenth. In combination with a type wheel or type wheels marked with tho
characters of the alphabet, the type wheel or wheels marked with numerals, and a
corresponding number of indicating wheels marked with corresponding characters
and numerals, and a driving drum, the whole arranged to operate in connection
with the slip of paper which receives the signals from the transmitting instrument, as
above described.
Eleventh. The combination with the type wheels of the receiving instrument and
a corresponding number of indicating wheels of different diameters, correspondingly
marked with the characters of the type wheels, and a corresponding number of inter-
changeable driving drums of different diameters, the whole arranged to be operated
in connection with the prepared strip which receives the signals from the transmitting
instrument, as above described.
Twelfth. In combination with the type wheels a printing lever and key levers for
operating the same, for the purpose of printing upon a strip of paper the characters
indicated by the record on the chemically prepared strip of paper, as above
described.
Thirteenth. In combination with the type wheels the key lever or levers for
shifting the type wheels to bring any desired type wheel over the printing pad as
may be required for printing, as above described.
Fourteenth. In combination with the interchangeable driving drums a self-
adjusting lever carrying the drum for holding the chemically prepared paper, and a
friction roller for pressing the paper to the drum for the purpose of adapting
driving drums of different sizes to be used with the same apparatus, as above
described.
Fifteenth. The combination with the indicating wheel or wheels and the driving
drum of suitable guides for indicating the positions which the indicating and type
wheels assume when the chemically prepared paper is arrested with the record
thereon appearing at the guides, and the type wheels in position to be printed from,
as above described.
Sixteenth. In combination with the key levers for operating the printing pad,

page_text: and shifting the type wheels, a lever and pawl for operating the drum which carries
the strip of paper to be printed upon, as above described.
Seventeenth. In an apparatus for translating telegraphic messages the combina-
tion of the driving roller, indicating wheel, and the type wheel or wheels to be
operated in connection with a recorded slip, and the key levers for shifting the
type wheels and printing the letters of the message, as above described.
Eighteenth. In a hand perforator the rotating paper feed drum, of the same diameter
as the type wheel of the receiving instrument, and having a series of letters relatively
arranged upon its face to correspond with the letters on the type wheel of the
receiving instrument in combination with a punch for making the perforations, and
with or without the friction wheel bearing against the paper, as above described.
Nineteenth. In combination with the punch the cutting die below and the inter-
mediate recess for the passage of the strip of paper to be perforated, as above
described.
Twentieth. In combination with the rotating feed drum of a perforating apparatus
and its motor, which drum is electrically connected with an electro-magnet for
operating the punching device, a series of sliding rods actuated by lettered key levers
for controlling the movements of the said drum and paper, and closing the circuit
through the electro-magnet, and operating the punching device, as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
W. ROB. LAKE. (L.S.)