IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING TELEGRAPHS."
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William John Burnside of Hilcot Court Road Lower
Norwood in the County of Surrey. for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING TELEGRAPHS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Jolin Burnside at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th April 1882.
WILLIAM JOHN BURNSIDE of Hilcot Court Road Lower Norwood in the County
of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING APPARATUS FOR
PRINTING TELEGRAPHS."
This invention has for its object improvements in transmitting and receiving
apparatus for printing telegraphs.
In the receiving instruments of type printing telegraphs I employ as in the
receiving instruments of other printing telegraphs a type wheel to which a step by
step revolving motion is imparted such step by step movements being controlled
by a series of electrical pulsations alternately of opposite polarity which are
transmitted from the sending station.
The pulsations cause a rapid to and fro vibration between electro-magnets of an
armature mounted on an axis which also carries escapement pallets acting with an
escapement wheel on the axis of the type wheel. The axis of the type wheel may
either be driven by a train of clockwork or the revolving motion may be given to
the escapement wheel by the to and fro movement of the pallets. In the above
respects the apparatus possesses no novelty.
The currents are made to pass not only through the coils of the above mentioned
electro magnets but also through the coils of another electro magnet employed to
actuate the impression or printing lever. The weight of the lever and arinaturo
tends to cause the armature to drop away from the magnet, a spring also tends to
draw away the armature. So long as the alternate currents are passing through
the coils of the electro magnet the armature is not drawn up to the magnet; but
so soon as the reversals of the currents cease and a current of either kind continues
for a slightly longer time the armature in connection with the printing or

page_text: impression lever is drawn to its magnet and tho pad or platten carried by tho
lever strikes the paper against the type of the type wheel which is then
opposito to it.
In order to be able to set the type wheel to zero the axis of the type wheel has
a radial pin standing out from it. A lever arm is held by friction to one of thu
axes of the train of wheels by which the type wheel is driven. The revolving of
the axis tends to carry the lever arm into the path of the radial pin on the axis of
the type wheel and stop the type wheel. Each time that the impression lever is
impelled towards the type wheel a claw upon the lever turns the arm away from
the type wheel to such a distance that the type wheel is free to make somewhat
more than two complete revolutions before the detent can come into the path of
the radial pin so that the typo wheel can always be brought to zero if allowed to
turn for more than say two complete revolutions without printing.
The type wheel I form of ebonite surrounded by a strip of soft vulcanized india
rubber standing out from which are the soveral letters and characters. These are
inked as heretofore by a small revolving cylindrical pad or rollor charged with ink
which rests lightly against one point of the circumference of the typo wheel.
By using one of the aniline inks the soft rubber surface of the type wheel can
be kept charged with ink for a long time.
To give the requisite forward travel to the strip of paper the impression lever
carries a pawl to act with the teeth of a ratchet wheel on the axis of a roughened
roller over which the strip of paper is led. As the impression lever moves back
away from the type wheel the pawl turns the wheel one tooth and a fixed pin
then holds the pawl against the wheel and prevents the wheel overrunning.
Another pawl carried by a fixed pin prevents the wheel from turning back in tho
reverso direction. In this way the paper is moved forward a distance after each
impression in place of the pawl carried by a fixed pin I sometimes fix the pawl
onto the impression lever the impression lover thus carrying two pawls which act
alternately into the teeth of the ratchet wheel on the axis of a roughened roller
above mentioned. By this means I diminish the play of the lever by one half.
The paper is held down onto the above mentioned roughened roller by another
roller hield down onto it by a light spring this roller is also prevented from turning
in the reverse direction by a spring catch or pawl catching into teeth formed
around its circumference
The transmitter for sending reversed currents I construct of a revolving spindle
with a radial arm standing out from it into the path of which one or other of a
number of stop pins can be brought by the depression of a finger key and be
caused to arrest the movement of the spindle at various points of its revolution
according to the letter or sign to be printed. When a key has been depressed
it remains down until another key is depressed. The depression of this second
key is made to lift the first key to its previous position so liberating the spindle
and allowing it to revolve until stopped by the stop pin of the second finger key.
Upon the spindle is a metallic wheel against the circumference of which rests a
wire brush, strips of ivory or some other non conducting material aro let into the
circumference of the metallic wheel, so that its circumference is composed of
alternate strips of conducting and non-conducting material. The wheel is con-
nected to one pole of a battery and the brush to the other. When the brush rests
on any part of the metallic surface of the wheel, the circuit is completed but when
it rests on the ebonite the circuit is brokon. The circuit is mado to pass through
the coils of an electromagnet, the armature of this magnet is alternately attracted
to the magnet and drawn from it by a spring as the electric circuit is completed or
broken.
The armature is thus made to vibrato to and fro. The armaturo carries two
metallic strips insulated from one another. Above and bolow each strip is a
contact point. The strips strike these points alternately as the armature moves to
and fro and in so doing effects reversals in another electric circuit.

page_text: In this manner rapid reversals of the current in this second circuit are obtained
whenever the wheel above mentioned is revolved and whenever the wheel ceases
to revolve a current of one or other kind will be passing continuously along
the line.
In order that the wheel may start quickly whenever its axis is liberated the axis
is coupled by a coiled spring to the shaft which drives it. This driving spring
has therefore only to overcome the inertia of the wheel and its axis to start it into
motion. In this way I ensure that the first reversals of the currents in the main
circuit shall be sufficiently rapid to avoid all chance of the impression lever of the
printing instruments in the circuit being brought into action until the revolving of
the transmitter wheel is again arrested.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William John Burnside in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th October 1882.
WILLIAM JOHN BURNSIDE of Hilcot Court Road Lower Norwood in the County
of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING APPARATUS FOR
PRINTING TELEGRAPHS
"
This Invention has for its object improvements in transmitting and receiving
apparatus for printing telegraphs.
In the receiving instruments of type printing telegraphs I employ as in the
receiving instruments of other printing telegraphs a type wheel to which a step by
step revolving motion is imparted such step by step movements being controlled
by a series of electrical pulsations alternately of opposed polarity which are
transmitted from the sending station.
The pulsations cause a rapid to and fro vibration between electro magnets of an
armature mounted on an axis which also carries escapement pallets acting with an
escapement wheel on the axis of the type wheel. The axis of the type wheel
may either be driven by a train of clockwork or the revolving motion may be
given to the escapement wheel by the to and fro movement of the pallets. In the
above respects the apparatus possesses no novelty. The to and fro oscillations of
the armature are controlled by fixed stops situated on either side of a projection
extending from it away from the axis.
The currents are made to pass not only through the coils of the above mentioned
electro magnets but also through the coils of another electro-magnet employed to
actuate the impression or printing lever. The weight of the lever and armature
tends to cause the armature to drop away from the magnet, a spring also tends to
draw away the armature as in the receiving instruments of other printing
telegraphs before made. So long as the alternate currents are passing through
the coils of the electro magnet, the armature is not drawn up to the magnet; but
so soon as the reversals of the current cease and a current of either kind continues
for a slightly longer time the armature in connection with the printing or
impression lever is drawn to its magnet and the pad or platten carried by the
lever strikes the paper against the type of the typo wheel which is then opposite
to it.
In order to be able to set the type wheel to zero the axis of the type wheel has
a radial pin standing out from it. A lever arm is held by friction to one of the
axes of the train of wheels by which the type wheel is driven. The revolving of
the axis tends to carry the lever arm into the path of the radial pin on the axis
of the type wheel and stop the type wheel. Each time that the impression lever
is impelled towards the type wheel a claw upon the lover, turns the arm away
from the type wheel to such a distance that the type wheel is free to make
somewhat more than one complete revolution before the detent can come into the
path of the radial pin so that the type wheel can always be brought to zero if
allowed to turn for more than say one complete revolution without printing.
The type wheel I form of ebonite surrounded by a strip of soft vulcanized india
rubber standing out from which are the several letters and characters. These are
inked as heretofora by a small revolving cylindrical pad or roller charged with ink
which rests lightly against one point of the circumference of the type wheel.
By using one of the aniline inks the soft rubber surface of the typo wheel can
bo kept charged with ink for a long time.
To give the requisto forward travel to the strip of paper, the impression lever
carries a pawl to act with the teeth of a ratchet wheel on the axis of a roughened

page_text: roller over which the strip of paper is led. As the impression lever moves back
away from the type wheel the pawl turns the wheel one tooth and a fixed pin
then holds the pawl against the wheel and prevents the wheel overrunning.
Another pawl carried by a fixed pin prevents the wheel from turning back in the
reverse direction. In this way the paper is moved forward a distance after each
impression. In place of the pawl carried by a fixed pin I sometimes fix the pawl
on to the impression lever the impression lever thus carrying two pawls which act
alternately into the teeth of the ratchet wheel on the axis of a roughened roller
above mentioned. By this means I diminish the play of the lever by one half.
The paper is held down onto the above mentioned roughened roller by another
roller held down onto it by a light spring this roller is also prevented from turning
in the reverse direction by a spring catch or pawl catching into teeth formed
around its circumference. The transmitter for sending reversed currents I construct
of a revolving spindle with a radial arm standing out from it into the path of
which one or other of a number of stop pins can be brought by the depression of
a finger key and be caused to arrest the movement of the spindle at various points
of its revolution according to the letter or sign to be printed. When a key has
been depressed it remains down until another key is depresed. The depression of
this second key is made to lift the first key to its previous position so liberating
the spindle and allowing it to revolve until stopped by the stop pin of the second
finger key. Upon the spindle is a metallic wheel against the circumference of
which rests a wire brush, strips of ivory or some other non-conducting material
are let into the circumference of the metallic wheel so that its circumference is
composed of alternate strips of conducting and non-conducting material. The
wheel is connected to one pole of a battery and the brush to the other. When
the brush rests on any part of the metallic surface of the wheel the circuit is
completed but when it rests on the ebonite the circuit is broken. The circuit is
made to pass through the coils of an electro-magnet, the armature of this magnet
is alternately attracted to the magnet and drawn from it by a spring as the electric
circuit is completed or broken.
The armature is thus made to vibrate to and fro. The armature carries two
metallic strips insulated from one another. Above and below cach strip is a contact
point. The strips strike these points alternately as the armature moves to and fro
and in so doing effects reversals in another electric circuit.
In this manner rapid reversals of the current in this second circuit are obtained
whenever the wheel above mentioned is revolved and whenever the wheel ceases
to revolve a current of one or other kind will be passing continuously along the
line.
In order that the wheel may start quickly whenever its axis is liberated the
axis is coupled by a coiled spring to the shaft which drives it. This driving
spring has therefore only to overcome the inertia of the wheel and its axis to start
it into motion. In this way.I ensure that the first reversals of the currents in the
main circuit shall be sufficiently rapid to avoid all chance of the impression lever
of the printing instruments in the circuit being brought into action until the
revolving of the transmitter wheel is again arrested.
On Sheet 1 of the Drawings annexed I have shewn a receiving instrument
constructed as above described.
Figure 1 is a front view of the instrument, Figure 2 a left hand end view and
Figure 3 a vertical section taken through the line 1. 1. Figure 2 and looking
towards the right hand. Figure 4 is a plan view of the instrument and Figure 5
shews a diagram view of the magnet coils to shew the way in which the circuit is
led through them. Figure 6 shews in plan view, the parts by which the type
wheel may whenever required be arrested at zero. In the instrument shewn the
type wheel is driven by a cord and weight but it might be driven by a train of
clockwork as above stated.
A, A, are the two side plates of the brass frame of the instrument. At the
bottom they are held at the required distance apart by bars A' and at the top by

page_text: a bridge pieco A. At the lower part of the frame is carried an axis B having
fast upon it a ratchet wheel B' and also a barrel B2, upon which a weighted cord
can be wound and having also loose upon it a toothed wheel C carrying a pawl C
which engages with the teeth of the ratchet wheel B, and is thereby driven in the
direction shewn by the arrows. The toothed wheel C genrs with a pinion D¹ on
an axis D a toothed wheel D on this axis gears with a pinion E on an axis E, a
toothed wheel E, on this axis gears with a pinion Fon au axis E a toothed
wheel on this axis gears with a pinion G² on an axis G by which the type
wheel HL is carried-so that the type wheel always tends to revolve in the direction
shewn by the arrows. On the axis G is also an escapement wheel G. the revolution
of which is controlled by the to and fro oscillations of the escapement lever I'.
which hangs down from an axis I. The axis has connected to it by a brass con-
nection 1. a thin armature 1 of sheet iron which can vibrate to and fro between
the ends of the cores of electro magnets J. J.
The oscillations of the arinature are controlled by an arm 1 which projects up
from it striking against stops 1³ these stops are carried by the bridge picce A². of
the framo.
By placing the stops in this position the oscillation of the armature is very
perfectly controlled as it cannot be bent or deflected in either direction by
the action of the magnets and may thereforo be innde lighter than it otherwise
could be.
The iron cores of the electro magnets J are in coninct with the two poles of n
permanent magnet K' and the cores of the mungnets J' in contact with the poles of
the permanent magnet L. The north pole of one magnet is opposite to the north
pole of the other magnet and the south pole of the one opposite to the south pole
of the other. The helices or coils which surround the cores J. J'. are so wound
that when a current is passed through them it will produce an opposite effect in
the magnets J to that produced in the inagnets J'. A positive current reinforcing
or strengthening say the magnets J and partially or wholly neutralizing the normal
magnetism of the magnets whilst the opposite offect is produced when a
negative current passes. By this means when alternating currents are passed
through the coils the armature will be made to vibrate to and fro between them.
M are the electro magnets which are to work the impression lever their cores are
are attached to an iron bar M³ which at its end is secured by screws to the two
side plates A of the frame. The electric circuit through the helices or coils which
surround the cores of the magnets J. J'. is also led through the helices or coils
which surround the cores of the magnets M as shewn by the diagram Figure 5.
M is the armature of the imaguet M it is carried by an axis N which also has
fixed to it the impression lever O.
The iron armature M is fixed to an arm M², of brass which can turn around
the axis N but which is locked by scrows as shewn at Figure 3 to an arm M³
which is fast upon the axis. The distance of the armature from the magnet can
in this way be adjusted.
The weight of the armature and the arms which carry it and the weight of tho
impression lover all tend to turn the axis N in a direction to withdraw the
armature M' away from the electro magnets M a spring U also tends to draw the
armature away from the magnet. One end of this spring is attached to the
impression lever O, the other end to a cord which can be wound up more or less
around a pin U₁ and in this way the force with which the spring draws the
impression lever downwards can be adjusted so that it shall have power enough to
propel the paper forwards on its descent and so that the armature M. shall not too
readily be drawn upwards by the magnet M.
The impression lever O is best seen in Figure 1 it carries a platten O' for striking
upwards the travelling strip of paper onto the lowest letter in the typo wheel it
also carries a guard O³, to hold the paper down and keep it down closely over the
top of the platten it also carries a pawl 0%, to engage with the teeth of a ratchet
wheel P this ratchet wheel has fast with it a roughened roller P over which the

page_text: strip of paper is led. The ratchet wheel P. and roughened roller P¹ turn on a
pin Ps which stands out from the frame of the machine.
The pawl Os, is acted on by a spring O'. fixed to the impression lever the spring
turns the pawl in a direction to make it engage with the ratchet wheel.
As the impression lever descends away from the type wheel the pawl turns the
ratchet wheel and the back of the pawl then comes against a pin which stands
out from the frame-the pawl therefore cannot get away from the ratchet wheel
and the wheel cannot turn further than it is propelled by the pawl. A pawl R
turning upon a fixed pin R¹ prevents the ratchet wheel turning backwards but as
before stated this second pawl I sometimes fix on the impression lever, in which
case a second pin similar to Q is fixed to the frame and thus locks the pawl while
the impression lever is held up in a similar manner to that already described with
reference to the first mentioned pawl. The paper is held down on to the roughened
surface of the roller P¹ by a roller S. this roller is carried by a forked lever arm S'
which turns around a fixed pin T. The lever arm S¹ has fixed to it a light
spring S, which bears upon a fixed pin S³, and the roller S, is thereby pressed
downwards on to the surface of the roller P¹. The central portion of the roller S,
has fine ratchet teeth cut across it and a small tooth at the extremity of a light
spring S fixed to the lever arm engages with these teeth and prevents the roller
from turning backwards-this ensures that the paper shall not be drawn backwards
when the impression lever moves upward.
V is a lever arm on the end of the axis E-it can turn around the end of the
axis but is held by friction up to a shoulder upon it by means of a spring V₁ as
shewn at Figure 6. One end of the spring is fixed to the arm the other bears
against a collar carried at the end of the axis E.
G³ is a radial pin extending from the axis G. If the lever V is allowed to turn
so that its bent over end gets into the path of this radial pin the axis G is prevented
from turning. In the boss of the lever V is a notch V Each time that the
impression lever rises a claw 05, on the impression lever O catches into this notch
and turns the arm back away from the axis G so that it will take a certain number
of turns of the axis G without printing before the arm can get into the path of the
radial pin.
The type wheel is made of ebonite and its circumference is surrounded by a
band of elastic vulcanized india rubber which all around its outer circumference has
standing out from it the letters of the alphabet and numerals or other symbols this
clastic band is secured by cement to the circumference of the ebonite wheel. The
surface of the letters and numerals is kept continually charged with ink by a small
roller W covered with absorbent material charged with one of the aniline inks and
which rests against the circumference of the wheel. It is carried by a forked lever
arm W which turns upon a fixed pin W2, its own weight keeps it resting against
the circumference of the type wheel whilst the pressure with which it rests upon
the wheel can be regulated by the counter balance weight W³.
One part of the transmitter is shewn at Figures 8. 9 and 10 Figure 8 shews a
vertical section of the apparatus for obtaining a definite number of intermittent
currents according as one or other of a series of finger keys is depressed. Figure 9
is a plan view of the same.
A. A. are the series of bell crank finger keys ranged in a circle, their lower
ends rest against a small endless chain B which rests against numerous small
rollers C ranged in a circle-the chain is also passed around a roller C*, which as
shewn can be moved towards or away from the circle of rollers C and the chain
thereby tightened up or loosened there being sufficient slack to allow of one finger
being depressed at a time. When any one finger key is depressed it presses against
the chain and bends it inwards between two of the rollers C and when subsequently
any other finger key is depressed the finger key first depressed will be raised by
the chain to its normal position. When any one key is depressed its end comes
into the path of the radial arm D¹ which extends outwards from the axis D and
obstructs the revolution of this axis. On the axis is the metallic wheel E the

page_text: circumference of which has let into it at equally spaced intervals strips of non-
conducting material—F is a wire brush bearing against the circumference of the
wheel.
As shown in the diagram view Figure 10 the axis of the wheel is connected to
one pole of a battery G the brush is connected to the other. So far the apparatus
is the same as apparatus which has long been used but in place of as heretofore
driving the axis D directly by a train of gear wheels driven by a cord and weight.
I drive the axis D from the train of driving gear through an interposed coiled
spring Has shown at Figure 8 in order that the axis D may rapidly be set into
notion whenever it is set free to revolve.
The circuit from the battery G is as shewn in the diagram Figure 10 carried
through the coils of an electro magnet I. The armature 1' of this magnet can rock
on pivots I, and is held away from the magnet by a spring J, The armaturo
carries two metallic strips K. L. insulated from it by interposed blocks of non
conducting material. When the armature is held away from the magnet by the
spring J the ends of the strips K are drawn against conical contact-pointa M.N-
whilst when the armature is drawn to the magnet the strips are drawn against
conical contact points O. P. small perforations are made as shewn in the ends of
the strips for the conical contact points to enter as shown to obtain good contacts.
The contact points O. N are coupled to one polo of a battery and the contact
points M. P. to the other pole of the battery—the contact strip K is in connection
with the line, the strip L to earth.
In this way rapidly reversed currents are sent through the line circuit whenever
the wheel E of the transmitter apparatus is allowed to revolve and whenever the
wheel E stops a continuous current of one or other kind passes continuously as
above explained.
Having thus described my invention I would state that I do not claim the nction
of the escapement which may be worked by any of the ordinary forms of polarized
armaturo but I claim :-
First. The combination of parts constituting the receiving instrument substantially
as described.
Second. The combination of the arm 1', extending from the armatúre 15, and
stops Is, carried by the bridgo piece A³. of the frame substantially as described.
Third. The combination of the arm V held by friction to the axis E the radial
pin G³, on the axis of the type wheel and the claw 0%, on impression lever O all
acting together substantially as described.
Fourth. The construction of the type wheel of printing telegraphs of ebonite
surrounded with a strip of clastic vulcanized iudin rubber having letters or
characters standing out from it substantially as described.
Fifth. The combination of parts for giving a forward travel to the strip of paper
aftor each impression, consisting of impression lever O carrying pawl Os pin Q for
locking this pawl, the roughened roller P¹ the roller S, and spring $ for pressing the
strip of paper against the roughened roller P. and spring pawl S for preventing
roller S from turning in wrong direction substantially as described
Sixth. The combination of parts constituting the transmitter for sending
alternately reversed currents to actuate the type wheel of the receiving instrumont
and a current of longer duration and of either polarity to print.
Seventh. The combination of the finger stops A axis D radial arm D' contact
wheel E coupled to one pole of a battery and brush F resting against the wheel
and coupled to the other pole of the battery with the coiled spring secured at
one of its ends to the axis D and at its opposite end to an axis which can be
rapidly revolved by a weight or spring or otherwise for the purpose described.
Eighth. The combination of the electro magnet I vibrating armature 11 carrying
two insulated contact pieces K. L. one brought alternately into contact with
points M. N. the other into contact with points O. P.-whilst the points O. N.
are coupled to one polo of a battery and tho points M. P. to the other polo of the

page_text: battery and one contact piece K or L is in connection with carth and the other
with the conducting line wire of the telegraphic circuit so as to transmit rapidly
reversed currents through the circuit substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said William John Burnside have hereunto set
my hand and seal this fourteenth day of October in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.