Improved Electric Indicator or Signal.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 13th June, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 25th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 27th Oct., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Electric Indicator or Signal.
HENRY JOHN WAGG 40 Bryanston Square London W. Engineering Student
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A box divided into two or more spaces has pieces of glass let into the front;
one in front of each space, on the inner side of each piece of glass, some semi-
transparent paper is fixed, on the face furthest away from the glass of which, a
word is painted or printed. In each space is an electric glow lamp, all of which
are connected in series with a battery, a push, and one contact of a two or more
way switch, according to the number of lights; the push is fixed on, or by the box,.
and the battery and switch where desired. On setting the switch to a certain
contact, the space in the box corresponding to that contact, will, on pressing the
button be lit up, and the word on the glass will be revealed.
Dated this 11th day of June 1894.
HENRI JOHN WAGG.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Electric Indicator or Signal.
I, HENRY JOHN WAGG of 40 Bryanston Square, in the County of London,
Engineering Student, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to electric indicators or signals and will be best understood
by reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of the apparatus constructed
according to this invention portions being represented as broken away to more
clearly illustrate some of the interior parts.
Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the electrical connections.
Like letters represent like parts throughout the drawings.
The apparatus as shown in the drawings comprises a box or case A divided by a
partition A into two compartments A A' this number corresponding with the
number of different indications or signals to be given; where however only one
signal is to be given a box having one compartment will suffice the number of
compartments A³ etc. always corresponding with the number of different signals to
be given thus, if, say twelve different signals are to be given twelve separate
compartments must be provided.
The box or case A is provided with a front A conveniently hinged to it, having
glass panels B each corresponding with one of the compartments A' A³ and
bearing a word or symbol B B' indicative of a certain signal each word moreover
being normally obscured or out of sight. A convenient way of providing for this
would be to form each panel B of clear glass and have the symbol depicted on that
side of a piece of semi-transparent paper C Figure 1 (mounted at the back of B)
which is turned away from the glass B; or the panel may be formed of opal glass
or other equivalent material and the symbol depicted directly on its back or
inner face.

page_text: In each of the compartments A2 A3 I provide an incandescent electric lamp D
or D and advantageously a reflector E the latter for concentrating the light of the
lamp on to the glass panel B.
F is a battery conveniently contained in a box or case G on the outside of which
may be mounted a switch H to enable the circuit by the subsequent operation of
the push or equivalent I to be completed through either of the lamps D'D¹.
The electrical connections between the different parts are clearly shown in
Figure 2 from which it will be seen that there are three main wires J J J2 one
(J) directly connecting the lamp D with the switch plate H', another (J') directly
connecting the lamp D' with the switch plate H2, and the third (J) connecting
the push or equivalent I, which through 12 is connected with D D' respectively,
and with one terminal of the battery F whose other terminal is connected through Fi
with the adjustable switch-arm H³.
°
Each switch plate H'H' corresponds with one of the signals to be given; thus
in Figure 1, where, for example, the apparatus is shown as adapted for use between
say a private office and a public or outer office, the word "Yes" or "No" may be
signalled to indicate to a clerk in the outer office whether the principal in the
private office is engaged or disengaged. For this purpose the device shown at the
left hand of Figure 1 is located in the private office and may conveniently bear
the word "Engaged" adjacent to the switch plate H' and "Disengaged" adjacent
to H' as indicated in Figure 1, the device shown at the right hand being located in
the outer office.
"
The box or case-front A* may bear the words "Are you engaged?" as indicated
in Figure 1, over the panels B so that the word "Yes or "No" may appear, as an
answer to that question, immediately below it.
When the principal is engaged he moves the switch an H over to the position
shown in full lines in Figures 1 and 2 so that when subsequently the clerk in the
outer office presses the button of the push I to ascertain whether or not he is
engaged the circuit will be completed through the lamp D with the result that the
compartment A' will be illuminated and the word "Yes" made visible as indicated
in Figure 1.
When the principal is disengaged he moves the arm H³ over to the switch
plate H3 as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2 so that on the subsequent
operation of the push or equivalent I the circuit through the lamp D¹ will be
completed and the word "No" made visible, in both cases the lamp which is not
required being cut out of the circuit.
I have herein described the apparatus in one of its simplest forms and
applications; I desire it however to be understood that I may vary it in many
ways and apply it to various purposes without departing from the spirit of the
invention. For example instead of the switch H being mounted on the battery
box G and the push. I on, or in connection with, the box A these devices may be
separate and located at different parts of the offices or rooms.
As an example of
another useful application of my invention it may be employed for transmitting
signals or indications of certain articles or persons required such as "Hot water "
" Boots
or the like, between different parts of an hotel or other building and in
such connection I may advantageously use a call bell, (to direct attention to the
fact that a signal is to be given) the circuit through which would be completed
when the switch arm H³ was being moved from one to the other of the switch
plates H¹ H2 but would be broken as soon as it reached either of these plates.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is ;-
1. In signalling apparatus such as described the employment in combination with
an electric lamp of a normally-invisible symbol or signal indication brought into
view when the circuit through the lamp is completed substantially as described.
2. In signalling apparatus such as described the combination with a number of

page_text: normally-invisible symbols or signal indications of a corresponding number of
electric lamps a switch such as H with a corresponding number of contacts H'H' etc.
and a single-contact-switch or push I substantially as and for the purpose described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete
indicating or signalling device substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of September 1894.
HENRY JOHN WAGG.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.