A Regulating Lever-action (Dummy) "Sounder" Practise Telegraph Instrument.
Year: 1894

page_text: cate of Application, 26th Nov., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 26th Aug., 1895-Accepted 9th Nov., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Regulating Lever-action (Dummy) "Sounder" Practise Telegraph
Instrument.
I FRANK EDWARD MORRISS of Postal Telegraph Office King's Lynn,
Norfolk, Post Office Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows
--
"
"
The object of this invention is the construction of a "dummy "sounder
practise telegraph instrument of the usual acoustic pattern, working without the
inconvenience and expense of a battery or wires.
I will describe my instrument constructed with one key, to form the telegraphic
signals upon the "sounder," but it is to be understood that the said instrument can
be constructed upon a similar "lever-action " principle, with two, or more "keys,"
each (in turn) to form the signals upon the one sounder."
33
I provide an ordinary pattern metal "sounder and key," and screw them firmly
upon a timber box, about 2 inches deep. Inside the timber box, and underneath
the said "sounder & hey is (by preference) hinged a lever, which can be
worked " ap and down," & in slightly a "to & fro" motion. The said lever has
jointed to it, by means of a strand of stout wire, running through a hole bored in
the top of the timber box, the clapper-bar of the "sounder." A regulating thumb-
screw, passes through the knob end of the "key," and can be screwed down to
lightly touch the said "lever."
The action of the instrument is as follows:-When the "key" (or keys) are
depressed, the regulating thumbscrew in the "key," (or keys) likewise depresses
the lever and clapper-bar of the "sounder" attached to it, thus forming the
telegraphic signals.
Dated this 24th day of November 1894.
A Regulating Lever-action (Dummy) "Sounder" Practise Telegraph
Instrument.
I FRANK EDWARD MORRISS of Postal Telegraph Office King's Lynn Norfolk
Post Office Clerk 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 :-
66
The object of this invention is the construction of a "dummy " "sounder "
'practise" telegraph instrument of the acoustic pattern working without the
inconvenience and expense of a battery or wires thus enabling the learning of
telegraphy to be acquired and practised in a cheap simple & effective manner.
My instrument may be constructed with one key to form the signals upon the
sounder but it is to be understood that the said instrument can be similarily
constructed upon a lever action principle and with two (or more) keys each (in
turn) to form the signals upon the sounder.

page_text: I provide an ordinary pattern metal sounder and key and screw them firmly upon
a suitable box. Inside the box and underneath the sounder and key a hinged or
pivoted lever is provided which is capable of a reciprocating motion. The said
lever is connected with the clapper bar of the sounder by means of a strand of
stout wire running through a hole bored in the top of the box while a similar wire
or its equivalent regulating thumb screw passes through the end of the key and is
lowered or screwed down sufficiently to lightly touch the side of the said lever.
The action of the instrument is as follows: As the key or keys are depressed the
projecting wire or screw in the key or keys actuates the lever and with it the
clapper bar of the sounder thus producing the usual telegraphic signals upon
the sounder.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and more easily carried
into practise I have appended hereunto a sheet of drawings upon which I have fully
illustrated the nature of my said improvements together with the mode of and
means for carrying the same into effect.
Figure 1 is a general view of my instrument.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the key bar.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation through the sounder.
Figure 4 is an inverted plan of the instrument to a reduced scale and shewing
the connections between the key board and the sounder.
In carrying my invention into effect I securely mount the sounder A upon any
suitable portable box or stand B with one two or more keys C as may be desired
the sounder A. and keys C being of the ordinary pattern. I then connect the
clapper bar D with the key bar c by means of the vertical wire E which is attached
to the key bar and which upon the operation of the key actuates the cross lever F
in the direction shewn by arrow in Figure 2 the lever being pivoted at fl under-
neath the box. The lever F in turn actuates the end of the vertical wire d' in the
direction of the arrow shewn in Figure 3 and as the vertical levers d' are attached
to the clapper bar D by means of the cross bar d³ the motion of the key bar c is
thereby communicated to the clapper bar D which is pivoted at d' and which gives
off the sounds or signals in the usual way.
I may vary the particular form and arrangement of my lever connections without
departing from the nature of my said invention which is to provide a portable
instrument free of battery and wire connections and which can be conveniently used
for practise or acquiring the art of telegraphy at any time or place.
Having now particularly ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is
In instruments for acquiring the art of telegraphy the lever action such as E F
and d for forming connection between the keys and sounder substantially as &
for the purpose herein set forth and illustrated on the accompanying sheet of
drawings.
Dated this 23rd August 1895
F. E. MORRISS.