IMPROVEMENTS IN CHECKING MACHINES FOR PUBLIC TELEPHONES
Year: 1884

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I, JOHN JAMES MANN of Radcliffe in the county of Lancaster Manufacturer do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN CHECKING
MACHINES FOR PUBLIC TELEPHONES to be as follows:-
This invention is applicable to Telephones in connection with a "Telephone
Exchange," accessible to the public for use during a limited time on payment of a
small fee.
The object of the invention is to prevent the transmitter from being used by any
person without prepayment, & to throw it out of action at the expiration of a
definite number of minutes. My improved checking machine consists of a clock
fixed in the face of a box containing upper & lower compartiments.
•
The upper compartment contains the connections to battery, line wire & 'trans-
mitter, & mechanism in connection with the clock, for regulating the time during
which the connections are made for speaking to the central station.
The lower compartment is a receptacle for metal tokens which after being pur-
chased from the attendant or from the central office are used one at a time for
bringing the transmitter into action..
Any person desiring to speak through the telephone places one of these tokens
on a small tray which stands in front of the box, under the clock; he then moves
a handle which passes the token into the box, where by it's weight acting on a lever,
the necessary connections are made, and the transmitter put in connection with the
central station.
After the lapse of a definite number of minutes the clock releases a catch and
allows the token to fall into the lower compartment, from which it can only be
recovered by means of a key. which fits the lock of the said compartiment.
It is obvious that a coin of the realm, might be used instead of a token, & the
machine may be arranged so that it might be put into action by placing on the
tray one or more penny pieces.

page_text: I, JOHN JAMES MANN of Radcliffe in the county of Lancaster, Manufacturer do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN CHECKING
MACHINES FOR PUBLIC TELEPHONES and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My invention is applicable to telephones in connection with a telephone exchange
accessible to the public for use during a limited time on payment of a small fee.--
'The object of this invention is.to prevent the instrument from being used by any
person without prepayment and to throw it out of action at the expiration of a
definite number of minutes.-My improved. checking machine consists of a clock
fixed in the face of a box containing upper and lower compartments-The upper
compartment contains the connections to battery line wire and transmitter, and
mechanism in connection with the clock for regulating the time during which the
connections are made for speaking to the central station.-The lower compartiment
is a receptacle for metal tokens, which after being purchased from the attendant or
from the central office are used one at a time for bringing the transmitter into
action. Any person desiring to speak through the telephone places one of these
tokens on a small tray which stands in front of the box under the clock, he then
moves a handle which passes the token into the box where, by its weight acting on
a lever, the necessary connections are made and the transmitter. put in connection
with the central station-After the lapse of a definite number of minutes the clock
releases a catch and allows the token to fall into the lower compartment, from
which it can only be recovered by means of a key which fits the lock of the said
compartment-It is obvious that a coin of the realm might be used instead of a
token and the machine may be arranged so that it may be put into action by
placing on the tray one or more penny pieces. The various telephone companies
adopt various systems of working their telephone exchanges according to the
requirements of the districts which they serve; some have only local lines between
their customers and the central office, whilst others have also trunk lines which
connect the central office of one town or district with that of another town or
district In some cases the call bells are worked by batteries, whilst in others
magneto electric machines are used. My invention, with slight modifications is
adaptable to the various conditions which prevail in this country, for instance,
where trunk lines are in use, two.similar machines may be used, one arranged for
the smaller payment for local lines and the other for larger payments for trunk
lines; or both instruments may be combined in one in such a manner that dis-
tinctive signals may be sent automatically to the central office indicating whether
the higher or lower payment has been made for the use of the trunk or local lines.
Similarly the internal connections and the mechanism connected therewith may
easily be arranged to suit either battery or magneto currents.
Referring to the drawings, figure 1, sheet 1, is a front elevation, figure 2, a side
elevation, and figure 3 a plan, all full size and partly, in section, showing one form
of my improved checking machine adapted for local lines and magneto call apparatus

page_text: a 1 is the clock train with an escapement or fly a 2. 61 is a balanced lever carrying.
a small hinged table b2" which receives the token or coins, the weight of which is
just sufficient to move the lever b 1 and to liberate the catch d 1-this makes the⚫
contact at d2 thereby putting the call bell in communication with the central
office. The same movement that releases the catch dl raises the rod m 1 and
allows the bar m'2 to face the slider m 3.
J
The talker having signalled the central office and having received the return
signal presses the knob m 4 this through the bars m 2 m 3 and the levers n 1 n 2
liberates the notched disc p 1 and makes the telephone contact at e 1 the diso pl
is caused to revolve by the clock train while the talker is instructing the operator
at the central office to make the necessary connections, until the notch p 2 reaches
the catch point of the lever n 2 when further movement is arrested. until the
operator signals back that the connections are made, when the talker again presses*
the knob m 4 and by thus raising the lever n2 makes the connection at e 1 and
allows the disc p1 to continue its revolution until, after the lapse of a definite
number of minutes the point of the lever n 2 falls into the notch p 3, stopping the
disc and breaking the connection at e 1. Simultaneously the token or coin is cast
off the table 62 by the hammer f1 striking the latch f2 which holds the table in
position.
"
This hammer is "raised by the pin f3 on the disc pl. The token or coin in
falling strikes the lever f4 and thereby breaks the circuit at d 2. The lever n 3
carries a label marked "off" and "on which indicates to the talker when the
instrument is coupled up ready for talking. It is obvious that the liberating of the
catch lever n 2 by the knob m 4 may be equally well èffected if preferred by means
of a small electro-magnet excited by a momentary current from the central office-
c 1 is a tray or table protected by a guard plate c 2 in which is a suitable aperture c 3
the talker places his token or coins upon the tray c 1 through the aperture c 3 and
by moving the handle c 4 causes the segment plate c5 to push the token or coins
until they are concentric with the aperture c6 and rest upon the table 6 2 carried
by the lever b 1. The token or coins after falling off the table b2 rest on the
binged tray k 1 in front of the glass window k 2, but when the segment plate c 5
is again moved for a fresh conversation the tongue k3 strikes the lever and catch
arrangement 4 and by liberating the tray k 1 allows the token or coins to fall
into the lower part of the box; then the tray being relieved of the weight of the
token or coins is brought back to its original position by the spring k 5. The
knob r1 is for the purpose of enabling a talker to cause the disc p 1 to finish its
revolution quickly when one conversation is ended and it is desired to commence a
fresh one immediately. By turning the knob r1 the tongue r2 engages the..
tooth 3 and turns the disc p 1 until the catch point of the lever n 2 falls into the
notch 3 thus completing the cycle of operations. The amount of motion of
the knob 1 is regulated by the pin 4 and the curved slot r 5.
The aperture 1 is provided for the face of a common time-piece, the presence of
which, however, is immaterial to the working of the machine.
To apply this machine to the uses for which it is designed the following connec-
tions should be made.
1 to positive pole of transmitter battery 2 to negative end of transmitter
primary coil, 3 and 4 to be inserted in line wire, 5 to terminal 1, 6 to terminal 2,
7 to terminal 3, 8 to terminal 4. Figures 4 and 5 Sheet 1 are detail views of the
knob 1 and the mechanism connected therewith for accelerating the revolution of
the disc p 1. The machine described above is suitable for local lines but where
trunk lines are also in operation two machines may be used each having a separate
wire to the central office or they may be used with a single wire by giving a
roughened surface to the periphery of the disc p1 in one of the machines between
the notches p 2, p 3 which, by causing variations in pressure and consequently in.
the strength of the current through the contact e 1 will enable the operator at the
central offices to distinguish. which machine is in operation. For this, purpose
microphonic contacts of carbon or other suitable material should be used at 1

page_text: .
Figure 6 sheet 2 is a front elevation, figure 7 a side elevation and figure 8 a plan
all full size and partly in section showing another form of my improved checking
machine adapted. for both local and trunk lines and is designed for use with call
bells worked by batteries. al is the clock train with an escapement or fly a 2.
b1 is a balanced lever carrying two small tables 62, 63 which receive the tokens or
coins, b 2 for local line, 6 3 for trunk line, and being overbalanced by the said token
or coin the lever b1 makes contact with the spring 81 and rings the call bell at
the central, station by the same movement the rod ml is raised allowing the
bar m 2 to face the slider m 3 and the crank m 5 to fall onto the stud m 6. The
coins having slipped off the table onto the tray k 1, the lever b1 and the rod m 1
return to their orginal positions leaving the bar m 2 resting on the pin m 7 in the
crank m 5. The talker now, presses the knob m 4 this through the bars m 2, m 3
and the levers n 1 and n 2 liberates the notched disc p 1 and makes the transmitter
contact at e 1. The disc pl is caused to revolve by the clock train, while the
talker is instructing the operator at the central office to make the necessary con-
nections, until the notch p2 reaches, the catch point of the lever n 2, at the same
.time the pin tl makes contact with the spring t 2 mounted on the insulator ₺ 3.
As soon as the operator signals back that the necessary connections are made the
talker again presses the knob m 4 thereby raising the lever n 2 and again com-
pleting the transmitter circuit at the contact e 1, the disc p 1 then continues its
revolution until after the lapse of a definite number of minutes the lever n 2 falls
into the deep end of the notch p 3 thereby making contact at e 2 and sending the
"ring off" signal to the central station, and the lever n 3 dropping down changes
the label from "on" to "off" simultaneously the stud p 4 in the disc p 1 lifts the
crank m 5 until the pin m 7 comes opposite the slot and allows the bar 'm 2 to fall,
the disc p 1 continues to turn until brought to rest by the shallow end of the
notch p 3 coming in contact with the end of the lever n 2. In order to effect com-
munication with a subscriber on a local line the talker places a token or coins on
the plate c 1, through the aperture c 3 in the guard plate c2 and by turning the
handle c4 and the segment plate co to the right the coins are passed through
the aperture c6 on to the table 2. To effect communication with a subscriber
. through a trunk line the talker places a token or coin or coins on the plate c 1
through the aperture¸c 7 and by turning the handle c4 and the plate c5 to the
left passes the token or coin under the contact spring & 2, thereby sending an extra
signal to the central office, and through the aperture c8 onto the table 6 3 carried
by the lever b1. The hinged tray k1 on which the tokens or coins rest after
falling off the tables 6.2 and 63 is kept in position by the catch wire k 6 and the
tongue 7 attached to the plate c 5. When the plate c 5 is again moved for a fresh
conversation the tongue k 7 releases the catch wire k.6 and by liberating the tray k 1
allows the token or coins to fall into the lower part of the box. The tray being
relieved of the weight of the token or coin is brought back to its original position
by the weight 8. The knob 1 is for the purpose of enabling a talker to cause
the disc p 1 to finish its revolution quickly as already described in connection with
sheet 1. Figures 8 and 19 show the details of this arrangement. To apply this
instrument to the purpose for which it is intended, the following connections should
be made to line wire, 10 through transmitter and telephone to earth, 11 through
bell to earth, 12, 13, 14 to positive pole of signal battery, 15 to line wire, 16 to
terminal 9-17 to terminal 10-18 to: terminal, 11-19 to terminal 12-20 to
terminal 13 21 to terminal 14-22 to terminal 15.
کی
It is obvious that much of the mechanism described in connection with the
combined trunk" and "local" machine is also applicable to the single machine
and vice versa, but I do not confine myself to the use of the exact mechanical
motions and contrivances shown in the drawings, nor to the method which I have.
shown of passing the tokens or coins from the outside of the machine to the
balanced lever within, as there are other well known methods of doing the same
thing, any of which may be applied more or less successfully to accomplish this
obiect
i

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
(1). The use of a clock or clock train to regulate automatically the time during
which a conversation may be continued for one payment.
(2). The use of a balanced lever or scale beam which being acted upon by the
weight of a metal token or coin or coins shall make or render possible to be made
certain electrical connections essential to the working of the telephonic apparatus.
(3). The use of a metal token or coin to form part of an electric circuit whereby
the said token or coin in the act of being introduced into the machine forms a
bridge between two electric poles and sends, or renders possible to be sent, a signal
from the call office to the central station This part of my invention is shown
at 82 figures 7 and 8 sheet 2.
(4). The general combination of mechanism for checking the receipts of public
telephone call offices and for enabling them to be worked without constant
attendance as described above and shown in figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 sheet 1.
(5). The general combination of mechanism for checking the receipts of public
telephone call offices and for ennabling them to be worked without constant
attendance as described above and shown in figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Dated this eleventh day of July one thousand eight hundred and eight five