Speaking Tube Exchange.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION:
Speaking Tube Exchange.
I, LEOPOLD STROUSH, of Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America;.
Clothier, dó hereby declare the nature of my invention for SPEAKING TUBE
EXCHANGE, and in what mauner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention rolates to an improvement in exchanges for speaking tubes-in-
buildings, the object boing to provide for putting in communication any two or more.
tubes from different rooms, floors, or parts of the building.
Figure 1'shows a front view of an annunciator employed in connection with the
exchange;
Figure 2 shows a front view of the exchange;
Figure 3 shows a top view of one of the tube sections composing tho exchange-
tube with the speaking-tube valve in open position;
Figure 4'show a horizontal section of the same with the valve in full;
Figure 5 shows'a cross-section with the valve open;
Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the middle portion of the exchange-tube and
the month and car-piece with the valve controlling the latter in-closed position;
Figure 7'shows a bottom-view of the parts seen in Figuro 6;
Figure 8 shows a front view of a modified form of oxchange-tube valve and“
mouth-piece;
Figure 9 is a horizontal section of the form shown in Figure 8.;
Figure 10 is an inside view of the slide at the mouth-piece of the form'shown in-
Figure 8.
Speaking tubes, A, from various parts of a building meet at the exchange aud
each has a cross-tube section, B; at the end and forming a short branch connection.
on each side. All the said tube-sections, B, are fitted with thoir short branch con-
nections, a², together and form one continuous exchange-tube, B', which is closed at
the ends by caps, a.
Where the tube-sections unite, they are held together by
suitable rings or collars, b, fitting closely over their ends:
In each of the tube-sections, B, Figures 4-5, there is an oscillatory valve which
consists of a ring, c, fitting closely the boro of the branch-connection tube, and
having a circular opening, d, at one part to register with the speaking-tube, A.
The said ring-valve has a stem, e, which projects through a slot,, preferably in
the upper side of the tube, and has a finger-piece or knob, g, on its end and bearing:
a number. The normal position of parts is with the valve, e, cutting off the
speaking-tube, A', from the exchange-tube, B', the stem e, extending vertically and
having position at the upper and of the slot, f, and the number on the knob facing
front in full view.
It will be observed that when the knob is turned downward to a position where
the atom-occupies the lower end of the slot, f, ns in Figure 5, the valve-opening,.d.
coincided with the speaking-tube, A, and opens communication between the latter
and the exchange-tube, B¹.
A mouth-and-ear piece, C, is attached to the exchange-tube in any preferred.
location! In the present instance it is attached at the middle section, o, and an
oscillatory valve, similar to those employed at the speaking-tubes; is employed to
open and close the mouth-piece. It has a stem, I, which projects through a slot, m.
in the lower side of the tube and has a finger-piece, ", at the end and which in the
normal cloved' position of the valve projects horizontally in front of the month-and-
ear piece!
An annuntiator, D, of suitable construction, is located above the exchange-tube

page_text: to call the attention of the person in attendance. A call-bell is employed in con-
nection with each speaking-tube, A. Each tube-section has a casing, 7, secured
to its under side for an electric button, r, which is to close an electric circuit, and
thoroby ring a bell at the opposite end of the speaking-tube, and serves to call the
person there in attendance. Any other call device may be employed instead of the
bell.
The operation is as follows: If communication is desired from a certain one of
the speaking-tubes, this will bo indicated by the sound of the annunciator-bell and
by a number on the annunciator and the attendant at the exchange will turn the
stem of the valve bearing that number so as to open the valve and also turn back
the stem, 7, of the mouth-and-ear piece, thereby opening communication from said
speaking-tube to the mouth-and-ear piece through the exchange-tube. The
exchange attendant through the mouth-pince ascertains with which tu be the
person calling desires to communicato and thereupon turns down the stem of
the valve of such tube and closes the mouth-and-ear piece valve. This places the
two desired speaking tubes in communication with each other through the exchange-
tube, B', the valves of all the other tubes remaining closed and not interfering in
any way with such communication. In this way any two of the speaking-tubes
may be put into communication. It is evident any number of tube-sections, B, may
bo joined together, making one continuous exchange-tube, and that the arrangement
of parts here shown is susceptible of variations without departing from the
invention.
A modification is seen in Figures 8, 9 and 10: Lore the oxchange-tube, B', has
arranged in it a series of short parallel tubular sections, C,-one for each speaking-
tube, A; the front ends of these tubular sections are closed by a cap; each section
bas side-openings, p, by which communication is had with another section. A
sliding piston-valve, E, fits closely in each tube-section and has a stem, F, whigh
passes through the cap and carries ou its outer end a knob, G, with a number on its
face to indicate the room or floor with which the speaking-tubo connects.
When the knobs, G, are pushed in, the valves are at the back ends of the tubular
sentions, C, and in the rear of the sido openings, p, and thus close communication
between the conducting-tubes, A, and the case or tube, B'. The caso, B', is fitted
at one end with a mouth piece or ear piece, H, which is closed where it connects
with the case by a slide-valve, I, working in vertical guides, 6', secured to the inside
of the casing. The slide-valve has a steni, [', extending through the bottom of the
case, and is provided with a knob, e', on the ond. The slide-valve may be opened
by moving upward the said knob, and then the mouth-piece may be used.
My invention will be found very useful in business houses or manufacturing
establishments where each floor is provided with a speaking-tube and communi-
cation between the different floors, as well as with the office, is desired.
said inven-
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;
1st. In a speaking-tube exchange, the combination of speaking-tubes having ends
each provided with a cross-tube section having side branches which connect together
and form a continuous exchange-tube; and a valve in each tube-section to open
and close the speaking-tubes to the exchange-tube and at all times leave the
exchange-tube open throughout.
.
2nd. In a speaking-tube exchange, the combination of speaking-tubes; an
exchange-tube common to all said speaking-tubes; and an oscillating valve for each
speaking-tube located in the exchange tube and controlling communication between
the speaking-tube and the exchange-tube.
3rd. In a speaking-tube exchange, the combination of speaking-tubes, an
exchange-tube common to all said speaking-tubes; and oscillating ring-shaped
valves fitting the bore of the exchange-tube, one for each speaking-tube.
4th. In a speaking-tube exchange, the combination of speaking-tubes, an

page_text: exchange-tube common to all said speaking-tubes, and oscillatory valves fitting the
bore of the exchange-tube, one for each speaking-tube, and controlling communi-
cation between the speaking-tubes and oxchange-tube, each of said valves having a
stem projecting through the exchange-tube and provided with an indicating finger-
piece or knob.
5th. In a speaking-tube exchange, the combination of speaking-tube sections, an
exchange-tube common to all said speaking-tubes and having a mouth-and-ear
piece; and a valve in each tube-section to open and close the speaking-tubes to the
exchange-tube and at all times leave the exchange-tube open throughout.
Dated this 20th day of December 1892.
LEOPOLD STROUSE.