An Electrical "Tell-tale" or Watchman's Recorder.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Oct., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Aug., 1896-Accepted, 26th Sept., 1896
An Electrical "Tell-tale" or Watchman's Recorder.
J, JOHN WILLIAM FLETCHER, Electrical Engineer, of "The Homestead,"
Cale Green, Stockport in the County of Chester, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an arrangement of an electrical cucuit consisting of a
single line, and an earth or an equivalent etun, combined with electro-magnets
and resistances, and a registering clock, in such a manner that simple and reliable
means are provided for recording, that a watchman or other person has visited, and
in the proper order, each station, position or locality he has been appointed to
inspect.
The manner of carrying out my invention will be best made evident by
deseribing the apparatus necessary for 4 stations, it being understood that any
desued number may be operated by extending the system.
At the first station is placed a battery, one pole of which is normally connected
with earth or return through a stable key switch; also at this station is an
electro-magnet, whose armature is in connection with the other pole of the battery,
a contact spring on the aimature being opposite a contact pillar, which is connected
with one end of the electio-magnet coils. These contacts are normally open, and
the other end of the coils 18 connected with the line wire going to station 2.
The apparatus at station 2 consists of an electro-magnet whose armature is in
connection with the line wire from station 1, a contact sping, upon which
normally the said armature rests; a resistance coil one end of which is connected
to the said contact spring, and the other to earth or return wire, the resistance of
the coil being preferably equal to the total resistance of the electro magnet coils
with one end of
of No. 2 and 3 stations, a contact pillar connected as in station
the electro magnet coils, the other end of the coils being connected with the line
wire going to No. 3 station. The armature carries a contact spring which is
opposite this contact pillar, the contact points normally being open.
The number 3 station is arranged exactly like No. 2 except that the resistance
coil is arranged to have, preferably, a resistance equal to that of the electro-
magnet coils of No 3 station, and the end of the electro-magnet, instead of going
direct to earth or return, is connected to the line wire going to the electro-magnet
of a recording clock (whose armature depresses the pen or pencil whenever the
Baid electro-magnet is excited) and from thence to earth or return. The armatures
of the electro-magnets of each station carries a disc which normally is hidden by
the cover of the instrument, but which, when the aimature is moved up to the
poles of the electro magnet becomes visible through a suitably placed hole in the
said cover.
Another hole is provided in the cover, through which a suitable key
or cam lever can be inscited whereby the armature can be moved from its normal
position up to the poles of the electro magnet.
No. 4 station consists simply of the key switch which normally connects one
pole of the battery to earth or return.
The system is operated as follows:-
The operator going to No. 1 station inserts his plug into the instrument and
therobe moves the armature, bringing the contacts together and closing the

page_text: circuit. The electro magnet being now excited the armature is retained, and
consequently the circuit is kept closed, that such is the case, the operator knows by
the disc attached to the aimature remaining visible when he has withdrawn his
key. The circuit under these conditions 18, from the battery through the armature,
contact pillais, coils of electio magnet, line to station No. 2, armature of station
No. 2 instrument, back contact spring, through resistance coil, earth or return, key
Switch at station No 4 to battery, and as the total resistance now in circuit (when
this first station is in operation) equals that of the circuit, when stations No 2 & 3
are also in operation. It will be seen that the working culent can, throughout
the whole of the operations be kept at a minimum and so avoid undue stress on the
battery.
The operator now goes to No. 2 station, inserting his key into the instrument,
the effect of which is to move its armature, causing its spring first to make contact
with the contact pillar which is in connection with the coils of the electro magnet,
and next to open the contact between it and the spring connected with the above
mentioned resistance. The electro magnet being energised before this contact is
opened, the armature is retained in the position the insertion of the key has given
to it, when the said key is removed.
The circuit through the 2 stations is now as follows From the battery,
through amature, contact spring, contact pillar, and coils of electro-magnet
of No. 1 instrument, line to No. 2 station, armature contact spring, contact
pillar, electio-magnet coils of No 2 instrumeut, line to station No. 3, through
armature, back contact spring resistance coil of No. 3 instrument, earth or return,
switch key at station No. 4 to battery.
The operator now goes to No. 3 station, and putting his key into the instrument,
there causes the aimature to move up to the poles of the electro-magnet. Its
spring is at the same time put into contact with the contact pillar, and finally
bieaking from the resistance spring, the electro-magnet being energised before
this contact is opened. The arinature is retained in the position imparted to it by
the key, when the said key is removed, as was the case at stations No. 1 & 2.
The cucuit though the three stations is :-Fiom the battery, through armature
spring, contact pillar, and coils of electro-magnet of No. 1 instrument, line to
No. 2 station, armature contact spring, contact pillar, electro-magnet coils of
No 2 usti ument, line to station No. 3, armature contact sping, contact pillar,
electro-magnet coil of No. 3 instrument, line to lecoiding instrument, electio-
magnet coils of this instrument (causing its armature to put recording pen on to the
drum, and keeping it there until cucuit is broken) to earth or return wire, switch
key at station No. 4 and battery.
The operator now goes to No. 4 station and inserting his key into the cover of
the switch key, depresses the switch key, thereby opening the circuit, the effect of
which is to release all the armatures, restoring stations Nos. 1, 2 and 3, and the
recording instrument to its normal state.
It will be seen that in order to get a 1ccord, the operator must visit each station
strictly m the prescribed order, and that only when the last but one station, 16
Visited is the recording pen operated. The visit to the last station is indicated by
the opening of the circuit, which causes the marking on the drum by the recording
pen to cease.
Dated this 18th day of October 1805

page_text: I, JOHN WILLIAM FLETCHER of The Homestead, Cale Green, Stockport in
the County of Chester Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this,
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertamed and by the following statement
My invention relates to an arrangement of an electrical encuit consisting of a
single linc, and an earth or equivalent return, combined with electio-magnets,
suitable resistances, and any known type of registering clock in which the
registering device consists in a drum or disc carrying paper or like material and
operated by the clock; a stylus or the like operated by an electro magnet
recording the register. The object of my said invention is to provide simple
and reliable means for recording the duty of a watchman or other person; and
checking the time and order of his visit to each station on position, he has been
appointed to inspect.
In order that my invention may be the better understood, I have appended the
accompanying sheet of diawings, in which
01
Figure 1 Sheet 118 a plan view of the instrument used at station
position No. 1, and Figure 2 upon the sheet is a plan view of the instrument
used at the final station or position, which in the case herein described as an
example is No. 4.
Figure 3, Sheet 2 is a plan view of the intermediate instrument, (Nos 2 and 3
in this instance) Figure 4 is an elevation of the key, and Figure 5 an end view
thereof. Figure 6 upon the same sheet 13 n perspective view of the instrument
with the cover in place, the several plan views hetembefore enumerated showing
the cover removed
Figure 7, Sheet 3 is a diagrammatic plan of an installation of four stations or
positions, as enumerated, according to my said invention.
Similai letters of reference indicate con esponding parts throughout the several
Views
In cairying my invention into effect, 1 employ an instrument as shown by
Figure 1 Sheet 1, consisting of an electio:nagnet M with an armature A, normally
resting against a stop S, said amature being connected to the battery terminal b
and the line terminal a connected through the magnet coils to a spring plunger
contact P. The socket key & shown on this drawing by a dotted outline, but
more particularly by Figures 4 and 5, Sheet 2, may be placed upon the key pin
through a suitably shaped slot in the case, and by turning it, one of the wings
may impinge upon the amature A, and by pressing it towards the magnet M
cause it to make contact with the spring plunger P, thus completing the cucuit
between the battery terminal and the fine terminal a The key Figures 4
and 5 Sheet 2 is adapted to all the instruments throughout the installation.
The intermediate instrument; shown by the plan view Figure 3 Sheet 2 consists
of an electio magnet M, and aimature A, which normally makes contact with a
contact pillai and stop S, which is connected to a resistance coil R and theuce to
a terminal f. A spring plunger contact P is arranged so that when the key k
berein before described, depresses the armature A towards the magnet M, the
contact is broken between $ and A and established between A and P. Since it is
essential, in order to manipulate the apparatus, that contact between S and A
should not be broken before the contact between P and A. is established, I have
provided a springs connected with P, said sping s being placed so as to press
upon the barrell of the key when inserted upon the pin. Thus, perfect contact

page_text: is established through the body of the key k between A. and P, before that
between A and S is broken. P 18 coupled through the magnet coils M to the
terminal e, and the armature A to a, the contact pillar S being similarly coupled
to the terminalf through the resistance R. An index, or indicator disc I is
attached to the lower extremity of the ai mature A, so that when the latter is in
its normal position, said index or the like is invisible through an orifice in the
cover of the instrument, but when said armature A is in contact with P, and
approaches the poles of the magnet M, said index I is visible through the oufice
herein before refered to. This arrangement is applicable to all the instruments
throughout the installation except the final or No. 4 (Figure 2, Sheet 1)
Referring now to Figure 7, Sheet 3 which represents diagrammatically an
installation of four stations, each of which are respectively coumerated
At
station No. 1 is placed a battery W, one pole of which is normally connected to the
earth or return wire c through a key switch which also constitutes all that is necessary
for the manipulation of station No. 4, shown more particularly by Figure 2,
Sheet 1. The apparatus at Station No. I cousists of an electro magnet M the
amature A thereof being connected to the other pole of the battery through b.
A contact pillar or plunger contact P is connected to one end of the magnet
coils M, the contact between P and A being normally open. The other end of
the electio magnet coils is connected to the line wire through a (Figure 1, Sheet 1).
The apparatus at station No. 2 consists of an electro inaguet M (Figure 3, Sheet 2)
the amature A corresponding thereto being in connection through the line we a
to the station No. 1 as before described, with reference to Figure 7, Sheet 3.
A contact spring S upon which the armature A normally rests, and a suitably
balanced resistance R' connects sud armate A to the earth oi return wire
through in its normal position. A contact pillai or plunger contact P is counccted
to one end of the magnet coils M, the other end of said coils being coupled to the
line wire leading to station No. 3 through a'. The contact between the armature A
and pillar P normally open The apparatus at station No. 3 is exactly similar
to that employed at No. 2 and herein before descubed, and shown in detail by
Figure 3 Sheet 2. The resistance R' is differently balanced, according to a ratio
hereinafter to be described; and the terminal all instead of being duectly coupled
to station No. 4, is connected to the line we all Figue 7 Sheet 3, and thence to
the electro magnet M of an electic recording clock which may be of any stable
type in general use. To biefly describe the requirements of such a clock, we may
assume a dium D carrying paper or the liko upon its circumference to be rotated
according to any predetermined measurement of time. An amature A', carrying
a stylus maikei Y may mark the paper each time that the magnet M³ 19
vitalised by the passage of an electic curient, and during the period of such
vitalization, said marks forming a time record. The other end of the clock
magnet coils M' are connected to the earth or retuin wire through c
Each
instrument, Nos 1, 2, 3 and 4 is provided with a key spindle, upon which a bai rel
key with two wings, may be placed, through a suitable slot in the case o cover.
When so placed, as shown by the dotted outline & throughout the several views, a
turn of said key may depress the armatures A towards the magnets M, aud
establish contact between said armatures A and the plunger or other contacts P,
the latter contact being in the case of Nos. 2 and 3, established before that
between A and S is bioken, by the arrangement shown by s Figure 3, Sheet 2,
which applies to all intermediate instiaments in an installation of any number of
stations. Station No. 4, Figure 2 Sheet 1, and Figure 6 Sheet 3, consists of a
pivotted key K which normally maintains contact between the battery through b
and the earth or return wue through e and contact pillar S.
The system as above described is operated as follows, that is to say,-
The watchman or operator first going to station No. 1 inserts the key into the
instrument, and depresses the armature A, establishing contact and closing the
The electio magnet M, being now excited or vitalised, the aimatie A is
retained and consequently the circuit is kept closed, this being apparent to the
circuit.

page_text: operator by reason of the index or disc-I being visible through the orifice in the
case or cover, after the key is withdiawn. The cucuit, under these conditions may
be traced as from the battery W, through to the armature A, to contact P;
through electro magnet coils M, and line a to station No. 2, thence through
armature A, contact S, resistance R, earth on etuin c, key at No 4 station to
battery The operator now goes to No. 2 station, inserting his key into the
instrument and turning it, the effect of which is to depress the armature A towards
the magnet M, establishing contact between A and P, and opening the contact
between A and S and the resistance R The contact between A and P being
established before A and S as opened, the armature remains in the position it has
been caused to assume when the key k was turned. The encuit now is as follows,
From the battery W, through the aimature A, magnet M and contact P of No 1,
and line a to armature A, contact P magnet coils M of No. 2 to armature A,
contact S, resistance R' and earth or return wire of No. 2, e to the battery W.
through the closed circuit of the switch key No. 4. The operator now passing to
station No 3 inserts the key k as before, and turning it establishes contact between
the armature A and the plunger contact P, before opening contact between A and S,
and the magnet M becoming energised or excited, retains it in such position after
the hey has been removed. The circuit is then as follows, From the battery W
through the amature A, contact P, and magnet coils M of No. 1, lino a, armature A,
contact P magnet coils M of No. 2, line a¹ to armature A, contact P, magnet
coils M of No 3, through line a" to the electromagnet coils M' of the recorder,
(causing the stylus or pen Y to press upon the paper on the drum D, and retain it
until the whole circuit is bioken) thence though and the switch key at No. 4 to
the battery W. The operator now proceeds to No. 4, and inserting the key in
the slot in the cover of the switch key box, by turning it depresses the key K,
thereby opening the circuit between b and c, the effect of which is to release all
the armatures A, restoring stations Nos 1, 2, and 3 to then noinial positions,
and No. 4 is restored by the meie act of removing the key
Thus it is obvious that in order to obtain a record on the recording instrument,
the watchman or operator must visit each station strictly in the prescribed order,
and that only when the last station but one is visited is the recording pen or stylus
operated; and the visit to the last station (No. 4) is indicated by the opening
of the circuit which causes the marking on the drum D by the stylus Y to cease.
The arrangement of the resistances of the instruments, and the balancing
resistances R R is calculated to keep the operating current at a constant rate
throughout the cycle of operations, thus avoiding undue stress upon the battery or
other source of current For instance, if the clectio-magnet coils M of all the
instruments, Nos. 1, 2, and 3 have a resistance value each of 5 ohms, and the
interposed resistance R is 10 ohms and R' 5 ohms, the total resistance when
the station No. 1 is operative will be―
(a) M No. 1, 5 ohms +R 10 ohms + ciremt (coustaut)
and when No. 2 is operated
(6) M No. 1, 5 ohms + M No. 2, 5 ohms + R¹, 5 ohms + circuit (constant).
When No. 3 is operated
(c) M No. 1, 5 ohms + M No. 2, 5 ohms + M No. 3, 5 ohms + circuit

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;
First. In an electrical tell tale or watchman's recorder, the combination of an
electro magnet, with a key, and one or more contacts, in connection with a clock-
work recorder, switch key and battery substantially as and for the purposes herein
described with reference to the appended sheets of dianings.
Second. In an electrical telltale, or watchman's recorder, the construction and
employment of an instrument with an electro-magnet M, armature A, contact P,
and index I in combination with a key k substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth with special reference to Figures 1, Sheet 1, and 7 Sheet 3 of the
appended drawings.
Thind. In an clectical telltale or watchman's recorder the construction and
employment of an instrument with an electromagnet M, armature A, contacts P
and S, index I, and contact spring s connected to P, 1 combination with a key k
and resistance R or R', substantially as herein described and for the purposes set
forth with especial reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5 Sheet 2, and Figure 7 Sheet 3
of the appended drawings.
Fourth. The combination of the instruments referred to in the two preceding
claims with a switch key K Figure 2 Sheet 1 and recording clock substantially as
herein described and shown by Figure 7, Sheet 3.
Dal... 01.
FREDK. WALKER,
73 St. Stephen's Road, Upton Park, London, E.,
Agent for the Applicant.