IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TELEGRAPH POSTS AND IN THE APPARATUS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
Year: 1872

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jules Auguste Désgoffe
.
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 13th May 1872.
I, JULES AUGUSTE DESGOFFE, Civil Engineer, of No. 8, Boulevard
Vaugirard, Paris, France, do hereby declare the nature of the said.
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TELEGRAPH POSTS AND IN
THE APPARATUS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
The feature of novelty in this Invention consists in constructing the
posts of sheet iron, cut and bent in the desired form by means of a screw
press, bearing a longitudinal bar of iron of the form which it is desired
to impart to the metal sheets, which latter are then united by rivets or
bolts connecting the wings or ridges of the sheets together. The

page_text: thickness of the sheets gradually diminishes as it reaches to the top of the
post, so as to effect perfect equilibrium and solidity. The socket or
lower portion is imbeded in the earth, and is of a greater thickness to
withstand any shocks, and protect it against humidity or drought; the
durability of the iron is insured by galvanism, glazing, by plunging it
into cement, or coating it with coal tar or other substance. The wires
are suspended at the top of the post, and when there are not many the
insulators are fixed directly on the wings of the post; if, on the other
hand, they are numerous the insulators are alternately fixed on the
wings and on the arms, which are attached to the posts at equal
distances. On one of the sides of the posts iron bars are fixed forming
steps for ascending and descending to inspect the wires. This system is
applicable to all kinds of telegraphic posts. For a terminal post great
solidity at the foundation is essential; this is insured by attaching a
wire rope to the top of the post, and fixing the other end deep into the
ground. As posts at crossings the sheets are more arched, and aro
strengthened by the adaptation to one of the wings of an iron rib running
the whole length of the post, and bearing the steps. On the other wing
the suspenders are attached where the wires terminate, whilst others
unite with their ends, and passing through the insulators on the right
side of the sheets penetrate the interior of the posts, and as they descend
they unite and form a cable, which makes its exit at the foundation, and
thence passes over the line or any other obstacle.
A post constructed similar to that employed at a crossing forms an
excellent post for ascertaining where the interruption of the electric
fluid takes place. The wires pass into the interior of the post, as
already described, and enter a box or compartment containing the
requisite apparatus for making the trials.

page_text: tures, workshops, foundries, and generally where such articles are
necessary or desirable.
The accompanying Drawings illustrate the principle of construction,
together with the apparatus employed therein.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a post supporting 16 wires, and consists of 6
sheets of iron cut to the requisite dimensions, and then bent according
to the plans shown by Figures 4 and 5, which are sections following the
lines A, B, and C, D, of Figure 1. These sheets of metal a, a, are after-
wards rivitted together in couples, and united one with the other by
means of rivets or bolts according to the size and nature of application 1
of the post. The thickness of the sheets gradually diminishes as it
approaches the summit of the post, their circumference decreasing pro-
The sheets of
portionally, so as to render all the parts alike solid.
metal imbedded in the earth forming the lower portion of the post are of
á sufficient thickness to bear the strain to which they may be subjected, 1
ás well as to protect them from the effects of damp or drought. Their
durability may be greatly increased by enamelling them, galvanizing
them, or coating them with coal tar. The insulators bearing the wires
áre fixed to the top of the post, and when there are not too many wires
they are placed directly on the ridges or rims of the post, as shown 2
by c, c, c; if, on the other hand, they are numerous they are alternated,
as shown, Fig. 1, that is to say, that those c, c, c, are rivitted to the
rims or edges of the post, and those b, b, b, are rivitted to the ends of
the arms or bars of sheet iron g, 7, which are held between the rims of
the metal sheets a, a, see Figure 5, and united together with them. On
one side of the post are bolted or rivitted the bars d, d, d, forming a
species of ladder for mounting and examining the post and wires, and
adjusting and maintaining the latter in order.
Posts constructed on this principle are suitable to all lines of railway
as terminal posts at crossings, or as examining posts, and so on.
1st. As terminal posts it is necessary they should be well fixed and
secured at the base, a stout twisted metal wire fixed at the head of the
post and the opposite end well secured in the earth will give the
requisite solidity thereto.
2d. In crossing lines the form shown, Fig. 2, is employed; the
section at E, F, Fig. 6, shows that the metal sheets are more arched,

page_text: and are consolidated by the sheet-iron rib h running the whole length of
the post, and which bears the steps d, d; on the other wing the insu-
lators c, c, c, are fixed where the ends of the wires ƒ,ƒƒ, terminate, and
where others f,,, unite at these points to those f,f, and after passing
through the insulators K, K, enter the interior of the post, and in
descending unite in a bundle forming a cable F, which makes its exit
in the foundation, thence to pass over the line or other obstacle.
For this purpose therefore this description of post is admirably adapted.
Openings r, r, are made in the post for examining and arranging the
wires; they are closed by a hinged door p, a part of which is shown open
in Figure 2.
3rd. As shown, Figure 3, an excellent post is formed for testing where
any flaws exist in the wires, or any interruption of the electric current
has occurred; with this view the wires f,f, communicate with others f¹,ƒ³,
inside the post, as above described, and which enter a box o containing
the testing apparatus.
Figure 6 is a section of the post, but in this case it would be minus
the rib h, for which in this instance there is no need.
Figure 7 is a transverse section of the screw press for giving to the cold
iron the desired form, and Figure 8 is a plan of the same. The apparatus
consists of two blocks t, t, of symetrical proportions, and of the form
it is desired to impart to the sheets of metal; they are fixed between the
supports or frame 8, 8; the metal sheet is placed thereon, and the
mould m, which is a metal bar similar in form to that which it is
intended the metal should bear is gradually screwed down on the iron
sheets by means of the screws v, o; this mould being in relief reproduces
the same form hollow or concave, and when screwed home so that the
sheets of metal fit closely to the surface of the blocks t, t, the edges are
beaten with a mallet or otherwise, so as to produce a regular and
suitable profile. The angle or inclination of the blocks t, t, is regulated
by placing wedges beneath them, or by any suitable method, and in the
same manner both the screws may be made to work simultaneously
either by hand or mechanically.
Having thus described my Invention, what I claim is the method of
3 constructing sheet-iron telegraph posts without the aid of heat by means
of the screw press herein mentioned, the several forms given to the
metal being produced by varying the shape of the mould and blocks

page_text: according to the nature of and purposes to which the post is to be
employed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jules Auguste Désgoffe, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Third day of November, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy- ɛ
two.