Improvements in Spring Jack Switches.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 14th Sept., 1892-Accepted, 22nd Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Spring Jack Switches.
I GASTON HYPOLITE COMTE D'ADHEMAR of 45 Rue St. Sebastien Paris in
the Republic of France Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a novel arrangement of spring jack switch for use in
telephone offices and enables the waste space in the switch board to be considerably
reduced a larger number of spring jacks being arranged within easy reach of each
operator than is possible with the apparatus as heretofore constructed the con-
struction being simplified at the same time.
Spring jacks are usually arranged in lines or rows of 20 or 25 on the same board
or support but in an apparatus arranged according to my invention one board or
support is enabled to carry two such rows of spring jacks. With this object the
board or support of ebonite or other insulating material is so constructed as to
represent in section the form of a T. The metallic tubes for the reception of the
plugs are arranged in the head or branches of the T in two parallel lines or rows
and the two opposite and parallel sides of the part of the support forming the stem
of the T carry the metallic contact plates and springs corresponding with the two
rows of tubes and which may be of any ordinary or suitable construction. Thus
for example on one of these sides opposite to each tube there is a spring pressing
by its inherent resiliency against a corresponding contact plate whilst on the other
side of the support and facing each tube on that side there is a similar spring
which is likewise normally pressed against a similar plate. When a plug is
inserted into a tube its tip holds the spring away from the plate. The springs and
plates are attached to the support by screws and in order to maintain the electrical
insulation plates and plugs or rings of fibre,. ebonite or other insulating material are
interposed between these parts of the instrument.
To each tube there is soldered or connected a metal plate supported laterally
between the aforesaid insulating plates and receiving a line wire the other line wire
being attached to the spring and the contact. plates hereinbefore referred to being
connected with the wire of the annunciator.
The base or support being employed for two rows of spring jacks I am enabled
by these means to utilise a great part of the space which in spring jack switches
as heretofore constructed is lost owing to the multiplication of the bases or
supports.
Dated this 15th day of December 1891
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Spring Jack Switches.
I GASTON HYPOLITE COMTE D'ADHÉMAR of 45, Rue St. Sebastien, Paris in
the Republic of France, Manufacturer 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 :-
This invention consists of a new or improved system and means of mounting
switches (commutateurs jacks) for telephones use from which there will result
important simplifications and reduction to the minimum of the space used. This
system may be applied to all known constructions of switches.

page_text: In the drawings annexed hereto—
Fig. 1 is a transverse section Fig. 2 is a plan, Fig. 3 a longitudinal section
at M. N. of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 an elevation of the back face of the holding
board.
The switches are arranged upon the holding board a, b, c, d, in two symetric
series in such wise that the plates or blades 5, 6, 7 and 8, of the two series are fixed
to the board c, d, common to both.
In as much as the board c d is common to both the series of switches it results,
that the extent of space made for the two series is equal to the size of the board c, d,
and consequently it will be possible to have a double quantity of switches on each
board employed. And it is unnecessary to provide a cavity for each switch for
the penetration and reception of the plug thereof and the manufacture will thus be
simplified.
The rear part of the holding board a, b, wherein are fixed the collars or "tests" X
may be formed of a piece independently of c, d, and be fixed thereto by means of
the screws g or these two parts may be formed of one piece.
In every case the material of the holding boards a b c d, is to be of insulating
material, vulcanite, vulcanized fibre, or any similar nonconductor.
In the upper switch hole Fig. 1, there is shown inserted a plug 10 and the lower
switch hole is shown free.
Above all there is no modification of the function of the springs of the switches
but these follow any form most conveniently obtained. These switch springs are
fixed to the board c, d, either by means of screws tapped into the board or by
means of screw bolts 11 care being taken to insulate them by interposing between
them. dividing plates and washers 12, of vulcanized fibre or other insulating
material.
The board a, b, c, d, is employed for any number of switches, in double series of
say ten, twenty, twenty five, or thirty.
Switches with two springs are often operated with a switch plug having two
conductor wires as represented in Fig. 5 showing the metal end 13, insulated from
the plug 14, and the same mode of mounting is applicable to switches with several
springs such particularly as are found in various systems in Germany and other.
countries in the following manner.
Above all the springs of the switch-board are placed plates of insulating material
and the whole is fixed to the common board by means of screws or bolts in the same
manner as has been indicated for two springs.
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:-
The herein described system and means for telephonic switch boards having the
two symetric series of organs fixed to the one board common to both series as and
for the purpose substantially as specified.
Dated this 14th day of September 1892.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for Applicant.