Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 1st June, 1887.
Specification Accepted, 29th July, 1887.
I, GUSTAV CONZ, of Ulm, in the German Empire, Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of my 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 relates to an apparatus by means of which simple or combined
electric signals can be transmitted to one or more stations by one apparatus having
one key only.
Referring to the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the
principle and operation of the improved signalling transmitter. Fig. 2 is an eleva-
tional section and Fig. 3 a sectional plan showing the arrangement and construction
of a complete transmitter when in combination with a constant source of electricity
(dynamo).
The apparatus consists essentially of a single contact key and a number of con-
centric electrical conductors having on them certain contacts arranged in combinations
in such a manner that the key may be placed in contact with any of the said
combinations and thus cause a current or currents to pass through the respective
conductor or conductors and operate signals according to the combination in contact
with the key.
Fig. 1 shows the central arrangement of three conductors c¹ c³ c' with six com-
binations of contacts, combined with three signal indicators S₁ S, S,. With this
arrangement each of the six signals can be at once given by aid of one key d. When
contact is made between the key d and any one of the combinations the current passes
from the source of electricity Q to the key-pin u, thence over the key d revolvable
about u to the respective combination of the conductors c¹³ cor c³ whence it passes
from the terminal or terminals or to the corresponding signal indicator or
indicators SS, S, a common conductor (earth) completing the circuit to Q.
If the constant current of a dynamo-machine is employed for signalling it is
necessary to have always equal resistance in the circuit, which purpose is attained
by removing during the operation of any signal an equivalent resistance, normally
inserted.
Figs. 2 and 3 represent an apparatus for transmitting single, double and triple
signals at once by means of one key, six separate conductors and signal indicators

page_text: being employed therefor, both singly and in combinations of two and of three. A
manner in which this may conveniently be performed is that shown in Figures 2 and 3.
The six conductors are arranged as circles above each other, and are in contact or
not, according to the desired combination, with a circular row of metal blocks, as
shown in the drawing. When for instance, as indicated by Fig. 2, the contact
roller is placed over the metal block M, by means of the key T, and the latter is
drawn or pressed so as to bring the roller into contact with the said block the whole
current of the dynamo-machine, which current was hitherto distributed from the
binding screw a situated on the insulated metal block k, through the resistance
coils www by means of the contact sliding springs f¹ffs, now passes
over the contact sliding spring b, lever c and roller r to the metal block M thence
through the three ring conductors No. 2, 3 and 6 in contact with said block through
the respective conductors L, L, Le so that any signalling mechanisms inserted into
these three circuits are actuated. If the contact roller r is placed in contact with the
opposite block M the signals S, and Sare operated, the block M being in contact
with the ring conductor No. 2 and 4. Two-thirds of the main current
thus diverted
for the operation of the respective signals and one-third, that is to say the rest of the
current is switched through the sliding spring f, which is still in contact, to the
resistance w¹, while w³ and w³ are excluded by the release of the sliding springs f f
from the metal block k, and so forth. The vertical movement of the shaft & is determined
by the pin A and the ring and sleeve V. This arrangement has the particular
advantage, that the main-current is not interrupted, but has always to perform equal
work, which is very essential for its quiet working. The hand Z outside the apparatus,
corresponds to the roller within the apparatus, and shows the position of the latter.
It is attached to the knob T by a peg-device p and turning the knob T to the desired
signalling mark Sm and a simultaneous slight pull or pressure on the said knob is
sufficient to cause the respective signal to appear in the desired manner.
The centre-shaft is angularly guided at its lower end so as to perform only
vertical movement. The parallel conducting device renders at the same time any
multiplication of the signals possible.
The improved apparatus is especially intended to serve for signalling by night
for military purposes on land and water, for central railway stations and other
purposes.
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 :-
In apparatus for transmitting electric signals
1. The combination of a number of conductors arranged in a concentric or
equivalent manner, a series of contacts each connected electrically with a certain
combination of said conductors, and a key or switch capable of being placed in contact
with any one of said contacts, substantially as set forth.
2. A series of conductors having contacts for simultaneous passage of electric
current through a greater or less number of said conductors in combination with a
series of resistance coils, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 1st day of June 1887.