CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS, AND IN THE APPLICATION OF ELECTRIC CURRENTS FOR DEFLECTING MAGNETS OR PRODUCING ELECTRO MAGNETS
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
ALLAN, of Saint Andrew's Square, Edinburgh, Printer and Publisher of the
Caledonian Mercury, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Sixteenth day
of November, in the fourteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her
heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Thomas Allan, my
exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her especial license, full power, sole privilege
and authority, that I; the said Thomas Allan, my exors, admors, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Thomas Allan, my exors, admors, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town
of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC
TELEGRAPHS, AND IN THE APPLICATION OF ELECTRIC CURRENTS FOR DEFLECTING
MAGNETS OR PRODUCING ELECTRO MAGNETS;" in which said Letters Patent is
contained a proviso that I, the said Thomas Allan, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part
recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had,
will more fully and, at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Thomas Allan, do hereby declare that the nature of my Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by this present Specification or Instrument in writing,
reference being had to the several Drawings hereunto annexed, and in which
said several Drawings similar parts are marked or referred to by similar letters
or figures (that is to say):
Firstly, my improvements in telegraphing consist of a mode or modes of
dividing or arranging the whole or a portion of the letters of the alphabet,
or a series of words or sentences, into sections, so that each of the letters,
words, and sentences so arranged may be telegraphed or signalled by means of
the number of the section to which it belongs, and the number or position
of it in such section.
One great object of this part of my Invention is, to facilitate the communica-
tion of intelligence by means of needle electric telegraphs; and for the purpose
of facilitating the working of such telegraphs I engrave or mark their dial or
index plates with letters, words, and sentences arranged into sections, in the
manner I have mentioned..
•
In Figures 1, 2, and 3, of the said Drawings hereunto annexed, I have
shewn several modes of dividing the whole or a portion of the letters of the
alphabet into sections, and of placing each of such letters in the section
to which it belongs; as well as modes in which letters so arranged and placed
may be placed or arranged upon dial or index plates. Figure 1 represents the
dial or index plate of a double needle telegraph, upon which twenty-four of the
letters of the alphabet (J and Z being omitted) are arranged in sections
according to my Invention. According to the arrangement shewn in Figure 1
the letters are divided into six sections,-A, B, C, D, being placed in Section 1;
E, F, G, H, in Section 2; I, K, L, M, in Section 3; N, O, P, Q, in Section 4;
R, S, T, U, in Section 5; and V, W, X, Y, in Section 6. Each of these sections,
it will be observed, is distinguished by a number, and each of the letters placed
in any one of these sections is also distinguished by a number, letters being
-arranged and distinguished in this manner for the purpose of telegraphic com-
munication. A person desiring to telegraph any one of the letters, as part of a
word or otherwise, will be enabled to do so by telegraphing or signalling the
number of the section in which the letter is placed, and the number by which
the letter is distinguished in that section. Any mode of signalling numbers
may be used for this purpose, and I have in Figure 1 shewn a mode in which
the numbers may be signalled by a double needle telegraph, the sections being
placed upon the dial in such a way as to facilitate the understanding of the
mode in which the numbers are to be signalled for telegraphing the various

page_text: letters contained in the sections. Thus the first section is placed at the left-
hand side of the left-hand needle shewn in the Figure, the motion of that
needle (alone) in that direction being intended to signify or signal Number 1.
For a similar reason, Section 2 is placed at the right-hand side of the same
needle, and Sections 3 and 4 are placed respectively on the left and right-hand
sides of the other or right-hand needle. Section 5 is placed below the other
sections, and a little towards the left hand, Number 5 being signalled by a
deflection of both the two needles towards the left hand; and Section 6 is
placed a little towards the right hand, No. 6 being signalled by a deflection of
both of the two needles in that direction. In signalling or telegraphing
the letters intended to form words by such a telegraph, and with the letters
arranged in the manner I have described, two signals only will be requisite for
telegraphing any of the letters. Thus, if the letter A is to be telegraphed, the
left-hand needle will be deflected to the left hand once, as being the signal
representing the Number 1, and to indicate that the letter to be telegraphed is
contained in the first section, which being done, the same signal will be
repeated for the purpose of indicating that the letter to be telegraphed is A, the
first letter in the first section. So also, if the letter Y is to be telegraphed,
each of the needles will be simultaneously deflected to the right hand (being
the signal representing Number 6), to indicate that the letter is contained in
Section 6, and then the right-hand needle only will be deflected to the right
hand (the signal representing Number 4), to indicate that the letter is Y, the
fourth letter in Section 6. Instead of signalling the number of the section
first, and then the number of the letter in the section, the number of the
Jetter in its section may be first signalled, and then the number of the section,
if that order of signalling be deemed better; it being only necessary to adopt
a fixed rule on this subject for regulating this mode of telegraphing at each
station upon a line, so that the intended applications of the signals for tele-
graphing may be understood by each person to whom a telegraphic message
may be sent by means of this system.
In Figure 2 of the said Drawings I have shewn a mode in which this system
of telegraphing may be used or applied to telegraphing by means of a single
needle telegraph. In this Figure the same letters are shewn as divided or
arranged into six sections, in the same manner as in Figure 1, the only differ-
ence between the working of this telegraph and that with two needles which
I have described being, that different signals are necessarily adopted for sig-
nalling the six numbers to be used. Thus, in the Figure 2 I have marked the
signals for the number as being one deflection to the left as the signal for
Number 1, two similar deflections for Number 3, three similar deflections
9

page_text: for Number 5, one deflection to the right hand as being the signal for
Number 2, two similar deflections for Number 4, and three similar deflections
för Number 6. By such a telegraph as this each letter will be telegraphed
by signalling the number of the section in which it is placed, and its number
in that section, in like manner as herein-before described with respect to tele
graphing letters by means of the numbers signalled by a double needle
telegraph, such as shewn in Figure 1.
Although I have shewn particular signals for signalling six numbers by the
telegraphs shewn in Figures 1 and 2 respectively, those signals form no part
of my Invention, and any other convenient signals for signalling numbers may
be used for the purpose of performing this part of my Invention.
Although I have shewn the letters of the alphabet (omitting J and Z) as
arranged into sections according to the usual order of arranging the letters
of the alphabet, the letters may be arranged in any other order which may be
deemed most convenient. Thus, in Figure 3, I have shewn (as upon a dial)
the letters arranged so as to make the smallest number of signals necessary
for telegraphing such of the letters of the alphabet as áre most frequently
required for transmitting telegraphic messages in words; such an arrangement
as this is more particularly applicable to telegraphing by means of single
needle telegraphs; but in any description of signal telegraphs used in tele-
graphing according to this part of my Invention, the letters may be arranged
in any order which may be deemed most convenient.
The number of sections into which the letters are divided or arranged, may
also be varied in any manner which may be deemed most convenient. Thus
twenty-five of the letters of the alphabet (omitting Z) may be arranged into
five sections, and this may be a very convenient arrangement for working with
a double needle telegraph, when it may be desired to retain the letter J in the
alphabet used for telegraphing.
. Another part of my said Invention consists of a mode or modes of construct-
ing what I call compound permanent magnets, or combining several simple
magnets so as to form such compound magnets which are intended to be used for
electric telegraphs; and also of a mode or modes of deflecting or giving motion
to such compound magnets, and thereby to deflect or give motion to such
needles or other telegraphic apparatus connected therewith, by means of the
united action of such compound magnets and electric coils or cylinders of insu
lated wire or electro-magnets. I make iny compound magnets for these
'purposes either in one and the same piece, or in several pieces, and then com-
bine or unite the pieces together; and I fix à compound magnet, made in any
such manner, upon a suitable axle or spindle mounted in bearings, so that the

page_text: axle or spindle will turn or move freely in its bearings to the extent to which
it is intended to be capable of being deflected in either direction. These
compound magnets are made of various forms, and have their component
parts arranged in various ways, for the more conveniently adapting them to
the purposes to which they are to be applied, and the manner in which they
are to be used; and I construct every such magnet, and fix it upon an axle,
in such a way that the action of each of the arms or poles of the inagnet
(either by attracting or repelling) may be simultaneously exerted, and a com-
bination of their several forces applied in deflecting, turning, or moving the
coinpound magnet upon its axle, and thus, through the medium of the axle or
spindle, deflect or give motion to a needle or other description of electric
telegraphic apparatus.
One description of my compound magnets I form in such manner that they
may be used in conjunction with such electric coils or cylinders as are or may
be called electro-dynamic cylinders, and by varying the construction or arrange-
ment of the arms of such magnets, or the polarities of their arms, so that they
may be used in conjunction with electro-magnets and others of my compounds
magnets, are formed so as to act in conjunction with hollow electric coils or
cylinders called galvanometer coils, for the purpose of deflecting or giving
motion to such compound magnets, and thereby to the needles or other descrip-
tions of electric telegraphic apparatus connected therewith. My compound
magnets, which are intended to be used in conjunction with clectro-dynamic
cylinders, are made in such a manner that each arm of every pair of arms,
between which I place such a cylinder, shall have either a north or a south
polarization, that is to say, so that the two arms at the sides or ends of every
coil or cylinder shall both have the same polarity. The cylinders which I
use for the purposes of this part of my Invention may either be made of
round wire or of ribbon wire; and I make such cylinders consist of several
yards of wire insulated by gutta percha or any other convenient material, and
wound in such a manner as to form a cylinder very short in comparison to
its diameter. I place a cylinder of this description between each pair of arms
of one of these compound magnets, each of the arms having (as before men-
tioned) the same polarity; and I fix each cylinder with a portion of its peri
phery towards the axle of the magnet, and with the plane of the end of the
coil at right angles, or nearly so, with the plane of the side of the compound
magnet. The sizes of the cylinders, the distances between each arm of every
pair of arms, and the fixing of the cylinders, must be so regulated as to allow
of a slight motion or turning of the magnet upon its axle, one half in number
of the arms of the magnet resting against the ends of the cylinders when the

page_text: magnet has been moved or turned in one direction, and the other half in
number of the arms of the magnet resting against or coming in contact with
the opposite ends of the cylinders when the imagnet has been moved or turned
in, the other direction, so that the needle or other telegraphic apparatus con-
nected with the axle or spindle of the magnet may be thus deflected or have
motion given to it..
In Figures 4 and 6 of the said Drawings I have shewn two forms of this
description of compound magnets, each of which may be either made of one
piece of steel or of several pieces, as may be preferred.
Figure 4 is a side view of a compound magnet which may be used for
deflecting the needle of an electric needle telegraph mounted upon the end of
the axle or spindle of the magnet, or for giving motion.in a similar manner
to any other description of electric telegraph apparatus. This compound
magnet is shewn in the Figure as having four pairs of poles projecting from
the centre through which an orifice is made (as shewn in the Figure) to
receive the axle or spindle upon which the magnet is to be mounted. Each
arm of each of the four pairs of arms a, a, b, b', c, c', and d, d', is magnetized,
so as to have the same polarity, each of the arms a, a', and also each of arms
c, c', having a north polarity, and each of the arms b, b', and also each of the
arms d, d', having a south polarity, and I magnetize the arms, so that the
two arms a', e, and b, e, shall together form a horseshoe or bent magnet a¹, e, b,
and so that the other arms of the compound magnet shall form three other
horseshoe or bent magnets b', f, c, c³, g, d, and d', h, a. When I make this
magnet all in one piece (which I prefer), I take a piece of steel plate of the
thickness which I desire the magnet to possess, and cut it so that it shall
have eight projecting arms, as shewn in the Figure. The object of cutting
the arms of the particular angular forms shewn in the Figure is not only to
admit as large an eléctric coil as practicable between each pair of arms of
the same polarity, but also to make the magnet as light as conveniently may
be. When a piece of steel has been cut into the shape shewn in Figure 4, I
harden each of the arms in the usual manner, so as to enable them to retain
the magnetism when magnetized, taking care not to harden the central part
of the magnet, so that what is sometimes called the neutral point, which is at
or near to e, f, g, and h, of these horseshoe or bent magnets, may be soft. A
piece of steel having been formed in this way, I magnetize the arms a', e, and
b, e, by drawing the ends of a pair of magnets, or of a horseshoe magnet, from
e to the points a and b, first on one side of the arms, and then on the other
side, taking care that the points of the magnet or magnets used for magnetiz-
ing are properly, applied for producing the required polarities of the arms.

page_text: When these two arms have been magnetised, they will in effect form a horse-
shoe or bent magnet; and in order to prevent any demagnetizing of these
arms by the magnetizing of the other arms of the compound magnet, I place
an armature or piece of iron across between the points a and b, whilst I am
magnetizing the other arms. I then magnetize the other arms of the com-
pound magnet in a similar manner, so that the arms b', f, and c, f, may in
effect form a horseshoe or bent magnet, the arms c¹, g, and d, g, another
similar magnet, and the arms d, h, and a, h, another similar magnet;, taking
care to place an armature or piece of iron across each of the first three pairs
of arms magnetized in manner and for the purposes I have already mentioned.
The compound magnet thus completed may now be mounted upon its intended
axle or spindle upon which it may be secured in any convenient manner, and
it is then ready for acting in conjunction with cylinders, so that the magnet
may be deflected or have an alternating or reciprocating motion given to it,
for the purpose of.deflecting or giving motion to the needle or other appa-
ratus fixed upon or connected with the axle or spindle. If a compound
magnet, such as I have just described, be made of several pieces of steel, I
fashion the parts, and solder them together, so that they will, when thus
ünited, into one piece of the required shape, and when magnetised in the
manner I have described, form a compound magnet such as shewn in Figure 4.
In Figure 5 I have shewn a compound magnet constructed in the manner
I have described, with electric coils placed between each pair of arms of the:
same polarity in the manner I before mentioned. The wires used in making
these coils (whether round or flat) are coiled from their centres, so as to make
them solid or nearly solid cylinders, and get the length of wire used in form-
ing a coil compressed into the smallest practicable space. It is well known
that when a cylinder of insulated-wire, such as I havo just mentioned,.has a
current of electricity sent through the wire in one direction, the cylinder
acquires a north polarity at one end, and a south polarity at the other, and
that when the direction of the current is reversed, the polarities of the ends.
of the cylinder are also reversed. When, therefore, a cylinder, such as I have.
mentioned, is placed between two arms of a compound magnet having the
same polarities, and, a current of electricity is sent through the wire, so that
the ends of the cylinder acquire polarities, the one end of the cylinder will
attract one of the pair of arms, and the other end of the cylinder will
repel the other of the pair; and the forces of the attraction and of the repul-
sion thus called into action will both be exerted in the same direction, or in
such a way as to turn or move the compound magnet upon its axis in one
direction. Thus, if the two arms between which a coil is placed-have both of

page_text: them north polarities, the end of the cylinder which has acquired a south
polarity will attract towards it the arm which is placed opposite that end of
the cylinder, whilst the other end of the cylinder which has acquired a
north polarity will repel the other arm of the pair; and thus both of the arms
will, the one by attraction and the other by repulsion, be deflected or moved
in the same direction.. By reversing the direction of the current of electricity
sent through the wire composing the cylinder, the polarities of the ends of the
cylinder will be reversed also, and the end of the cylinder, which before
attracted one of the arms, will now repel it, and the other end of the cylinder,
which before repelled the other arm, will now attract it, and thus the arms
will, by the reversed forces, be deflected or moved in a direction the reverse
of that of the previous motion. The wires forming the cylinders placed
between the arms of this compound magnet are connected together in such a
way that the same current of electricity passes through each of the cylinders;
but the connection is made in such a manner that when the current o elec-
tricity, passing through a cylinder placed between two arms having north
polarities, passes round the cylinder (to or from the centre of the compound
magnet) in one direction, the current of electricity passing through a cylinder
placed between two arms having south polarities shall pass round the cylinder
in an opposite direction, either to or from the centre of the compound magnet,
so that the cylinders and the magnetic arms of the compound magnet may
all concur in simultaneously exerting their attractive or repulsive forces in
deflecting, turning, or moving the compound magnet upon its axle in the
same direction. The cylinders may be fixed in any convenient manner, in
proper positions, between the arms between which they are to act in the
manner I have described. A compound magnet, such as I have described,
being fixed upon an axle, and connected in any convenient manner, and cylin-
ders being also fixed in proper positions between the arms of the magnet, the
magnet may be deflected, turned, or moved at pleasure in either direction to
the extent permitted by the distances between the cylinders and the arms,
according to the direction in which the current of electricity shall be trans-
mitted; and in this manner a needle: at the end of the axle or spindle of the
compound magnet may be deflected in either direction at pleasure.
In Figure 6 I have shewn a side view of a compound magnet similar to that
shewn in Figure 4, with the exception of the number of projecting arms, of
which this magnet has six instead of four pairs, the polarities of the arms
being as shewn in the Figure. This magnet will require six electric coils
in lieu of four, and they are to be fixed and used in like manner as I have
described with reference to a magnet, as shewn in Figure 4.

page_text: In Figure 7 I have shewn a side view of two pairs of straight magnets
combined together in such a way that the compound magnet thus produced
may be used in like manner as that shewn in Figure 4. Each pair of the
simple magnets composing this compound magnet are placed parallel. to each
other with their poles in the same direction, so that each pair of the projecting
ends of the magnets may have the same polarity. One pair of the simple
magnets is placed upon and at right angles with the other pair, as shewn in
the Figure, and the magnets are secured together by means of screws, rivets,
soldering, or other convenient means at the four parts where they come in
contact with each other. In the middle of the compound magnet thus formed
is fixed a square piece of thin brass plate, in the centre of which is made an
orifice to receive the axle or spindle of the compound magnet. This magnet
is to be mounted and to have cylinders of wire fixed in proper positions between
each pair of projecting arms having the same polarity in like manner as
herein-before described with respect to a compound magnet such as shewn
in Figure 4. And the connections between the wires of the cylinders are to be
made so as to cause the transmission of the electricity in the proper direction
through each cylinder to produce the simultaneous acting of all the cylinders
and projecting arms in like manner as herein-before described.
In Figure 8 I have shewn one pair only of straight simple magnets com-
bined together (or made in one piece) so as to form a compound magnet
capable of being mounted upon an axle. The north pole of each simple
magnet composing this compound magnet is placed in the same direction, and;
of course, each of the south poles is placed in the contrary direction, so that
an electric coil may be placed between each pair of arms having the same
polarity, as shewn in the Figure. In lieu of making a compound magnet of
a pair of straight simple magnets, as shewn in Figure 8, two compound
magnets, such as shewn in Figure 10, may be united together or fixed upon
the same axle or spindle the one at one side of the axle and the other at the
other side of the axle, for which purpose I connect them together by brass
cross arms, one of which is seen in the top view of this compound magnet
shewn in Figure 9. In making electro-dynamic coils to be used in conjunc-
tion with this compound magnet, I coil the wire in such a manner that each
end of a coil will be of a shape resembling a cylindroid, and I have shewn a
pair of those cylindroids in Figure 11,, with one portion of the compound
magnet (such as shewn in Figure 10) placed behind them in the position it
would occupy if the whole were mounted and in action. Instead of mounting
only one such compound magnet, as shewn in either of the Figures 4, 6, or 7,
upon an axle or spindle, several of such magnets may be so mounted and

page_text: placed as near to each other as conveniently may be, and so that the electric
dynamic coils may be placed between the arms of each compound magnet in
like manner as if there were only one such compound magnet mounted upon
the axle. In order to make the electro-dynamic coils act more efficiently in
attracting and repelling the arms of all the magnets, I use coils made in the
shape of cylindroids, as shewn in Figure 11. Compound magnets, such as I
have described and shewn in the Figures 4, 6, 7, and 8, may also be used in
conjunction with electro magnets for the purpose of deflecting or giving
motion to such magnets, and thereby to deflect or give motion to needles or
other telegraphic apparatus in manner aforesaid, the polarities of the arms
of the magnet only being different when such a magnet is used in this way:
Thus in Figure 12 I have shewn a compound magnet, such as represented in
Figure 4, placed so as to act in conjunction with two electro magnets. The
mode of arranging the polarities of the several arms of the magnet when thus
used are marked in Figure 12 (one of each pair of arms being north and the
other south) and the ends of each of the magnets are to protrude above the
electro coils, by which they are magnetized so as the better to attract or
repel the two arms of the magnet between which it is placed. The compound
magnets shewn in Figures 6, 7, and 8 may be used to act in conjunction with
electro-magnets in a similar manner. When the compound magnet used to
act in conjunction with an electro-magnet is composed of a pair only of single
magnets, the form, instead of being as seen in Figure 8, may be made as
shewn in Figure 13.
In Figures 14 and 15 I have shewn a mode of constructing a compound
magnet which is intended to be used in conjunction with hollow coils or
cylinders called galvanometer coils. Figure 14 is an end view of this com-
pound magnet, shewing also a pair of coils in conjunction with which it is to be
used; and Figure 15 is a side view of the same magnet and its coils, shewing
also the axle or spindle upon which the compound magnet is mounted; and in
those Figures similar parts are marked with similar letters of reference. One
half of the compound magnet a, a, a, a, is made in one piece and of thin
steel plate deeply serrated or cut in a similar manner to a comb, so as to form
in effect when magnetized several magnets, all the north poles of which shall
lie in one direction and the south in the other direction. Each half of the
compound magnet is bent into the shape of a semicircle, as shewn in Figure 14,
and by means of two arms b, b, Figure 14, they are fixed upon an axle or
spindle C, C, Figure 15, so as to form when thus secured a hollow cylinder, but
with small spaces between the ends of the magnets, as shewn by dotted lines in
Figure 14. The north poles of one half of the compound magnet are placed

page_text: so that they shall be opposite to the north poles of the other half of the com-
pound magnet, in order that all the north poles of the compound magnet may
be placed and work within one of the coils, and all the south poles within the
other coil. Each of the coils d, d, is made of a shape nearly resembling a
cylindroid, and with a hollow space in its centre of such a form that the
compound magnet may be free to turn or move upon its axle or spindle to
the intended extent in either direction. The direction of the current of
electricity through the wires formning the coils for the purpose of turning or
moving this magnet and its axle or spindle, and so deflecting a needle or giving
motion to a ratchet wheel or other telegraphic apparatus, must be regulated in
manner herein-before described.
In Figures 16 and 17 I have shewn another mode of constructing a com-
pound magnet which is intended to be used in conjunction with either a single
hollow coil or cylinder (as shewn in Figure 17) or with two such coils or
cylinders. Figure 16 represents this compound magnet made of one piece of
thin steel plate cut out in the manner shewn in the Figure, and magnetized,
so that all the north poles shall be at one side of the circle, and all the south
poles at the opposite side. This compound magnet may be fixed upon an
axle or spindle and mounted upon bearings within the coil (if only one) in
conjunction with which it is to act in the manner shewn in Figure 17.
coil is made of a similar form to those shown in Figure 15, the hollow space
in the centre of this coil being made sufficiently large to receive the magnet
and its bearings. A magnet thus mounted may have a pointer attached
to it, as shewn by dotted lines in Figure 17, so that the pointer may by the
motions of the magnet be deflected in the manner required for telegraphic
purposes.
This
A further part of my said Invention consists of a mode of combining circular
insulated metallic discs into compound discs mounted upon axles so that they
may be turned round. The peripheries of each disc of which a compound
disc is composed having its periphery notched, and the notches or projections
so arranged that with the aid of springs acting against the periphery of the
compound disc during its revolution, the apparatus will occasion the making,
breaking, and reversing the electric current or circuit of a telegraph for
the purpose of giving the requisite alternating motion to an escapement or
apparatus which actuates the pointer of a step-by-step telegraph or other
similar telegraphic apparatus. And I have invented this mode of constructing
such a combination of circular discs for the purpose of enabling me to cause
the pointer of such a telegraph as I have mentioned to revolve or move with
great rapidity.

page_text: The modes in which this combination of discs and the springs and apparatus
connected therewith may be constructed are shown in Figures 18 and 19
of the said Drawings. Figure 18 is a front view of the combination of discs
mounted in bearings and furnished with springs and wires for the purpose of
conducting or transmitting the current of electricity alternately in cach
direction. Figure 19 is a side or edge view of the same apparatus, and
in each of these Figures similar parts are marked or indicated by similar
letters. A and A are two standards in which the axle of the compound
disc has its bearings; B, B, C, C, and D, D, are three circular discs
which are held together by means of bolts and nuts, but with small
spaces between them. For the purpose of keeping the discs apart from each
other, I interpose pieces of gutta percha or other nonconducting material
between them, and I also interpose a piece of gutta percha or of such other
material, as aforesaid, between the heads and nuts of the bolts and the discs,
and also between the shanks of the bolts and the holes in the discs (made
large for that purpose) through which they pass. For the purpose of causing
this apparatus, by means of one revolution of the compound disc, to produce
as many motions of the pointer as there are letters of the alphabet, I make
thirteen notches in the periphery of each of the two outer discs B, B, and
D, D, as shewn in the disc B, B, Figure 18; and the axle of the compound
disc is in two pieces, one piece of it being attached to the centre of the disc
B, B, and the other in the centre of the disc D, D, and those portions of the
axle are mounted in the bearings, as shewn in Figure -19. The portion of
axle attached to the disc B, B, is, however, made longer than the other; so
that it may pass through a dial, and have mounted upon it a pointer p furnished
with a handle q, intended to be used in conjunction with a dial plate not
shewn in the Figures. I make the intermediate disc C, C, with twenty-six
notches in its periphery, so that it may have exactly twice as many projections
as either of the other discs. When the discs are fixed together, their notches
and projections are so placed that the centre of each projection upon the
periphery of the disc B shall be opposite to the centre of a notch in the disc
D, and the centre of each projection upon the periphery of the disc D shall be
opposite to the centre of a notch in the disc B. The notches or recesses in
the peripheries of each of the discs B and D are made larger than the
projections, so that there may be an intermediate space in the periphery of
the compound disc between each projection on either of the discs B and D:
and each of the two next projections on the other of those discs, and each of
the projections upon the periphery of the disc C, is of such a size and so
placed that it will occupy rather more than one of the intermediate spaces in

page_text: the compound disc just mentioned. The two flat springs a and b (Figure 18)
communicate the one with the earth wire, and the other with the line wire of
the telegraph, each of those springs forming part the circuit. The nozzle or
end of each of those springs is of the same width as the compound disc, or
nearly so; in order that it may alternately come in contact with each of the
projections of the discs B, C, and D, during the revolution of the compound
disc. The nozzles or ends of those springs are made to press gently against
the periphery of the compound disc at points upon the periphery at such a
distance apart as shall be equal to the distance upon the same periphery
between the centre of any projection upon either of the discs B and D, and
the centre of the next succeeding projection upon the other of these discs.
The flat spring e communicates. with a wire leading from the copper or positive
pole of the galvanic battery, and is made to press gently upon the boss g of
the disc B. The flat spring f communicates with a wire leading to the zinc
or negative pole of the battery; and is made to press gently upon the boss h of
the disc D, D, those two springs thus forming part of the galvanic circuit.
When the compound disc is turned round it will be seen, that when the
nozzlo of the spring a presses against a projection of the disc B, B, the nozzle
of the spring will press against a projection of the disc D, D, and thus the
galvanic current will be sent in one direction through the whole of the circuit.
When the spring a presses against a projection of the disc D, D, the nozzle
of the spring b will press against a projection of the disc B, B, and the
galvanic current will then be sent in the reverse direction. And when the
nozzle of each spring presses upon a projection of the disc C, C, the galvanic
current is broken. By these means, when the compound disc is turned round;
the galvanic current will be alternately sent in each direction throughout the
circuit, and the galvanic current thus used for giving motion to the pointer of
a step-by-step telegraph, as before mentioned.
.
Another part of my said Invention consists of an apparatus or instrument
by means of which the electric current of a telegraph may be formed, brokeii,
and repeated, or reversed at pleasure, and which I call a break or. pole
changer. A top view of this apparatus is shewn in Figure 20 of the said
Drawings, in which A, A, is a wooden lever mounted upon a pivot p within
the case containing the apparatus, the lever projecting through an orifice d, d;
in the case E, E, and being furnished with a knob le, so as to fit the projecting
part for being used as a handle. The orifice d, d, is made just sufficiently
large to allow the lever A, A, to be moved to the right or left hand to the
extent which may be requisite for working the apparatus. To the end of, the
lever A, A, two straight flat brass plates a and b are attached, one being fixed

page_text: upon one side of the lever, and the other upon the other side; and these two
plates are made of such lengths that their ends will come in contact with two
of the three metallic pins e, f, and g, when the lever is moved either to the
right or the left hand. The metallic pins e, f, and g are fixed in such positions
that when the lever, and consequently the metallic plates a and b, are moved
in one direction, the ends of the plates shall come in contact at the same.
moment with and slightly press against two of the pins, the one plate pressing,
against the middle pin f, and the other plate against the pin e or g, according
to the direction in which the plates shall have been moved. To the middle
pin the end of a wire leading to one of the poles of the battery is to be
secured, and to each of the other two pins e and g is to be secured the end
of a wire leading to the other pole of the battery. The wire secured to the
pin-f-is represented in the Figure as leading to the zinc or negative pole, and
the wire secured to each of the pins e and g as leading to the copper or positive
pole; but this arrangement may be reversed if thought fit. It will be seen,
therefore, that by moving the plates a and b in one direction the plate a will
be brought in contact with the pin f connected with the zinc pole of the
battery, the other plate being at the same time in contact with the pin con-
nected with the other pole; and by moving the plates in the other direction
the plate 6 will be brought into contact with the pin f connected with the
zinc pole, the other plate being at the same time in contact with the pin
connected with the other pole; and thus the current of electricity transmitted
along the two plates a and b may be varied at pleasure by moving the lever,
and consequently the plates a and b, in the requisite direction. Upon one side
of the lever A, A, is also fixed a metallic plate m to receive the loose end of
the spring r, and upon the opposite side of the lever is fixed another similar
plate n to receive the loose end of the spring s. These plates m and n are
connected together by means of a cross piece j, so as to enable a current of
electricity to pass from either of the plates to the other. The spring r is fixed
upon the pin T, so that it may press slightly upon the plate m, or upon the
stop pin t, when the lever is moved to the left hand; and the spring r will,
therefore, be capable of forming part of the electric circuit when it is in
contact with the plate m. The springs is also fixed upon the pin X, so that
it may press slightly upon the plate n, or upon the stop pin u, when the lever
is moved to the right hand; and the spring s will, therefore, be capable of
But
forming part of the electric circuit when it is in contact with the plate u.
when either of the springs ror's ceases to be in contact with its plate m or n,
neither of them will form part of the electric circuit. The wire q has one of
its ends attached to the plate a, and the other to the pin T, so as to complete

page_text: the circuit between the wire of the electric circuit connected with that pin and
the plate a. The wire y has one of its ends attached to the plate b, and the
other to the pin ✗; so as to complete the circuit between the wire of the
electric circuit connected with that pin and the plate b.
When this apparatus
is in a state of rest (as shewn in the Figure), and the electric circuit is in
action, the springs r and s will form part of the circuit through which .the
current of electricity sent from a distant station will pass in the one direction
or the other to or from the telegraph which may happen to be used, and the
battery wires connected with the pins e, f, and 'g will of course form no part of
the circuit. But when this apparatus is to be used for communicating signals
to a distant station, the battery wires shown in the Figure and their battery
will be brought into action as the lever A, A, is moved to the right hand or
to the left for the purpose of sending the electric current in the intended
direction. Thus, if the handle is moved to the right, the plate b will be
brought into contact with the pin g, and the plate a into contact with the pip
f. Then the current of electricity from the copper pole of the battery will
pass along the plate 6, and the wires connected with it, returning by the wires
.connected with the plate a, pass along that plate to the pin f and the battery
wire connected with it. By moving the handle of the lever to the left hand
the plate a will be brought into contact with the pin e, and the plate 6 into
coatact with the pin f, and thus the current of electricity transmitted will be
reversed. By thus moving the handle of the lever alternately to the right and
left hand, or repeatedly in either direction; the current of electricity used for
telegraphic purposes may be alternately sent in each direction, or repeatedly
sent in either direction, as may be required.
In Figure 21 I have shown another part of. my Invention, which consists of a
.slotted frame, apparatus, or instrument which I have invented for the purpose of
making, breaking, and reforming or reversing the electric circuit of a telegraph
any number of times successively, as may be desired for telegraphic purposes,
and also, when. desired, varying the continuance of the electric current each
time the circuit is formed, for similar. purposes. a, a, a, a, is a flat piece of
dry wood upon which several framed or slotted pieces of wood are fixed, there
being as many of such slotted pieces as there are letters in the alphabet.
Upon each side of each of those slots, and a little apart from each other, are
placed square buttons or pieces of metal let down into the wood, so that the
top of the wood and of the buttons may be level or flush with each other, and
make the edges of the slots smooth for the instrument nextly described to pass
along it. The under sides of some of those buttons are connected with one of
the wires of the circuit and the others with the other wire of the circuit, or other-
wise, if thought better, some of the buttons may be connected with one of the

page_text: wires.
wires of the battery, the others being connected with the other of the battery
The number of buttons placed along each side of a slot, and the
spaces between the buttons, as well as the particular battery or line wire
with which each button is made to communicate, must be determined or regu-
lated according to the number of times and the manner in which the electric
'current is intended to be formed, broken, and reversed or repeated for the
intended purpose. Thus, supposing the slot C to be intended for signalling
the letter C, that may be done by two motions of the electric current in
one direction, and one motion of it in the other direction; and for effect-
ing this purpose the first button on the other side of that slot (com-
mencing from the left hand), marked with the letter n, may be made to
communicate with one wire of the circuit or battery, the first button
on the lower side of the slot, marked with the letter p, being made to
'communicate with the opposite circuit or battery wire. The second button
on the upper side, also marked n, is to be made to communicate with the same.
wire as the first button marked n; and the second button on the lower side,
also marked p, is to be made to communicate with the same wire as the first
button, marked p. The third button on the upper side, marked p, is to be
made to communicate with the opposite wire to that with which the two first
buttons, marked n and n, communicate with; and the third button on the lower
side, marked n, must also communicate with the opposite circuit or battery
wire from that with which the third button on the upper side, marked p, com-
municates with. The parts of this slot being thus arranged, it will be seen
that when the instrument nextly described is used and passed along the slot
from left to right, the electric circuit will be formed and broken three times,
the current being firstly sent twice in one direction and then once in the
opposite direction. The buttons upon the upper side of the slot D, it will be
seen, are all made to communicate with one of the battery or circuit wires,
and the buttons on the lower side to communicate with the other of those
wires, so that upon each of the three times when the electric circuit shall be
formed the electric current will be transmitted in the same direction. It will.
'be seen also, that the space between the second and third of the upper as well
as the lower buttons, there is a greater space than between the first and
second, and this slot, arranged as shewn, may be used for signalling the
letter d, which is marked opposite to it. In this way the direction in which
the electric current is sent every time the circuit is formed by means of
buttons placed along such slots may be varied at pleasure, and I have marked
buttons on the upper and lower sides of the several slots in the Figure, in
such manner as to shew several variations which may be made by this appa-
ratus in the forming, breaking, and reversing the electric current, which may

page_text: be used either for telegraphing the letters of the alphabet as marked, or
for any other telegraphic purposes. To make the Figure more clearly indi-
cate the direction in which the electric current is intended to be sent, each
time when the circuit is formed by means of the buttons along each of the
slots, I have 'marked each button with a letter p or n, to shew that those
pieces are to be connected with one or other of the two wires of the circuit
or battery, the one of which wires may for the sake of distinction be called
the positive wire and the other the negative wire. Instead of making all the
buttons of the same length as shewn in the Figure, they may be made of
unequal lengths, so as to occasion the continuance of the electric current, each
time when the circuit is completed, to be according to the length of the pair.
of buttons used in completing the circuit, and the long and short buttons may
be arranged along the slots in such manner as may be required for signal-
ling, by means of long and short currents, or the effects produced by such
currents..
In Figure 22-I have shewn a side view of an instrument to be used in
conjunction with the apparatus (Figure 21) herein-before described for making;
breaking, and reforming or reversing currents for telegraphic purposes. In
this Figure (22), A, A, is a wooden handle upon the end of which are fixed
two semiglobular nozzles b, b, which are secured to the handle by a screw
passing down from the pins c, c, through the head of the handle into those
nozzles, each of the nozzles, with its screw and pin, being kept insulated from
the other. One of the pins c, c, is connected (by means of a wire) with one of
the battery or circuit wires, the other pin being connected (in a similar
manner, with the other wire. If the buttons of the apparatus, Figure 21, be
connected with the circuit wires, the pins of the instrument, Figure 22, must.
be connected with the battery wires, and vice versa. In working the appa-
ratus, Figure 21, by means of the instrument, Figure 22, supposing the.
buttons of the apparatus to be connected with the line or circuit wires, and.
the nozzles of the instrument,. Figure 22, with the battery wires, and the
battery in action, the operator is to take hold of the handle of the instrument,:
and to place its nozzles at the left-hand end of one of the slots of the apparatus:
intended to be used in such a position that the upper nozzle will touch the
upper side or edge of the slot, and the lower nozzle will touch the lower side
or edge of the slot; and then the nozzles are to be drawn along the whole of
the slot from left to right, taking care that the nozzles shall be kept in contact:
with the edges of the slot during the whole of the operation, so as to insure.
the nozzles coming in contact with each of the buttons as they pass along.
In this way it will be seen, that whenever the nozzles come in-contact with a

page_text: pair of buttons, the one at the upper and the other at the lower side of the
slot, the electric circuit will be completely formed, and the electric current
sent in one direction or the other, according to the arrangement made for
that purpose, and the moment the nozzles quit their contact with the buttons
the circuit will be broken. The nozzles proceeding along the slot, and
coming into contact with another pair of buttons, the electric circuit will again
be made complete, and the current sent in the same or reverse direction,
according to the arrangement; and this operation of making, breaking, and
reforming or reversing the circuit and current, will be repeated as often as
there are pairs of buttons in a slot, and according to the arrangements made
for effecting those purposes. In the apparatus, Figure 21, I have shewn the
buttons all of one length; but if it should be requisite for effecting the tele-
graphic purposes for which the apparatus is to be used, the buttons may be
made of unequal size, so as to make the electric current in either direction
continue either for a long or a short space of time, as may be required.
Another part of my said Invention consists of an apparatus for giving
motion to the pointer of a circular dial of an indicating telegraph. This appa-
ratus is shewn in Figure 23. of the said Drawings, in which a, a, is a portion
of the spindle or axle of the pointer, upon which are fixed two ratchet wheels
b, b. Two palls or clicks c, c, are mounted upon the alternating frame d, d,
and take into the teeth of the ratchet wheels. The frame d, d, is fixed upon
an upright spindle e, e, which is mounted in suitable bearings, so as to allow
the alternating frame to move freely in either direction. When one end of
the framed, d, is drawn back from the ratchet wheel opposite to it, the pall
having hold of one of the truth of the wheel will draw it partially round in
one direction, the pall at the opposite end of the frame d; d, at the same time
advancing so as to catch hold of another tooth of the wheel at that end which
has been turned, in the same manner as the other wheel. The motion of the
frame being then reversed, the last-mentioned pall will, by means of the tooth
which it has just caught hold of, draw the wheel at that end partially round in
the same direction as before, the pall or click at the other end of the frame
advancing towards the wheel at that end, and catching hold of another tooth,
and then the frame may be again moved in the same direction as before; and
thus, by the continuous alternating motion of the frame and the two palls in
the manner described, the wheels b, b, and their spindle, together with the
pointer mounted at the end of the spindle, may be turned round step by step
in the same direction. To the upright spindle e, e, and under the frame d, d,
is fixed a slotted piece f, f, and by means of a pin working in that slot, the
requisite alternating motion may be given to the frame, and this motion may

page_text: be given by means of any description of electric telegraphic apparatus usually
adopted for similar purposes. Each motion of the frame d, d, will cause the
wheels to be turned a portion of a revolution equal to one half of one of the
teeth; and to prevent the wheels turning further by any motion than is in-
tended, the edge of the frame may be made to come in contact with each wheel
alternately, and so prevent any over running.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which it is to be performed, I hereby declare that I claim as of my Invention,―
Firstly, the dividing or arranging letters, words, and sentences into sections
or divisions, so that each of the letters, words, or sentences so arranged may
be telegraphed or signalled by means of. the number of the section or division
to which it belongs, and the number or position of it in such section, in the
manner herein-after described.
Secondly, the constructing compound magnets with their arms arranged in
pairs of convenient shapes for permitting the introduction of electro-dynamic
coils or cylinders between them, each arm of every pair of arms of such a
magnet having the same polarity, so that the attracting and repelling: forces of
the arms of the magnet acting in conjunction with the electro-dynamic coils
may together deflect, turn, or move the magnet, and thereby the needle or
other apparatus connected with this axle or spindle, in the required direction,
according to the direction of the electric current through the coils, in manner
herein-before described.
Thirdly, the constructing of such compound magnets with their arms
arranged in pairs of convenient shapes for permitting the introduction of the
ends or poles of electro-magnets between them, each arm of every pair of arms
of a compound magnet having different polarities, so that the attracting and
repelling forces of the arms of the compound magnet acting in conjunction
with the attracting and repelling forces of the ends or poles of the electro
magnets may together deflect, turn, or move the compound magnet, and
thereby the needle or other apparatus connected with its axle or spindle, in the
required direction, according to the polarities of the ends or poles of the electro-
magnets, in manner herein-before described:
Fourthly, the constructing of such compound magnets with their arms
formed or arranged into convenient shapes for acting in conjunction with
hollow electric coils, for the purpose of deflecting, turning, or giving motion
to such magnets, and thereby to the needles or other apparatus connected
with their axles or spindles, in manner herein-before described.
Fifthly, the combining of notched insulated circular discs so as to form a
revolving compound disc, for the purpose of making, breaking, and reversing
the electric circuit of a telegraph, in manner herein-before described..

page_text: Sixthly, the mode of constructing a break or pole changer for forming,
breaking, and repeating or reversing the electric circuit of a telegraph, in
manner herein-before described..
Seventhly, the mode or modes of constructing a slotted frame, apparatus,
or instrument having buttons or pieces of metal placed along the sides of sucli
slots, for the purpose of making, breaking, and reforming or reversing tlie
electric circuit of a telegrapli or varying the continuance of the electric
current, in manner herein-before described.
Eighthly, the instrument with semiglobular nozzles to be used in conjunc-
tion; with the slotted frame or apparatus herein-before described, for the pur-
pose of making, breaking; and reforming or reversing the electric current, in
manner herein-before described.
Ninthly, the constructing of an apparatus with two ratchet wheels 'mounted
upon one axle or spindle, and two palls or clicks mounted upon, an alter-
nating frame, for giving motion to the pointer of a circular dial or indicating
telegraph, in manner herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Allan, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one