IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH TELEPHONIC APPARATUS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charlton James Wollaston, of Great Winchester Street,
"
in the City of London, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
CONNECTED WITH TELEPHONIC APPARATUS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charlton James Wollaston
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th December 1880.
CHARLTON JAMES WOLLASTON, of Great Winchester Street, in the City of
London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH TELEPHONIC APPARATUS."
My Invention has for its object so combining telephones, microphones, or other
form of transmitter, electric batteries, switches, and signal bells, as to make the
entire apparatus portable and convenient for use in military and naval operations,
the exploration of coal pits and mines, in torpedo or submarine mining, and for
other purposes where the telephones are used out of doors or exposed in such a
manner as to render them liable to be affected as to their practical efficiency by
local disturbing influences.
For the purposes above mentioned, the use of a battery transmitter (so called)
is especially necessary in order to increase the volume of sound in the receiving
telephone, but it has been found that the transporting of batteries, and of the
adjustable transmitting instruments commonly employed, are causes of great
inconvenience.
According to my Invention I bring all the required apparatus into a small
compass, and arrange and combine the several parts so as to allow of the whole
being easily carried from place to place without danger of breakage or injury,
so long as reasonable care is used; this result is accomplished in the following
manner, viz. :—
I construct a box or case open at its upper side, which may be made of an
inclined or sloping form, and is provided with a hinged lid or cover; the box or case
is divided into compartiments by means of suitable partitions, for the convenient
reception of the several parts of the apparatus.
In one of such compartments, say, for example, at the bottom of the box, is
placed the battery, which is by preference introduced into such compartment
through a door specially provided for the purpose. In another compartment at
mine 621

page_text: the side of the battery compartment is contained the receiving telephone or
telephones with accessories, and in a third compartment at the side of the last
mentioned compartment is placed the signal bell. In the upper portion of the box
or case is located a microphonic or other form of transmitter, by the side of which
is pivoted the switch for throwing the bell transmitter and receiving telephone in
and out of circuit, the lid or cover closing down over the whole. The switch is so
arranged in relation to the lid or cover that by the act of closing the latter the
battery is thrown out of operation. The box or case also contains the bell button
and the terminals for the attachment of the wires.
The combined apparatus hereinbefore described, when used in connection with
diving apparatus, or for analogous purposes, as before mentioned, is provided with
an additional wire terminal and switch, so arranged as to bring the local battery
into connection with the distant transmitter, which I place in the helmet of the
diver (for example), the distant telephone receiving apparatus being also placed in
the helmet, and so arranged as not to inconvenience the diver in the discharge of
his duties. I thus utilize the home battery for actuating the transmitter at the
distant end. Similarly in mines I utilize the home battery situate at the upper
end of the shaft for actuating a' distant transmitter placed in proximity to the
pumps or other machinery in any part of the mine, whereby I am enabled to
ascertain the proper working of such machinery without the necessity for sending
a man to inspect the same.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charlton James Wollaston in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 30th June 1881.
CHARLTON JAMES WOLLASTON, of Great Winchester Street, in the City of
London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH TELEPHONIC APPARATUS."
My said Invention has for its object so combining receiving telephones,
microphonic, or other transmitters, electric batteries, switches, and signal bells, as
to make the entire apparatus portable and convenient for use in military and
naval operations, the exploration of coal-pits and mines, in torpedo or submarine
mining, and for other purposes where the telephones are used out of doors, or
exposed in such a manner as to render them liable to be affected as to their
practical efficiency by local disturbing influences.
For the purposes above mentioned the use of a battery transmitter (so called) is
especially necessary in order to increase the volume of sound in the receiving
telephone, but it has been found that the transporting of batteries and of the
adjustable transmitting instruments commonly employed are causes of great
inconvenience.
According to my said Invention I bring all the required apparatus into a small
compass, and arrange and combine the several parts so as to allow of the whole
being easily carried from place to place without danger of breakage or injury, so
long as reasonable care is used. This result is accomplished in the following
manner, videlicet:
I construct a box or case open at its upper side, which may be made of an
inclined or sloping form and is provided with a hinged lid or cover. The box or
case is divided into compartments by means of suitable partitions for the convenient
reception of the several parts of the apparatus. In one of such compartments, say,
for example, at the bottom and back of the box, is placed the battery, which is by
preference introduced into such compartment through a door specially provided for
the purpose.
In another compartment in front or at the side of the battery
compartment is contained the receiving telephone or telephones with accessories, and
in a third compartment at the side of the last mentioned compartment is placed the
signal bell. In the upper portion of the box or case is located a microphonic or
other form of transmitter (as hereinafter explained), by the side of which is
pivotted the switch for throwing the bell, the transmitter, and the receiving
telephone in and out of circuit, the lid or cover closing down over the whole.
The switch is so arranged in relation to the lid or cover that by the act of
closing the latter the battery is thrown out of operation. The box or
also contains the bell key, button, and the terminals, or binding posts, for the
attachment of the wires, by means of which communication with a distance is to
be established.
case
The combined apparatus hereinbefore described when used in connection with
diving apparatus or for analogous purposes, as before mentioned, is provided with
extra terminals for and additional wire, and a switch is so arranged so to bring the
home battery when desired, or an additional battery at the home station, into
connection with the distant transmitter, which I place in the helmet of the diver
(for example), the distant telephone receiving apparatus being also placed in the
helmet and so arranged as not to inconvenience the diver in the discharge of his
duties. I thus utilize the home battery for actuating the transmitter at the distant
end; similarly in mines I utilize the home battery, or a battery at the home station,
situate at the upper end of the shaft, for actuating a distant transmitter placed in
proximity to the pumps or other machinery in any part of the mine, whereby I
am enabled to ascertain the proper working of such machinery without the
necessity for sending a man to inspect the same.

page_text: :
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents a plan of a combined
telephonic transmitting, receiving, and electric alarum apparatus, arranged according
to my said Invention, and Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same (taken along
the line X, X, Figure 1); Figure 3 is an underside view of the transmitter removed,
and Figure 4 is a back view of the encasing box or receptacle, with the door
opened to show the position of the battery; Figure 5 represents a part transverse
section drawn to a larger scale for more clearly showing the arrangement of the
switch and its relative contacts; Figure 6 shows diagrammatically the arrangement,
directions, and connections of the electrical circuits used in such apparatus in
concert with an exactly similar apparatus at the other end of the circuit wires, or
with a modified arrangement of such apparatus as thereinafter described for
establishing communication with a diver or miner or for other analogous purposes.
A is a box or receptacle of wood or other suitable material, which may be
of a square or rectangular shape, as shown, or of any other convenient form. This
box is constructed to open at the top by a hinged lid or cover, which is by
preference inclined and made in two parts, as shown at a, a, and which may be
securely closed by means of a lock, spring, or catch, of any convenient form to
prevent if desired its contents from being tampered with.
The box is made as compact and as light as possible consistent with strength
and durability, and provided with handles or a strap a² to facilitate its transport.
The interior is divided by partitions into the required number of compartiments
B, C, D, E, and F, which are so arranged as to economise space whilst rendering
the whole or the parts of the apparatus readily accessible.
In the compartment B is contained a telephonic receiver b of any suitable
description provided with the usual flexible receiving or hearing tubes c, c!, which
are coiled into the compartment C when it is desired to close the box.
In another compartment conveniently situated, as shewn, for example, at D in
the same plane, but to the right of the compartment B, is located an electrical
bell or alarum d of any suitable description with its usual connections and
appendages. In the upper part E of the box is arranged a microphonic_trans-
mitter E¹ consisting of an arrangement of multiple or compound carbons e fixed to
metallic conducting strips e¹ and e², and carried on the underside of the diaphragm
or wooden board E2, which is shown removed and inverted at Figure 3 to facilitate
description, in actual use fits over and forms a compact cover to the com-
partments E, D, and B, as represented more clearly by the dotted outline at F¹ in
Figure 5.
Beneath such transmitter and within the part E are arranged the induction
coil G, wires, contacts, and terminals common to such apparatus, and communi-
cating by the usual means with the battery f below, which will be presently
referred to.
The transmitter E¹ is so arranged as to be capable of being readily removed for
the purposes of gaining easy access to the various parts beneath. The requisite
communication is established by means of the metallic contact springs or plates H
and I, which are suitably connected with the microphone carbons e by the wires
and metallic strips and e², and which on replacing the transmitting board come
respectively in contact with corresponding spring connections h and i relatively
arranged within the part E, thus completing the electrical circuit.
In the fifth compartment F, preferably provided at the bottom of the back part
of the box, is situate the galvanic battery F previously referred to, and which may
likewise be of any suitable description, any clearance or space between the cells or
sides of the compartment being filled in with felt, wool, or other soft packing to
prevent jarring or oscillating during carriage.
All the parts of my said apparatus hereinbefore described are then suitably

page_text: connected by properly insulated wires, binding screws, and flexible helices, and
fixed to the face of the ebonite or other nonconducting plate J, which is conve-
niently arranged at the side of the box, or at any other desirable position where
there may be spare room.
In conjunction with these spring connections, which are respectively marked
b, d, ff, and fo, there is provided the metallic switch lever K mounted on a
conducting fulcrum pin k, about which centre it is capable of receiving radial
movement within the limits of the stops and ³, so that by relatively altering
its position by raising or lowering it it is brought into contact with different spring
connection in order to bring the telephonic transmitter, receiver, or bell each into
its respective and proper circuit as required, and likewise conversely, to remove or
divert either from circuit.
When the switch lever is in its lowest position, as shown at Figure 5, the bell
is in circuit, and the receiver and transmitter are out of the same by virtue of the
lever K, establishing communication between the contact d' of the bell wire dª
and the line wire, terminating on the binding screw k fixed on the conducting
fulcrum plate k, whilst the other arm of the switch lever is free from the telephone
contacts b', f, and f³. When however the. switch lever is raised, as indicated by
the dotted lines K¹ in Figure 5, the converse action to that hereinbefore described
takes place (that is to say), by the switch lever moving off the contact d', the
bell will be cut out of circuit, and by the said switch lever establishing connection
with b', f, and f³, the transmitter and receiver will be brought into the circuit.
The switch lever K is raised in order to bring the transmitter and receiver into
circuit and throw the bell out of circuit by the hand of the operator, and it may
also similarly be depressed by hand if necessary in order to throw the transmitter
and receiver and also the battery out of circuit, and bring the bell into circuit.
The lid or cover a¹ and the switch lever are however so arranged in relation to
each other that the operation of depressing the switch lever is performed auto-
matically by the act of closing the lid or cover a', as will be apparent from an
inspection of the Drawing.
The instrument at the distant station may consist of a combined apparatus
precisely similar to that herein before described, terminal screws (marked Line and
Earth) with their connections being fixed within the box or case of each instrument,
to which terminal screws the line and earth wires are attached.
When the switch lever of the home apparatus is in its lowest position, with the
transmitter, receiver, and battery out of circuit, and the bell in circuit, if it is
desired to actuate the bell at a distant station, the home battery is brought into
circuit, and a current transmitted by the act of pressing the bell push or key, and
the bell of the apparatus at the distant station is then sounded provided the
switch of that apparatus is in its lowered position.
In order that the operation of the apparatus may be fully understood I have
shown diagramatically in Figure 6 the arrangement and connections of the different
circuit wires, which I shall now proceed to describe.
The one portable apparatus at the home station having been placed in the
required situation for communication the wires from the other corresponding or
analogous apparatus at the distant station are connected to the line and earth
terminals or binding screws.
The lids or covers of the respective boxes may be then raised, leaving the
switches K in their lowered positions, when either attendants may be depressing
the buttons O to actuate the electric bell at the other instrument so as to
express or indicate their intentions of commencing conversation, when the
respective switches, after the call signal has been acknowledged by a return signal,
are immediately raised by the operators to cut the bells out of circuit as before
described.
Assuming the button to bave been depressed at the distant instrument, the
current from the battery of such instrument passes by the line wire o³ (to the line
terminal of the home apparatus, as represented in the Drawings), then along o

page_text: through the metallic spring of the button o along K³ to the conducting fulcrum
pin of the switch, and through part of its arin to d¹ and d to the coils of the
bell d, and thence returning via e and e, being the shortest circuit to earth, or
the negative element of a distant battery.
The manner in which the home battery is brought into circuit by depressing
the button O so as to ring the distant bell is clearly shown on the diagram,
indicating by the dotted lines the closed position of such contact piece against the
face of o, by which the battery wire f¹ is brought into communication with line
wire o³, the earth circuit wire being represented by e" and e'.
The switches K having been duly raised in compliance with the notification the
bells are cut out of circuit, and the telephones are brought into circuit by means
of the long arms of the switches K moving away from the contacts d¹, and at the
same time the short arms closing f* and f5 by the insulated studs f, and likewise
by establishing metallic contact between the levers K and springs 61.
The arrangement of the telephone transmitting and receiving circuits are as
follows:-
The primary or transmitter circuit to the battery f, which is represented in
the diagram by the full lines, is effected through the wires f', spring contacts f
and f, to the primary helix P of the induction coil G, thence to the carbons e of
the transmitter E', and thence back to the battery by earth wires e³, e, e³, and e².
The secondary or telephone circuit, represented throughout the diagram by the
dot and dash lines, is completed through the wires o, o, metallic spring of button O,
to k³, binding screw, along the metallic arm of , to contact b¹, wire b², through
telephone b, returning via b and secondary helix S of induction coil G and b¹ to
terminal e, and thence back to earth by the wires e5 and e7 which are common
to both circuits.
According to another part of my said Invention I utilize the home battery for
the service of a distant transmitter by bringing or placing the said battery into
connection therewith. In this case an additional or auxiliary terminal AL is
provided in the box at the home station, the said terminal being connected to the
battery wire e and metallic switch plate R, which is divided into two separate halves
by the circular aperture 7, and the other part of which is correspondingly connected
to the earth wire e³.
When it is required to use the home apparatus to communicate with an
apparatus of similar description at the distant station, as first herein before
described, a metallic plug is inserted in the aperture r, by which the ordinary
connection is completed between the earth and the auxiliary line terminal A Ľ.
If however it is required to bring the home battery into connection with the
distant transmitter, for the purposes of this part of my said Invention, the plug r
is removed so as to sever the connection between e and e, and an additional or
auxiliary line or transmitter wire is then attached to the terminal A. L. In
the diagram Figure 6 is illustrated, as an example of the application of this part of
my said Invention, the mode of communicating with a diver. In carrying out this
part of my said Invention a transmitter E and two receiving telephones b, b, (one
for each ear) are placed within the diver's helmet T, and so suitably connected that
the one home battery f serves for both the home and distant transmitters E'
and E, or a separate battery may be provided at the home station for the service
of the distant transmitter.
The transmitter E2 may be carried by a wooden board of corresponding
curvature to the helmet T and conveniently attached thereto, and the telephones
b, b, may be suitably placed in proximity to the diver's ears, the whole being
so compactly arranged as not to interfere with him in efficiently discharging his
duties.
The distant transmitter E' is then brought into circuit with the local battery f
by e (the plug being out of switch plate) and the auxiliary line wire 2, and the
return to earth is effected by es, e, es, et, es, through the local transmitter E', and
thence by primary coil P wires f³, f, and f¹ back to battery. The small

page_text: telephones within the helmet are connected with the line wire by o', and the return
is effected by wires e and e', which are likewise common to the transmitter.
It is obvious that in lieu of employing two receiving telephones one only may
be used conveniently placed in the helmet.
It is obvious that a transmitter and receiving telephone or telephones may be
similarly employed in combination with other fittings or coverings for the head
than helmets, so as to enable the wearer to maintain conversation telephonically
whilst his hands are left free for the discharge of his duties.
Similarly in mines I utilize the home battery situate at the upper end of the
shaft, or an additional battery at the home station, for actuating a distant trans-
mitter placed in proximity to the pumps or other machinery in any part of the
mine, whereby I am enabled to ascertain the proper working of such machinery
without the necessity for sending a man to inspect the same.
The part of iny said Invention which relates to the utilization of a home battery
for the service of a distant transmitter may also be employed when the apparatus
at the home station is arranged otherwise than in a portable or self contained form,
as herein before described under the first part of my said Invention.
It should be observed that by the term "transmitter" used in this my Speci-
fication is intended apparatus of the type of what are known as carbon or
microphonic transmitters, in contradistinction from transmitting apparatus which
are capable also of serving as receivers.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The combination in a box or case of a telephonic transmitter, receiver,
electric battery, signal bell, switch, and other appurtenances, the several parts being
so arranged and combined together as to constitute a portable and self contained
apparatus, constructed and operating substantially in the manner and for the
purposes herein before described.
Second. The utilization of the home battery or a battery situate at one end or
portion of an electric circuit for the service of or for actuating a telephonic
transmitter (of the type hereinbefore mentioned) situate at a distant station or at
the other end or at another portion of the electric circuit, substantially as and for
the purposes hereinbefore described.
Third. The combination with a helmet or a fitting or covering for the head of a
telephonic transmitter or of a telephonic transmitter and receiver or receivers,
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charlton James Wollaston, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, this Twenty eighth day of June, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
CHARLTON J. WOLLASTON. (L.S.)