IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SUPPORTS, FASTENINGS, AND JOINTS OF OVERGROUND TELEGRAPH WIRES
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Carl Heinrich Siemens, of No. 3, Great George
Street, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SUPPORTS, FASTENINGS, AND JOINTS OF
OVERGROUND TELEGRAPH WIRES."
Sealed the 17th October 1872, and dated the 15th May 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Carl Heinrich Siemens
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 15th May 1872.
I, CARL HEINRICH SIEMENS, of No. 3, Great George Street, West-
minster, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of my
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SUPPORTS, FASTENINGS, AND JOINTS OF
OVERGROUND TELEGRAPH WIRES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to modes of constructing the poles for sup-
porting telegraph wires, of fastening the wires to the insulators,
securing the insulators in sockets, and joining the different lengths of
wires together.

page_text: In the Specification of a Patent obtained by Charles William Siemens
on the 20th February 1863, No 464, there was described a construction
of tubular telegraph pole. The present improvement applies to a mode
of joining together parts of such tubular poles or fixing them to their
bases. For this purpose I make the lower end of a tube tapered to a
smaller diameter at its lowest part and insert it in a socket of cor-
responding internal taper, so that the insertion serves to make a steady
joint without the aid of wedges or cement. It is not necessary that
the taper surfaces should fit all over, and either or both can therefore be
made with rings, ribs, or projections, so as to fit in parts to an extent
sufficient to give the required steadiness, and in this case the spaces
between the fitting points may be filled in with cement if desired ; joints
of this kind may be used either for joining several lengths of tube
together so as to form one pole, or for fixing the pole or the lowest
length of tube into a socket formed on or fixed to the base plate.
The modes of fixing telegraph wires to insulators, which form the
subject of my present Invention, are improvements on a mode of
fastening described in the Specification of a Patent obtained by the
said Charles William Siemens on the 18th November 1868, No. 3501.
In that Specification there was described the use of a cam or excentric
mounted on an axis transverse to the wire so that on its being turned by
hand on its axis it bent the wire between two fixed points or nipped it
so as to hold it fast.
According to one of my present improvements I use a cam or
excentric also mounted on an axis transverse to the wire presenting its
periphery to the wire which lies loosely on that part of the periphery
which is nearest the axis. Should the wire be pulled in either direction
it turns the cam or excentric so as to bring a part of its periphery which
is farther from the axis to bear against the wire, and thereby to pinch
it against a surface fixed on the other side of the wire. Instead of
mounting the cam or excentric so that the wire rests on it the wire may
lie below the cam or excentric, which in that case rests on the wire, the
hole through which its axis passes being made slotted or larger than the
axis, so as to let it bear freely on the wire. As only part of the
periphery of the cam or excentric acts so as to pinch the wire, the cam
or excentric may be made in the form of a sector. Instead of employing
a cam or excentric as above described I sometimes use a double wedge-
shaped piece which I place between the wire and a stud or a roller.

page_text: The narrowest part of the wedge piece is presented to the stud or roller,
the wire then lying loosely against the other face of the wedge picce.
When the wire is pulled in either direction the wedge piece is drawn
by it so that a wider portion of it is brought between the stud or roller
and the wire, and the wire is thereby pinched between the wedge piece
and a surface fixed on the other side of the wire. Or I place a free
roller between the wire and a fixed concavely curved surface, so that
when the wire is pulled in either direction the roller is caused to travel
along the curve towards a narrower part of the space between the wire
and the curve, and thereby to pinch the wire against a surface fixed on
the other side of the wire. I also employ a cam pivotted on an axis
parallel to the wire, and by turning it partly round I bring a portion of
its cam-shaped periphery to press upon the wire and bend it down
between two fixed lugs or into a groove, or to squeeze it against a fixed
surface on the other side of the wire. As the cam in this case stands
transversely to the wire a pull on the wire in cither direction does not
tend to slacken it. Or a transverse cam surface may be fixed, and a
hook holding the wire may be made to travel over this cam surface so
as to bend or pinch the wire and hold it in a like manner.
Fastenings for wires of the kinds above described are attached in the
ordinary way to insulators which may be of any known description.
When insulators are made with a stalk projecting downwards and
inserted in a socket or hole in a bracket or arm projecting from the
pole, it is usual to secure the stalk either by a nut on its lower end or
by binding wire, which is bound round it in a groove formed thereon,
so as to prevent the stalk of the insulator from being withdrawn from
the socket or hole. My improved mode of securing the stalks of
insulators is as follows:-I form near the lower end of the stalk a
projection, either by casting, forging, or otherwise fixing thereon a stud,
or by raising up a portion of the metal by means of a gouge or a round-
nosed chisel, and I form a slot in the hole or socket through which
this projection passes when the stalk is inserted. The insulator is then
turned round, so that the projection catches under the lower lip of the
socket and holds the stalk therein in the manner of a bayonet catch.
My improved method of joining the different lengths of telegraph
wires is as follows:-1 enclose within a short piece of tube the two ends
of the wires to be joined, placed end to end, and solder them therein.
The strength of the joint is thus made to depend upon the soldering

page_text: remaining good and maintaining electrical continuity. Should the
solder give way so as to break the electrical continuity, the wires
separate and shew by their separation where the breach of electrical
continuity has occurred. The joining tube is, by preference, made with
holes through it for admission of the solder to its interior. Instead of
using a complete tube a slip of metal bent round the wires or two or
more trough-shaped slips may be employed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Carl Heinrich Siemens in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 15th November 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CARL
HEINRICH SIEMENS, of No. 3, Great George Street, Westminster, in
the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Carl Heinrich Siemens, Her special license
that I, the said Carl Heinrich Siemens, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Carl Heinrich Siemens, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and all at times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE SUPPORTS, FASTENINGS, AND JOINTS OF OVERGROUND TELEGRAPH WIRES," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Carl Heinrich Siemens,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,
or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Carl Heinrich Siemens, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same

page_text: is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that
is to say:-
-
This Invention relates to modes of constructing the poles for sup-
porting telegraph wires, of fastening the wires to the insulators, securing
the insulators in sockets, and joining the different lengths of wires
together.
In the Specification of a Patent obtained by Charles William
Siemens on the 20th February 1863, No. 464, there was described a
construction of tubular telegraph poles. The present improvement
applies to a mode of joining together parts of such tubular poles or
fixing them to their bases. For this purpose I make the lower end of a
tube tapered to a smaller diameter at its lowest part and insert it in a
socket of corresponding internal taper, so that the insertion serves to
make a steady joint without the aid of wedges or cement. It is not
necessary that the taper surfaces should fit all over, and either or both
can therefore be made with rings, ribs, or projections so as to fit in parts
to an extent sufficient to give the required steadiness, and in this case
the spaces between the fitting points may be filled in with cement, if
desired. Joints of this kind may be used either for joining several
lengths of tube together so as to form one pole, or for fixing the pole or
the lowest length of tube in a socket formed on or fixed to the base plate.
The modes of fixing telegraph wires to insulators, which form the
subject of my present Invention, are improvements on a mode of fastening
described in the Specification of a Patent obtained by the said Charles
William Siemens on the 18th November 1868, No. 3501. In that
Specification there was described the use of a cam or excentric mounted
on an axis transverse to the wire, so that on its being turned by hand on
its axis it bent the wire between two fixed points or nipped it so as to
hold it fast.
According to one of my present improvements I use a cam or excentric
also mounted on an axis transverse to the wire presenting its periphery to
the wire, which lies loosely on that part of the periphery which is nearest
to the axis. Should the wire be pulled in either direction it turns the
cam or excentric so as to bring a part of its periphery which is farther
from the axis to bear against the wire, and thereby to pinch it against
a surface fixed on the other side of the wire. Instead of mounting

page_text: the cam or excentric so that the wire rests on it the wire may lic below
the cam or excentric which in that case rests on the wire, the hole
through which its axis passes being made slotted or larger than the axis
so as to let it bear freely on the wire. As only part of the periphery of
the cam or excentric acts so as to pinch the wire, the cam or excentric
may be made in the form of a sector. Instead of employing a cam or
excentric as above described, I sometimes use a double wedge-shaped
piece which I place between the wire and a stud or a roller. The narrowest
part of the wedge piece is presented to the stud or roller, the wire then
lying loosely against the other face of the wedge piccc. When the wire
is pulled in either direction the wedge piece is drawn by it, so that a
wider portion of it is brought between the stud or roller and the
wire, and the wire is thereby pinched between the wedge piece and a
surface fixed on the other side of the wire; or, I place a free roller
between the wire and a fixed concavely curved surface, so that when the
wire is pulled in either direction, the roller is caused to travel along the
curve towards a narrower part of the space between the wire and the
curve, and thereby to pinch the wire against a surface fixed on the
other side of the wire. I also employ a cam pivotted on an axis parallel
to the wire, and by turning it round I bring a portion of its cam-shaped
periphery to press upon the wire and bend it down between two fixed
lugs, or into a groove, or to squeeze it against a fixed surface on the
other side of the wire. As the cam in this case stands transversely to
the wire a pull on the wire in either direction does not tend to slacken it;
or a transverse cam surface may be fixed and a hook holding the wire
may be made to travel over this cam surface so as to bend or pinch the
wire and hold it in a like manner.
Fastenings for wires of the kinds above described are attached in
the ordinary way to insulators which may be of any known description.
When insulators are made with a stalk projecting downwards and
inserted in a socket or hole in a bracket or arm projecting from the pole,
it is usual to secure the stalk either by a nut on its lower end or by
binding wire, which is bound round it, in a groove formed thereon so as
to prevent the stalk of the insulator from being withdrawn from the
socket or hole. My improved mode of securing the stalks of insulators
is as follows:-I form near the lower end of the stalk a projection either
by casting, forging, or otherwise fixing thereon a stud, or by raising up a
portion of the metal by means of a gouge or a round-nosed chisel, and I

page_text: and the pin e is passed through it. The hole in the sector E through
which the pin e passes is slotted a little so that the sector E can rest on
the wire notwithstanding a little variation in the diameter of the wire.
When the wire is pulled in either direction the eccentric sector E is
made to turn upon its pin e, and a part of the sector farther from the
centre being thus brought to bear on the wire causes it to be pinched
between its periphery and the lower part D of the slot in the stem.
When it is desired that the wire should remain free, as when it its being
tightened, a pin is passed through a hole in the stem and the sector
to prevent the latter from being turned by the movement of the wire.
Fig. 5 represents a side view of similar apparatus applied to the upper
part of an insulator.
Fig. 6 represents a side view and Fig. 7 an end view of similar
apparatus having the eccentric sector under the wire which rests
upon it.
Fig. 8 represents a side view, and Fig. 9 a section of apparatus for a
like purpose, a roller resting on a concave surface being substituted for
the eccentric sector; D is the stem projecting down from the insulator,
the lower part of which is made hook-shaped and spread out in width for
the reception of the wire F and the roller G. This roller rests on the
hollow of a concave surface D formed at the lower part of the stem D,
so that when the wire F is pulled in either direction the roller being
thereby moved to either side of its middle position grips the wire between
it and the upper part D³ of the hook of the stem. G' is a piece attached
to the roller G to prevent the wire from escaping sideways. On first
introducing the wire, the roller with this piece G' is turned round by
hand so that the wire can be inserted, and then the roller with the piece
G' being turned to the position shewn in Fig. 8, the wire is kept in its
place by the upper portion of the piece G', the lower portion of G¹
serving as a counterweight to bring the upper part to this position
when the roller is free. When it is desired to leave the wire free, as for
straining it, a pin can be inserted through holes g in the stem and
roller so that the latter is retained in its middle position.
Fig. 10 represents a side view, and Fig. 11 an end view of a modified
form of the apparatus in which an eccentric sector is employed to grip
the wire; D is the stem having projecting from it a pin e, on which is
is mounted the eccentric sector E, having attached to it a piece E', with
the upper portion of its periphery circular and projecting a little

page_text: above the upper part of the periphery of the eccentric sector E. The
wire F being placed in the groove of the stem the sector E with the
piece E' is slid upon the pin e in an inverted position until the piece E'
comes immediately under the wire. The sector E with the piece E'
is then turned round by handles E to the position shewn in Fig. 10,
and pushed home on the pin e to the position shown in Fig. 11. The
wire now resting on the eccentric sector E in front of the projecting
portion of E' prevents the sector from sliding off the pin e. When it
is desired that the wire should not be gripped by the turning of the
eccentric sector, a pin g can be passed through its boss and the pivot e,
so as to retain the sector in its middle position.
Fig. 12 represents a front view, and Fig. 13 a section of a form of the
apparatus in which a double wedge-shaped piece H resting on a roller K
is substituted for an eccentric or cam. The wire F rests on the piece H
within the slot of the stem D. Should the wire be pulled in either
direction, the piece H moving with it over the roller K acts as a wedge,
whereby the wire is gripped between it, and the upper part of the slot
in the stem. In order that the wire may be allowed to move without
being gripped, a pin can be inserted through holes 9 in the stem and
wedge piece so as to hold the latter in its middle position.
Fig. 14 represents a front view, and Fig. 15 a section of apparatus
for gripping the wire. The lower part of the stem D is made hooked
and forked, with the lower edges of the forked ends D' cam-shaped or
eccentric to the wire F which lies in the hook. A separate hook Lis
placed over the wire, and its T-shaped end L' is then forced along the
curved surface D', whereby the wire is bent downwards and held fast
in the hook of the stem.
Fig. 16 represents a front view, and Fig. 17 a section of 'a modified
form of such apparatus. The stem D is forked and also hooked, having
the interior surface D' of its hook eccentric to a pin N, on which is
mounted a gripper M having a gab for the reception of the wire F.
This gab being turned upwards the wire is introduced and the gripper M
is then turned on its pin N, so as to bend the wire between the prongs
of the forked hook of the stem D and so hold it securely.
The various apparatus described with reference to Figs. 6 to 17
inclusive, are represented on those Figures in forms suitable for
suspending the wires below insulators. By making the stem D in each
case to extend below the fastening apparatus instead of above it the
÷

page_text: fastening can be rendered suitable for carrying the wire above the
insulator in a manner similar to that shewn in Fig. 5 as the
alternative for the construction shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 18 represents a side view partly in section, and Fig. 19 a section
of another form of wire gripping apparatus which can be mounted on au
insulator. O is a metal cap to be secured on an insulator having two
projecting brackets O', between which is mounted a cam P. The wire F
being introduced between lips Oª projecting from the cap O, the cam P
is placed in the fork of the brackets O', and a pin p passed through it.
The cam can then be turned so as to bend the wire Fand secure it on
the cap. The cam is proferably made in steps as shewn in Fig. 18, so
that when it is turned to grip the wire the face of one of the steps
catching against the wire prevents the cam from turning backwards so
as to slacken the wire.
Fig. 20 represents a section of part of an insulator stem and of the
bracket into which it is inserted, means being provided for preventing
the stem from being withdrawn. The end of the stem S is made taper,
and a projecting tongue T is formed upon it, which may be done by
means of a gouge or chisel driven obliquely into the side of the stem so
as to set up a portion of the metal. The lower hole in the bracket Q,
(of which a plan is shewn at Fig. 21) is made with a notch R through
which the tongue T of the stem is passed when the stem is inserted in
the bracket. The stem after being inserted is turned round, and the
tongue T being thus brought under the part of the hole which is not
notched prevents the stem from being drawn out of the bracket.
Fig. 22 represents a section of the joint of two lengths of telegraphi
wire. The ends of the two lengths U and V are brought to butt against
each other within a tube W, which is secured to the wires by solder;
holes may be provided in the sides of the tube for the admission of
fluid solder. Instead of a complete tube W a strip of metal may be bent
round the wires, so as to form a tubular case for them, or they may be
enclosed between two strips bent to a semicircular form, the strength
of the junction of the wires being independent of any longitudinal joint
of the tube, but depending solely on the adhesion of the solder to the
wires and to the tubular casing. Should the solder give way the
electrical continuity of the conductor is broken, but at the same time
the mechanical continuity of the wire is broken and the separation of
the wires shews visibly where the electrical fault exists.

page_text: Having thus described the nature of my Invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I would have it understood that
I do not claim generally the construction of telegraph poles of a
Wrought-iron tube jointed to a socket, or of lengths of wrought-iron
tube jointed together, nor do I claim generally the use of cams or
eccentrics for gripping telegraph wires so as to fasten them to
insulators, but I claim,-
:
First. The mode, substantially as described with reference to Fig. 1, of
joining a wrought-iron tubular telegraph pole to its cast-iron socket.
Second. The mode substantially as described with reference to Fig. 2
of jointing one length of wrought-iron tubular telegraph pole to another
length.
Third. The use for securing telegraph wires to insulators of the
several apparatus substantially as described with reference to Figs. 3,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, whereby a little movement of the
wire in either direction effects the gripping of it, so that farther
movement is prevented.
Fourth. The use for securing telegraph wires to insulators of apparatus
substantially as described with reference to Figs. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
and 19, whereby the wire is bent by the action of a cam or eccentric
surface transversely to the wire.
Fifth. The mode of retaining stems of telegraphic insulators in their
brackets, substantially as described with reference to Figs. 20 and 21.
Sixth. The mode of joining lengths of telegraph wires so that a
breach of electrical continuity is accompanied by a visible breach
of mechanical continuity, substantially as described with reference
to Fig. 22..
In witness whereof, I, the said Carl Heinrich Siemens, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of November, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-