IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGNETIC AND ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH APPARATUS
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Geminiano Zanni, of the City Road, in the
County of Middlesex, Electric Telegraph Engineer, for the In-
vention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGNETIC AND ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH
APPARATUS."
Sealed the 26th May 1871, and dated the 10th December 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Geminiano Zanni at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 10th December 1870.
I, GEMINIANO ZANNI, of the City Road, in the County of Middlesex,
Electric Telegraph Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MAGNETIC AND ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH
APPARATUS," to be as follows:-
My first improvement relates to magnetic telegraph apparatus, and
consists in causing the same power which actuates the mechanism for
printing and delivering the paper to give motion to the coils or armature
of the magnet by the introduction of a suitable coupling, such as an

page_text: ordinary coupling box, pulleys, and bands, or the like, and thus dispenses
with cranks and other appliances as now used therefor.
My second improvement relates to electric telegraph apparatus, and
consists in applying a magnet thereto in lieu of a battery, and in
giving motion to the coils or armature of such magnet through or by
levers, springs, or weights, the action of which is maintained by the
power applied to the handles or keys of the needle instrument by the
operator when transmitting messages, and thus dispensing with steam,
manual, or other extra power therefor.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Geminiano Zanni in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 10th June 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEMINIANO
ZANNI, of the City Road, in the County of Middlesex, Electric Telegraph
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Geminiano Zanni, Her special
licence, that I, the said Geminiano Zanni, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Geminiano Zanni,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all 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 MAGNETIC AND ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH APPARATUS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Geminiano Zanni, 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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Geminiano Zanni, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings
forming a part of this Specification :-
My said Invention relates, first, to a magnetic telegraphic printing
instrument, and consists in causing the same power which actuates
the mechanism for delivering or feeding the paper and sometimes the
printing mechanism to give motion to the coils or armature of the
magnet by means of a train of wheelwork, pulleys, and bands, or
the like.
My said Invention relates, secondly, to a telegraphic needle instrument,
and consists in applying a magnet thereto in lieu of a battery, and in
giving motion to the coils or armature of such magnet through or by
levers, springs, or weights, the action of which is maintained by the
power applied to the handles or keys of the needle instrument by the

page_text: a pinion f, which gears into the wheel g on the lower end of the short
spindle supported by the bracket h². This spindle also carries a
pinion i, which gears into the wheel ¹; on the upper end of the spindle 2
of this wheel is a pinion which gears into the wheel; on the spring
or clockwork barrel which by means of the bevel pinions k and k¹
is connected to the winding up handle *. By this arrangement of
gearing motion is imparted to the said armature. On the spindle 2³
or any other connenient part of the gearing I fix a dise *, which is
preferably formed with ratchet teeth, and in combination with this disc
I arrange a sliding rod which has a hook "; by pushing this rod
inward the said hook is caused to bear upon the surface of the disc, and
the clockwork is stopped, and by drawing out the said rod the hook acts
on the teeth of the disc and starts the clockwork again. a² is a rod for
opening the keeper a³ in sending or receiving a message.
The printing mechanism in the machine shown consists of the electro-
magnet m, the armature lever or levers m³, the pen or pointer m³, block
or bed m³ (or ink wheel), regulating lever m³, and adjusting screw m³.
These devices form no part of my Invention, and are well understood
by electricians and therefore need no further description here.
The paper feeding apparatus consists of the feed rollers n, n³, guide 2
rollers n³, and guide n³. The bottom roller n is provided with a pinion o,
and is thereby geared in connection with the pinion o¹ on the shaft p,
which by the pinion q at its lower end is geared with the main wheel j
on the barrel; p₁ is a sliding rod which has on it a cam-]
m-like projection
or incline p³, which is arranged in contact with the small roller ps on the 2
axle of the upper feed roller. By drawing the said rod outward (which
is readily done by the button p*) the said incline raises the top roller
and stops the feed of the paper.
In the ordinary "Morse" instrument the clockwork is only put in
motion in receiving a message, but in my Invention the clockwork 3
mechanism is put in motion both in sending and receiving a message.
By thus gearing both of the aforesaid pinions and q into the wheel j
of the clockwork barrel I accomplish in a convenient and advantageous
manner the object of my Invention, viz., the operation of the armature
and the feed mechanism by the same power. I do not, however, limit 3
myself to the arrangement shown, but may use any suitable gearing
and means for connecting the spring barrel or other power with the

page_text: feed mechanism and armature. The said Invention may be applied to
the well known "Morse" instruments or others already in use.
In the instrument shewn in Figure 3, instead of using a spring I
have a weight which is attached to the chain 55, and passed over the
toothed wheel, which is fixed on the axle of the driving wheel j, and
this wheel j by means of the gearing shown is connected to the paper
feeding mechanism and the armature. The said weight is wound up
by means of a key or handle in the ordinary manner. The feed rollers
are in this case provided with the incline or cam rod p¹ for stopping
the feed when desirable, and the instrument has the sliding rod and
ratchet or friction disc for stopping the machine as described in reference
to Figure 1.
My Invention is equally applicable to those telegraphic printing
instruments wherein the printing mechanism as well as the feed
mechanism is operated by clockwork.
The relay instrument, Figures 7 and 8, is intended to be applied to a
printing instrument to enable the signals to be read while being printed,
and I thereby make an instrument which combines the properties of a
needle instrument and a printing instrument. The said relay has the
ordinary dial and needle and v¹ of a needle instrument. On the
spindle I place a small arm w between the two platinum points 20¹
which are connected with the magnet of the printing instrument. The
reversal of the current by the operator at a distant station produces the
signals on the dial, and at the same time brings the arm w in contact
with either one-or other of the parts to¹, and thereby brings into action
the local current produced either by a magnet or battery which operates
the printing mechanism. When a message is being sent the paper feed
mechanism and the relay do not operate, the clockwork then only
rotating the armature, but when a message is being received the entire
mechanism consisting of the paper feed, the relay, and armature is
operated.
The needle instrument, Figures 4, 5, and 6, has the usual form and
appearance of such instruments. The magnet a and armature 6 are for

page_text: on its axle the pinion r³, which gears into the wheels q³ on the axles of
the aforesaid ratchet wheels q³. The latter are rotated in opposite
directions by the pawls t which are carried on the bar t. The said
bar is fitted to vibrate on the fulcrum pin t² and is moved to and fro by
the handle u through the medium of the pin u¹ which is fixed on the 5
spindle u² and passes through a slot in the bar t. The pawls & are
connected to springs which keep them properly in gear with the ratchet
wheels q¹. is a metal stop for keeping the bar in place. The dial
and indicating needle are shewn at v*.
From the above description it will be obvious that by moving the said 1
handle the operator both produces the magnetic current from the
magnet a, and at the same time and by the same movements he gives
the signals by the reversal of the current.
If desired I may provide the instrument with keys instead of the said
handle, or with both keys and a handle or crank, the arrangement of 1
the wheelwork and other parts being modified as required to produce the
desired result.
These improvements may with equal advantage be applied to a bell
or other signal instrument for railway and other purposes.
.Having thus fully described my said Invention, and shewn how the 2
same may be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I
wish it understood that I do not limit myself to any of the mechanical
arrangements shewn in the accompanying Drawings, as many others may
be devised by those skilled in the construction and working of the
instruments to which this Invention appertains for producing the desired 2
results. Neither do I claim the application of a magnet to either a
printing or needle instrument irrespective of the method of operating
the same; but I claim,―
First. In a magnetic telegraphic printing instrument the revolving
armature connected with and operated by the same spring, weight, or 3
other power that operates the paper feed mechanism (and in some cases
the printing mechanism) by the arrangement of devices shown, or by
other suitable means.
Second. In a magnetic needle or signal telegraphic instrument the
revolving armature connected to and operated by the same handle, lever, 3

page_text: crank or key that transmits the messages by the arrangement. of
mechanism described, or by other suitable mechanism.
In witness whereof, I, the said Geminiano Zanni, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
Witness,
E. W. TYNDALL.
GEMINIANO ZANNI. (L.S.)