IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS FOR TRANSMITTING ELECTRIC CURRENTS AND SIGNALS FOR TELEGRAPHIC PURPOSES
Year: 1863

page_text: Invention received Provisional Protection only.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Cook at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th March 1863.
-Partly a communication from abroad by Gaetano Bonelli, of Milan.
I, IIENRY COOк, of Sunderland Terrace, Westbourne Park, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS FOR
TRANSMITTING ELECTRIC CURRENTS AND SIGNALS FOR TELEGRAPHIC PURPOSES," to
be as follows:-
This Invention of "Improvements in the Arrangement and Construction of
Apparatus for Transmitting Electric Currents and Signals for Telegraphic
Purposes," relates, first, to a peculiar arrangement of the electrical apparatus
by which electric currents may be transmitted in opposite directions between
In reference to this part of the Invention I have discovered
that if during the interval between two signals a current be sent through
the conductor in an opposite direction to that in which the clectricity
passed to produce the signals, the induction and retardation were much
reduced. In order to effect this object I maintain two sets of batteries, one
to send the current to produce the signals, and the other to send a stronger
current in the opposite direction during the intervals between the signals.
It will be found advisable that the battery power for the counter current
should be superior to that for producing the signals, the precise proportion for
the two purposes must however be ascertained by experiment, and will of course
depend somewhat upon the distance the electric current will have to pass
h

page_text: In carrying out this part of the Invention the battery power at both stations
is subdivided, say, for instance, that there are 12 elements at each station,
these elements will be so arranged that either 8 or 12 may be used in
combination for transmitting a current. To effect this a commutator is
employed so that the larger or smaller number of elements may be used
according to the circumstances of the case, that is, according to whether a
signalling current, or a reverse or counter current is to be sent. By this
means when the signalling current has been sent from the type and the signal
produced at the receiving station by eight elements a reverse current will
be immediately afterwards set up from 8+4=12 elements, and the line will
be cleared of the former current. The signal apparatus is automatic, that is,
the combs when they arrive at the end of their course will be thrown out of
work and stopped by the circuit being automatically broken. The mechanical
contrivance whereby this is effected consists of a plate of ivory working on
an axle or on pivots, and having at either end five teeth or laminae of metal
inserted in the ivory so as to insulate the metal lamina from each other. Upon
this ivory are two arms each provided with a small friction wheel. On the
carriage are disposed two strips of iron so arranged as to come successively
into contact with the arms and wheels, so as to alternately depress one or the
other set of teeth. The first set are thus at the proper time plunged into the
mercury and bring into play the extra elements of the battery. The teeth on
the other end, which are in connection with the writing comb are thus lifted
from the mercury cups which are in connection with the positive poles of the
batteries, thus making good the connection at the moment they are wanting,
and throwing the combs out of circuit when not in use. By this means the
evil effects which might affect the clearness of the writing at the receiving
station are neutralized.
The next improvement relates to the form, arrangement, and operation of
the receiving and transmitting combs. The blades of the type combs are
mounted separately on a horizontal centre-pin, and are provided with tails to
which light india-rubber springs are adapted so that the pressure of the points
of the combs on the type may be regulated with accuracy. The working
points of the combs are also made V-shaped and project downwards from the
body or blade of the comb which is supported by a bar beneath. This bar is
provided with a small antifriction roller which runs upon guides or ledges
formed on the type or otherwise, so as to support the points of the combs as
they travel along.
Another improvement relates to a means of producing duplicate despatches
simultaneously. This is effected by a bifurcation of the ends of the conducting

page_text: wires, that is, each wire is divided at its end, and leads a current of electricity
to the corresponding teeth of two combs, under which two strips of prepared
paper are passed at the receiving station.
The last improvement relates to a novel mode of forming the type so that
the signal transmitted through them and marked on the prepared paper at
the receiving station may be clearer than heretofore. To this end I make
the ordinary thick down strokes of the letters thin, while the horizontal lines
are made thick so as to receive the combs with more certainty. By this
means the number of blades in the combs, and consequently the number of
conducting wires may be considerably reduced. It is also propose to make a
ledge along the edges of the types to receive the antifriction rollers of the
supporting bar of the combs.