IMPROVEMENTS IN PNEUMATIC CARRYING APPARATUS
Year: 1884

page_text: I WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, Fel. Inst. P.A. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, and
323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PNEUMATIC CARRYING
APPARATUS" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This Invention relates to a pneumatic carrier system more especially designed
for use in stores, hotels and other large buildings, for conveying small parcels,
change, orders etcetera from one part to another or others, the improvement
being however, applicable to general carrier systems extending over a town or
city, or from one city or town to another.
The Invention consists in a novel construction and arrangement of selfacting
valves, gates and switches, controlled from a central office or station by means of
electricity, for causing the carriers to be delivered at any desired point or any way
station or directed into a branch tube or pipe, as may be required.
In the accompanying Drawings,
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of the apparatus at a way station;
Fig. 2 a longitudinal vertical section of the same, showing also battery and
switch connections through which the valve or gate is controlled.
Fig. 3 a cross section on the line x x of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 an end view of the case or receiver at the way station.
Fig. 5 a plan view of the electric switch.
Fig. 6 a vertical sectional view of the receiving pipe or inlet used at way
stations.
Fig. 7 a diagram illustrating the general arrangement of the tube or tubes, and
the way stations; and
Figs. 8 to 17 inclusive, views showing different modifications of the receiving
station boxes, and the apparatus for operating the same.
The use of pneumatic tubes and carriers has long been understood and many
successful applications thereof have been made; but these have more commonly
Price 1071

page_text: tion between two points only, through one tube, or in
other words, it has been the general practice to employ a separate tube between
each two points to be connected, though it has been proposed to provide a single
conduit or tube with way stations and to furnish means for ensuring the delivery
of the carrier at any one of such stations.
It is to this latter plan that the Invention particularly relates, and the improve-
ments consist in providing at each way station, a weighted valve arranged to
swing across the tube or conduit when not held back and prevented from doing
so, and which serves when thus allowed to swing into the tube to deflect the
carrier therefrom into a suitable receiver. The Invention further consists in
providing an electro magnet at each station controllable from the main or central
station, to normally hold the valve back, or out of the tube, and in forming each
valve with a depending arm or tail, against which the carrier strikes in leaving
the tube or conduit; thereby restoring the valve to its normal position.
Referring now to the Drawings, A represents the tube or conduit, which for
use in buildings, and where it is intended to employ the system only for small
parcels, may be advantageously made of metal tubing, but which for larger
carriers may be made of wood, metal or other suitable material. B indicates a
main office or central station, at which point is located a fan, C, which may
either be arranged to force a blast of air through the tube or conduit A, or to
create-a-suction,-and-exhaust the air therefrom as indicated.
Disa way station, of-which-there-may_be_any_desired number, each arranged-
as in Figs. 1 and 2, where it will be seen that the pipe or conduit is separated, and
u box or receiver E is interposed between the separated sections of the tube,-
the box or receiver being provided with a chute or incline F, at the lower end
of which is a door G, by which the case is ordinarily closed air tight, but which
may be opened to remove a carrier froin-the-receiver.-
H. represents a gate or valve, pivoted at or near the end, at the lower side of the
tube or conduit A, and arranged to swing upward into the path of the carrier,
-or-across the line of the tube or conduit, as shown in Fig. 2-in which position it
intercepts the carrier I, and the air current, deflecting both into the chute F, and
causing the carrier to fall therein, the air current escaping therefrom through an
opening a in the upper side of the chute and passing thence through openings b
back into the main tube or conduit and continuing its course uninterruptedly.
For the purpose of causing the gate or valve to open automatically, that is,
to swing upward across the conduit and to open the upper mouth of the incline,
it is provided with a leaf or extension c in rear of its pivot, which leaf is
counterweighted as shown, so as to overcomo the weight of the valve or gate and
raise it to the position shown in Fig. 2.
The leaf or extension c also performs two other offices,-being set at an angle to
the main portion of the valve, so that as the latter rises the leaf is caused to project
into or across the chute F, in the path of the deflected carrier, which being urged
forward by the force of the deflected air current, bears against the wing or leaf c
and causes it to rise, thereby depressing the valve or gate H, and causing it to
resume a horizontal position and to form a continuation of the bottom or lower
side of the tube or conduit A. In thus rising or moving back to place the leaf or
extension c of valve H also closes the opening a, and thus all communication
between the tube or conduit and the chute F is cut off-
-so that the door G may be
opened and the carrier removed without permitting any interference with the air
current.
The valve or gate H is held normally in a horizontal position as indicated in
dotted lines in Fig. 2, by means of an electro-magnet J, the valve or gate being
furnished with a soft iron armature & to be attractel and held thereby; it being of
course understood that the counterweight e of leaf c must be sufficiently heavy to
overcome the weight of the valve and armature.
So long as the electro-magnet is made active by the passage of an electric current
through its coils, the valve or gato is held back and prevented from intercepting

page_text: the carriers but the instant the electric current is interrupted, the magnet loses its
power and the counterweight raises the valve or gate,-henco it is only necessary
to provide at the central office a key or switch for making or breaking the electric
circuit of the magnet of each separate station, without interfering with the
magnets of the other stations,-to enable the operator at said central office to
operate any one of the way station gates or valves.
Such an arrangement is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5 in which K, K, represent
the wires running from a battery L, to the electro-magnet J and thence back to
the battery, an ordinary switch button or lever M being introduced into the line
at the central office or station. N, N, represent the usual binding posts by which
the ends of the separated line or wire are held, and to one of which the lever M
is attached or swivelled. The posts rest upon a block of gutta percha or are
otherwise suitably insulated, so that when the lever M is swung from the second
post the current is interrupted, but when brought into contact therewith the
current passes through said lever and the circuit is thus completed.
While I have for convenience of illustration shown and described the complete
metallic circuit or double wire line it will of course be understood that by making
the proper earth connections the second wire may be dispensed with.
An indicator o is secured upon the axle or pivot pin of valve H outside of the
case or box E, to show the position of the valve, and to call attention to any
movement thereof.
At the central station and at each way station ordinarily, there will be provided
an inlet or changing tube, those at way stations opening into special return tube A',
so constructed that a carrier may be let into the conduit or tube without permitting
the entrance or exit of air through such inlet,-a convenient construction for this
purpose being shown in Fig. 6. P represents the inlet tube or spout, communicating
at its lower end with the main tube or conduit A, and provided with two alter-
nating valves or slides Q, R, placed a distance apart somewhat greater than the
length or diameter of the carriers used, spherical carriers being contemplated,
though any known form of carriers may be used.
Both valves are jointed to a lever S, which is pivoted at a point midway between
the two valves, and is furnished with a handle, f, by which to move it. By
moving the band lever inwards the valve which is ordinarily held closed by
the action of a spring J, is opened, and the carrier I is permitted to fall upon the
lower valve R which is closed in the act of opening valve Q. The hand lever is
then released, whereupon the spring f restores the valves to their first position,
permitting the carrier to pass into the main tube or conduit A. Thus it will be
seen one or the other valve is closed all the time except during the brief period of
movement, and by providing for a certain amount of lost play or by making one
valve double the length of the other the closure may be made perfect at all times.
The carriers I are here represented as spherical in form and will preferably be so
made, in order that they may move freely in the tube, the spheres being made of
two hollow parts screwed or locked together in any convenient manner, and
of such size as to contain the class of parcels for which the system is or may be
intended.
It is particularly to be noted that under this plan the electro-magnet has only to
retain the valve in position until it is desired to release it, for which purpose a very
slight attractive force, and consequently small battery power is required, the valve
being just overbalanced and therefore exerting no considerable tendency to draw
away from the magnet.
As indicated in Fig. 7, the tube or conduit passes from the central office to and
through the various way stations D, and finally back to the central office, so that
the operator at that point may send carriers to any one of the way stations at
will, or the parties at the way stations may send carriers to the central station.
Branch pipes may also be employed as indicated.
It is obvious that a spring may be substituted for the weight c, to raise the valve
or gate H
.
1.

page_text: The door G may be made to swing or slide, and it or the side or front of the
receiver E may be made of glass or other transparent material to permit the carriers
to be seen from the outside when therein.
It is manifest that the valves or gates may be applied to the common cash
carrier systems, in which inclined planes are used instead of tubes or pipes; or in
fact to any form of conduit or receiver, whether of tubular or trough form, or
consisting simply of rails, and we therefor desire to have it understood that in
using the terms tube and conduit we mean any form of track or conductor,-
trough or tube.
Referring now to Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11, I will describo a slightly different form
of receiving box, which may be substituted for those just described, if deemed
advisable or desirable.
In the said Drawings, A represents a station box, and B the pneumatic tube or
conductor entering at one end and passing out at the other; but divided at a point
within the box and having the separate ends set apart a distance equal to or
slightly greater than the diameter of the tube or conductor, and connected by a
bridge piece C hinged or pivoted to the lower side of the tube or conductor as
shown.
The bridge section C is curved in the arc of a circle concentric with the tube or
conduit,-and of like diameter therewith; but is preferably cut away at the upper
side, as shown, about.one quarter to one third-of-the-circumference being cut out.
This still leaves the opening too narrow to permit-the-carrier-to-escape between
the sides or edges thereof, and consequently prevents the carrier from being carried
across the space between the ends of the tube or conductor when the bridge is
dropping down, as otherwise might occur by reason of the inertia or momentum of
said carrier.
It is of course understood that a current of air will be produced-through the
tube by a fan or equivalent means, or that the tubo or conductor will be inclined
-to-cause the travel of the carrier through it in one direction which direction is
indicated in the Drawings by arrows.
As stated, the bridge or movable section C is hinged at the inner side of the tube
or conductor B, and the hinge is located at the rear end of said section relatively
to the travel of the carrier so that when permitted to fall it forms a chute or incline
downward from the tube toward the bottom of the box in the direction in which
the carrier moves.
This is for the purpose of directing the carrier downward into the box when the
bridge or falling section is dropped down.
This bridge or section C is retained normally in its horizontal position by a
sliding catch D, the forward end of which is bevelled to permit the section Ċ to
crowd or press it back in rising to its seat.
The catch or slide D is slotted and held in position by headed studs a or may be
carried in loops or guides, and is jointed at its rear end to the upright arm of an
elbow lever E, the short arm of which carries a soft iron armature F.
Directly below the armature F is an electro magnet G, the helix of which has
its ends in electrical connection with the binding posts H, I, which receive
respectively the two branches of the line or circuit wire from a suitable battery.
One branch of the wire is preferably grounded as usual, to prevent unnecessary
expense, and the other runs to one pole of a battery, the other pole being grounded
to complete the circuit. As in the case above referred to, a switch is provided at
the main station by which the circuit may be completed or broken, it being
normally open in order that the magnet G may remain inert and not attract the
armature F until it is desired to cause the bridge or section C to fall.
Whenever the switch is closed so as to complete the circuit, the magnet becomes
energized, attracts the armature F which causes the elbow lever to rock upon its
pivot and to withdraw the slide or catch D against the tension of a light spring J
which is furnished with a regulating nut K. The spring serves to return the slide
to its locking portion as soon as the attractive force of the magnet ceases,-the

page_text: circuit being completed for an instant only, mercly sufficient time to ensure the
release and fall of the bridge C.
L represents an inclined floor or diaphragm running down from a point just
below the tube at one end of the box to the bottom of the box at the other end,
and above this is a second board or partition M which with the first, forms a
funnel shaped hopper or chute N, extending from beneath the bridge C to the lower
front end of the box A.
O represents an elbow lover upon the bottom board or floor L having at one sido
of its pivot a concave or spoon-shaped plate b and at the opposite end an upright
arm which latter carries at its upper end an anti-friction roller d. The upright arm
is either inclined slightly out of a vertical position, or the roller c is set to one side
of the vertical plane passing through the pivot e so that when the bridge C is
released, it will fall by gravity and in falling will carry back the arm c to the
position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.
In thus throwing back the arm c, the concave plate or arm b is raised as shown
in dotted lines in said Figure, in which position it is struck by the carrier which
enters the box through the tube B, and falling over the depressed bridge Centers
the hopper N. The weight and momentum of the carrier are sufficient to depress
the plate or arm b to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 thereby of course
raising arm c, the roller d of which runs along the under side of bridge section C,
advisably between suitable guides and raises said section to its normal position.
In rising the bridge section forces back the catch or slide D, which immediately is
pressed forward again beneath the section and locks it in position.
As the parts are thus restored to their normal position the carrier rolls over the
spoon-shaped plate or arm and stops against a transverse gate or slide P, which
passes through one side of the box A and across the hopper or chuto N being fitted
snugly in grooves or guides to prevent the escape of air past it. Below the gate P
at the lower end of the box a is a close fitting gravitating door Q.
When the bridge C is depressed and the carrier caused to fall into the box A theo
carrier runs down to and rests against the gate or slide P, which being withdrawn,
permits the carrier to roll down to the door Q. As a strong current of air is at the
time passing through the tube, and as the open upper end of the bridge at all times
affords communication between the tubo and the interior of the box, the suction
produced draws the door firmly to its seat and holds it closed until the slide P is
shoved into place, when there being no longer any force to hold the door closed, it
swings outward and permits the carrier to drop out. All entrance or escape of air
to the interior of the box or tube from without is at such time prevented by the
slide P.
An indicator R is attached to the shaft or axle of the bridge section C and serves
to show outside the box the position of the bridge within and thus to notify the
attendant when to operate the slide P.
In some cases it may be found inconvenient or undesirable to employ electricity
for releasing the falling section and in such cases a bell crank S may be secured to
the side of the box or at other suitable point, and have one arm attached by a link
or wire to the indicator R, and the other connected by a wire g with a pull, in
casy reach of the operator at the central station.
The bridge section should be mounted upon pivot points or otherwise constructed
to permit a free and easy movement of the section, and all other working parts
should be nicely fitted and adjusted to work freely, quickly and with certainty.
The tube and internal working parts will preferably be made of brass, the case of
wood with metal trimmings, and exposed metal portions will be plated to give tho
whole a neat and handsome appearance.
In Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 15 is shown still another form of receiver in which an
arm is attached to the under side of the tipping section, said arm being struck by
the carrier after entering the box and thus caused to elevate the section to its
normal position. At suitable points along the line of the conductor, boxes B are
provided, into which the conductor enters, and from which it emerges at the

page_text: opposite end, the pivoted section C, being introduced between the entering and
outgoing sections as shown in Fig. 12.
When used with pneumatic current and consequently with a closed tube, the
outgoing end is advisably raised above the incoming end, as shown, in order that
the carrier passing beneath the same may act to the greater advantage in restoring
the section C, which is tipped down to allow the carrier to leave the conductor and
pass into the box,-to its normal elevated position, by pressing against a curved
arin a, attached to the lower side of the pivoted section. When an open trough or
carrier is employed the same arrangement may be followed, though it will
ordinarily be found advisable not to thus elevate the outgoing end. The arm a
is made of spring metal in order that the carrier, the arm and the section C may be
relieved of the concussion and injury that would attend the use of a rigid and
unyielding arm, and a rubber or other elastic buffer b is provided at the end of
the box B to receive the force of the carrier in case it is not overcome by the
spring arm.
As stated, one end of section C is slightly overbalanced, the end furthest from
the inlet, so that if not held up by some device provided for the purpose, the
heavier end will fall as indicated in Fig. 12. There is therefore provided a sliding
catch or locking bolt D, to pass beneath the gravitating end of section C, and in
order that said catch may be operated from a distance, as for instance, from the
cashier's desk-or-office-in-the-case_of_a_cash system for stores, the catch or bolt is
perforated and one arm of an elbow-lever. E is passed through the perforation, the
other arm being furnished with a soft iron armature, which is arranged directly-
over and a short distance from the core of an electro-magnet F, in the manner
shown, so that when the magnet is energized the armature will be attracted, and
the catch withdrawn through the movement of the lever E. A light spring G
provided with an adjusting nut H, serves-to-restore the lever E and bolt D to their
normal position..
Binding screws I are provided for making the necessary electrical.connections,
which-are-the-ordinary and well known connections used in all such apparatus.
Instead of arranging the armature to move, the electro-magnet-may_be_made_
to move and the armature made stationary, or the electro-magnet may bo
arranged to normally attract the armature, and to release it when by interrupting
the circuit the magnet is rendered inactive, the catch or fastening being of course
arranged accordingly.
The pivoted section C is hung or pivoted upon trunnions c which are supported
in plates J secured to the side of the box B.
One of the trunnions c projects through and beyond the side of the box and
carries an indicator K which serves to show the position of the section C,-the
indicator being formed with a slot d and provided with a sliding weight e by which
the balancing of the section may be effected..
The plate J at that side of the box which is furnished with the indicator, is
formed with a raised portion J', cut away as shown, to form stop shoulders f to
limit the movement of the indicator, and consequently of section C.
A gravitating door L, and cut off slide M are provided in the outlet spout of the
box B, and arranged to operate as explained in the other forins above described.
It is obvious that instead of employing a sliding locking bolt and a separate
actuating lever, the armature may itself be arranged to swing under the gravitating
end of section C.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:
Supposing a current of air to be passing through the conductor in the direction
indicated by arrows in Fig. 12, and the section Č be raised to connect with und
complete the conductor as shown in dotted lines; if it be desired to have tho
carrier N pass the box B the section will be permitted to retain such position;
but if it be desired to discharge the carrier into the box, the operator switches
the electro-magnet into circuit, and this being energized attracts its armature,
withdrawing the locking bolt and permitting the end of the section C to fall,

page_text: elevating its receiving end above the incoming end of the conductor A and
thereby causing the carrier to pass under section Čand into the outlet chute.
In passing thus beneath the section C the carrier comes into contact with the
spring arm a and forces the arm upward closes or raises section C into line with
the end of the conductor where it is caught and held by the locking bolt.
Figs. 16 and 17 are longitudinal central sectional views showing two slightly
different forms of receivers; and as in the plan just described, the carriers serve to
elevate the tipping section by coming into contact with an arm beneath said
section.
In the Drawing, A indicates the tube or conductor, B the box or chamber into
and from which said conductor passes, and C. a bridge or switch section
connecting the incoming and outgoing ends of the tube or conductor.
This section is pivoted near its midlength, on centre pins or pivots a, which
permit it to rock or tip with great freedom, the outgoing end being made to
slightly overbalance the receiving end, so that when not held up by moans
provided for the purpose the bridge or switch section C will occupy the position
shown in the Drawing, in which position it will fail to conduct the carrier D across
the box, but will permit it to pass beneath the receiving end of the bridge section
as indicated in Figs. 16 and 17.
Beneath the bridge or section C is an arm E which may be made upon or as part
of a bracket and secured to the under side of the section C, as in Fig. 16 or in the
form of a pivoted lever, bearing at one end against said section as in Fig. 17.
In either case the carrier D entering the box while the section C is tipping out
of line with the main conductor, will come into contact with the arm E, and acting
partly by impact and partly by gravity, will cause the section to assume a
horizontal position or whatever other position may be necessary to cause it to
complete the conductor through the box or chamber.
When attached to the switch or bridge section as in Fig. 16 the arm E should be
faced with rubber or other elastic or yielding material, to deaden the sound and
relieve the arm of the concussion that would otherwise occur. This may also be
done when the arm is made in the form of a pivoted lever, as shown in Fig. 17 but
ordinarily that will not be necessary.
A chute or incline F serves to conduct the carrier properly to the arm E, and an
incline bottom board G directs the carrier downward to an outlet opening H closed
by a gravitating door I which opens outward.
The current of air passes constantly through the conductor A in the direction
indicated, being advisably produced by suction; and so long as the bridge section C
is in line with the main tube or conductor, the case or chamber B will be free from
the effect of such current, hence the door I will open freely outward.
As the carrier, when allowed to pass beneath instead of through the section C,
automatically raises the section again into line with the conductor in the act of
descending to the bottom board G, it will be apparent that when the carrier
reaches said bottom board it will roll down the same and coming into contact
with the door, push it open and escape from the box,-but so long as the switch or
bridge is tipped out of line with the conductor the current of air passes through the
conductor and the box in a nearly direct line from the incoming to the outgoing
end of the tube, and consequently creates a suction in the box, which holds the
door I tightly closed and prevents any interference with the current in the tube or
conductor back of the particular box or section.
A latch J controlled by an electro magnet K in a normally open circuit serves
to hold the section C in its elevated position except when by closing the circuit
the operator causes the magnet to be energized and to attract the armature L
which being connected with the latch J withdraws the latter and permits the
section to fall.
The latch may be applied to the arm E, as in Fig. 16 or arranged to engage with
one end of the section C as in Fig. 17, the two arrangements being equivalents.

page_text: It will of course be understood that a battery and line wire are provided for the
electro-magnet, and a switch or key by which the circuit may be closed when
necessary.
.
The lever E when used will preferably be provided with an anti-friction roller, b;
at the end which bears against section C and will be made concave or spoon shaped
at the other end.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention as communicated to me, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
I declare that what I claim is :-
1st. In a pneumatic carrier system, the combination of a tube or conduit, means
for producing an air current therein, and a valve or gate arranged substantially as
shown and described to swing into or across the tube and to intercept the carrier
and air current and deflect them outward.
2nd. In combination with a tube or conduit and receiver having a chute, a valve,
and a leaf or extension set at an angle to the body of the valve substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
3rd. In combination with a tube or conduit provided with holes and with
a receiver having a chute and outlet opening a valvo or gate pivoted to swing
across the tube and provided with a leaf or extensión, substantially as and for the
-purpose set forth.
4th. In combination with a tube or conduit-and-a-deflecting valve substantially
such as shown and described, provided with an-armature,-an-electro-magnēt
'arranged substantially as shown, to attract said armaturo and hold the valve
normally out of the path of carriers passing through the tube and conduit.
5th. The combination substantially as herein set forth, of a conduit a valve or
-gate,-an-electro-magnet_and_a-switch lever whereby the magnet may be caused to
release the valve or gato at will.
:
6th. In a pneumatic carrier system, the combination of a main tube or conduit,
a series of receivers at intermediate points in the length of the circuit, ench
furnished with a deflecting gate or-valve substantially such as described, and with
an electro-magnet arranged to hold the valve or gate normally out of the tube
and a series of switch levers all under control of an operator at a central office, and
each adapted to release one gate of the series to permit it to swing into the tube
by interrupting or breaking the circuit of the battery connected with such electro-
magnet.
7th. In combination with a tube or conduit, a self-acting gate arranged to swing
across the same, and means substantially such as shown and described for hol ng
the gate back out of the conduit.
8th. In combination with a tube and a valve, an indicator arranged upon the
axis of the valve as shown.
9th. In combination with a pneumatic tube or conductor provided with a falling
section substantially such as described, a catch arranged to lock beneath said section
and means substantially such as described and shown for withdrawing said catch
from a distance.
10th. In combination with a conductor and a bridge or falling section, a latch
a lever connected therewith and provided with an armature, and an electro-magnet
adapted to be placed in a battery circuit all substantially as and for the purpose
'set forth.
11th. In combination with a conductor and a falling section, a latch, a lever
provided with an armature, a spring and a nut, and an electro-magnet, all constructed
and arranged substantially as shown and described.
12th. In combination with a conductor and a hinged section thereof, a pivoted
support beneath said section provided with an arm which is raised by the falling
back of the support, into a position to be struck by the carrier passing through tho
conductor and dropping through the opening left by the depression of the falling
section.

page_text: 13th. In combination with a conductor and a bridge section, an elbow lever
located beneath said section and provided with an arm and plates substantially as
set forth.
14th. In combination with a box and a tube or conductor provided with a hinged
section, a lever consisting of a plate and an upright arm, a hopper, a slide and
a gravitating door, all constructed and arranged to operate substantially as
explained.
15th. In a pneumatic carrier or conveyor system, the combination of a box
provided with an inclined chute or hopper, a conductor passing through said chuto
and having a falling section therein, and an opening communicating with the
interior space of the chute or hopper, a transverse gato across said hopper, and
a gravitating door below the gate all substantially as explained whereby the carrier
may be removed without permitting the entrance of air from outside the box and
the gravitating door prevented from opening until the slide is closed.
16th. In combination with the conductor and bridge, of a lever provided with
a plate and an upright arm having friction roll in rear of the vertical plane of its
pivot as and for the purpose explained.
17th. In combination with a pneumatic conductor, a section forming part of said
conductor pivoted at a point between its ends substantially as shown and described,
a tight box enclosing said tipping section and connecting the ends of the conductor
each side thereof, whereby said tipping section is adapted to tip and raise its
receiving end above the main conductor at that end, thereby causing the carrior to
pass beneath it as explained, without permitting the escapo of air.
18th. In combination with the conductor and box, of a section pivoted in the
box substantially as shown and described and provided at its under side with an
arm whereby the carrier is caused to pass beneath the section and to elevate the
section in so doing.
19th. In combination with a conductor having its separate ends at different
levels, a tipping section extending upward from one section to the other in the
direction of the length of the carrier and provided at its under side with an arm
substantially as described and shown.
20th. In combination with a pneumonic conductor, a gravitating section pivoted
at a point between its ends and provided with an arm, and a bolt or locking device
adapted to automatically lock the section in an elevated position when the latter is
raised thereto.
21st. The combination as herein described and shown of a conductor, a closed
box, a tipping section provided with an arm, a locking bolt, a lever provided with
an iron armature and an electro-magnet opposite said armature.
1
22nd. In combination with a conductor and a tipping section an indicator
provided with an adjustable weight and applied to the trunion of the tipping
section substantially as and for the purpose explained.
23rd. In combination with the pneumatic conductor, the box and tipping section,
a spring arm applied to the lower side of said section substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
24th. In combination with the conductor, the box, and tipping section, an elastic
buffer applied to the box, as and for the purpose explained.
25th. In a pneumatic carrier system, a closed box, a tube or conductor entering
and leaving said box at opposite sides or ends, a gravitating pivoted tubo or
conductor section between the incoming and outgoing ends of the tubo, and an arm
beneath said section adapted to receive the carrier entering the box beneath the
pivoted section, to be moved by said carrier and to rock the section upon its pivots
until it assumes a position in line with the conductor.
26th. In combination with a box and the tube or conductor, the gravitating
pivoted section extending across the box between the incoming and outgoing ends
of said tube, and an arm beneath the pivoted section adapted to be acted upon by
the carrier passing beneath said section and to rock the same into line with the
tube or conductor, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 27th. In combination with the tube and the box having an inclined bottom board
and a gravitating door, a pivoted section and means substantially such as shown
and described for throwing said section into line with the tube, and retaining it in
such position.
28th. In combination with a pneumatic tube or conductor, a box provided with
a pivoted section, an arm the inclined bottom board, the door the latch and the
electro-magnet arranged substantially as shown and described to control the latch,
as and for the purpose set forth.