improvements in Electrical appa
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 15th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 12th Oct., 1888
improvements in Electrical appa
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to electrical indicators and essentially comprises.
First. Two coils each provided with a core of soft iron, mounted upon a support
likewise of soft iron, which is common to the two coils having insulated copper wire.
Second. A bar or magnetized hand mounted horizontally upon a pivot of steel
through the medium of a bracket of copper made in one piece with the part that
serves to fix the whole of the system, with comparatively speaking, no friction, which
renders the apparatus very sensitive. Above the hand and upon the prolongation of
the shaft is fixed a piece in the form of pincers, designed to receive the cardboard
carrying the indication, this cardboard is mounted in such a manner that according
to the movement of the magnetized bar which describes rather more than a quarter
of a revolution it presents its face sometimes to the front, sometimes turned a
little more than the profile.
The support for the coils is fixed by a screw to the lower extremity of a bracket of
iron or copper bent to the shape of a C which serves at the same time to fix the
apparatus upon the bottom of the frame; the screw is provided with a conical hole
at its extremity which serves as a step bearing for the axis or pivot.
The improved indicating apparatus is fixed in variable number according to require-
ments in a frame with plain unpainted plate glass front which leaves the whole of the
apparatus visible.
The operation of the apparatus is very simple, the effects resulting first from the
poles of the magnetized bar, and second, from the poles produced by the passage of
the current through one of the coils being utilized simultaneously; for this purpose
the two coils work separately the current passes through one in order to effect the

page_text: appearance of the indication and through the other to effect its disappearance. In
order to be more precise, suppose the apparatus presenting the indicating cardboard
in profile the N pole of the magnetized bar bears against the first coil and the S pole
against the second coil. If the current is passed in a certain direction in the first coil
in order to produce at its extremity a N pole, at the other extremity of the soft iron
that is to say in the core of the second coil through which the current does not pass
will be obtained a S pole, and as poles of the like name repel each other, it follows that
the poles of the bar and of the coil being respectively of the same name, the bar
will be repelled and will turn, but at the moment when it will have passed beyond the
centre of its travel the poles of unlike name of the bar and of the coils will be opposite,
and the bar will be attracted, consequently the cardboard will present the front
carrying the indication.
To bring the cardboard back to its original position and consequently cause the
indication to disappear it will be sufficient to cause the second coil to be traversed
by the same current, in order to produce the N pole, then a S pole will be produced
in the first coil; and the inverse phenomena of the first will be produced, the bar
will turn in the opposite direction, and the cardboard will present itself in profile.
In a modification of the improved indicator the magnetized bar is placed higher
upon the axis so as to pass freely over the upper extremity of the coils, and in
lieu of being applied to the edge or circumference of the two coils, it passes above
and will abut at the centre of the cores against two insulating rods inserted in the
central hole of the coils upon the prolongation of the soft iron cores which in this
pattern are much shorter than in those above described. They occupy about half
the length of each coil extending from the bottom; the remainder of the space left is
occupied by a kind of cylinder of wood or other non conducting material which
extends some millimetres beyond the top of the coils and serves as a stop for the
magnetized bar.
The advantage of this combination, the operation of which is the same as that
described above, is to enable the indicating cardboard to move through nearly half a
revolution, instead of a quarter as in the other arrangements and to present freely the
front or the back of the label.
By making the extremities of the magnetized bar terminate in a point, the motion
is a little greater.
In another form of the apparatus only a single coil is used with a soft iron through
its entire length.
Upon this coil are wound two wires instead of one as in that of the above described
apparatus.
The axis which holds the needle is prolonged above that of the entire height of the
cardboard indicator and terminated at each of its extremities in a point. Upon the
prolongation of this axis is fixed the cardboard or indicator and the axis itself is
pivoted between two supporting arms fixed against the support which likewise secures
the soft iron of the coil.
In the state of rest that is to say, when no current passes through the wires of the
coil, the magnetized bar places itself automatically in the direction of the length of the
coil parallel to the soft iron which occupies its centre, a stop piece limits its motion
and prevents the oscillations.
In this position of rest the N pole of the magnetized bar is situated not far from
one of the extremities of the core of soft iron and the S pole of the bar is in proximity
to the other extremity of this same soft iron core.
It will therefore be sufficient to cause the electric current to pass through one of the
wires of the coil in a certain direction, in order to produce, at the opposite extremity
that corresponds with the S pole of the bar D, a pole which is likewise S ; immediately
and by reason of the repulsion of the poles of like name the magnetized bar will be
repelled at each of its extremities and will turn upon its pivot carrying with it the
axis and the cardboard. It thus accomplishes half a revolution, and the cardboard
which presented in the first place its front will now be turned in the opposite direction
and will present its back.

page_text: A current in the opposite direction sent through the other wire will produce unlike
polarities at the extremities of the soft iron, and by their action upon the magnetized
bar the latter will return to its original position.
In this arrangement as in the first described, there will be a double repulsion, one
at each extremity of the magnetized bar, and almost directly double attraction, as soon
as this magnetized bar will have performed half its motion and its polos will approach
the poles of unlike name produced in the core of soft iron of the coil.
The employment of two distinct wires in the coil has for its object to effect the
appearance and disappearance of the indication on the cardboard without being
obliged to reverse the current in the same wires and effects the operation as with the
two separate coils of the ordinary tablets. In a further modification in which the
arrangement is similar to the preceding one but in which two distinct coils, are used,
the soft iron which serves as a core for the two coils is pierced with a hole which
allows the axis of the magnetized bar to pass, this bar is mounted in the same manner
as above described, and also the cardboard or indicator arranged above it.
The operation is the same as in the preceding arrangement, except that the current
is sent sometimes through one coil, sometimes through the other.
The magnetism and consequently the force produced in this case is more intense
than in the preceding case with a single coil.
In some cases two magnetized bars, are used, one above, and the other below the
two coils and in the same direction as that above, the poles of like name are on the
same side in each bar.
The advantage of this arrangement is that more force, and more safety in the
operation, and more stability during the repose is obtained.
The actions are twice as great as in the other arrangements because they exort
themselves upon two magnetized bars instead of only one.
The operation thereof is the same. The force of repulsion and attraction can also
be augmented in the first arrangement by putting a second magnetized bar at the
lower part of the axis corresponding to the lower extremity of the coils; in this case it
will be preferable to make the support, which connects the two cores of soft iron of
the coils, of copper instead of making it of iron as stated.
The magnetized bars can be bent for the purpose to bring near them the extremities
of the core of soft iron which is to be magnetized by the passage of the current, and
thus to impart more intensity to the successive attractions and repulsions.
The two magnetized bars are sometimes replaced by a magnetized hoop or ring the
poles of which are closed upon themselves and form two consecutive points; the
operation is the same as in the above described arrangements.
The principle of the improved indicator, of which several arrangements are herein-
before described presents over those heretofore used, advantages which it is deemed
necessary to mention.
It should be observed that in the improved indicator the actions exerted by the
poles of the coil or of the coils upon the magnetized hand or bar have the maximum
power for the attractive and repulsive actions are added to the two poles of the bar
which thus moves under the action of the maximum power. Accordingly it requires
only currents of feeble intensity to make the indications appear and disappear.
The painted glass having unpainted portions for windows can be dispensed with,
and a plain unpainted glass can be employed.
There is no limit set by the dimensions of the indicating cardboards which can be
made as large as may be desired.
The two holes and screws which served to fix the cardboard or indicator against the
hand, the screw of the counterweight and the counterweight which existed in the
indicators heretofore used may be completely dispensed with in the improved
indicator.
There is no regulation to be effected, and no irregularity or derangement to be
feared in consequence of which the apparatus can be more easily manufactured,
mounted, and kept in order.
Moreover the arrangements of the pivot are provided with socket or any stop, which

page_text: prevents it from escaping, this inconvenience is one which frequently presents itself in
the indicators heretofore used.
This apparatus can be constructed to receive indicating discs of large dimensions,
visible at great distances, for the service of stations, theatres, public buildings,
manufactories, and can be combined with telegraphic and telephonic apparatus.
For the same number of indications the frame or tablet is considerably reduced.
There are no longer any derangements occasioned by the least deviation of the
counterweight which is dispensed with.
The cardboards or indexes being simply fixed by a kind of double or single pincers,
thus greatly facilitating the changing of the said indexes.
The improved indicator presents moreover the great advantage of preserving a
complete immobility despite the motions and shocks of the frame in which it is
mounted in a more or less great number. That is to say the indicator can turn or be
displaced only when an electric current is caused to pass through the desired coil, and
in a determined direction. The cause of this immobility arises from the fact that the
magnetized bar is constantly attracted towards each of its extremities by the core of
soft iron against which this bar abuts.
This immobility did not exist in the indicators heretofore used with electric
appearance and disappearance indicators the oscillating indications appearing or
disappearing at the least motion or shock of the frame that contained them.
This considerable advantage enables the improved indicator to be employed upon
boats, in railway trains, in carriages and lastly in all the installations demanding fixed
and immovable indications without regulation.
Cores of coils made of magnetized steel can be employed, or the soft irons can be
polarized by a neighbouring magnet according to the effect to be obtained.
The number of magnetized bars can be augmented in each arrangement for the
purpose of augmenting either the sensitiveness of the apparatus or its fixity or
immobility.
Lastly a combination can also be arranged with a single coil and one or more
magnetized bars. The operation is the same as above described except that there is
only one coil which acts. The coil is wound with one or more wires according to
circumstances.
DL . 1
'
T
1008
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, WILLIAM ROBErt Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention 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 electric indicating apparatus, which in combination with an
electric bell serves to indicate immediately in which room a bell has been rung, or to
transmit definite signals that can be varied at will.
This apparatus combined with electric bells is adapted to call the workmen servants
or employees of a house, it can moreover be employed on railways as a signalling
apparatus or on board ships for transmitting signals or orders, and for a number of
other uses having a similar object, which object is to cause, through the medium of an
electric bell combined with the said apparatus, a definite indication to appear or
disappear, so as to replace to some extent à verbal order.
The system which forms the subject of this invention can be employed in all cases
where it is desired to use electric signals, and obtain with less expense, a more
precise action than with the different systems heretofore employed for this
purpose.
The indicator as heretofore used is composed of a magnet polarized at the centre,
and having a disc at one of its extremities and a counter-weight at the other extremity.
It is always defective in its action, however carefully it may have been constructed and
the adjustment of the various parts of which it is composed.
Thus it has been found that the frequent repulsion of the polarized magnet causes
the diminution of the permanent magnetisın which finally becomes too weak to over-
come the counterbalance weight or in order to reduce this inconvenience to a minimum
the discs serving as a signal are made as small as possible, but if in this manner the
movement of the signal is ensured, when the current passes through the corresponding
coils, it is on the one hand too sensitive to be able to resist the noises or shocks which
are produced in the vicinity of the indicating apparatus, moreover every partial and
accidental current resulting from humidity or from imperfect insulation of the wires
augments the difficulty as they are the cause of the magnets giving inaccurate
signals.
In order to overcome these difficulties with the indicators hitherto used, a great deal
of time, money and labour has been lost.
The various inconveniences to which I have referred are obviated in the apparatus
hereinafter described which moreover presents advantages which are not possessed by
any of the indicating apparatus heretofore constructed.
This improved apparatus which is represented in the accompanying drawing the
Figures of which are hereinafter referred to, essentially comprises
Ist. Two coils A and B each provided with a core F of soft iron mounted upon a
support C likewise of soft iron, which is common to the two coils having insulated
copper wire.
2nd. A bar or magnetized hand D mounted horizontally upon a pivot of steel
through the medium of a bracket V of copper made in one piece with the bent parts U
and that serve to fix the whole of the system upon a pivot P of steel with
comparatively speaking, no friction, which renders the apparatus very sensitive.
Above the hand and upon the prolongation of the shaft is fixed a piece Q in the form
.

page_text: of pincers designed to receive the cardboard or the like carrying the mark or indication,
or upon which are printed the names or callings of the persons required or the orders
to be transmitted, this cardboard is mounted in such a manner that according to the
movement of the magnetized bar which turns rather more than a quarter of a
revolution it presents its face sometimes to the front as shown in Figure 3 and
sometimes turned a little more than the profile as shown in Figure 1.
The support C for the coils is fixed by a screw R to the lower extremity of a
bracket V of iron or copper bent to channel shape C which serves at the same time
to fix the apparatus upon the bottom of the frame; the screw R is provided with
a conical hole at its extremity which serves as a step bearing for the axis or
pivot P.
The improved indicating apparatus is fixed in variable number according to require-
ments, in a frame with plain unpainted plate glass front which leaves the whole of the
apparatus visible.
Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing represent in elevation and plan the
arrangement of the indicator as above described, the cardboard being in the position
in which its profile is shown.
Figures 3 and 4 represent in elevation and in plan the same indicator, the cardboard
being shown in front view, the indication being consequently visible.
The operation of the apparatus is very simple the effects resulting 1st from the poles
of the magnetized bar, and 2nd from the poles produced by the passage of the current
through one of the coils being utilized simultaneously; for this purpose the two coils
work separately the current passes through one in order to effect the appearance of the
indication and through the other to effect its disappearance. In order to be more
precise, suppose the apparatus presenting the indicating cardboard in profile Figures 1
and 2 the N pole of the magnetized bar bears against the coil A and the S pole against
the coil B. If the current is passed in a certain direction in the coil A in order to
produce at its extremity a N pole at the other extremity of the soft iron c¹ that is to
say, in the core of the coil B through which the current does not pass will be obtained
a S pole and as poles of the like name repel each other, it follows that the poles of the
bar and of the coil being respectively of the same name the bar will be repelled and
will turn, but at the moment when it will have passed beyond the centre of its travel
the poles of unlike names of the bar and of the coils will be opposite and the bar will
be attracted, consequently the cardboard will present the front carrying the indication.
To bring the cardboard back to its original position, and consequently cause the
indication to disappear, it will be sufficient to cause the coil B to be traversed by the
same current, in order to produce the N pole, then a S pole will be produced in
the coil A and the inverse phenomena of the first will be produced, the bar will turn
in the opposite direction and the cardboard will present itself in profile.
The coil represented in Figure 5, or in Figure 6 is composed of two wires wound
in opposite directions, and which have each a different action upon the magnetized
bar D; one of these wires serves for effecting the appearance of the inscription and
the other its disappearance. Therefore by sending the current through one or the
other of these wires the magnetized bar D is caused to turn at will, the said bar having
mounted thereon the cardboard bearing the inscription which will consequently present
either its front or its back.
The second magnetized bar represented in Figure 6 is only designed to strengthen
or augment the force of attraction or repulsion of the current imparted to the
first bar.
The new indicator herein described has, as compared with the old indicator the
following advantages that is to say :-
The counterweights of the old tablets or boards are dispensed with, for in this
system there is no need for any equilibrium and regulation; the magnetized bars
moreover preserve for a longer and, as it were an indefinite time their magnetic force
which is regenerated each time the apparatus operates.
This improved apparatus can operate in any direction; no cases with windows are
.required can even be mounted without frame and without glasses being enclosed

page_text: in any way it cannot get out of order, it operates despite the balancing or swinging
movements to which the frame or apparatus upon which it is mounted may be
subjected.
Its rest or stoppage is neither obtained by weights nor by springs so that, the
inscription having appeared the system can be turned or inverted without causing it to
disappear and vice versa.
The same system can also be arranged with a single coil as shown in Figures 5
and 6.
The improved apparatus differs essentially from the existing apparatus in its special
application to tables of apartments and the combination of an indicator turning
upon itself and held by pincers so as to facilitate the changing of the same according
to requirements. What has never been effected in this kind of apparatus or indicator
is the disappearance of the inscription making announcements by the rotation of the
cardboard or indicator so as to show the two opposite sides of the said cardboard in a
complete manner by causing it to make nearly half a revolution.
This result being obtained by electric actions alone without the aid of springs or
other mechanical devices.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
First. In an electric indicating apparatus the combination of an electro-magnet and
an armature of magnetized steel, the polarized extremities of which are caused to
approach or recede from the poles of the electromagnet, according as the current
passes through one or the other of the magnetizing coils or helices this movement
being perpendicular to the axis of the cores and parallel with the surface of the
extremities of the coils.
Second. The combination of a magnetic armature or permanent magnet mounted
upon an axis arranged parallel with the cores of an electromagnet and carrying above
the extremity of the coils of the electromagnet one or two pincers for receiving an
indicator cardboard or the like and facilitating the change of these indicators.
Third. The combination of several of these indicating mechanisms in the same frame
and provided or not, as desired with a glass or transparent plate, and arranged so
as to make as many announcements or give as many different signals as there are
mechanisms.
Fourth. The combination of the above described indicators for making announce-
ments or signalling in dwelling houses, in hotels, in administrations, commercial
houses, ships, and other places where it is necessary to call either servants or employers
or give any orders from a distance as above set forth.
Fifth. The combination of indicating labels upon which are printed either the
names or callings of the persons called or the orders to be transmitted; and the
magnetic and mechanical device which cause these signals to be shown and to disappear
by turning or pivoting upon themselves, so as to show either their front containing
the inscription or their back, by the simple passage of the current, for the appearance
as well as for the disappearance of the signal, which enables these movements to be
effected from a distance.
Sixth. The combination of these mechanisms with a single coil, as shown in
Figures 5 and 6, by employing one or two magnetized armatures as above described.
D
1000
3334
1500
Page L
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.