IMPROVE- MENTS IN DIAL OR NEEDLE AND ALPHABETICAL TELEGRAPHS, RELAYS AND RECORDING INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Henley, of Essex Street, Islington, in
the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN DIAL OR NEEDLE AND ALPHABETICAL TELEGRAPHS, RELAYS AND
RECORDING INSTRUMENTS."
Sealed the 1st March 1870, and dated the 3rd September 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Henley at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
3rd September 1869.
I, GEORGE HENLEY, of Essex Street, Islington, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN DIAL OR NEEDLE AND ALPHABETICAL TELEGRAPHS,
RELAYS, AND RECORDING INSTRUMENTS," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of certain improvements in electro-magnetic
and magneto-electric telegraphs and relays, whereby I am enabled to
transmit signals with greater rapidity and precision than can be
accomplished with instruments of the same denomination now in use;
Price 8d.1

page_text: I allude in the first place to such as are known as recording telegraphs,
which in their action leave permanent marks or signs on a movable
band of paper or other fibrous material; secondly, to the class termed
dial or needle telegraphs; and, thirdly, to those known as alphabetical,
indicating each letter by means of a revolving pointer.
Now the chief improvement in my recording instrument consists in a
method by which I am enabled to abbreviate the 26 alphabetical signs
used in the Morse code to 13, and that, whereas, in the former it is
necessary to employ 5 dots or dashes for many of the letters I do not
exceed 3, thereby avoiding one great source of error in the reception
and transmission of messages.
The arrangement by which I accomplish this will be understood from
the following description:-To a mahogany base board the various parts
of the instrument are planted as follows:-An electro-magnet having
suspended in front of each pole a small permanent bar magnet having
their axis near the upper end and moving freely in cocks, the aforesaid
magnets act independently of each other in all respects; drawn slightly
from the vertical position by the soft iron of the electro-magnet they
are prevented from actual contact by brass screws let into the poles of
the same; and in order to further counteract the attraction the lower
end poles of the permanent magnets are of the same polarity, this has
the further advantage of destroying the residual magnetism left after the
passage of cach current. Attached to the magnetic bars or needles are
two ink markers, their points approaching each other to any convenient
distance for impressing the two rows of dots and lines, and resting when
not in action on the ink roller, hercafter described.
I do not confine myself to any particular kind of ink marker; what I
have found to answer well in practice is to hard twist several strands of
silk-covered wire and cut them off to the required length, and I supply
them with the requisite quantity of fluid by means of a metallic box or
reservoir covered in at every part with exception of a small slot where
the ink pens rest on the roller; this roller moves on an axis having
bearings on and near the top of the box, while an endless band passing
round the said roller is continued to and embraces a smaller roller near
the bottom of the box, the axis of the upper roller (on which is
mounted a small toothed wheel) is carried through the box for the purpose
of receiving motion from a similar wheel on the axis, the said wheel being
so arranged as to impart a uniform but slow action to the aforesaid ink

page_text: roller and band; the latter in its passage through the fluid brings up
just sufficient to supply the pens, while the agitation it creates in the
fluid prevents subsidence, and it will be seen the quantity contained in
the box is of comparative indifference; the axis prolonged through the
frame of the instrument is actuated by a supplementary wheel working
into what is generally known as the Morse train, the latter is contained
within another frame, the chief service it has to perform in all cases is
to convey the strip of paper by means of rollers to the place where it
is to receive the impression.
over
In my improved instrument the paper is brought from a drum to an
intermediate roller, which can be adjusted to the required distance from
the ink pens by means of grooved slots, the band of paper having received
the alphabetical signs is drawn through the rollers and finally passes
the drum; the code I use to form the alphabet is printed on
the band of paper, but this I am aware may be modified or varied to some
extent, I therefore do not confine myself to this special code further
than to printing two parallel rows of lines and dots at the will of the
operator; the latter may in some cases, such as one of the pens being
out of order or not having learned the new code, find it necessary to
make use of the more complex Morse code; for my improved instrument
to do this no preparation or alteration is required, it is simply to use
one ink pen instead of two, and thus arranged I find my method of
regulating the ink supply has many advantages over the ordinary
recording instruments; the electro-magnet is clamped on the lid of the
box of the instrument by means of a brass casting; the top serves also
for mounting two cocks, which are screwed down by millheads.
Having now described the various parts of my recording instrument,
its action will be generally understood from the following brief explana-
tion On sending a current from the battery through the electro-
magnet coils (the terminal wires of the same being brought to the
binding screws) the magnetic bars or needles with the ink pen attached
are immediately projected towards the paper on the roller, where it will
leave an impression; if the current is of short duration, a dot; if somewhat
longer, a dash; and a precisely similar action takes place with the other
magnet and pen on reversing the poles of the battery; thus, just according
as the current passing through the coils shall be positive or negative so
will the needle whose pole is repelled by it be brought into action, while
the other being attracted remains at rest.

page_text: I now proceed to describe the improvements above referred to in dial
or needle telegraphs and relays, which consist in procuring a dead beat
to the signal indicator instead of the indistinct oscillations so objection-
able in the ordinary instruments. I allude to such as have a pointer
retained in a vertical position when at rest by means of a preponderating
weight at the lower end of a magnetic needle on the same axis, the
reversable deflections of the pointer being arrested by a stop at each
side of the same and placed at a convenient distance. Now it is found
in practice if you attempt to work with an approach to rapidity the
signals become confused, owing to the rebound of the pointer past zero
or the vertical position, and this difficulty is greatly increased should
the battery power be in excess of the requirement.
I will now proceed to describe the means by which I am enabled
to obviate these objections. I employ an electro-magnet fixed to a
mahogany base board by means of brass clamps and pillars; through
the centre of each coil the usual soft iron core is introduced, but
instead of being joined by a cross piece each core is cut off nearly flush
with the coils at each end, and here it may be as well to observe that in
describing the coils and appliances attached at one end that fixed at the
other may be considered an exact counterpart of the same; there are
two gun metal cocks moving in V slots on the top brass clamp employed
to support two magnetic needles suspended horizontally by their axle
pivots; the needles are attracted by the soft iron of the electro-magnet
till they are arrested by screws in the double cocks, the reverse action of
the needles when under the influence of electric currents is regulated by
suitable screws; the adjusting screws working into the aforesaid cocks
are for regulating the distance of the magnetic needles from the electro-
magnet; there is a brass oblong dial fixed on the aforesaid clamp by
cocks, at each end of this dial a slot is cut so as to allow a nearer approach
of the two pointers to each other, the latter are connected by curved
wires passing through slots to the magnetic needle axles; the terminal
wires of the electro-magnet coils are connected under the base board to
binding screws; if now a battery current is sent through the coils by
means of a reversing key one of the needles will be repelled, and by its
action carries the pointer nearer to the centre of the dial; on breaking
contact the needle and pointer return to their former position, the
needle at the other end of the electro-magnet having been attracted by
the current, and not being able to advance by reason of the banking
screw, has remained at rest, but it will be evident if I change the pole of

page_text: the battery a reverse action will take place in the movements of the
needles and pointers.
I sometimes adopt a slight modification of this instrument in order to
read off the indications by sound instead of visually; to do this the
only alteration necessary is to remove the dial and pointers and screw.
On the upper clamp I employ two bells of unequal pitch in respect to
sound, and in place of the pointers I attach two small hammers for the
purpose of striking the said bells; these hammers are connected to the
magnetic needles at the same place and by similar curved wires as were
the pointers before described; in working this sounding apparatus I
either make use of the alphabet as used in the ordinary single-needle
instrument, or of the one as adapted for my improved recording instru-
ment, in the latter case the substitute for the lines or dashes is made
by letting the hammer rest a short interval against the bell, by that
means a flat sound is given out, and which can be easily distinguished
from the sharp one for the dots.
I now proceed to describe the parts necessary to the relay as follows:-
One pole of the local battery entering by a terminal goes by a wire to a
double cock, which is insulated from the front part; from this point it
ascends by a magnetic needle which is in contact with a metallic stud
to an axle cock, the front part of which is also insulated, from thence to
a pillar and terminal through the recording instrument, back by way of
another terminal and pillar, and so by another magnetic needle, which
is insulated in all respects the same as that before described, to the
back of the double cock, and from there back to the pole of the battery
from which it started; so far it will be a closed circuit with one pole
only, but if I connect the other, pole of the battery to the front parts
of the cocks, and adjust their screws so that the magnetic needles make
contact with them when repelled, it is evident the action must send a
battery current through the recording instrument with each contact;
if, on the other hand, I wish to affect the recording instrument in an
opposite direction all that is necessary is to bring the other needle into
action by means of a reversing key. This arrangement may either be
used separate from or in combination with the dial mechanism previously
described.
The improvements above referred to in alphabetical telegraphs which
I now proceed to describe relate more especially to that class in which
the mechanism is brought into action by moving a lever round a circular

page_text: dial on which are marked the letters of the alphabet; the lever with a
pointer attached is intended to stop at any particular letter at the will of
the operator, failing to do this the receiving dial no longer acts in unison,
this is explained (when using the magneto current) to its graduated
force arriving at its maximum at a certain point in the revolution
of the electro-magnet coils; now just as the lever is advanced too far,
or the reverse, so will the current be either plus or minus of the requisite
strength, and as a consequence the pointer on the receiving dial will
be affected indefinitely; various methods have been tried to get just
the amount of current necessary and no more, but with only partial
success; the nearest solution of the difficulty is achieved by such instru-
ments as have their currents regulated by stops, but these are expensive
and complicated, and for the latter reason more liable to derangement,
now in my improved instrument which I am about to describe I believe
the objectionable features are obviated wholly or to a great extent, while
at the same time simplicity has not been sacrificed. On a mahogany
base board are planted the various parts of the machine as follows:-
A permanent magnet electro-magnet coils, from which the current
is generated; these are of the usual description, and their
construction being so well known requires no explanation; the only
novelty in those I propose to use consists in having the lower flanges
of the coils made of sheet iron instead of brass, which I find conserves
the power of the magnet over which they move; the axle carrying the
coils and soft iron cross piece are supported in a vertical position by
brass pillars and their connecting piece revolving freely in centres;
motion is communicated to it by means of a driving pulley, to which
it is connected by a leather band passing round the smaller one fixed
thereon; the latter in order to insure the adhesion of the band has four
steel studs screwed in at regular distances on its periphery, and these
lock into a series of holes pierced in the band, and so arranged as to
meet the studs in their revolution. I employ a wheel of 150 teeth
driven by a pinion of 10 leaves, the axis of which is centred in a cock
and a bracket projecting on the same arbor that an intermediate wheel
is mounted; this wheel receives motion from a similar wheel fixed on
an axle, and which also forms the top flange to a small pulley; the
arrangement of the toothed wheels is so ordered that for one revolution
of the largest wheel, the one fixed on the axle makes 15, there is a
pointer screwed on the upper end of a curved arm, this pointer makes
the circuit of the dial for the purpose of indicating the letters, the

page_text: fixed axis round which it revolves projects upwards and supports the
dial, the latter being on the outside of the case or cover is screwed on
the axis by means of a boss on the under side, and is easily removed
when required; a curved spring is screwed to the base of the instru-
ment, while the upper end (to which is attached a roller) rests on the
lower edge of the wheel; this roller when the arm and pointer making
the circuit of the dial arrives at the zero point, and which is its position
for receiving a message, falls into a slot and at the same time makes
contact with the end of a screw, this has the effect of preventing. the
incoming current from passing through the magnet coils, and by this
means the resistance is reduced; a horizontally placed spring with a
button at the end projects to the outside of the case, and is used for
the purpose of adjusting the instrument; by making short circuit by
pressing the button down contact is made with a screw in the base,
and the current passes through the home instrument only on elevating
the spring, so as to make contact with the screw in the cock. All
currents are shut off, and the indicator can be placed in any required
position. Of those currents coming from the magnet coils one is led to
the lower end of an axle, on which is an insulated brass collar, to this
the conductor is fastened, hence it is conveyed by means of a small
spring pressing on the collar to the terminal leading to the receiving
dial, the other connecting wire is in contact with the metal of the axle,
and the other metallic parts forms the connection to the nut screwing
down the pillar, and from there to the terminal a little above the insu-
lated collar two small metallic arms are fixed, and during one revolution
of the axle each of these arms is in contact for a short time with a
spring screwed on the base, and which is in connection with the
insulated collar, this it will be seen closes the circuit at the time of each
contact, and is intended to take effect when the pointer is about oppo-
site to a letter; thus the current being inactive for a limited interval it
is not necessary to arrest the arm at any exact spot.
The various modifications introduced in the receiving apparatus are.
as follows: I employ a brass casting, the lower end of which takes the
form of a double bracket, one of the projections being used for screwing
it to the base board, the other for mounting the small electro-magnet;
the dial is fixed on the upper end by means of cocks; all the active
parts incidental to the escapement are fixed by means of three cocks;

page_text: the escape wheel contains 15 teeth, is of an inclined form, assimilating
to some extent to the escape wheel of a lever watch, this is mounted
on its axle, one pivot centred in the cock, the other is prolonged
through the dial to carry the revolving pointer; the pallets are fixed
on the same axle as the magnetic needle, and so arranged that the
centres of the axle shall move exactly intermediate between the two
soft iron arms; on the poles of the electro-magnet two small curved
arms are employed for the purpose of regulating the oscillations of
the magnetic needle, and with it the action of the pallets on the escape
wheel.
It is sometimes more convenient to employ the voltaic current for
actuating the receiving apparatus; in that case I adopt the following
plan-I employ a disc of metal having a central boss, which is bored
out for the reception of a fixed axis; on the outer circle of the aforesaid
disc a rim of vulcanite, hard wood, or other insulating material is placed,
this is to prevent metallic contact between a second rim or flange placed
on the insulated one; the top flange is of the same diameter, turned
true on the upper surface, and cast in brass or gun metal; 15 holes are
next drilled in equal divisions round the circle of both of the flanges,
the latter are then fixed on the aforesaid disc by 4 insulated screws;
in the centre of each of the before-mentioned holes I screw a metallic
stud into the disc, taking care that none are in contact with the flange;
three springs screwed to the base board are in contact with the upper
flange, but two only press alternately on the studs, the other spring
rests on the outer rim of the flange and forms one pole of the battery,
the other pole being in contact with the axis and the disc.
Having explained this part of the apparatus it will readily be under-
stood that thirty single currents, or fifteen reverse ones, will be given out
during one complete revolution of the disc, and as these are conveyed
from the springs to the terminals, and thence through the receiving dial,
its pointer will make one revolution also. The curved arm fixed on the
disc is for the purpose of revolving the latter, and as it carries a pointer
it at the same time serves as indicator to the letter dial.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Henley in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 3rd March 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
HENLEY, of Essex Street, Islington, in the County of Middlesex,
Engincer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by, Her
Letters. Patent, bearing date the Third day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said George Henley, Her special licence that
I, the said George Henley, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as T, the said George Henley, my executors, adminis-
trators, 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 DIAL OR
NEEDLE AND ALPHABETICAL TELEGRAPHS, RELAYS, AND RECORDING INSTRUMENTS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said George Henley,
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 George Henley, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, that is to say:-
This Invention consists of certain improvements in electro-magnetic
and magneto-electric telegraphs and relays, whereby I am enabled to
transmit signals with greater rapidity and precision than can be
accomplished with instruments of the same denomination now in use.
I allude, in the first place, to such as are known as recording telegraphs,
which in their action leave permanent marks or signs on a moveable

page_text: band of paper or other fibrous material; secondly, to the class termed
dial or needle telegraphs; and, thirdly, to those known as alphabetical,
indicating each letter by means of a revolving pointer.
Now the chief improvement in my recording instrument consists in a
method by which I am enabled to. abbreviate the 26 alphabetical signs
used in the Morse code to 13, and that whereas in the former it is
necessary to employ 5 dots or dashes for many of the letters I do not
exceed 3, thereby avoiding one great source of error in the reception
and transmission of messages.
The arrangement by which I accomplish this will be understood from
the following description:-To a mahogany base board the various parts
of the instrument are planted as follows:-An electro-magnet, having
suspended in front of each pole a small permanent bar magnet having
their axis near the upper end, and moving freely in cocks, the aforesaid
magnets act independently of each other in all respects; drawn slightly
from the vertical position by the soft iron of the electro-magnet they
are prevented from actual contact by brass screws let into the poles of
the same; and in order to further counteract the attraction the lower
end poles of the permanent magnets are of the same polarity, this has
the further advantage of destroying the residual magnetism left after the
passage of each current. Attached to the magnetic bars or needles are
two ink markers, their points approaching cach other to any convenient
distance for impressing the two rows of dots and lines, and resting when
not in action on the ink roller hereafter described.
I do not confine myself to any particular kind of ink marker; what I
have found to answer well in practice is to hard twist several strands of
silk covered wire and cut them off to the required length, and I supply
them with the requisite quantity of fluid by means of a metallic box or
reservoir covered in at every part with the exception of a small slot where
the ink pens rest on the roller; this roller moves on an axis having
bearings on and near the top of the box, while an endless band passing
round the said roller is continued to and embraces a smaller roller near
the bottom of the box; the axis of the upper roller (on which is
mounted a small toothed wheel) is carried through the box for the purpose
of receiving motion from a similar wheel on the axis, the said wheel being
so arranged as to impart a uniform but slow action to the aforesaid ink
roller and band. The latter in its passage through the fluid brings up
just sufficient to supply the pens, while the agitation it creates in the

page_text: fluid prevents subsidence, and it will be seen the quantity contained in
the box is of comparative indifference; the axis prolonged through the
frame of the instrument is actuated by a supplementary wheel working
into what is generally known as the Morse train, the latter is contained
within another frame, the chief service it has to perform in all cases is
to convey the strip of paper by means of rollers to the place where it
is to receive the impression.
"J
In my improved instrument the paper is brought from a drum to an
intermediate roller, which can be adjusted to the required distance from
the ink pens by means of grooved slots, the band of paper having received
the alphabetical signs is drawn through the rollers and finally passes
over the drum. The code I use to form the alphabet is printed on
the band of paper, but this I am aware may be modified or varied to some
extent, I therefore do not confine myself to this special code further
than to printing two parallel rows of lines and dots at the will of the
operator; the latter may in some cases, such as one of the pens being
out of order or not having learned the new code, find it necessary to
make use of the more complex Morse code; for my improved instrument
to do this no preparation or alteration is required, it is simply to use
one ink pen instead of two, and thus arranged I find my method of
regulating the ink supply has many advantages over the ordinary
recording instruments; the electro-magnet is clamped on the lid of the
box of the instrument by means of a brass casting; the top serves also
for mounting two cocks, which are screwed down by millheads.
Having now described the various parts of my recording instrument
its action will be generally understood from the following brief explana-
tion: On sending a current from the battery through the electro-
magnet coils (the terminal wires of the same being brought to the
binding screws) the magnetic bars or needles with the ink pen attached
are immediately projected towards the paper on the roller, where it will
leave an impression; if the current is of short duration, a dot; if somewhat
longer, a dash; and a precisely similar action takes place with the other
magnet and pen on reversing the poles of the battery; thus, just according
as the current passing through the coils shall be positive or negative, so
will the needle whose pole is repelled by it be brought into action, while
the other being attracted remains at .rest.
I now proceed to describe the improvements above referred to in dial

page_text: or needle telegraphs and relays, which consist in procuring a dead beat
to the signal indicator instead of the indistinct oscillations so objection-
able in the ordinary instruments. I allude to such as have a pointer
retained in a vertical position when at rest by means of a preponderating
weight at the lower end of a magnetic needle on the same axis, the
reversable deflections of the pointer being arrested by a stop at each
side of the same and placed at a convenient distance. Now it is found
in practice if you attempt to work with an approach to rapidity the
signals become confused owing to the rebound of the pointer past zero
on the vertical position, and this difficulty is greatly increased should
the battery power be in excess of the requirement.
I will now proceed to describe the means by which I am enabled
to obviate these objections. I employ an electro-magnet fixed to a
mahogany base board by means of brass clamps and pillars; through
the centre of each coil the usual soft iron core is introduced, but
instead of being joined by a cross piece each core is cut off nearly flush
with the coils at each end, and here it may be as well to observe that in
describing the coils and appliances attached at one end that fixed at the
other may be considered an exact counterpart of the same; there arc
two gun metal cocks moving in V slots on the top brass clamp employed
to support two magnetic needles suspended horizontally by their axle
pivots; the needles are attracted by the soft iron of the electro-magnet
till they are arrested by screws in the double cocks, the reverse action of
the needles when under the influence of electric currents is regulated by
suitable screws; the adjusting screws working into the aforesaid cocks
are for regulating the distance of the magnetic needles from the electro-
magnet; there is a brass oblong dial fixed on the aforesaid clamp by
cocks; at each end of this dial a slot is cut so as to allow a nearer approach
of the two pointers to each other, the latter are connected by curved
wires passing through slots to the magnetic needle axles; the terminal
wires of the electro-magnet coils are connected under the base board to
binding screws; if now a battery current is sent through the coils by
means of a reversing key one of the needles will be repelled, and by its
action carries the pointer nearer to the centre of the dial; on breaking
contact the needle and pointer return to their former position, the
needle at the other end of the electro-magnet having been attracted by
the current, and not being able to advance by reason of the banking
screw, has remained at rest, but it will be evident if I change the pole of

page_text: the battery a reverse action will take place in the movements of the
needles and pointers.
I sometimes adopt a slight modification of this instrument in order to
read off the indications by sound instead of visually; to do this the
only alteration necessary is to remove the dial and pointers and screws.
On the upper clamp I employ two bells of unequal pitch in respect to
sound, and in place of the pointers I attach two small hammers for the
purpose of striking the said bells; these hammers are connected to the
magnetic needles at the same place and by similar curved wires as were
the pointers before described; in working this sounding apparatus I
either make use of the alphabet as used in the ordinary single needle
instrument, or of the one as adopted for my improved recording instru-
ment, in the latter case the substitute for the lines or dashes is made
by letting the hammer rest a short interval against the bell, by that
means a flat sound is given out, and which can be easily distinguished
from the sharp one for the dots.
I now proceed to describe the parts necessary to the relay as follows:-
One pole of the local battery entering by a terminal goes by a wire to a
double cock, which is insulated from the front part; from this point it
ascends by a magnetic needle, which is in contact with a metallic stud,
to an axle cock, the front part of which is also insulated, from thence to
a pillar and terminal through the recording instrument, back by way of
another terminal and pillar, and so by another magnetic needle, which
is insulated in all respects the same as that before described, to the
back of the double cock, and from there back to the pole of the battery
from which it started; so far it will be a closed circuit with one pole
only, but if we connect the other pole of the battery to the front parts
of the cocks, and adjust their screws so that the magnetic needles make
contact with them when repelled, it is evident the action must send a
battery current through the recording instrument with each contact;
if, on the other hand, I wish to affect the recording instrument in an
opposite direction all that is necessary is to bring the other needle into
action by means of a reversing key. This arrangement may either be
used separate from or in combination with the dial mechanism previously
described.
The improvements above referred to in alphabetical telegraphs which
I now proceed to describe relate more especially to that class in which
the mechanism is brought into action by moving a lever round a circular

page_text: dial on which are marked the letters of the alphabet; the lever with a
pointer attached is intended to stop at any particular letter at the will of
the operator, failing to do this the receiving dial no longer acts in unison,
this is explained (when using the magneto-current) to its graduated
force arriving at its maximum at a certain point in the revolution
of the electro-magnet coils; now just as the lever is advanced too far
or the reverse so will the current be either plus or minus of the requisite
strength, and as a consequence the pointer on the receiving dial will
be affected indefinitely; various methods have been tried to get just
the amount of current necessary and no more, but with only partial
success, the nearest solution of the difficulty is achieved by such instru-
ments as have their currents regulated by stops, but these are expensive
and complicated, and for the latter reason more liable to derangement,
now in my improved instrument which I am about to describe I believe
the objectionable features are obviated wholly or to a great extent, while
at the same time simplicity has not been sacrificed. On a mahogany
base board are planted the various parts of the machine as follows:-
A permanent magnet clectro-magnet coils, from which the current
is generated; these arc of the usual description, and their
construction being so well known requires no explanation; the only
novelty in those I propose to use consists in having the lower flanges
of the coils made of sheet iron instead of brass, which I find conserves
the power of the magnet over they move; the axle carrying the
coils and soft iron cross piece are supported in a vertical position by
brass pillars and their connecting piece revolving freely in centres
motion is communicated to it by means of a driving pulley, to which
it is connected by a leather band passing round the smaller one fixed
thercon. In order to insure the adhesion of the band the pulley has steel
studs screwed in at regulated distances on its periphery, and these
lock into a series of holes pierced in the band, and so arranged as to
meet the studs in their revolution. I employ a wheel of 150 teeth,
driven by a pinion of 10 leaves, the axis of which is centred in a cock
and a bracket projecting on the same arbor that an intermediate wheel
is mounted; this wheel receives motion from a similar wheel fixed on
an axle, and which also forms the top flange to a small pulley; the
arrangement of the toothed wheels is so ordered that for one revolution
of the largest wheel, the one fixed on the axle makes 15, there is a
pointer screwed on the upper end of a curved arm, this pointer makes
the circuit of the dial for the purpose of indicating the letters, the

page_text: fixed axis round which it revolves projects upwards and supports the
dial; the latter being on the outside of the case or cover is screwed on
the axis by means of a boss on the under side, and is easily removed
when required; a curved spring is screwed to the base of the instru-
ment, while the upper end (to which is attached a roller) rests on the
lower edge of the wheel; this roller, when the arm and pointer making
the circuit of the dial arrives at the zero point, and which is its position
for receiving a message, falls into a slot, and at the same time makes
contact with the end of a screw, this has the effect of preventing the
incoming current from passing through the magnet coils, and by this
means the resistance is reduced; a horizontally placed spring with a
button at the end projects to the outside of the case, and is used for
the purpose of adjusting the instrument; by making short circuit by
pressing the button down contact is made with a screw in the base,
and the current passes through the home instrument only on elevating
the spring, so as to make contact with the screw in the cock; all
currents are shut off, and the indicator can be placed in any required
position. Of those currents coming from the magnet coils one is led to
the lower end of an axle, on which is an insulated brass collar, to this
the conductor is fastened, hence it is conveyed by means of a small
spring pressing on the collar to the terminal leading to the receiving
dial, the other connecting wire is in contact with the metal of the axle,
and the other metallic parts form the connection; to the nut screwing
down the pillar, and from there to the terminal a little above the insu-
lated collar, two small metallic arms are fixed, and during one revolution
of the axle each of these arms is in contact for a short time with a
spring screwed on the base, and which is in connexion with the
insulated collar; this it will be seen closes the circuit at the time of each
contact, and is intended to take effect when the pointer is about oppo-
site to a letter, thus the current being inactive for a limited interval it
is not necessary to arrest the arm at any exact spot.
The various modifications introduced in the receiving apparatus are
as follows:-I employ a brass casting, the lower end of which takes the
form of a double bracket, one of the projections being used for screwing
it to the base board, the other for mounting the small electro-magnet;
the dial is fixed on the upper end by means of cocks; all the active
parts incidental to the escapement are fixed by means of three cocks;

page_text: the escape wheel contains 15 teeth, is of an inclined form, assimilating
to some extent to the escape wheel of a lever watch, this is mounted
on its axle, one pivot centred in the cock, the other is prolonged
through the dial to carry the revolving pointer; the pallets are fixed
on the same axle as the magnetic needle, and so arranged that the
centres of the axle shall move exactly intermediate between the two
soft iron arms; on the poles of the electro-magnet two small curved
arms are employed for the purpose of regulating the oscillations of
the magnetic needle, and with it the action of the pallets on the escape
wheel.
It is sometimes more convenient to employ the voltaic current for
actuating the receiving apparatus; in that case I adopt the following
plan employ a disc of metal having a central boss, which is bored
out for the reception of a fixed axis; on the outer circle of the aforesaid
dise a rim of vulcanite, hard wood, or other insulating material is placed,
this is to prevent metallic contact between a second rim or flange placed
on the insulated one; the top flange is of the same diameter, turned
true on the upper surface, and cast in brass or gun metal; 15 holes are
next drilled in equal divisions round the circle of both the flanges;
the latter are then fixed on the aforesaid disc by 4 insulated screws;
in the centre of each of the before-mentioned holes I screw a metallic
stud into the disc, taking care that none are in contact with the flange;
three springs screwed to the base board are in contact with the upper
flange, but two only press alternately on the studs, the other spring
rests on the outer rim of the flange and forms one pole of the battery,
the other pole being in contact with the axis and the disc.
Having explained this part of the apparatus it will readily be under-
stood that thirty single currents, or fifteen reverse ones, will be given out
during one complete revolution of the disc, and as these are conveyed
from the springs to the terminals, and thence through the receiving dial
its pointer will make one revolution also. The curved arm fixed on the
dise is for the purpose of revolving the latter, and as it carries a pointer
it at the same time serves as indicator to the letter dial.
And in order to explain this Invention more completely I now proceed
to describe the best means I am acquainted with for carrying the same
into practical effect, reference being had to the accompanying Sheets of
Drawings, and to the numeral figures and letters of reference marked
thereon respectively, as follows:-

page_text: Sheets 1 and 2 represent several views of my improved recording
instruments. Figure 1 is an end elevation; Figure 2, a top plan view;
Figure 3, a section through A, B, Figure 2; Figure 4, a section through
C, D, Figure 2. At Sheet 2, Figure 5 is an end elevation; Figure 6, a
vertical section at A, B, Figure 1; Figure 7, a sectional plan view at
C, D, Figure 2.
Sheet 3 represents several views of my improved needle and sounding
instrument and relay. Figure 1 is a top plan view; Figure 2, a hori-
zontal section through A, B, at Figure 4; Figure 3, a vertical section
through E, F, at Figure 2; Figure 4, a section through G, H, at Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a side elevation of my improved sounding instrument;
Figure 6 is an end elevation; Figure 7, a top plan view.
Sheets 4 and 5 represent several views of my improved alphabetical
instruments. Figure 1 is a front elevation at A, B; Figure 2 is a top
plan view. At Sheet 5 Figure 3 is a side elevation at G, H, Figure 6 of
modifications of my improved alphabetical telegraphs; Figure 4 is a
sectional elevation through E, F, at Figure 5; Figure 5 is a sectional
plan view at C, D, Figure 4; Figure 6 is a top plan view; Figure 7,
plan of armature; Figure 8, section of escapement at I, K, Figure 9;
Figure 9, vertical section of escapement.
As regards Sheet 1 my improvements in recording telegraphs consist
in a method whereby I am enabled to transmit signals with greater
rapidity and precision than can be accomplished with instruments of the
same denomination now in use; I allude to such as are known as the
system Morse, and leave permanent marks or signs on a moveable band
of paper or other fibrous material; now in this part of my Invention
which I am about to describe I abbreviate the 26 alphabetical signs used
in the Morse code to 13, thereby avoiding one great source of error in the
reception and transmission of messages; the arrangement by which
I accomplish this will be understood on reference to Sheet 1, where A
marks a mahogany base board, on which the various parts of the instru-
ment are planted as follows:-B marks an electro-magnet, having
suspended in front of each pole a small permanent bar magnet C, C',
the axis of each being near the upper end, and moving freely in the
cocks D', D, drawn slightly from the vertical position; the said bars
are prevented from actual contact with the iron of the electro-magnet by

page_text: brass screws let into the poles of the latter. I find the attraction is
greatly counteracted by the lower poles of the magnet bars being of a
similar kind, and when thus arranged it has the advantage of destroying
the residual magnetism left after the passage of each current.
I wish
it to be further understood that the magnetic bars when under the
influence of electric currents act perfectly independent of each other.
Attached to C', C2, are two ink markers E', E², their points approaching
cach other to any convenient distance for impressing the two rows of
dots and lines, and resting when not in action on the ink roller F. I do
not confine myself to any particular kind of ink marker, what I have
found to answer well in practice is to hard twist several strands of silk-
covered wire and cut them off to the required length, and I supply
them with the requisite quantity of fluid by means of a metallic box or
reservoir G covered in at every part with the exception of a small slot
where the ink pens rest on the roller F, the latter moves on an axis
having bearings on and near the top of the box, while an endless band
passing round the said roller is continued to and embraces a smaller
roller near the bottom of G; motion is communicated by means of the
arbor of F prolonged through G and carrying a small toothed wheel H,
which gears into a similar wheel on the axis I; the size of the wheels
should be so regulated as to impart a uniform but slow motion to the
ink roller F; the arbor I prolonged through the frame J is actuated
by a supplementary wheel working into what is generally known as
the Morse train, this works within the frame J, but as its mechanism
is so uniform and well understood I have thought it unnecessary to
explain it, the chief sérvice it has to perform in all cases is to convey
the strip of paper (by means of rollers) to the place where it has to
receive the impression. In my improved instrument the paper is
brought from the drum K to an intermediate roller L, which can be
adjusted to the required distance from the ink pens by means of the
grooved slots at M, the band of paper having received the alphabetical
signs is drawn through the rollers N, N', and finally passes again over
the drum K; my improved code by which I form the alphabet is shewn
at O, Sheet 2, but this I am aware may be modified or varied to some
extent; I therefore do not confine myself to this special one further than
to printing two parallel rows of lines and dots at the will of the operator,
who
may in some cases (such as one of the pens being out of order or
not having learned the new code) find it necessary to make use of the
more complex Morse code; for my improved instrument to do this no

page_text: preparation or alteration is necessary, it is simply to use one ink pen
instead of two. The electro-magnet B is clamped on the box G by the
brass casting Q; the top of the same serves also for mounting two
cocks D', D³, from which the magnetic bars are suspended. R, R, are
mill-headed screws for fastening down the cocks D', D'.
Having now described this arrangement of my improved recording
instrument, its action will be understood from the following explana-
tion: On sending a current from the battery the terminal wires of the
same being brought to P', P³, and from thence to the electro-magnet B,
the latter will become excited, and one of the magnetic bars C with the
pen attached will be projected towards the band of paper, where it will
leave an impression; if the current is of short duration, a dot; if somewhat
longer, a dash; and a precisely similar action takes place with the other
magnetic bar on changing the pole of the battery; thus, just as the
current shall be positive or negative so will the magnetic bar whose
pole is repelled by it be brought into action, while the other being
attracted remains at rest.
I sometimes employ a modification of the before-mentioned arrange-
ment of the ink markers and other parts, as shewn in Sheet 2, where the
magnetic bars C, C', are planted in a similar position relative to the
electro-magnet as that shewn in Sheet 3, and described as a sounding
telegraph, the method of adjustment being exactly the same; this will
render simple the following explanation:-A marks an electro-magnet,
the iron core of the same divided at B; C', C, are cocks for supporting
the magnetic bars or needles; D1, D2, screws for regulating the distance
of the iron cores E¹, E'; F is a reservoir for the marking fluid, the said
reservoir acting on the well known principle of the bird fountain; the
tube G has a slot cut out at H sufficient to allow of the partial immer-
sion of the ink roller I, this roller being driven by means of its arbor J,
on which a toothed wheel is mounted working into a Morse train, the
frame of which is shewn at K; resting on I are the two marking
rollers L', L', which have axle bearings in the cocks L', L. Attached
to the same axles are two bent arms projecting outwards at M1, M2, while
from the magnetic needle axles C¹, C³, two other arms approach and
overlap the former ones, as shewn at N', N; these are retained in
position by the bunking screws O¹, O'.
Now having described these various parts, and wishing it to be
understood that the action of the magnetic bars or needles are the same

page_text: as that described in my improved bell or sounding telegraph, it will be
evident that on one of the magnetic bars being repelled its projecting
arm N will depress M', and at the same time elevate the marking
roller L' until it reaches the band of paper on the roller P. On
changing the pole of the battery the other roller will act on the paper,
while the former roller will remain at rest.
As regards Sheet 3 my improvements in dial or needle telegraphs and
relays consist in procuring a dead beat to the signal indicator instead of
the indistinct oscillations so objectionable in the ordinary instruments
now in use; I allude to such as have a pointer retained in a vertical
position when at rest by means of a preponderating weight at the lower
end of a magnetic needle on the same axis, the reversible deflections of
the pointer being arrested by a stop at each side of the same placed at a
convenient distance; now it is found in practice if you attempt to work
with an approach to rapidity the signals become confused, owing to the
rebound of the pointer past zero or the vertical position, and the
difficulty is greatly increased when the battery power is in excess of the
requirement.
I will now proceed to describe the means I employ in my improved
instrument to obviate these objections.
At Sheet 3, Figures 3 and 4, A represents an electro-magnet fixed to
a base board B by means of the pillars C and clamps D; through the
centre of each coil a soft iron core is introduced, but instead of the usual
connecting cross piece of the same metal the cores are cut off nearly
flush with the coils at each end; and it may be as well to observe that
in describing the appliances planted at one end of the coils the other
may be considered an exact counterpart of the same. In Figures 2, 3, 4,
E marks two gun metal cocks moving in V slots on the brass clamp D,
the cocks E being employed to support two magnetic needles F suspended
horizontally by their axle pivots at G; the needles are attracted by the
soft iron of the electro-magnet till they are arrested by banking screws
in the double cocks H; their reverse action when under the influence
of the electric currents is adjusted by the crews I; a brass oblong
dial J is fixed on the clamp D by the cocks K, and has a slot cut at each
end, so as to allow a nearer approach of the pointers L to each other.
The pointers are connected by curved wires passing through the slots to
the magnetic needle axles; M marks adjusting screws to advance or
recede the magnetic needles, the terminal wires are connected (from the

page_text: electro-magnet coils) to the binding screws N; now if a battery current
be sent through the coils by means of a reversing key one of the needles
will be repelled, and by its action carries the pointer nearer to the centre
of the dial J. On breaking contact the needle and pointer resume their
former position; the needle at the other end of the coils having been
attracted and not being able to advance by reason of the banking
screw I has remained at rest, but it will be evident if the pole of the
battery be changed a reverse action will take place on the needles and
pointers. There are certain additional parts (not necessary to the
instrument when used as a dial telegraph)-left- unexplained to prevent
confusion; these are brought into requisition only when the instrument
is converted into a reversing relay. The following description will be
understood on referring to the connecting wires, insulated and other
parts: 0 and O mark the two local battery terminals for connecting to
the recording, sounding, or other instrument. There is a closed circuit
starting from P' and P to the back of the double cock H (which is
insulated from the front part), thence by the magnetic needle to E,
which is also insulated by the pillar Q, to terminal P' through the
recording instrument, back by way of termnial P to the other magnetic
needle (which is insulated in all respects the same as that before
described), and from there to the pole of the battery from which it
started; the other pole of the battery is connected with the front parts
of the cocks H; now if we bring the electro-magnet coils into action
one of the needles will be repelled till it makes contact with the screw I,
by which a current will at once be sent through the recording instru-
ment either of short or long duration according to the time the key is
kept depressed; of course to send a reverse current to the former it is
only necessary to bring the other magnetic needle into action.
I sometimes adopt a modification of this instrument in order to read
off the indications by sound instead of visually. The arrangement by
which I accomplish this will be understood on refering to Figures 5, 6, 7,
where a marks an electro-magnet clamped to the base board b by means
of the brass plates c and pillars d; on C two bells C, I, of unequal pitch
in respect to sound are planted, and so inclined that their edges shall
be in proximity to the hammers e, the latter being mounted on the upper
ends of two thin metallic bars, while to the lower ends of the same
are attached two magnetic needles f; each of the bars and needles are
supported by axles having bearings at g in the cocks h, and when under
the influence of the electric current their action is precisely the same as

page_text: that of similar parts described in my relay and single-needle instrument,
the method of adjustment (and which is available for either of the
instruments) is however somewhat different; on referring to the lines
passing through the coils it will be observed the soft iron cores a are
divided at i, the projecting ends of the same being connected by the
brass cross pieces J; to the centre of the latter the screws K are attached,
so that by turning the millheads the iron cores (which moves freely
in the coils) can be regulated to such distance that they attract the
magnetic needles, their too near approach being arrested by the banking
screws l.
My improvements in alphabetical telegraphs which I now proceed to
describe relate more especially to that class in which the mechanism is
brought into action by moving a lever round a circular dial on which
are marked the letters of the alphabet; the lever with a pointer attached
is intended to stop at any particular letter at the will of the operator,
failing to do this the receiving dial no longer acts in unison, this is
explained when using the magneto current to its graduated force
arriving at the maximum at a certain point in the revolution of the
electro-magnet coils. Now just as the lever is advanced too far or the
reverse so will the current sent be plus or minus of the requisite
strength, and as a consequence the pointer on the receiving dial will be
affected indefinitely. Various methods have been tried to get just the
amount of current necessary, but with only partial success, the nearest
solution of the difficulty is achieved by such instruments as have their
currents regulated by stops, but these are expensive and complicated,
and for the latter reason more liable to derangement; now in my
improved instrument which I am about to describe I believe the
objectionable features are obviated wholly or to a great extent, while
at the same time simplicity has not been sacrificed.
At Sheet 4 A is a mahogany base, on which are planted the various
parts of the instrument as follows:-B is a permanent compound horse-
shoe magnet screwed down to A; the electro-magnet coils marked C
from which the current is generated are of the usual description, and
their construction being so well known requires no explanation; the
only novelty in those I propose to use consists in having the lower
flanges of the coils made of sheet iron, which I find conserves the power
of the steel magnet B; the axle carrying the coils and cross piece E is
supported in a vertical position by the brass pillars F1, F2, and thei

page_text: connecting piece G revolving freely in centres at H; motion 15 com-
municated by means of the driving pulley I with a connecting leather
band passing round a small pulley J on the axle D. In order to ensure
the adhesion of the band on J four steel studs are screwed in at regulated
distances on its periphery, and these lock into a series of holes pierced in
the band, and are so arranged as to meet the studs in their revolution.
On the upper part of D a wheel K is fixed containing 50 teeth 5; this
wheel drives a similar wheel L, having a pinion of 10 leaves on the same
arbor M; this last-mentioned wheel drives the large wheel N having
150 teeth, which will make one revolution to 15 of the magnet coils.
O is an arm -with-pointer attached fixed on the collar of N, and passing
to the outside of the cover is used for the purpose of indicating the
letters. The dial P is screwed on the fixed axis Q, round which the
wheel N and pointer revolve; the axis on which the driving pulley is
fixed is also projected through the case at R for mounting the lever S.
The standard T serves to support the wheel N, the driving pulley I, and
cock U in which the pinion wheel runs; the spring V, with button
projecting to the outside of the case, is used for the purpose of adjusting
the instrument by making short circuit, this will be understood on
refering to the lines indicating the connections, one wire from the coils
is carried to an insulated collar fixed on the lower end of D, a spring
pressing on the said collar conveys the current to W, this is shown
separately at X, Sheet 5 of Figure 7, as also an extra spring Y, which
I employ for making contact with the wires on the axle D; this arrange-
ment has the effect of putting the instrument on short circuit for a
limited interval when the pointer is about opposite to a letter, so that
the current being shut off no ill effect will ensue should the pointer be
advanced somewhat too far or not far enough. The other wire from the
magnet coils is in contact with the metal of the axle D, and passes by
way of the other metallic parts to the under side of the pillar F', thence
to the terminal Z, the latter being in contact also with the spring V for
short circuit adjustment; when receiving a message the resistance of
the electro-magnet coils is cut off by one of the wires on the axle D
being in contact with the spring Y.
The various modifications introduced in my receiving apparatus, as
shewn at Figures 2, 8, 9, of Sheets 4 and 5, are as follows:-I employ a
brass casting B, which serves for the support of the dial A, A, and also
the small electro-magnet C, C; on the poles of the latter are fixed two
curved soft iron pieces D, D; the ends of these pieces are so arranged as

page_text: to be in proximity to the magnetic needle E, E. An escape wheel F of
15 teeth is mounted on the same axle as the pointer G, one bearing of
the said axle being in the cock H, and the other in the dial A, A. The
pallets I are on the axle on which the magnetic needle is mounted,
as shewn at E, Figure 8, the upper pivot moving in the cock J, and the
lower one in the same cock as the escape wheel axle; this being
the arrangement of the various parts, it will be evident that on the
currents deflecting the magnetic needle the pallets partaking of the
same motion will act on the wedge-shaped teeth of the escape wheel F.
I would here remark that as it may sometimes be found more con-
venient to employ the voltaic current for actuating the receiving
apparatus, in that case I adopt the arrangement shewn at Figures 3
and 6 of Sheet 5, where A marks a metallic disc having a central boss,
which is bored out for the reception of the fixed axis 2. On the outer
circle of 1 a rim of hard wood, vulcanite, or other insulating material 3
is placed, and is intended to prevent contact between a second rim or
flange of metal placed on the insulating one, and shewn at 4; this is
turned true on its upper surface, and has 15 holes arranged at equal
distances round the circle, and extending to the metallic disc, the flanges
being secured to the latter by four insulated screws 5. Into the centre
of each of the 15 holes I screw a metallic stud 6 into the disc, taking
care none are in contact with the upper flange. I next employ three
springs 7, 8, 9, two of these springs press alternately on the studs and
flange, the third spring resting on the outer rim of 4 is always in
contact, and forms one pole of the battery, the other pole is in con-
nection with the disc by way of the axis 2; if now I place one of my
before described receiving dials in contact with the springs 8 and 9 by
means of connecting wires it will be seen that its pointer will make one
revolution in the same time that the disc (turned round by the handle)
has completed a similar revolution.
Having now fully described and set forth the nature and object of my
said Invention for "Improvements in Dial or Needle and Alphabetical
Telegraphs, Relays, and Recording Instruments," together with the best
means I am acquainted with for carrying the same into practical effect,
I would remark in conclusion that I hereby declare my Invention to
consist in and I claim,-
First. The arrangement above described with reference to the
accompanying Drawings for exciting magnetic needles, whether as

page_text: applied in my improved recording telegraph to marking two rows of dots
and lines or to dial and sounding telegraphs.
Secondly. The construction of the ink reservoirs of recording
telegraphs and their method of supply, as described.
Thirdly. The arrangement of toothed wheels and manner of driving
the same as used in my improved alphabetical telegraphs, as above
described with reference to Sheets 4 and 5.
Fourthly. The use of connecting bands made of fibrous material in
combination with locking pins, as described with reference to my
improved alphabetical telegraphs.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Henley, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Second day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
GEO. HENLEY. (L.S.)