Year: 1872

page_text: man's box, to enable him or the guard of a train to attach a transmitting
instrument to in an instant for sending the news of a break down of a
train or other accident or an obstruction of the line of traffic.
5
1
The commutator consists mainly of three plates insulated from each
other, these are held in position by pins or bolts the heads of which
are hollowed, the bottoms being threaded for nuts to travel upon, and
form the means of attaching or disconnecting the line wires and the
earth wire as desired. There is a bolt or pin threaded on two portions,
and with a cone-shaped plug for establishing contact between two of
the plates before mentioned; the head of this bolt or pin has a shoulder
against which and the flange of a socket piece a spiral or other spring
is caused to bear.
It is preferred to have the commutator appliances
arranged upon or to a bracket with a back plate to secure it to the wall
of the signal or pointsman's box or building, and to lead the wires
through apertures to the outside and away to the adjacent stations.
The line wire or wires are to be reserved for the special use of the
railway, and the transmission instrument which the guard or conductor
of the train carries with him can be attached easily, by simply removing
the cover which it is preferable to place over the commutator to preserve
it from dust and injury. This cover can be attached by a locking 2
appliance, the key of which the guard can also carry. In practice
the line wire or wires are in constant working order with the plates of
the circuit, the earth wire only being put into communication when
a message or signal is being transmitted from that particular point
that for the time forming a terminal for the transmission or reception
of the signals.
The transmission instrument for attachment to the commutator is
composed as before mentioned of appliances enclosed in a box which
the conductor carries with him, the lids or sides of which can be thrown
open to enable him to work the instrument. This box contains the &
coils of an electrometer, the armature of which is put into contact by
one or other of a series of discs, which are attached to a sleeve capable
of being slid along a shaft by hand to bring a pointer opposite or against
the divisions of a plate, with the words or the number of the signal which
he wishes to communicate engraved thereon, so that on the moving o
forming part of the armature. The shaft is rotated through bevil ger
the handle shaft being also furnished with a roller and a click for
or f
1

page_text: enabling another roller to press upon it under the pressure of a spring
pointer for causing a strip or ribbon of paper to be brought from a
bobbin, and put into contact with a printing or inking roller for record-
ing the message sent as a duplicate thereof for after reference. The
5 discs are, say, twelve in number, and these are cut or chambered on their
peripheries for indicating the code by which signals are established,
the current being transmitted up or down the line by the direction in
which the handle is turned in order to bring the nearest station into
speaking terms, so to speak, with the point from which the message is
0 sent. The paper is actuated by the strain of the rollers as before
indicated, and the inking roller for the purpose of bringing fresh portions
of it into work is rotated through a chain passing over a wheel upon
its end, and under a wheel upon the handle spindle. The current passes
through the feet of the instrument, which are received in the hollows of
the pin heads of the commutator first mentioned.
In some cases the commutator plates are arranged in the bottom of
this instrument, but it is not essential. Various modifications of the
transmiting instruments are proposed, the first of which is to substitute
for the discs a sliding pin governed by a button on a bar which can be
O moved about a centre to bring the sliding pin into one or other of a
series of concentric slots cut in a plate, each slot having projections
of a contact plate opposite to them, upon which the pin can bear as it
is moved along to give the required signal, the circuit being maintained
through a plate upon the hinge, upon which the bar moves, the slotted
plate having a scale or a portion of it divided upon which the reading
is engraved, or instead of the pin working in slots cut concentrically
with the hinge centre, they may be cut radially therefrom so that the
pin can be slid to and fro. A roller may in some cases be employed to
roll and press upon the projections of the contact plate. The pin may
0 be arranged in a kind of holder under the pressure of a spring, and be
guided by a copper ferrule with a spherical end. Or instead of one pin
only several pins may be employed, one for each signal of the code,
by this means the button and consequently the pin of the required
signal can be moved along the slot selected by the necessity of the
5 case.
It will be seen by the foregoing that all kinds of clockwork is dis-
pensed with, and the apparatus is rendered of such a nature as to be
understood and operated by persons not acquainted with telegraphy

page_text: It addition all complicated mechanism and unnecessary weight is
obviated, accuracy of action is obtained, and means afforded by which
all persons who can read aro enable to work signals without in the first
instance having been put through a course of instruction.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, 5
filed by the said Alexander Schanschieff in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 14th September 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
SCHANSCHIEFF, of St. Petersburg, in the Empire of Russia, Officer of
the Imperial Navy, temporarily residing at Taunton Terrace, in the 1
County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Alexander Schanschieff, Her special
licence that I, the said Alexander Schanschieff, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander Schan-
schieff, executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING TELEGRAPHIC SIGNALLING UPON
RAILWAYS," a communication from Valentine Haü, Marquis de Forville,
of St. Petersburg, Telegraphic Engineer, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Alexander Schanschieff, my executors or admi-
nistrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.

page_text: Trways.
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:
The first apparatus to which this Invention relates consists of a
5 commutator to be affixed in any suitable manner in a pointsman's or
signalman's box to enable him or the guard of a train to attach a trans-
mitting instrument to in an instant for sending the news of a break
down of a train or other accident or an obstruction on the line of
0
traffic.
The commutator consists mainly of three plates insulated from each
other; these are held in position by pins or bolts, the heads of which
are hollowed, the bottoms being threaded for nuts to travel upon and
form the means of attaching or disconnecting the line wires and the
earth wire as desired. There is a bolt or pin threaded on two portions,
and with a cone-shaped plug for establishing contact between two of
the plates before mentioned. The head of this bolt or pin has a
shoulder, against which and the flange of a socket piece a spiral or other
spring is caused to bear.
It is preferred to have the commutator
appliances arranged upon or to a bracket with a back plate to secure it to
the wall of the signalman or pointsman's box or building, and to lead the
wires through apertures to the outside and away to the adjacent station.
The line wire or wires are to be reserved for the special use of the rail-
way, and the transmission instrument which the guard or conductor of
the train carries with him can be attached easily by simply removing the
cover, which it is preferable to place over the commutator to preserve
it from dust and injury. This cover can be attached by a locking
appliance, the key of which the guard can also carry. In practice
the line wire or wires are in constant working order with the plates of
the circuit, the earth wire only being put into communication when a
message or signal is being transmitted from that particular point that
for the time forming a terminal for the transmission or reception of the
signals.
The transmission instrument for attachment to the commutator is
composed as before mentioned of appliances enclosed in a box which the
conductor carries with him, the lids or sides of which can be thrown open
to enable him to work the instrument. This box contains the coils of ar
electrometer, the armature of which is put into contact by one or other
of a series of discs which are attached to a sleeve capable of being sli

page_text: Days.
along a shaft by hand to bring a pointer opposite or against the divisions
of a plate with the words or number of the signal which he wishes to
communicate engraved thereon, so that on moving
or turning a
a handle
puts the discs in rotation to operate upon a lever forming part of the
armature. The shaft is rotated through bevil gear, the handle shaft 5
being also furnished with a roller and a click for enabling another roller
to press upon it under the pressure of a spring pointer for causing a strip
or ribbon of paper to be brought from a bobbin and put into contact
with a printing or inked roller for recording the message sent as a
The discs are, say, twelve in 10
duplicate thereof for after reference.
number, and these are cut or chambered on their peripheries for indi-
cating the code by which signals are established, the current being
transmitted up or down the line by the direction in which the handle is
turned in order to bring the nearest station into speaking terms, so to
speak, with the point from which the message is sent. The paper is 15
actuated by the strain of the rollers, as before indicated, and the inking
rollers for the purpose of bringing fresh portions of it into work is
rotated through a chain passing over a wheel upon its end and under
wheel upon the handle or spindle. The current passes through the feet
of the instrument, which are received in the hollows of the pin heads of 20
the commutator first mentioned.
a
In some cases the commutator plates are arranged in the bottom of
this instrument, but it is not essential. Various modifications of the
transmitting instruments are proposed, the first of which is to substitute
for the discs a sliding pin governed by a button on a bar which can be?
moved about a centre to bring the sliding pin into one or other of a
series of concentric slots cut in a plate, each slot having projections of
a contact plate opposite to them, upon which the pin can bear as it is
moved along to give the required signal, the circuit being maintained
through a plate upon the hinge upon which the bar moves, the
slotted plate having a scale or a portion of it divided upon which the
reading is engraved, or instead of the pin working in slots cut con-
centrically with the hinge centre they may be cut radially therefrom, so
that the pin can be slid to and fro. A roller may in some cases be
employed to roll and press upon the projections of the contact plate
The pin may be arranged in a kind of holder under the pressure
of a
spring and be guided by a copper ferrule with a spherical end; or instead
a

page_text: wwwing on Railways.
the code. By this means the button and consequently the pin of the
required signal can be moved along the slot selected by the necessity of
the case.
It will be seen by the foregoing that all kinds of clockwork is dis-
5 pensed with and the apparatus is rendered of such a nature as to be
understood and operated by persons not acquainted with telegraphy.
In addition all complicated mechanism and unnecessary weight is
obviated, accuracy of action is obtained, and means afforded by which
all persons who can read are enabled to work signals without in the
10 first instance having been put through a course of instruction.
The Invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the
accompanying Drawings.
11
The commutator of cast iron (Sheet 1, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4) is
arranged in the form of a bracket, the socket or vertical setting S of
5 which is jammed into the interior partition of one of the walls of the
habitation of the pointsman or engine house by the 4 screws V. The
horizontal pedestal P cast with the same jet as the socket S is held
by the brackets or vertical supports G and D also cast in the same jet
is taken below two shelves E and F of wood prepared by tar intended
0 to isolate from each metal piece the working parts of the commutator.
The upper shelf E carries three copper plates X, Y, and Z, Figure 3,
which reciprocally isolated are each traversed by one of three copper
pins x, y, and z. These latter presenting at their upper extremity a
concave head (a sort of cup) are terminated at their lower part by a
5 screw thread carrying the nuts x¹, y¹, and z¹ intended to fix under the
lower shelf F, the earth conductor x1, and the line rods y¹¹ and z¹¹
(right and left) so that these latter through the intermediation of the
pins x, y, and z, may be in permanent and immediate communication
with the copper plates X, Y, and Z. The lower part of the bracket S
is pierced below the shelf F with horizontal openings G, H, necessary
for the passage of the conducting threads x, y, and z", which
carrying the nuts x, y, and z¹ ought to enter into the interior of the
habitation in order to unite the earth and the line. The plate X in
communication with the earth wire x intended for the absorption of
the electric atmospheric fluid in the case of storms is arranged so as
to discharge energetically the two plates Y and Z of the fulminating
matter with which they may be saturated by each side of the line.
The vertical screw M, N, (Figures 1 and 2) which carries the cone K,

page_text: and which constitutes the one and only moveable active piece of this
system is placed between the end fixed plates Y and Z (Figures 1
and 3) and acts according to two principles which may be employed at
will, viz.
Rigidity or Elasticity.-1st. Rigidity.-The screw M, N, carries in
or
its length a thread L, and according to whether it is tightened
loosened by the rotation to the right or left of the thread L in the
screw cutting L' of the isolated plate or sort of nut R, the cone K, by
the descending or ascending which imparts the rotation of the screw M, N,
reunites by pressure and friction (Figure 2) or disunites by solution of
contact (Figure 1) the two plates X and Z, that is to say, by turning
the screw M, N, to the left, the two sides of the line y¹ and 2" are in
communication direct, rigid, and permanent at the point m (Figure 3),
whilst by turning the same screw M, N, to the right the line is interrupted
at the same point m during all the time that the screw M, N, is loose.
2ndly. Elasticity. The simpler principle of construction and working
offers less security as to the establishment of the permanent direct com-
municator. It consists in the suppression of the screw threading L
and of the screw cut plate R just mentioned, and in replacing these two
organs by a strong spiral spring of steel (A, B, Figure 4), which taking
its support at A against the washer E" and the shelf E exerts an effort
upon the base n of the screw head N and forces the cone N (as much as
a spring can offer security) to support permanently at the point m upon
the two plates Y and Z of which it determines the communication by
the pressure due to its elasticity. The same screw M, N, offers at Ma
special screw threading, which has for its object to engage simultaneously
to one of the interrupter movements which have just been applied in
the screw cutting O of the sleeve R' (Figure 2) belonging to the portable
apparatus. It follows from this combination that the apparatus placed
upon the entablature of the commutator, as shown in Figure 2, the a
screw M, N, by its rotating ascending movement engages in the sleeve
R by attaching to it the apparatus which it jams strongly upon the
commutator simultaneously to the interruption which it produces at
by the ascent of the cone K. By the employment of the spiral spring
A, B, the effect produced by the action of the hand to effect the lifting
of the screw M, N, in order to introduce the screw threading M into
the screw cutting O of the sleeve R¹ determines at the same time the
interruption of the contact at the point m between the two plates Y and Z

page_text: The length of the intervals determined between the first screw threading
M, the cone K, the second screw threading L and the base of the
head of the screw N which serves as a point of support to the traction
of the screw M, N, or to the effect of the spring A, B, as well as the
5 length of each of these parts resulting from a calculation, which furnishes
the two following solutions proceeding from the same principle:-1st, to
operate simultaneously the adaptation of this instrument and the opening
of the circuit by the rotation of a single screw; 2ndly, to re-establish
the closing of the circuit simultaneously with the suppression of the
10 apparatus by the inverse rotation of the same screw. In these two
manœuvres the continuity of action of the electric current does not expe-
rience any interruption, seeing that the current throws itself across the
apparatus as soon as the point of junction m is withdrawn by the raising
of the cone K. And as to the second manoeuvre it is important to point
out that in order that the conductor of the train may not omit the reclosing
of the circuit of the line by replacing the apparatus, the latter cannot be
snatched from above the commutator before the cone K has taken its
normal position in its place m, and assured the communication between
the two plates Y and Z, either by the traction of the screw threading L
0 of the screw M, N, or by the pressure of the spiral spring A, B.
5
Lastly, the Figures 5, 6, and 7 show in face, side, and plan view a soit
of box of cast iron or preservative envelope from contact with foreign
The
bodies, and which moves upon the commutator like a drawer.
interior projections I and S have for their object to serve as a slip or
5 guide to the sliding of the envelope and take their horizontal conducting
support upon the parts I¹ and J¹ of the shelf E of the commutator,
Figures 1 and 3). This arrangement ensures as to the opening or
closing of the box easy and prompt manoeuvres quite free from errors and
hesitation. The bolt O provided with a padlock, the key of which is
in the hands of the conductor of the train, traverses from one side to
another the envelope in question, and ensures its normal closing in
passing by the holes T formed in the checks or supports C and D
of the cast-iron bracket. The portable apparatus is limited to the com-
mutator and to the line while it is in action by the heads of the pins x, y,
and z, and by the intermediation of the three semi-spherical feet X, Y,
and Z, Sheet 1, Figure 2, which lodge on the concavity of the said pin
heads. The necessity of obtaining between the pins x, y, and z carrying
the line threads and earth threads, and the feet X, Y, and Z of the
apparatus absolutely certain contact, the concavity presented by the

page_text: upon
heads of the pins x, y, and z, is for the object of receiving some drops of
water put in with the end of a match in the case when the possible
As to the feet of the apparatus the continual movement to which they are
oxidation of the pin heads present the appearance of uncertain contacts.
exposed while on the road preserves them from any oxidation. An oak box 5
A, B, C, D, E, F (Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, Sheet II.), opening by means
of a lid flap A jointed upon the lid B, which constitutes the face and the
top of the box, and is unfastened at its lateral sides by means of two
shutters C and D. The shutter D serves as a support to the bobbin K for
carrying the paper ribbon, and the wheel turns upon an axis L provided 10
with two necks m and n, the object of which is to receive the hook
guide O of the bobbin K, to which it is fixed by a screw which permits to
it a rotative movement upon its axis L. The hook O forks itself
the neck m when the box is closed, and on the contrary during the
action of the apparatus it is forked upon the neck n in order to maintain 15
the bobbin upon the alignment of the printing muller p, and to impose
upon the ribbon a direction perpendicular to the rollers q and r. Towards
its lower part the shutter D is provided with a link s, t, jointed at w,
intended to prevent the changing of the plan of the bobbin during the
progress of the apparatus. As to the shutter C without special destina- 20
tion it is the bearer of a little metallic inking phial, and the key of the
padlock of the commutator placed against its inner position, and can
as long as it is held there constitute the support for a galvanoscope
(perfectly useless with the circular current) put in hanging to the
bobbin K. The paper ribbon proceeding from the bobbin K, according 25
to the direction of the indicating arrows, passes under the horizontal
rod O, envelopes the roller q by retrograding upon the roller r, and
descends obliquely under the pressing or grooved cylinder M in order
to come out at length at K¹ where it is read. From the roller q to
the roller r the ribbon passes between the muller p and the pointer e of a
the electric armature. The latter by the electro-magnetic movement
determines the contact of the paper upon the printing circumference of the
muller p. The box or ink reservoir a in which the muller is introduced
is filled in consequence of the movement on the road with wadding
or
felt impregnated with printing ink, which supplies the muller as it &
rotates. Between the bobbin K to its end at ' the paper
ribbon
passes between the pressing cylinder M and the drawing cylinder which
causes its progress. The pressing cylinder M, held as usual by a cop
disc, is intended to bring about through a spring y the pressure of the
30

page_text: 5
ays.
ribbon upon the drawing and grooved roller N. The disc of the
cylinder M provided with a rotating movement upon an axis Z can be
lifted by the hand from a to 6 following the angle a and b to permit of
the introduction of the paper ribbon between the two cylinders.
As to the drawing roller N it constitutes the new principle of the
portable apparatus. Turned from the same mass of metal as the axis O
which carries the patent crank P it replaces by itself alone the clockwork
movement, abolishing at one blow all the innumerable details of the
latter, its defects, its fragility, its costly maintenance, and other expenses,
and it possesses the additional advantages of giving to the progress of
the paper ribbon all the degrees of speed necessary for a good reception.
The end of the shaft O opposite to the crank P carries a toothed
wheel I which serves as a gearing to the meshes of the endless chain h,
which by a second toothed wheel j determines the rotation of the printing
muller fixed upon the same axis as the said toothed roller j. Lastly, a
little box shown at g¹ moved by the hand through the button f, and turn-
ing upon its axis e can be led from c towards d, following the dotted angle
c, e, d, and to the favour of a sort of excentric with which it is provided
at its upper part, and which acts upon the axis of rotation 1 of the
presser cylinder M, the ascending movement imparted from c to d to
the lever g transmitted to the cylinder M by lifting the latter from a
to b. It follows that in this position the contact of the two cylinders M
and N being broken the rotation of its handle ceases all action upon
the paper ribbon.
The rotation to the right and left of the handle being necessary to
the transmission of the words and figures of help, and this rotation
leading the paper ribbon either in one direction or the other, it is useful
to prevent this leading during the transmission, at the same time pro-
viding for its reception. In consequence, during the transmission the
position of the lever is determined by the dotted line d, c, which
annuls the progress of the paper ribbon, whilst for the reception the
position c, e, of the lever g determines the drawing of the paper by the
pressure of the cylinder and the rotation of the crank or handle.
The electro-magnetic part does not here present anything new in its
principle, and the modifications which I have made in it by certain
arrangements which have for their object to reduce the dimensions and
to assure its solidity on the road being sufficiently visible in the Figures
1, 2, and 4 of Sheet II.

page_text: 48.
manner
commu-
1
The key O of the ordinary system somewhat modified in its form and
provided with a regulating screw it and it limiting the course of d
stroke relative to the contact R. Its manoeuvre is that admitted in all
the usual Morse apparatus. A commutator X', Y', and Z' actuated by the
ordinary means, and a cone being placed at c¹ offers the direct ordinary 5
communication, and placed at d¹ presents the simultaneous reunion of
the two sides of the line Y¹ and Z' with the earth X' in case of stors.
The electric communication as arranged in the following
between the different pieces above mentioned, which form the object
of this paragraph, viz. The support or axis of the key corresponds 1
with the foot Y of the apparatus passing by the bobbins B¹ and B", and
from the said foot Y bound to the plate Y₁ of the distributing
tator presents the left side of the line b. Whilst the diso of the behind
contact of the key is united to the foot Z of the apparatus, which
communicates in its turn to the plate Z¹ of the same distributor while
offering the right side of the line C. Lastly, the plate X' of the distri-
butor is in direct rotation with the foot X of the apparatus and provides
the absorbing disengagement of the earth. By placing the portable
apparatus upon the fixed commutator by means of the screws M, N,
Sheet I., and of the sleeve h, Sheet II., it is evident that the distri-
butor X¹, Y', Z', is in direct and immediate relation with the two sides
of the line and with the earth fixed to the commutator of the station.
The transmission of these despatches for help by an electro-magnetic
means which will abolish in such circumstances the eventualities and
grave errors resulting from the employment of the Morse key, being s
the second part of the new principle which characterises the portable
apparatus for railways, the reader will be convinced by what follows of
the simplicity of the said method with the importance of its results.
The axis O which carries the handle P provided with a bevil wheel C',
which draws with it in its rotation the bevil wheel C", the plane 3
of which is parallel to the axis of the first, and which is fixed to a
otating shaft D', D". This shaft D', D", square or round but sliding,
s provided with a free sleeve E¹ which can slide in the hand following
slight rubbing from one end to the other of the shaft D', D". The said
leeve E' is composed of 12 discs or chains of steel separated from one
nother by 11 equal intervals and provided at its lower part on
ght hand side with an index F which slides against the plate G, II,
pon which are engraved the 12 words and 10 figures intended for the
gular list of help despatches. Lastly, the key Q, the bent part of which
the
S

page_text: is traversed by a steel spring I, J', jammed at J' by a pressure screw,
and carrying at I¹ a guide which is raised or lowered alternately, the
projections and pressure which the division of the discs present is drawn
in its calculated rocking, the amplitude of the cause of which is regulated
5 by the oblique screw I¹.
Figure 5 of Sheet II. shows the 12 discs which result from the
combined cutting of each of the discs following the various signs which
they are called upon to produce. In the case when the demand for
help is effected by the first conductor, who may come and be ignorant
of telegraphy, he has only with the hand to slide the sleeve E¹, while
stepping the index F' upon the card on the figure which he desires to
transmit, and by giving three turns to the handle in order to produce
the signal which he thinks necessary. All the telegraphic knowledge
required by the portable apparatus is contained in this very simple
manoeuvre, and by this circumstance it will be impossible for the
conductor to make mistakes. In the contrary case, when the corre-
spondence has been put into the hand of telegraphist on foot arrived
at the place where the accident has taken place by the engine or the
help carriage sent from a station the system of discs (chames) becomes
useless the transmission is then effected by means of the key Q and
according to the ordinary Morse methods. For this purpose the sleeve E
thrown upon the lift at D¹, Figure 2, disengages the key from all
connection with the discs (chames) and returns to them all the freedom
of the normal action.
Description relating to the transmission of regular help signals by
means of the different systems of friction applicable to all ordinary
Morse apparatus, stationary or moveable.-While admitting the suppres-
sion of the 4 pieces which constitute the principle of electro-magnetic
transmission by discs (chames) of the portable apparatus, which are the
two wheels C¹ and C, the shaft D¹ and D", and the sleeve E", their
suppression presents the facility of reducing still much more the volume
and the weight of the said apparatus without anything being changed
in the construction. However the respective nearing together can be
effected by means of displacements left blank by the removal of the 4
above-mentioned pieces became necessary in this notable reduction of
the scale of execution, and consists in the following arrangement:-T
carry the key qa little more to the left to advance the distributor X', Y
and Z' upon the alignment of the key Q, to place the cylinder M upor

page_text: y8.
the roller N, and to employ as a variable motion a roller x provided
with felt and impregnated with ink replacing the larger reservoir
(Figures 1 and 3, Sheet III.). This fresh reduction of the volume and
for the moment does not present (upon the very reduced dimensions of 5
weight is very important in the circumstance which is here recounted,
Sheet II.) any advantage which merits taking into consideration by the
administrations of railways relative to the demand for help for trains
in distress. A flat lever K, L, Sheet III., jointed at M, and capable of
pivoting upon this joint is governed by the hand by means of the
handle or button N, the limits of the circular movement of which are 10
determined by the angle O, M, P.
The button N is fixed to the
extremity N of a sheet plate m, n, placed under the lever K, L, and
which presents at its opposite extremity m a slide o, p, embracing the
pointer of steel, the lower extremity of which presents a demi- 15
lever. The lower part of the slide o, p, is armed with a perpendicular
hemispherical part. The slide L, L', of the lever K, L, permits the button
N to slide from L to L', and to draw in this longitudinal movement the
slide o, p, the object of which is to turn in the manner of an index
moved by the button N, that of the words or figures which would have
to be transmitted of which the regular series is engraved upon the face 20
of the lever K, L. The transmission of the word or figure encircled by
the slide o, p, is effected by imparting from P to O, or from O to P, a
circular movement of a soft and regular kind to the lever K, L. A
slight pressure executed during the movement upon the button N has
for its object to determine the friction of the pointer against the 25
special signal plate a, b, c, d, Figure 5, which is placed without touching
upon the directing plate e, f, g, h. The latter pierced through with
12 parts of its circumference is entirely isolated from the plate a, b, c, d,
and serves as a guide to the pointer r and to the button N during the
circular movement which has to be imparted to the lever K, L. The 30
cut parts of the plate a, b, c, d, present a metallic surface perfectly flat
with that of the parts not cut of the said plate, the latter being composed
of some isolating material. As to the electric communication which this
lisposition retains to the active parts of the apparatus, and which
correspond with the line, they are composed as follows:-The special plate &
, b, c, d, is in relation with the axis of rotation Q1 of the key through
he intermediation of the hinge S¹, whilst the lever K' is in com-
aunication with the cap R from contact behind the key through
he intermediation of the articulation M of the spring m of the

page_text: axis of rotation n' and of the hinge S. Lastly, the screw r¹ which
traverses the key and which bears upon an isolated base q', has for
its object to interrupt the communicating functions of the key during
the term of the action of the lever K, L, and in the case where it
5 would be desirable to effect the transmission by the ordinary means
of the key the lever is isolated by putting it out of contact and
one unscrews the screw, which gives to the key the normal functions
which belong to it on principle. A flat copper lever a, b, (Figures 1, 2,
and 3, Sheet IV.,) articulated at C and turning upon its pivot d, d²,
0 presents from a to a¹ an elongated hollowing which serves as a guide
to the slides e, f. This last e, f, provided with a roller g¹ and a button
with a handle h is led by the hand from h¹ to a¹ or from a¹ to /¹
according to the necessity for indicating words or figures which are
produced by accompanying this action with a pressure of the hand
during its transmission. In order to avoid an involuntary false contact
during the inactive return of the slide e, f, the screw k traversing the
lever a, b, exercises to that effect upon the spring a pressure of which
it constitutes the regulating and which determines the normal uplifting
of the lever during the inaction of the slide. The little spring i fixed
by the screw j upon the slider e, f, has for its object to exercise upon the
surface of the rolling of the roller g a slight rubbing, which preserves to
the latter the necessary polish for the security of the contact. The
prolonged hollowing a, c¹, has for its object the improvement in the
manner of an index of the words or figures which it may be necessary
to transmit to the station from which help is demanded and which are
engraved upon the best scale m¹, o¹. The upper plate m, n, o, p, isolated
from the lower contact plate q, r, s, t, is pierced from side to side with
12 convergent grooves, which have for their object to allow the roller g
to pass
and to serve it as a guide during the movement of the slides e, f,
between the points h¹ and a¹. The special plate q, r, s, t, represents the
arrangement of the contact and interruption which it has to furnish
in the transmission of signals. The cut portion of the said plate show
those which remain in the metallic state, whilst the more cut parts
represent some isolating substances. As to the electro-hydric communi-
cations between the two plates and the keys they are the same as those
shewn in Sheet II., and are designated here as well as in the two
paragraphs following by the letters U and V.
Figures 5 and 6 represent a sort of pencil holder of wood or ivory, the
interior of which hollowed out cylindrically gives room for the following

page_text: arrangement:-A sleeve of copper a, b, pierced in its axis and fixed to
terminates at some part. The copper rod c, d, provided with a base e
screws in the handle of the pencil holder presents a sphere b which
slides freely in the tubular guide f and in the sleeve a, b, which it
traverses to proceed outwards at g.
Lastly, the spiral spring / which takes its support at i exercises upon
the base c pressure, the object of which is to transmit to the point ga
slight, constant, repulsive force serving to ensure a soft contact between
the points g and b, when in order to transmit a signal the point g² slides
gently upon the lower plate q, r, s, t, Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, whilst the i
sphere rubs by the pressure which the hand exerts upon it upon the
b
upper plate guide m, n, o, p, the length of the 12 parallel grooves al
corresponding to the word or figure to be transmitted. 12 slides a, b,
provided with buttons g move by the hand from a to a¹ or from d to d in
12 parallel grooves made in the upper plate m, n, o, p, and serve to
transmit the words or figures according to the circumstances. A little
spring a fixed to the slider a, b, by the screw i has for its object to
prevent a false involuntary contact upon a special lower plate q, r, s, and
exercises permanently upon the button c a descending pressure which
separates the pointer e of the said plate q, r, s, t, during the inaction of
the slider, at the same time facilitating this contact by the pressure of
the hand exercised upon the button c during the transmission of a signal.
Lastly, Figure 10 represents the lower contact plate and the arrangement
of the signals following the friction principle before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Schanschieff, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of September
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.