Improvements in Printing Telegraphs.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Aug., 1894-Accepted, 6th Oct., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Printing Telegraphs.
I, ROBERT ASHWORTH FOWDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at
No. 4 Royal Street, Germantown, in the City of Philadelphia, in the County of
Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention has relation in general to a printing telegraph system for which
English Letters Patent No. 22,856, were applied for by me under date of
November 28th, 1893; and it relates more particularly to certain improvements in
the construction, arrangement and operation of the mechanical and electrical devices
and circuits of such system.
The principal objects of my present invention are first to provide an efficient,
reliable and inexpensive printing telegraph instrument second, to reduce the
number of parts and to simplify the general construction and arrangement of the
mechanical as well as the electrical devices thereof; third to increase the efficiency
and to lessen the number of circuits and circuit connections in such a printing
telegraph system; fourth to provide compact mechanical and electrical circuit
controlling devices adapted to be operated so as to increase the efficiency of a
printing telegraph instrument or a series of instruments looped together in circuit
and to lessen the number of circuits, electro-magnets and relays in such instrument
or instruments; fifth, to insure perfect synchronism in the movement of the type-
wheel shafts of the transmitting and receiving instruments; sixth, to provide
certain of the electro-magnets with simple, reliable and durable mechanical
appliances, whereby double duty is performed by them; and seventh, to construct
and arrange the circuit connections of the line conductor or conductors in such
manner as that accidental interruption or cutting out of the same arrests both the
apprised
receiver and the transmitter, whereby the operator at each instrument
of the occurrence of an accident or any want of synchronism in the movement of the
instruments in circuit connected with each other.
In a printing telegraph system embodying features of my invention, use is made
of instruments connected together by a single line conductor and provided with
duplicate mechanical and electrical devices operated synchronously by means of
two sets of local circuits and switches, whereof one set is employed for transmitting
and the other in receiving and by means of two line circuits of which one is
employed for releasing and starting the type-wheel shafts and the other for
effecting the printing operations and both of the line circuits traversing a single
line conductor.
The mechanical and electrical devices at each instrument comprise a type-wheel
shaft, an electric motor operated by the armature-lever of an electro-magnet and a
retracting spring and adapted to revolve said shaft and to control the vibrating
actions of a mechanical circuit closer and breaker, a unison latch for stopping the
shaft and holding the retracting spring of the motor in tension at the unison
position to permit of the subsequent starting of the instrument under the influence
of the retracting spring of the motor, a circuit interrupter, that is, an automatic
circuit maker and breaker adapted to break the normal line circuit through the
coils of relay electro-magnets of the transmitter and receiver at the unison position,
and also adapted to alternately make and break the normal line circuit at positions
other than unison to operate the motors and drive the shafts, a detent, toothed

page_text: wheel and locking electro-magnet for locking the shaft at the unison position and
in each printing position with the circuit interrupter in a position for preventing
the completion of the stroke of the motor, whereby the motor is adapted to
subsequently complete its stroke and proceed in its customary manner, a sunflower
device, brush, printing keys and double contact unison key; a mechanical circuit
closer and breaker tending to effect an impression when the type-wheel shaft is
arrested at a position other than the unison position; and a printing electro-magnet
having an armature lever for effecting impressions, feeding the paper and trans-
ferring the unison latch from the outermost portion of its spiral to the innermost
portion thereof.
The set of local unison circuits that is employed in connection with the unison
line circuit and with said electrical and mechanical devices will now be
described.
The local unison circuit at the transmitter passes from earth through a generator
to the unison contact of the sunflower device, then to one set of contacts of a
normally open double contact unison key, theu through the coils of the locking
electro-magnet and through the coils of the unison and printing electro-magnet to
earth. It may be here reinarked that the unison line circuit passes from earth
through a generator, the unison contact of the sunflower device to the other set of
contacts of the normally open double contact unison key, and then through a
conductor of high resistance to line; the conductor of high resistance serving to
effect a proper distribution of the current in the local and line unison circuits.
From the line the unison line circuit passes through the coils of a relay electro-
magnet and through a generator to earth at the receiver. The local unison circuit
of the receiver passes from earth through a generator and through the armature
lever of the relay electro-magnet and then through the coils of the motor electro-
magnet to earth.
The set of local printing and motor circuits that is employed after the unison
line circuit has been broken and in connection with the normal printing line
circuit, and the above described mechanical and electrical devices will now be
described.
At the transmitter the normal line circuit passes from earth through a generator
and the coils of a relay electro-magnet, whose armature-lever controls and closes
the local motor circuit through a generator and the coils of the motor magnet.
Then the normal line circuit passes through the circuit interrupter to line, and the
coils of the relay electro-magnet at the receiver and to earth through a generator.
At the transmitter the local printing circuit is from earth through a generator, the
sunflower device, contacts of the character keys, and the coils of the locking,
printing and unison electro-magnets, to earth. At the receiver the local motor
circuit is controlled by the armature-lever of the relay electro-magnet and is
closed through the motor electro-magnet; and the local printing circuit passes
from earth through a generator and the contacts of a mechanical circuit closer
and breaker and then through the coils of the printing and unison electro-magnet,
to earth.
Assuming that the instruments are in the unison position, the operation of
starting the instruments and of printing are as follows:-
The double contact unison key is depressed at the transmitter, thus closing the
local unison circuit through the coils of the locking electro-magnet and coils of
the printing and unison electro-magnet, whereby the unison latch is released and
the printing pallet is caused to contact with a blank space on the type-wheel, the
paper fed forward and the locking bar or detent brought into a position for locking
the shaft. The depression of the unison key also closes the unison line circuit,
thereby energizing the relay electro-magnet at the receiver. The relay electro-
magnet at the receiver being thus energized attracts its armature and closes the
local unison circuit through the coils of the motor electro-magnet and by means of
the m chanical circuit closer and breaker through the coils of the printing and
unison electro-magnet, whereby the unison latch at the receiver is released and the

page_text: shaft is locked by the locking-bar or detent as at the transmitter, so that both
shafts are locked in position for holding the retracting springs of their motors in
unison. The unison key at the transmitter is then released, thereby breaking the
local unison circuit through the coils of the locking electro-magnet and through
the coils of the printing and unison electro-magnet of the transmitter and also
breaking the unison line circuit, so that the relay at the receiver is demagnetized
and its armature-lever falls back and breaks the local unison circuit through the
coils of the locking electro-magnet and through the coils of the printing and
unison electro-magnets, of the receiver. Under these conditions the unison latches
at both instruments are permitted to return under the influence of their retracting
springs to the innermost portions of the spiral grooves of the unison discs and the
tension in the respective retracting springs of the motors is such as to cause the
type-wheel shafts of both instruments to be slightly rotated under the influence of
the motor springs. Such rotation of the shafts causes at the transmitter the
normal line circuit to be made through the coils of the relay electro-magnets of
both instruments and to be subsequently broken and the repeated makes and breaks
in the normal line circuit due to the operation of the interrupter at the transmitter
will cause the motor circuits to be made and broken at the relay electro-magnets,
thereby causing the motors to actuate the type-wheel shafts, to insure perfect
synchronism of movement, because each motor is controlled by its relay and both
relays are controlled by the circuit interrupter at each transmitter. The depression
of a letter key causes the local printing circuit to be closed through it, at the
transmitter as soon as the sunflower brush sweeps onto its corresponding contact,
and then through the coils of the locking electro-magnet and the coils of the
printing and unison electro-magnets, whereby the former operates to arrest the
type-wheel shaft and the latter to release the unison latch, feed the paper and
effect an impression of the character on the type-wheel corresponding with the
character of a depressed key. The locking electro-magnet at the transmitter,
however, arrests its type-wheel shaft just before the motor has completed its full
stroke, so that upon the release of the key, the motor will first complete its stroke
and then proceed in the same manner that it did before the key was depressed.
The arrest of the type-wheel shaft at the transmitter at a character in the manner
above described causes its circuit interrupter to come to rest in position for
permitting the normal line circuit to present the relay electro-magnet at the
receiver in a condition corresponding with that of the relay electro-magnet at the
transmitter. Under these circumstances the relay electro-magnet at the receiver
acting through its armature lever arrests the motor and the latter arrests the
receiver type-wheel shaft, whereupon the circuit closer makes the circuit through
the coils of the printing and unison electro-magnet and effects an impression at the
receiver. When the printing key is released at the transmitter, the motor
completes its stroke so that both instruments are automatically set in motion; and
inasmuch as the unison latch is returned to its initial position during the printing
operation, it follows that the other letter keys may be depressed, in order to print
other characters. If this is not done both instruments run to unison and may be
again operated in the manner herein before explained.
My invention stated in general terms consists of the improvements in a printing
telegraph system, hereinafter described and claimed.
The nature and general features of my invention will be more fully understood
from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings
forming part hereof; and in which
Figure 1, is a diagrammatic view illustrating a printing telegraph instrument
embodying features of my invention and arranged as a transmitter, and showing
also the parts of said instrument in the unison position with the retracting springs
of the motor held in tension by the unison-latch and a motor.
Fig. 2, is a similar view of a printing telegraph instrument embodying features
of my invention and arranged as a receiver.
Fig. 3, is a perspective view of the mechanical circuit closer and breaker of the

page_text: local printing circuit, showing in full lines the same in the unison position whereof
the local printing circuit is interrupted and in the positions shown in dotted lines
whereof the local printing circuit is closed.
Fig. 4, is a diagrammatic view illustrating portions of the type-wheel shaft
provided with a toothed wheel and with a circuit interrupter controlling the circuit
of an electric-motor adapted to drive the shaft and showing a contact sweeping
over the segment of the circuit maker and breaker, and a detent for locking the
type-wheel shaft before the contact has passed off a segment over which it is
travelling, in order that the motor may be arrested before the completion of its
stroke.
Fig. 5, is a perspective view showing the unison device for arresting the type-
wheel shafts of the respective instruments in the unison position; aud
Fig. 6, is a sectional detail view of the swinging or vibrating mechanical circuit
closer and breaker.
In the drawings a, is a type-wheel shaft afforded a freedom of rotary motion in
suitable bearings, not shown, and provided with a type-wheel a', having in the
present instance upon its rim or face forty characters and two blank spaces, not
shown. b, is an electric-motor adapted to drive the type-wheel shaft a, with a
uniform step by step movement and comprising a ratchet wheel b³, and a star or
stop-wheel 6, secured to the shaft a, a bar b³, provided with spring controlled
pawls band b, for rotating the ratchet-wheel b', and with stops 6 and 6', for
engaging the star-wheel 62, at or near the completion of the stroke of each pawl,
an armature-lever 68, a retracting spring b³, and motor electro-magnet 60, for
reciprocating the bar b³, connected by an arm b", with the armature-lever 68. When
the motor electro-magnet 610, is energized, its armature lever 68, by means of the
arm 6", shifts the bar b³, towards the left in Fig. 3, thereby causing the pawl 6*, to
engage the ratchet-wheel 61, and rotate the shaft a, in the direction of the arrow,
until the stop 66, meshes with a tooth of the star wheel 62, and arrests the shaft a,
in such position that one of the characters on the type-wheel a', is in proper
position for permitting an impression to be taken therefrom. When the motor
electro-magnet 610, is demagnetized the retracting spring 6º, shifts the bar b³,
towards the right in Fig. 3, thereby causing the pawl 6, to engage the ratchet-
wheel b', and rotate the shaft a, in the direction of the arrow until the stop b',
meshes with a tooth of the star-wheel 3, and arrests the shaft a, in such position
that the next character of the type-wheel a', is in proper position for permitting an
impression to be taken therefrom. Subsequent magnetization and demagnetization
of the motor electro-magnet. 610, causes the bar 63, to be shifted backward and
forward and with the result that the pawls b' and 6, and stops 66 and 67, rotate the
type-wheel shaft a, with an intermittent motion and in such manner that successive
characters on the type-wheel a', are brought into printing position by the actions
of the motor. c, is a disc mounted on the type-wheel shaft a, aud provided with a
spiral groove c¹. c², is a spring controlled unison latch adapted to engage the outer
end of the spiral groove c, and thus arrange the type-wheel shaft a, when a blank
space on the type-wheel a', is in the position herein before designated, the printing
position, and when the retracting spring 6, is in tension. In this connection it may
be remarked that the arrest of the type-wheel shaft a, by the unison latch c
causes the ratchet-wheel 6, to hold the pawl 6, and thus prevent the movement of
the bar 6, whereby the retracting spring 6, is held in tension, so as to permit of
the subsequent starting of the motors as will be hereinafter fully described. The
type-wheel shafts a, of both transmitter and receiver, it should be borne in mind,
make two revolutions and are then arrested by the unison latch c³, in the outer end
of the spiral groove c', of the disc c.
d, is a circuit interrupter adapted to produce makes and breaks in the coils of
the relay electro-magnet m, to which the motor electro-magnet 610, responds and is
composed of a conducting disc d', insulated from the shait a, and provided with
insulating segments corresponding in position with the divisions on the types
wheel a', a second conducting disc d³, insulated from the shaft a, and in electrical

page_text: Connection with the disc a, a contact spring a, for the disc a", and an adjustable
contact spring d, for the disc d³.
e, is a type-wheel shaft locking and releasing device comprising a toothed-wheel e¹,
having spaces corresponding in number and position with the divisions on the type-
wheel a', an armature lever e², provided with a spring e³, for controlling the same
and with a detent e, adapted to engage in a space between the teeth of the
toothed-wheel e'. In this connection it may be remarked, that in use the contact
spring d, is adjusted in such manner that when the shaft a, is arrested by the
armature-lever e², the spring d, will occupy a position at or near the edge of one
of the segments of the disc d', upon which it is travelling as illustrated in Fig. 4, so
that the armature lever of the electric motor b, cannot complete its stroke; and
moreover, because when the spring d*, rests on a conducting segment of the disc d',
the line circuit will be closed, and when the spring d*, rests on an insulating
segment, the line circuit will be interrupted. However, when the type-wheel
shaft a,
is arrested by the unison latch c', the spring d', will rest upon an insulating
segment of the disc d', and thus the line circuit will be interrupted. These
adjustments or peculiarities of construction and arrangement are productive of
advantageous results which will be hereinafter fully explained.
f, is a sunflower device comprising a rigidly supported conducting annulus f¹, an
annulus composed of insulating and conducting segments as illustrated in
section in Figs. 1 and 2, and a conducting brush f³, adapted to sweep over the
sunflower and carried by an insulated arm projecting from the type-wheel shaft a.
ff and f, are printing keys corresponding to the characters on the type-wheel a',
and is a double contact unison key.
h, is a spring controlled printing and unison electro-magnet armature-lever
having a spring controlled pawl ', adapted to feed the rack h², of a paper carriage,
not shown, and with a link h³, for operating a pivotal detent, that co-operates
with a rack ³, and thus regulates and limits the feed imparted by the pawl h¹, to
the paper-carriage. The intermediate portion of this arinature-lever h, is provided
with a vertical projecting arm 6, which actuates a pivotally supported printing
hammer in such manner that when the armature lever h, is pulled up the printing
pallet i, comes in contact with the paper and takes an impression from one of the
characters on the type-wheel a'. The armature-lever h, is provided at or near its
free extremity and upon its underside with a wedge, not shown, that engages oue
extremity of a pivotal lever j, the other extremity of which engages one arm², of
a bell crank lever having its other arm, in range of the spring controlled unison-
latch c², so that when the armature-lever h, is pulled up the wedge operating
through the instrumentality of the levers 1, 2 and 3, causes the unison latch c², to be
thrown out of the outer end c³, of its spiral groove c', and when the armature-
lever, falls back under the influence of its retracting spring 10, the unison
latch 3, is again permitted to move under the influence of its spring c³, into
engagement with the inner end c, of the spiral groove c', of the disc c. By such
described actions the pulling up of the armature-lever h, effects impressions, feeds
the paper, and releases the unison latch.
y, is a mechanical circuit closer and breaker comprising a tapering stud or
disc g', as illustrated in Fig. 3, loosely mounted on and insulated from a shaft or
rod g², which by means of a link y³, is pivotally connected with the upper end of the
armature-lever 68, of the motor electro-magnet 10. This rod or shaft g², is
pivotally connected at 9, to a frame, not shown. The movement of the armature-
lever of the motor electro-magnet 60, is simultaneously transferred to the
arm g, and contact stud or disc ', which as shown in full lines in Fig. 3, is held
to required position by means of a delicate helical or coiled spring 9º, mounted
on the rod or shaft g³, to cause the stud or disc g', to contact with one or more
of the spring metal strips 96, 9' and 98, of the circuit closer and breaker g, secured
to an insulating block or bar 90, provided with binding posts g, g₁ and g¹³, for
a purpose to be presently fully explained. The delicate coiled or helical spring 9.,
engages respectively the lower extremity of the stud or disc y', and a flanged

page_text: cap 9º, secured to the lower extremity of the rod or shaft g². In dotted lines in
Fig. 3, is indicated the different positions which the movable stud or disc g', of
the mechanical circuit closer and centrifugal acting breaker is adapted to respec-
tively assume by the actuation of the armature-lever 68, by means of the electro-
magnet 60, when one of the character keys of the transmitter is depressed to close
a local printing circuit at the receiver and which circuit is interrupted at unison
position with the movable stud or disc g¹, of said device g, caused thereby to
assume the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 3, hereinafter more fully explained
in connection with the operation of the instruments.
It may, however, be here remarked that the above described mechanical circuit
closer and centrifugal acting breaker g, is operative only at the receiving instrument,
while at the transmitting instrument by means of a manual switch it is rendered
inoperative for the reason that the printing circuit is closed thereat by the depression
of one of the character keys.
The set of local unison circuits that is employed in connection with the unison
line circuit for starting the instruments from unison position will now be described
and traced with special reference to Figs. 1 and 2, and in this connection it may
be remarked that each instrument is provided with two manual switches k and k¹,
that are turned into open position as shown in Fig. 1, when the instrument is used
as a transmitter and into closed position as shown in Fig. 2, when the instrument
is used as a receiver. At the transmitter, Fig. 1, the local unison circuit passes
from earth through a generator p, by the conductor 1, through the outer annulus f
of the sunflower device through the brush f³, and the unison contact segment of
the inner annulus f, of the sunflower device f, to the contact spring, of the
normally open double contact unison key f', by a conductor 2. When the unison
key, is depressed the local circuit branches, one branch constitutes the unison
line circuit to be hereinafter more fully described, and the other passes through one
of the contacts f, of the unison key ', then by conductor 3, to and through the
coils of the locking electro-magnet es, then by conductors 4 and 5, to and through
the coils of the printing and locking electro-magnet h, and by a conductor 6, to
earth. When the unison key f', is depressed the branch constituting the unison
line circuit passes from the other contact 10, of the normally open double contact
unison key f, by a conductor 8, of high resistance to a conductor 9, to the single
line conductor 10, and by the manual switch k, and conductor 11, through the coils
of the relay electro-magnet m, Fig. 2, and then by a conductor 12, through a
generator n, by a conductor 20, to earth at the receiver. The local unison circuit
of the receiver Fig. 2, passes from earth by a conductor 15, through a generator o,
and by a conductor 16, and back stop or post m², through the armature-lever m²,
when the relay electro-magnet m, is energized by the line unison circuit, then the
local unison circuit of the receiver passes by a conductor 17, through the coils of
the motor electro-magnet 610, by a conductor 18, to earth. The motor electro-
magnet 60, is thereby energized and attracts its armature-lever 68, as above
described. The position of the armature-lever 68, in this instance has made but a
half stroke, so that the spring 6, holds the same momentarily in such position with
the movable stud or disc g', in contact only with the spring strip 9%, and in which
position the local printing circuit at the receiver is interrupted. When the armature
lever 68, is attracted the traine 63, of the motor by means of the link 6", is shifted
towards the left as illustrated in Fig. 3. Before the pawl 6, engages a tooth of the
ratchet-wheel b', the movable stud or disc g', maintained in required position by its
spring 9, and controlled as to its vibratory movement by the armature-lever be,
when the electro-magnet 610, is magnetized will contact with the spring strip g',
and close thereby the local printing circuit at the receiver, as illustrated in Fig. 2.
This local printing circuit passes from earth by a conductor through the generator p,
then a conductor 23 and manual switch k', occupying the closed position to the
conductor 24, and by a conductor 25, to the mechanical circuit closer and breaker g,
then the local circuit passes through the spring strip 97, and the movable stud or
disc g³, in contact therewith and through the center contact spring strip 9º, and then

page_text: by the conductors 26 and 5, through the coils of the printing electro-magnet ³, and
by a conductor 6, to earth. It should be borne in mind that the pawls b and b³,
of the motor frame ³, engage with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel b', mounted on
the type-wheel shaft a, only near the end of the stroke of the armature-lever 68, so
that the movement of the motor frame 13, in the present instance serves only to
cause the contact stud or disc g', of the mechanical circuit closer and breaker to
vibrate or swing to the left sufficiently as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, to permit
the disc or stud g' thereof to contact with the spring strip 9', so as to close the
local printing circuit at the receiver, and at the same time to prevent the type-wheel
being moved. It will thus be observed that the type wheel shaft a, cannot be
rotated at this moment at the receiver for the reason that the unison latch c³, as
illustrated in Fig. 5, occupies a position at the end e³, of the spiral groove c', of the
unison disc c, thereby preventing the actuation of the type-wheel shaft a, until the
unison latch is released.
The set of local printing and motor circuits that is employed in connection with
the normal printing line circuit, that is, after the unison line circuit has bee
broken, will now be traced and described.
At the transmitter, Fig. 1, the normal line circuit passes from earth by a con-
ductor 20, through the generator n, by a conductor 12, through the coils of the
relay electro-magnet m, and by conductors 11 and 21, to the line circuit closer and
breaker d, through the contact spring d', a conducting segment of the disc d',
through the hub d², and contact spring d³, and by the conductors 22 and 9, to the
line conductor 10. The normal line then passes by the manual switch k, of the
receiver, Fig. 2, and conductors 11, 12 and 20, through the coils of the relay
electro-magnet m, and generator n, to earth. The local printing circuit at the
transmitter is from earth through the generator p, conductor 1, sunflower device f,
conductors 13 and 28 or 29, contacts of the keys f*, ƒ³ or ƒ³, conductors 14 and 3,
through the coils of the locking electro-magnet e³, by the conductors 4 and 5,
through the coils of the unison and printing electro-magnet h³, and then by the
conductor 6, to earth. At the receiver the motor circuit comprises a generator o,
and conductors 15, 16, 17 and 18, and is controlled by the armature lever m', of the
relay electro-magnet m. This circuit is closed by means of the armature lever m',
through the coils of the motor electro-magnet 60, and the local printing circuit
passes as previously described from earth through the generator p, by the con-
ductor 23, manual switch k', and conductors 24 and 25, through the contacts 98, g', ³
or go, g, g, of the mechanical circuit closer and centrifugal acting breaker g, and
then by conductors 26, 5 and 6, to earth through the coils of the printing and unison
electro-magnet h³. However, at unison position this circuit is broken by reason of
the fact that the stud or disc g', of the vibrating or swinging mechanical circuit
closer and breaker g, is in contact with the center spring strip 9, and consequently
breaks said circuit thereat.
Assuming that the instruments are in the unison position as shown in Figs. 1
and 2, the starting of the instruments and effecting of the printing are, as
follows:-
The double contact unison key f', is depressed at the transmitter to close the
local unison circuit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, through the coils of the locking electro-
magnet e³, and through the coils of the printing electro-magnet, it being
understood that the normal line circuit is broken at the armature lever m', by
reason of the fact that the spring d', of the circuit interrupter d, of the transmitter
rests upon an insulating segment. The magnetization of the locking electro-
magnet es, causes its armature-lever e³, to be pulled down into position for locking
the toothed wheel e', and type-wheel shaft a, and the magnetization of the printing
and unison electro-magnet, causes its armature-lever 1, to be pulled down with
the result that the pawls h' and h, are brought into position for feeding the paper-
carriage, the printing pallet i, brings the paper into contact with the blank space on
the type-wheel a', and the unison latch c², is shifted out of engagement with the
outermost portion c³, of the spiral groove c', of the unison disc c. The depression

page_text: of the double contact unison key f³, of the unison line circuit 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, k¹, 11, 12
and 20, thus energizing the relay electro-magnet m, at the receiver. In this
connection it may be remarked that the conductor 8, of high resistance causes a
proper distribution of the current from the generator 1 to line through the coils of
the locking electro-magnet e³, and through the coils of the printing and unison
electro-magnet hº, of the transmitter. The relay electro-magnet m, at the receiver
being thus energized pulls up its armature lever m', and closes the local unison
circuit 15, 16, 17 and 18, through the coils of the motor electro magnet b™, and by
means of the mechanical circuit closer and breaker g, through the coils of the
printing and unison electro-magnet h, whereby the unison latch c³, at the receiver
is released. The double unison contact key f", at the transmitter, is then released,
thus breaking the local unison circuit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, through the coils of the
locking electro-magnet e³, and through the coils of the printing and unison electro-
magnet h, of the transmitter and also breaking the unison line circuit 1, 2, 8, 9, 10,
k, 11, 12 and 20, so that the relay electro-magnet m, at the receiver is demagnetized
and its armature-lever m³, is permitted to break the local unison circuit 15, 16, 17
and 18, through the coils of the motor electro-magnet 610, and the coils of the
printing and unison electro-magnet h, of the receiver. In this connection it may
be here remarked that by releasing the double contact unison key f', the unison
latch 3, at the receiver is released simultaneously with the unison latch c², of the
transmitter, so that the type-wheel shafts of the transmitter and receiver are
maintained in unison by reason of the fact that the retracting springs 6, of the
motor armature levers b, are of like tension and retractive force and actuate the
type-wheel shafts a, of both instruments upon the release of the double contact
key f', synchronously and so as to operate in unison. The unison latches at hoth
instruments are permitted to move under the influence of their retracting springs
into engagement with the innermost portions c, of their spiral grooves c', and the
armature-levers e, are shifted into position for releasing the shaft a', at the
transmitter so that the tension in the respective retracting springs b, of the motors
causes the type-wheel shafts a, of both instruments to be slightly rotated; it being
understood that the unison latches 2, always arrest the type-wheel shafts in such
position that the retracting springs 6º, are in tension as shown in Figs. 1, and 3.
This rotation of the shafts a, causes the contact spring d, and circuit interrupter d,
at the transmitter to be brought into contact with a conducting segment of the
disc d', to close the normal line circuit 20, 12, 11, 21, 22 and 9, as illustrated in
Fig. 1, and 10, k, 11, 12 and 20, as illustrated in Fig. 2, through the coils of the
relay electro-magnets m, of both instruments and to subsequently break and again
make the same. The repetition of these makes and breaks in the normal line
circuit due to the ordinary operation of the circuit interrupter at the transmitter,
acting through the armature levers m', of the relay electro-magnets m, and in
connection with the retracting springs 6, and motor electro-magnets 610, will cause
the motors b, to propel the type-wheel shafts a, and perfect synchronism of movement
is ensured, because each motor is controlled by its relay and both relays are
controlled by the circuit interrupter at the transmitter. This is important,
because accidental breakage in the line conductor 10, would result in a stoppage
of the transmitter, as well as of the receiver, so that the operator at the
transmitter would be apprised of the accident and would not attempt to transmit
messages until the necessary repairs had been effected.
It may be here
remarked that the stud, disc or circuit closer or breaker g¹, at the receiver by
the magnetization and demagnetization of the motor electro-magnet 610, by means
of its retracting spring 6, is adapted to impart intermittent or vibratory motion
by which centrifugal force is engendered to cause the stud or disc g¹, to be pressed
downwards against the force of the delicate helical or coiled spring 9, as shown by
the dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 6. The contact disc g', will occupy such position
until the type-wheel shaft a, of the transmitter is arrested, whereby the spring 9°,
will raise the swinging contact disc or circuit closer g', in such manner as to assume
again its normal position as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6, and until the stud or

page_text: disc g', by means of the spring 9, causes it to contact with the strips 97 and 9°
org and g, as fully illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. It will thus be understood
that the local printing circuit at the receiver will be interrupted during the swinging
or vibratory movements of the stud or disc g', of the circuit closer and breaker g.
The contact stud or disc g', it will be seen has for nearly one half of its upper surface
a range of movement beneath and between the contact strips 96, 97 and 98, during the
swinging or vibratory movement thereof, thereby forming a sufficient surface for
contact with the spring metal strips 96, 97 and 98, when the swinging or vibratory
motion imparted thereto is permitted to cease. At the transmitter, however, the
contact stud or disc g', operates in precisely the manner hereinbefore described, but
thereat the local printing circuit is not closed thereby, because the manual switch k¹,
occupies an open position.
is,
The depression of a character key at the transmitter, for example, the key f*,
causes the local printing circuit 1, 13, 14, 3, 4, 5 and 6, to be closed through it as
soon as the sunflower brush f³, sweeps onto the contact connected with the con-
ductor 13, whereupon the locking electro-magnet e³, and printing and unison electro-
magnet h³, are energized. Under these circumstances the locking electro-magnet e³,
attracts its armature and arrests the type-wheel shaft and the printing and unison
electro-magnet feeds the paper, throws the unison latch out of engagement and
effects the impression of a character from the type-wheel, corresponding with the
characters of the depressed key. The locking electro-magnet e³, at the trans-
mitter, however, arrests its type-wheel shaft a, before the spring d, has passed off
the segment of the disc d¹, over which it is travelling, as shown in Fig. 4, and
before the motor has completed its full stroke. Consequently upon the release of
the key ƒ³, the unison-latch c², will be returned to its initial position and then
proceed in the same manner as it did before the key f", was depressed. The arrest
of the circuit interrupter at the transmitter in the manner above describ,
with the contact spring at or near the edge of a conducting segment over which it
is travelling, causes the normal line circuit 20, 12, 11, 21, 22, 9, 10, of Fig. 1,
and 11, 12 and 20, of Fig. 2, to be thereby closed to energize the relay electro-
magnet m, at the receiver, and through the armature lever m', of the said magnet
when pulled up, the motor circuit is closed through the coils of the motor electro-
magnet. This electro-maguet consequently attracts completely its armature
lever 6. Under these circumstances the relay at the receiver acting through its
armature lever m³, arrests its motor and the latter arrests the receiver type-wheel
shaft, whereupon the contact stud or disc g', of the circuit closer and breaker g, is
elevated by means of the spring 95, into contact with the spring strips 9º and g',
thereby closing the local printing circuit 23, k¹, 24, 25, 26, 5 and 6, through the
printing and unison electro-magnet hº, effecting thereby an impression at the
receiver of a character corresponding to the character of the depressed key, and
also releases the unison latch and feeds the paper. When the printing key f, is
released, the motor at the transmitter completes its stroke, the unison latches of
both instruments are permitted to return to their initial positions and hence both
instruments are again set in motion. Inasmuch as the unison latches ², are
returned to their initial positions every time an impression is taken, it follows
that another letter key, as f*, may be depressed at the transmitter before the
shafts are permitted to run to unison. When a character key is depressed at the
transmitter and the type-wheel shaft a, is arrested by means of the locking
electro-magnet es, the contact spring d, is in such position as to rest upon the edge
of an insulating segment of the disc d', of the line circuit interrupter d, and before
the motor has completed its full stroke the line circuit will be interrupted. In
such a case at the receiver the motor electro-magnet 60, will be demagnetized and
the contact disc g', of the vibrating mechanical circuit closer and centrifugal acting
breaker g, by means of the retracting spring 6º, will be brought in contact with
the metal spring strips 96 and 98. The local printing circuit 23, 24, 26, 5 and 6,
will be thereby closed, the unison and printing electro-magnet, at the receiver will
be energized at the same time with the unison and printing electro-magnet ½³, at the

page_text: transmitter, and on both instruments an impression will be effected corresponding to
the character of the depressed key; and moreover, the paper will be fed. Upon the
release of the depressed key, the unison latches c2, of both instruments will return
to their initial positions, as hereinbefore fully explained. Whenever it becomes
necessary or desirable to bring the instruments to unison, this result may be
accomplished by releasing all the keys, and afterward the instruments may be
again operated in the manner above described, or the switches k and k', in Fig. 1,
may be closed, and those in Fig. 2, opened, with the result that the instrument of
Fig. 2, becomes the transmitter and the instrument of Fig. 1, the receiver.
From the foregoing description it will be observed that an impression is made
even though the normal line circuit is interrupted, so that the speed of printing is
increased and depends in the present instance not alone from a closed line circuit
or from an impulse sent over the line. The mechanical circuit closer and breaker g,
such as hereiubefore fully described and shown is adapted for use in connection
with a local printing circuit and to close and interrupt the same, but it is manifestly
obvious that such can be employed to close and interrupt any of the other circuits
and still be within the scope of my present invention. Moreover, it will be obvious
that use may be made of a plurality of instruments operated by a single trans-
mitter or from a central station, whereby two instruments may be operated
independently of the others connected in circuit therewith; and also that modifica-
tions may be made in the arrangement of the circuits and in the number and
location of the generators, without departing from the spirit of the invention and
hence I do not wish to be understood as confining myself to the precise arrangements
hereinbefore explained; but
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what i
claim is :-
1. In a printing telegraph system, a printing circuit, an electric motor, and a
vibrating mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker operating
to close and interrupt said circuit, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
2. In a printing telegraph system, a circuit, an electric motor included therein
and connected with a shaft controlling a type-wheel, and a vibrating mechanical
and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker operating to close and interrupt
said circuit, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. In a printing telegraph system, a circuit, an electric motor included therein
and connected with a shaft controlling a type-wheel, and a spring controlled
vibrating mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker operating to
close said circuit and to interrupt the same by the centrifugal action thereof,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
4. A printing telegraph system, comprising a generator and line circuit, an
electric motor included in a local circuit and controlling a shaft provided with a
type-wheel, and a spring controlled and centrifugal acting circuit closer and
breaker operating to effect printing from said type-wheel by the closing and
interrupting of said line circuit, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
5. A printing telegraph system, comprising a receiver and a transmitter normally
operated by motors and local circuits controlled by relay electro-magnets
responding to makes and breaks produced in line by a circuit interrupter on the
type-wheel shaft of the transmitter, a local printing circuit, a spring controlled
mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit breaker and closer operated by the
-depression of a key at the transmitter to effect an impression and arrest the type-
wheel shaft before the completion of the stroke of the motor thereat and before
the circuit interrupter makes and breaks the line circuit, whereby the relay electro-
magnet through the spring controlled armature lever causes the motor to arrest the
receiver type-wheel shaft, and whereby the motors of both instruments are permitted
to again start upon the release of said key at the transmitter and by the completion

page_text: of the partial stroke of the motor thereat, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
6. A printing telegraph system, comprising a transmitter and a receiver each
having a relay electro-magnet responding to makes and breaks in the normal line
circuit produced by an interrupter on the type-wheel shaft of the transmitter, a
motor operating the driving shaft and controlled by the armature-lever of said
relay electro-magnet through circuit connections, a vibrating spring controlled
mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker, and a unison-latch
adapted to arrest its type-wheel shaft with the retracting spring of the motor in
tension and with the circuit interrupter in position for breaking the normal line
circuit, whereby the motors are permitted to start under the influence of their
retracting springs and by the release of the type-wheel shafts, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
7. A printing telegraph system, comprising a transmitter and a receiver and
each provided with a motor responding to makes and breaks in a line circuit and
adapted to drive the type-wheel shaft, a vibrating spring controlled mechanical
and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker, a unison device for locking the
type-wheel shaft in such position that the retracting spring of the motor tends to
start it, a detent locking said shaft, electro-magnets for operating said unison-latch
and detent, a double contact unison key at the transmitter for controlling the local
printing circuit to release said unison device lock and unlock the transmitter type-
wheel shaft and for controlling the unison line circuit to release said unison
device and lock and unlock the receiver type-wheel shaft through the intervention
of a relay electro-magnet and a local circuit, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
8. A printing telegraph system, comprising a single line conductor adapted to
be included in a unison line circuit, a transmitter and receiver normally operated
by motors responding to makes and breaks in said circuit and provided with means
for automatically closing the same at the unison position an at other positions,
local motor circuits at each instrument, a local printing circuit, a spring controlled
vibrating mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker controlled
by a key at the transmitter and a local printing circuit controlled by the motor
electro-maguet of the receiver, a local unison circuit and devices controlled by a
unison-key at the transmitter and a local unison circuit and devices controlled by a
relay and its spring controlled armature-lever at the receiver, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
9. A printing telegraph system, comprising a single line conductor, combined
transmitters and receivers normally operated through relay electro-magnets
controlling the local circuits of motors and responding to makes and breaks in
said line circuit and provided respectively with two sets of local unison and printing
circuits, a spring controlled mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit closer and
breaker adapted to include one set of local circuits at unison position and the
other set at the other positions, and manual-switches for changing the circuits to
cause the instruments to operate as transmitter and receivers, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
10. A printing telegraph system, comprising a receiver and transmitter having
printing and locking electro-magnets and devices, relay electro-magnets, a
mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker at the receiver
adapted to control a local unison circuit through the armature-lever of said relay
electro-magnet and the coils of the printing electro-magnet of the receiver, a double
contact unison key adapted to close a local unison circuit through the coils of said
printing and locking electro-magnets of the transmitter and to close a unison line
circuit through the coils of the relay electro-magnet at the receiver, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
11. A printing telegraph system, comprising a receiver and a transmitter having
printing and locking electro-magnets and devices, a relay electro magnet at the
receiver adapted to control a local unison circuit through its armature-lever and the

page_text: coils of said printing electro-magnet at the receiver, a mechanical circuit closer
and centrifugal acting breaker, a double contact unison key adapted to close one
branch of said circuit through the coils of the printing and locking electro-
magnets of the transmitter and to close the other branch through a resistance and
the coils of the relay electro-magnet at the receiver, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
12. In a printing telegraph system, a receiver provided with a unison electro-
magnet, a local circuit through the coils of said magnet and adapted to be made
and broken by the armature-lever of a relay magnet responding to makes and
breaks in line, a motor, a vibrating mechanical circuit closer and breaker con-
trolled thereby and adapted to close said local circuit through the unison magnet
only at unison position, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
13. In a printing telegraph system, a transmitter provided with a local printing
circuit independent of the line circuit, keys and a type wheel shaft locking magnet
interposed in said local circuit, a receiver provided with a local printing circuit and
its accessories, a motor, a vibrating and centrifugal acting circuit closer and
breaker adapted to automatically permit of the printing upon the arrest of the
receiver type-wheel shaft, electrical and mechanical devices and circuits independent
of the local circuits and keys operating upon the arrest of the type-wheel shaft of
the transmitter to stop said motor of the receiver, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
14. In a printing telegraph system, the combination of a revoluble shaft provided
with a type-wheel having characters and blank spaces, means for arresting said
shaft with the divisions of the type-wheel in the printing position, mechanical and
electrical devices, a local printing circuit, a motor, a mechanical swinging circuit
closer and centrifugal acting interrupter, a wheel on said shaft provided with
recesses in aligument with the characters on the type-wheel and the blank spaces
thereof, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
15. In a printing telegraph system, an armature lever provided with printing,
feeding and unison latch actuating devices and having an electro-magnet and local
circuit connections independent of the line circuit and controlled by keys at the
transmitter and by a mechanical swinging circuit closer and centrifugal acting
interrupter at the receiver, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
16. In a printing telegraph system, a spring controlled unison-latch, a system of
levers for operating said latch, a printing and paper feeding armature-lever provided
with a wedge in sliding engagement with one of said levers, a mechanical swinging
circuit closer and breaker, and an electro-magnet and circuit connections for
actuating the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
17. In a printing telegraph system, a unison latch, levers for operating said
latch, an armature-lever actuating printing devices in sliding engagement with one
of said levers, a mechanical vibrating and centrifugal acting circuit closer and
breaker, and an electro-magnet and circuit connections for controlling said circuit
closer and breaker, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
18. In a printing telegraph system, a spring controlled unison latch, a system
of levers for operating said latch, a pivotal printing hammer, an armature-lever
provided with an arm having a projection in range of a rod on the printing
hammer and with a wedge for operating the system of levers, a vibrating circuit
closer and centrifugal acting breaker, and an electro-magnet and circuit connections
for controlling said circuit closer and breaker, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
19. In a printing telegraph system, a unison latch, levers for operating said
latch, a printing hammer, an armature-lever provided with pawl-and-ratchet
connections for feeding a paper-carriage and operating said levers, a projection
on said armature-lever disposed in range of a rod on the printing-hammer a
mechanical vibrating and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker, and an
electro-magnet for actuating said armature-lever, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.

page_text: 20. In a printing telegraph system, a printing mechanism, a paper-carriage, a
type-wheel shaft provided with a unison spiral and with ratchet and stop-wheels,
a reciprocating-bar provided with pawls and detents co-operating with said
ratchet and stop-wheels, a spring controlled armature-lever connected with said
bar, a motor electro-magnet interposed in a local motor circuit controlled by the
armature-lever of a relay electro-magnet responding to makes and breaks in line,
a printing and unison electro-magnet and circuit connections having an armature-
lever provided with devices for actuating the unison latch, printing mechanism and
paper-carriage, and a mechanical vibrating circuit closer and breaker included in
said local motor circuit, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
21. A printing telegraph system, comprising a double contact unison key, circuit
connections, a type-wheel and a type-wheel shaft, a relay electro-magnet and its
circuit connections, a motor, and a mechanical swinging circuit closer and
centrifugal acting breaker adapted to synchronously release the type-wheel shaft
through said relay and circuit connections, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
22. In a printing telegraph system, transmitting and receiving instruments, relay
electro-magnets for controlling said instruments, a line through the coils of said
relay electro-magnets, circuit interrupters on the type-wheel shaft of each
instrument, a manual-switch at each instrument for controlling line and local
circuits and for permitting an instrument being used either as a transmitter or
receiver, a mechanical swinging and centrifugal acting circuit maker and breaker,
and mechanical and electrical devices adapted to effect impressions upon the arrest
of one of the instruments on makes and breaks of current at the transmitting and
receiving instruments, substantially as set
-31.
23. A printing telegraph system, inprisin
_er and a receiver each
having an electro-magnet to reci ocate a spring controlled bar provided with
pawls and detents co-operating with ratchet and stop wheels mounted on type-
wheel shafts of both instruments, a ne circuit formed out of a local circuit at the
transmitter, a relay electro-magnet cluded in said line circuit and adapted to
close the local motor circuit at the receiver and to partially move said
motor bar without actuating said type-wheel shaft of the receiver and at
the same time to move a mechanical vibrating and centrifugal acting circuit closer
and breaker out of unison position so as to close a local printing circuit through
the coils of said printing electro-magnet at the receiver, whereby the unison
latch of the unison spiral device is liberated and the type-wheel shaft of the
receiver is simultaneously released with the type-wheel shaft of the transmitter
and permitted to operate in unison with each other upon the release of a
unison key at the transmitting instrument, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
Dated at Philodal
ROBERT ASHWORTH FOWDEN,
Per J. G. Lorrain, M. Inst. E.E., M. Inst. M.E., &c.,
Chartered Patent Agent.