Improvements in Coin-controlled, Call-recording Device for Telephone Systems.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 13th July, 1893
Complete Specification Loft 44th Ann 000
1000
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coin-controlled, Call-recording Device for Telephone
Systems.
I, JAMES BENJAMIN GILL, of No. 246, Sutter Street, in the City and County
of San Francisco, State of California, United States of America, Electrician, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements made in means or devices for making
a permanent record of the calls sent in and the number of switches or connections
made between a subscriber's-line and other lines in a telephone system; and the
said improvements comprise certain novel parts and combination of parts as
hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.
The said improvements comprise, among others, recording mechanism of novel
construction consisting of a rotatable record-card, a marking-device operating
to make a permanent record-mark on the card, mechanism for setting the marking-
device and for projecting it against the record-card, and an electrically-con-
trolled actuating means adapted to release the marking-device for action:
in combination with this recording-mechanism a novel means for controling the
marking-device electrically from a central-station, whereby the device cannot
operate until after a coin of a certain denomination is inserted in the recording-
mechanism.
Also
Also a novel means for rejecting and discharging a coin from the box when
it differs in size or value from the standard of the coin with which the recording-
mechanism is constructed to operate.
Also, novel means controlled by the operator in the central-station for dropping
or discharging the coin from the mechanism into the coin-receptacle of the box.
Also, the general combination and construction of said parts and devices with
the mechanism producing a recording device for a subscriber's-telephone con-
trolable from the central-station and operative only when a coin of a given value
has been deposited in the coin-receiver of the device.
The following description explains at length the nature of the said improve-
ments and the manner of constructing, applying and carrying out the same,
reference being had to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a front-elevation of a recording mechanism embodying the novel'
parts and features of the present invention; the front of the inclosing box being.
removed, and portions of the record-card and parts of the mechanism being broken
away and shown in section to expose parts in the rear;
Figure 2 is a side-elevation taken from the left-hand side of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a detail-view in front elevation of the coin-chute and parts of the
electrically-controlled mechanism operated from the central-station to drop the
previously inserted coin, the upper portion of the coin-chute being shown in.
section;
Figure 4 is a detail-view of the same parts taken from the back of the coin-
chute;

page_text: Figure 518 a top-view of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a back-view of the rotatable disk;
Figure 7 is an edge-view of the disk, Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a side-elevation of the device taken from the right-hand side of
Figure 1, with the inclosing box partly broken away to expose the mechanism
inside;
Figures 9 and 10 are top-views in detail of the marking-device in two portions;
Figure 9 showing it drawn back and set for operation, and Figure 10 representing
its position at the end of its forward throw after it has marked the card;
Figure II is a side-view in detail of the slide, the stationary support and the
locking-lever of the marking-device;
Figure 12 is a rear-view of the coin-chute illustrating a part or attachment that
is combined for operation with the other mechanism to close the contact-springs
in the relay-circuit when the deposited coin is not sufficiently heavy to act on the
springs.
A disk or wheel A, with a clamp for securing to its front face a record-card B
is mounted for rotation on a central arbor or pivot a¹, on which support it is free
to turn in a vertical plane, and the pivot is also capable of rectilinear movement
in a plane coincident with the plane of rotation, so that if a pointer or marker be
held against the card secured on the face of the disk, while the disk is rotated,
a continuous spiral line will be described on the card by virtue of the aforesaid
rectilinear and rotary movements of the disk.
To produce these movements the following mechanism is employed:-
The pivot a is fitted to slide in a vertical slot a² in a bracket C, in which it is
movable up and down, and in the back-face of the disk is a spiral groove g running
from the circumference towards the center in a regularly decreasing curve, in
which a fixed stud or pin a projecting from the front of the bracket above the
slotted bearing is fitted to work; so that the rotation of the disk on its pivot has
the effect to produce an upward movement of the pivot in the slot, and by the
combination of the two movements a spiral curve will be described on the face
of the disk, if a pointer be held in contact with it. A unreaded-spindle with a
nut furnishes the means for holding the clamp against the record-card B to
cause it to turn with the disk.
O is a stationary block on the front of the bracket C, having a vertical slit. C²
to admit the rim of the card B, and also a horizontal slot C3 extending through
the block and transversely across the slit C³. D is a slide-plate mounted in a
stationary support formed of a bar A and slidable thereon in a plane at right
angles to the plane of rotation of the disk, the said plate being attached to that
support by studs as a working in slots a 10 in the bar. A puncturing-needle DI
is clamped in a socket by a screw d³, so as to extend into and project through
the slot C3 in the horizontal movements of the slide.
These parts D D' constitute a puncturing-device by which a permanent record-
mark is made on the card B every time the point of the needle is forced through
the card.
In addition to this function of puncturing the card the needle in each forward
throw rotates the card-carrying disk and turns the same a fraction of a complete
rotation, by virtue of which the punctures are spaced at regular intervals apart.
This movement of the slide 1) is effected by setting the front guide-slot a³ at an
angle across the longitudinal line of reciprocation of the slide; so that the front
end will move at an angle over and to one side of the longitudinal center line,
while the rear end of the slide will swing on the stud as as a center of motion
in such forward throw of the slide.
Viewed from the front of the box, the lateral movement of the puncturing-
device D takes place from right to left in the backward movement of the slide, but
from left to right in the forward throw of the slide; and the effect of this, as
the-needle is projected through the card, is to rotate the disk a distance corre-
sponding to the extent of lateral throw and thereby space the record-marks made

page_text: by the needle. This marking-device thus performs the two functions of puncturing
the card and of rotating it on its axis to space the holes.
E is a push-button on the outside of the box having a stem with a head E
on the lower end, and F is a bell-crank lever pivoted at f to a stationary
piece A¹ and connecting the push-button with the slide-plate D. The end of the
horizontal member of this lever is offset laterally to bring it under the stem of
the push-button, and the end of the perpendicular member rests against a shoulder
or lug d. The slide is projected forward by a coiled spring F2 attached to the
slide at and to a fixed point in front, and a locking-device holds the slide
back, ready for action. At the proper times to throw the making-device forward
against the card the slide is released by mechanism actuated by the vibration
of an armature operated through the medium of an electro-magnet in an electric
circuit. The locking means to hold back the slide consists of the dog on the
bottom of the slide-plate 1 engaging the notches of the ratchet G on an arm
or member G depending perpendicularly from the pivot g. A spring g³ holds
the ratchet up against the dog or projection on the slide.
His an electro-magnet and H a vibrating armature-lever pivoted at and
having a perpendicular member H2 extending upward behind the tripping-arm G¹,
in such relation thereto that, in the movement of the armature under the attrac-
tion by the relay, the lever H2 will strike the tripping-arm and release the
dog from the ratchet G. The electro-magnet H is connected into the main-
circuit of the line so as to be under the control of the operator at the central-
station. to be energized at will; but at the subscriber's-telephone its circuit stands
normally open and is closed by the coin deposited in the box. Thus the record-
ing-mechanism is allowed to act only at the will of the operator in the main
office and on the other hand, the electro-magnet can not be energized until the
coin has been dropped in the box.
This controling means consists of two circuit-closing springs L M, interposed
in the circuit of the electro-magnet and in the path of the coin between the
receiving end or mouth of the coin-chute I, the outlet-end of which is in such
position that the coin is required to close the electro-magnet circuit at that
point L M.
The construction and operation of this controlling-mechanism will be under-.
stood from the detail views Figures 2, 3, 5 and 8.
The contact L is a spring tongue on the front of the chute I, insulated from it
by a block L' and with its free end extending across the other contact M, which
is secured to an extension M* on the upright member H2 of the armature-lever H*.
The part is insulated at m² and has an inclined or wedge-shaped edge m* setting
through a slot I in the front side of the chute I and into the coin-passage, so
that the descending coin striking this incline will press out the spring M and
bring the same in electrical contact with the spring L. The same member M* has
a lip or projection m3 standing across the throat of the coin-passage below the
incline, or between that point and the coin-receptacle in such position that it will
hold back the coin in the chute until the armature is attracted to the. electro-
magnet and the lever H2 is moved.
The piece thus acts to close the electro-magnet circuit at L M, so that
the electro-magnet may be energized and the gate m³ on the same piece retains
the coin in the passage until the armature-lever draws the gate away from the
passage and allows the coin to roll into the conductor or receptacle provided to
catch it.
The circuit through the electro-magnet is carried from a post p to one contact L,
and from the post to the electro-magnet by a wire, and from the windings
of the electro-magnets to the contact M by a wire y so that the circuit is open
at the two points L M. The electro-magnet circuit being connected into the local
battery circuit of the telephone, is arranged to be energized by cutting out the
resistance of the subscriber's-line, which is done at the central-station in the usual

page_text: .
manner by means of the operator's-switch; but until this takes place, the electro-
magnet is inactive, and the recording mechanism can not operate.
As thus constructed it will be seen that the recording-mechanism is under the
control of the operator in the main office or station to the extent of being held
out of action after being set, and of operating only when its electro-magnet is
energized; while, on the other hand, the device can operate only after the required
coin has been deposited, because the electro-magnet circuit remains open at L M
until the coin brings one spring in electrical contact with the other.
In connection with this mechanism there is provided a coin-discharging
mechanism, through the medium of which coins differing in size or value from
the standard coin required to be used in the device can be diverted from the coin-
passage through the chute and discharged to the outside of the box instead of
being dropped and retained in the box. This means consists of an aperture P in
the back of the chute I of proper size to let a coin drop through, and a gate Pl
fitted to control that opening and to be drawn away from it by a push-rod P3
operated from the outside of the box, so that the gate can be moved from the
outside to uncover the outlet P and allow the coin to pass out of the chute from
that side.
The gate P is attached to the side of the chute by a hinged lever P2 that
brings the gate to place after it has been moved back to discharge the coin, and
the operating-rod P3 is returned to position by a coiled spring P4.
A trough or conductor S2 extending from the aperture in the back of the
chute to a slit S' in the side of the box discharges the coin outside when the
gate is opened. Through this outlet a coin of smaller denomination, if
accidentally inserted, can be recovered from the box instead of being deposited in
the receptacle with the other coins; and as the mechanism is adjusted to operate
only with a coin of a given size, the inserted coin can be discharged to the outside
of the box through the opening 1' at any time, instead of being deposited in the
receptacle inside.
a
To insure the coin being deposited in the box and the push-button El being
released before the record is made on the card a cut-off R working through a slot
in the back of the chute and across the coin-passage is connected with the push-
button E so as to be drawn back clear of the passage when that button is
pressed, but to return to place across the passage as soon as the button is released.
This cut-off, as shown in the detail-views Figures 3 and 4, consists of the
pivoted latch R attached by a loose joint R¹ to the back of the chute and having a
lower end R2 at right angles to the arm R working through an opening a in
the chute, so as to extend into and lie across the coin-passage. In the upper part
of the latch is an inclined slot R to take a cross-pin T¹ that is fixed in an
upright rod T working in a guide K in the box behind the coin-chute. One end
of the cross pin rests in the inclined slot of the latch, while the other extends
under the support of the lever F and projects in the path of an incline or
projection F on the horizontal arm of the lever F.
Thus the push-button while acting upon the lever F to set the slide D, also
draws the latch back from the coin-passage at the same moment, and the latch 4
is thrown forward to place by the spring R5 after the pressure is taken off the
push-button.
The rod T terminates in a foot T³ that is adapted to strike and move the
electro-magnet when pressure is applied to the rod from above, and a coiled-
spring T2 returns the rod to position, releasing both the armature and the 5
latch R as soon as the pressure is removed from the push-button. The rod thus
performs the two functions of operating the latch to drop the coin, and of forcing
the armature away from the poles of the electro-magnet in case it may be held up
to it by the residual magnetism at the end of the operation. Also, by holding
back the armature until the pressure is removed from the push-button, this
rod T prevents the operator in the central-office from energizing the electro-magnet

page_text: and thereby releasing the recording-device for operation before the coin has been
dropped into the coin-chute.
.
Provision is made for exposing to view the coin last deposited by arranging on
one side of the box a coin-pocket V with a glass front VI and connecting the
outlet-end of the coin-chute I with this pocket by an inclined trough or con-
ductor S, from which the coins are discharged through an opening S in the
bottom of the trough, where it joins the pocket V, and are dropped into a recep-
tacle W provided for them in the lower part of the box. This outlet is controlled
by a swinging gate V2 operated in one direction by gravity to close the opening
and retain the coin in the pocket, and thrown away from the opening during
the backward throw of the needle-carrying slide by an arm T4 projecting laterally
from the slide and rigidly attached to that part, and an upright lever V pivotally
attached to the side of the box and carrying on its lower member the gate V2.
The upper member of this lever above the pivot V+ stands behind and in the
path of the arm T, so that the movement on its pivot has the effect to draw the
gate back and uncover the aperture S and this movement takes place each time
in the setting movement of the slide D and somewhat in advance of the progress
of the coin through the chute and down the inclined trough. The previously
deposited coin already lodged in this pocket V is caused to drop through the
aperture S in the trough, and the gate is returned to place to close the opening
before the last deposited coin reaches the opening, so that one coin is discharged
from the pocket before the next one is lodged in it for inspection.
This construction has the advantage of affording a clear view of every coin
before it is finally deposited in the receptacle provided in the box.
The device thus constructed is attached for operation to the battery of the
subscriber's-telephone, or in position where it can be connected and operated
conveniently; and the electro-magnet H being properly connected into the local
circuit, the operation of the mechanism proceeds as follows: After the coin is
inserted in the box and the push-button is pressed down and released, the coin
drops into the lower part of the chute where, by contact with the wedge m, it
throws the spring M against the spring L. The same movement of the push-
button sets back the slide D ready for action: and the electro-magnet circuit
being closed at L M by the coin, the lever GI will trip the ratchet that holds back
the slide as soon as the operator at the central-office throws the battery on the
electro-magnet H. By that operation the needle is projected against the record.
card and a permanent record is made thereon. In this movement the lateral throw
of the slide D causes the disk B to turn on its center a short distance according
to the length of the lateral throw made by the needle. At the
time of each punctuation, therefore, the disk is turned a fraction of a complete
rotation on its axis. When the push-button E¹ is pressed down again the slide
is drawn back and set for the next operation. In that movement the needle is
withdrawn from the card without turning it, as the amount of penetration is
only sufficient to cause the needle to engage the card sufficiently to turn it, and
the resistance of the fixed pin that engages the spiral is sufficient to hold the card
from being turned back by the retraction of the needle.
A relatively small disk can be made to contain a considerable number of record-
marks by giving the disk an upward movement in a vertical plane in addition
to its rotative movement as already described. so that the line of punctures made
by the needle will run in a continuous spiral line beginning at the circumference
and decreasing in size as it runs towards the center."
Provision is made for insuring the proper movement of the incline m in the case
of a coin of light weight that is not sufficiently heavy to act properly on the
incline. In such case a lever N attached to the back of the chute on a pivot n
is provided with an upright member, in the end of which is a pin n² setting
horizontally across and extending through a slot 12 in the coin-chute so as to lie
across the coin-passage, and with an angular member n³ projecting in the path of
a pin T5 in the push-rod T. In the downward movement of the rod the stop T

page_text: engaging this end of the lever will throw the opposite end in the slot 12 against
the edge of the coin lying in the coin-passage with a sufficient degree of pressure
from above to press the coin against the incline m³ and thereby force the same
outward. This attachment is designed to be used only in cases where coins of
light weight may be dropped in the box, and under all other conditions it may
be dispensed with.
Dated this 19th day of Iul 1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coin-controlled, Call-recording Device for Telephone
Systems.
I, JAMES BENJAMIN GILL, of No. 246, Sutter Street, in the City and County
of San Francisco, State of California, United States of America, 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-.
This invention relates to improvements made in means or devices for making
a permanent record of the calls sent in and the number of switches or connections
made between a subscriber's-line and other lines in a telephone system; and the
said improvements comprise certain novel parts and combination of parts, as
hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.
The said improvements comprise, among others, recording mechanism of novel
construction consisting of a rotatable record-card, a marking-device operating
to make a permanent record-mark on the card, mechanism for setting the marking-
device and for projecting it against the record-card, and an electrically-con-
trolled actuating means adapted to release the marking-device for action;
in combination with this recording-mechanism a novel means for controling the
marking-device electrically from a central-station, whereby the device cannot
operate until after a coin of a certain denomination is inserted in the recording-
mechanism.
Also
Also a novel means for rejecting and discharging a coin from the box when
it differs in size or value from the standard of the coin with which the recording
mechanism is constructed to operate.
Also, novel means controlled by the operator in the central-station for dropping
or discharging the coin from the mechanism into the coin-receptacle of the box.
Also, the general combination and construction of said parts and devices with
the mechanism producing a recording device for a subscriber's-telephone con-
frolable from the central-station and operative only when a coin of a given value
has been deposited in the coin-receiver of the device.
The following description explains at length the nature of the said improve-
ments and the manner of constructing, applying and carrying out the same,
reference being had to the drawings left with the Provisional and Complete
Specifications.
Figure 1 is a front-elevation of a recording mechanism embodying the novel
parts and features of the present invention; the front of the inclosing box being
removed, and portions of the record-card and parts of the mechanism being broken
away and shown in section to expose parts in the rear;
Figure 2 is a side-elevation taken from the left-hand side of Figure 1;

page_text: Figure 3 is a detail-view in front elevation of the coin-chute and parts of the
electrically-controlled mechanism operated from the central-station to drop the
previously inserted coin, the upper portion of the coin-chute being shown in
section;
Figure 4 is a detail-view of the same parts taken from the back of the coin-
chute;
Figure 5 is a top-view of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a back-view of the rotatable disk;
Figure 7 is an edge-view of the disk, Figure 6:
Figure 8 is a side-elevation of the device taken from the right-hand side of
Figure 1, with the inclosing box partly broken away to expose the mechanism
inside;
Figures 9 and 10 are top-views in detail of the marking-device in two portions;
Figure 9 showing it drawn back and set for operation, and Figure 10 representing
its position at the end of its forward throw after it has marked the card;
Figure 11 is a side-view in detail of the slide, the stationary support and the
locking-lever of the marking-device;
Figure 12 is a rear-view of the coin-chute illustrating a part or attachment that
is combined for operation with the other mechanism to close the contact-springs
in the relay-circuit when the deposited coin is not sufficiently heavy to act on the
springs.
Fig. 13 is a detail view of parts shown in Figs. 2 and 8.
A disk or wheel A, with a clamp for securing to its front face a record-card B
is mounted for rotation on a central arbor or pivot a¹. on which support it is free
to turn in a vertical plane, and the pivot is also capable of rectilinear movement
in a plane coincident with the plane of rotation, so that if a pointer or marker be
held against the card secured on the face of the disk, while the disk is rotated,
a continuous spiral line will be described on the card by virtue of the aforesaid
rectilinear and rotary movements of the (lisk.
To produce these movements the following mechanism is employed:-
The pivot a is fitted to slide in a vertical slot a² in a bracket C, in which it is
movable up and down, and in the back-face of the disk is a spiral groove running.
from the circumference towards the center in a regularly decreasing curve, in
which a fixed stud or pin projecting from the front of the bracket above the
slotted bearing is fitted to work; so that the rotation of the disk on its pivot has
the effect to produce an upward movement of the pivot in the slot, and by the
combination of the two movements a spiral curve will be described on the face
of the disk, if a pointer be held in contact with it. A threaded-spindle b¹ with a
nut furnishes the means for holding the clamp * against the record-card B to
cause it to turn with the disk.
C is a stationary block on the front of the bracket C, having a vertical slit C2
to admit the rim of the card B, and also a horizontal slot C3 extending through
the block and transversely across the slit C2. D is a slide-plate mounted on a
stationary support formed of a bar A and slidable thereon in a plane at right
angles to the plane of rotation of the disk, the said plate being attached to that
support by studs as as working in slots a a¹0 in the bar. A puncturing-needle D'
is clamped in a socket by a screw d³, so as to extend into and project through
the slot C in the horizontal movements of the slide.
These parts D 1¹ constitute a puncturing-device by which a permanent record-
mark is made on the card B every time the point of the needle is forced through
the card.
In addition to this function of puncturing the card the needle in each forward
hrow rotates the card-carrying disk and turns the same a fraction of a complete
otation, by virtue of which the punctures are spaced at regular intervals apart.
This movement of the slide D is effected by setting the front guide-slot at an
angle across the longitudinal line of reciprocation of the slide; so that the front
end will move at an angle over and to one side of the longitudinal center line,

page_text: while the rear end of the slide will swing on the stud a8 as a center of motion
in such forward throw of the slide.
Viewed from the front of the box, the lateral movement of the puncturing-
device I takes place from right to left in the backward movement of the slide, but
from left to right in the forward throw of the slide; and the effect of this, as
the needle is projected through the card, is to rotate the disk a distance corre-
sponding to the extent of lateral throw and thereby space the record-marks made
by the needle. This marking-device thus performs the two functions of puncturing
the card and of rotating it on its axis to space the holes.
E is a push-button on the outside of the box having a stem with a head E
on the lower end, and F is a bell-craak lever pivoted at f to a stationary
piece A2 and connecting the push-button with the slide-plate D. The end of the
horizontal member of this lever is offset laterally to bring it under the stem of
the push-button, and the end of the perpendicular member rests against a shoulder
or lug d. The slide is projected forward by a coiled spring F2 attached to the
slide at and to a fixed point in front, and a locking-device holds the slide
back, ready for action. At the proper times to throw the marking-device forward
against the card the slide is released by mechanism actuated by the vibration
of an armature operated through the medium of a relay in an electric
circuit. The locking means to hold back the slide consists of the dog do on the
bottom of the slide-plate D engaging the notches of the ratchet G on an arm
or member G¹ depending perpendicularly from the pivot g¹. A spring g³ holds
the ratchet up against the dog or projection on the slide.
His a relay and H a vibrating armature-lever pivoted at h¹ and
having a perpendicular member H2 extending upward behind the tripping-arm G,
in such relation thereto that, in the movement of the armature under the attrac-
tion by the relay, the lever H3 will strike the tripping-arm and release the
dog ds from the ratchet G. The relay H is connected into the main-
circuit of the line so as to be under the control of the operator at the central-
station, to be energized at will; but at the subscriber's-telephone its circuit stands
normally open and is closed by the coin deposited in the box. Thus the record-
ing-mechanism is allowed to act only at the will of the operator in the main
office; and on the other hand, the relay cannot be energized until the
coin has been dropped in the box.
This controlling means consists of two circuit-closing springs L M, interposed
in the circuit of the relay and in the path of the coin between the
receiving end or mouth of the coin-chute I, the outlet-end of which is in such
position that the coin is required to close the relay-circuit at that
point L M before it can pass out.
The construction and operation of this controlling-mechanism will be under-
stood from the detail views Figures 2, 3, 5 and 8.
The contact L is a spring tongue on the front of the chute I, insulated from it
by a block L' and with its free end extending across the other contact M, which
is secured to an extension M on the upright member H2 of the armature-lever H*.
The part M is insulated at m² and has an inclined or wedge-shaped edge m* setting
through a slot I in the front side of the chute I and into the coin-passage, so
that the descending coin striking this incline will press out the spring M and
bring the same in electrical contact with the spring L. The same member M* has
a lip or projection m³ standing across the throat of the coin-passage below the
incline, or between that point and the coin-receptacle in such position that it will
hold back the coin in the chute until the armature is attracted to the relay and
the lever H2 is moved.
The piece M thus acts to close the relay-circuit at L M, so that the relay may
be energized and the gate m³ on the same piece retains the coin in the passage
until the armature-lever draws the gate away from the passage and allows the
coin to roll into the conductor or receptacle provided to catch it.
The circuit through the relay is carried from a post p to one contact L, and

page_text: from the post to the relay by a wire, and from the windings of the relay
to the contact by a wire y; so that the circuit is open at the two points L M.
The relay circuit being connected into the local battery circuit of the telephone,
is arranged to be energized by cutting out the resistance of the subscriber's line,
which is done at the central-station in the usual manner by means of the operator's
switch; but until this takes place, the relay is inactive and the recording
mechanism can not operate.
As thus constructed it will be seen that the recording-mechanism is under the
control of the operator in the main office or station to the extent of being held
out of action after being set, and of operating only when its relay is
energized; while, on the other hand, the device can operate only after the required
coin has been deposited, because the relay-circuit remains open at L M
until the coin brings one spring in electrical contact with the other.
In connection with this means there is provided a coin discharging
mechanism, through the medium of which coins differing in size or value from
the standard coin required to be used in the device can be diverted from the coin-
passage through the chute and discharged to the outside of the box instead of
being dropped and retained in the box. This means consists of an aperture Pin
the back of the chute I of proper size to let a coin drop through, and a gate P¹
fitted to control that opening and to be moved away from it by a push-rod P3
which may be bent at its end or otherwise shaped for that purpose and
operated from the outside of the box, so that the gate can be moved from the
outside to uncover the outlet P and allow the coin to pass out of the chute from
that side.
The gate P is attached to the side of the chute by a hinged lever P that
brings the gate to place after it has been moved back to discharge the coin, and
the operating-rod P is returned to position by a coiled spring P
if
A trough or conductor S extending from the aperture in the back of the
chute to a slit S' in the side of the box discharges the coin outside when the
gate is opened. Through this outlet a coin of smaller denomination.
accidentally inserted, can be recovered from the box instead of being deposited in
the receptacle with the other coins; and as the mechanism is adjusted to operate
only with a coin of a given size, the inserted coin can be discharged to the outside
of the box through the opening Pat any time, instead of being deposited in the
receptacle inside.
To insure the coin being deposited in the box and the push-button El being
released before the record is made on the card a cut-off R working through a slot
in the back of the chute and across the coin-passage is connected with the push-
button E so as to be drawn back clear of the passage when that button is
pressed, but to return to place across the passage as soon as the button is released.
This cut-off, as shown in the detail-views Figures 3 and 4, consists of the
pivoted latch R attached by a loose joint R¹ to the back of the chute and having a
lower end R2 at right angles to the arm R working through an opening
the chute, so as to extend into and lie across the coin-passage. In the upper part
of the latch is an inclined slot R to take a cross-pin T that is fixed in an
upright rod T working in a guide K in the box behind the coin-chute. One end
of the cross pin rests in the inclined slot of the latch, while the other extends
under the support of the lever and projects in the path of an incline or
projection F on the horizontal arm of the lever F.
in
Thus the push-button while acting upon the lever F to set the slide D. also
draws the latch back from the coin-passage at the same moment, and the latch
is thrown forward to place by the spring R³ after the pressure is taken off the
push-button.
The rod Terminates in a foot T3 that is adapted to strike and move the
a coiled-
relay when pressure is applied to the rod from above, and
spring T2 returns the rod to position, releasing both the armature and the
latch R as soon as the pressure is removed from the push-button. The rod thus

page_text: performs the two functions of operating the latch to drop the coin, and of forcing
the armature away from the poles of the relay in case it may be held up
to it by the residual magnetism at the end of the operation. Also by holding
back the armature until the pressure is removed from the push-button, this
rod T prevents the operator in the central-office from energizing the relay
and thereby releasing the recording-device for operation before the coin has been
dropped into the coin-chute.
Provision is made for exposing to view the coin last deposited by arranging on
one side of the box a coin-pocket V with a glass front and connecting the
outlet end of the coin-chute I with this pocket by an inclined trough or con-
ductor S, from which the coins are discharged through an opening in the
bottom of the trough, where it joins the pocket V, and are dropped into a recep-
tacle W provided for them in the lower part of the box. This outlet is controlled
by a swinging gate 2 operated in one direction by gravity to close the opening
and retain the coin in the pocket, and thrown away from the opening during
the backward throw of the needle-carrying slide by an arm T projecting laterally
from the slide and rigidly attached to the part, and an upright lever V pivotally
attached to the side of the box and carrying on its lower member the gate V
The upper member of this lever above the pivot V stands behind and in the
path of the arm T, so that the movement on its pivot nas the effect to draw the
gate back and uncover the aperture S and this movement takes place each time
in the setting movement of the slide and somewhat in advance of the progress
of the coin through the chute and down the inclined trough. The previously
deposited coin already lodged in this pocket Vis caused to drop through the
aperture 83 in the trough, and the gate is returned to place to close the opening
before the last deposited coin reaches the opening, so that one coin is discharged
from the pocket before the next one is lodged in it for inspection.
This construction has the advantage of affording a clear view of every coin
before it is finally deposited in the receptacle provided in the box.
The device thus constructed is attached for operation to the battery of the
subscriber's telephone, or in position where it can be connected and operated
conveniently and the relay H being properly connected into the local
circuit, the operation of the mechanism proceeds as follows:-After the coin is
inserted in the box and the push-button is pressed down and released, the coin
drops into the lower part of the chute where, by contact with the wedge m', it
throws the spring M against the spring L. The same movement of the push-
button sets back the slide Dready for action, and the relay-circuit
being closed at L M by the coin, the lever G will trip the ratchet that holds back
the slide as soon as the operator at the central-office throws the battery on the
relay H. By that operation the needle is projected against the record-
card and a permanent record is made thereon. In this movement the lateral throw
of the slide 1) causes the disk B to turn on its center a short distance according
-
to the length of the lateral throw made by the needle. At the
time of each punctuation, therefore, the disk is turned a fraction of a complete
rotation on its axis. When the push-button E¹ is pressed down again the slide
is drawn back and set for the next operation. In that movement the needle is
withdrawn from the card without turning it, as the amount of penetration is
only sufficient to turn it, and the resistance of the fixed pin that engages the spiral
is sufficient to hold the card from being turned back by the retraction of the
needle.
A relatively small disk can be made to contain a considerable number of record-
marks by giving the disk an upward movement in a vertical plane in addition
to its rotative movement as already described, so that the line of punctures made by
the needle will run in a continuous spiral line beginning at the circumference
and decreasing in size as it runs towards the center.
Provision is made for insuring the proper movement of the incline m* in the case
of a coin of light weight that is not sufficiently heavy to act properly on the
incline. In such case a lever Nattached to the back of the chute on a pivot *

page_text: is provided with an upright member, in the end of which is a pin setting
horizontally across and extending through a slot I in the coin-chute so as to lie
across the coin-passage, and with an angular member projecting in the path of
a pin T in the push-rod T. In the downward movement of the rod the stop T
engaging this end of the lever will throw the opposite end in the slot I against
the edge of the coin lying in the coin-passage with a sufficient degree of pressure
from above to press the coin against the incline and thereby force the same
outward. This attachment is designed to be used only in cases where coins of
light weight may be dropped in the box, and under all other conditions it may
be dispensed with.
As herein before described, the circuit of the electro-magnet being connected
into the local-battery circuit of the subscriber's telephone is arranged to be
energized by cutting out the resistance of the subscriber's line, which is done by
the operator through the usual operator's switch. But until this resistance is
cut out the electro-magnet will not act to attract the armature-lever H* and the
coin remaining lodged in the coin-chute will hold the spring L M in working
contact, thereby closing the circuit through the box and giving the usual signal
to the operator over the line.
It should be understood that the coin when deposited in the box does not
directly control the connection between the talking-circuit and the central
station over the subscriber's-line, and the operation of giving connection between.
one subscriber and another through the central station is not affected or con-
trolled by the deposited coin; but the connection is made dependent on the
deposit of the coin simply through the notice given to the operator that the toll
has been deposited, the same as in all toll-collecting devices of the kind that are
intended to secure prepayment.
The object of the present improvements being to register and furnish a per-
manent record of the switches made and the number of times the telephone is
used, the operation of the recording-mechanism is made dependent on the de-
posit of the coin, so that the operator may not accidentally record a switch at
the subscriber's telephone when none has been given; while, on the other hand,
the recording-mechanism is entirely controlled by the operator through the
electro-magnet and its circuit, so that the subscriber may not work the record-
ing-mechanism by any means at the teleplione.
It should be noticed, also, that the function of the circuit-closing springs in
the coin-chute is simply to make the recording-mechanism depend for its action
upon the insertion of the coin, and that the said springs do not control the talk-
ing-circuit; therefore the coin may remain lodged in the chute until discharged
by the operator at the central station without having any effect on the talking-
circuit.
In the usual course of business, however, the coin, after it has been deposited
in the box, is discharged from the chute by the operator from the central station
in order to record the switch, which cannot be done until, first, the coin is de-
posited in the box so as to close the circuit through the electro magnet and
render that part operative; and secondly, the electro-magnet is energized to
actuate the recording-mechanism by which the last-mentioned operation the
marking-device is actuated by the movement of the armature-lever H* of the
electro-magnet and is caused to record the switch.
By that movement of the marking-device the coin is released and discharged
from the coin-chute and the mechanism is reset ready to receive another coin.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1:—A recording-mechanism including a record-card, a marking-device, means
projecting said marking-device against the face of the card, means for moving
the card to space the markings, means for setting and locking the marking-

page_text: device for action, and means for releasing the marking-device at will to impinge
against the card.
2: A recording-mechanism including a rotatable record-card, a marking-
device movable in a plane perpendicular to the face of said card, means for
projecting the marking-device against the card, means for setting and locking
the marking-device for such movement, means for releasing the marking-device
and means for rotating the card to space the markings.
3: A recording-mechanism including a rotatable record-card, a marking-
device movable in a plane perpendicular to the face of the card, means for
projecting the marking-device against the card, means for drawing back and
setting the marking-device for such movement, means rotating said card and
simultaneously imparting rectilinear movement thereto in a plane coincident
with the plane of its rotation to space the markings, and a releasing device to set
free the marking-device.
4: In a recording-mechanism, a rotatable record-card, a reciprocating mark-
ing-device movable at right angles to the face of the card, means for projecting
the marking-device against the card, a push-button, means connecting the same
with the marking-device to draw back and set the latter for action, a releasing
device and means for imparting lateral movement to the marking-device at the
moment of its impinging against the face of the card, to rotate the latter.
5: The combination of a rotatable record-card, means for imparting a com-
bined rotative movement and rectilinear movement in a plane coincident with
the plane of rotation, a marking-device operating in a plane perpendicular to
the face of the record-card, and means for drawing back and projecting said
marking-device against the face of the card.
6: The rotatable disk having its center of rotation adapted to move in a
right line coincident with the plane of rotation and having a spiral groove in
one face, a fixed pin engaging said spiral, and means for imparting rotative
movement to the disk; in combination with a marking-device operating in
a plane perpendicular to the face of the disk and adapted to impinge against
the face thereof, whereby the movements of the marking-device are recorded in
a continuous spiral line on the disk.
7: A recording-mechanism including a rotatable record-card, a marking-
device movable in a plane perpendicular to the face of the record-card, means
for projecting the marking-device against the record-card, means for rotating
the card to space the markings, means for setting and locking the marking-
device for said movement against the card, a releasing-device, and means for
operating the releasing device consisting of a relay in an open circuit in which
is included a circuit-closing device and an armature adapted by its vibrations
when the relay is energized to operate the releasing-device.
8: In a recording-mechanism a rotatable disk, a clamping device adapted to
attach a record-card thereto, a puncturing device, means for projecting the
puncturing device against the card and means for moving the puncturing
device laterally during its penetration of the card, to rotate the latter.
9: In a recording mechanism, a rotatable record-card, means for moving
said card in a plane coincident with the plane of rotation and simultaneous with
such rotation, a puncturing device movable at right angles to the card, means
for projecting the puncturing device against the face of the card and means for
imparting lateral movement to the puncturing device during its penetration of
the card.
10: A coin-controlled recording mechanism for telephone systems, including
a record-card, a marking-device, means projecting the marking-device against
the face of the card, means for moving the card to space the markings thereon,
means for setting and locking the marking-device for action, and coin-controlled
means whereby the marking-device is released by a current from the central-
station at the will of the operator
11 coin-controlled recording mechanism for telephone-systems, including

page_text: a record-card, a marking-device, means projecting said marking-device against
the face of the card, means for moving the card to space the markings thereon,
means for setting and locking said marking-device for action, means whereby
the marking-device is released by a current from the line-circuit, and coin-
controlled means whereby the circuit normally open at the recording mechanism
is restored by the inserted coin.
12: coin-controlled recording-mechanism, including a rotatable record-
card, a marking-device movable in a plane perpendicular to the face of the card,
means projecting the marking device against the card, means for moving back
and locking the marking-device in position for action, means for rotating the
card, and coin-controlled means whereby the marking device is released by a
current from the central-station.
13A recording-mechanism, including a rotatable record-card, a marking-
device movable in a plane perpendicular to the card, means for projecting the
marking device against the record-card, means for setting the marking device
for said movement, an electrically-controlled releasing device in an open circuit
in which is included a circuit-closing device and coin-controlled means for
closing said circuit to operate the releasing device.
14: A recording mechanism, including a rotatable record-card, a marking-
device movable in a plane perpendicular to the card, means for projecting said
marking-device against the face of the card, means for imparting lateral move-
ment to the marking-device in its forward throw, at the time of its contact with
the card to turn the card on its center of rotation, means for drawing back and
setting the marking device, a releasing device and means for operating said
releasing device adapted to be put in operative condition by the insertion of a
coin therein.
15: In a coin-controlled recording-mechanism the combination, with a
rotatable record-card, of a reciprocating marking device, means for projecting
the same against the face of the card, a push-button and means connecting the
same with the marking device to draw back and set the latter for operation, a
coin-controlled releasing device adapted to release the operative means that pro-
jects the marking-device against the record-card, and means for imparting
limited rotative movement to the record-card at each operation of the marking-
device.
16: The combination of the rotatable disk, means for attaching a record-
card thereto, a marking-device operating in a plane perpendicular to the record-
card to impinge against the face thereof, means for drawing back and setting
the marking-device for operation, means for projecting the latter against the
card, a releasing-means consisting of a locking-lever, a relay in an open circuit
in which are included circuit-closing contacts an armature adapted by the
attraction of the relay to trip the locking-lever and release the marking-device.
means for closing said relay-circuit comprising a coin-chute, a device interposed
in the path of the coin by engagement therewith to close the electrical contacts
in the relay-circuit, and means for energizing the relay at will after the circuit
thereof is closed by the coin.
17: In a coin-controlled mechanism, the combination of a suitable case,
an inclined coin-chute, an inclined conductor at the lower end having a coin-
outlet in the bottom, a receptacle at the end of the conductor having a glass-
covered aperture adapted to expose the coin on the outside of the case, and an
inclined bottom to direct the coin toward the outlet in the conductor, a gate
controlling said outlet and adapted to retain the coin in the receptacle at the
end of the conductor, a gate-operating lever, a push-button and means operated
by said push-button when a coin is inserted for throwing the gate to discharge
the coin-contained in the outer receptacle and close the outlet before the last
deposited coin descends the conductor.
18: In a coin-controlled mechanism the combination, of a suitable case, an
inclined coin-chute, an inclined conductor in line with the discharge-end of the

page_text: chute connecting the latter with a coin-receptacle, an outlet in the back or lower
side of the inclined chute, a conductor leading from the latter, a gate control-
ing said outlet and means for operating said gate at will to discharge the coin
to the outside of the case.
19: In a coin-controlled mechanism, the combination. in a suitable case,
of a coin-chute having a separate outlet-aperture for discharging the coin to
the outside of the case, and a gate controlling said aperture operative from the
outside of the case.
20: In a coin-controlled mechanism the combination in a suitable case, of
the coin-chute I. relay H, armature H, armature-lever H2, gate m³ in the
coin-passage of the chute connected to the armature lever, contact-springs L M
in the relay-circuit, incline mt, and means for energizing said relay from the
outside of the case when the springs L M are pressed together in contact.
21: In a coin-controlled mechanism the combination with the coin-chute I,
of the push-rod T, push-button E' means connecting the latter with the rod,
and the lever N having one arm engaging a pin on the push-rod and another
arm adapted to work through a slot in the back of the coin-chute and to engage
the edge of the deposited coin from above.
22: The combination with the relay, its armature, and a push-button: of
a movable rod having a foot adapted to engage the armature, and means con-
necting the rod with the push-button whereby the same is operated by the push-
button to separate the armature from the poles of the relay after the relay-
circuit is broken.
23: In combination with the coin-chute a device movable into and out of
the coin-passage and standing normally out of the path of the coin, and means
operative from the outside of the chute to bring the device against the deposited
coin and force the same along the coin-passage in the chute.
1
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.