IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED FOR TRANSMITTING SIGNALS BY ELECTRICITY FOR TELEGRAPHIC PURPOSES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TELEGRAPHIC CABLES
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Searle, of Woodford Wells, in the County
of Essex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
USED FOR TRANSMITTING SIGNALS BY ELECTRICITY FOR TELEGRAPHIC PURPOSES,
AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TELEGRAPHIC CABLES."
Sealed the 22nd September 1859, and dated the 29th March 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Searle at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th March 1859.
I, RICHARD SEARLE, of Woodford Wells, in the County of Essex, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS USED FOR TRANSMITTING SIGNALS BY ELECTRICITY FOR TELEGRAPHIC
PURPOSES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TELEGRAPHIC CABLES," to be as follows,
that is to say-
My Invention consists, first, in the application of wood, cork, or cork wood,
bamboo, or rattan canes, or any similar substances, in the manufacture of
telegraphic cables, such substances being used for the purpose of forming a
core or foundation to carry or support the metallic conductor.
Secondly, in the application of caoutchouc or india-rubber, or what is
commonly called vulcanized india-rubber, however compounded, for the
purpose of insulating, or covering, or protecting the insulator of submarine
and other telegraphic wires or cables so constructed.

page_text: Thirdly, in the application of the before-mentioned substances, or any
of them, for the purpose of reducing the specific gravity of submarine
telegraphic wires or cables.
Fourthly, in the application of tubes composed of metallic wire in a spiral
form. either for the purpose of transmitting telegraphic signals, or for covering 5
and protecting submarine or other telegraphic wires or cables.
And, fifthly, in the application of flat metallic bands or ribbons, as conductors,
by means of which telegraphic signals may be transmitted, whether through
cables or otherwise.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Richard Searle in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th September 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
SEARLE, of Woodford Wells, in the County of Essex, Gentleman, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-second year of Iler
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Richard Searle, Her special licence that I, the said Richard Searle,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Richard
Searle, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
IN APPARATUS USED FOR TRANSMITTING SIGNALS BY ELECTRICITY FOR
TELEGRAPHIC PURPOSES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TELEGRAPHIC CABLES," upon
the condition (amongst others), that I, the said Richard Searle, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Richard Searle, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, that is to say:-
My Invention consists, first, in the application of bamboo or rattan canes,
or other similar substances, in the manufacture of telegraphic cables, such
substances being used for the purpose of forming a core or foundation to carry
or support the metallic conductor, which may be passed either over or through
them.
Secondly, in the application of metallic wires or ribbons in a spiral form,
for the purpose of transmitting telegraphic signals.
And, thirdly, in the application of flat metallic bands or ribbons, or wire,
grooved or corrugated longitudinally on its surface, for the purpose of trans-
mitting telegraphic signals.
And in order that my Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to particularly describe and ascertain in
what manner the same is to be performed, that is to say :-
I form the core or foundation of a telegraphic cable, by preference of
bamboo or rattan canes joined together, so as to form a support of the required
length. On the surface of these canes I, by preference, form grooves or
channels longitudinally, to receive the conducting medium; but this is not
essential, as the conducting medium may, if required, be passed through
them; after which, I cover or serve the cable so formed, by preference,
with caoutchouc or india-rubber, or vulcanized india-rubber; but I would
observe, that gutta percha, oakum, canvas saturated with bitumen and petro-
lium, or mineral pitch, or a solution of wax and shellac, may be used, if
preferred.
Under the second head of my Invention 1 form the wire, ribbon, or other
conducting medium into a spiral form, which spiral is wound round, or
otherwise placed in or upon a core or foundation of bamboo or rattan cane, or
other substance, by which means, although the length of the conducting
medium is increased, the danger of fracture or other injury from extreme
strain or tension is greatly reduced, or altogether obviated.
The third head of my Invention consists in increasing the surface of the
conducting medium, by using thin metallic bands or ribbous, or grooved or
corrugated wire, as a conducting medium, whether they be used in con-
junction with my improved cone or foundation, or in any other manner.
Having. thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner

page_text: of performing the same, I would have it understood that I do not confine
myself to the precise details herein described, but what I claim is,-
Firstly, the mode of manufacturing telegraphic cables, with a core centre
or foundation, formed of bamboo or rattan cancs, or other similar substance,
spliced or joined together, so as to form a support of the required length.
Secondly, placing the wire band, or ribbon, or other metallic conducting
medium in a spiral form, round or upon the core or support, by which means
I remove the tension or strain of the cable from the conducting medium.
And, thirdly, increasing the surface of the metallic conducting medium by
forming it into thin bands, or ribbons, or grooved or corrugated wires.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Searle, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
RICHARD SEAKLE. (L.S.)