IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING AND TRANS- MITTING ELECTRIC CURRENTS, MORE ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN CONNEC TION WITH TELEGRAPHIC RECORDING INSTRUMENTS FOR LONG SUBMARINE LINES
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Little, of the City, County, and State of New
York, United States of America, now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING AND TRANS-
MITTING ELECTRIC CURRENTS, MORE ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN CONNEC
TION WITH TELEGRAPHIC RECORDING INSTRUMENTS FOR LONG SUBMARINE LINES"
Sealed the 4th October 1867, and dated the 8th April 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Little at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
8th April 1867.
I, GEORGE LITTLE, of the City, County, and State of New York, United
States of America, now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING AND TRANS-
MITTING ELECTRIC CURRENTS, MORE ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN CONNECTION
WITH TELEGRAPHIC RECORDING INSTRUMENTS FOR LONG SUBMARINE LINES," to be
as follows:-
The said improvements relate more especially to means for insuring the
correct operation of telegraphic recording instruments wherein the characters

page_text: are produced upon moving strips of paper by an inking or marking device
operated by an electric current.
The said improvements are also applicable to the transmission of signals
through the apparatus known as the audible or sounding telegraph, and are
also adapted for transmitting and regulating electric currents for other
purposes.
The said improvements consist chiefly in the construction of an apparatus
in which a permanently magnetized steel wire is supported by a float in a
liquid of nearly the same specific gravity surrounded by a coil or coils of
insulated wire, which are connected with a condenser or earth wire, and with
the line or cable. One pole of the float is immersed in the liquid which is
in contact with the wire from the local battery; the other pole of the said float
when the same is at rest is not in contact with the wire leading to the recording
or other apparatus, and the cirenit is therefore broken at this point. While
the electric current is passing in one direction through the wire coil or coils
surrounding the float the force of the said current tends to retain the latter at
rest in the liquid, but when the current is reversed the float is brought into
contact with the wire from the recording or other apparatus, and the local
circuit is then completed through the medium of the liquid in which the float
rests. When more than one coil of wire is employed around the float the
same are so arranged and connected that the current passing through all of
them will act to impel the float in one direction. A stand or base of wood or
other suitable material is provided to support the tube or vessel in which the
float is enclosed. The said tube is by preference formed of glass, and is
placed in the centre of a reel of wood or other suitable material, which rests
on the said stand, and is divided by flanges or collars into the number of
portions required to carry the different coils of wire which are wound upon
the said reel, and are connected in such a manner as to transmit the current in
the required direction around the float; the said float is by preference formed
of steel, but copper, brass, gold, platinum, silver, or other metal may be
employed, or the said float may be made of glass, cork, pith, vulcanized india-
rubber, or other substance; the float is preferably of a spherical form, and
may be produced by the union of two halves or hemispheres stamped from a
thin sheet of steel; these two hemispheres may be closely joined together, or
may be connected by an intervening non-magnetic substance; the ends of the
hardened steel wire which form the poles of the float project through the same,
and may be rounded or pointed; the pole which completes the circuit with the
wire from the recording or other instrument is provided with a point of
platinium, gold, or other incorrodible metal. When the apparatus is employed

page_text: in connection with overland telegraph lines the float with the wire may be
made of soft iron, in which case it will form an electric-magnet, which
will operate and complete the circuit between the local battery and the
apparatus to be operated when either a positive or negative current passes
through the coils in either direction. The liquid preferably employed for
supporting the said float is alcohol, but other spirits or water may be used;
the float is constructed so nearly of the same specific gravity as the liquid in
which it is supported that a very slight force is sufficient to move it. The
apparatus may be constructed for the float to act either vertically or horizon
tally, and to move endwise or oscillate in the liquid, but I prefer an arrange+
ment of parts in which the float is drawn towards the bottom of the tube by
its own gravity assisted the electric current as its passes in one direction
around the said float, the latter being caused to rise and complete the circuit
only when the current passes through the wire coils in the opposite direction.
The glass tube in which the float is supported is closed at each end by a tightly
filling disc or washer of india-rubber, which enclosed between a screw head
and nut. The screw head at the lower end of the tube may be cupped
or hollowed out, and filled with mercury in which the corresponding pole of
the float remains. By this means a perfect metallic circuit is formed between
the local battery and the recording apparatus. The screw in the other end
of the tube is made hollow, and serves as a sleeve or guide for an adjustable
rod, which is fitted to slide perfectly air-tight in the said screw, and carries on
its inner end a platinium disc, which lies in close proximity to one pole of the
float when the same is at rest; this sliding rod may be made of steel, and
permanently magnetized to prevent any vibration of the float when the same
is in contact with the platinium disc. The outer end of the said rod is pro-
vided with a milled head to facilitate the adjustment of the platinum dise
which may occasionally be necessary. The wire leading to the recording or
other apparatus to be operated is by preference attached to the nut of this
screw, the said nut being outside the india-rubber disc. The wire from the
local battery is attached to the nut at the other end of the said tube. Two or
more of these instruments may be combined and advantageously employed as
a reotrope or reversing instrument, and also as a repeating instrument for
transmitting currents from local batteries placed at intermediate stations on
ong lines.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Little in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th
October 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
LITTLE, of the City, County, and State of New York, United States of
America, now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirtieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said George Little, Her special licence that I, the said George Little,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as 1, the said
George Little, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING AND TRANSMITTING ELECTRIC
CURRENTS, MORE ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH TELEGRAPHIC
RECORDING INSTRUMENTS FOR LONG SUBMARINE LINES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said George Little, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Little, 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,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawings forming a part of this
Specification:-
The said improvements relate more especially to means for insuring the correct
operation of telegraphic recording instruments wherein the letters and other
characters are produced upon moving strips of paper by an inking or marking
device operated by an electric current. The said improvements are also
applicable to the transmission of signals through the apparatus known as the

page_text: audible or sounding telegraph, and are also adapted for transmitting and
regulating electric currents for other purposes.
The said improvements consist chiefly in the construction of an apparatus in
which a magnet is supported by a float in a liquid of nearly the same specific
gravity between the two poles of a battery, and surrounded by a coil or coils
of insulated wire connected with the line wire or cable, and with a condenser
or an earth wire. One pole of the float remains always immersed in the liquid
with which the wire from the local battery is also kept in permanent com-
munication j the other pole of the said float may be above or below the surface
of the liquid when alcohol is used, and when the float is at rest is not in
contact with the wire leading to the recording or other apparatus; the circuit
is therefore broken or incomplete at this point. While the electric current
passes in one direction through the wire coil or coils surrounding the float the
force of the said current tends to retain the latter at rest in the liquid, but.
when the current is reversed the float while still remaining through the
medium of the liquid in which it rests in communication with the battery
rises into contact with the wire from the apparatus and the local circuit is then.
completed. When more than one coil of wire is employed around the float the
same are so arranged and connected that the current passing through all of
them will act to impel the float in one direction. A stand or base is pro-
vided to support the tube or vessel in which the float is enclosed; the said
tube is by preference formed of glass and placed in the centre of a reel of wood
or other suitable material upon which the wire coils are wound. The float is
by preference formed of steel, but copper, brass, gold, platinum, silver, or other
metal may be employed, or the said float may be made of glass, cork, pith,
vulcanized india-rubber, or other substance. The float is preferably of a
spherical form, and may be produced by the union of two halves or hemi-
spheres stamped from a thin sheet of steel; these two hemispheres may be
closely joined together, or may be connected by an intervening non-magnetic
substance. The poles of the float are preferably formed of hardened steel
wire which projects through the float and may be rounded or pointed; the pole
which completes the circuit with the wire from the recording or other instru-
ment is provided with a point of platinum, gold, or other incorrodible metal..
When my improved apparatus is employed in connection with overland tele-
graph lines the float and its poles may be made of soft iron, in which case it
will form an electro-magnet, which will operate and complete the circuit
between the local battery and the apparatus to be operated thereby when
either a positive or negative current passes through the wire coils in either
direction. The liquid preferably employed for supporting the said float is

page_text: alcohol, but other spirits or water may be used; when the float is enclosed in
a vessel which is open to the atmosphere, lime water is preferable; the float
is constructed so nearly of the same specific gravity as the liquid in which it
is supported that a very slight force is sufficient to move it. The apparatus
may be constructed for the float to act either vertically or horizontally, and to
move endwise or oscillate in the liquid; but I prefer an arrangement of parts
in which the float is drawn towards, the bottom of the tube. by its own gravity,
assisted by the electric current as it passes in, one direction around the said
float, the latter being caused to rise and complete the circuit only when the
current passes through the wire coils in the opposite direction..
<<
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure is a plan of my improved apparatus; Figure 2 is a vertical section
of the said apparatus on the line x, x, Figure 1 showing the same connected
with a recording instrument and its local battery; Figure 3 is a horizontal
section of the said apparatus on the line y, y, Figure 2; Figure 4 is a section
of an apparatus for a like purpose of modified construction; Figures 5, 6, 7,
and 8 illustrate other modifications of the said apparatus; Figures 9, 10, 11,
12, 13, and 14 represent detached portions and further modifications of the
same Figure 15. is a section of my improved apparatus arranged as a
rheotrope" or reversing instrument; Figure 16 is a plan of the apparatus
I employ for detecting and localizing "faults" or "breaks" in telegraphic
lines or cables. Like letters indicate the same parts in each of the Figures.
In the apparatus shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the base A is formed of
brass, and the cylinder A¹ which may be constructed of like material is formed
with a screw thread at its lower end, whereby it is attached to the said base.
On the upper part of this tube a top A³ is secured and two brass pillars or
rols B are attached by screws or ather suitable fastening to the said top;
these pillars pass through the ends of the crosshead C, which is provided
with pinching screws to bold it fast upon the said pillars. In this crosshead
is secured the upper end of the glass tube D, whose top is provided with a
brass cap D for the purpose of confining the alcohol or other liquid and
preventing its evaporation. The said tube is preferably made with a large
and small part, as shown in Figure 2, its upper part being just large enough
to allow the float to move freely therein, while the lower portion of the said
tube is of much smaller diameter. The adjustable rod E is fitted to slide air-
tight in the metal tube F; the latter is provided with an external screw
thread, and is thereby adjusted through the cap D¹ and kept in any desired
vertical position by means of the packing in the box or chamber D', the said

page_text: packing being compressed by means of the tightening nut D; this packing
consists of washers or rings D' of india-rubber, leather, or other similarly
soft and flexible material, and when properly applied will effectually prevent
the evaporation of the alcohol or other liquid contained in the tube D. The
lower end of the tube D is sealed or closed by the disc G which is preferably
made of india-rubber, and is caused by compression between the two metal
plates H, H, to expand at its edges and fit tightly in. the neck. of the sid
tube. The screw H₂ projects from the plate H and passes through the
nut II, whereby. the rubber packing G is compressed. The lower end of the
screw is held between two brass springs I which are attached to the metal
bar J, also preferably formed of brass; this bar serves to establish the con-
nection between the float and the local battery, and for that purpose is attached
to the binding screw K, which is insulated from the base A of the said appa-
ratus by the insulating collars K¹: A small, quantity of mercury is shown
at a in the lower end of the glass tube, and I prefer, that the disc H¹ whereon
the mercury lies should be of. platinum. A taper tube L of glass or other
suitable material is fixed inside the tube or vessel D, as shown in. Figure 2.
The said taper tube is secured at its larger end to the tube D, and prevents
the entrance of the mercury into the upper or larger part of the said tube,
and injury to the float thereby if the apparatus should at any time be inverted,
which might happen in removing the said apparatus from one station or
locality to another.
The float M may be constructed of various shapes and in many different
ways, but I prefer to form the same of. two discs of thin sheet steel of suitable
diameter and thickness. Each of these discs is by means of a series of
suitable dies or formers, and with careful annealing brought into the form of
a hemisphere with a projecting flange M', about one-eighth of an inch in
width around its edge. In forming these hemispheres I prefer to commence
with a series of brass dies, and to finally finish with a pair of tempered steel dies.
Each hemisphere is then evenly tempered throughout, and the inside of th
same is cleaned or scoured in a lathe or other suitable machine until the
weight of both hemispheres is made equal. The flanges are then tinned and
the two hemispheres are united very carefully in a manner well known to
those skilled in similar manufactures. When thus completed the float with.
its projecting flange is to be scoured or polished on its exterior surface until
it is reduced to the desired weight. The flange M² is formed of two separate
or loose flanges which are also pressed or cut out of thin sheet steel and.
properly tempered; these flanges are formed in such a manner that when.
united they will fit the exterior of the float M, and are attached to the same.

page_text: exactly at right angles to the flanges M². The object of the said right
angled flanges is to facilitate or accelerate the movements of the spherical
float, and also to concentrate the polarity of the float at the intersecting points
of these flanges. The floating magnet M is by preference charged with
magnetism in such a manner that its north pole n is downward, and its south
pole s upward, as shown in Figure 2. By this arrangement of the parts of
the apparatus the float is always in view of the operator. M³ is a piece of
platinum wire which is attached to the float M and passes through the
aperture in the lower end of the taper tube L. The end of this wire remains
always in the mercury, shown at a, so that in whatever position the float M
may be a complete metallic connection is maintained between the float and
the local battery. The lower end of the adjustable tube F is faced or coated
with platinum or other incorrodible metal, and is preferably made of a parabolic
or egg form, as shown in Figure 2, in order to permit more readily the escape
of any small particles or globules of the alcohol or other liquid that might be
caught between the end of the said tube and the upper pole of the float M when
the same are in contact. The end of the rod M³ must be kept in the centre
of the mercury by means of a suitable guide. I prefer that the point immersed
in the mercury should be of steel, as this allows the float greater freedom
of action; N is a coil of copper wire covered with silk, and by means of
dissolved shellac or other suitable material united into a solid mass which is
made to couform to the shape of the shoulder D5 of the glass tube or vessel D.
In this arrangement it will be seen that the part of the glass tube D imine-
diately surrounding the float M is seated in the wire coil, while the smaller
portion of the tube passes through the centre of the said coil. The said wire
coil is connected at one end to the binding screw K³, aud at its other end to
another binding screw K, as shown at Figure 3; both of these screws are
insulated from the metal base A by means of the insulating collars K'. The
wire or cable of the main circuit is connected to the binding screw K³, and a
wire leading to a condenser or to the earth is connected to the screw K. The
lower pole of the float M is always, in communication with the binding
screw K, by means of its mercurial connection with the disc H', and when
the float is caused to rise and the pole s is in contact with the end of the
rod F, the local circuit is. made complete between the float and the binding
screw K through the tube E, the cap D', the pillars B, the cylinder A¹, and
the base A. The wires of the local circuit being in connection with the
binding screws K, K³, it is obvious that any properly constructed apparatus,
instrument, or machine included in the local circuit may be caused to operate
by alternately breaking and completing the said circuit, which is easily effected

page_text: by changing the direction of the current through the main circuit and the
wire coils N.
In the apparatus shown in Figure 4, the stand or base is formed of wood
and the glass tube D is supported in the centre of the reel A*, which is
divided by flanges or collars into a number of compartments, corresponding
with the number of the wire coils which are wound upon the said reel. The
float M is provided with a central rod of hardened steel wire, whose ends s
and n form the poles of the said float. The glass tube D, in which the
float M is supported, is closed at each end by a tightly fitting washer G of
india-rubber or other suitable material. The india-rubber washer at the
lower end of the said tube is compressed between the screw head H³, and nut
Hand thereby caused to fit closely within the tube D as already described.
In this apparatus the mercury in which the lower pole s, of the float is im-
mersed is contained in a small cup or hollow G³, forme in the head of the
screw G³; the india-rubber washer in the upper end of the tube D, is com-
pressed between the head F, of the hollow screw F and its nut F³. This
hollow screw serves as a sleeve or guide for the adjustable rod E, which in
this case is shown with a disc E of platinum or other incorrodible metal at its
lower end, which is in close proximity to, but not in contact with the upper
poles of the float when the latter is at rest. This sliding rod E. may be made
of steel and permanently magnetized to prevent any vibration of the float,
when the same is in contact with the platinum disc. The outer end of the said
rod is provided with a milled head to facilitate its adjustment, which may
occasionally be necessary. The wire leading to the recording or other appa-
ratus to be operated is in this, modification of the apparatus attached to. the
nut F, the said nut being outside the india-rubber disc; the wire from the
local battery is attached to the nut H, at the other end of the said tube..
Figure 14 represents another mode of constructing the float,, and arranging
the same for completing and breaking the local circuit, more especially adapted
to the modified form of apparatus shown in Figure 4. The permanently inag-
netized steel wire b is attached to the float in the manner already described,
and the said float is also provided with the stud or pin b', which extends
therefrom at right angles to the steel wire b.. The float lies in the liquid with
its poles in a horizontal position, and the upper end of the pin
the centre of the metal ring c, which is secured to the sliding rod.
electric current is passed through the wire coils, the pole s will dip
b touches the ring c, and the local circuit will be completed. With this
arrangement of parts the circuit is completed by either a positive or negative
current, but if the pin 6 when the float is at rest or in its normal position,
extends into
When an
till the pin

page_text: lies in contact with one side of the ring c, the said float will move only when
the current is passed through the coils in the proper direction to bring the
pin into contact with the other side of the ring c.
Instead of constructing the float as represented in Figures 4 and 14, the
same may be formed as shown in Figure 12, by passing a steel wire 63 through
a sphere d of brass or other non-magnetic substance and attaching to the
outer ends of the said wire caps or shells-e of hardened steel, which are after-
wards permanently magnetized. The object of this mode of construction is
to obtain a powerful floating magnet on the horse-shoe principle, whose
polarity is so distributed that the two poles can be brought into closer con-
tact with the wire coils surrounding the same, and consequently less force will
be required to move the said float. Another mode of constructing the float
is represented in Figure 13. The float is formed of a sphere d; of some non-
magnetic substance and the cross pieces f of hardened steel, which from the
poles, are attached to the said sphere and afterwards magnetized. The float
or magnet may sometimes be provided with two, or more hollow spheres,
arranged as shown in Figures 9 and 10.
In the modification of parts illustrated in Figure 5, the whole of the
spherical portion M of the float may have either a north or south polarity,
while the opposite pole is formed. by the steel bar M³. In this case the
relative arrangement of the poles of the magnet and the wire coil N, is such
that the whole effective force of an electric current passing through the latter
will act upon both poles of the said magnet in the most advantageous manner.
The arrows 1 indicate the direction of the attractive force of the said current
upon the lower pole n, while the arrows 2 indicate the direction of the
repulsion existing between the wire coils and the pole s of the float. If the
said float and rod M³ are formed of soft iron the same may be conveniently
employed as an electro-magnet.
The arrangement of parts represented in Figure 6 affords a good example
of the adaptation of a horse-shoe magnet to the purposes of my Invention.
The said magnet P is attached to the float M, which is enclosed in a vessel Q
of glass or other suitable material. The lower part of the said vessel is
divided into two tubes Q in which the two poles n, s, of the horse-shoe
magnet P extend. Space is left between these tubes to allow a coil N¹ of wire
to be wound around each of them. In this case the float M may be formed
entirely of glass or other non-magnetic substance.
In the apparatus represented in Figure 7, R is a bar of steel or iron; the
coil of insulated copper wire N2 is placed midway between the two arms of
this rod and is extended in length to envelope the permanently magnetized

page_text: rod S. Another magnetic rod T is attached to the top of the bar R, and this
rod T may be also surrounded by a coil of insulated copper wire N³ which is
preferably arranged above the top of the glass tube D. An electric current
properly passed through the coil N³ serves to entirely or partially neutralize the
magnetic attraction of the rod T upon the south pole s of the float, while at the
same time a mutual attraction is caused between the lower pole n of the float
and the upper end of the coil N³. An increase of power is simultaneously
induced in the permanent magnet T by the electric current which is caused to
pass through the said coil in the proper direction. The two coils N2, N3, are
properly arranged and connected in a manner well understood by electricians in
order that the force of the currents passing through the same shall impart the
required action to the float M. The bar or frame R and steel rods S and T;
form a horse-shoe magnet much better adapted for the retention of magnetism
when saturated with the same than straight rod or bar magnets. The float
shown in this arrangement has spirally formed flanges or projections M' which
impart to the said float a rotary motion on its axis as it rises or sinks in the
liquid, and thus keep its poles clear of any film or globules of liquid
which might otherwise interfere with the effective working of the apparatus.
The float represented in Figure 8 is constructed with its upper end open and
its specific gravity is slightly less than that of the liquid in which it is supported.
The said float is formed of aluminum, and a small portion of mercury
is placed
in its lower end, the end of the rod K being kept immersed in this mercury; in
this case the circuit is incomplete or broken while the float is in the position
represented, but when a current is properly directed through the wire coils
the north pole n of the permanent magnet M6 attached to the float M
is drawn into contact with the disc H, and the circuit is thereby made
complete.
Two or more of my improved instruments may be combined as shown at
Figure 15 and advantageously employed as a "rheotrope " or reversing
instrument; Y is a dial for indicating the direction of the current, around
which dial a wire attached to the instrument and the local battery is passed
in a manner well understood. The said instrument can also be employed as
a repeating apparatus for transmitting currents from local batteries placed at
intermediate stations on long lines.
Figure 16 represents the adaptation of my improved floating magnet to the
apparatus known as "Wheatstone's parallelogram" or "bridge'
"for the
purpose of detecting faults in any part of the line or cable. U is the base of
the said apparatus, which base is formed of wood and provided with binding
screws V, VI, connected by suitable wires to other binding screws W, W, W, W.

page_text: The glass tubes D which enclose the floats are placed in the centre of the
coils N of insulated wire. A sliding sight bar X is arranged between these
two coils and is supported upon two upright pillars X', whereon it can be
adjusted to any required elevation. The resistance to be determined being
interposed between the binding screws W and W, in a manner well understood
by electricians, and the voltaic or electric current being bisected at V and V',
the floats M will immediately rise; the sight bar X is at the same time raised
by hand and adjusted as the resistance is varied until the upper extremities of
the floats are level with the top of the bar X and a correct horizontal line is
sighted across these three points. One float may be employed instead of two
by using in connection with the same a wire coil with double wires so arranged
that on interposing the resistance to the current in one wire the float will rise
and will be caused to sink by interposing resistance in the current in the other
wire in a contrary way, and thereby indicate the locality of the fault or break.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and shown how the same may
be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I wish it understood
that I do not limit myself to the precise details herein set forth, as these may
be varied without departing from the essential principles of the said Invention,
but I claim,
First, supporting a permanent or electro-magnet in a liquid so that it can
move freely between the two poles of a battery in such a manner as to complete
or break the circuit between the said poles as desired.
Second, the combination of a coil or number of coils of insulated wire with
a floating magnet for the purpose described.
Third, enclosing a floating magnet in a tube or other vessel which is
placed in the centre of the said wire coils and connected with the conducting
wires or poles of a local circuit for the purposes and substantially in the
manner set forth.
Fourth, the adjustable rods or equivalent devices for forming the connection
between the floating magnet and the wires of the local circuit, constructed,
arranged and operating substantially as set forth.
Fifth, immersing one pole of a floating magnet in mercury to keep the said
magnet continually in metallic contact with the end of the conducting wire of
the local circuit.
Sixth, preventing the oxidation or corrosion of the poles or points of contact
of the magnet and the local circuit by enclosing the same in an air-tight vessel.
Seventh, the tube D, float M, with magnetic poles n, s, insulated wire
coils N, adjustable magnetic rod E, and screw H³, or equivalent devices,
constructed and combined substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

page_text: Eighth, the combination of two instruments to form either a repeating,
reversing, or other apparatus, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Little, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
GEORGE LITTLE. (L.S.)