IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Spence, of 8, Quality Court, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS."-A communication from
abroad by Francois Félix Girarbon, of Paris. France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Spence at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
31st March 1873."
I, WILLIAM SPENCE, of 8, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS," (being a
communication to me from abroad by François Félix Girarbon, of Paris,
France,) to be as follows :-
.
This Invention has for its object the employment of successive
alphabetical series for the purposes of telegraphic transmission, either
automatic or manipulated, and consists in the arrangement and com-
bination of parts of apparatus herein-after described.
1
-4

page_text: First. Composite chains of copper or other suitable metal with
moveable cross pieces held between two rows of double loops (or
between two ribbons) by flat rings, which cross pieces extend beyond
the sides of the chain in order to produce automatic transmission in
any telegraph; they can even produce Morse signals. But their principal 5
advantage lies in transmitting any required sign by a single emission of
a current, for which purpose the cross pieces of each series are marked
with a letter and a figure or a stop. Two cross pieces in blank serve,
the one for the blank of the letters, the other for the blank of the
figures; they are all arranged in the same order as the characters of the 1
type wheel of the Hughes' telegraph. These alphabetical series succeed.
each other indefinitely, and these chains of any required length may be
placed end to end of each other. In order to compose messages the
cross pieces, the letters of which form the words to be sent, are pushed
on the same side, and the other cross pieces on the opposite side, then 1
these chains are rolled on to a spooling wheel.
'
Secondly. A drawing cylinder for unrolling the chain may gear with
the wheel on the axis of the types of the Hughes' telegraph. Two rows
of teeth of the cylinder, of which the number of the teeth in each row is
equal to the letters of an alphabetical series, draw the chain by its cross 2
pieces. Actuating wheelwork rolls the chain on to another spooling
wheel during the transmission.
Thirdly. The transmission is produced by a transmitting lever furnished
with a roller, which is raised by the cross pieces as they pass on the
cylinder. This lever communicates to the line; its extremity touches a
either the communication of the battery or that of the receiver.
Fourthly. For transmitting alone, the wheelwork is furnished with a
regulating fly with moveable wings, a "disque immergé," then a
brake.
Fifthly. For reading the transmission in telegraphs other than that a
of Mr. Hughes, there is employed a typo-translator composed of alpha-
betical series of variable lengths placed one over another. At each turn
made by the drawing cylinder it should send an emission of current
shorter than that of the cross pieces. The point thereby made on the
paper will serve for a guiding pin, the other points being longer will
represent the letters to be read with regard to the indications of the
typo-translator. With this combination it is possible to transmit with a

page_text: Instead of the above-described chains bands of woven fabric, gutta
percha, paper, or other substance may be used. These bands may be per-
forated at the parts where are the characters to be transmitted or be
rendered metallic for the use of insulating material arranged at such
parts, or the same result may be produced by different means..
..
SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, and of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, by the said William
Spence in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th October 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
SPENCE, of 8, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Spence, Her special licence
that I, the said William Spence, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Spence, 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 ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS," being a communication to me from abroad
by François Felix Girarbon, of Paris, France, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said William Spence, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascer-
'tain 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 on or before the Fourteenth day of October One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Spence, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same

page_text: Figure 3 shews the composition of the word "France."
Figure 5 represents a chain for transmitting Morse signals. The cross
pieces are put together and bound between two ribbons by narrow flat
rings. One cross piece produces a point, two a stroke, and the word
"Paris" is thus composed.
Secondly. For automatic transmission in the Hughes' telegraph, the.
composite chain is wound on a wheel G, Figures 1 and 2, it passes under
a drawing cylinder F, Figures 1 and 2 (also Figures 7 and 8, Sheet 2),
having two rows of teeth to draw the chain by taking the cross pieces at
their ends. The chain is unwound on a wheel H, which produces the
drawing required for this unwinding by means of weighted gearing
placed at the right hand of the Figures 1 and 2, the wheelwork of the
Hughes' apparatus, and under the frame A.
The cylinder F represented in section at Figure 9, Sheet 2, is free on the
axle of the wheel I; a stud I' marks its position. It lays hold of this
wheel by four spring catches K which enter holes in the cylinder when
it is pushed, but when it is drawn by the handle X" it leaves the
wheel I and becomes independent of the apparatus. The cylinder F is
moved by means of the rings Y¹ and F', which are inserted in a tube Z.
The wheel I receives its motion from the wheel J which is on the axis
of the type wheel. The cylinder F has thus the same speed as this
wheel. The number of the spaces between the teeth of the cylinder
is equal to the letters of the type wheel. The cross pieces of the chain
rest on the cylinder according to the positions of the letters that they
represent.
Thirdly. Below the cylinder there is a transmitting lever T jointed at
the middle (Figures 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8). One of its arms terminates in a
roller; the other arm is of ivory, and carries a steel blade L', which
represents the line at rest. This blade touches the stud R¹, which com-
municates with the receiver. The spring U serves to regulate the action.
The stud P¹ communicates with the battery; it is carried by a plate of
ivory as well as the stud R. A bent lever of ivory V carrying a steel
blade M' follows the movements of the lever T by means of the stud V₁
in order to send the current in an electro-motor for reinforcing the move-
ment when the current is not sent on the line. By the unwinding of
the chain the cross pieces of transmission pass under the roller of the
line lever T in order to raise the blade L' so that it may communicate

page_text: with the battery P². Each cross piece thus produces an emission of
current in the receiver and on the line.
Fourthly. A regulator e with moveable wings fregulates the speed
of the gearing. It is represented in front view at Figure 1, in plan at
Figure 2, in side view at Figure 10 (Sheet 2), and in back view at Figure
11. Four balls e¹ drive the fly. Each wing carries a small arm which is
jointed with a rod, the other end of which is guided by a neck ring S,
which carries the axle of the fly. This ring can slide towards the axle.
This neck rings receives the end of a slide h, which is guided by two
studs & fixed in a carrier U¹. A screw Y is made to adjust the slide in
order to shut or open the wings f as required. In order to regulate
with precision a disc m with facets (see Figure 11) is employed. The
lower part of this disc may dip into any suitable liquid, oil, glycerine,
· or mercury contained in a trough m². In order to vary the level of the
3 liquid a solid body i of the dimension of the trough may be more or less.
immersed. It is suspended by two bands and the cross piece a¹ which
is carried by the screw n³, which may be turned by the wheels x and the
button n. A check g and g¹ rests excentrically on a pin j in order to
stop or start by a half turn of the button j¹. In order to transmit in.
the Morse or other telegraphic apparatus letters, figures, stops, or entire
words, with a single emission of current by means of the composite
chain, it is necessary to place on the cylinder F at the point where the
cross piece K abuts and on the traverse of the roller T a small screw
with a rounded end to raise the roller T a little on each turn of the.
cylinder F. The emission of current thus produced will be of one-half-
less duration than those produced by the cross pieces. It will mark on
the band of paper a small point that will serve for a mark..
Fifthly. The translator represented in face view at Figure 12 and in side
view at Figure 13 is composed of a sheet of paper on cloth; alphabetical
O series are written in horizontal lines which diminish towards the bottom.
The upper edge of this sheet is glued to its lower edge in order to form a
circular sheet, in the interior of which passes a cylinder G, K; then a
sliding rule H held in a groove I stretches the sheet by means of the
screws J; the buttons L regulate the guide paper. This translator has
5 three series, it may be in duplicate. The points for marks indicate the
length of the series to present on the paper B; in order to read the
messages the paper will be drawn successively. The letter inverted

page_text: is the key of the letters to be read and the separation of the words.
The is the key of the figures of the stops and their separation.
Sixthly. The manipulator for transmitting distanced signs is repre-
sented at Fig. 14 in elevation and in vertical section, and in plan at
Fig. 15. The keys a, Fig. 14 are jointed in the standards 6 at the
point b', their descent is limited by the circle f, which surrounds the
manipulator and the outer circle g. Starting from the point b¹ the side
of the keys which is inclined towards the centre of the manipulator is
heavier than the side which rests against the circle g. At the lower
part of the heavier side is a notch i, which retains the keys when they 1
are lowered, for which purpose they are supported by a tooth e¹ of a
piece e jointed at the point 6". This piece e is heavier on the side of
the circle than towards the centre of the manipulator. When a key is
lowered the tooth e¹ passes into the notch i through the heavier side of
the piece e, which is lowered to the left hand, as shewn in Fig. 14. The 1
axis of the manipulator carries a boss K, in which is jointed a bent
lever L furnished with a roller. The keys E, D, R, S, Fig. 15, are
notched for the passing of two ivory supports, on which are fixed the
steel blades L¹ for the line (Fig. 14); P, for the battery, and R for the
receiver. The blade L' carries an ivory stud, which rests against the 2
centre of the manipulator on the lever L. When at rest the blade I
communicates with the axis of the blade R of the receiver, but on the
turning of the axis the lever L will be inclined each time that its roller
meets with a lowered key, the horizontal arm will raise the blade. L' to
cause it to communicate with the blade P and the current will be thus 2
sent on to the line. The keys resume their position when a large
roller M, which follows the line roller L, disengages the pieces e by
lowering their end near the axis. The key K is a little more projecting
than the others in order to produce the points for marks.
Seventhly. The receiver is represented in longitudinal elevation at a
Fig. 17 (Sheet III.), in plan at Fig. 17, and in end view at Fig. 18. It is
composed of four milled rollers C (molettes) or four type wheels. The
right side of Fig. 18 shews in end view a milled roller C, and the left
side a type wheel O'; also the carriers D on which the milled rollers or
the type wheels are fitted by means of their axis which passes through a
a slot formed in the lower part of the carriers D, and is fixed therein by
two screws, by which means either milled rollers or type wheels may be
used. The four carriers D, Fig. 17, are mounted. at equal distances

page_text: apart on an endless chain F, the cross pins of which enter the teeth of
two cylinders B and B¹, the cylinder B carries on the motion which it
receives from the motor by its bevil wheel B. The wide paper, the
roller of which will be at the right side of Fig. 18, is represented by P,
Figures 16, 17, and 18, it will be drawn slowly and regularly in the
direction of the arrows by two cylinders of the motor. The paper passes
in gum or resin under the milled rollers in order to render the lines
perpendicular to its width; the spreading of the lines depends on the
speed of the drawing.
In order to guide the milled roller over the paper the carriers D have
two rollers I, which roll on the rails H of a plate H' fixed to the
frame A; these rails are not at the bends. The milled rollers only turn
when they pass over the paper, and the end of the lever J of the clectro-
magnet M, Fig. 18. For this purpose the milled rollers as well as the
type wheels have a toothed wheel S, which gears with a rack G, Figures
16 and 18, the rotary motion which they receive is communicated to the
inking roller K.
In order that the type wheels may always present the letter for mark
at the beginning of each line a stud U is placed near the circumference
of the wheel, so that it may be inserted at the end of each line in a
groove V, which is arranged throughout its traverse except with regard
to the rack; the stud U only quits the groove V just at the moment in
which the same tooth of the wheel S begins to gear with the rack. For
this purpose this tooth is a little longer than the others. The type wheel
makes two turns per line or two alphabetical series. In order to bring
the type wheels to the point for mark which begins each line there is a
corrector Fig. 19. For this purpose the cylinder B', Figures 16, 17, and 19,
is free on its axis; it rests on a boss Q. At its upper part the cylinder
is hollowed to receive a toothed ring E; this ring is pressed upwards
by three spiral springs inserted in three holes formed in the cylinder.
In these holes enter three gudgeons X, which carry the ring E (the
springs act on the gudgeons to raise the ring E) in order that its 'teeth
may be applied between the teeth of a boss E¹ fixed on the driving axle
to draw the cylinder B¹ and the chain.
In order to stop the motion of the chain of the milled rollers at the
point of mark the cylinder B¹ carries on its outside a stop O¹, which forms
part of the correcting lever Y jointed at its middle. This lever carries
on an ivory piece a spring L', which communicates to the line Land to
.

page_text: the wire of the bobbin W; the other end of the wire of the bobbin
communicates to the blade Z, which is insulated. The current passes
to L, L', and to the insulated wire R¹ of the receiver, and of its electro-
magnet M to attract the lever J. This latter will raise the
paper
throughout its width to mark the transmission to the contact of a milled
roller or of a type wheel.
P
In order to revert to the point of mark, the end of the lever Y is
sloped to allow the toothed ring E' to turn without touching it; by
pressing on the button Y¹ the lever Y is caused to press on the toothed
ring E which compresses the springs in disengaging itself from the teeth
of the ring E', then the stop O' meets the stop O of the cylinder B to
produce the stoppage. The correcting lever remains lowered until the
correspondent sends a current to put again in motion the cylinders, the
chain, and the milled rollers. When the lever Y is lowered on to the
cylinder B', the spring I leaves the communication R¹ of the receiver to
communicate with the wire Z of the bobbin of the corrector, then the
armature N is caused to bring the lever under its second notch a, being
pushed by the spring b. The armature remains apart from the electro-
magnet until the current of the correspondent attracts it to re-establish
the movement of the milled rollers to start from the point of mark.
For the unlocking, the lever Y is quickly raised by the spring e, then
by the springs X, which return the teeth to gear after the separation of
the stop notches O and O¹, then the line communication L is placed
again on that R¹ of the receiver. This receiver writes on wide paper,
first, the transmission by alphabetical series according to the principle
of points of mark; secondly, on an endless paper previously printed in
blue with alphabetical series it points in black the letters to read;
thirdly, the printing of typographic characters according to the place
which they occupy in the series; fourthly, the reproduction of auto-
graphic writing by regulating the drawing of the paper to a "demi
millimétre "per line; fifthly, the transmission of Morse signals rendered
easily legible by lines of mark P¹, P¹, Fig. 17. It is necessary to read
the signals between these lines, and not those which are repeated
outside.
Eighthly. The bobbins of the apparatus arc of variable resisting power.
They are composed of two fine wires which may be brought together for
great resistances. by two metallic studs G, G (see Fig. 20). For the
mean resistances the wires are united by four studs as at M, M.

page_text: Ninthly. For winding the weight motor electrically the current is
sent by the blade M. of the lever V, Figures 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8, in an electro-
motor, Figures 21 and 22. The current arrives at P, whence it is distributed
alternately in two sets of electro-magnets placed below the arms of a
3 balance B. Each arm carries a rack S which acts on a wheel A, which,
by clicks A, A¹, and a ratchet R, causes the axle which carries it to be
turned in one direction. The electro-magnets are hinged with an
inverted articulation so as to mutually attract. Each ascending move-
ment of the balance sends the current in its set of electro-magnets for
the pressure which it produces on a spring G which presses on the
handle E and on a stud F. This stud is supported by an ivory piece J
which is carried by a spring I. The change of communication is pro-
duced when a cam H of the balance rests on the roller of the piece I to
remove the support from the stud F, then the handle E is carried sharply
> over to the side of the distended spring G..
Tenthly. In order to wind up the weight by a continuous circular
movement bobbins are fixed at equal distances, and in their interior is
passed an endless chain stretched between the pulleys A, B.
Fig. 23, pieces of soft iron with a groove for fastening to the chain
O are fixed thereto by a screw. An ivory lever carries the wire of the
bobbin, also a spring E, and a roller C.. When a piece of soft iron
passes into a bobbin it causes the lever to incline, and the spring E
sends the current into the bobbin by touching the screw of a strong
battery P to cease after the entry of the soft iron..
.
In order to have the central suspension of the pieces of soft iron, they
are divided by lumps and jointed. The distance between the pieces is
produced by other lumps of copper, sloped as seen at R, Fig. 24; two
teeth S prevent them from sliding. It is to be observed that the com-
posite chain herein-before described may be employed equally for Morse
O signals, or for conventional stenographic signs.
The principle of successive series may be applied to bands of any suit-
able substance, such as stuff, gutta percha, or paper perforated at the
points for the characters to be transmitted, or be rendered metallic or
insulating by different means.
:
5 The apparatus herein-before described may be applied to other uses
besides telegraphic purposes.

page_text: Ninthly. The bobbins of variable resisting power, as described.
Tenthly. The electro-motor, as described with reference to Figures 21
and 22.
And, lastly. The winding-up apparatus, as described with reference to
Fig. 23.
20
In witness whereof, I, the said William Spence, have hereunto 25
set my hand and seal, the Twenty-ninth day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
Witness,
W. A. JACKSON,
8, Quality Court.
WILLIAM SPENCE. (L.S.)