Improvements in Telegraphic Apparatus.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Aug., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 22nd June, 1892-Accepted, 23rd July, 1892.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Telegraphic Apparatus.
We, GASPARE SACCO, Electrician, and LUIGI GIACOMINI, Merchant, both of
St. George's House, Eastcheap, in the City and County of London, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a telegraphic receiving-apparatus, printing in Roman
or other characters without synchronism or re-transmission, and with positive or
negative currents of which two of each are employed i.e. weak and strong. This
invention further relates to an automatic transmitter for use with the said printing
apparatus.
The novel and essential feature of the receiving apparatus constructed according
to this invention is a special form of relay, with which is employed two different
circuits, thereby affording two different signals and enabling Morse's alphabet of
dots and dashes to be reproduced. This relay consists of two small natural magnets
balanced so that their like poles lie over the two poles of an electro-magnet which
normally attracts them both. On a positive current passing through the relay
one of the said natural magnets will become detached from the core of the electro-
magnet, and the other natural magnet will be attracted by a still greater force
and will not therefore move.
due to the core
This action, as is well known,
of the electro-magnet becoming magnetized on the passage of a current through
its coil.
On a negative current being, passed through the relay the other natural magnet
is similarly actuated. This movement of the magnet is made to make the local
circuit of one or other of the two electro-magnets of the printing apparatus. The
return of the armatures of either of these electro-magnets causes an extension
thereof to strike the first of four catches each of which retains one of four racks
from sliding longitudinally under the action of a spring. When so struck the catch
releases the rack which therefore slides forward. Both armatures effect the same
purpose but the movement of the extension of one of them being limited by a stop
it effects but half of the full movement of the sliding racks, therefore representing
as it were, dots while the said full movement represents dashes. The movement of
either armature also acts through a pawl to partially rotate a ratchet wheel which
in its rotation brings each sliding rack in turn under the operation of the armatures.
By the means described the four racks may be arranged in twenty-six differently
combined positions, each one of which will allow a certain different one of twenty-
six levers or keys arranged thereover to fall into a series of recesses presented to it
by the said peculiar combination of racks. When so depressed each lever acts as
a stop to a cylinder carrying twenty-six projecting pins so arranged that on one of
them coming in contact with its corresponding depressed lever, a type wheel
rotating with the cylinder is in such a position that a certain type, agreeing with
the particular lever depressed, upon its periphery is brought into the proper
position for printing. The depression of any of the levers also operates to remove
a brake from the type wheel and hereinbefore mentioned cylinder so as to connect
them by frictional contact with a continuously rotating shaft actuated by clock-
work whereby they are rotated. The impression wheel behind the paper to receive
the message is also caused to strike against the type wheel, the moment that the
proper type is presented in printing position, by the action of any of the said
keys. After this all parts resume their normal position by means of eccentrics.
Both a feeble and a strong current are employed to actuate the apparatus.
An ordinary relay is also enclosed in the circuit and through which the feeble
current passes without having any effect. On the last emission required to form

page_text: the signal the strong current is directed and which while actuating the special
relay first mentioned also operates the ordinary relay the armatures of which. being
attracted, actuate mechanism by means of which the type wheel and cylinder is
started and stopped again when one revolution thereof is completed. It will be
understood that the special relay is operated by both feeble and strong currents
while the latter only effect the ordinary relay through which they both pass.
The automatic transmitter is operated by means of perforated bands passing
through it. Such bands are perforated in four longitudinal lines, two rows repre-
senting the dots and two rows the dashes. Four keys or levers are arranged in
line one with each row of perforations through which they make contact as the
band travels under them. The said keys are in connection with two circuits, one
feeble and one strong, the two positive currents being connected to the levers
placed over the perforations representing the dots, and the negative currents are
assigned to the keys over the perforations representing the dashes.
Four keys for hand manipulation are provided for use for corrections and service
orders in addition to those described as being operated by the perforated band.
It is obvious that the transmitter and receiver working together should be operated
at equal speeds.
The new form of relay described is so sensitive that it may be employed with
long submarine cables in which the currents are very feeble; and has only to
complete the circuit of a local repeater.
Dated this 22nd day of Auœust 1801
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Telegraphic Apparatus.
We, GASPARE SACCO, Electrician, and LUIGI GIACOMINI, Merchant, both
late of St. Georges House, Eastcheap, in the City and County of London, but
now of 14 Leicester. Place, Leicester Square, in the County of Middlesex, 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 a telegraphic receiving-apparatus for printing in Roman
or other characters and to an automatic transmitting apparatus for use therewith.
With the apparatus hereinafter described four currents are employed, two
positive, and two negative, a weak and strong of each, in the manner hereinafter
directed and explained with reference to Figure 6 Sheet III. At the receiving
station these currents pass through two relays, one of ordinary construction, and
one of special construction as hereinafter described. These relays are employed to
establish three local circuits by means of which the printing apparatus is operated.
And in order that our invention may be more fully understood and carried into
practice we have appended hereunto four sheets of drawings illustrative of a tele-
graphic apparatus constructed according to this invention. It will be seen that in
some cases the details of our invention which could only be described in general
terms in our Provisional Specification, are more fully and accurately described by
the aid of our drawings.
In order that the action of the apparatus may be followed and easily under-
stood, we commence by describing the transmitter.
Figures 1, 2, and 3 (Sheet I) are respectively plan, side elevation, and end
elevation of the automatic transmitter.
The paper for use with this apparatus is perforated by a punch of ordinary con
struction excepting that it is arranged to punch four rows of holes instead of the two
rows hitherto employed. The transmitter is mounted on a framework with a

page_text: train of clockwork or other suitable mechanism for drawing the perforated paper
through the apparatus at a suitable and variable speed. This clockwork is not
shewn in the drawings as its construction is well known to those familiar with
telegraphic instruments of this class. Four levers or keys 1, 2, 3, 4, are mounted
on a common axis 5 and are insulated from, and are independent of, each other.
When no paper is passing through the apparatus the lower ends of these levers
rest upon a plate 6 of insulating material which is slightly recessed to receive the
points of the said levers. Two screws 7 and 8 connected with each other by an
insulated metal plate 9, through which they both pass, make contact with the
upper ends of the levers 1 and 4, and two screws 10 and 11 on another insulated
plate, not shewn in the drawings, make contact with the upper ends of the levers 2
and 3. The levers 1 and 2 are also in electrical contact with the short lever 12,
which is pivoted at 14 and broadened out as shewn in Figure 1 at 16. In
like manner the upper ends of the levers and 4 are attached to the short lever 13,
which is similarly pivoted at 15 and broadened out at 17. Both levers 12 and 13
are pressed against the levers 1, 2, 3, 4, by springs 20 and 21 as is shewn most
clearly at Figure 2. Screws 18 and 19 in the levers 12 and 13 make contact with
the insulated metal plate 22 (Figure 2) when their respective levers 1, 2, 3, 4, are
lifted off the plate 6. The handle 23 attached to the arm 24 provides means by
which the levers 1, 2, 3, 4, may be lifted off the plate 6 when it is desired to insert
a new paper strip, or for other purposes, the said arm carrying a pin lying below
and at right angles to the said levers. The levers 1 & 2 are used for sending
"dots" and the levers 3 & 4 for sending "dashes," the various parts of the
apparatus being electrically connected as follows, and as is shewn at Figure 6
(Sheet III), which is a diagram illustrative of the electrical connection of the
apparatus The plate 9 is connected to the copper poles of a strong battery 25,
and the plate holding the screws 10 and 11 to the copper poles of a weak
battery 26, the zincs of both batteries being joined to each other and that of the
strong battery 25 being also connected to the insulated plate 22. The lever 12 is
joined to the line wire and lever 13 to the earth plate. If now on the perforated
strip passing through the transmitter, in the well known manner, say lever 1 drops
into a perforation in the paper and the levers 2, 3, 4, rest on the paper, the upper
end of lever 1 comes into connection with screw 7 and lever 12, the screw 18 being
lifted off the plate 22, Figure 2. A strong positive current will thus be sent to
line. If however lever 4 drops into the perforation of the paper a strong negative
current will pass into line. Similar actions take place if the levers 2 and 3 drop
into the perforation on the paper the only difference being that a weak current,
either negative in the case of lever 3, or positive in the case of lever 2, will be
sent to line.
A transmitter for hand use may be provided so that it may be switched
on when required for sending service instructions and for other purposes.
This would be of similar construction to the automatic transmitter shewn at
Figures 1 to 3 Sheet I, except that the levers 1, 2, 3, 4, would be larger and
stronger and would be provided with knobs or buttons for their proper manipula-
tion by hand.
As shewn at Figure 6 (Sheet III) the currents sent through the line wire by
the transmitter, as previously described, pass through two relays, one of which is
of our special construction and is operated by both weak and strong currents, and
the other is of ordinary construction and is operated by the strong currents only.
The office of these relays is to establish three local currents by means of which
the printing apparatus is operated.
Our said special relay as shewn on Sheet I in plan at Figure 8, and elevation at
Figure 7 (Sheet I) consists of an electro-magnet A' of ordinary construction over
each pole of which is suspended an independent permanent or natural magnet B.
These magnets are so arranged that their like poles (i.e. both N. or both S. poles)
lie over the soft iron cores of the electro-magnet A¹ by which they are both
attracted when no current is passing through the coils. The said natural magnets B

page_text: are pivoted and supported on two insulated pillars C', and their rear ends D' make
contact through the insulated back contacts E' when the ends B' are not attracted
by the core of the electro-magnet. On the core of the electro-magnet becoming
magnetised by the passage of a current, one of its newly formed poles will be
found to be opposite the like pole of one of the natural magnets while its other
pole will be opposite the opposite pole of the other natural magnet. As is well
understood the unlike poles of the natural magnet B' will remain attracted by the
core of the electro-magnet while the like poles will be repelled, or, in other words,
liberated from contact with the electro-magnet. This repulsion will cause the rear
end C¹ of the natural magnet to establish a local current through its respective back
contacts E. Supposing the current passed through the relay to have been a positive
current, it is obvious that the passage of a negative current therethrough will release
the other natural magnet B and so establish another local circuit through the other
back contact E. As before stated all currents received from the transmitter,
both weak and strong pass through this relay the positive currents serving to
establish one local circuit and the negative currents another local circuit, one of
these local circuits being employed to record "dots" and the other "dashes." The
operation of these parts will be clearly understood on reference to Figure 6,
Sheet III. As before stated and illustrated at Figure 6 the currents after
passing through the special relay last described pass through a relay of ordinary
construction. This relay is not sensitive to the weak current, the strong currents
however cause this relay to establish a strong local circuit which passes through
the coils G (Figures 4 and 6) of the printing apparatus which will be hereinafter
described. After leaving the ordinary relay the line current passes away to earth
as shewn at Figure 6.
The receiver or printing apparatus is shown on Sheet II in plan at Figure 4
and in front elevation, with certain parts removed, at Figure 5.
Figures 9 to 14 show various detached parts of the apparatus. The driving
apparatus shewn on the left of Figures 4 and is similar to that employed in
Hughes' receiving instrument, we find however that in place of a train of clock-
work with its heavy weight, an electro motor may with advantage be used.
As Hughes' instrument is so well known among telegraphists a description of
the driving apparatus in this Specification will be unnecessary. The electro motor
referred to is made to drive a pulley A on the spindle B carried on one side by
the framework and on the other by the bracket C. The shaft D pivoted into the
shaft B is mounted on the drum Jhaving forty or more pins I planted in a spiral
around a portion of its periphery and 5 stouter pins or studs H. The shaft D
which is supported by two uprights is geared with the shaft B as in Hughes'
instrument hereinbefore referred to so that it can only revolve when a local current
circulates through the coils G. Pivoted on the bar R, supported on the uprights N
and O Figure 4, is a series of forty or more parallel levers Q, each one of which is in
a line with one of the forty or more pins on the drum J. The free ends of
these levers are supported just above and out of the path of the said pins Fon
the drum J, so that the latter may revolve without contact with any of the levers Q.
Immediately under these levers and lying at right angles thereto are five irregularly
slotted bars or racks a', a², a³, a', as. Each of these racks acted upon by a
spring, Figure which serves to draw it to the right on the release
of one of a series of pawls 1, 2, 3, 4, 15, to be hereinafter described. The said
racks are so shaped that whatever their relative longitudinal position may be,
except when they occupy their normal position, the slots in the upper face of all
five racks coincide in but one place so as to allow one, and one only, of the levers Q
to fall below the others into the said coinciding slots. The said racks may be
arranged in forty or more different positions each one of which will present a clear
passage below a certain different one of the levers Q so that it may drop below
the others as described. A spring L is arranged to act upon each of the levers Q
so as to ensure its descent when the combined positions of the racks present a gap
beneath it. Each of the said forty or more levers Q correspond to a given letter,

page_text: sign, or numeral. Should it be desired to record the letters of the alphabet only,
but twenty-six of the levers Q and a corresponding number of pins F would be
required as stated in our Provisional Specification. In this case four racks are
found to be sufficient to form the desired number of combinations. It will be
readily understood that the number of levers Q and racks employed in the receiving
apparatus may be varied as required and will depend upon the number of characters
is desired to record.
On any one of the levers Q dropping into the slot presented by the movement of
the racks its end comes into the path of the corresponding pin F on the drum J.
On the rotation of the said drum this pin comes into contact with the depressed
lever Q and forces it down to effect the printing. in the manner hereinafter
described.
The way in which the racks a¹, a², a³, a, as, are adjusted to allow of the
depression of one or other of the levers Qis as follows:-
Close to the upright O are placed two electro-magnets S S and T T (shewn on
an enlarged scale on Sheet III at Figures 9 to 12) the circuits through the coils of
which are controlled by the special relay as hereinbefore described and illustrated
at Figure 6.
The armature of the magnet S S is secured to two levers U U, and that
of the magnet T T is held by a lever X lying between the levers Ú U. The
levers X and U are extended at their free ends in a vertical direction as shewn at
Figures 5 (Sheet II), 10, and 11 Sheet III. To each of these vertical extensions
is pivoted a blade V or Y Figures 5, 10, and 11. Each of these blades is normally
pressed away from the vertical extension to which it is pivoted by means of a
spring a Figure 10. The blade V has a lateral projection W Figures and",11
near its lower extremity, the use of which will be hereinafter described. A small
drum Z is secured to the upper part of the upright O and is provided with a spring
or other suitable device which tends to maintain it in a certain position about its
axis. To the front of this drum is secured a crank arm a the free end of which
lies in front of the depending blades V and Y as is shewn at Figures 5, 10, and 11.
The action of the drum Z and crank arm a is to move the blades V and Y against
the action of their spring so that they may lie over any one of a series of five
pawls,, 3, 4, 6, lying in a line with the racks a¹, a², a³, a, a, and engaging
with a number of ratchet teeth formed on the extended ends of the said racks, as
shewn in Figures 5 and 11. The drum Z is rotated by means of a pawl c pivoted
to a lever which is depressed against the action of a spring by the levers U and X
which overlie an arm projecting from the side of the said lever. Thus it will be
seen that the attraction of the armatures by the magnets S or T brings down the
pawl c, which, on the release of the said armature, rises again under the action of
its spring and gives a partial rotation to the drum Z. A second pawl placed beside
the first prevents the drum Z from turning when the said first pawl is making its
back stroke.
A bent arm d, Figure Sheet I!, is pivoted at e to the upright O and so arranged
that its bent end bears against the inner side of the pawls c, Figures 4, 9, and 12.
The other end of this arm is acted upon by a wedge-shaped stud projecting from
the surface of the drum J so that it is oscillated upon its pivot e to push the pawls
away from the ratchet piece and thus allow the drum Z to return to its normal
position by the action of the spring or other device herein before referred to, beyond
which it cannot go by reason of a stop pin it carries coming in contact with the
upright O.
Having now described the mechanism employed for adjusting the racks a', a², a³,
a, a³, we will proceed to explain the operation of the same. We will assume that
the racks are in their normal positions i.e. pushed towards the left of Figures 4 and 5
and that the drum Z is in its normal position with the blades V and Y lying over
the first pawl. On the current traversing either one of the coils S or T, its
respective armature will be attracted and motion thereby given to one of the
blades Vor Y. This will depress the pawl b¹ and liberate the rack a¹ which will

page_text: therefore be drawn forward by its spring c. The amount of this movement will
depend upon which of the blades V, Y, release the pawl b', or, in other words, it
will depend upon which of the coils S or T the current passes through. If it be
through the coil S the lateral projection W on the blade V will act to stop or limit
the movement of the rack a¹ to that of one tooth. If, on the other hand, it be
through the coil T the rack will be allowed a movement of two teeth because there
is no lateral projection on the blade Y. It will thus be seen that both magnets S
and Tact to produce the same result (i.e. the movement of the racks a', a², a³, a', a³,)
but by reason of the projection W on the blade V the racks when liberated by the
magnet S are allowed but half the movement given them when the other magnet is
operated. On the cessation of the current the armature is released and is returned
to its normal position by means of a spring, and, in its upward path operates the
pawl c which acts to partially rotate the drum Z. This movement as before
described brings the blades and Y over the next pawl 62, which maintains the
second rack a³ in its normal position. On the passage of the second current through
either of the coils S or T the position of the rack a² is adjusted as already described..
The release of the armature again rotates the drum Z and brings the blades V, Y,
over the third pawl 63. In like manner each of the racks a', a³, a³, a', a', is acted
upon in turn by successive currents. On the completion of a signal the five
racks a', a, a, a, a, or such of them as may have been adjusted, are returned to
their normal position by the arm L, Figure 4. This arm bears against the ends of
the said racks, is pivoted at M, and is provided with a projection K which is acted
upon by a cam disc I carried on the spindle D of the drum J. Thus on every
revolution of the drum J the racks a', a², a, a, a, and the drum Z, are returned
to their normal position.
On the ends of the rod R are pivoted two levers which are bent so as to clear
the racks a¹, a², a³, a, a, and carry between them a horizontal bar g lying under
the end of the levers Q. Springs act on the other end of the levers f and tend
to keep the bar g up against the levers Q. The bar g carries a projecting stud h at
each end, both of which are acted upon by pins on the drum J when the latter
rotates, to depress the said bar and allow any one of the levers Q to drop into the
opening presented by the adjustment of the racks a', a, a, a, a³, as hereinbefore
described. When so depressed the bar g is caught below the projections k on two
vertical spring bars i. Other studs are provided on the drum J and act on
projections on the spring bars i to drive the same away and release the bar
which immediately rises by the action of the springs hereinbefore described and
carries with it whichever of the levers Q may have fallen into the slot presented by
the combined adjustment of the five racks.
The pins F only occupy about four-fifths of the circumference of the drum J,
the other fifth being occupied by the studs for effecting the hereinhefore described
return of the racks a¹, a³, a³, a', a³, and the drum Z to their normal positions and
for operating the bar g. Thus between each series of five or fewer emissions that
go to constitute a signal representing a given character, and which are recorded by
means of pins F, the apparatus is prepared to receive the next signal by the return
of the levers Q, racks a', a, a, a, a, and drum Z to their normal position. As
will be seen this takes place once for every revolution of the drum J so that one
signal may be received every time the said drum rotates.
The spindle D carries at its extreme end a type wheel P upon the periphery of
which are engraved in relief the different letters, figures, and other signs that may
at any time be required to be recorded. Each of these characters correspond to
one of the forty or more pins F projecting from the surface of the drum J. Thus
it will be seen that when any one of the said pins F acts upon the depressed end
of one of the levers Q the corresponding character engraved upon the periphery
of the type wheel P occupies a certain definite position. Opposite this point is
placed a small impression cylinder o over which the ribbon to receive the message
passes. This impression cylinder is made to advance and take an impression in the
following manner, as shewn more particularly at Figure 14 (Sheet IV). Two bent

page_text: g
levers m support a horizontal bar y lying under the levers Q and at such a distance
therefrom that they do not come into contact with it until they are depressed by
the pins F on the drum J. The levers m are pivoted at a and one of them carries the
hereinbefore described impression wheel at its end opposite to that carrying
the bar q.
It will be seen from. an inspection of Figure 14 that the depression.
of the bar by one of the levers Q acts through the lever in to bring the
impression cylinder o in contact with the type wheel. The paper is passed round a
roller t which serves to keep it taut before reaching the impression cylinder on
leaving which it passes partially round the feed roller . The paper is pressed
against the feed roller by a roller z carried upon a lever w and maintained against
the said feeding cylinder by a spring y. A hand lever is provided to withdraw
the roller z from the feed roller when it is desired to insert a fresh paper and for
other purposes. The feeding cylinder r has a roughened surface and is provided
with a ratchet wheels with which engages a pawl which prevents the turning of
the said cylinder in the wrong direction.
The pawl u carried by the lever m also engages with the ratchet wheels which it
partially rotates every time the lever m moves away from the type wheel P, as is
clearly shewn at Figure 14. This partial revolution of the cylinder » moves the
paper on the required space to present a fresh surface for the reception of the next
character to be impressed thereon. An inking wheel p is mounted over the type
wheel P against which it bears by its own weight.
Adjusting screws are provided to limit the action of the frame m which is main-
tained in its normal position by the action of a spring acting upon an arm secured to
the rod n carrying the levers or arms m.
To effect the proper spacing between the words printed by the apparatus
described, it is obvious that the feed roller r must be given a partial rotation. This
is effected by operating the printing lever m at the moment when the impression
cylinder is opposite the blank part of the printing wheel. For this purpose an
extra lever and its corresponding pin are provided, the latter being so placed upon
the drum as to correspond to the blank space on the type wheel P. The
operation of these parts will be clearly understood without further description.
It will be readily seen that though both weak and strong currents passing through
the apparatus effect the adjustment of the racks in the manner described, it is only
the strong currents that effect the printing which they do by setting the drum J in
motion. For this reason the last emission required to make a signal must always
be that of a strong current. An inspection of Figure 6 will shew that this is
always possible, whether this emission be required to represent a "dot" or a
"dash."
It will be understood that all stations will be provided with a complete set of
instruments as hereinbefore described. As is common with instruments for the
purpose, both transmitter and receiver may be mounted upon one table or support
and provided with a switch by means of which the line wire may be connected to
either instrument, as it may be required to transmit or receive messages.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
:-
(1) The general construction and use of the automatic telegraphic transmitting
instrument operating with four currents, two positive, and two negative, a weak
and strong of each, substantially as hereinbefore set forth and described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
(2) In a telegraphic receiving instrument such as that hereinbefore described, the
employment of a relay specially constructed in the manner and for the purposes
described.
(3) In a telegraphic receiving apparatus such as that hereinbefore described the
use of a relay of ordinary construction, but not sensitive to weak currents, in
combination with a relay constructed according to our invention and sensitive to

page_text: weak currents, that is, currents that would not operate the said ordinary relay in
the manner and for the purposes described.
(4) In a telegraphic receiving apparatus such as that hereinbefore described, the
employment of a number of irregular racks arranged below a series of parallel
levers and the longitudinal adjustment of the same, and working in combination
with pins upon a drum in the manner and for the purposes specified.
(5) In a telegraphic receiving apparatus such as that hereinbefore described, the
employment of a horizontal bar underlying the ends of the parallel levers
mentioned in the last preceding claim for the purpose of returning to their normal
position such of the said levers that may have been depressed, and preventing the
fall of others during the adjustment of the five racks substantially as herein before
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
(6) In a telegraphic receiving instrument such as that hereinbefore described the
employment of a horizontal bar underlying the parallel levers referred to in the
last preceding claim and its connection to a printing lever in the manner and for
the purpose described.
(7) The combination of parts forming our improved telegraphic receiving
instrument constructed substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 2nd day of June 1940
CASTLE SMITH,
66
"
Invention Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.