Improvements in Type Printing Telegraphic Apparatus.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1896
Complete Specification Left. 14th Aug.. 1897-Accepted. 13th Nov., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type Printing Telegraphic Apparatus.
I, FREDERICK HERBERT WILLIAM HIGGINS, of 17 and 18 Cornhill, in the City
of London, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to type printing telegraphic apparatus of the kind in
which two trains of wheels are used, each train being actuated by a spring barrel
or a falling weight. One train of wheels is used for driving the type wheel, and
the other train of wheels is used for advancing the paper tape and for operating
the impression lever. The power to actuate the type wheel and operate the
printing and advancing mechanism is supplied by a spring or weight; the electric
current controlling these operations for the purpose of a telegraphic instrument
consists of a series of successively reversed impulses. So long as the current
reverses continually succeed each other, one electro magnet is so arranged that its
armature remains attracted to the magnet, and another electro magnet with its
armature is so arranged that the armature rapidly vibrates during the whole timo
the current is passing. In instruments of this kind the type wheel is stopped at
the proper letter by the cessation of the current which also causes the printing of
that letter upon the tape.
In previous instruments of the kind which I have indicated grave defects have
been found which it is the object of my invention to remedy. These defects existed
both in the receiving and transmitting instrunients. The transmitter was of the
ordinary horizontal spindle rotating kind in which a horizontal spindle carried
suitably placed pegs, and these pegs determined the position at which the spindle
stopped when any particular key was depressed. The shock of stoppage was so
considerable that it was impossible to run the instruments beyond the very moderate
rate of speed of from 40 to 60 revolutions. The current producing arrangement
was also defective.
In the receiver the defects were, slowness due to weakness in the electro magnetic
arrangements generally and defects in the paper feeding arrangements.
My invention consists in new transmitting and receiving instruments so arranged
as to avoid these defects.
In a transmitter constructed in accordance with my invention, I arrange a hori-
zontal key-board and carry the ends of the levers passing from the keys radially
inwards in such manner as to surround a vertical spindle or shaft
furnished with stops. The vertical spindle or shaft is supplied with:
an effective grip brake, and is similar in construction both as to shaft and
brake to a well-known form of Wheatstone transmitter. To supply the current
I provide a magnet machine with powerful permanent magnets within which
rotates a Siemens alternating armature, and to prevent Foucoult currents I provide
an armature with slit iron laminae or plates.
In a receiving instrument constructed in accordance with my invention, I

page_text: ar ange within a suitable frame two spring barrels, each barrel operating a separate
train of wheels, and each barrel wound up separately.
In order that the operator may know the exact state of the winding of both
barrels, I provide in connection. with each barrel an index finger, which finger
travels over a dial in front of the instrument.. Each finger is so geared to its
barrel as to move through moderate arc of a circle or a complete circle if need
be, in the course of the running down of the spring. By reference to these
pointers the condition of the winding is at once evident, and the operator is warned
in time to prevent the instrument from becoming ineffective.
One barrel and train of wheels operates the type wheel; controlled, however,
by an escapement wheel upon the type wheel shaft.
This escapement
wheel is operated by a lever attached to the armature of an electro
magnet, the armature and the electro magnet being so arranged as to
cause its oscillating movement with the alternations of the current passing
through the electio magnet winding. The armature of this electro magnet
is polarised by a permanent magnet, and the arrangements are so proportioned
that the reversals of the current in the electro magnet coils, and the consequent
reversal of the polarity of the electro magnet cores does not overpower the polarity
of the armature.
The arrangement I prefer for this kind of polarised armature and electro
magnets consists in opposed electro magnets, each electro magnet consisting of
two cores united at the back by a piece of steel instead of iron, the cores being
wound with the wire carrying the alternating current, and preferably wound in
the manner described in my Patent No. 16991 of 1891, so as to secure very prompt
action in reversing. In this arrangement the inner coils are wound in one
direction and the outer coils are wound in the other direction, and then the coils
are joined up so that the current flows around the core in the same direction in
each coil. By this device I obtain an electro magnet in which the winding
facilitates rapid charge and discharge, and so causes rapid and sharp
change of polarity. I place the armature between the opposing poles
of electro magnets so constructed, and I pivot the ends of the arma-
ture spindle, which ends I form of iron continuous with the armature in
blocks also of iron placed between the poles of two opposing permanent magnets
of the horseshoe type. By this device I make each side of the armature an
extended pole piece of the permanent magnet. I divide the armature by a non-
magnetic piece such as brass, so as to leave the pole pieces on each side of opposing
polarity. In this construction of armature and electro magnet the armature is
oscillated to and fro so long as the reverse currents continue to pass through the
coils. The use of a steel keeper between the cores of each electro magnet provides
the residual magnetism to cause a slight sticking after the current is stopped.
which
The same current which passes through the electro magnets described
also passes through a second electro magnet having an armature
is not polarised. This electro magnet, like the other, is made sharp
in action, but the mass of the soft iron armature is so proportioned
to the strength of the spring pulling it off the electro magnetic core, that is does
not leave the core between the reversals, that is, this armature adheres to the
core so long as the alternating current is passing. This armature also operates an
escapement lever controlling the movement of the other train of wheels actuated
by the other spring barrel. This escapement is so contrived as to allow a half
revolution of the controlled spindle for each complete to and fro oscillation of the
armature. The movement of the escapement permits the operation of the wheel
carrying a series of pegs. These pegs advancing peg by peg raise the end of a
lever, in one form fixed outside of an instrument case, but having a projecting
finger passing in to engage the pegs. This lever on rising smartly, presses the
paper against the face of the type wheel, and at the same time draws back the
feeding mechanism acting on the paper, and on falling the lever pushes forward the
feed mechanism, but not till the paper has moved down clear of the type wheel

page_text: The feed arrangement for the feed mechanism consists of a short lever oscillating
from the centre of the feed roller, and carrying pivotted at one end above the
paper a small lever terminating in a plate edge, which plate edge stretches across
the width of the paper. On the backward movement the plate clips clear over the
paper, but on the forward movement it engages the power and drags it over the
roller. A spring presses against the paper, and holds it in the position which it
has attained.
By these improved arrangements I am enabled to operate my type wheel at
a rate of over 150 revolutions per minute with ease, and consequently I can use
a type wheel of a diameter sufficient to carry figures as well as letters.
In addition to the other improvements hereinbefore described, I form my type
wheel with a rubber instead of a metal face. This greatly reduces the energy
required for printing.
I provide the instrument with any usual zeroizing or unison device, but I prefer
the arrangement consisting of a lever engaging with the type wheel spindle by
means of a helix or screw thread carried on the spindle and a pin dropping into
this thread, which pin carries the lever under a stop when the desired number of
turns have been made, and so stops the type wheel at the required point until the
release of the printing armature causes the lever to fly back and liberate the
rotating pin.
It is to be distinctly understood that in my instruments I adopt a very powerful
alternating current, and the most rapidly acting magnets possible, and by these
devices I provide instruments which are not readily affected by change in electrical
conditions of the line. To set my instruments I adjust them to a standard
resistance, and I provide a small rheostat which can be at once altered for any
variation of the resistance of the line, and this renders it quite unnecessary for
me to alter the mechanism or spring adjustments of the instrument.
101
1000
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.
1, FREDERICK HERBERT WILLIAM HIGGINS, of 17 and 18, Cornhill, in the City.
of London, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to type printing telegraphic apparatus of the kind in
which two trains of wheels are used, each train being actuated by a spring barrel
or a falling weight. One train of wheels is used for driving the type wheel, and
the other train of wheels is used for advancing the paper tape and for operating
the impression lever. The power to actuate the type wheel and operate the
printing and advancing mechanism is supplied by a spring or weight, the electric
current controlling these operations for the purpose of a telegraphic instrument
consists of a series of successively reversed impulses. So long as the current
reverses continually succeed each other, one electro magnet is so arranged that its
armature remains attracted to ae magnet, and another electro magnet with its
armature is so arranged that the armature rapidly vibrates during the whole time
the current is passing. In instruments of this kind the type wheel is stopped at

page_text: the proper letter by the cessation of the current which also causes the printing of
that letter upon the tape.
In previous instruments of the kind which I have indicated grave defects have
been found which it is the object of my invention to remedy. These defects existed
both in the receiving and transmitting instruments. The transmitter was of the
ordinary horizontal spindle rotating kind in which a horizontal spindle carried
suitably placed pegs, and these pegs determined the position at which the spindle
stopped when any particular key was depressed. The shock of stoppage was so
considerable that it was impossible to run the instruments beyond the very moderate
rate of speed of from 40 to 60 revolutions. The current producing arrangement
was also defective.
In the receiver the defects were, slowness due to weakness in the electro magnetic
arrangements generally and defects in the paper feeding arrangements.
My invention consists in new transmitting and receiving instruments so arranged
as to avoid these defects.
Referring to the three accompanying sheets of drawings:-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved receiving instrument,
Figure 2 is a plan,
Figure 3 is an end view looking on the left hand end of Figures 1 and 2,
Figure 4 is an end view looking on the right hand end of Figures 1 and 2,
Figure 5 is a plan of my adapted Wheatstone transmitter, and
Figure 6 is a transverse section through Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a plan view showing the magneto-machine and the transmitter with
the keys and dial removed, and
Figure 8 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the electrical connection when
the instrument is in operation.
In a transmitter constructed in accordance with my invention, see Figures 5
and 6, I arrange a horizontal key-board A and carry the ends of the levers passing
from the keys radially inwards in such a manner as to surround a vertical spindie
or shaft B furnished with a catch and stop lever C and a toothed wheel D driven
from the magneto machine spindle and rotating on the spindle B free of it till the
lever C engages a tooth on the wheel D. The lever C carries a bell crank pawl C¹,
see Figure 7, which is arranged to engage with the teeth D¹ on the ratchet wheel D.
The other end C2 of the bell crank is held between two thin flat springs C, which
cause the pawl tooth to remain in such a position that it will be engaged by a tooth
on the wheel 1). When the wheel D carries the pawl C round the axis, its outer
end C projects between the springs F, and will catch on and be retracted by the
inner end E of any key E which may be depressed, thus stopping the pointer at
that key.
Figure 7 shows in plan the method of making the keys dependent on one
another.
The lower ends E¹ of the keys E move in the slots A¹. Between these slots are
placed a series of small pulleys A². Round the pulleys there is stretched a flexible
chain A3, which has just sufficient slack to permit of one of the keys being
depressed at a time. Whenever a second key is depressed it pulls the slack of the
chain round to itself, thus lifting up the key which was first depressed. Therefore
no two keys can be depressed simultaneously. The chain tension adjustment is
shown at A. An arm. V is pressed down by a spring W on to the ratchet wheel
on the spindle B, thus making a frictional contact with it, so that if it were free
to revolve the arm V would be driven by the spindle; but as it is not free it is
continuously pressed against the contact pillar X when the spindle B is revolving.
The impulses from the magneto cause the type wheel H, Figure 1, of the
receiver to be moved by means of the escapement J in time with the movements
of the pointer B of the transmitter. When the arm C of the transmitter is being
driven by the spindle B, one side of the forked end of the arm V is being pressed
against one side of the contact pillar X, thus completing the circuit through the
line and instruments, and when the lever or arm C is stopped by the pawl coming

page_text: in contact with the lower end E of a depressed key, the arm V is thereby moved
to the other side of the contact pillar X, on which is placed a piece of insulating
materiai X, so that now the circuit of the receiver is broken, and this will happen
whenever the arm C is stopped by a depressed key. This is due to the backward
movement which is given to the lever C by the action of the springs C. These
springs are so set as to move back the said lever C when the pawl is liberated from
the teeth D. The breaking of the circuit causes the type wheel H to be stopped
at the letter corresponding to the depressed key on the transmitter, and causes the
presser arm to come into operation and print the letter on the strip by means of
jaechanism to be described later.
The upper part of the vertical spindle or shaft B is supplied with an effective
grip brake to stop it instantly when the depression of one of the bell crank levers E
liberates the lever C from one of the teeth on 1), and thus stops the pointer at a
particular letter or sign: tne whole key-board transmitter is similar in construc-
tion both as to shaft and brake to a well-known form of Wheatstone transmitter
To supply the current I provide a magneto machine with powerful permanent
magnets within which rotates a Siemens alternating armature, and to prevent
Foucault currents I provide an armature with slit iron laminae or plates. This
magneto machine is driven from a treadle and supplies alternating current to
actuate the receiving instrument as controlled by the sending instrument. bis
the base of the magneto; a its permanent magnets; d its spindle; c its fly-wheel;
el are its current collectors. On the end of the spindle is placed a worm which
drives the upright shaft B by means of a worm wheel in such a manner that the
dial pointer B makes one complete revolution for every eighteen revolutions of
the magneto spindle. Now as there are two impulses (ie. an impulse in one
direction, and a reverse impulse) produced during every revolution of the armature
and there are thirty-six keys on the key-board, so each impulse produced cor-
responds to a motion of the pointer from one key to the next.
Neither the key-board nor the magneto machine constitute in themselves parts
of my invention, they are merely parts of my combinaion.
In a receiving instrument constructed, in accordance with my invention.
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, I arrange within a suitable frame two spring barrels F
and G, each barrel operating a separate train of wheels, and each barrel wound up
separately.
In order that the operator may know the exact state of the winding of both
barrels, I provide in connection with each barrel an index finger, which finger
travels over a dial in front of the instrument. Each finger is so geared to its
barrel as to move through a moderate arc of a circle or a complete circle if need
be, in the course of the running down of the spring. By reference to these
pointers the condition of the winding is at once evident, and the operator is warned
in time to prevent the instrument from becoming ineffective.
One barrel and its train of wheels operates the type wheel H, controlled
however by an escapement wheel I upon the type wheel shaft H. This escape-
ment wheel I is operated by a lever J attached to the armature L L' of an electro
magnet K, the arinature and the electro magnet being so arranged as to cause its
oscillating movement with the alternations of the current passing through the
electro magnet winding. The number of teeth in the escapement wheel I
corresponds with the number of letters or signs on the type wheel H
and the number of keys on the transmitter. The armature L L of
this electro magnet is polarised by a permanent magnet MM, and
the arrangements are so proportioned that the reversals of the current in the
electro magnet coils and the consequent reversal of the polarity of the electro-
magnet cores does not overpower the polarity of the armature.
The arrangement I prefer for this kind of polarised armature and electro
magnets consists in opposed electro magnets, each electro magnet consisting of two
cores K K and K K, each pair united at the back by a piece of steel as K² and K
instead of iron, the cores lieing wound with the wire carrying the alternating

page_text: current, and preferably wound in the manner described in my Patent No. 16991
of 1891, so as to secure very prompt action in reversing. In this arrangement the
inner coils are wound in one direction and the outer coils are wound in the other
direction, and then the coils are joined up so that the current flows around the core
in the same direction in each coil. By this device I obtain an electro magnet in
which the winding facilitates rapid charge and discharge and so causes rapid and
sharp change of polarity. I place the armature L L hetween the opposing poles
of electro magnets so constructed, and I pivot the ends of the armature spindle L
which ends I form of iron continuous with the armature in blocks M also of iron
placed between the poles of two opposing permanent magnets M M of the horse
shoe type. By this device I make each side L.and I of the armature an extended
pole piece of the permanent magnet. I divide the armature by a piece L of non-
magnetic material such as brass, so as to leave the pole pieces on each side of
opposing polarity. In this contruction of armature and electro magnet the
armature is oscillated to and fro so long as the reverse currents continue to pass
through the coils. The use of a steel keeper as K or K between the cores of each-
electro magnet provides the residual. magnetism to cause a slight sticking after.
the current is stopped.
The same current which passes through the electro magnets described also
passes through a second electro magnet N having an armature O which is not
polarised This electro magnet, like the other, is made sharp in action, but the
mass of the soft iron armature 0 is so proportioned to the strength of the spring Os
pulling it off the electro magnetic core, that it does not leave the core between the
reversals, that is; this armature adheres to the core so long as the alternating
current is passing. The armature 0 is pivotted on the vertical axle 0 and is
controlled by the flat spring 02. This armature also operates an escapement lever
P controlling the movement of the other train of wheels actuated by the other
spring barrel G. This escapement is so contrived as to allow a half revolution of
the controlled spindle Q for each complete to and fro oscillation of the armature 0.
This half revolution takes place on the release of the armature, .e-when the
circuit of the magnet is broken and thus at the time when the type wheel is
stopped. This half revolution of the spindle Q moves the wheel 1 carrying a
series of pegs 1 through a distance equal to the pitch of the pegs. These pegs
advancing peg by peg raise the end of a pressing lever S, in one form fixed outside
of an instrument case, but having a projecting finger St passing in to engage the
pegs. This lever on rising smartly, presses the paper T against the face of the
type wheel H, thus printing the letter at which the type wheel is stopped, and the
same time draws back by means of the pin U the feeding mechanism U acting
on the paper, and on falling the lever pushes forward the feed mechanism, but not
till the paper has moved down clear of the type wheel. The feed arrangement for
the paper feed mechanism consists of a short lever U with a projecting arm U
oscillated about the centre of the feed roller by the pin U, and carrying pivotted
at one end above the paper a small bell crank lever with one arm U3 terminating
in a plate edge, which plate edge stretches across the width of the paper. The
other arm U rests on end of another small lever Upivotted at U on the lever U.
The main lever S operates the lever U by means of a pin U which on the upward
movement of the lever S engages directly with the lever U, but on the
downward movement engages with the lever Us, thereby forcing up the arm U
gripping the paper by the arm Us and thus moving the paper forward the proper
distance. The flat spring U8 is provided to lie on the paper in such a manner as
to prevent any backward movement of the paper when the levers S and U are on
the up stroke. Thus on the backward movement the plate on the arm U3 slips
clear over the paper, but on the forward movement it engages the paper and drags
it over the roller.
Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the transmitter and receiver showing the
electrical connections when the instruments are in use. A is transmitter, showing
the forked arm V before described and the contact pillar X, which has a piece of

page_text: insulating material X¹ fixed on one side, so that when the fork is against one side
of the contact pillar the circuit is complete, and when it is against the other side
the circuit is broken. From one terminal e of the magneto a wire passes to the
receiver terminal 7, from thence through the electro magnets K K K³ K' and N
in series to the terminal k. Then through a rheostat h to the line terminai
marked g.
From the other terminal e of the magneto a wire passes to the contact
pillar X, and the circuit is completed by joining the arm V with, the earth
terminal f. The arm V is normally in circuit through the contact pillar X, and
the impulses from the magneto are keeping the receiving armature vibrating and
therefore the type wheel is moving in synchronism with the pointer of the trans-
mitter which is being driven direct from the magneto. When the pointer is
stopped by a key being depressed the arm V is pressed against the insulated side
of the contact pillar X, and thus the circuit is broken. This stops the type wheel
and prints the letter at which it is stopped as before described.
By these improved arrangements I am enabled to operate my type wheel at
a rate of over 150 revolutions per minute with ease, and consequently I can use
a type wheel of a diameter sufficient to carry figures as well as letters.
In addition to the other improvements hereinbefore described, I form my type
wheel with a rubber instead of a metal face. This greatly reduces the energy
required for printing.
I provide the instrument with any usual zeroizing or unison device, but I prefer
the arrangement consisting of a lever engaging with the type wheel spindle by means
of a helix or screw thread carried on the spindle and a pin on the lever dropping
into this thread, which pin carries the lever under a stop when the desired number of
turns have been made, and so stops the type wheel at the required point until the
release of the printing armature causes the lever to fly back and liberate the
rotating pin.
It is to be distinctly understood that in my instruments I adopt a very powerful
alternating current, and the most rapidly acting magnets possible, and by these
devices I provide instruments which are not readily affected by change in electrical
conditions of the line. To set my instruments I adjust them to a standard
resistance, and I provide a small rheostat which can be at once altered for any
variation of the resistance of the line, and this renders it quite unnecessary for
me to alter the mechanism or spring adjustments of the instrument.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
a
1. A type printing telegraphic apparatus comprising in combination
transmitting and receiving instrument, the transmitting instrument
consisting of a horizontal key-board of the Wheatstone type and a
powerful magneto electric machine sending alternating currents; and the
receiving instrument consisting of two spring operated trains of wheels each
controlled by escapements one train actuating the type wheel and the other the
printing and paper feeding mechanism; the type wheel escapement being con-
trolled by electro magnets and a polarised armature and the paper printing and
feeding mechanism being controlled by electro magnets and an armature which is
not polarised all substanually as herein before described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
2. In a type printing telegraphic apparatus as claimed in the preceding claim
an indicating pointer or device connected to each barrel to indicate to the operator
the state of winding of each barrel as hereinbefore described.
3. In a type printing telegraphic apparatus as claimed in the first claim tho
combination of electro-magnets with steel keepers and a permanent magnet or
magnets arranged to cause parts of an armature to form pole pieces of the per-
manent magnet so producing a polarised armature which maintains its polarity

page_text: notwithstanding the changes of polarity of the electro magnet cores substantially
as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
4. In a type printing telegraphic apparatus as claimed in the first claim the
use of a rheostat to vary the resistance of the instrument as required by alterations
in the resistance of the line substantially as described.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.