NEW OR IMPROVED SOUND SIGNALLING AND SPEAKING TUBE APPARATUS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, JOHN WILLIAM BLACK, of Glasgow in the County of Lanark, North Britain
Plumber and Gasfitter do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for
"NEW OR IMPROVED SOUND SIGNALLING AND SPEAKING TUBE APPARATUS" to be
as follows:-
This invention which relates to new or improved sound signalling and speaking
tube apparatus has for its object to communicate an audible signal such as that of
a bell or gong to any person or persons in any part of a building or series of
buildings or on board ship or other places where it is desired to enter into
conversation by speaking tube apparatus.
The invention consists of a mouthpiece attached by a collapsible chamber to each
end of the speaking tube and a bell or gong is fixed either upon or sufficiently near
to the speaking tube to be struck by means of a pneumatically actuated ball
contained in a branch of the said speaking tube; the collapsible chamber herein-
before mentioned being attached to a flexible tube, its natural tendency is to hang
vertically downwards and in this position the mouth-piece attached to it is closed
by means of a ball valve which rests upon its seat.-When it is desired to ring the
bell at the furthest end of the speaking tube, the collapsible vessel is either
compressed by hand or with its mouthpiece is raised into a position convenient to
the mouth of the person about to make the signal, and in this position, the ball
valve falls out of its seat leaving the mouth-piece clear to be blown through.-In
either case, that is to say, whether the signal is made by compressing the collapsible
vessel by hand or by blowing through it from the mouth, the first action of the
moving air is to close a very light valve, which prevents the moving air from
acting on the ball in the branch pipe adjacent to the bell or gong nearest the
speaker, whilst it simultaneously causes the ball valve in the branch pipe furthest
from the speaker to be suddenly raised up therein and to strike the bell or gong at
that end thus producing an audible signal which arouses the attention of the person
with whom it is desired to communicate.-Such person then on taking hold of the
mouth-piece at the furthest end of the speaking tube on raising it to his ear obtains
by virtue of the ball in each mouth-piece having fallen out of its seat a free
communication with the person who had made the audible signal as in the case of
an ordinary speaking tube.

page_text: It is to be understood that the valves and strikers hereinbefore described are not
of necessity balls, that is to say, spherical, as they may be made of cylindrical or
elongated form, and in place of being made to operate directly in striking the bell
or gong they may strike against an intermediate body such as a pendulum which
pendulum strikes the bell or gong, and in place of using bells or gongs for the
audible signal, whistles opened and closed by means of the said valves may be
substituted.
In the case of a series of bells or gongs or whistles being arranged together, that
is to say, where several speaking-tubes are employed an indicator is attached to
each bell or gong or whistle to shew with which signalling apparatus of the series
communication is desired to be made.-Such indicator consists of a light metallic
cap or its equivalent suspended by a light spring which is set in vibration by means
of a portion of the air striking upon it, on escaping from one of the branch tubes
which contain the audible signal valves.
To prevent the apparatus from being tampered with, such parts of it, excepting
the mouth-pieces and collapsible vessels, are contained within a casing having a
glass plate therein for enabling the indicator to be seen.
J. H. JOHNSON, DAY & JOHNSON,
Petitioner's Agents,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow.

page_text: I, JOHN WILLIAM BLACK, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Plumber and Gasfitter, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for NEW OR
IMPROVED SOUND SIGNALLING AND SPEAKING TUBE APPARATUS and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My Invention, which relates to new or improved sound signalling and speaking
tube apparatus, has for its object to communicate an audible signal such as that of
a bell or gong to any person or persons in any part of a building or series of
buildings or on board ship or other places where it is desired to enter into
conversation by speaking tube apparatus.
The invention consists of a mouth piece attached by a collapsible chamber to each
end of the speaking tube and a bell or gong is fixed either upon or sufficiently
near to the speaking tube to be struck by means of a pneumatically actuated ball
or striker contained in a branch of the said speaking tube. The collapsible
chamber hereinbefore mentioned being attached to a flexible tube, its natural
tendency is to hang vertically downwards, and in this position the mouth piece
attached to it is closed by means of a ball valve or equivalent valve which rests
upon its seat.
When it is desired to ring the bell at the furthest end of the
speaking tube, the collapsible vessel is either compressed by hand, or, with its
mouthpiece is raised into a position convenient to the mouth of the person about to
make the signal, and in this position the ball valve or equivalent valve falls out of
its seat leaving the mouth piece clear to be blown through. In either case, that is
to say, whether the signal is made by compressing the collapsible vessel by hand,
or by blowing through it from the mouth, the first action of the moving air is to
close a very light valve, which prevents the moving air from acting on the ball or
striker in the branch pipe adjacent to that bell or gong nearest the speaker; whilst
it simultaneously causes the ball or striker in the branch pipe furthest from the
speaker to be suddenly raised up therein and to strike the bell or gong at that end,
thus producing an audible signal which arouses the attention of the person with
whom it is desired to communicate. Such person then on taking hold of the
mouthpiece at the furthest end of the speaking tube on raising it to his ear. obtains,
by virtue of the ball or valve in each mouth-piece having fallen out of its seat, a
free communication with the person who had made the audible signal, as in the case
of an ordinary speaking tube.
It is to be understood that the valves and strikers hereinbefore described are not
of necessity balls, that is to say, spherical, as they may be made of cylindrical or
elongated form, and in place of being made to operate directly in striking the bell
or gong, they may strike against an intermediate body such as a pendulum, which
pendulum strikes the bell or gong, and in place of using bells or gongs for the
audible signal, whistles opened and closed by means of the said valves may be
substituted.
In the case of a series of bells or gongs or whistles being arranged together, that
is to say, where several speaking-tubes are employed, an indicator is attached to
each bell or gong or whistle to shew with which signalling apparatus of the series.
communication is desired to be made. Such indicator consists of a light metallic
cap or its equivalent suspended by a light spring which is set in vibration by means
of a portion of the air striking upon it, on escaping from one of the branch tubes
which contain the audible signal valves.
To prevent the apparatus from being tampered with, such parts of it, excepting
the mouth-pieces and collapsible vessels, are contained within a casing having a
glass plate therein for enabling the indicator to be seen.

page_text: In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily carried
into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Figures 1, and 2, are respectively a front elevation and a side elevation of one
form of sound signalling and speaking tube apparatus constructed according to my
present Invention.
Figure 3, is a view of the same partly in front elevation and partly in vertical
section taken on the line A, B, Figure 2.
Figure 4, is a view of the same partly in side elevation and partly in transverse
vertical section taken on the line C, D, Figure 1.
Figure 5, is a front elevation of a gong wherein the indicator connected there-
with is concealed, and
Figure 6. is a similar view with the indicator exposed as hereinafter described.
Figures 7, and 8, are respectively a front elevation and a transverse section of
another form of gong constructed according to my present Invention.
Figures 9, and 10, are longitudinal sections respectively through a bell pull and
a bell push or press button constructed according to my present Invention.
In carrying out my present Improvements, and as represented at Figures 1, to 4.
(inclusive) I attach the mouth-picce a, by the collapsible chamber b, to the flexible
tube c, at each end of the speaking tube. The chamber b, is composed of India
rubber or other elastic material and is connected with the said mouth piece a,
preferably by the inetal tube d, of the valve e, which is hereinafter. more fully
described. The flexible tube c, is cemented or otherwise secured into the central
chamber, arranged within or beneath the bell or gong g,-To the rear end of the
chamber, the pipe between, and connecting together the two extremities of the
speaking tube is secured, while the pipes h, and i, branch out from the said chamber f
Within the collapsible chamber b, I arrange a ball or equivalent valve, the valve e,
represented upon the annexed drawings, and which I prefer to employ, being
hinged at k, to the tube d, hereinbefore referred to, and constituting at its upper
part, the seat whereon the said valve rests. The collapsible chamber b, and mouth
piece a, by reason of their connection to the flexible tube c, hang, or have a tendency
to hang vertically downwards so that the valve e, is normally closed, and when the
said mouth-piece a, is raised to about the level of the speakers mouth, the said
valve e, by virtue of gravity, opens upon its hinge k. The branch pipe h, contains
the cylindrical valve or piston 1, these parts being preferably arranged at or about
an angle of forty-five degrees. A shoulder or other suitable form of stop is provided
within the pipe h, to allow the valve or piston l, to rest thereon, this valve or
piston ; being that by which the bell or gong g, is struck and sounded. The branch
pipe i, contains the valve or piston m, which operates the indicator n, (Figures 1,
to 3 inclusive) and the indicator o, Figures 5, and 6, of the annexed drawings.
These indicators are employed where a number or series of call bells or gongs, or
speaking tube apparatus are arranged at one place or station, so that by referring
to these indicators, it is at once seen which of the bells or gongs have been sounded,
or along which tube the attendant is required to make communication. The form
of indicator shewn at Figures 1, to 3, (inclusive) is that which is especially applicable
to private dwelling houses, hotels, offices or other buildings. This indicator consists
of the valve or piston m, hereinbefore referred to, which is caused, on being forced
outwards to deflect the pendulum rod p, from its normal vertical position and so, to
cause it to oscillate upon the centre q, upon which it is suspended. The valve or
piston m, is prevented from being forced completely out of the pipe i, by means of
the wire r, or by any other equivalent stop. The arm s, against which the valve
or piston m, strikes, is preferably of a width sufficient to prevent the indicator n,
and pendulum rod p, rotating horizontally upon the centre q―The indicator n, and
its connected parts, as also the working parts of the bell or gong g, are covered by
the guard t, and the movements of the indicator n, are seen through the glass u,
provided in such guard. The bell or gong g, is secured against a shoulder formed
on the outside of the chamber f. by the collar v, and the whole apparatus it is
intended should be secured by the plate-, and guard t, at a convenient height

page_text: directly against the wall of the building, or indirectly to a wooden block secured
to such wall.
The form of indicator represented at Figures 5. and 6 of the annexed Drawings
that which is especially applicable for use in ships, railway trains and other such
like travelling structures. *This indicator consists of the plate o, upon which is
marked the number corresponding to, (as in Figures 1. to 3, inclusive), or the name
of, the compartment or chamber with which the said bell or gong communicates, as
represented at Figures 5, and 6. This plate o, is secured to the valve or piston m,
whose outward motion is limited by the wire r, or by any other equivalent stop.
The length of the plate o, and the position of the number or name marked thereon
is such, that when in its normal position the said number or name is concealed
beneath the lower edge of the bell or gong g, as shewn at Figure 5, while, on being
forced outwards the said number or name is exposed at the outside of such edge as
shewn at Figure 6.
When it is desired to provide a bell or gong simply for the purpose of calling
attention to any one part of a building or structure, and not for the purpose of
verbally communicating through a speaking tube, I construct such call bell in the
manner represented at Figures 7, and 8 of the annexed drawings. This bell or
gong when employed among a number, or as one of a series, of such bells, may be
provided with an indicator of either of the forms hereinbefore described with.
reference to the annexed drawings, or when so used, and for any particular station,
such for example as a hall door, the bell or gong g, may be of a musical note or
pitch peculiar to itself, and therefore render an indicator unnecessary. This
arrangement of call bell or gong is connected to the pipe y, which communicates
with the calling station, and is provided with the branch pipe h, and valve or.
piston 7, substantially the same as is herein before described. The front or forward
end of the chamber f, is provided with the valves, opening inwards, and which is
preferably screwed to the inside of such chamber, the collar or projection a, securing
the bell or gong g, against the end thereof. The call arrangement herein last
described and shewn at Figures 7 and 8, of the annexed drawings when employed
without an indicator or speaking tube attachment, may be secured at the upper
part of a room or other compartment, and may therefore dispense with the guard t,
or other protecting cover.
A form of bell pull, suitable for a front, or hall door, and used in connection with
the call bell or gong g, (Figures 7, and 8,) is represented in longitudinal section at
Figure 9. This arrangement consists of the handle and rod b, similar to that in
use for ordinary house bells, and having the bracket c¹, secured thereto. This
bracket is provided with the plug d', fitting, air tight, into one end of the collapsible
chamber b, the opposite end of which is cemented or otherwise suitably secured to
the pipe y, the other terminal of which is shewn at Figure 8, and which may be
bracketted or secured against the front plate e¹ by clips or other equivalent
means. The bell push or press button represented in longitudinal section at
Figure 10, of the annexed drawings, is that which I prefer to employ for con-
necting the call bell or gong (Figures 7 and 8) with any compartment or chamber
of a dwelling house, hotel, office, ship or other structure. The press button f¹, is
formed with a portion of an increased diameter, to prevent it passing outwards
through the block gl, and which also makes an air-tight joint with the collapsible
chamber b, into the forward end of which the said button f¹, is cemented or
otherwise secured, while the rearward end of the said chamber l, is cemented to the
pipe y, (see also Figure 8.)
When it is desired to ring or sound the bell or gong g, at one end of a speaking
tube provided with the apparatus represented at Figures 1, to 4 (inclusive) of the
annexed Drawings, it may be effected either by compressing by hand the collapsible
chamber b, or when raised into a position convenient to the mouth of the speaker,
by blowing through the mouth piece a,-The valves e, at the two ends of the
speaking tube having automatically opened while being raised, leave the com-
munication between the two terminals thereof unimpeded. A valve may be

page_text: arranged within each of the terminal apparatus, in such manner as to silence or
prevent the bell or gong g, at the speakers end, being sounded. The air moving
along the speaking tube causes the distant bell or gong g, to be struck by its valve
or piston m, and operates its indicator as herein before described. The air which is
necessary for the return of the collapsible chambers b, into their normal extended
condition after having been compressed; passes in through the valves e.
The moving air caused by the pulling outwards of the handle and rod b',
(Figure 9,) or by the pushing inwards of the press button f1, (Figure 10,) and the
consequent compression of the collapsible chambers b, cause the bell or gong g, to
be struck by the valve or piston m, the air necessary for the return of the
collapsible chamber 6, to its normal extended condition passing inwards through the
valvez, Figures 7, and 8.
It is to be understood that the valves or strikers m, herein before described may
be of forms other than that shewn upon the annexed drawings, that is to say, they
may be of spherical or of an elongated form having rounded surfaces, and in place
of striking directly against the bell or gong g, they may strike against an inter-
mediate body such as a pendulum, which pendulum strikes the said bell or
gong g, Or, in place of using bells or gongs g, for the audible signal, whistles
opened and closed by means of the said valves or pistons m, may be substituted.
It is further to be understood in place of the indicating apparatus hereinbefore
described and shewn upon the annexed drawings, that I may employ any other
equivalent form of such apparatus.
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
First. The new or improved sound signalling and speaking tube apparatus
consisting of the collapsible chamber b, valve e, valves or pistons 1, and m, and
their attachments all operating substantially as and for the purposes bereinbefore
set forth with reference to Figures 1, to 4, (inclusive) of the annexed drawings or
the mechanical equivalents of all or any of the said parts.
Second. The new or improved sound signalling apparatus consisting of the bell or
gong g, (Figures 7, and 8,) valve or piston l, and valve z, and their attachments all
substantially as and for the purposes herein before set forth with reference to
Figures 7, and 8, of the annexed drawings or the mechanical equivalents of all or
any of such parts.
Third. The combination of the indicator n, with either of the forms of apparatus
claimed by the preceding claiming clauses substantially as and for the purposes
herein before set forth with reference to Figures 1, to 3, (inclusive) of the annexed
Drawings.
Fourth. The combination of the indicator o, with either of the forms of apparatus
claimed by the preceding First and Second claiming clauses, operated substantially
as and for the purposes herein before set forth with reference to Figures 5, and 6, of
the annexed Drawings.
Fifth. The combination of the apparatus claimed by the preceding - Second
claiming clause with a bell pull or press button constructed substantially as herein-
before described and shewn at Figures 9, and 10, respectively of the annexed
Drawings.
'