Improvements in Automatic Telephone Connectors.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1890-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Telephone Connectors.
I, JAMES YATE JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, which has
been communicated to me from abroad by The Automatic Electric Exchange
Company, of East St. Louis, Illinois. "nited States of America, 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 automatic telephone connectors of that class in which
successive electrical impulses derived from a battery are employed to effect the
step by step movement of a suitable bar of metal capable of becoming a part of
the circuit of the said battery, along a certain pathway in which metallic plates or
pins are placed in a regular scries, each of which leads by a wire to the earth at a
special point more or less remote from the locality of the said bar of metal and its
pathway, to the end that any given number of successive electrical impulses shall
always determine the contact of the said bar of metal with the same metallic pin
or plate in continuity by a wire with a remote ground, and the possible passage of
the said electrical current to the said ground by way of the circuit thus established.
The object of this invention is to automatize the acts necessary for holding
telephonic communication, and incidentally thereto to diminish the number of wires
leading to any general centre by making one line do the work of many, thus
saving the inconvenience of many lines of wire and the expense of maintaining
them, to diminish or avoid the attendant service of telegraphic and telephonic
exchanges, by enabling a sender to connect his own line with another by his own
act, thus also saving expense and obviating the effects of the indolence, ignorance,
fatigue or absence of the operatives as now employed: to enable subscribers to
intercommunicate secretly, and to know as promptly that a desired recipient cannot
bo reached as that ho can and has been reached to render telegraphic and tele-
phonic communication more certain, secure, easy and prompt, and to increase the
capacity of telegraphic and telephonic exchanges as to the number of messages
which may be simultaneously sent through them.
16
To accomplish these results a grounded battery is employed and a line of wirę
passing from the same to another ground at the locality of the said circuiting bar
or needle and the box containing the mechanism which controls its movements, with
which box the said wire has definite electrical relations. This line of wire with
the oarth is denominated a "proximal circuit. A circuit passing from a grounded
battery to the said circuiting needle and by its tip to a contact on the rim of the
box aforesaid, and by a wire to another ground pertaining to a second box and
circuiting needle similar to the first named box and needle, is denominated a
communicating" circuit. A circuit extending from a grounded battery through
both of the said circuiting needles or through one of them alone by a rim contact
on one of the hoxes aforesaid through a wire directly to ground at a point remote
from the locality of the said box or boxes, is. termed a "Distal" circuit. Now, the
method by which electrical connection is accomplished between two distant points.
consists in interrupting the communication of a proximal or communicating circuit
with the earth by mechanical appliances regulated by the electrical current. with a
simultaneous or previous conrection of the wire leading to the distant point
with which communication is desired with the top of the first or second above
named circulating needles. Every act of connection as contemplated by this inven-
tion consists in the conversion of proximal or communicating circuits into distal
circuits, by the removal of the grounds of the first named circuits, at some central
point where the mechanical appliances employed are conveniently placed. After

page_text: such a distal circuit has been established by the mechanism employed for that
purpose, hereinafter to be described, a current sent through it may be interrupted
as often as desired or wholly pretermitted, and the battery or batteries which may
have been employed to establish it, and all the electrical contacts and mechanisms
similarly involved, excepting only such as are contained in the boxes aforesaid,
may be eliminated from it, without its disintegration, for any length of time. Such
a circuit, so relieved of all the electrical appliances and resistances by means of
which it was established, would extend directly from the ground of the sender
through the mechanism of one or of two boxes at the central point aforesaid to the
ground of the recipient, and may be employed for the operation of any electrical
devices whatsoever whose action is not inherently incompatible with the conditions
determining the continuity of the said circuit, for the conveyance of currents of
greater or of less potentiality than that by which it was established, and for the
fransmission of induced currents both directly and reversely through it, especially
such currents as are excited by the action of a microphonic apparatus. But the
essential condition of the establishment and maintenance of the distal circuit under
the invention, is that when a battery current of adequate potentiality, and of a
polarity opposed to that of the current by which such circuit was established, is
made to traverse it, the said distal circuit will be broken, and the central ground
connections of the proximal or communicating circuits, by whose agency it was
established will be restored, and at the same moment, all parts of the apparatus
involved in establishing such a distal circuit, will be caused automatically to
resume their original or normal status and arrangement.
The features which essentially characterize this invention are two in number-
the one mainly mechanical, the other electrical vidclicit.
First. The contacting of the circuiting needle or bar with its selected' contact,
through which the desired distal circuit connection is made, is determined by a
wheel or plate, acting mediately or immediately upon said needle, which wheel or
plate while stationary or idle during the interruptions of the electrical current by
which the needle is brought step by step to position over its chosen contact, is, after
said interruptions have ceased and the current has become continuous, caused
always to move or revolve in one and the same direction, and invariably to the
same extent; irrespective of and without reference to variations in the number of
interruptions and changes in the position of the needle due to those variations.
Second. If either one of the circuits-proximal, communicating or distal-be
established to the exclusion of the others, then a subsequent break in that circuit
in which a battery is active, shall bring about a reversal of the direction of the
current of said battery through part of the said circuit as soon as the latter is
again restored. This reversal of the current attends and is consequent upon the
restoration of the circuit after its interruption as aforesaid, and is utilized to effect
tho automatic return of the parts of the apparatus to their original or normal
position.
In carrying out this invention an apparatus or combination of apparatuses is
used essentially comprising what may be termed a connecting box" containing
the circuiting wheel and needle or bar by which the distal circuit may be completed
through any one of a number of separate contacts; and a combined interrupter
and contact or pole changing apparatus which may be termed a counter, and
which is intended to be placed under the manual control of the individual
subscriber.
"
"
Under some conditions of electrical circuits there is used in conjunction with these
two devices a device termed an isolator." But whether the isolator be present or
absent, the counter, and connecting box are always present in combination in any
system involving this invention.
The nature of the improvements and the manner in which the same are or may
be carried into effect can best be explained and understood by reference to the
accompanying drawings which illustrate fully the best form of apparatus now known
for carrying this invention into effect, and the circuits and circuit connections which

page_text: may be availed of in conjunction therowith for the establishment of systems of
electrical intercommunication.
In these drawings,
Figure 1. is a plan view of the connecting box with a portion of the cover
removed. In this figure the circuiting needle is at zero; the escapement pinion
is out of gear, and the fly pinion is in gear, with the main circuiting wheel.
Figure 2 is a plan of the said connecting box with the cover removed. In this
figure, the circuiting needle has travelled watchwise a predetermined distance from
zero, and has been depressed upon a rim contact; the escapement pinion is in gear,
and the fly pinion is out of gear, with the main circuiting wheel.
Figure 3 is a plan of the said connecting box with the circuiting wheel and
needle removed. The remaining parts in this figure are in the same position as
that which they occupy in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a vertical central section of the said connecting box, with parts in
normal position of rest-that is to say the position represented in Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a like section with the parts in the position they occupy when, for
the purpose of transmitting a message, the circuiting needle has travelled 180
degrees from zoro, and is depressed upon a rim contact.
Figure 6 (Sheet 3) is a side elevation of the armature lever of the counting
magnet and its supporting standard-detached from the connecting. box.
Figure (Sheet 3) represents in side elevation and plan respectively the spring
and its sliding supporting plate, for acting upon the armature lever of Figure 6, at
a predetermined timo as hereinafter specified; and also the wing (attached to the
escapement frame) by which said sliding plate is actuated.
Figures 8 to 33 inclusive represent on enlarged scale other structural details of
the connecting box which will bo hereinafter more particularly referred to.
In Figures 8 to 22 inclusive I have represented in the positions which they con-
secutively occupy the escapement mechanism, and the combination of parts which
prevent the armature lever of the counting magnet, when moved by the first
impulso of current, from actuating the devices, which by subsequent impulses, it is
caused to operate.
Figure 34 is a skeleton plan of the connecting box representing the wiring and
the electrical connections of the parts when the box is employed in a system of
electrical intercommunication such as represented in Figures 56 and 57 involving
the use of one line wire.
Figure 35 is an elevation of the receiving and sending contacts and their contact
bar shown in plan in Figure 34.
Figure 36 is a side elevation showing in detail the spring detent (actuated by the
escapement frame) for holding the said contact bar.
Figures 37 and 38 (Shoet 19) represent in side elevation the binding screws and
their connections upon the exterior of the connecting box.
Figure 39 is a front elevation of the counter and parts attached thereto, a portion
of the front of the case being broken away to expose part of the switch lever,
actuated by the telephone bar, and of the rod operated by said switch bar, for
purposes hereinafter explained.
Figure 40 is a front view on onlarged scale of that portion of the counter devoted
to the telephonic appliances, the telephone bar and the parts operated thereby-the
door of this portion of the counter case (which carries the microphone) being thrown
open to expose the parts within.
Figure 41 is a front view of the counter proper with the dial and index hands
removed.
Figure 42 is a plan or top view of the counter mechanism removed from the
case.
Figure 43 is a side elevation of the counter mechanism looking at it from the
left of Figure 41.
Figure 44 is a like elevation of the counter mechanism looking at it from the
right of Figure 41.

page_text: Figure 45 is a rear elevation of the counter mechanism, a portion of the back
skeleton frame being broken away at top and bottom to expose some of the
working parts.
Figure 46 is a rear elevation of the front skeleton plate of the counter, together
with the parts attached theroto-the large gear wheels being omitted in order not
to obscure the said parts.
Figures 47 and 48 are front elevations of a portion of the counter with the dial
removed, designed, in connection with Figure 41, to show the three positions
successively assumed by the pole changing contacts.
Figure 49 (Sheet 15) is a front elevation of the swinging stop which is attached
to the front of the back skeleton plate of the counter frame and is designed
to act in conjunction with a stop on the rotary geared main-spring box of the
counter the said last named stop being shown in section in this figure.
Figure 50 (Sheet 2) is a front elevation of a special reversal apparatus which is
a thing separate from the mechanism by which automatic reversal is thrown upon
the line, as provided in the recital of the second main feature of this invention
in the opening parts of this Specification; this apparatus occupies that part
of the counter case, between the belt below, and the microphone door above (see
Figure 39).
Figure 50 (Shoot 9) is a top view or plan of the said reversal apparatus.
Figure 50B (Sheet 13) is a front elevation of the said reversal apparatus with
the magnets, armature ratchet wheel and parts immediately connected therewith
removed, so as to show the reversal contacts and their operating lever.
Figures 51, 52 & 53 are views mainly diagrammatic, representing on enlarged
scale the three positions successively assumed by the pole changing contacts of the
counter and devices immediately associated with them.
Figures 54 and 55 are respectively a plan view and a vertical central section of
the instrumentality termed by me ** isolator" showing also in plan and side
elevation the mechanism by which its movement is controlled by the connecting
box.
Figures 56 and 57, are diagrams of circuits including two sets of counters and
connecting boxes, one set at each of two stations. In these diagrams a single line
wire is used for both receiving and sending. In Figure 56 the circuit and
instrumentalities therein are shown adapted for sending a message from the right to
the left station. In Figures 57 the circuit and instrumentalities therein are shown
adapted to send a current in a direction the reverse of that shewn in Figure 56.
Figures 58 and 59 are diagrams of a modified arrangement of circuit and circuit
connections, adapted for a county seat or suburban system. In this system I employ
in part one line wire and in part two line wires.
Figure 60 is a diagram of a suburban or county seat system in which two line
wires are used throughout one for receiving and one for sending.
Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of an exchange where isolators and communi-
cating boxes are used-in conjunction of course with connecting boxes and counters
as contemplated by my invention.
Figure 62is a diagrammatic viewillustrating generally the mode of communicating
between two distant points under my invention.
Figure 63 is a skeleton plan of the connecting box representing the wiring and
connections to he employed in case two line wires are used-one for receiving and
ono for sending.
Figure 64 is a diagram of circuits in which two line wires are used-the parts
being arranged for sending.
Figure 65 is the same as Figure 64 with the parts arranged to cause a reversal of
the current from the direction in which it is shown in Figure 64.
I shall now proceed to describe first the structural details and mode of operation
of the electro-mechanical appliances which I make use of and will then set forth
the manner in which they may be connected in circuit for the purpose of effectuating
the objects of this invention.

page_text: Sheets 1 to 8 inclusive of the drawings clearly illustrate the connecting
box.
It is composed of a cylindrical metallic box A and a tightly fitting cover A'.
Within the box A and attached centrally to its bottom is a smaller cylindrical
case A 2 which I term the "cam box "shown in section in Figures 4 and 5 and
represented detached in side elevation vertical contral section and plan in
Figures 29 30 and 27 respectively. Upon diametrically opposite sides it is formed
with apertures surrounded by guides A3 which I term** plunger guides"; directly
beneath each aperture there is formed in the inner wall of tho cam box a recess or
notch A 4 (Figure 30) which terminates abruptly at one end and at the other end
gradually lessens in depth until it merges into the general inner face of the cam box.
The cam box at one side is cut away at or near its bottom to admit the thread of a
worm shaft A. 5 which is supported tangentially to the cam box in suitable bearings.
Passing axially through the cam box is a rotary spindle A G to which is fixed at or
near its lower end a worm wheel A 7 (see Figure 9) which engages and is driven
by the worm shaft A 5. This worm wheel A 7, it may here be said, is the only
wheel that is fixed to said spindle A 6. The worm shaft is driven by any suitable
motor and is supposed to be in constant revolution at least during the period the
apparatus is in use for purpose of communication.
Fitting into the upper end of the cam box and flanged so as to rest upon the top
or annular margin of the said box is the wheel or plate B which is termed by me
the "
cam plate" and which is the wheel or plate hereinbefore referred to for
effecting the contacting of the circuiting needle with the rim contacts of the
connecting box.
This plate (shown more particularly in section in Figures 4 and 5 and in top plan
in Figure 24 and in bottom plan in Figures 10 11 12) is of general circular form
having on its periphery at one point a cam surface or projection B and upon its
upper face a semi-circular cam rib 1 2 concentric with the axis of the plate. It is
by this lattor cam 13 that the circuiting needle is depressed. The cam plate is free
to revolve upon the spindle A 6. Between the cam plate and the worm wheel A T
are located the instrumentalities by which rotatory motion at the proper time is
imparted to the said plate. For this purpose below the cam plate is placed loosely
upon the spindle A a star wheel A S. This star wheel is shown in top plan in
Figure 14 in bottom plan in Figure 11 in side elevation in Figure
and in axial
section in Figures 4 and 5. It is connected to the worm wheel A. 7 by a volute
spring A 9 one end of which is attached to the star wheel and the other end to the
worm wheel. The object of this yielding connection is to permit the star wheel to
be momentarily arrested while the worm wheel continues to move.
Downwardly projecting from the star wheel is a pin or stud A1 in the path of a
boss A on the upper face of the worm wheel A (Figure 4) to which projection is
attached one end of the volute connecting spring A 9. When after the star wheel
has stopped, the worm wheel by winding up the spring A. 9, revolves far enough to
bring the boss A" against the stud A, the star wheel will he positively forced to
resume its movement.
The star wheel A8 as will be seen by reference to Figures 9. 4. 5 is in the plane
of the plunger guides A 3 herein before referral to.
The connection between the star wheel and the cam plate B is made at stated
times by means of a radially reciprocating tooth 133 which is mounted to slide on
the underside of the cam plate and is normally pressed outwardly by a spring B 4
(Figure 12) so as to be out of engagement with the teeth of the star wheel.
The star wheel is in fact one part of a coupling or clutch of which the coupling
tooth B 3 is the other. Manifestly the form of this coupling wheel A. S can be
varied materially without departure from this invention what is essential being that
there should be a rotating coupling driven from the worm or main driving wheel A 7.
For example in lieu of the star form of wheel shown in Figure 14 a disk may be
used provided with projecting teeth fashioned like outwardly spring pressed pawls
as seen in Figure 15. It is preferred however, to use the form shewn in Figure 14

page_text: as it has been found that such a form of coupling wheel gives on the whole the best
results in connection with the coupling tooth.
This tooth is shown in longitudinal vertical central section in Figures 4 and 5 it
is represented in inverted inner end and side elevation in Figure 16 and in inverted
outer end elevation and top plan in Figure 17, in Figure 9 it is represented as lifted
above the cam plate. It is provided with side flanges which fit the recessed
segmental guide pieces 135 (shown enlarged in Figure 13) fixed to the underside
of the cam plate as seen in Figure 12 a tooth portion 61 to engage the teeth of
the star wheel a base or butt 2 against which the plungers hereinafter described
operate and a tail piece or downward projection 63 which is in the path of an
outwardly spring pressed pawl 13 6 pivoted to the underside of the cam plate
(Figure 11). By this pawl the tooth is pressed inward and held in engagement
with the star wheel so long as the pawl during the revolution of the cam plate bears
against the unrecessed inner wall of the cam box; when however the said pawl comes
opposite either of the recesses A 4 it will move outwardly into the recess and thus
permit the tooth to spring back out of engagement with the star wheel, unless at
this moment the tootli be restrained by some other instrumentality.
This instrumentality consists of two plungers C and D which reciprocate in the
plunger guides A 3. The plunger C. is termed the starting plunger, because from
this point the cam plate always starts. The plunger D is termed the "returning
plunger," the cam plate halts at that point only when the distal circuit is made and
it returns thence to the starting point whenever that circuit is broken.
The starting plunger C is shown in longitudinal vertical central section in
Figures 4 and 5. In Figures 18 to 22 it is shewn in plan with those portions of it
removed which are in a plane above the pivoted latch carried by it. This plunger
at its inner end fits the plunger guide in which it moves, and at the extreme of its
inward movement this iunor end is flush with the inner wall of the cam box. As it
is opposite the butt 2 of the tooth B 3 it will when thus moved inward force the
said tooth into engagement with the star wheel A. S.
The outward movement of the plunger C is limited by a shoulder c¹ which brings
up against any suitable stop which in this case is the frame of escapement herein-
after described. It is further provided with a projection e 2 which is struck by the
peripheral cam projection B of the cam plate B at or near the conclusion of one
complete revolution of the latter. The effect of this action is first to move the
plunger outwardly until it abuts against the sliding escapement pawl (which will
permit the tooth to discharge from the star wheel) and then by the continuance of
this outward motion to force back the sliding escapement frame for purpose herein-
after explained. Whenever the plunger is moved back to the escapement frame a
portion of it fashioned into a pallet passes far enough through the frame to
engage the escape wheel of the escapement and thus to hold said wheel immovable.
This action takes place whenever the plunger moves outwardly far enough to permit
the tooth B³ to be disengaged from the star wheel.
The normal reciprocation however of the plunger C is effected by other means
and is only sufficient to cause the alternate engagement and disengagement of the
tooth B3 without in any way acting on the sliding escapement frame.
The means which are employed for causing this normal reciprocation consists of
an armaturo lever C' influenced by an electro magnet C 2 which I term the counting
magnet and so connected with the plunger C that its vibratory movement shall
impart reciprocating movement of proper range to the said plunger. The connection
for this purpose between the armature lever and the plunger is made through a
toothed latch C 3 pivoted to the plunger. This latch is so pivoted that when swung
in one direction its tooth e4 will be in the path of the end of the armature lever in
which event the said lever when in vibration will force the plunger inward against
the tooth B 3, the movement of said plunger in the opposite or outward direction
being due to the recoil of the spring B 4. When however the latch is; swung in a
direction to carry its notch or tooth a 4 out of the path of the armature lever the
latter in its vibrations will have no effect upon the plunger.

page_text: This swinging movement of the latch is brought about by means of mechanism
more particularly illustrated in Figures 18-22 inclusive and also in Figure 7 which
will now he referred to.
Pivoted in a vertical exis to the escapement frame E is a wing the active part
of which is a pin f which passes down through a slot e 5 in an ear or lateral
extension of the latch C 3. A spring 2 tends to press this wing into a position
in which the latch will engage the armature lever. The movement of said wing in
the opposite direction is caused by the cam B which wipes against it at or near
the termination of the revolution of the cam plate B.
"
At the
The cam B wipes successfully against the plunger C and the wing f
timo it wipes against the plunger the armature lever is in engagement with the latch
consequently the said lever is forced outwardly along with the plunger beyond its
usual range of beat and in so moving a light spring with which it is provided
is compressed between it and the escapement frame E. The cam B¹ before the
plunger is released then acts on the wing swinging it and the latch connected with
it far enough to one side to permit the notch or tooth of the latch to clear the
armature lever as seen in Figure 18 at which moment the spring acts to throw
the armature lever inwardly where its end will bear against the smooth side of the
latch as seen in Figures 19 and 20 in which position the said armature lever whilo
being free to vibrate without imparting motion to the plunger, prevents at the same
time the roturn of the latch to its normal position.
It is desirable to hold the sliding escapement frame E in the outward position
to which it is brought by the cam 33 at the conclusion of the revolution of the
cam plate B.
To this end there is pivoted upon a stationary part of the cam box a spring
controlled detent lever f³ normally influenced by its spring in a direction to cause
its detent end to spring into a notch on the front of the escapement frame as seen
in Figure 27, when the escapement frame is moved back-the said frame being thus
held in its retracted position.
The other or trigger arm of the detent lover is so shaped and located, that
when the detent is in the position represented in Figure 27, it (the trigger arm f 4)
will be in the path of movement of the armature fever C so that when the latter
thereafter moves, it will strike the trigger arm and thus vibrate the detent lever in
a direction to disengage it from the escapement frame, consequently permitting the
latter to move inwards again-which inward movement causes it to reengage the
toothed circuiting wheel & hereinafter referred to. This escapement frame it may
now be said is mounted upon a foot piece E¹ (Figure 8) on which it can slide, and is
pulled inwardly by a spring E.
To return now to the armature lever C-this levor has a slight play in the
longitudinal slot in the plunger in which the latch is located. It (the lover) is
unprovided with the usual retracting spring and back stop of the ordinary armature
lover used in telegraphy. When it engages the latch its normal outward move-
ment is due to the tooth spring B. When, however, it falls behind on to one side
of the latch as in Figure 19 or 20 for instance, some means must be provided for
giving it at this time outward movement when released from the influence of its
magnet, and I therefore provide a retracting spring for the armature lever C¹ which
shall be operative only when the lever is in the position last above referred to-a
position which it always occupies when the first impulse of current through the
counting magnet C 2 occurs.
To this end I place below the armature lever, and extending parallel with and
longitudinally of the said lever a longitudinally sliding plate f 5 supported on
standards to which it is secured by studs passing through longitudinal slots in said
plate as indicated in Figure 7 (which represents the said plate in side elevation and
plan) and also in Figure 27, where the plate is represented in plan (partly broken
away between its ends) with the armature lever represented in dotted lines above.
From the under side of the armature a stud f 6 projects downward (Figure 6) and

page_text: upon the plate f 5 is a spring f7 which can be brought into the path of that stud.
In the plate is a cross slot 8 which is engaged by the pin f¹ of wing the said pin
being made long enough for the purpose, the sliding movement of the plate 5 is
brought about by the wing. Normally the spring f 7 is out of the path of the
armature lever stud / 6. When however the wing is swung outwardly to one side
(to the position shown in Figures 18, 19, 20) il acts to slide the plate 5 in a
direction to bring its spring in front of the armature lever stud f 6 and thus when
the armature lever moves inward under the attraction of its magnet, it deflects the
spring which by its recoil retracts the armature lever as soon as the lafter is
released by its magnot. When the wing returns to its normal position, it acts to
remove from the path of the armature lover, the spring whose services are no
Jonger required.
The escapement herein before referred to, which is carried by the sliding escape-
ment frame E, is intended to control the rotating movement of the circuiting wheel
and its needle the said circuiting wheel being driven by spring power derived from
a coiled spring (similar to that of a clock movement) which is wound up periodically
and at each revolution of the cam plate 1.
3.
The spindle A 6 which passes axially through the cam box and has loosely
mounicad upon it the cam plate B, is shown detached in Figure 31. Surrounding
this spindle above the cam plate, is a sleeve g (Figures 4 and 5) whose flanged
base is let into and fastened tightly to the top of the cam plate, so that the sleeve
will revolve therewith. The sleeve at its top screws into and is rigidly secured to
the hub of a dise 2, which forms the independently rotary bottom of a spring box
whose cylindrical body is secured to the toothed circuiting wheel G. In the
spring box is a spring 4 coiled like a watch or clock spring, having one of its ends
secured to the part 2 and the other to the circuiting wheel or to the part
Under this arrangement manifestly if the circuiting wheel, G, he held stationary
and the cam plate B be revolved in the proper direction, the spring 4 will be
wound up, and will then act to rotate the wheel G when the latter is released.
Attached to the circuiting wheel is the circuiting needle or bar G, which is
hinged on a horizontal pivot g 5 to the circuiting wheel as seen in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5,
so that while standing normally away from the rim contacts G 2 of the con-
necting box it may be depressed to make electrical connection with any selected
one of the said contacts over which it may be brought by the movement of the
circuiting wheel G. The rim contacts are insulated each from the other, and
may be of any desired number. Each rim contact has its own separate line wire
with which it is connected to the distant point to be communicated with.
The hinged circuiting needle or bar by wire g 6 is connected to an insulated
hub mechanically secured to the circuiting wheel so as to revolve therewith.
Upon the periphery of this hub bear brushes #8 (Figures 4 and 5) which are
the terminals of the conducting bar g9 (Fig. 1) leading from binding screw 9 10
on the exterior of the connecting box. The parts g 8, g 9, g 10, are attached to
the body of the connecting box, but are of course insulated therefrom.
The circuiting wheel during its movement from the starting point towards the
selected or desired rim contact is controlled by the escapement which by the
inward sliding of the escapement frame at the commencement of the said move-
ment is thrown into engagement with the circuiting wheel-this engagement
being effected by the meshing of the escapement pinion E 3 with the circuiting
wheel. The escapement is of the kind known as a chronometer escapement, and
is simple in construction. It consists of the pinion E 3 and the escape wheel E 4
both of which are mounted upon the vertical arbor E 5. The pallet for the
escapement is shown at C 3 attached to the starting plunger C and has alrendy
been described. The stop is furnished by an angle arme of peculiar form best
shown in Figures 18, 22 and in Figures 32, 324, 32", 32°. Figure 32 is a side
elevation of the escapement and its supporting frame, Figure 32ª shows the stop
carrying plate inside elevation and in bottom plan. Figure 32 is a top plan

page_text: of the plate, Figure 32 is a side elevation of the stop. The stop is pivoted at
its angle to a plate e' which is attached to the outer end of plunger C, and
extends out through the frame under the escape wheel it being slotted to
straddle the arbor E 5, and having on its under side a steadying guide lug e 2
at its outer end where it passes through the outer portion of the escapement
frame. The said frame above this point is cut away so as to allow the angle
siop piece to play through and in it. The angle stop consists of the stop
proper 3 a downward projection e 4, and an angle arme 5. The projection e 4
extends down through the slot in the plate e and is influenced by a spring e 6
which tends to press the stop in the direction of the arrow in Figure 32 so far
as permitted by the slot, a spring e 7 acting on the angle arm e 5 tends to rock
the stop in the same direction. Either spring can be used to the exclusion of
the other or both may be used in order to get reinforced action.
Under this arrangement when the plunger reredes and the pallet engages
the escape wheel, the stop will be out of engagement with the said wheel, and
br its spring or springs will be rocked in a direction to incline it towards the
interval between the next pair of teeth in the escape wheel as indicated in
Figure 20. When the plunger advances and the pallet moving with it quits
the escape wheel the stop will enter between this next pair of teeth, and by
the spring action of the clock work of the circuiting wheel, will be vibrated
until it moves a distance of one tooth, at which time it will bring up against
the side of the slot in its supporting plate, and so on. Thus the escapement
movement takes place only when the plunger advances and this movement is
equivalent to that which will carry the circuiting needle from one rim contact
to the next.
For the purpose of arresting or locking the circuiting wheel when the escape-
ment is in its outward position and disengaged from the said wheel there is
placed on the top of the escapement frame a stud or abutment e 8 (Figures 4, 5, 32)
which when the escapement is in this position is thereby brought into the path
of a stop 11 (Figure 23) on the under side of the circuiting wheel, which
stop abuts against a stud e 8 when the circuiting wheel reaches the zero or
starting point. As soon however as the escapement frame is released and is
drawn in by its spring E 2 far enough to put the escapement in gear with the
circuiting wheel the stud e S is thereby removed from the path of the stop g IL
on the said wheel.
For the purpose of preventing the too sudden return of the circuiting wheel to zero
position, it is preferred to employ a fly wheel E 6 having its vertical arbor provided at
the top with a pinion E7 to mesh with the circuiting wheel-the said arbor being sup-
ported in a frame E S arranged to slide between guides E 9 to and from the circuiting
wheel as seen in Figure 1. The fly frame E 8 and its guides are shown detached in
enlarged plan view in Figure 33. This fly frame is connected to the escapement
frame by a straight or walking beam lever E 10 pivoted at its centre to that one of
the guides E 9 which is between the two frames with its ends connected to the two
frames in such manner that a movement of the escapement frame in one direction
shall cause a movement in the opposite direction of the fly frame. Then when the
escapement is thrown out of gear with the circuiting wheel the fly will be thrown
in gear with said wheel and vice versa.
In the plane of the cam plate B is pivoted to a standard in the connecting box a
lever F (Figure 3) the toe of which is in position to be operated on by the
peripheral cam projection B'. To this lever is jointed a connecting rod H₁ which
leads out from the connecting box and may be used to operate any appliance which
may be used in connection with the apparatus for example to control the isolator
(hereinafter referred to) to throw on and off the motor for the cam wheel or the
battery for the connecting box etc. etc. The last act of the cam B' in returning to
its zero or normal position is to push out this rod. The rod is held in this position
by a spring lateh H 2 on a pivoted angle lever H3 which engages a notch H 4 on.
the underside of the lever I (Figure 36) the said angle lever having at its other

page_text: end a pin and slot connection H 5 with the sliding escapement frame F (Figure 34).
The outward movement of the escapement frame causes the latch H 2 to be brought
to position to engage the notch H 4 of lever H when the latter is pressed back
by the cam B. As soon as the escapement frame moves inward the latch H 3
thereby is disengaged by lateral movement from the lever H and the latter when
thus released is at once thrown inward by a spring H 6 which acts upon the tail H 7
of the said lever.
In using the connecting box in an electrical system involving the employment of
a single line wire for both receiving and sending the lever H can conveniently be
made use of for controlling contacts by which the circuits through the box may be
changed for the purpose. To this end there is attached to the tail of the lever the
moveable contacts for four fixed contacts 16, 17, 18, 19 each of which is insulated
from the other as seen in Figure 34. And upon the vibratory armature frame of the
polarized magnet is mounted the movable contacts for two fixed contacts 20, 21
closed and opened by the movement of the armature frame and arranged so that
when one pair is open the other pair is closed. And finally here is provided still
another pair of contacts 22 the movable one of which is attached to the same piece
which carries the movable contact of the "central ground" contacts 23 of the con-
necting box hereinafter referred to the arrangement being such that when the
ground contacts of the connecting box are open the contacts 22 are closed and vice
versa. When the lever H is pushed out by the cam as in Figure 34 the contacts
18, 19 are closed, this being the position for receiving. When on the other hand
the lever is released it is thrown over by the spring H G to close the contacts 16–17
this being the sending position.
These shifting contacts are used in the box only in a single wire system as above
stated. In a two wire system that is to say a system having two line wires one for
receiving and one for sending, they are unnecessary.
Having described the instrumentalities which are grouped around what may be
termed the starting point of the instrument. I now proceed to a description of those
devices which are connected with and grouped around the "returning plunger " D
and best seen by reference to Figures 4, 5, 9, 24. 26 and 28.
This plunger has an inner end precisely like that of the starting plunger C and
its normal position is one in which this inner end is flush with the inner wall or face
of the cam box. It is intended to permit the disengagement of the tooth from the
star wheel only when and so long as the circuit through the circuiting needle is made.
It is operated by means of an angle lever D' having a fixed pivot at d¹ and connected
with the plunger by a link which makes with the lever a sort of toggle joint. In
Figure 24 is shown a plan view of this lever system in turned back position (a
position it never occupies in practice but which is here shown in order to more fully
illustrate the construction of the parts) with the plunger wholly withdrawn from its
guide and the cam box. By a spring d 2 (Figures 2 and 3) the angle lever D' is
normally held in a position in which the plunger is in its innermost position. In
this position the arm 3 of the angle lever overhangs the cam plate Band is in the
path of a cam projection B' thereon. The other arm 4 of the said lever is a detent
intended to operate in connection with a shoulder or projection 5 of the vibratory
stop frame D 2 which is or has connected with if the permanently magnetised
armature of the polarized magnet D 3.
When the angle lever D₁ is operated by its cam to withdraw the plunger D its
detent arm 4 is in the position shown in Figure 2. In this position if the circuit
through the depressed circuiting needle be complete the magnet D³ will thereby be
energized and the polarized frame D will be moved into the position shown in the
said Figure 2 with its stop 75 in the path of the detent arm & 4. Consequently when
the cam Blaves the arm d 3 the lever will be held in outward position with the
plunger withdrawn thus permitting the tooth B 3 to spring outwardly into the
plunger guide left unobstructed by the plunger D thereby disengaging the cam
plate B from the star wheel A and bringing the said cam plate to a standstill after

page_text: completing one half a revolution. The cam 33' is slightly in advance of the tooth B 3
so that it will act on the lever D' and give time to the polarized magnet system to
act (assuming the circuit to have been completed through the circuiting, needle)
before the tooth reaches the plunger guide of plunger D. The cam B¹ also leaver
or passes the angle lever D' sufficiently in advance of the tooth to permit that lover
as well as the plunger 1) in event of there being no circuit through the circuiting
needle to return to normal position before the tooth reaches the plunger guide in
this event the plunger prevents the disengagement of the tooth B 3 from the star
wheel and consequently the cam plate B continues its revolution back to starting
point where it is stopped in the manner herein before indicated.
"
The connection with the central ground" herein before referred to is completed
through a pair of contacts 23 (Figures 4 and 5) the movable contact being carried
by the plunger D and the arrangement being such that whenever the plunger is
withdrawn the contacts will be separated and the ground connection will be broken
as indicated in Figure 5.
In addition to these contacts for the "central ground," as herein before stated, a
second pair of normally separated contacts 22 (Figure 34) is used (the movable one
of which is also carried by the plunger and is brought against its fellow contact
when the plunger is withdrawn) which however aro to be employed only in connec-
tion with a single wire system having the contacts 16,17,18,19 hereinbefore referred
to and shown also in said Figure 34.
It remains now to describe the mechanism for depressing the circuiting needle
upon the selected rim contact. This mechanism can best be seen in Figures 1, 2, 4,
5, 25 and 26. Figure 25 is a plan view of the mechanism Figure 26 is a side eleva
tion of the needle operating plate detached.
Between the cam plate 13 and the spring box of the circuiting needle is located
a plate having a peripherally grooved hub ' loosely encircling the sleeve. In the
groove of this hub is a loose fitting annulus 2 which is trunnioned to the free
inner end of a forked spring depressed lever h 3 the outer end of which is pivoted to
the case of the instrument at h4. 'pon the upper face of the plate hare two pins h 5
which extend up alongside of the spring box and through the circuiting wheel and
are jointed to the inner end of the arm of the hinged circuiting needle at h 6
Figures 1 and 2. The cam rib B 2 when the cam plate revolves passes beneath
the lever 3 and thereby lifts the plate causing its pins 5 to tilt the circuiting
needle in a direction to depress the latter upon the rim contacts. The plato / is
shown lifted in Figure 5 and lowered or depressed in Figure 4.
In order to make sure that the armature frame D 2 of the polarized magnet
shall always be returned to normal position, I place upon one of the bar magnets a
pin 10 which is so placed thereon that if the said frame is not already in normal
position it (the pin) will be struck by the wiper cam B' as the cam plate after
passing through 180° returns home to the starting point and the frame De will
thereby be returned into the desired position.
As before stated, each rim contact has its own separate wire the sides of the
connecting box (as seen in Figures 4 and 5) are made hollow for reception of these
wires which through holes formed in the exterior shell are taken out at the desired
point or points.
This completes the description of the mechanical details of the connecting box.
In order to better comprehend its mode of operation a brief recital of the circuit
connections is requisite. These connections can conveniently be traced by reference
to Figure 63 (Sheet 25) and Figures 37, 38, (Sheet 19).
The current enters through binding screw 9 13 (Figures 37 and 63) and divides,
one branch going through the counting magnet C2 to "central ground "through
contacts 23 the other branch going through the polarized magnet D 3 thence out
through the box to binding screw 9 12 (Figure 38) connecting bar g 14 and binding
screw 10 and thence by bar g 9 and brushes g 8 (Figures 1 to 4) to the circuiting
Deedle and thence to the line of that rim contact with which the needle cooperates.

page_text: The instrument is shown in Figure 1 in its normal position of rest. In Figure 2
it is shown with the parts in the position they assume when the needle has counted
and has been depressed upon its selected rim contact with the circuit completed
through that contact to the distant point with which communication is desired.
In the normal position of rest at starting point the escapement is out of gear with
the circuiting wheel as seen in Figure 1.
If now
we suppose the battery to be put on, this will energize the counting
magnet 2 and will draw forward the armature lever C with the effect of operating
the trigger and releasing the retracted escapement frame this will be under-
stood by reference to Figure 19 where the lever is represented in the act of striking
the trigger.
This releases the escapement frame and permits the escapement to
spring inward into ongagement with the circuiting wheel as seen in Figure 20.
If now we have in the circuit through the counting magnet a circuit breaker
and maker a manually operated key for example then by depressing the key so as
to break this circuit the armature lever C will be released, and, by the temporarily
active spring mechanism already described with reference to Figure, will bo
retracted and will fall behind the latch as seen in Figure 21. Upon releasing the
key the circuit will be restored the counting magnet will be again energized the
armature will be attracted and in so moving will advance the starting plunger thus
forcing the couplingtooth inward and permittingthe escapement to make one beatand
the circuiting wheel to make a corresponding movement of partial revolution equiva
lent to the distance separating the first rim contact from zero point. The break and
make of the manual key is momentary not sufficient to cause the coupling tooth to
engage the star wheel and by continuing this series of breaks and makes in rapid
succession the circuiting needle by step by step movement of rotation can be brought
over the desired rim confact. As soon as this point has been reached the manipulation
of the key ceases and the current ceases to be intermittent and becomes continuous.
The effect of this is to hold the starting plunger in its forward position and thus
to project the coupling tooth inward and to hold it in that position until the
rotating power driven star wheel engages it. The cam plate is thus coupled with
the star wheel and revolves with it. It first acts by its cam rib B 2 to depress
the circuiting needle upon its selected rim contact and then by its cam pro-
jection B to withdraw the roturning plunger 1 and to throw the detent arm
into a position to engage the stop on the armature frame of the polarized
magnet. All this is done before the coupling tooth comes opposite to the guide
opening in which the plunger 1 moves. The effect of the withdrawal of the
plunger D is of course to interrupt the branch circuit through the counting magnet
and this interruption should not take place until after the circuiting needle has
been depressed upon its rim contact. If now the circuit through that rim contact
be complete to the distant point then as soon as the counting magnef branch circuit
is broken, current will pass over the polarized magnét branch with the effect of
swinging the stop frame D2 into the path of the detent arm of the angle lover
which controls the returning plunger. Under these conditions the returning
plunger will be held refracted so that the coupling tooth as it comes around can
spring out into the recess left by the retracted plunger, thus bringing all parts of
the instrument to a stand still with the distal circuit complete. The parts in this
position are shown in Figure 2 and they will thus remain indefinitely without
reference to any after breaks or intermissions in the distal circuit. By sending
however a reversed current through the polarized magnet the returning plunger
will be released and at once returned to normal position. In so returning it will
force inward the coupling tooth, and will thus start again the cam plate B which
returns to normal position. In so returning it first of all permits the depressed
circuiting needle to rise. This needle and its wheel however remain stationary
being so held by the escapement until the cam plate forces back the escapement
out of engagement with the circuiting wheel. As soon as this takes place the
released circuiting wheel is at once returned to normal position by its spring box,

page_text: the spring of which had been wound up by the previous revolution of the cam
plate.
With respect to the reversed current above mentionel for releasing the returning
plunger after communication with the distant point has been accomplished,, means
for throwing the reversal upon the line will be hereinafter described in connection
with the counter."
The foregoing description of the mode of operation assumes that the distal
circuit is complete upon depression of the circuiting needle. If however no distal
circuit be thereby established them the polarized magnet will not be energized the
stop frame will remain out of position to engage the detent arm & 4 and the returning
plunger D will be withdrawn but momentarily and will after the cam 131 passes,
be brought back to normal position before the coupling tooth reaches it. Under
these conditions the tooth will be forced to continue in engagement with the star
wheel and the cam plate will consequently continue its movement to starting point
where it will stop having made one complete revolution without cessation. During
this movement it will have operated upon the other parts precisoly as it did in the
ease first above supposed.
In the description of the mode of operation of the connecting box thus far it has
been assumed for the sake of simplicity that the breaks and makes required for
counting etc. are made manually by a key. As a matter of fact however for
this among other purposes a specially devised instrument termed the
"counter
"
is usel.
!!
In the opening portion of this Specification it has been pointed out what seem to
he the two chief features which characterize this invention. One of these features viz.
the mechanically operated cam wheel or plate has been described in connection
with the connecting box of which it forms part.
The other feature ri. the reversal of the circuit consequent upon a break in the
circuit of the communication has once been established will appear in the course of
the description of the counter which will now be described. The purpose of that
reversal and its effect upon the polarized magnet of the connecting box have already
been indicated.
The form in which it is preferred to make and use the counter, is shown in a
general way in Figure 39.
In the upper part of the case are contained both the mechanical rheotome or
circuit maker and breaker and also the contacts and mechanical devices connected
therewith whereby when a break is made in an already established distal circuit
the subsequent restoration of the said circuit (which is a mere temporary restoration)
will have the effect of causing the current to flow in reverse direction through the
polarized magnet of the connecting box with the result of causing the mechanism
of that box to return at once to the normal position of rest as already explained,
at the same time that this takes place the devices of the counter itself also are
caused to return to the normal position of rest from which they start.
When the distal circuit is not established, then as herein before indicated, the
Connecting box takes care of itself without extraneous aid and in this latter
case the contacts of the counter and their connected devices act simply to return all
of the counter devices to zero or normal position.
Immediately below the devices of the counter proper in Figure 39 are the
telephonic appliances by which communication may be had over the distal circuit.
Next below the telephonic appliances is located the special reversal apparatus
illustrated in Figures 50, 50 and 50 the uses of which will be hereinafter described
and last of all is the call hell for the recipient which automatically rings upon the
establishment of the distal circuit.
The mechanical rheotome consists of an index or hand 1 revolving over the face
of a dial T the subdivisions of which (200 in the present instance) correspond to
the rim contacts of the connecting box. The hand I is fixed to a shaft 12 on which
is also fixed the spring box of an ordinary clock movement (Figure 44). Oit
this box is a finger i which brings up against a stop on the frame so as to hold

page_text: the hand normally at zero. The stop is pivoted (see Figure 49) so as to be
capable of a swinging movement as indicated by dotted lines in the said figure this
being for the purpose of permitting the index or hand 1 (which when being revolvel
by hand to the desired number moves watch wise) to be brought to numbers
approximating 200 without being restrained by the bringing up of the finger i
against a fixed stop. In any such case the stop i will yield to the pressure of the
finger i so as to permit the hand to be brought over even the number 199 without
impediment. On the main shaft [is the main gear 14 which meshes with a broad
faced pinion I 5 loose on an arbor I 55. The pinion is attached rigidly to the sliding
part 16 of a clutch the other part of which clutch is fixed to arbor 155, and to
The pinion is also fixed a ratchet 17 engaged by spring pawls on a gear wheel
which meshes with and is intended to drive the system of gears and pinion 8⑈78
for driving the shaft on which the fly wheel of the movement is mounted.
The clutch part 1 broad faced pinion ratchet I7 and gear wheel all slide
together on the shaft and are actuated so as to move by a lever I which by pins
engages a peripheral groove in the sliding clutch part 1 and is pivoted at
the frame of the instrument. At its upper and free end the lever is provided
with an inclined portion which passes up loosely through a slot in the inner end of
a pivoted lever handle 1º (see Figure 46). By pulling down the outer end of this
lever handle its inner end will be raised and caused to act upon the clutch lever Iε in
such manner as to slide the clutch part 1 and parts connected therewith far
enough to disengage the two parts of the clutch. When the handle I is released
a spring pulls its inner end down and thus causes the two parts of the clutch to
again engage. The ratchet and pawl connection between wheel and the pinion Is
is to permit that pinion to revolve independently of the said gear wheel and the
fly train which it engages when the main spring is being wound up.
to
The winding up of the main spring is effected by a crank handle I" which carries
a bevelled pinion that engages bevelled teeth 13 on the spring box. In operating
this mechanism the handle I is first pulled down and then the crank handle is
turned thus setting the index or hand to the desired point and simultaneously
winding up the main spring. In Figure 39 the hand is represented as having
been thus set to 35 this number corresponding to rim contact 35 of the con-
necting box.
When the hand has been thus been set the lever handle 1º is released thus throwing
all the movement again into gear.
If after doing this the crank handle 1 be released the hand I unless otherwise
restrained will travel back to zero at once.
In order to restrain it from movement until the proper time arrives there is
mounted upon the shaft or arbor a wheel I" termed by me an interrupting
wheel (Figure 41) in connection with which a spring pulled locking lever I
engages and locks the said wheel except when it is pulled away by a knob I
attached to a sliding rod 14 connected to the lever the said rod being upwardly
pulled by a spring 1" by which the lever except when pulled down by hand is held
up in engagement with the interrupting wheel.
This interrupting wheel I make use of in order to interrupt the circuit the
desired number of times when the index after the clock work is released travels
back to zero. To this end the interrupting wheel has such a number of teeth and
is so geared down that in its travel each tooth or rather the distance between each
two contiguous teeth will be the equivalent of one subdivision of the dial.
It may be here remarked that in practice it is desirable to give the clutch the
same number of teeth as the interrupting wheel.
Tu conjunction with this wheel is used a vibrating spring pressed lever I¹³
provided with a tooth which enters the spaces between the teeth of the wheel
and is so shaped that as the wheel revolves it will ride up over each approaching
tooth and then drop into the space beyond thus deriving a vibratory movement
from the interrupting wheel. On this lever is carried the movable contact of a
pair of insulated contacts ¿18 which it is sufficient at present to say are in the

page_text: circuit of the counting magnet of the connecting box. Thus supposing the hand
or pointer I to be set to the number 35 then if the locking lever I be pulled down
the hand or pointer will return to zero and in so doing thirty five interruptions in
the circuit of the counting magnet will occur in rapid succession with the effect of
bringing the circuiting ncedle of the connecting box over the thirty fifth rim
contact.
For the purpose of operating the locking lever it is connected as before said with
a vertically sliding rod 14 (Figure 41) provided with a button [15 which projects
through a slit in the front of the case (Figure 39) in position to be pulled down by
hand. A spring I pulls this rod in upward direction and so holds the locking
lever normally in engagement with the interrupting wheel. A vertically sliding
rod 1 with a button T similar in all respects to the rod 15 in construction and
general arrangement is placed on the right of the interrupting wheel in Figure 41.
It is provided with a pin ♬ which when the rod is pulled down depresses the tail of
lever 13 and so separates the contacts without however releasing the interrupting
wheel. The function of this last named rod will be hereinafter referred to. It
is sufficient now to say that it can be used as a manual counter or interrupter.
In addition to the instrumentalities above described the counter contains
several sets of electrical contacts which with their operating devices will now
be described.
The chief sets of contacts are numbered 1, 15, 2, 25, 3, 4 and 5, 6, 7 Figure 41.
The contacts 1, 15, and 2, 25, are pole changing contacts. When the one sei is
closed the other set is opened and each set gives a current the reverse of the other.
The contacts 1, 15 are termed for convenience sake the direct contacts that is to
say the contacts through which the direct current passes upon establishment of the
circuit through them, contacts 2. 25 are what may be termed the reversal contacts
which act to throw a momentary reversal upon the line for the purpose among
other things of actuating the polarized system of the connecting box to release the
returning plunger D in addition to which the reversal thus occasioned works the
separation of the reversal contacts themselves and causes all of the contacts to
assume their normal position in the counter.
The two pairs of contacts 3, 4 are termed relay contacts by means of which the
battery at the receiving station is caused to reinforce the current from the battery
at the sending station, thus putting both the batteries in the distal circuit,
whenever that circuit is established the contacts 3 complete the circuit to the
recipients battery and the contacts 4 complete the circuit from that battery, the
current from the distant sending station entering the recipients counter and passing
through the contacts 3 of that counter to and through the recipients battery in the
direction required to cause the battery to reinforce the current, thence to
contaris 4 and thence finally back to the distant sending station. In addition to
this function, the contacts 4 are used to close the circuit through a bell or other
call which notifies the recipient that communication with him is desired.
Contact is a double contact which plays between contacts 5 and 7, when it
closes upon contact 5 it is in position for sending, and when it closes upon contact 7,
it is in position for receiving. The latter is its normal position when the counter
is inactive and at rest.
The counter contacts 5, 6 and are the equivalents of the connecting box
contacts 16, 17, 18, 19 (Figure 34). When one set is used the other is not. The
former is used in a two wire system and the latter in a one wire system.
These contacts are arranged upon the front plate of the frame of the counter
just behind the dial.
The movable contacts of the pairs 3 and 4 are attached to and move with a
vertically sliding bar mounted in suitable guides on the frame.
The movable contacts of the reversal set 2. 25 are carried by levers pivoted
at to the frame each lever being provided on its upper edge with an incline or
wedge shaped tooth which is acted on or wiped in the direction required to
depress the lever by a toothed wiper wheel j loose on a stud attached to the frame

page_text: and connected with a vibratory lever arm ♬ mounted at one end also on the said
stud by a pawl and ratchet connection by which the wiper wheel is caused to
turn only when the lever moves downward. The inner ends of the lever arms j
have a pin and slot connection with the bar as shown and thus derive their
movement from the bar. Springs press the reversal contact levers upward so as
to hold the reversal contacts 2, 25 normally open.
The movable contacts of the direct set 1, 15 are also carried by levers pivoted
at to the frame with their inner ends pressed by springs in a direction to
separate or open the contacts this being their normal position. When the
instrument is inactive these inner ends of the levers are in the path of a collar ju
on the vertically reciprocating bar by which when the bar is raised the
contacts 1, 15 are caused to close.
Contact is attached to and moves with a vibrating arm (seen in rear
elevation in Figure 46) pivoſed at its outer end to the frame. The arm at its
free inner end enters and engages a slot in the sliding bar and thus serves to
impart movement to the latter also. The arm is actuated by the lever handle I'
the inner end of which is beneath a vertical plunger rod jointed to the arm k and
at its lower end playing through a suitable guide on the frame as seen in
Figure 46. When the lever handle is pulled down it consequently will lift both
the arm and the bar and will thus operate all of the contacts controlled by the
bar and arm respectively.
The contact carrying bar occupies successively three positions the first being
the one to which it is lifted which is its uppermost position, the third being the
one to which it ultimately returns after having been lifted which is its lowermost
position or the position it normally occupies when the instrument is inactive and at
rest, and the second being an intermediate position occupied by it only momentarily
in passing from the first to the third position this intermediate position being one
in which the reverse contacts meet to throw a reversal upon the line.
Inasmuch as the circuit over which this reversal passes is completed through the
contacts 5 and 6 it is therefore necessary that these contacts during the descent of
the arm and bar should remain closed until after the reversal contacts have
done their work. To this end the sending contact 5 is attached to a lever which
is downwardly pulled by a spring and has a vibrating play of short range
determined by a pin on the frame which extends into a slot or recess of the
proper width in the lever. When the arm & is lifted to its full extent the contact G
bears up against and raises the sending contact 5 as far as is permitted by pin k
This will allow the lever a slight downward play when released and consequently
when the arm & swings downward lever will follow suit and thus the two
contacts 5, 6 will be maintained still closed until after the bar has reached the
second position when the bar j leaves that position for the third the contact 5 being
incapable of further downward movement is quitted by the contact 6 which then
closes upon the lower contact 7.
As soon as the lever handle 19 is released the bar j will at once drop unless
restrained. It becomes necessary therefore to provide a means by which the bar shall
be sustained in the position-in which it has been lifted after the return of the lever
handle to its normal position of rest. This means is provided by an electro-
magnet known as a twisting magnet having its armature inclined to but in a
plane parallel with the poles of the magnet and pivoted on an axis intermediate
of but parallel with the axes of the magnet cores.
The direction of movement of the armature under the influence of its energized
magnet is indicated by the arrows in Figure 40.
Rigidly attached to the armature is a downwardly extending arm which is
held between a stop (Figure 45) on one side and a light spring on the other
which spring tends to move it in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved
by the armature when the latter is attracted by its magnet. In this arm is a slot
which is entered by a pin on the rear face of the bar which pin first passes
through a straight vertical slots in the front plate of the frame. The slot in the

page_text: arm is formed with two jogs F. The former is to support the pin when the
bar jis lifted to the first position the latter is to support the said pin momentarily
when the bar drops from the first to the second or intermediate position. To this
end the closure of the direct contacts 1 & 15 when the bar is lifted to first position
closes a circuit which includes the magnet 7 which consequently attracts its
armature and thereby causes arm to swing in a direction to bring jog under
pin as seen in Figure 51 for example. So long as the magnet continues active
ihe parts will remain in this position and the harj consequently will be maintained
in the first position irrespective of the lever I³. The moment the circuit is broken
the magnet looses its energy and the slotted arm by its spring is moved in a
direction to carry jogout from under the pin ". The bar jis thus freed and
allowed to drop but at second position (in which it closes the reversal contacts 2
and 25) it is again arrested by the jog which is so positioned that it will be brought
into the path of the pin when the jog is moved out of the path of said pin.
The parts in this position are shown in Figure 52. The arrest of the harj in the
second position is however in practice but momentary because the closure of the
reversal contacts 2 and 25 re-establishes circuit through the magnet 7 and
the armature thereby is attracted causing the arm to move (against the stress
of its spring) in a direction to carry the intermediate jog out of the path of the
pin thus allowing the bar j to drop to third position.
The circuit in which the magnet is included is one which includes also the
counting magnet of the connecting box herein before referred to. Interruptions in
this circuit are required in order that the circuiting needle may be brought over
the proper rim contact.
These interruptions are occasioned by the action of the interrupting wheel I" of
the counter upon which the contacts 18 as already explained.
And finally during the time this sequence of interruptions takes place the lever
handle 1 of the counter must be released in order that the clock movement of the
counter (which includes the interrupting wheel) may be thrown into gear with the
main spring of that movement.
But as an interruption of the circuit at this time (the lever 1 having ceased
to sustain the bar j) would result in the de-energizing of the magnet 7 and the con-
sequent drop of the contact controlling bar from first position it becomes necessary
to provide some means by which this har shall be positively held in its uppermost
or first position during the period of these interruptions.
This result is attained in a mechanical way through the instrumentality of the
rod 1 (Figure 41) which operates the locking lever I. This rod by a pivoted
lever I is connected to a vertically sliding plate m which plate in view of ite
function is termed the current guard. The connection between the lever and the
current guard is effected by bringing the inner end of the lever under a pin m
on the current guard so that when this end of the lever is lifted it will lift the
current guard also. This plate is mounted upon the back of that part of the front
face of the frame on which the bar j moves (as seen in Figure 46). It is provided
at its upper edge with an upwardly projecting tooth or point m which when the
arm of the armature is swung in position to support the pin " of the bar on the
upper jog 78, is in such position that if the current guard he lifted, the said point
will pass up along side of a similar point or projection 78 on the under edge of the
arm is in position to be a mechanical stop which will prevent the arm ♬ from moving
laterally under the pressure of its spring 15.
By pulling down the rod T the interrupting wheel will be released from the
locking lever T2 and will commence to move. But simultaneously with the dis-
engagement of the locking wheel the current guard by the same movement of the
rod i has been raised into position to mechanically hold the arm 3 in position to
support the contact controlling bar in its first position during the sequence of
interruptions occasioned by the interrupting wheel. When the hand or index
pointer I returns to zero the interruptions cease, the current becomes continuous,

page_text: and the magnet 7 becomes again active consequently at that time the rod I" can be
released and allowed to rise.
The manual counting or interrupting rod I16 is connected to the current guard
in the same way as the rod I and for the same purpose. Either rod I" or I can
operate the current guard independently of and without influencing the other.
In illustration of this invention the counter and connecting box are represented
as combined in a system intended to be used for telephonic intercommunication.
To this end the telephonic appliances can be conveniently assembled and arranged
in the counter and are so represented in the drawings see Figures 39, 40, 41.
J is the usual hinged telephone bar which is depressed against the stress of its
spring as customary by the weight of the telephone hung upon its outer end. So
far as the telephonic circuit connections within the box are concerned they are or
may be those of the ordinary Bell telephone.
Connecting with the telephone bar are appliances used to operate both the current
guard and a pair of contacts 8 (Figure 41) respectively. The contacts 8 and the
appliances for operating them are used only in a system employing one line wire
for receiving and sending, that is to say a one wire system. With a two wire
system they are not used. The appliance for operating the current guard
independently of the rods I and I used in both the two wire and the one wire
systems is a rod nz which rests at its base on a pin or shaft n' (Figures 41 and 40)
projecting laterally from the telephone bar thence passing up through suitable
guides on the back of the front plate of the frame of the instrument (Figure 46)
with its upper end abutting against a notch or shoulder in or on the current guard.
When the telephone is released and rises the current guard will be lifted.
The
The contacts 8 in the single wire system when separated, make a break in the
circuit by means of which the bar is precipitated from its first position.
movable one of these contacts is carried by a radial rod attached to a rock
shaft 3 impelled by a spring (Figure 43) to turn in a direction to hold the
contacts 8 together. Rigidly fixed to this shaft is a pawl like arm (Figure 40)
which engages a ratchet n loose on the axis of the telephone bar. A hinged
pawl n on the telephone bar engages this ratchet. The arrangement is such that
when the telephone bar rises (owing to removal of the telephone) the pawl a will
ride over the ratchet without imparting movement to it. But when after com-
munication is over and the telephone is again hung on the telephone bar the latter
descends and in so doing its pawl n is forced against the ratchet wheel giving it a
partial movement of rotation the distance of one tooth thus causing the pawl arm
to ride over the said tooth and consequently rocking the shaft in a direction to
momentarily separate the contacts 8.
To the telephone bar J, is connected a switch lever K which operates in con-
nection with stationary contacts K K K³. Connection between the switch lever
and the telephone bar is made by an insulated link K jointed at one end to the
lever and at the other end to the bar as seen in Figure 40. The switch lever
carries a contact K5 of such length that before leaving K it will meet K and K³
and vice versa. The switch lever by a jointed connecting rod K' is also connected
to the rod K (Figures 40 and 50) which operates the special reversal mechanism
shown in Figures 50 50 50 and hereinbefore referred to as being located in the
counter case immediately below the telephonic appliances. At the point where
the two rods K K meet they are both jointed to a link K7 which at its outer end
is also jointed to the frame of the instruinent.
When the telephone bar is down as shown in Figure 40 the switch lever is also
down and in this position its contact is in connection with contact K only-thus
closing the circuit at this point of the circuit through the battery of the counter
proper.
When on the other hand the telephone bar rises to its uppermost position the
switch lever rises also quitting contact K and closing with contact K3 which is in
the telephonic circuit and also contact K³ which is in a shunt around the electro-

page_text: magnet of the special reversal apparatus. In this way as will hereinafter be more
clearly seen I cut out of the telephonic circuit all material resistance in the shape
of electro magnets etc., save only in the two wire system the polarized magnet of
the recipients connecting box and in the one wire system the polarized magnets of
the connecting boxes of both the sender and the recipient-the resistance of which
at the most is inconsiderable.
The special reversal mechanism shown in Figures 50 50 50 is used only in the
two wire system, in the one wire system it is dispensed with.
The electro magnet of this reversal mechanism is in the circuit of the receiving
wire only of the counter-that is to say it connects with the receiving contact 7.
Consequently when the counter is used for sending-in which event the contact (
is closed, upon sending contact 5 the electro magnet of the special reversal
mechanism of the sending counter is ipso facto cut out. It is only the electro magnet
of the reversal mechanism which is contained in the recipients counter therefore
that remains in the circuit established between sender and received.
The moment the recipient in answer to the call takes up his telephone the
telephone bar of his counter rises lifting the switch lever of that counter into
connection with the shunt contact K³ and the telephonic contact K thus cutting
out the magnet of the reversal mechanism of his counter and at the same time
completing his telephonic circuit.
The reversal mechanism consists primarily as shown in Figure 50B of four pairs
of insulated contacts 9, 10, 11 and 12 the movable members of which are attached
to and move with an intermediate lever L' the handle end of which projects out
through the right hand end of the counter case as seen in Figure 39. This lever
is upwardly pulled by a spring L to close upon the upper contacts 9, 10 which
correspond to the direct contacts 1 and 15 of the senders counter and this is the
normal position of the parts when the circuit is established between sender and
receiver and while communication is being carried on. The circuit under these
conditions is represented in Figure 64. When communication is ended and the
distal circuit is to be broken it is the duty of the recipient after hanging up his
telephone to depress the lever L, breaking contact with the upper contacts 9, 10
and closing upon the lower contacts 11 and 12 which correspond to and act in
conjunction with the reversal contacts 2, 25 of the senders counter. The effect of
this is first to interrupt the circuit and then through the contacts 11, 12 to throw
upon the line a reverse current as seen in Figure 65-the result being that the
break causes the bar of the senders counter to drop from its first or uppermost to
its second or intermediate position, and the subsequent closure of the lever contacts
upon the reversal contact 11 12 immediately following the break throws upon the
line the reversal of current needed to allow the bar to drop from its second to its
third or normal position of inactivity.
It may be however that the recipient after hanging up his telephone will fail to
depress the reversal lever L. This fact will be indicated to the sender by an
indicator stud or finger M which is attached to bar j and projects to the front
through a vertical slot in the dial of the counter along which are marked the
positions respectively assumed by the indicator when the bar is in its successive
three positions as seen in Figure 39.
Should the recipient fail to depress the reversal lever the senders indicator will
romain at the uppermost or first position. In order therefore to enable the sender
under these conditions to himself operate the contacts of the recipients special
reversal mechanism each special reversal mechanism is provided with an electro
magnot N which is in the distal circuit and is the magnet herein before referred to
as being cut out by the shunt contact K³. This magnet has a spring retracted
armature lever N to which is jointed a longitudinally sliding frame or bar N³
carrying an actuating pawl N which engages a ratchet wheel N mounted on an
arbor N and held normally in the position shown in Figure 50 by a spring No
connected to it by an eccentrically pivoted link. A stop pawl hinged to the
frame is provided to hold the ratchet wheel in the position to which it may be

page_text: moved by the actuating pawl X³ which by the vibration of the armature has
imparted to it a reciprocating movement. The arbor of the ratchet wheel has upon
it a crank arm N° Fig. 50 which when the ratchet wheel has revolved far enough
will bear down upon and depress the reversal lever L. In order to effect this
result the crank arm is so placed that the ratchet wheel must revolve beyond its
dead centre or more than a half revolution before said arm reaches the reversal
lever. As soon as the ratchet wheel passes its dead centre it is at once caused to
complete the full revolution by the pull of its link and spring and in so moving it
rides over the pawls and causes the crank arm to wipe over and momentarily depress
the reversal lever.
The vibration of the armature is effected by the manual interrupter 11 of the
sender's counter. The sender reciprocates this rod and thus makes and breaks
contact at with the effect of interrupting the distal circuit consequently
vibrating the armature lever N of the recipients counter and actuating the ratchet
until the crank arm of the latter depresses the reversal lever and causes a break of
the circuit with a subsequent reversal of current a fact which will be announced to
the sender by the fall of the indicator M of his counter to its normal position of
rest.
In order that the ratchet may be always in normal position at the time the
recipient communicates with the sender the adjusting rod K herein before referred
to is employed. This rod extends down past the stopping and actuating pawls of
the ratchet N and is provided with lugs K which come under the tails of the said
pawls as seen in Figure 50 where this adjusting rod is shown in the position it
occupies when the telephone bar is down. When the telephone bar rises it pulls
up through the agency of the switch lever the adjusting rod K and the latter is
consequently caused to disengage the pawls from the ratchet which latter as soon
as released at once returns to its normal position if it be not already in that
position.
The call hell shown in Figure 39 in the lowest part of the counter case is in a
local circuit (as will hereinafter appear) which is active only when the counter of
that call bell is in condition for receiving.
In case each subscriber or user had his own individual connecting box as well as
counter, the isolator hereinbefore referred to is unnecessary. But it may be desirable
at times on the score of economy and for other reasons that a number of subscribers
shall make use of the same connecting box or in other words that there shall be but
one connecting box for a number of subscribers or users. In this event it becomes
necessary to provide means by which the subscriber who desires to communicato
shall be able to hold the connecting box until he is through without being interfered
with by the other subscribers who have the connecting box in common with himself.
It is to this end that the isolator has been devised which as its name implies is
intended to isolate the counter of the subscriber who has once gained access to the
connecting box from the other counters which may also be in the system to which
that box is common.
This instrument which is a simple appliance consisting of a number of stationar
insulated rim contacts in combination with a revolving brush which contacts
successively with each rim contact is shown in Figures 54 and 55.
The sending wire of each of the counters of the system is connected to one of
these rim contacts.
It is a shallow box of any suitable material containing individually insulated rim
contacts P equal in number to the counters which are to have the single connecting
box in common. Over these contacts is a contact brush P¹ fixed to and moving
with an upright shaft 12 to which rotary movement is imparted by a worm shaft pa
that engages a worm wheel Pt on said shaft. The brush is electrically connected
to its shaft and the shaft in turn is electrically connected by a wire P5 (Figure 55)
to the binding screw by which the circuit enters the connecting box the said
connecting box being shown by dotted lines in Figures 54 and 55.
The main worm driving shaft A5 of the connecting box is shown in full lines in

page_text: these figures the worm shaft of the isolator is axially in line with the said driving
shaft of the connecting box and is driven by it. The connection between the two
shafts is effected by a clutch Pe of suitable construction which is connected with
and operated by the rod H¹ of the connecting box herein before described by
reference to Figure 3.
This rod when the connerting box is inactive is pushed out as has hereinbefore
been explained and when so pushed out it causes the two parts of the cluich 16
to engage and thus the worm shaft of the isolator is driven by the like shaft of the
connecting box. As the connecting box shaft is power driven and is normally in
continuous revolution, it follows that the contact brush 1" of the isolator is also in
continuous revolution so long as the connecting box is inactive and consequently
the rod H is pushed out.
If under these conditions any one of the subscribers of the system desires to
communicate or to establish circuit through the connecting box he turns on the
battery of his counter. After this has been done by him then just as soon as
the brush in its movement reaches that rim contact with which the battery of the
counter of the subscriber is connected circuit will be established from said battery
through the brush and its shaft and connections to and through the connecting box
with the effect as herein before explained of releasing the escapement of the con-
necting box allowing it to spring forward into gear with the circuiting wheel and
at the same time pulling inward the rod thus disengaging the two worm shafts and
bringing the isolator brush to a standstill over the rim contact of the subscriber.
The circuit is then established and the subscriber can hold it to the exclusion of
others until he is through after which the rod will be again pushed out the brush
will again revolve and the isolator will be ready for the next subscriber who may
wish to use the connecting box.
The foregoing form of isolator is simple and efficient and is the one which is
preferred to use. Manifestly however the construction and arrangement of it may
be widely varied by the skilled electrician. What is essential being that when one
subscriber has established communication with the connecting box other subscribers
of that system shall not be able to interfere therewith.
Recurring for a moment to Figure 39 there will be seen at the top a galvanometer
which in practice is included in the line between the twisting magnet L and the
ground of the counter. This affords a convenient means for ascertaining the nature
and condition of the current on the line.
To the right of the galvanometer in Figure 39 is seen a small knob 8. This knob
is attached to a lever shown in rear elevation in Figure 46 the end of which extends
down under one end of the armature and is intended to influence that armature
manually in the same direction as the latter is influenced electrically by its
magnet. This manual lever is a convenient means by which upon failure to reach
a distant subscriber the sender can by manipulating it bring back the bar j etc. of
his counter to normal position.
The system in its simplest skeleton form absolutely divested of all detail is
represented in Figure 62. Two subscriber's stations are represented each provided
with a counter and connecting box and with each counter two wires are employed
one for receiving and one for sending the sending wire of the sender being connected
through his own connecting box directly with the receiving wire of the recipient as
indicated by the figure in which the connecting box of subscriber No. 1 is repre-
sented by the dotted line as connected with that branch of the nodus of the receiving
wire of the counter of subscriber No. 2 which has its terminal or rim contact in the
connecting box of subscriber No. 1.
The circuit thus established is as follows:-
Starting at "ground" of subscriber No. 1 it passes up to and down through this
subscriber's counter. to his battery which it enters say from the zinc side thence up
again through the same counter out of the sending wire to connecting box 1 thence
by dotted line to receiving wire of subscriber No. 2 down through counter 2 to the

page_text: zinc end of the battery of that counter (which is thus in series with the battery of
counter 1) thence up again through counter 2 to the ground wire of the latter and
from that ground back to the ground of subscriber 1. The wiring of the connecting
boxes in his two wire system is shown in Figure 63 and has already been
explained.
Having indiented in a general way the organization of the system a more
particular description of the circuit connections will be given by reference to
Figures 6 and 65 which represent more in detail the same general system as that
outlined in Figure 62. In these figures the wiring of the two counters and con-
necting boxes is clearly shown and includes not only the wiring for the establishment
of the distal circuit but also the circuit connections whereby the telephonic circuit
may afterwards he established by lifting the telephone bars of the two counters as
already explained. In these figures the local circuit for the bell or sounder of each
counter is also shewn. This however is a mere detail which forms no essential part
of this invention and is simply an accessory of the same general kind as is used in
other systems of electrical communication.
Figure 64 shows the various parts in the position which they assume after the
distal circuit has been made and before the telephonic circuit has subsequently
been established.
Figure 65 shows the same parts in the position which they assume when (for the
purpose of restoring the circuit connections etc. to their normal position of rest or
inactivity) a reversal of the current following a break has been established in the
distal circuit.
Referring now to Figure 64 counter 1 is the sending counter which by the
manipulation of the sender in the manner herein before indicated has been brought
to the condition shown diagrammatically in this figure with the effect of being
thrown into communication with the receiving wire of counter No. 2 through con-
necting box 1. Counter 2 and connecting box 2 remain in their normal position of
rest the ground contacts 23 in connecting box 1 are separated thus breaking the
proximal circuit by whose controlling agency connecting box 1 has been brought
into communication with the receiving wire of counter 2.
Under these conditions the circuit is as follows, starting from the carbon end of
battery 1 the arrows indicating the direction of current.
From battery 1 to contacts to direct contacts 1 to contacts 18 to contacts K³ K'
and switch lever (represented diagrammatically as part of the telephone bar) to
contacts 5, 6 out from counter 1 to connecting box 1 through polarized magnet D³
and circuiting needle and appropriate rim contact to line and receiving wire of
counter 2. In this counter it pusses successively through magnet N of the special
reversal mechanism to receiving contacts 6, 7 to contacts K', K and switch lever
to contacts 3 to contacts 10 to zine of battery 2 from carbon of said battery to
contacts 9 to contacte 4 through twisting magnet l out from counter 2 to ground 2
thence to ground 1 and thence again to counter J. where it passes successively
through twisting magnet direct contacts 15 contacts 10 back to zinc end of
battery 1.
The distal circuit thus established can be used for any desired purpose. Inter-
ruptions occasioned in it will have no effect if the current guard or a device similar
to it be employed to lock the bar j in its uppermost or first position so long as the
circuit is to be maintained.
The current guard may indeed be thus operated manually by the sender through
the intermediary of the pull rod I, which can be so arranged as to be locked' in its
pulled down position. But,in using this invention for any purpose as little as possible
is left to the discretion or voluntary action of the subscriber and to this end in
using the said invention to establish telephonic communication for example,, as
represented in the drawing, the "current guard" so called is connected to the part
(in this instance the tolephone bar) which establishes the telephone circuit, so that
when the subscriber takes off his telephone, and the bar consequently rises the

page_text: "
current guard" will thereby be automatically brought into position to maintain
the bar in its first or uppermost position notwithstanding the cutting out of the
twisting magnet due to the establishment of the telephonic circuit.
The completed telephonic circuit course is not shewn but can readily be followed
in Figure 64, assuming the telephone bars of the sender and receiver, and con-
sequently the switch levers K to be lifted so as to bring K into connection with K*
and K³ and it may be traced, under this assumption, as follows:-
From ground 1 to microphone coil of the telephone of counter 1, through said
coil and the telephone to contacts K, K, and switch lever, to contacts 5, 6 out
from counter 1 to and through connecting box 1. to lino and receiving wire of
counter 2 to contacts K³, K., K to and through the telephone and thence through
the microphone coil thence out from counter 2 to ground 2 and thence hack to
ground 1. In this telephonic circuit all magnets of both sets of instruments are eut
out save the polarized magnet D³ of connecting box 1.
The local call bell circuit of each counter can readily be seen.
It includes 2 pairs
of contacts 13, 14, the moveable ones of which are carried by the bar these
contacts being closed when the bar is in its normal third or lowermost position. as
in counter 2 of Figure 64. When the bar j. is raised above that position the
contacts 13, 14, are separated as seen in counter 1. The circuit is from one
pole of bell battery through bell magnet, contacts 13, 14, to other pole of bell
battery.
A contact is connected to the armature lever l'of the twisting magnet 7 in such
position as to close a break in the bell circuit when the said lever is attracted by its
magnet; at other times than the one just mentioned, the break referred to is
unclosed. This means for putting the bell battery on and off has not however
been considered necessary to show as it is an expedient known in other systems,
and forms no essential part of this invention.
If now, after telephonic communication has ceased, and the telephones are hung
up, it is desired to return all parts of the two subscribers instruments to their
normal position of rest and to permanently interrupt the distal circuit, the reversal
lever of the special reversing mechanism of counter 2 is depressed, either by the
manual act of the recipient, or in failure of that, by the act of the sender himself
through the electrically operated or controlled devices connected with the said
lever, as already has been set forth.
The effect of this act is to make a break in distal circuit, followed at once by
re-establishment of that circuit-the bar j.of the senders counter(counter 1) dropping
to its second or intermediate position, so as to open the direct contacts 1, 15 and
close the reversal contacts 2, 25. The parts thus positioned are represented in
Figure 65, with the contacts 11, 12 of the receivers special reversing mechanian
closed. The circuit under these conditions is as follows:-
From carbon of battery 1 into counter 1, to contacts 9, to contacts 25, through
twisting magnet 7 out from counter 1 to ground 1, to ground 2 into counter 2,
through twisting magnet to contacts 4, to contacts 12 to zine of battery 2 from
carbon of battery 2 to contacts 11 to contacts 3, to contacts K' K and switch lever
to contacts 6, 7, through reversal magnet N, out from counter 2 to line and thence
to connecting box 1 through polarized magnet ³ (in a direction reverse to that in
which it before traversed said magnet) out from connecting box 1 into counter 1
to contacts 5, 6 to switch lever and contacts K K' to contacts 718 to con-
tacts 2, to contacts 10 to zinc of battery 1.
Thus immediately upon the re-establishment of the circuit due to the depression
of the lever of the special reversal mechanism of the recipient, a current is
thrown upon the circuit momentarily which by energizing the twisting magnet
of the senders counter causes the precipitation of the bar j of this counter to its
normal position of rest and at the same time by imparting a reverse polarity to
the magnet D³ of the polarized detent mechanism of connecting box 1 releases
the returning plunger D of that box with the effect of causing the return of all of

page_text: the connecting box mechanism to the normal position of rest, and permanently
interrupting the distal circuit between the two stations.
In Figure 60 (Sheet 24) I have represented an extension of the systemi,
involving the employment of a single connecting box common to a number of
subscribers in conjunction with an isolator. There are four subscribers counters
shown the sending wire of each counter is lettered" and the recoiving wire "r."
Each sending wire is connected as shewn directly to its appropriate rim contact
of the isolator and each receiving wire is connected directly in its appropriate rim
contact of the connecting box. In the figure counter 2 is supposed to have
established distal circuit with counter 4 to the exclusion of possible interruption
by any of the other counters. The circuit is from carbon of No. 2 battery
through counter 2, out by its sending wire to No. 2 contact of the isolator, thence
to and through the connecting box to the rim contact of the receiving wire of
counter 4, by this receiving wire to through and out from counter to the zinc of
the battery of that counter, from the carbon of said battery, back to, through
and out from counter 4 to ground 4 to ground 2 to and through counter 2 to zine of
the carbon of battery 2. The construction of the instruments comprised in this
system and their mode of operation have already been described and need not
be repeated.
In the system represented in Figure 60 the counters 2, 3, 4 are typical of a
number of subscribers counters located in proximity, say in a country neighbour-
hood which can intercommunicate between themselves, and also may communicate
with a counter 1 located at a point miles away, as for example at a country seat.
The system illustrated in the figure contemplates the employment of two wires,
sending and receiving for each counter.
In some instances however it may be found desirable or convenient to provide the
country neighbourhood counters with one wire only for both receiving and
sending the country seat counter still retaining its two wires. Such a modification
of the system is represented in Figures 58 and 59. But in order to comprehend
the same, it will be necessary to first explain the modifications in the wiring of
the counter &c. made necessary by a one wire system of intercommunication.
This explanation can best be made by reference to Figures 50 and 57 which
represent two stations similar to those in Figures 64 and 65 save that one wire
only is employed for receiving and sending. That is to say, the connection
between each subscribers counter and the connecting box pertaining to that counter
is made by a single wire; as between two different connecting boxes the connections
remain the same as heretofore described, viz. each rim contact wire of any one
box, leads to the particular branch of the nodus, of that other box with which it
may be designed to communicate. It will be understood therefore that by the term
one wire system I intend only a system in which the counter and its connecting
box are connected by one and the same wire for both sending and receiving. In
this one wire system, cach counter has a system of contacts which differ somewhat
from the system of contacts employed for the two wire system. The differences can
best be noted by comparison of counter 1 in Figure 56 with counter 1 in Figure 64.
Similar letters of reference in these two counters designate similar contacts and
other parts. The two counters have in common the contacts 1. 15. 2 25. 4 718 Kª
KK and 14.
From the single wire system counter (Figure 56) are omitted,
1st. The contacts 5. 6. 7. of Figure 64 the place of which is taken by the
connecting box contacts 16. 17. 18. 19. (Figures 56 and 34) which are lacking in
the double wire system connecting box (Figure 64).
2nd. The contacts 3 and K³.
3rd. The contacts 9. 10. 11. 12. of the special reversal mechanism and indeed the
whole of that reversal mechanism, the place of which is taken by the reversal
contacts 2. 25. which in themselves suffice to produce the reversal which under this
invention must follow a break in the distal circuit.

page_text: The contacts contained in the single wire system counter and connecting box
(Figures 34. 56) and not found in the double wire system counter and connecting
box (Figures 63. 64) are,
1st. The contacts 8. These contacts are operated from the telephone bar by the
means illustrated in Figures 40, 41 and, as already explained act when the
telephone bar drops, to first break and then make the distal circuit for the purpose
of precipitating the bar j to second position by the break and then by the make to
permit to be thrown on the circuit the reversal needed to precipitate the bar from
second to third or normal position.
+
2nd. The contacts 20. 21. 22. In order that the function of these contacts may
be appreciated properly, it should be stated that in the single wire system the
connecting boxes of both the recipient and the sender are included in the distal
circuit (whereas in the two wire system, the senders box only is in the said circuit).
In the senders the ground contacts 23 are always broken when the distal circuit is
established because with this circuit completed the returning plunger is held
outwardly in position to separate the said contacts as hereinbefore explained. In
the receivers box on the contrary the parts are in their normal position of rest
in which position the contacts 23 are closed; consequently as the distal current
enters the recipient's box and passes to the branched binding screw from which
connection is made with the recipient's counter it will, unless restrained, seek thre
shortest path or paths of least resistance and consequently in great measure, if noʻ
entirely, will pass through the receivers counting magnet C to "central ground
instead of going to the counter. It becomes necessary therefore to provide meana
for breaking the central ground of the recipients box and such means are afforded
by the contacts 20. 21. as will be understood by reference to Figure 34, in which
the recipients box is in normal position of inactivity or rest with central ground
contacts 23 closed and the receiving contacts 18. 19. also closed, contacts 20, 22
open and contacts 21 closed. If under these conditions the distal circuit be
established the current entering the box in direction of the arrow will first of all
pass through contacts 19 thence to and through polarized magnet D³ and thence to
central ground through contacts 21. 23. thus establishing a circuit through polarized
magnet D. This energized magnet immediately pulls its armature frame in a
direction to open contacts 21. and to close contacts 20. The central ground
connection being thus broken at 21 the circuit then will be from contacts 19, to and
through polarized magnet 1 to contacts 18, to contacts 20, to fixed contact 22 and
thence out from connecting box to counter. In this arrangement of wiring the
counting magnet C is connected to central ground contacts 23 not directly as it is
in the double wire system box, but indirectly through the contacts 21.
Again suppose the connecting box is the sender's instead of the receiver's then
the sender's current enters the box in the direction of arrow y through the counting
magnet, operates the circuiting needle etc. as already explained. The circuit at this
time is through the counting magnet C to contacts 21 to contacts 23 to "central
ground." As soon as the circuiting needle has completed the distal circuit the
returning plunger D by its outward movement breaks the ground contacts 23, and
simultaneously closes contacts 22, while the lever H has shifted so as to open
contacts 18 19 & to close contacts 16. 17. Under these changed conditions
(which it has not been decined necessary to represent graphically) the counting
magnet C will be cut out by the breaking of its ground and the circuit will be from
binding screw at arrow y to closed contacts 22 to the moveable one of contacts 20 to
contacts 17 to and through polarized magnet D³ to contacts 16 and out to line.
Magnet D when thus energized pulls its armature frame in a direction to open
contacts 21 and to close contacts 20 but his however has no electrical effect
whatever upon the circuit. The separable contacts 22 like contacts 20. 21 serve to
guard against a ground which might at times otherwise be made with the possible
Sffect of short circuiting or cutting out the counter.
Having described the wiring of the connecting box for its one wire connection
with the counter-the system illustrated in Figures 56, 57 in which two counters eto,

page_text: are represented as connected in system under the one wire plan will now be
described. In Figure 56 it is supposed that the distal circuit between counter 1 and
counter 2 has been established. The circuit is as follows.
From carbon of battery 1 to contacts 8 to contacts 1. to contacts 218 to contacts K¹K*
and switch lever out from counter 1 to connecting box 1 to contacts 22 to contacts
20 to contacts 17 to and through polarized magnet D³ to contacts 16 out from
connecting box 1 by the appropriate rim contact to the nodus of connecting box 2
which latter it then enters passing to contacts 19 through polarized magnet Ds to
contacts 18 to contacts 20 through contacts 22 out from connecting box 2 to counter 2
in which it passes successively to switch lever and contacts K K contacts 4 twisting
magnet Z out from counter 2 to ground 2 to ground 1 entering counter 1 in which it
passes successively to twisting magnet to contacts 15 lo zine of battery 1.
It will be noted that in this arrangement of circuit wire only the battery of the
sender is used the recipients battery is cut out.
With the distal circuit thus completed the telephonic circuit can be established
precisely as described with reference to Figure 64.
In Figure 57 it is supposed that communication between the two stations has
ceased and that the telephones have again been hung up. The sender by hanging
up his telephone has depressed his telephone bar thus actuating the contacts S to
first break and then remake the circuit. The bar of counter 1 at the break drops
from 1st position (Figure 56) to 2nd position (Figure 57) with the effect of throwing
the required reversal upon the circuit. The diagram (Figure 57) represents the
circuit as it is at the time the reversal is thrown over it and may be traced as
follows:-
From carbon of battery 1 to contacts 8, to contacts 25 to twisting magnet / out
from counter 1 to ground 1 to ground 2 to counter 2 in which it passes successively
to twisting magnet 7 contacts 4 contacts K and switch lever to connecting box 2
in which it passes through the same made contacts as in Figure 56 but in an
opposite direction so as to impart reverse polarity to the polarized magnet D³ (thus
bringing the armature frame of that magnet back to normal position and restoring
the "central ground ") out from connecting box 2 to connecting box 1 in which it
passes through the same system of made contacts as in Figure 56 but in the opposite
direction thus restoring the parts of this box to normal position out from connecting
box 1 to counter 1 in which it passes successively to switch lever and contacts K K³
to contacts 18 to contacts 2 to zinc of battery 1. By this momentary reversal the
senders twisting magnet acts to permit the drop of bar j to normal or third position
as already explained.
Figures 56 and 57 represent counters and connecting boxes which are designed
to be used in a telephonic or telegraphic exchange system in which each subscriber
has his own counter and connecting box. But in cases where subscribers are
content to use a connecting box common to all then this box may be wired as
described for the double wire system whether the counters themselves are one wire
or two wire.
A mixed single and double system organized on this plan is represented in
Figures 58 and 59.
The system embraces a connecting box and isolator common to all the counters
and four counters. Of these counters counter 1 which is supposed to be located at
the county seat far distant from the other counters is a two wire counter which
contains not only the contacts and other mechanism shown in the two wire counter
in Figure 64 but also the contacts 8 of Figure 56 and mechanism for operating the
same: it contains in fact all of the parts which have been herein before described
as pertaining to the counter. Counters 2, 3 and 4 typical of a group of stations or
subscribers in a country neighbourhood are single wire counters similar to those in
Figure 56 in all respects. The wiring of the connecting box is similar to that
represented in Figure 63.
Each counter 2, 3, 4 is connected on the one hand to ground and on the other
band by a branched wire to the connecting box and isolator one branch going direct

page_text: to the appropriate rim contact of the connecting box and the other branch going to
the appropriate rim contact in the isolator.
Counter has its ground connection on the one hand and on the other it has
instead of a branch wire two separate wires one leading to the connecting box and
the other to the isolator.
In Figure 58 counter 2 is supposed to be in communication with counter 4. The
circuit as seen is from counter 2 to isolator through rim contact 2 of the latter to
connecting box and out through rim contact 4 of the latter to branch wire of
counter 4 to ground 4 to ground 2 and thence back to counter 2. Such is the
circuit for what may be termed neighbourhood communication and this circuit
includes only one battery riz. the battery of the sender as contemplated by the
one wire system. But for long distance communication as for example between
any one of the distant counters with the county seat counter additional battery
power will be needed. Provision to meet this need is indicated in Figure 59 in
which counter 1 and counter 2 are supposed to be in communication the circuit
connections being such that the circuit includes not only the battery of No. 2 but
the more powerful battery of No. 1 also.
The circuit in Figure 59 is as follows:
From counter 2 to isolator by rim contact 2 thence to connecting box and out by
rim contact 1 to counter 1 by receiving wire through battery 1 of this counter
up again to counter and out to ground 1, to ground 2 and back to counter 2.
In this way the two batteries of No. 1 and No. 2 are in series. When, No. 1
is the sender it will be sufficient for him simply to hang up his telephone because
thereby the contacts 8 will occasion the break and make needed to return the
parts of all the instruments that were in the circuit to normal position. But when
counter No. 1 is the recipient then in addition to hanging up his telephone he
must also depress the lever handle of his special reversing mechanism, in order
to throw his own battery on the circuit also in reverse and in support of the
more feeble battery of No. 2.
It is quite feasible to make both the connecting boxes and the counters
(whether under the single or double wire system) with two or three hundred
subdivisions and rim contacts wtihout having the instruments unduly large, or
without multiplying unduly the connecting wires. So that in case the subscribers
to the system in any one place do not exceed that number each subscriber can
have his individual counter and connecting box-and his connecting box can be
connected directly to the individual connecting boxes of the other subscribers
as contemplated in Figures 62 and 64, or the individual subscribers may be
divided into groups, each of which has a common connecting box as in
Figures 58 to 60, in which event each group connecting box, would bo connected
to all the other connecting boxes of the other groups.
Beyond this number, however, it becomes necessary to devise some other system
of connection between the individual members of the system still of course retaining
the connecting boxes and counters in accordance with this invention such a systém
of connection is diagrammatically represented in Figure 61.
In the system represented in this figure, there are supposed to be four hundred
individual subscribers, each having his individual counter and connecting box. These
subscribers are divided into two groups, represented by case 1 and case 2, each
of which have the shape of a hollow square (one face only of which is shown)
containing two hundred connecting boxes. In connection with each group of
individual connecting boxes, is a second box of precisely the same kind which
however is termed a communicating box, in order to distinguish it from the
individual connecting boxes and with each communicating box may be used an
isolator as represented. One contact of cach connecting box of one group is
connected to its appropriate rim contact of the isolator of the other group, this
connecting wire being a sending wire markeds in the drawing, the remaining 199
contacts of this connecting box are connected each to its appropriate branch of the

page_text: nodus or terminal of the appropriate subscriber of the same group (these latter
connections have already been explained and are not here represented).
From the appropriate rim contact of each communicating box, leads a receiving
wire (letter) to each connecting box (if single wire organization) or counter (if
double wire organization) of the group to which said communicating box pertains.
Under this system the subscribers of each group can communicate with each
other in the manner herein before explained. Communication between subscribers
of different groups is however made through the communicating boxes and the
manner in which such communication is establishedcan best be explained by reference
to the figure in which it is supposed that subscriber 4 of case 1 is sending to
subscriber 7 of case 2, and that simultaneously subscriber 5 of case 2 is sending to
subscriber 3 of case 1. The normal position of inactivity or rest of the communicating
boxes and their isolators is precisely that of individual isolators and connecting
boxes.
Assuming therefore all parts of the system to be in this normal position, when
subscriber 4 of case 1 desires to communicate with subscriber 7 of case 2,
subscriber first counts upon his own individual connecting box a number (say 2)
sufficient to bring the circuiting needle of his connecting box over and down upon
the rim contact which is connected to the isolator of communicating box 2. When
this is done the central ground of this connecting box is broken, and its counting
magnet is cut out, and the circuit which now is what is called the communicating
circuit is completed through the counting magnet of communicating box 2 and
its central ground. Subscriber of case 1 now counts a second time, in this
instance counting seven, so as to bring the circuiting needle of the communicating
box over and down upon the rim contact appropriate to subscriber 7 of case 2.
When this is done the circuit which now becomes what is termed the distal circuit
is completed to subscriber through his receiving wire r.
Thus in this system, the subscriber when wishing to communicate with any
subscriber of the other group makes two counts, the first brings his own connecting
box into circuit with the desired communicating box, and the second count prolongs
that circuit from the communicating box to the individual subscriber of the group
served by that communicating box. Manifestly this system may be extended
further, that is to say the communicating boxes in Figure 61, may he considered as
primary, and these communicating boxes in turn may be connected up in system
with secondary communicating boxes, precisely as the individual connecting boxes are
represented as connected in system with the primary communicating boxes and so on,
it being feasible in this way to comprise in one system many thousand subscribers.
With the primary communicating boxes only, the subscriber is required to make
two counts, with secondary communicating boxes added to the system, he must make
three counts, and so on.
In a system involving three counts by the individual subscriber it is entirely
practicable to include thirty thousand subscribers.
In considering the system represented in Figure G1 it has been assumed that the
connecting boxes assembled is casos 1 and 2 are individual connecting boxes, but
each of these connecting boxes can just as well be a box common to a group of
subscribers as hereinbefore described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1st. In a system of electrical intercommunication, the combination of connecting
boxes, counters, a polarized device controlling the returning mechanism of the
connecting box and circuit connections, substantially as herein before described,
whereby when a circuit has once been established between a sender and receiver
a subsequent break in that circuit followed by a re-establishment of the same shall
have the effect of throwing thereon a current the reverse of that which was upon

page_text: the said circuit before it was broken and re-established, substantially as and for the
purposes herein before set forth.
2nd. In a system of electrical intercommunication the combination of connecting
boxes, counters, polarized devices controlling the returning mechanism of the
connecting boxes, circuit breaking devices, automatic circuit restoring and reversing
devices, and circuit connections substantially as described, wheroby when a circuit
has once been established between a sender and receiver, a subsequent break in that
circuit shall cause the same to be automatically and momentarily established with
the current passing thereon in a direction the reverse of that in which it passed
before the circuit was broken, substantially as and for the purposes herein before
set forth.
3rd. The combination in the connecting box, with a series of rim or stationary
contacts, a circuiting needle or bar, and mechanism for bringing said circuiting bar
by a step by step movement over any selected one of said rim contacts, of a
cam wheel or plate which is stationary or idle during the said movement by which'
the said har is brought over its selected contact, but which, after the circuiting
needle has been brought to this position, is caused, for the purpose of depressing
the har upon its contact, to move always in one and the same direction and
invariably to the same extent without reference to variations in the selected' position'
of the said bar, and mechanism for imparting the said movement to the said cam
plate substantially as and for the purposes herein before set forth.
4th. The combination of the circuiting needle and the mechanism for actuating
the same, the cam plate, the mechanism for actuating the same, and the clutch for
intermittently connecting the said cam plate and its actuating mechanism, the
starting and stopping plungers, and the cam box, substantially as and for the
purposes herein before set forth.
5th. The combination of the interrupting wheel of the counter or other device
for interrupting an electric circuit the counting magnet, its armature, the circuiting
needle and mechanism for actuating the same, the cam plate starting and stopping
plungers, the polarized magnot and vibrating frame controlled by the same, circuit
connections substantially as described for the said counting magnet and polarized
magnets and contacts included therein, whereby after the interrupting wheel has
ceased to act and a circuit through the polarized magnet is established, the circuit
through the counting magnet is thereby broken substantially as and for the purposes
herein before set forth.
6th. The combination with a number of counters, and' a connecting box common
to all of the said counters, of an intermediate isolator electrically connected with
each individual counter and with the branch circuit wires leading respectively,
through the counting magnet and polarized magnet of the connecting box,
substantially as and for the purposes herein before set forth.
7th. The combination of the rim contacts and spring impelled circuiting wheel,
the counting magnet and its armature,and the starting plunger, of the spring pressed
escapement normally out of gear with the circuiting wheel, and mechanism actuated
from the armature of the counting magnet to release the said escapement and allow
it to spring into gear with the circuiting wheel at the times and in the manner
substantially as herein before set forth.
Sth. In an electrical system of intercommunication, the combination of a device
for interrupting an electrical circuit, the rim contacts and spring impelled circuiting
wheel, and contact needle thereto atfached, and the mechanism for actuating the
same, the clutch for intermittently connecting the cam plate and its actuating
nechanism, the counting magnet and its armature. the stopping and starting
plungers, the spring pressed escapement normally out of gear with the
circuiting wheel, and mechanism operated from the armature of the counting
magnet to release the said escapement and allow it to spring into gear with the
circuiting wheel at the time and in the manner substantially as herein before set
forth.
Ninth. The combination in a system of electrical intercommunication of counters

page_text: and connecting boxes, at different stations, each counter having a telephone bar and
appliances connected with it, and circuit connections and contacts therein, substan-
tially as described, whereby when a circuit between any two distant stations has
been established the subsequent lifting of the telephone bar, for the purpose of
telephonic communication, shall have the effect of cutting out the resistance of the
connecting boxes and counters through which communication was established (save
the polarized magnet of one or both of the connecting boxes) without disturbing
the telephonic circuit, substantially as and for the purposes herein before set
forth.