An Improved Automatic Time Meter for Telephonic Conversations.
Year: 1897

page_text: An Improved Automatic Time Meter for Telephonic Conversations.
I, MARTIN BÜSL, of Thierschstrasse 2111, Munich, in the Empire of Germany,
Telegraph Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This apparatus is intended to be used for measuring the duration of time of
telephonic conversations especially over long distances, for which a considerable
sum has to be paid for a conversation of 3, 3-6 or 5, 5-10 minutes, and for
the purpose of showing the public that the sum to be paid is exactly in accord-
ance with the duration of the conversation. This apparatus also enables the
person speaking to converse in such a manner, that the conversation does not
last longer than it was his intention, so that he is not obliged to finish suddenly,
when he is reminded by a signal (bell, knock etc.) given by the telephone official
that the 3 or 5 minutes have passed, or so that he has not to pay a double sum
for continuing the uncompleted conversation on account of perhaps only a small
fraction. For instance for hotels, in which the telephone is at the disposal of
the guests, this apparatus would be a convenient time controller.
This apparatus serves for the office as a means for checking the counting of
the duration of telephonic conversations, as the beginning of the conversation
and the end of the same is indicated automatically by means of a dial train.
This apparatus is to be arranged in public places in such a manner that the
minute scale is visible both to the speaker and to the controlling official and
apparatus there should be inserted into the circuit both in the calling station and
in the exchange.
The measuring apparatus is inserted into the main circuit. In order to avoid
this controlling being put into operation in the local telephone service a short
circuit switch is arranged, over which switch the current passes for the local
service. If the apparatus is to be inserted into the current circuit for the purpose
of a telephonic conversation, the short circuit switch is turned aside, whereupon
the current must take its way through the controlling apparatus.
In order to avoid a special handle for disengaging and inserting the switch
the same is combined with a current permutator in such a manner, that by the
movement of this permutator it inserts automatically the controlling apparatus
into circuit.
The controlling apparatus consists essentially of a normal clock work with
balance escapement, which is arranged in a case and of an electrically operated
brake. At each of the two sides of this device is arranged a fixed plate or disk
which is provided at the upper part with concentric slots. Vertically over the
centre of these disks, there are fixed hands on the slots. Behind the disks there
are arranged on the shaft of the clock work dial plates with minute numbers.
This dial plate shaft is moved in such a manner by means of a corresponding
train that after each minute the following minute number appears and coincides
with the hand.
As soon as the short circuit switch is disengaged the signal current at the
beginning of the conversation goes through the electro magnet of the stopping

page_text: device whereby the armature of the same is attracted and a roller brake is lowered.
Hereby the clock work is freed and the time meter begins to count. In a similar
manner and by means of the closing signal current the stoppage of the clock
work is effected by means of the permutator.
A simple device allows also of bringing the dial plate back to its zero position.
Instead of the working current the automatic disengagement and stopping of
the time meter can also be effected by means of a local battery.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicant,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London.
An Improved Automatic Time Meter for Telephonic Conversations.
I, MARTIN BÖSL, of Thierschstrasse 2111, Munich, in the Empire of Germany,
Telegraph Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
--
This invention relates to an apparatus, suitable for use as an automatic time
meter for telephonic conversations.
For instance for hotels, in which the telephone is at the disposal of the guests,
this apparatus would be a convenient time controller.
This apparatus serves for offices as a means for checking the counting of the
duration of telephonic conversations, as the beginning of the conversation and
the end of the same are indicated automatically by means of a dial train.
This apparatus is to be arranged in public places in such a manner that the
minute scale is visible both to the speaker and to the controlling official and
the apparatus should be inserted in the circuit both in the calling station and in
the exchange.
This new time meter is shown in the annexed drawing in two views, Figs. 1
and 2.
G is the measuring apparatus, which, as shown in the diagram of Fig. 3, can
be inserted into the circuit wires of the telephone bell or as in Fig. 4 into the
main wire. In order to avoid in the latter case in the local telephone service
the controlling apparatus G being put into operation, there is arranged at this
place of the wire a short circuit switch h¹ over which the current passes for the
local service. If the apparatus G is to be inserted into the current circuit for
the purpose of a telephonic conversation, the short circuit switch h¹ is turned
aside whereupon the current must pass through the controlling apparatus.
The construction of the apparatus is as follows:-
On a correspondingly prolonged axle of the escapement clock work A there
is a rotary dial plate Z which moves behind a window a in the casing G. The
clock work is stopped and operated by the stopping and disengaging respectively
the escapement wheel s. For this purpose the pawl (lever h) is coupled with
the armature B of the twin electro magnets E¹ & E. By exciting the magnet E¹ the
lever his disengaged and the clock work freed by exciting the lever his
engaged and the clock work stopped. The permutator u serves for automatically
and alternately reversing the magnets. The same is operated by the cam ; of a
disk on the dial plate axle, which lifts and lowers the lever u when the dial plate
is turned. By means of a corresponding formation of the cam ; or by exchang-
ing the cam disk for another of different shape at pleasure the duration of time,

page_text: during which the circuit is to be closed through E¹ can be regulated at pleasure.
By means of a pressure pin i the clock work can also be adjusted by hand when
necessary.
The dial plate can be guided back into the zero position either by hand or
automatically in a mechanical or electrical manner by any well known mechanism.
Advantages of the apparatus.
a) The rotary dial plate.
1. The eye has a fixed point of observation and is not tired.
2. No sudden surprise of the persons speaking.
b) Disturbances in the apparatus are substantially excluded in consequence
of the simplicity of the mechanisms.
The apparatus is equally suitable for alternating current and direct current.
d) The possibility of inserting the apparatus in the alarm circuit and thus
absolute safety of the telephonic conversation, as the self induction of the electro
magnet coil has no influence on the speaking circuit.
e) Easy transport and fitting.
f) It operates in any position and temperature.
Small space required and small weight.
h) It can be turned at pleasure in any direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is:-
1. The improved automatic time meter, adapted to be inserted in bell circuit or
by means of a switch lever h into the main conduct.
2. A form of construction of the time meter as in Claim 1, having a round dial
plate arranged behind a window with a fixed hand thereon, this dial plate being
movable by the clock work, the clock work being disengaged and engaged by
means of a lever operated by the line current or by the current of a local
battery.
Dated this 14th day of March 1898.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicant,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London.