AN IMPROVED TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick John Cheesbrough of the Office for Patents
15 Water Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster Consulting Engineer
for an Invention of "AN IMPROVED TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT." A communi-
cation from abroad by William Anthony Shaw of Brooklyn in the County
of Kings, State of New York, United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick John Cheesbrough
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th February 1882.
"
FREDERICK JOHN CHEESBROUGH, of the Office for Patents, 15 Water Street,
Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Consulting Engineer, "AN IMPROVED
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT [A communication from abroad by William Anthony
Shaw of Brooklyn in the County of Kings, State of New York, United States
of America]
This Invention consists of a telegraph instrument composed of stationary
magnets, combined with a conductor having a vibrating section that is detached
and swings freely in the main circuit and in the field of the magnet without
breaking the circuit and which is combined with a sounding device and operated
by the action and reaction of a make and break current through tho said vibrating
section in the field of the magnets; and the said Invention consists also of an
electro magnet combined electrically with the said vibrating conductor and with a
local circuit for the purpose of intensifying and quickening the motion of the
sounding device.
The instrument has a base piece and three U shaped permanent magnets held
together upon the base piece by a bolt. There is a fixed conductor made of any
good conducting metal and set in the field of the magnets upon the base piece, to
which it is screwed. There is a yoke shaped frame set vertically over the magnets
and made to embrace them near their polar ends, the yoke being insulated from
the magnets by vulcanite, or otherwise. This yoke is bolted to the base piece and
is fitted with lugs to catch upon the ends of the magnets and draw them down upon
the base piece. There is an operating conductor suspended in the yoke by springs

page_text: or a joint, and making contact with the fixed conductor through a platinum brush
forming the lower extremity of the conductor. There is a bow fixed to the yoke
to carry an adjusting screw that reaches back through the operating conductor, or
pendulum, and terminating in a button between which and the pendulum a small
spiral spring is placed on the screw. This adjusting screw also carries an
adjustment on the opposite side of the operating conductor by which is regulated
the amount of the conductors motion. There are two electro magnets suspended
from a cross head carried by the pendulum, or operating conductor the cross
head being united to the pendulum by an adjustable connection by which the
lower ends of the magnets, or induction coils are brought to the right distance
from the poles of the magnet. These electro magnets are made and electrically
There are
connected the same in all respects as ordinary electro magnets.
binding posts and connecting wires by which the circuit is made with these
magnets, which it will be understood swing, or travel with the conductor, so
that in case they are in connection with the binding post the wires must be
long enough to admit of their free motion with the pendulum. There is a
sounding hammer, a sounding anvil and a sounding box by which the operation of
the instrument is noted.
The operation of the instrument is as follows: assuming the vibrating section to
be in the main circuit and the instrument to be operated by making and breaking
that circuit with an ordinary key, the positive and negative poles of the circuit
being arranged with reference to the poles of the magnet upon closing the circuit
the pendulum will be thrown forward against the sounder by the action and
reaction of the current in the magnetic field and back by its own gravity and its
spring, the force moving the instrument in this instance being the circuit through
the pendulum only. Now let the circuit through the electro magnets be closed,
then by making and breaking the current through the pendulum, the energy of the
instrument will be increased by the added electrical force in and upon the
pendulum and also by the attractive force of the inaguets upon the electro magnets.
Now let the circuit through the pendulum be broken and let the electro magnets
be placed in the main circuit and the instrument will then be operated by that
circuit alone acting and reacting upon the magnetic field. Now let the circuit
through the pendulum be made a closed local circuit, then by making and breaking
through the main circuit in which in this case the electro magnets are placed, the
action of the instrument will be quickened and intensified by the added force of
the local circuit as before.
In the several modes of operation just described the pendulum, or operating
conductor is moved in one direction by the action and reaction of a current and
in the opposite direction by the action, or reaction of its own gravity and a spring,
but it may be operated, and this is a part of the inventors purpose, by changing
the polarity of the circuits by means of a key adapted to that end.
It has been stated that there are three magnets, which are piled one on the
other, but neither this arrangement, nor the number of magnets is necessary to the
successful operation of the instrument. The saine, though perhaps not so good a
result may be obtained with one magnet, or the magnets may be set up on their
edges side by side, or stood on their poles, or instead of permanent magnets electro
magnets may be used, but in all cases the repective magnets should have the same
polarity, that is south pole to south pole and north pole to north pole. The object
of thus arranging the permanent magnets is to preserve their magnetism and
consequently the energy of the magnetic field.
The pendulum, or operating conductor may consist of a single piece of metal, the
lower end of which is fitted with a platinum brush to make connection with the
fixed conductor, the upper end being attached to the yoke by two slender springs,
the same precisely as those used in suspending clock pendulums and arranged in
the same way. The pendulum may also be composed of a series of strips, or rods
of metal united near their top and bottom ends by cross pieces. The bars are arranged
side by side and their lower ends are made to travel in narrow grooves cut in the

page_text: fixed conductor, their top, or opposite ends being fixed in a common head to which
the suspending springs are attached and in this case crossed also as in the case of
clock pendulums. The principle object of making the operating conductor in this
way is to obtain a stronger electrical-noving contact between the pendulum and
the fixed conductor.
There may further be constructed a compound pendulum, or operating conductor,
consisting first of two primary conductors made of insulated ribbons of metal,
the top ends of which are connected to a cross head and the bottom ends of which
are stripped of their insulating covering and made to enter and travel in narrow
grooves in the fixed conductor. Between these two conductors, there is arranged a
soft iron core and on each side of the aforesaid conductors there are arranged two
secondary insulated bars connected to the head and to each other by cross con-
necting pieces. In making this compound pendulum, the primary conductors
should be about double the thickness of the secondary bars, the number of which
may be increased if desired to augment the electrical intensity of the operating
conductor, or pendulum. If in the construction and operation of this instrument
an induction coil be substituted for the electro magnet and having its primary and
secondary terminals electrically connected in the usual way to continue the circuit,
the action of the pendulum will be intensified, the same precisely as in the case of
the electro magnet, the only difference in the action of the pendulum being this-
that in the case of the magnet its polarized core will be attracted by the stationary
magnet, causing the pendulum to act with the added energy due to that attraction,
a force that would not be present in the case of an induction coil, unless such
induction coil had a soft iron centre, in which case the same principle would be
presented in the core of the coil as obtained in the core of the magnet. In such an
induction coil, the primary coil being connected to the line. the local circuit passing
through the pendulum and the ends of the secondary coil being connected to each
other to form a close circuit, or the line may go through the pendulum and the
local be connected to the ends of the coil, as will be understood. In so far then as
the action of the sounder is intensified by the reaction of one current, or circuit
upon another the induction coil is the exact substitute of the magnet and in so far
also as the action of the sounder is intensified by the attraction of the stationary
magnet for the core of the swinging magnet, the swinging induction coil having a
soft iron core is the exact substitute for the swinging magnet. It will be under-
stood therefore that insofar as this Invention extends to and embraces the
combination of the electro magnet with the vibrating section it also extends to and
embraces the combination of the induction coil with said section, insofar as such
induction coil is substantially the substitute of such magnet in this relation.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frederick John Cheesbrough in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 12th August 1882.
FREDERICK JOHN CHEESBROUGH, of the Office for Patents, 15, Water Street,
Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Consulting Engineer. "AN IMPROVED
TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT." A communication from abroad by William Anthony
Shaw, of Brooklyn, in the County of Kings, State of New York, United States
of America.
The following is a description of this Invention in such full, clear and exact
terms, as to enable any one skilled in the arts to which it appertains, or with which
it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, referenco being had to the
accompanying Drawings making part of this Specification, and to the figures and
letters of reference marked thereon.
The Drawings illustrate the several parts and combination of parts, principles
and mode of operation composing the Invention and controlling its action and
practical applications to the several uses and purposes for which it is designed and
to which it is applicable.
Figure 1 of the Drawings shows a longitudinal vertical section.
Figure 2 a front elevation, and
Figure 3 a plan of the instrument without the local circuits, or relay.
Figures 4. 5. 6. 7. 8 and 9 show detail parts that enter into the construction and
organization of the instrument, or that may be substituted for one, or more of the
parts composing it and to be hereinafter more fully described.
This Invention consists of a telegraph instrument composed of stationary
magnets B B B combined with a conductor having a vibrating section D, that is
detached and swings freely in the main circuit and in the field of the magnet
without breaking the circuit and which is combined with a sounding device and
operated by the action and reaction of a make and break current through said
vibrating section in the field of the magnets; and said Invention consists also
of an electro magnet K combined electrically with said vibrating conductor, and
with a local circuit for the purpose of intensifying and quickening the motion of
the sounding device.
The foregoing features, parts and combinations of parts of this Invention are
illustrated by the accompanying Drawings of which the following is a detailed
description, reference being had to Figures 1. 2 & 3.
By A is shown the base piece of the instrument and by BBB are shown
three Ushaped permanent magnets held together and upon the base piece by
bolt C.
By S is shown a fixed conductor made of any good conducting metal and set
in the field of the magnets upon the base piece to which it is screwed.
By HH is shown a yoke shaped frame set vertically over the magnets and
made to embrace them near their polar ends, the yoke being insulated from the
magnets by vulcanite or otherwise, in the manner shown by U in the Drawings.
This yoke is bolted to the base piece in the manner shown and is fitted with lugs i
to catch upon the ends of the magnets and draw them down upon the base piece
as shown.
By D is shown an operating conductor, suspended in the yoke by springs, or a
joint at I and making contact with the fixed conductor S through a platinum
brush R forming the lower extremity of the conductor.
By L is shown a bow fixed to, or inade part of the yoke H to carry an adjusting

page_text: screw M, that reaches back through the operating conductor, or pendulum D and
terminating in a button o, between which and the pendulum a small spiral spring P-
is placed on the screw. This adjusting screw M also carries an adjustment N on
the opposite side of the operating conductor by which is regulated the amount of
the conductors motion.
By K are shown two electro magnets suspended from a cross head W carried
by the pendulum, or operating conductor D, the cross head being united to the
pendulum by an adjustable connection as at b, by which the lower ends of the
magnets, or induction coils are brought to the right distance from the poles of the
magnet. These electro magnets are made and electrically connected the same in
all respects as ordinary electro magnets. No special description of them is
necessary. The Drawings merely indicate the circuit to and from them, the detail
of their construction and the battery by which they are energized being understood
of course.
By are shown binding posts and connecting wires by which the circuit is
made with these magnets, which it will be understood swing, or travel with the
conductor D so that in case they are in connection with the binding posts, the
wires must be long enough to admit of their free motion with the pendulum.
By E is shown a sounding hammer and the pendulum; by F a sounding anvil ;
and by G a sounding box, by which the operation of the instrument is noted.
The operation of the instrument, as far as described and illustrated by Figures
1. 2 and 3 of the Drawings is as follows:-Assuming the vibrating section D.
to be in the main circuit, and the instrument to be operated by making and
breaking that circuit with an ordinary key, the positive and negative poles of the
circuit being represented by the plus and minus signs and being arranged with
reference to the poles of the magnet, as represented, upon closing the circuit the
pendulum will be thrown forward against the sounder by the action and reaction
of the current in the magnetic field, and back by its own gravity and the reaction
of the spring P, the force moving the instrument in this instance being the circuit
through the pendulum only. Now let the circuit through the electro magnets K
be closed; then by making and breaking the current through the pendulum, the
energy of the instrument will be increased by the added electrical force in and
upon the pendulum, and also by the attractive force of the maguets upon the
electro magnets. Now let the cireuit through the pendulum be broken and let
the electro magnets be placed in the main circuit, and the instrument will then be
operated by that circuit alone acting and reacting upon the magnetic field. Now
let the circuit through the pendulum be made a closed local circuit, then by
making and breaking through the main circuit, in which, in this case, the electro
magnets are placed, the action of the instrument will be quickened and intensified
by the added force of the local circuit, as before.
The line and local circuits are duly marked upon the Drawings, and the alternate
line and local circuits are shown by dotted, and are also duly marked as will be
readily understood.
In the several modes of operation above described the pendulum, or operating
conductor is moved in one direction by the action and reaction of a current, and in
the opposite direction by the action, or reaction of its own gravity and a spring;
but it may be operated (and this is a part of the purpose) by changing the polarity
of the circuits by means of a key adapted to that end but not shown in the
Drawings, or making a part of this application.
By Figures 1. 2 and 3 of the Drawings there are shown three permanent
magnets piled one on the other; but neither this arrangement nor number of
magnets is necessary to the successful operation of the instrument. The same,
though perhaps not so good a result may be obtained with one magnet, or the
magnets may be set up on their edges side by side, or stood on their poles, or they
may be arranged as shown by Figure 4 of the Drawings, or instead of permanent
magnets, electro magnets may be used, as shown by Figure 5 of the Drawings, but
in all cases, the respective magnets should have the sauno polarity, that is south.

page_text: pole to south pole and north pole to north pole as shown by Figures 4 and 5 OL
the Drawings.
The object of arranging the permanent magnets as shown by Figure 4 of the
Drawings is to preserve their magnetism and consequently the energy of the
magnetic field.
By Figures 1. 2 and 3 of the Drawings the pendulum, or operating conductor is
represented by a single piece of metal, the lower end of which is fitted with a
platinum brush to make connection with the fixed conductor S, the upper end
being attached to the yoke by two slender springs, the same precisely as those
used in suspending clock pendulums, and arranged in the same way, but it is
intended to use pendulums, or an operating conductor made substantially like
those shown by Figures 6. 7. 8 and 9. of the Drawings.
The pendulum shown by Figures 6 and 7 of the Drawings is composed of a
series of strips, or rods of metal a a a a united near their top and bottom ends by
cross pieces c c. The bars a are arranged side by side and their lower ends are
made to travel in narrow grooves cut in the fixed conductor S as shown by
Figure 7, their top, or opposite ends being fixed in a common head c to which
the suspending springs rare attached, and in this case crossed, also, as in the case
of clock pendulumns.
The principal object of making the operating conductor in this way is to obtain
a stronger electrical moving contact between the pendulum and the fixed
conductor.
By Figures 8 and 9 of the Drawings are shown a front and side view of a
compound pendulum, or operating conductor, consisting, first, of two primary
conductors a a made of insulated ribbons of metal the top ends of which are
connected to a cross head e and the bottom ends of which are stripped of their
insulating covering and made to enter and travel in narrow grooves in the fixed
conductor S. Between these two conductors, there is arranged a soft iron core b
and on each side of the aforesaid conductors, there are arranged two secondary
insulated bars d d connected to the head e and to each other by cross connecting
pieces c. c. In making this compound pendulum, the primary conductors should be
about double the thickness of the secondary bars, the number of which may be
increased, if desired, to augment the electrical intensity of the operating conductor,
or pendulum. If in the construction and operation of this instrument an induction
coil be substituted for the electro magnet and having its primary and secondary
terminals electrically connected in the usual way to continue the circuit, the action
of the pendulum will be intensified the same precisely as in the case of the electro
magnet, the only difference in the action of the pendulum being this-that in the
case of the magnet its polarized core will be attracted by the stationary magnet,
causing the pendulum to act with the added energy due to that attraction, a force
that would not be present in the case of an induction coil, unless such induction
coil had a soft iron centre, in which case the same principal would be presented
in the core of the coil as obtained in the core of the magnet. Such an induction
coil is illustrated at Figure 1 of the Drawings the primary coil being connected
to the line, the local circuit passing through the pendulum and the ends of the
secondary coil being connected to each other to form a close circuit or the line
may go through the pendulum and the local be connected to the ends of the coil as
will be readily understood. In so far then as the action of the sounder is
intensified by the reaction of one current, or circuit upon another, the induction
coil is the exact substitute of the magnet, and in so far also as the action of the
sounder is intensified by the attraction of the stationary magnet for the core of
the swinging magnet, the swinging induction coil, baving a soft iron core is the
exact substitute for the swinging magnet. It will be understood therefore that in
so far as my claim extends to and embraces the combination of the electro maguet
with the vibrating section, it also extends to and embraces the combination of the
induction coil with said section in so far as such induction coil is substantially
the substitute of such magnet in this relation,

page_text: Having thus described this Invention, but I claim as the Invention com-
municated to me by my foreign correspondent is :
Fist In the circuit of a telegraph instrument, the combination of a vibrating
conductor and an intensifying induction apparatus carried thereby with a fixed
magnet, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.
Second In the circuit of a telegraph instrument a vibrating section D, of the
conductor combined with a field magnet B and an electro magnet K, or its
substitute, carried by said vibrating section substantially as described for the
purpose specified.
Third In the circuit of a telegraph instrument, the combination of a vibrating
conductor and an intensifying inductive apparatus carried thereby, said vibrating
conductor being operated by the united action of a main and local circuit upon
Baid conductor and intensifying apparatus, substantially as described.
Fourth In the circuit of a telegraph instrument a vibrating diomagnetic
section D, in the conductor, operating in the field of a fixed magnet, B and
combined with a pair of sounding devices E F substantially as described for the
purpose specified.
Fifth A telegraph instrument consisting substantially of the following parts in
combination viz:-A fixed magnet B, a vibrating conductor Dan electro magnet K,
or its substitute and a pair of sounding devices E F, the several parts coacting
substantially as described.
Sixth In a telegraph instrument, the combination of a compound pendulous
conductor ad c. e in the main circuit with a fixed conductor S in the field of a
magnet B substantially as described for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I the said Frederick John Cheesbrough have hereunto
set my hand and seal this Eleventh day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.