Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 19th Jan., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 19th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 22nd May, 1897
I, ELIAS ELKAN RIES, of No. 4 West 115th Street, in the City of New York,
County and State of New York, U.S.A., Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to telephone and other electric switches in which the switching
device consists of a number of contacts and a globule of mercury contained in a
suitable case, which flows from end to end of the case as the position of the switch
or of the receiver containing it is altered and closes one or the other circuit, according
to its position.
In the drawings, in which I have shown my invention as applied to a telephone-
receiver and the circuits used in connection therewith;
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the circuits of a telephone, showing generator,
call-bell and lines, transmitter and battery, and a receiver in vertical section, containing
the automatic switching device, also in vertical section.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view, in vertical section, of the switching device shown
in Fig. 1, with some modifications of detail.
Fig. 3 is an edge elevation and interior side elevation of conducting rings. The
figure also shows a modified form.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a telephone-receiver having a switching device
mounted upon its upper end. The construction of this device differs somewhat in
detail, but is the same in principle as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 5 is a vertical section of a portion of the telephone-receiver and switching
device, showing certain details of construction.
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the top of the receiver, showing the wire connections.
Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the switching device in an inverted position.
Fig. 8 is an elevation of a portion of a telephone-receiver, part being in section,
showing the connection of the switching device with the receiver and magnet.
Referring to Fig. 1, 1 is a telephone receiver of the ordinary form. 2 is a
transmitter, 3 a battery connected with the same, and 4 a generator and bell. The
generator and bell are connected on one side by the wire 5 to the post a of the
receiver. The wire 6 is the line-wire, marked 9 at a point where it goes to line.
The wire 6 is connected to the binding-post b of the receiver. Wire 7 is connected
to one side of the primary coil of the transmitter and is connected to the binding-post
of the receiver. Wire 8 is connected to the secondary coil of the transmitter and is
also connected to the binding-post d of the receiver. 10 is the ground wire from the
generator and bell. 11 is the ground-wire from the secondary out of the receiver.

page_text: e
fgh are the binding-posts of the transmitter, the first. two connected with the
secondary coil, the latter two connected with the primary coil. ij are the binding-
posts of the battery, from one of which, i, the battery is connected to the binding-post h
of the primary coil of the transmitter. The binding-post ; of the battery is connected
to line. The binding-post d of the receiver is connected by wire 12 to the coil 16 of
the telephone-receiver, and the return-wire 13 is connected to the binding-post m on
the switching device. Binding-post m is shown in enlarged side elevation in Fig. 2.
The binding-post m is connected to the ring in the switching device. The rings q
and p are shown in side elevation and face elevation in Fig. 3. That figure shows
two forms of ring, one having extended edges which interlock and are designed for
the more perfect contact of the mercury between them and the other form being
simply plain rings. The ring 7 is connected with binding-post n by the wire 15, with
the binding-post c by the wire 7 on one side of the primary of the transmitter at the
post g.
P
Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the contact device shown in Fig. 1, somewhat enlarged.
It is also slightly different in mechanical construction. v is a case or thimble made of
non-conducting material, preferably vulcanite, threaded on its exterior at the bottom,
so as to be screwed into the bore of the receiver handle 1. This thread is of the same
pitch as that of the magnet z, also screwed into the handle. The thimble vis hollow
on the interior and into its bottom is fitted a cup s, provided with a threaded stem
which protrudes through a hole in the bottom of the thimble and has upon it a nut o,
'which together with the end of the thimble forms a binding-post.
Upon this
binding-post is secured the wire 14, which at its other end is secured to the binding-
post a, which binding-post is connected with wire 5, which connects with the call-bell
generator. is a plug, also of vulcanite or metal, threaded and screwed into the
mouth of the thimble to close it. Into the plug u is screwed an iron rod "", which
protrudes through the plug, and upon its upper end is screwed the binding-post b.
The length and thickness of the rod r are so adjusted relative to the size of the interior
of the thimble that it is at all times in contact with the mercury t whatever the
position or inclination of the receiver may be. The rings q and p are set on the
interior of the thimble below the plug u. t is the mercury by means of which
the circuits are closed. The devices shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are in such a position
that the ringer 4 is on the line, that is to say, wire 5 connected to binding-post a,
wire 14, binding post o, cup s, mercury t is in contact with the iron pin r, binding-
post b, wire 6, and line 9. When, therefore, the apparatus is in this position, a signal
may be sent out on the line or received from the line without affecting the transmitter
or receiver, both of which are out of circuit, in consequence of the fact that the
mercury within the thimble is not in contact with the rings 7 and p.
Fig. 7 shows the reverse position, which is that generally assumed in listening.
The receiver has been inverted sufficiently to permit the mercury t to flow into the
other end of the thimble and to close the rings and 9. The magneto and bell will
thus be cut out, and the primary and secondary of the transmitter cut in, the circuits
being completed for the former through wire 9-6, post b, ring p, wire 13, coil 16,
wire 12, post d, wire 8, secondary wire 11 to ground, and for the latter through ring 9,
wire 15, post c, wire 7, primary battery 3, wire 6, rod r, to close the circuit.
Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 8 show a modified form of structure which has more or less
advantage for convenience and economy of construction. In Fig. 4 the device is
shown as applied to an ordinary receiver without alterations, except that the bolts to
which the binding-posts d and m' are screwed are taken out and longer ones inserted
which are sufficiently long to pass through the base of the thimble v. In this form
the thimble is made with a circular base having a thread cut upon its exterior. This
thread permits a cup ¹ to be secured over the whole device, so as to inclose and
protect it, together with the terminal posts and connections. The connections are all
the same as in the other device. In this figure, by way of modification, I have shown
the rod r and the threaded plug or stopper u, Fig. 2, as well as the binding-post b of
Fig. 1, as being formed integral of a single iron piece, which is the preferred and a
more simple and convenient form. Fig. 5 shows a similar construction except that

page_text: the screw by which the magnetz is held in place is made integral with the cups and
the wire 14, which is connected to the cup, is simply looped around that screw and
clamped in place when the same is screwed down. Figs. 6 and 8 show a slightly-
modified form, in which the post-flange of the thimble is cut away, as shown in plan
in Fig. 6, so as to admit the ordinary binding-posts of the receiver to be inserted in
this indentation. To apply this structure to an ordinary telephone, it is only necessary
to unscrew the tap by which the cover is held in place by the magnet, put the thimble
on the top of the receiver, and screw the cup s into the bottom of the thimble, through
the cover, and into the magnet. The terminal of the wire 14 having been properly
adjusted before the screw upon it is inserted, this form will permit this switch
apparatus to be applied to any ordinary receiver without the slightest alterations.
I prefer to make my rings 7 and p, rod r, and cups of soft iron, so as to get very
perfect contact between the mercury and their surfaces. I find from experience that
the addition of a little graphite to the mercury, sufficient to just form a light film or
coating-over the surface of the globule, is an advantage in increasing the efficacy of
the electrical contact. Although I prefer the use of mercury as the moving conductor,
I have obtained excellent results from the employment of small-sized lead shot or
globules and other finely-divided conducting matter, and I therefore do not limit
myself to the employment of mercury alone for this purpose.
It will be apparent that by means of my invention a simple, cheap, practicable, and
convenient means for automatically changing the circuit connections of a telephone-line
in accordance to the requirements of the service is provided. A single globule of
mercury running within a closed tube in contact with a central rod, according to the
inclination of the receiver in the position of signaling or listening, is by my invention
substituted for the more complicated exterior lever and telephone hook-switches now
in general use, which have the disadvantage of requiring the removal of the receiver.
from the ear should it become necessary, as often occurs, to repeat a call or signal
while conversation is going on.
Although I have herein shown my invention applied more particularly to a
telephone-receiver, I desire it understood that the same applicable as well to other
portions of telephonic and other apparatus for electric signaling and communication,
as well as to numerous other switching purposes, and I therefore do not desire to
limit myself to its specific application for telephonic work, as herein shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The herein described improvements in automatic switching or circuit changing
or grouping apparatus for telephonic and other electric circuits, substantially as and
for the purposes herein set forth.
2. A gravity switch for telephonic and other electrical circuits, the same consisting
of a tubular chamber, a centrally disposed metallic pin projecting into said chamber,
a movable conductor contained within said chamber and adapted to travel therein in
contact with said pin, and a series of annular electrical terminals embedded in or
secured to the wall of said chamber and located in the path of said movable
conductor, by which a circuit is closed between the terminals and the pin.
3. A gravity switch consisting of a tubular chamber, a metallic pin projecting
into said chamber, a series of metallic terminals arranged opposite tó, and out of
contact with said pin at intervals along the wall of said chamber and a movable
conductor adapted to travel within said chamber between the said pin and terminals
and thereby establish a bridging contact between the same, substantially as
described.
4. A gravity switch consisting of a tubular non-conducting chamber provided
with metallic terminals at or near each of its opposite extremities, an adjustable
metallic conducting pin projecting into said chamber in proximity to but out of
contact with said terminals, and a movable conductor within the chamber, adapted
to move along the same under the action of gravity when the switch is shifted, and

page_text: thereby establish electrical connection alternately between the pin and the terminal
or terminals at the end of the chamber where the moving contact may be.
5. In a telephone or other circuit-changing switch, a non-conducting tube or
thimble having an interior centrally-disposed conducting pin and annular terminal
contacts surrounding said pin but separated therefrom, and a movable conductor
adapted, when acted upon by gravity, to travel along said conducting pin and
establish electrical connection between it and one or more of the annular terminal
contacts, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. In a telephone or other circuit-closing switch, a non-conducting tube or thimble
closed at its lower end by a metallic cup and having its mouth or upper end closed by
a removable plug carrying an interiorly-projecting metallic terminal pin extending to
a point below the upper edge of the metallic cup, one or more stationary terminal
contacts or rings disposed about the upper portion of the terminal pin but insulated
therefrom, and a movable conductor within the tube or thimble adapted to bridge the
space between the pin and cup in one position of the switch and that between the
pin and upper contact or contacts in the other position of the switch, substantially
as described.
7. In a telephone system, the combination with the telephone-receiver, of an
automatic switch or circuit-changing device comprising a non-conducting tube or
thimble having a terminal cup and terminal rings at opposite extremities, a metallic
conducting-pin projecting into said thimble in line with the longitudinal axis thereof
and arranged to be connected to the line-wire, and a movable conductor, such as
mercury, within the tube or thimble, adapted to establish connection between the pin
and cup when the receiver is in its normal or calling position, and to break this
connection and to establish contact between the pin and the rings when the receiver
is held in position for conversation or listening.
8. In a telephone system, the combination, with the receiver and its circuit
connections, of an automatic gravity-switch consisting of a fixed tube or thimble
secured to or forming part of the body of the receiver in line with its longitudinal
axis and carrying upper and lower stationary terminal contacts, a removable plug
for said tube or thimble carrying a single contact-terminal adapted to project into
said thimble in operative proximity to the said stationary contact when the tube or
thimble is closed by said plug, and a movable conductor within the thimble adapted
to make and break electrical connection between the removable terminal and the
upper and lower stationary terminals, respectively, in accordance with the manipulation
of the receiver in the acts of listening and signaling or its position while in
service.
9. In combination with a telephone-receiver, an automatic gravity-switch apparatus
forming part of the same or independently socured thereto, and comprising a
cylindrical chamber of hard rubber or other insulating material containing one or
more fixed contact rings or terminals at or near its opposite inner ends, a threaded
plug for closing the mouth of the chamber and having a terminal screw and
contact-pin, the latter adapted to enter the chamber to a point near its lower end,
a movable conductor, such as mercury or its equivalent, confined within the
chamber, and circuit connections, substantially as shown, between the said switch-
contacts and the receiving, transmitting and signaling apparatus in connection
with which said receiver and switch is used, substantially as described.
10. An automatic gravity-switch device for telephone-receivers, the same consisting
of a combined base-piece and thimble of hard rubber or other insulating material,
said base-piece being adapted to fit and be secured to the terminal-post end of a
telephone-receiver, and said thimble projecting rearwardly or outwardly therefrom
and containing the switching apparatus, supplemental binding-posts attached to the
switch device and electrical connections between the switch-terminals and the main
and supplemental binding-posts, substantially as described.
11. In combination with a telephone-receiver, an automatic switch having a
: slotted base or support adapted to straddle the binding-posts of the receiver,
means, substantially as shown, for securing the base to said receiver, a switching-

page_text: chamber and a movable conductor within the same adapted to be operated by
gravity, supplemental binding-posts on the switch base or support, and a protective
cover or hood for the various binding-posts removably secured to the said
switch-base and having an opening for the passage of the conducting-cord,.
substantially as described.
12. In combination with a telephone-receiver, an automatic gravity-switch
apparatus forming part of the same or independently secured thereto, a series of
binding-posts attached to said receiver or switch or both, and forming the exterior
connections for the receiver and switch-terminals, a protective cover or hood for
inclosing and covering said binding-posts, means, substantially as shown for
removably securing said hood to the telephone-receiver or switch apparatus, and an
opening or sleeve in said hood to permit the passage of the conductor or
conducting-cord, substantially as described.
1004
Dated this
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97 Newgate Street, London, Agent for Applicant.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97 Newgate Street, London, Agent for Applicant.