IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRO-MAGNETIC LETTER-INDICATING AND TYPE-PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edwin Irish, of Dalston, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF ELECTRO-MAGNETIC LETTER-INDICATING AND TYPE-PRINTING TELEGRAPH
INSTRUMENTS."
Sealed the 25th March 1879, and dated the 5th October 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edwin Irish at the
"IMPROVE-
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th October 1878.
WILLIAM EDWIN IRISH, of Dalston, in the County of Middlesex.
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRO-MAGNETIC LETTER-INDICATING AND TYPE-
PRINTING TElegraph INSTRUMENTS."
The objects of this Invention which relates to certain improvements in electro-
magnetic letter-indicating and type-printing telegraph instruments are, to simplify
the construction of such apparatus both mechanically and electrically, to render the
same self-acting, requiring no train of clockwork either when receiving or trans-
mitting, all the work being done by a simple electrical make-and-break action, to
simplify the working thereof, so that no special training is required, to render the
instruments less liable to derangement by reducing the number of parts, and
consequently to render the same more reliable, accurate, and speedy in the working
or action thereof.
The most simple form of instrument is made as a transmitter and letter indicator
only, that is, without the type-printing arrangement.
At
The working parts and magnetic coils are preferably contained in a suitable case
secured to a base board though they may be suitably supported without a case.
the front of the case is a card or dial around which is arranged the alphabet,
numbers, or signs, and through the centre of the dial passes an arbor on the outer
end of which is fastened a pointer or indicator; the dial and indicator may be

page_text: protected by a glazed cap, around the edge of which and opposite each letter or
sign on the dial are arranged a series of keys in connection with pins which work
through the front of the case, and are encircled with light spiral springs or other
equivalent means which have a constant tendency to force the keys outwards, the
extent of such outward motion being suitably limited. Or the keys may be
adapted to the base board and work the pins by means of levers, the pins would
then be arranged to work through apertures in a standard within the case.
Within the case the arbor carries a ratchet wheel formed with as many teeth as
there are lettors or signs on the dial; this wheel is rotated forward by a slotted
spring or catch, one end of which engages with the teeth of the wheel, and the
other end of which is secured in an adjustable manner to the armature of an
electro-magnet, the armature and catch being so adjusted as to draw the wheel and
indicator forward the extent of one tooth of the former at each movement, that is,
each time a current of electricity is received, the wheel being prevented from
rotating in a wrong direction by means of a pawl. Within the case the arbor also
carries a light arm which projects beyond the circle of pins projecting within the
case from the keys, and when none of the keys are depressed rotates freely without
contact with any of them, but upon any key being depressed its pin projecting
more within the case arrests the arm in its rotation, and thereby makes or breaks
the electrical circuit during such contact, until the key is again released, when
the arm immediately recommences its travel. In addition to the above-mentioned
catch and pawl there is also a contact piece which also rests upon the ratchet wheel,
and is adjusted in such a manner that it breaks the electrical circuit by falling
from one tooth to the next of the wheel, allowing the armature during oach such
interval to spring back to its normal position and slip its catch over another tooth
of the wheel, which it does just as the circuit is again established by the contact
piece, when the armaturo is again attracted and similarly released, and this action is
continued and the wheel and indicator carried round tooth by tooth, and letter by
letter, until the circuit is either broken or closed by the pressure of a key at the
further or transmitting station.
In a more amplified form the instrument may be made either as a transmitter
and a type printer, or as a transmitter type printer and letter indicator, but its
principle and action are similar to that above described, excepting that a type
wheel is used in addition to or in substiution for the indicator, being carried by the
same arbor, and that two additional electro-magnets are required, one for drawing
the coil of paper on which the letters are to be and are impressed or printed, and
the other for pressing the paper against the type wheel to receive the impression of
the uppermost letter, the letter indicated or sent.
The arrangement so far as the arbor carrying the ratchet wheel and light arm
and the electro-magnet in connection therewith are concerned is practically the
same as that previously described, but the arbor projects sufficiently in front of the
case, to carry a type wheel in lieu of (or it may be in addition to) the indicator
(the use of which in this instrument is quite optional), and to work in a suitable
bearing in a bridge which helps to support it. As in the preceding modification
the parts of this instrument may be supported in or by a suitable case or frame,
and the keys may be arranged either in the front of the case, but preferably in the
base board and connected to their respective stopping pins by levers. Under the
type wheel is arranged an inking well provided with an inking wheel or with a
projecting brush or pad which revolves in or takes up the ink by capillary
attraction or otherwise, and rubbing against the periphery of the type wheel
ensures all the letters being inked. Above the type wheel is a hammer made
of felt, leather, rubber, or other suitable composition, and which is attached to
the armature of an electro-magnet placed preferably within the case. On the
opposite side and also preferably within the case is arranged another magnet the
armature of which carries a catch which gears with a ratchet wheel on an arbor,
which in front of the case is provided with a roller (preferably willed or roughened)
and is carried by a suitable bearing, and immediately above which roller is another

page_text: roller which rides freely upon and turns with the former roller against which it is
pressed by a spring. The strip or coil of paper upon which the message is to be
printed is carried by a small drum or centre which can be placed in any convenient
position on or adjacent to the instrument. The paper strip passes from the coil
through suitable guide rollers (or other convenient means) in close contact with
each other, and carried by the front of the case in line with the type wheel and
drawing rollers, so that the paper is stretched taut between the guide rollers and
the drawing rollers and in the intermediate space passes between the type wheel
and its hammer without however touching either, though but a slight distance
separates them.
Now on transmitting a message with the type-printing instrument as with the
simple letter-indicating instrument, the usual switch with which the instruments
are provided is first moved over to "send" when the same action as above
described with the letter-indicating instrument takes place with the type-printing
instrument, vizt., the light arm is continuously rotated by its electro-magnet
armature, catch, and ratchet wheel, and the current is closed or opened at every
tooth in the wheel by the contact piece, and on the depression of a key the rotation
of the arm is arrested by the inner projecting pin in connection with the key
depressed and the type wheel on the same arbor is thus similarly arrested with the
lotter sent uppermost; but in addition a local circuit is also closed at the same
time through the hammer coils, which attracting their armature bring the hammer
head down on the paper, depressing it upon the type wheel so as to receive the
impression of the uppermost type, the letter sent. On the release of the key at the
distant station this local circuit is broken through the hammer coils and closed
through the third set of coils, which attracting their armature with its catch
engaged with a tooth of the ratchet wheel on the arbor of the drawing roller
partially rotate the latter, and draw the paper forward the space of the letter
printed so as to bring an unimpressed space thereof between the hammer and the
type wheel. This same action continues until the message is completed and the
sending station moves over its switch to receive" when the circuit is broken, and
all action immediately ceases.
"
In case the type wheel or other part of the instrument should break down or
cease in its action, by the simple addition of a Morse key in circuit the instrument
can be used with the ordinary Morse code as a sound or acoustic instrument.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Edwin Irish in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th April 1879.
IN
WILLIAM EDWIN IRISH, of Dalston, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS
THE CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRO-MAGNETIC LETTER-INDICATING AND TYPE-
PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS."
The objects of this Invention, which relates to certain improvements in electro-
magnetic, letter-indicating and type-printing telegraphic instruments, are:-To
simplify the construction of such apparatus both mechanically and electrically;
to render the same self-acting, requiring no train of clockwork either when

page_text: receiving or transmitting, all the work being done by a simple electrical make-and-
break action; to simplify the working thereof, so that no special training is
required; to render the instruments less liable to derangement by reducing the
number of parts, and consequently to render the same more reliable, accurate, and
speedy in the working or action thereof.
The most simple form of instrument which is made as a transmitter and letter
indicator only, that is, without the type-printing arrangement, is illustrated on the
accompanying Drawings in Figures 1 and 2, which respectively represent a plan
or face view and a sectional or detail plan view.
The working parts and magnetic coils are (preferably) contained in a suitable
case 1 secured to a base board 2, though they may be suitably supported without
& case.
At the front of the case is a card or dial 3, around which is arranged alphabetical,
numercial, or other signs or ciphers, and through the centre of which passes a light
.arbor or spindle 4, on the outer end of which is fastened a pointer or indicator 5.
The dial and indicator may be protected by a glazed cap 6, around the edge of
which and opposite each letter, numeral, or sign on the dial are arranged a series of
keys or buttons 7 on or in connection with pins 8, which work through the front of
the case and are encircled by light spiral springs 9, or other equivalent means,
which have a constant tendency to force the keys outwards, the extent of such
outward motion being limited by stop pins 10 passing through the pins 8 or
otherwise.
Within the case the arbor carries a ratchet wheel 11 formed with as many teeth
as there are letters, numbers, or signs on the dial; this wheel is rotated forward
by a slotted spring or catch pawl 12, which engages with the teeth of the wheel,
and is secured by a screw 13 or otherwise in an adjustable manner to the arma-
ture 14 of electro-magnetic coils 15, the armature and pawl being so adjusted as to
draw the wheel and indicator forward the extent of one tooth of the former at each
movement, that is, each time a current of electricity is received, the wheel being
prevented from rotating in a wrong direction by means of a pawl 16.
Within the case the arbor also carries a light arm 17, which projects beyond the
circle of pins 8 projecting within the case from the keys 7, and the position of some
of which are dotted in Figure 2, and when none of the keys are depressed rotates
freely without contact with any of them (as will be more clearly seen on reference
to Figure 4, which represents a modified arrangement subsequently herein
described); but upon any key being depressed its pin 8 projects more within the
case and arrests the arm 17 in its rotation (as also shown in Figure 7), and thereby
makes or breaks the electrical circuit during such contact, until the key is again
released, when the arm immediately recommences its travel.
In addition to the above-mentioned catch 12 and pawl 16 there is also a contact
piece 18, which also rests upon the wheel 11, and is adjusted in such a manner that
it breaks the electrical circuit by falling (either by its own weight or by the aid
of a spring 66, as shown in Figures 4 and 6) from one tooth to the one next
succeeding of the wheel, allowing the armature 14 during each such interval to
spring back to its normal position (this movement of the armature being effected
by a spring 19 and limited or regulated by a screw 20) and slip its catch over
another tooth of the wheel, which it does just as the circuit is again established by
the contact piece 18, when the armature is again attracted and then again similarly
released; and this action is rapidly continued and tho wheel and indicator carried
round tooth by tooth and letter by letter until the circuit is either broken or
closed by the pressure of a key at the further or transmitting station. Or in lieu
of using a contact piece 18 in connection with the wheel 11 for breaking and re-
establishing the electrical circuit as just described, I use an adjustable screw 67
(as dotted in Figure 2), and adapt a spring 68 to the armature, which works in
connection with the screw and makes the circuit by its contact therewith when
the armature is drawn back by its spring 19 and breaks it when the armature is
drawn away from it by the electro-magnets. Or the armature in lieu of being

page_text: provided with a spring 68 may vibrate against one or against a screw 67; 21 is
the usual switch, and 22 the usual terminals.
In a more amplified form, illustrated on the accompanying Drawings in Figures
3 to 8, the instrument may be made either as a transmitter and type printer, or
as a transmitter, type printer, and letter indicator; but its principle and action are
similar to what has been herein-before described, excepting that a type wheel (23)
is used in addition to or in substitution for the indicator, being carried by the samo
arbor 4, and that two additional electro-magnets (24, 25) are required, one for
drawing the paper (26) on which the alphabetical, numercial, or other signs or
ciphers are to be and are impressed or printed, and the other for pressing the paper
against the type wheel to receive the impression of the uppermost (or other) letter,
the letter indicated or sent.
Of the heroin-before mentioned Figures which illustrate this modification
Figure 3 represents a front or face elevator all complete; Figure 4 a sectional plan
view through the line a, b, Figure 3; Figure 5, a sectional elevation, the part
below the line c, d, being through about the line e, f, Figure 4, and the front part
above the line c, d, being through about the line g, h, Figure 4, illustrating the
parts rearward thereof only so far as the line i, j; Figure 6, a sectional elevation
through about the line i, j, Figure 4, illustrating all parts rearward of this line;
and Figures 7 and 8 are detail views, and will be herein-after more particularly
referred to.
The arrangement, functions, and uses of all the parts described with reference to
Figures 1 and 2 are practically similar to those parts similarly numbered in
Figures 3 to 7. The construction and arrangement of the parts where they differ
is not essential and will be readily understood by anyone conversant with such
apparatus upon a comparison of the two sets of illustrative Figures. The principal
differences are that the dial and indicator are vertical in the arrangement now
being described, whereas in the arrangement herein-before described they are
horizontal, and that the keys 7 are detached from the pins 8 and are in connection
therewith by the agency of bell-crank levers 27 contred with intervening
washers 28 on a rod 29 carried by brackets 30 under the base board 2, and that
the pins
do not pass through the front of the case 1 but through a vertical
standard 31 rising from the base board. Figures 4, 5, and 7 illustrate a very
convenient arrangement of the keyboard, the keys 7 being shown as kept in
position by a grating 32 let into the base board, and which prevents any two keys
being depressed at a time by one finger. In addition to the contact piece 18 (or its
equivalent 67, 68, as above referred to) there is a second contact piece 33 in con-
nection with the coils 15, and which, during the rotation of the wheel 11 aud
arm 17, is kept by the constant and rapid vibration of the armature 14 from making
contact with the screw 34 (which would cause a local circuit to be closed as herein-
after described) until any key is depressed, when the arm 17 is arrested by the pin
in connection with the key depressed (as shown in Figure 7), and the armature
allows the contact piece 33 to make contact with the screw 34 and effect the
desired change of circuit for the purpose subsequently to be described. The contact
piece 33 is regulated so as to be synchronous in its movements with the vibration of
tho armature 14 by means of a spring 69 and adjusting screw 70, but it may also be
provided with a thin piece of soft iron which is retained by one pole of the magnet
for a short time after the circuit is broken by the residual power of the magnet, so
as to allow the armature to have a slight advance in its recovery.
The arbor 4 projects sufficiently in front of the case 1 to carry a type wheel 23
in lieu of, or it may be in addition to, the indicator 5, as illustrated on the accom-
panying Drawings, the use of the indicator in this instrument being quite optional,
and to work in a suitable bearing 35 in a bridge 36, which helps to support it.
37 represents a milled head on the rear end of the arbor 4, by means of which the
type wheel and pointer can at the termination of a message, or when else required,
be adjusted to zero, as shown also in Figure 1, in which the milled head 37 is.
illustrated as adapted to the top of the arbor 4.

page_text: Under the type wheel 23 is arranged an inking well 38 provided with a pro-
jecting brush 39 or pad, or with an inking wheel which takes up the ink by
capillary attraction or otherwise, and rubbing against the periphery of the type
wheel as it revolves ensures all the letters being inked.
Above the type wheel is a hammer 40 made with a pad 41 of felt, leather,
rubber, or other suitable composition, and attached in the adjustable manner
illustrated in the detail view, Figure 8, to the armature 42 of an electro-magnet 25
placed within the case 1. The armature 42, in common with those 14 and 43, is
hinged at 44 and is provided with the spring and screw connections 19, 20, as
herein-before described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
On the opposite side and also within the case 1 is arranged another magnet 24,
the armature 43 of which carries an adjustable catch 45 which gears with a ratchet
wheel 46 on an arbor 47 which, in front of the case, is provided with a roller 48,
preferably milled or roughened, and is carried by a suitable bearing 49, and imme-
diately above which roller is another roller 50 which rides freely upon and turns
with the roller 48 and against which its own weight causes it to bear sufficiently
for its intended purpose.
The strip or coil of paper 26 upon which the message is to be printed is carried
by a small drum 51 centred on a bracket 52 projecting from the case.
The paper
strip passes from the coil between guide rollers 53 in close contact with each other,
the lower one being carried by a bearing 54, and both being supported in line with
the type wheel 23 and drawing rollers 48, 50, so that the paper is stretched taut
between the guide rollers 53 and the drawing rollers 48, 50, and in the inter-
mediate space passes between the type wheel 23 and the hammer 40, without
however touching either, though but a slight distance separates them.
The upper rollers 50, 53, are carried in bearings 55 supported by screws 56, so
that they can be readily turned up to allow of the easy introduction and removal
of the paper strip.
On transmitting a message with the type-printing instrument as with the simple
letter-indicating instrument, the switches 21 are first moved over to "send," when
the line circuit is established and the same action as above described with the letter-
indicating instrument takes place with the type-printing instrument, viz., the
arm 17 is continuously and rapidly rotated by its electro-magnet 15, armature 14,
catch 12, and ratchet wheel 11, and the current is closed or opened at every tooth
in the wheel by the contact piece 18, and on the depression of a key 7 the rotation
of the arm 17 is arrested by the inner projecting pin 8 in connection with the key
depressed, by which means the line circuit is broken and the motion of the type
wheel 23 at the receiving station is consequently arrested with the letter last sent
uppermost; and, in addition, a local circuit at the same station is also closed by means
of the contact piece 33 and screw 34, through the hammer coils 25, which attracting
their armature 42 bring the hammer head 40, 41, down on the paper 26, depressing
it upon the type wheel 23 so as to receive the impression of the uppermost type
the letter sent. On the release of the key at the sending station the line circuit is
again restored, and the consequent vibration of the armature 14 at the receiving
station causes the local circuit to be broken through the hammer coils 25, and
closed by means of the armature 42 and its screw 20 through the third set of
coils 24 (at the same station), which attracting their armature 43 with its catch 45
engaged with a tooth of the ratchet wheel 46 on the arbor 47 of the drawing
roller 48 partially rotate the latter and draw the paper 26 forward the space of the
letter printed so as to bring an unimpressed space thereof between the hammer 40
and the type wheel 23. The same action is continued until the message is com-
pleted and the sending station moves over its switch to "receive," when the line
circuit is broken and all action immediately ceases.
I do not confine myself to the use of separate electro-magnets 24, 25, for actuating
the hammer and drawing the paper forward as herein-before referred to and
described, as one electro-magnet may be used instead of the two described for both
actuating the hammer and drawing the paper forward, by so arranging the armature

page_text: in relation to the magnet and to the other parts as to draw the paper forward
when being attracted to the magnet, and to press the paper against the type wheel
when released and drawn back by its spring, or vice versa.
Should the type wheel or other part of the instrument break down or cease in its
action, by the simple addition of a Morse key in circuit the instrument can be used
with the ordinary Morse code as a sound or acoustic instrument.
The above-mentioned different coils, terminals, switches, and other parts
necessary to establish the above described circuits are of course properly connected
by copper wires suitably insulated, as any electrician will well understand, and
the various parts which need insulation from any adjacent parts are insulated as
required by pads of ebonite or other suitable insulating substance.
In the preceding description the guide rollers, hammer, drawing rollers, and inking
well, and their adjuncts or necessary connections are arranged relatively to the type
wheel to cause as above described, the passing paper to receive the impression of
the uppermost type or letter as the letter indicated or sent. Now this arrange-
ment is not essential and it will be found a very convenient arrangement to have
the above described parts arranged substantially the reverse of that above described,
and illustrated on the accompanying Drawings, that is, in such a manner as to
cause the passing paper to pass below the type wheel, and to receive the impression
of the lowerinost (or other) type or letter as the letter indicated or sent.
I would also here remark that in a letter indicating and type printing instru-
ment, the above described connection of the keys to the pins is not at all arbitrary,
as should the dial in such an instrument be required in a horizontal position, the
connecting levers 27 would be shaped and centred accordingly, that is, so as to
intercept and stop the travel of the arm in any desired position upon the proper
key being depressed, both the keyboard and the dial being in parallel planes and
not in planes at right angles to each other as shown in Figures 3 and 8, though
they would not be concentric as shown in Figure 1.
In Figures 9 to 11 are shown in end and front views a convenient and useful kind
of apparatus for directly transferring the message from the printed slip of paper on
to a sheet or telegraphic form, the printed slip is conducted from the rollers 48, 50,
to between rollers 57 carried by a box 58 which slides on a rod 59 carried by end
bearings 60, and is moved by a screw 61 actuated by gearing 62 worked by a
handle 63. The screw 61 is grooved for the greater part round with grooves at
right angles to the axis of the screw, but the adjacent grooves are obliquely
connected so as to render the grooves one continuous groove as shown in Figure 11.
The paper passes from the rollers 57 between rollers 64, the upper one of which is
depressed by springs 65, and the lower one of which is covered with a continuous
sheet of paper 64* perforated across at certain distances apart, so as to form
telegraphic forms on to which the message is transferred from the printed slip 26
by the pressure of the upper roller 64, when the form with the completed message
can be torn off. The gearing 62 is proportioned to cause one revolution of the
screw 61 to one revolution of the lower roller 64, so that the box 58 carrying the
rollers 57 is stationary during each revolution of the roller 64, and moves a little at
the completion of each revolution, so that one line of the transposed printing shall
not deface a line already printed.
In lieu of the rollers 57 being made to traverse as above described, these rollers
may be held stationary and the rollers 64 have a longitudinal or side motion
imparted to them in substantially the same manner and for a similar purpose.
Having now described the nature and objects of my said Invention together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, I would remark in conclusion that what I claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letter Patent is,―
Firstly. The above-described improvements in or relating to the construction of
electro-magnetic lettor-indicating and type-printing telegraph instruments, such
improvements consisting more especially in the peculiar arrangements and com-
binations of the component parts than in any special improvements in the parts

page_text: themselves, excepting so far as such improved arrangements and combinations may
necessitate, substantially as described, and as illustrated on the accompanying
Sheets of Drawings.
Secondly. The combination in such apparatus of a series of keys representing
signs or ciphers required to be transmitted in suitable connection (either directly or
indirectly) with a series of stop pins, by means of which a rapidly rotating arm
actuated during the transmission of a message by the line current, and by means of
the armature of an electro-magnet can be arrested at any part of its motion
whereby the line current is broken, and the similar and synchronously rotating
arms of all instruments in circuit are consequently arrested in a similar position;
and the further combination with such apparatus of a pointer and dial, so that the
letter or other sign or cipher sent is indicated (at the receiving station) by the
former on the latter; and the further (optional) combination with such apparatus
of a type wheel in connection with an inking well and a hammer or marker pad,
by which if required the letter or other sign or cipher thus transmitted and
indicated may be also printed on a traversing slip of paper intermittently drawn
forward (at the receiving station) by the agency of a local circuit, by which also
the hammer or marker pad is actuated when required.
Thirdly. The combination in and application to such instruments of the means
above described for causing the type wheel and indicator to revolve sychronously
and stop at any required letter or sign.
Fourthly. The combination in and application to such instruments of the above-
described means in connection with an electro-magnet (24) for moving the paper
slip after having been printed upon.
Fifthly. The combination in such apparatus of a toothed wheel 11 with a
contact piece 18 (or of the above-described equivalents therefor), by means of
which the electrical circuit is broken and re-established at each pulsation of the
arın 17; and the further combination with such apparatus of a swinging (or
equivalent) contact piece 33 in connection with a screw or equivalent part 34, and
by means of which the local circuit can be closed at such times as the vibration
of the armature 14 ceases, and allows the said piece 33 to make contact with the
screw 34, substantially as above described.
Sixthly. The above-described method of rendering such apparatus self-acting,
requiring no train of clockwork either when receiving or transmitting, and the
effecting of all the required work by a simple electrical make-and-break action,
by arranging in such apparatus one or a series of electro-magnets and the necessary
parts in connection therewith by means of which the electrical circuits (line and
local or line alone) are closed and broken as and at the times above. described,
and by which the various motions of the indicating, marking, drawing, and other
parts are effected.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edwin Irish, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine