IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELE GRAPHS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Wallace Brown, of 18, Leadenhall Street, in the
City of London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELE
GRAPHS."
Sealed the 7th October 1876, and dated the 19th July 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Wallace Brown at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th July 1876.
"6
_JAMES WALLACE BROWN, of 18, Leadenhall Street, in the City of London,
IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS."
The object of this Invention is to obtain increased speed or capacity in instru-
ments as at present used for receiving and recording dots and dashes. Heretofore in
sending messages on the Morse system of dots and dashes either a positive and
negative current have been employed for each symbol, whether dot or dash trans-
mitted, one to give the symbol, and the other to discharge the line, and produce a
space between the symbols, or positive currents have been employed for the dots,
and negative for the dashes, the line being put to earth for the spaces, or vice versa.
Now this Invention consists essentially in employing alternately a positive and a
negative current in such manner that each current causes a symbol to be recorded.
By this arrangement the capacity of any of the receiving and recording instruments
may be doubled, at the same time the alternation of the current keeps the line
clear.
First. As means for automatically transmitting alternately a positive and a
negative current, in employing a riband or strip of paper in which perforations for
transmitting the currents to record dots and dashes are placed alternately in two
parallel lines; thus, in transmitting the symbols for the letter D, which are a dash
and two dots the dash perforation would be on one line, the first dot on the second
line, the second dot on the same line as the dash, the dot or dash of the next letter
on the same line as the first dot of the D, and so on. One line of perforations
permits of the passage of a positive, and the other of a negative current along the
line.
Second. As means for spacing or leaving a blank space between each complete
system of symbols representing a letter in employing in combination with the above
system of perforations a third line of perforations, one perforation of which occurs

page_text: between each set or group of symbols representing a letter. Under the above
arrangement the said centre line of perforations allows the line wire to connect
to earth or to a relay, as hereafter described under the ninth head.
Third. As additional means for spacing in employing in combination with the
system of perforations described under the above first head two lines of perforations,
one allowing of the line wire being connected to the positive, and the other to the
negative poles of a battery; one perforation is employed each time a space is
required, and is so arranged as to connect the positive or negative pole, according as
the last dot or dash of the preceding letter was given by a negative or positive
current.
Fourth. As means for perforating a riband or slip of paper alternately in two
parallel lines, in employing one or two punches for the dot perforations, and one or
two for the dash perforations, so arranged that by means of a cam lever or like
appliance after each perforation has been made the said cam will make a part
revolution and adjust the punches for the next perforation, or a vibrating side-to-
side motion may be given to the riband or strip of paper after each hole has been
perforated. The travelling and vibrating mechanism for the paper, and the operating
mechanism for the punches may be of any ordinary kind. Besides the punches for
the dots and dashes an additional punch or punches would be used for spacing
between letters and words in one or two parallel lines, and the punch or punches
will be operated and adjusted by means of a cam lever similar to and in the same
manner as before mentioned.
Fifth. As means for registering at the receiving end the alternate positive and
negative currents transmitted in employing in combination with the automatic
riband transmitter above described a relay having a single armature retained by
springs or equivalent means in a central position between two stops. A positive
current gives motion to the said armature in one direction, and a negative current
in the other direction; each current thus causes contact between the armature and
one of the stops so as to bring into action a local recording current.
Sixth. As means for receiving and recording currents over difficult circuits, and
when high rates of speeds are employed in using a relay having two armatures so
arranged that each will fall against an insulated stop when unacted upon by a
current, one of the armatures responds to a positive and the other to a negative
current to make connection with a local recording battery.
Seventh. As means for operating alternate currents by hand, in employing in
combination with the double armature relay described under the above sixth head
a transmitting key, which makes when depressed a positive and negative connection
alternately.
Eighth. As further means for operating by hand in combination with the double
armature relay in employing two keys, one for positive and one for negative
currents, or in some cases three keys, one for positive currents, one for negative
currents, and one for connecting to earth.
Ninth. As means for recording on chemical paper with transmitters operated as
above described in employing two styles or pens side by side on the receiving
instrument, one for the positive, and the other for the negative current.
Tenth. As means for giving signals over difficult circuits when a single row of
spacing perforations is used, in employing a relay with a single armature arranged
as follows:
-The armature connects through the centre spacing perforations to the
line by means of the spacing contact maker, whilst one of the stops connects to the
positive end of the battery, and the other stop connects to the negative end of the
battery. The centre of the battery connects to earth through the electro-magnets
of the relay. By the above arrangement every current passing by the dot and dash
perforations through the line to earth operates the armature of the relay so as to
throw it into position to transmit a positive or negative current through the spacing
perforations according as the last dot or dash current has been negative or positive.
The battery that is connected to the stops of the relay may be independent of the
battery mentioned.

page_text: Eleventh. As means for operating a difficult circuit in a manner similar to the
above, but with an increase and decrease of potential of current in employing at
the receiving end in combination with the improvements above described a switch
operated by main line relay, and its object being to reverse locally the direction of
the received current through the main line relay or the receiving instrument each
time there is an increase, or may be decrease of potential. The switch may be of
any ordinary construction, and may be operated electrically or mechanically.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Wallace Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th
January 1877.
JAMES WALLACE BROWN, of 18, Leadenhall Street, in the City of London.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS.".
The object of this Invention is to obtain increased speed or capacity in instru-
ments as at present used for receiving and recording dots and dashes. Heretofore
in sending messages on the Morse system of dots and dashes either a positive and
negative current have been employed for each symbol, whether dot or dash trans-
mitted, one to give the symbol, and the other to discharge the line and produce a
space between the symbols, or positive currents have been employed for the dots,
and negative for the dashes, the line being put to earth for the spaces, or vice versa.
Now this Invention consists essentially in employing alternately a positive and
a negative current in such manner that each current causes a symbol to be recorded.
By this arrangement the capacity of any of the receiving and recording instru-
ments may be doubled, at the same time the alternation of the.current keeps the line
clear.
First. As means for automatically transmitting alternately a positive and a
negative current, in employing a riband or strip of paper in which perforations for
transmitting the currents to record dots and dashes are placed alternately in two
parallel; thus, in transmitting the symbols for the letter D, which are a dash
and two dots, the dash perforation would be on one line, the first dot on the second
line, the second dot on the same line as the dash, the dot or dash of the next letter
on the same line as the first dot of the D, and so on. One line of perforations
permits of the passage of a positive, and the other of a negative current along the
line.
Second. As means for spacing or leaving a blank space between each complete
system of symbols representing a letter, in employing in combination with the above
system of perforations a third line of perforations, one perforation of which occurs
between each set or group of symbols representing a letter. Under the above
arrangement the said centre line of perforations allows the line wire to connect to
earth or to a relay, as hereafter described under the ninth head.
Fig. 1 shows the method of perforating a riband or strip of paper in accordanco
with the first and second heads of my improvements. Here the perforations suitable
for transmitting the letter D, namely, a dash and two dots, are repeated several
times. It will be observed that the symbols, whether dashes or dots, are alternately
on each side of the riband or strip of paper, whilst the spaces are in the centre.
1, dot; 2, dash; 3, space. Two perforations close together here represent a dash,
although one large perforation might be used, as shown in Fig. 2.
Third. As additional means for spacing in employing in combination with the
system of perforations described under the above first head two lines of perforations,
one allowing of the line wire being connected to the positive, and the other to the
negative poles of a battery. One perforation is employed each time a space is
required, and is so arranged as to connect to the positive or negative pole according
as the last dot or dash of the preceding letter was given by a negative or positivo
current.

page_text: Fig. 2 shows the method of perforating a riband or strip of paper in accordance
with the third part of my Invention. Here two rows of spacing perforations are
used. 1, dash; 2, dot; 3, spacing perfortions. It will be observed that the per-
forations, whether for dots, dashes, or spaces, are alternately on each side of the
centre line.
Fourth. As means for perforating a riband or slip of paper alternately in two
parallel lines in employing one or two punches for the dot perforations, and one or
two for the dash perforations, so arranged that by means of a cam lever or like
appliance after each perforation has been made the said cam will make a part
revolution, and adjust the punches for the next perforation, or a vibrating side-to-
side motion may be given to the riband or strip of paper after each hole has been
perforated. The travelling and vibrating mechanism for the paper and the operating
mechanism for the punches may be of any ordinary kind. Besides the punches for
the dots and dashes an additional punch or punches would be used for spacing
between letters and words in one or two parallel lines, and the punch or punches
will be operated and adjusted by means of a cam lever similar to and in the same
manner as before mentioned.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation, Fig. 4 a plan view, Fig. 5 a front view of such part
of a perforating machine as is necessary to illustrate the fourth part of my
Invention. 4, 5, and 6, are levers operated from keys in any ordinary or desired
manner. The lever 4 operates the dot punches, and the lever 6 the dash punches,
whilst the lever 5 operates the spacing punch. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, are the punches:
7 and 9, serve to make the dot perforations, and 7, 8-9, 10, the dash perfortions.
The punch 11 makes the space perforations; 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, are pieces for conveying
motion from the levers 5, 6, and 7, to the punches 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. The pieces 12, 13,
operated from the dot lever 4 give motion to the punches 7 and 9: the pieces 14
and 15, operated from the dash lever 6 give motion to the punches 7, 8-9, 10. The
pieces 12, 13, 14, 15, are each formed with a head 17, 18, 19, 20, caused to rock by the
cams 21, 22, 23, 24, on the shaft 25 through the arms 26, 27, 28, 29. The cams
21, 22, 23, 24, are square, and are set an eighth in advance of each other, and the
outside and two inside cams correspond in position. The shaft 25 is caused to have
an eighth of a revolution on the depression of each of the levers 4 and 6; the cams
thereby cause the pieces 17, 18-19, 20, to be alternately thrown under and free from
the projections 30, 31, on the levers, and thus cause the perforations in the riband
or strip of paper to be made alternately on each side of such riband or strip of paper.
The spacing perforations are in the centre. In some cases two spacing punches may
be used, so as to perforate alternately on each side of the centre line.
The paper is
fed beneath the punches over a wheel in the ordinary manner.
Fifth. As means for registering at the receiving end the alternate positive and
negative currents transmitted, in employing in combination with the automatic
riband transmitter above described a relay having a single armature retained by
springs or equivalent means in a central position between two stops. A positive
current gives motion to the said armature in one direction, and a negative current
in the other direction; each current thus causes contact between the armature and
one of the stops, so as to bring into action a local recording current.
Fig. 6 illustrates the fifth head of my Invention. 34, 35, pens or styles connected
one to the zinc and the other to the copper end of the battery 36; the pen or style
37 is connected to earth. The pens or styles transmit currents according to the per-
forations in the riband or strip of paper through the drum 38 along the line wire 39
to the relay 40 to earth. It will be obvious that according as the current trans-
mitted is positive or negative so will the armature 41 vibrate towards one or other
of the stops 42, and that when the line is placed to earth or when no current is
passing the armature will be held between and out of contact with the stops 42 by
the springs 43; 44, local circuits.
Sixth. As means for receiving and recording currents over difficult circuits, and
when high rates of speeds are employed, in using a relay having two armatures so
arranged that cach will fall against an insulated stop; when unacted upon by a

page_text: current one of the armatures responds to a positive and the other to a negative
current to make connection with a local recording battery.
Fig. 7 illustrates the sixth head of my Invention. Here the receiving relay is
provided with two armatures 45, 46; 47, 48, are insulated stops; 49, 50, are stops
connected to local circuit; 51, electro-magnets; 52, earth wire; 53, line wire;
54, 55, local wires. It will be evident that when a positive current is received from
Jine that the armatures 45, 46, will fall against the stops 47, 50, and that local
circuit will be completed through the armature 46, and that when a negative
is received that the armatures 45, 46, will fall against the stops 48, 49, and
that local circuit will be completed through the armature 45. When no current is
passing the armatures 45, 46, fall against the stops 47, 48, and local circuit is
broken.
Seventh. As means for operating alternate currents by hand, in employing in
combination with the double armature relay described under the above sixth head
a transmitting key which makes when depressed a positive and negative connection
alternately.
Fig. 8 illustrates a key to be used under this part of my Invention. 56, key
caused to give a quarter revolution to the cam 57 each time it is depressed; the
cam 57 makes contact alternately with the springs 58, and thus a positive and
negative current are sent alternately.
Eighth. As further means for operating by hand in combination with the double
armature relay in employing two keys, one for positive and one for negative
currents, or in some cases three keys, one for positive currents, one for negative
currents, and one for connecting to earth.
Ninth. As means for recording on chemical paper with transmitters operated as
above described in employing two styles or pens side by side on the receiving
instrument, one for the positive, and the other for the negative current.
Fig. 9 illustrates the ninth head of my Invention. 59, line wire connected to the
style or pen 60; 61, style or pen connected to earth; 62, drum; 63, receiving
paper. It will be observed that the symbols are alternately on each side of the
riband or strip of paper.
Tenth. As means for giving signals over difficult circuits when a single row of
spacing perforations is used in employing a relay with a single armature arranged
as follows: The armature connects through the centre spacing perforations to the
line by means of the spacing contact maker, whilst one of the stops connects to the
positive end of the battery, and the other stop connects to the negative end of the
battery. The centre of the battery connects to earth through the electro-magnets
of the relay. By the above arrangement every current passing by the dot and dash
perforations through the line to earth operates the armature of the relay so as to
throw it into position to transmit a positive or negative current through the spacing
perforations, according as the last dot or dash current has been negative or positive.
The battery that is connected to the stops of the relay may be independent of the
battery mentioned.
Fig. 10 illustrates the tenth part of my Invention. 64, armature connected
through the pen 65 to the centre perforations; the stop 65 connects to the positive,
and the stop 66 to the negative end of a battery 67; the pens 68, 69, also connect
to the positive and negative ends of a battery 70, the centre of which battery
connects through the centre of the electro-inagnets to earth, and also to the centre
of the battery 67. It will be evident that as a positive and a negative current is
sent through the line wire the position of the armature 64 will be reversed.
Eleventh. As means for operating a difficult circuit in a manner similar to the
above, but with an increase and decrease of potential of current, in employing at the
receiving end in combination with the improvements above described a switch
operated by main line relay, its object being to reverse locally the direction of
the received current through the main line relay or the receiving instrument each
time there is an increase or may be decrease of potential. The switch may be of any
ordinary construction, and may be operated electrically or mechanically.

page_text: Having now described the nature of the said Invention, so that others will be
enabled to carry my improvements into effect, I claim,-
Under the first, second, and third parts. The improvements in perforating ribands
or strips of paper, substantially as set forth.
Under the fourth part. Apparatus for perforating ribands or strips of paper, sub-
stantially as set forth.
Under the fifth part. In single armature relay operating in combination with a
riband perforated as described for the purposes set forth.
Under the sixth head. A double armature relay operating substantially in the
manner and for the purpose set forth.
Under the seventh head. In combination with the double armature relay described
under the above sixth head a key for transmitting alternately a positive and negative
current, substantially as set forth.
Under the eighth head. In combination with the double armature relay described
under the above sixth head a hand instrument for transmitting alternately a positive
and negative current, substantially as set forth.
Under the ninth head. The improvements substantially as set forth and illus-
trated.
Under the tenth and eleventh heads. The improvements as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Wallace Brown, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Eighteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord Onc
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
J. W. BROWN. (L.S.)