Improvements in Combined Telephone and Signalling Systems.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Oct., 1895-Accepted, 16th Nov., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Combined Telephone and Signalling Systems.
We, JAMES GILMORE SMITH, of No. 251 West 127th Street, Electrician,
and ROBERT GREY VASSAR, of No. 58 West 25th Street, Merchant, both in the
City of New York, County and State of New York, United States of America,
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 :-
Our invention pertains to a signaling or calling system wherein several stations
or calling devices are located in a circuit and so arranged that a party at one
station can signal to or call any other station on the circuit without signaling any
other station. In combination with the signaling or calling system we inay utilize
a telephone or telegraph circuit arranged so that the party signaled or called can
make a telephonic connection with the calling station.
One of the main objects of our invention is to so arrange the clements of the
system that the device for selecting one station from another shall operate by
electricity in contradistinction to devices which operate mechanically for that
purpose such as clock works and step by step devices which work in unison
throughout the system.
We provide a circuit with which are connected any desired number of signaling
devices, such as call bells, that are located on spur wires leading from said circuits
each of which spur wires may have a separate ground, the signaling devices
thereby constituting stations. The spur wires for the call bells are provided with
make and break contacts that are adapted to be operated by magnets in a normally
closed circuit provided with shunts around said magnets to keep the current in said
normally closed circuit from permanently energizing said magnets, the shunts
having contacts to be broken by the armatures of said magnets. But when said
magnets are energized their armatures will act to break the circuits through said
call bells and the shunts. The shunts around said magnets are arranged to be
broken by magnets located on spur wires leading from a main circuit passing
through all the stations, the armatures of which magnets are adapted to break the
circuits through said shunts. These spur wires each lead to ground and when their
magnets are energized their normal ground circuits are broken (by the magnets in
said permanently closed circuit) and a new ground is established so as to keep said
magnets energized for a space of time. When these magnets are energized their
armatures break the shunt circuits and allow the current in the first mentioned
closed circuit to energize the magnets therein, whose armatures cause the breaking
of the circuits through the bells to prevent the bells in any stations between two
connecting stations from being operated. Provision is also made for breaking the
circuit through the normally closed line to restore the armatures and circuits to
their normal conditions. Thus by means of our system the call bells or signaling
devices are all normally in circuit on a line passing through all the stations and
when one bell or signaling device is to be operated at a desired station all
the bells or signaling devices between that one and the calling station have their
circuits removed so as to leave a through line between the calling and the called
stations.
By preference we provide a suitable switch box containing the make-and-break
devices for operating the several magnets at the stations, successively, to break the
circuits through the call bells between the station calling and the station to be

page_text: called, so that only the desired station will be called without requiring the operator
to understand a code or the number of pulsations to be sent.
A suitable telephone circuit is provided with instruments, to enable the parties
at two stations to communicate after one station has called another.
By the means above described a party at one station sends a certain number of
pulsations through the circuit having the magnets that break the circuits through
the shunts so as to successively cut out the bells between his station and the station
desired thus leaving the call bell in the latter station in circuit, whereby he can
then operate the bell at the station he wishes to communicate with. When
finished he breaks the circuits through the magnets on the normally closed lines
to restore the circuits through all the bells, as well as normal grounds through
the magnets that break the shunt circuits also restoring the circuits through said
shunts.
In a somewhat modified form of arranging the system we provide shunts around
the bells and magnets for the passage of the current instead of merely cutting off
the grounds for the bells and magnets. We also may provide a slightly different
manner of running the circuits consisting in passing the lines through all of the
stations in opposite directions, and connecting the respective push buttons or
switches with the portions of the lines passing in one direction and connecting the
operating magnets and signaling instruments in the stations with the portious of
the corresponding lines in the opposite direction.
The invention also consists in the novel details of improvement and the com
binations of parts that will be more fully hereinafter set forth and then pointed
out in the claims.
Reference is to he had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof
wherein,
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of our improved system showing the magnets, and
the operating devices connected therewith in their normal positions;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail of devices for operating the several circuits;
Fig. 3 is a detail side view of an arm of the switch box or board, showing certain
contacts to be operated by said arm; and
Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of our system showing a few changes in some of
the circuits.
In the accompanying drawings in which similar letters of reference indicate
corresponding parts in the several views, the numeral 1 indicates a main wiro for
the signaling devices or call bells 2. A, B, C, are stations at each of which a call
bell 2 is located, the wire I passing through said stations, any suitable number of
said stations and bells being located on a circuit 1. The call bells 2 are connected
by a spur wire 3 to ground 4, whereby circuit is formed from 1 through 3 to
ground. In the circuit 3 is a make-and-break device shown consisting of a pivoted
arm 5 having a spring 6 to keep it in engagement with a contact 7 that leads by
wire 3, to ground 4. By moving the arm 5 the circuit through the bell will be
broken. By means of a suitable push button, key or switch 8, located on the
wire 1 the bell 2 can be operated.
9 is a normally closed line wire having grounds 10 and battery 11, said wires
passing through all the stations.
12 are magnets on the wire 9 at each station, and
adapted to be energized by the current in said wire. 13 are the spring actunted
armatures for the magnets 12, which armatures are adapted when attracted by the
magnets 12 to move the arm 5 to break the circuits through the bells 2.
Insulation is located between the armature 13 and the arm 5, being shown carried by
said, armature, the latter being arranged to bear on the arm 5 to move the arm away
from contact 7. If the magnets 12 were always energized by the current in wire 9
the circuit through the bell 2 would be continuously broken. To avoid this and
yet. leave the circuit 9 so that it will serve to break the circuit through any bell
when desired we provide a shunt circuit around ench magnet 12, which shunt is
adapted to be broken to enable the magnet 12 to operate. This shunt circuit is
shown consisting of a wire 15 connected with one terminal of the magnet 12, and
&

page_text: leading to a contact 16. 17 is a lever or armature connected with a wire 18 that
leads to the armature 13. 19 is a contact which the armature 13 engages when the
magnet 12 is de-energized, the contact 19 leading by a wire 20 to the wire 9 to
complete the shunt around the magnet 12. Thus, when the shunt circuit is closed
the current from the wire 9 will pass around said magnet, but when the shunt circuit
is broken, as at 16, 17, the magnet 12 will be energized and thereupon attract its
armature which will move the arm 5 to break the circuit through the bell, at the
same time breaking the shunt circuit through 13, 19, for a purpose hereinafter
explained. Means for breaking the circuit through 9 so as to release the
armatures 13 to restore the shunt circuit at 13, 19, and the circuits through the
bells are utilized and will be explained further on in this Specification.
The armatures 17 are actuated to break said shunt circuits by means of magnets 21
that are located on spur wires 22, leading from a main circuit 23, which passes
through all the stations on a circuit. The wires 22 are connected with contacts 24
on the arms 5, which contacts are insulated from said arms as shown.
The
contacts 24 may form a continuation of the arms 5, the parts thereof being
separated by insulation 25, as shown, or otherwise arranged for the purpose.
26 are contacts normally in engagement with the contacts 24 and connected by
wires with ground as 4. When the circuit is established through wire 23 it passes
through 22, 24, 26, and 27 to ground at 4, thus energizing the magnet 21 which
thereupon attracts its armature 17 breaking the shunt circuit at 16. The normally
closed circuit 9 now energizes magnet 12 which attracts its armature 13 breaking
the shunt circuit again at 19, and also moving the arm 5 which breaks the circuit 22
(at 26) and also breaks the call bell circuit 3 at 7, whereby that call bell cannot be
operated, thereby leaving the next call bell at the next succeeding station in circuit
to be operated, and so on as successively, as desired, through all the stations on a
circuit. Thus the call bells of intermediate stations can be cut out leaving a
clear unbroken circuit between a calling station and the call bell at a station to
be called.
The circuit 22 through the magnet 21 being thus broken at 26 said magnet must
be provided with a new ground to prevent the current from the calling station from
passing to the next station and operating its magnet 21 before the proper action is
taken at the calling station to operate the magnet 21 at the next station and so on.
For this purpose we provide an extra circuit to ground 4 as follows: 28 is a wire
leading from one terminal of the magnet 21 to a contact 29 carried by the
arinature 17 and insulated therefrom. The contact 29, as the armature 17 is
attracted by its magnet 21 is adapted to engage a contact 30 from which a wire 31
leads to ground 4. By this means the circuit through 22 to ground 4 is maintained
through 28, 29, 30 and 31 notwithstanding the break at 24 and 26. But even when
a circuit through magnet 21, is broken and the shunt circuit re-established at 16, 17,
it will be kept open, to keep the bell circuit broken, until the circuit 9 is broken
to permit the shunt circuit to be restored at 13, 19.
The operation of the features so far described is as follows:-
Suppose a party at station A desires to call a party at station B. It is merely
necessary, then, to close the circuit through wire 1 (by a push button, or by the
means hereinafter explained) whereupon the current will flow through the spur
wire 3 and bell 2 to ground 4 thereby giving the desired signal. But if a party at
station A desires to call a party at station C the call bell at the intermediate
station must be cut out. To accomplish this the circuit through wire 23 must be
closed which then energizes magnet 21, at station B, which attracts its armature 17
and breaks the shunt circuit at 16, 17. The magnet 12 now becomes energized
and attracts its armature 13 creating a further break in the shunt circuit
at 13, 19, and also moving the arm 5, which breaks the circuit 3 through the
bell 2 at 5, 7, also breaking the circuit 22 at 24, 26, which is maintained
through 28, 29 and 30 until the circuit 23 is broken at station A.
When this last action takes place, as by moving the finger from a push button or
switch, the new ground at 29, 30 is broken by the rising of armature 17 whereby

page_text: the magnet 21 at the intermediate station is made inoperative and cannot be again
energized until its ground circuit at 24, 26, is again established. The circuit
through the call bell at the intermediate station being thus broken enables the boll
at the next station to be operated without operating the devices at stations beyond
the called station. By keeping the shunt circuit at the intermediate station broken,
prevents any other station from re-establishing the circuit through the bell at said
intermediate station so that interference is prevented. When the parties have
finished with the line they break the circuits 9 and 23 thus restoring all the parts
to their normal conditions.
In order to enable any station to be readily connected with any other station
while giving the operator as little trouble as possible, at the same time enabling
the several circuits to be established and broken, as needed, and for the further
purpose of permitting a station to readily communicate with any other station on
either side of it along the line, we have provided menus as follows:-Fig. 2
showing the devices on an enlarged scale; 32 is a switch board or box, which may
be of any suitable construction and located at each station. 33 and 33*, are
metal arms pivoted on the board or box 32 and connected by a wire a, with a
battery, and ground d, the arm 33 serving to direct the current to one side of
its station, and the ann 33 directing the current to the opposite side of the
station. Fig. 2 in dotted and full lines shows the normal positions of the arms 33
and 33 respectively. The bell wire I divides at each board or box 32, one end 1*,
of the wire lending to a contact 34 and the other end 1" leads to a corresponding
contact 35, so that when the circuit from 34 to contact 35 established the
circuit through wire 1 will be complete, and when the circuit through contacts 34
or 35 is broken the circuit through wire will also be broken. For this purpose
contacts 34, 35, are provided and they are connected by a wire 36. On each
arm 33, 33* is a contact e, insulated from said arms, and adapted to respectively
make electrical connection between the contacts 34, 34, to complete the circuit
through the wire 1. The parts are so arranged that when the arins 33, 33, are at
zero or in the normal positions the circuit will be established through 1", 34, e,
(on arm 33) 34, 36, 35, e (on arm 33) 35 and 1, and when one arm is moved
the circuit through wire I will be broken. By this means when one arm 33 or 33"
is moved the circuit through bell wire 1 will be broken at the " calling" station
to prevent calling in both directions at once, or in other words to confine the
calling to one side of the station.
**
"1
When an arm 33 or 33 is moved to select another station the circuit through
wire 1 must be re-established in connection with the push button 8 at the calling
station, which is affected as follows :-37, 38, 39, are contacts for contact on the
arm 33, and 37, 38 and 39* are contacts for the contact e on the arm 33*, tihe
number of these contacts corresponding to the number of stations on a circuit.
The contacts 37, 38, 39, are connected by a wire 40, and the contacts 37ª, 38°
and 39 are connected by a wire 40. The contact 37 is connected by a wire 41
with the push button 8, and the contact 37" with said push button by a wire 41*,
the circuit through said contacts and wires 41, 41, being normally open at 8.
The push button 8 is connected with a suitable battery and ground, as b, d, or a
separate battery and ground if desired. 42, 43, 44, are contacts located adjacent
to the contacts 37, 38, 39, respectively forming pairs of contacts to be brought
into electrical connection by the contact e on the arm 33, and 42, 43, 44 are
contacts to make pairs with the contacts 37, 38, 39", to be brought into electrical
connection by the contacte on the arm 33. The contacts 42, 43, 44 are
connected by a wire 45, and the contacts 42, 43, 44° are connected by a wire 45.
The contact 42 is connected by a wire 46 with the contact 34, and the contact 42"
is connected with the contact 35 by a wire 46. By this means when the arm 33
is moved the circuit through wire I is broken at 34 and re-established at 37, 42
from the push button 8 through 41, e, 42, 46, 34 and 1, and when the arm 33 is
noved the circuit through wire 1 is broken at 35 and re-established at 37%, 42,
from the push button 8 through 41º, 37", 6, 42", 16", 35 and 1". Thus, when

page_text: either arm 33 or 33 is moved the circuit through wire 1 is broken to cut off the
stations in the opposite direction on the circuit from the station desired to reach,
and restored in the calling station to permit the bells on wire 1 to operate only in
the direction desired.
If the arm 33 or 33 is moved to the contact 37 or 37 only, the circuit through
wire will be so established as to enable the bell at the next adjacent station
desired to be operated, but if it is desired to call a station beyond said next
adjacent station the call bell at the last mentioned station must be cut out to
prevent it from being operated, and to allow the bell at the station desired to be
operated. This is accomplished as follows:-The wire 23 is divided at each
board or box 32, one part of said wire being connected with a contact 47 on a
board or box 32 and the other part of the wire 23 is connected with a corre-
sponding contact 47%. To normally close the circuit 23 through 47, 47°, the
arms 33, 33, are provided with contacts 48 insulated from said arms (see Fig. 3)
and arranged to make connection between the contacts 47, 47, and other corro-
sponding contacts 49, 49, which are connected together by a wire 50. In this
position the circuit through wire 23 is normally established through 47, 48 (on
arm 33) 49, 50, 49", 48 (on arm 33°) and 47 so that the wire 23 can be used by
any station. When an arm 33 or 33 is moved the circuit through 23 is broken
at 47 or 47 and must be re-established to enable a magnet 21 at a succeeding
station (or stations) to be energized to break the circuit through a bell 2 at that
station. For this purpose we provide contacts 51, 52, in line with the
contacts 38, 39, and contacts 51, 52, in line with contacts 38", 39", and on
the arms 33, 33, are contacts 51 to engage the contacts 51, 52 and 51, 52ª, the
parts being so arranged that the arm 33 will lic over contacts 43, 38, 51, or 44,
39, and 50 and the arm 33ª will lie over contacts 38, 43, 51", and 39, 44",
and 52", when moved thereover. The contacts 51, 52, are connected together by
a wire 53 that extends to the contact 47, and the contacts 51, 52, are connected
by a wire 53, which extends to the contact 47". Now, when the arm 33 is moved
to the contact 38 the circuit through the bell wire 1 is broken at 34 and re-
established at 38, 43, and the circuit through the wire 23 is broken at 47, and
re-established at 51, 51. The battery is thus included in the circuit 23, the
current flowing therefrom through wire a, to arm 33, thence through 51° to
51, 53 and 47 to 23, which energizes the magnet 21 at the next adjacent station
on the left which acts to break the circuit 3 through the bell at that station,
leaving the circuit established to the bell 2 at the next or second station, which
bell is operated by the push button 8.
If a station farther removed is desired the arm 33 is moved to contacts 44, 39
and 52, which energizes the magnet 21 at the corresponding or second station,
cutting out its bell 2, leaving the circuit free to the bell at the third station, and
so on for as many stations as there are on the circuit, cutting out the bells of each
intervening station successively as the arm is moved until a clear line is established
for the bell at the station desired. When the arm 33 is next moved back to zero
it breaks the circuit 23 through the magnets 21 to restore the shunt circuits
at 16, 17, as hereinbefore explained. A corresponding action occurs to the
Etations on the right of a calling station when the arm 33° is moved.
At the time that the arm 33 or 33° is moved away from zero and also back
thereto, the circuit through the normally closed line 9 should be broken to insure
the restoration of the shunt circuits 13, 19, so that the magnets 12 will not break
the circuits 3 through the bells 2 until necessary. For this purpose the wire 9 is
broken at the bonrds or boxes 32, the ends of which wire lead to normally closed
contacts 54, 54, which are more clearly shown in Figure 3. The contacts 54, 54ª,
are shown composed of contact springs or pieces 55, 56, 55, 56", respectively
normally in engagement as shown, the parts 55, 55, being connected with the ends
of wire 9, and the parts 56, 56°, being connected by a wire 57, through which
parts the line 9 is kept normally closed. The contacts e on the arms 33 and 33",
are arranged to bear on the springs 55 or 55° as said arms are moved to

page_text: momentarily break the circuit through the line 9, this restoring the shunt circuits
around magnets 12, as said arms are moved (see Figure 3).
In connection with the signaling or calling devices we provide one or more
telephone lines 60 which have suitable telephone instruments 61, connected with
the line 60 by spur wires 02. The wire 60 will be suitably grounded or arranged
as found must desirable for a working circuit. In case a number of stations are
located on a circuit we preferably use two or more telephone wires 60, 60, the wires 60*
In this case the
also having spur wires 62 for connection with the telephones 61.
wires 62, 62, have contacts 63, 63, with which a switch 64 can make contact so that
the telephones 61 can be placed in circuit with either telephone wire 60 or 607, and in
same manner with any other wires that may be used. The circuit from the
telephone GI may be further provided with a switch Go to break the circuit through
the telephone if desired to cut the ground from the telephone wire when not in
use. By providing two or more telephone circuits, as stated, a person can select
either wire, but if one is in use he can select the other and by a code of signals
can notify the party at another station which wire he intends to use so that the
latter party can connect his telephone, by the switch 64, with the selected line.
However, each station has a certain telephone wire with which it is normally
connected and a party at a calling station will naturally switch his telephone to
that wire without the necessity of sending special signals.
The complete operation of our improved system is as follows:-Suppose a
party at station A desires to communicate with a party at station B, which is the
next adjacent station on the left. Ile first moves the arm 33 from zero (which is
the normal position over the contact 34). This movement breaks the circuit
through the bell wire 1, at station A, to prevent him from calling except in one
direction from snid station. As the arm 33 moves its contact or projection e,
passing over the contact 54, momentarily breaks the normally closed line 9 to
assure the restoration of the shunt circuit through 13, 19, and completing of the
bell circuit through wire 3. The arm 33 is then brought to rest over the
contacts 37, 42, the contact e on said armn then closing the circuit through 37, 42.
This re-establishes the circuit through the bell wire 1 to the left from the push
button $, through 41, 37, e, 42, 46, 34 and 15, to the spar wire 3.
A signal may
now be given by the push buttons to notify the called station of the desire to
communicate, the called party responding with his telephone. A signal can also
be given indicating the telephone wire GU or 60° to be used, the parties making
suitable connections by the switches 61. When they have finished the arm 33 is
returned to zero, whereupon all parts will be restored to their normal positions.
If the party at station A desires to call n station on the right (not shown) he
moves the arm 33, corresponding action of the parts taking place, excepting that
the circuit through wire I will be closed from 8 through 41°, 37°, e (on arm 33º)
42, 40, 35 to 1, and thus through the line 1 to the right.
If a party at station A. desires to call a station farther removed along the
circuit, is C, the arin 33 is moved along until it reaches the contacts 38 and 43
(first cutting out the bell at station Bas before explained) when the bell circuit
will be established from 8, through 41, 37, 40, 38, (on arm 33) 43, 45, 42, 46, 34
and 1, to the wire 1. At the same time the contact 51" on the arm 33 engages
the contact 51 to send a current through the magnet. 21 at the first station (B) to
cut out the bell at B. The circuit through the line 23 is now established from
ground d, including battery b, through a, 33, 51, 51, 53 and 47 to 23, the current
from battery thus energizing magnet 21 at station B. Magnet 21 then attracts
its armature 17, which breaks the circuit through the shunt 15, 17, 18, around the
magnet 12, at the same time restoring the circuit 23 at 29, 30, through 22. 21, 28,
29, 30 and 31 to ground 4, to keep inagnet 21 energized and the shunt broken.
The said shunt being broken, as stated, the magnet 12 becomes energized and
attracts its arunture 13, which again breaks the shunt at 13, 19, so that if the
magnet 21 became de-magnetized from any cause the armature 13 would still
remain attracted, until the line 9 was broken. As the armature 13, nt B, thus

page_text: moves it operates the arm 5 which immediately breaks the bell circuit
cutting out the bell at the nearest station B, the arm 5 also breaking the circuit 22
at 26. The bell wire is now free to the station to be called (as C) and by
pushing the button 8 at the calling station the station C can be signalled without
operating the bell 2 at the intervening station. Thus by our invention a called
station is reached without operating the devices at a station beyond. When the
arm 33 is next moved back to zero the circuit 23 will be broken at 51, thus
releasing the armature 17 to restore the shunt at 16, 17, and as the projection e
passes over the contact 54 the circuit through wire 9 will be broken to release the
armature 13 of magnet 12 to fully restore the shunt, as well as the bell circuit at 5, 7,
and the circuit 22 at 24 26. If a station farther removed along the circuit,
beyond C, is to be called the arm 33 will be moved across 38 to 39 thus first
cutting out the bell 2 and magnet 21, at B, and then the bell and magnet at C
(through 39 and 52), and so on through the circuit for all the stations, cutting
out all the bells at the stations that intervene between a calling and a called
station. If a station at the right of A is to be called the arm 33" will be operated
producing similar actions, at intervening stations, to that above described.
It will be understood that by our system any station on a circuit can select
and call any other station desired by merely operating the arm 33, or 33",
according to which side of the calling station the station to be called may be
situated. It will be further understood that by our system all the call bells or
signaling devices are normally in circuit with the line and that to operate any
desired bell on the line it is only necessary to remove or cut out the circuit in the
bell or bells between a calling and a called station. It will also be observed that
in our system the call-bell cut-out devices of the several stations operate
individually and separately and not in unison, that is to say, only one circuit
breaker on the line 1 operates at one time in response to a single impulse or
pulsation in said line, and when said circuit breaker has mored to break its
corresponding call-bell circuit it does not operate again until after the whole line
has been restored. Another point to be observed is that the line wire 1, is
normally divided into sections, as by the spur wires 3, and that it is necessary to
break the circuit through a spur wire at one station before the line will be clear to
the next station, and that to keep the line clear to any one station from another the
circuit through any wire 3 must be held broken to permit the passage of the
current to the next station.
In Fig. 4 we have shown a few slight changes in the manner of cutting out the
bells 2 and the magnets 21, consisting principally in providing shunts around said
bells and magnets for the passage of the current instead of merely cutting off the
grounds for said bells and magnets. Also a slightly different manner of running
the line and its push button 8 and of operating the circuit 23 at the switch
board or box. In this instance the circuits 1 and 23 both operate solely in onc
direction through all the stations, instead of operating to the right or left only of
a calling station, as in Figs. 1 and 2. These arrangements may be operated as
follows: The bells 2 are connected directly to the line wire 1, the latter being
connected to each binding post 29, 2, of the bells 2 as shown. From the post 2
the spur wire 3 leads to the arm or lever 5 and to ground 4 through contact 7, as
before explained. From the post 2b wires 3" extend to contacts 7", which are
adapted to be engaged by the arms 5 when the latter are operated by the
armatures 13, in which position a shunt around the bell is closed from 2",
through 3, 7, 5, 3 to 2º, so that the current in wire 1 follows said shunt (when
the latter is closed) to cut out the bell from the line 1. But as this shunt is
normally broken at 7, 5, the normal circuit through the bell is from 1 to 2b,
through the magnet of the bell to 2, 3, 5, and 7 to ground 4. The push buttons 8
are normally in connection with the line 1, preferably through spur wires 1ª leading
from ground. By this means, if a party at one station, as A, desires to call a
party at station B, it is merely necessary to push buttou 8 (at A) when the circuit
through the bell 2, at B, will be closed from d, through 8, 1, 1, 2, at B, bell

page_text: magnet, 3, 5 and 7 to ground. If a party at a farther station, as C is to be
called from A, the bell 2 at B is shunted from the line 1 by means of the
magnets 21 and 12, operating arm 5 as before explained, the shunt for the
magnet 21 being established as follows:-The magnets 21 are shown located
directly on the line 23, the ground circuits 22 being connected with wire 23, at one
side of (beyond) the magnets 21. 20, are contacts in normal engagement with the
contacts 29 on the armatures 17. 29 are wires leading from the contacts 29, to
contacts 29, which are adapted to be engaged by contacts 13° carried by and
insulated from the armatures 13. The contacts 13" are connected with wires 23*
which lead to the terminals of the magnets 21 opposite the wires 28 (or to the
wires 23).
With this arrangement when the armature 13 at a station is attracted by its
magnet 12 (through the breaking of the shunt 15, 16, 17, 18, by magnet 21) the
shunt around the corresponding mnguet 21 will be closed at 13, 29, the shunt
circuit thus leading from 23, through 23, 13, 29°, 29, 29ª, 29 and 28 to 23, thus
shunting the magnet 21 from the line 23. The secondary ground for the
magnet 21 may be established from 28, 29, 30, and 31 to ground at 31, instead of
to ground 4, as before explained, when armature 17 is attracted.
This shunt around the magnet 21 is established when the shunt at 16, 17, is
broken to cause the magnet 12 to attract its armature 13 and after the circuit
through 23 is again broken to allow armature 17 to rise from its inagnet. For this
purpose we have shown a simple switching device consisting of contacts, f, g, h, i, j
(one for each station on the line) forming a set of contacts at each station, ench
set being connected by a spur wire 23 with the line 23. The arms 33, having
suitable projections e, are connected with ground as at d, and arranged to swing
over the contacts f, g, h, i, j, and to make contact therewith. The contacts 54 in
the normally closed line 9 are so located that when the arm 33 is first moved it
will operate the contact 54 to break the circuit through line 9 to restore the circuits
controlled thereby.
When an arin 33 is moved to a contact, as, the circuit will be established from
ground through 33, to /, 23" to 23, thereby energizing magnet 21 next in circuit
on the line, which by attracting its armature 17 breaks the shunt at 16, 17, causing
magnet 12 to attract its armature 13, thus closing the shunt from said magnet 21
at 13, 29, as well as breaking the ground through 22 at 24, 26, and the ground
through 3 at 5, 7, and establishing the shunt for the bell 2 at 5, 7, also creating
the new ground for 23 at 29 and 30. If a station farther along the circuit is
desired the arm 33 will be moved to y, thus breaking the circuit 23 at, so as to
release armature 17 which moves back breaking the ground at 29, 30, re-estab-
lishing the shunt at 16, 17, and also completing the shunt around the magnet 21
at 29, 29, so that the current will flow around said magnet to the next magnet
on the circuit, and so on successively through the contacts h, i, j, &c. to cut out
the bells and magnets 21 at stations intervening between a calling and a called
station.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. A signaling system comprising three line wires, an electrical instrument
connected with one of said wires, a spur wire therefrom and a circuit breaker for
said spur wire, another of said wires having a magnet, devices for operating said
circuit breaker operated by the magnet, and a shunt around said magnet, and the
other of which line wires has a maguet to break said shunt.
2. A signaling system comprising a line wire, an electrical instrument connected
with a spur wire leading from said line wire, a circuit breaker for said spur wire,
a normally closed line wire having a magnet and armature to operate circuit
breaker, a shunt around said magnet, an armature 17 to break said shunt, a magnet
to operate said armature and a line wire to energize said magnet.

page_text: 3. A signaling system comprising a line wire, a spur wire therefrom, an electrical
instrument in circuit with said line wire, a circuit breaker for 'said spur wire, a
normally closed line wire having a magnet and armature, the latter being arranged
to operate said circuit breaker, a shunt around said magnet adapted to be broken
by said armature, and another line wire having a magnet and armature, the
latter being also arranged to break said shunt, and means for operating said
magnets and instrument, as and when desired.
4. A signaling system comprising a line wire, a spur wire leading therefrom, a
contact included in the spur circuit, a signaling instrument connected with said
spur wire, a contact for connection with said first mentioned contact and leading to
ground, a normally closed line having a magnet and armature, the latter being
arranged to operate said first mentioned contact and insulated therefrom, a
shunt around said magnet including said armature therein, a contact in said
shunt to engage said armature, another line circuit having a magnet 21 and
armature 17. the latter being included in the shunt and adapted to break the
circuit through said shunt, and means for operating said magnet and instrument.
5. In an electrical signaling system, a plurality of wires, a plurality of stations,
located on said wires, one wire being normally electrically divided into sections,
the other wire being undivided throughout all the stations, and circuit changing
devices at each station connected with the through wire arranged to change the
sections of the first mentioned wire so as to provide a through wire to a station,
and to hold the circuit as thus formed to enable a calling station to signal to a
desired station only, without affecting the signaling device at an intermediate
station and without affecting the circuit changing devices in any station beyond a
called station.
6. In an electrical signaling system one wire maintained complete through all the
stations, a second wire divided by earth-connection at each station, a third wire
also divided by earth connection at each station, electrical devices at each station
located in the second wire for operating electrical devices in the first wire at said
stations to effect a removal of earth connections from the second and third wires,
signal devices located upon the third wire at each station and operative upon
closing the circuit of said wire.
7. In an electrical signaling system comprising two or more stations, one wire
complete through all the stations, a second wire having normal earth connections
at each station, electrically operated circuit changing devices at each station
arranged to effect removal of the earth connection of said wire at such station
as required to enable the next station only to be reached by a through wire,
said devices being arranged to hold such wire so established as a through wire
at each intervening station while a similar change is being effected by similar
meaus at other stations between a calling and a called station, without affecting
the circuit changing devices in any station beyond the called station.
8. In an electrical system for signaling successively from any one station to any
other of a number of stations upon the same line, one normally charged wire
passing through all the stations, a second and third wire divided by earth con-
nection at each station, devices at each station for closing and opening said second
and third wires, devices at each station so arranged that the closing and opening of
the second wire circuit at any station will remove the earth connection at each
station successively until the desired station is reached, and the calling station
enabled thereby to operate the signal instrument of such desired station without
operating any intermediate signal instrument.
9. In an electrical signaling system the combination of a continuous wire and two
wires each of which latter has spurs or wire connections to earth at each station,
and electrical circuit changing devices at each station for removing the said earth
connections at such stations and means to make inoperative one of the electro
magnetic devices by which the said earth connections have been removed, whereby
a called station can be reached without affecting the circuit changing devices in
any station beyond the called station.

page_text: 10. In an electrical signaling system having a plurality of stations, the com-
bination of a normally closed line or circuit having an electro magnet included
in it at each station, and two lines divided into sections by earth connections
at ench station, nue of said wires including a signaling apparatus at each
station.
11. In an electrical signaling system the combination of three wires, one of
which forms a normally closed circuit throughout, and the other two wires forming
sections between stations by means of earth connections at each station, electrical
devices in another wire to eflect connection successively through the intermediate
#tations to the station desired.
12. The combination of a normally closed circuit and a contact to break said
circuit, with a magnet and armature, the latter being arranged to operate said
contact to break said cirenit, a circuit for said magnet, a shunt around said magnet,
and a magnet and armature, the latter being arranged to break said shunt, and a
circuit for the Inst mentioned magnet.
13. The combination of a circuit and a contact arranged to break said circuit.
with a magnet and armature, the latter being arranged to operate said contact
to break said circuit, a shunt around said magnet, said armature being included in
said shunt, and with another magnet and armature, the latter being included in gaid
shunt to make and break the circuit therethrough.
14. A signaling system comprising a line wire, a spur wire leading therefrom, a
contact included in the spur circuit, a signaling instrument connected with said
spur wire, a contact for connection with sail first mentioned contact and leading to
ground, a contact 24 operated with said first mentioned contact and insulated
therefrom, a normally clused line having a magnet and armature the latter being
arranged to operate first mentioned contact and insulated therefrom, a shunt around
Enid magnet including said armature therein, a contact in said shot to engage said
armature, another line circuit having a magnet 21 located on a spur wire 22 leading
from said line and an armature 17 for the magnet 21, the latter being included in
the shunt and adapted to break the circuit through said shunt, and the spur
wire 22 being connected with the contact 24, the contact 24 normally engaging
a contact 26 leading to ground, a wire 31 lending to ground and having a
contact 30, a contact 25 connected with the armature 17 and insulated there-
from, and a wire 28 lending from a terminal of the magnet 21 to the contact 29
whereby when the circuit is broken at 24, 26, in will be re-established at 29, 30.
15. A signaling system having two wires one of which is connected with a
signaling instrument or call hell, another of said wires being used to cut out said
instrument, combined with a switch board or box having pivoted arms provided
with contacts to normally close circuit through the bell wire and arranged to break
and re-establish said circuit. when one arm is turned, means for sending a current
through said bell wire when its circuit is so re-established, a contact connected
with the cut out wire, and a contact operated by said arm to operate said cut out
contnet.
16. A signaling system comprising three wires, one of which is connected with a
signaling instrument or call bell, another being a normally closed wire having
devices to break the circuit through the call bell, and the other wire having
devices to cause the normally closed line devices to operate, combined with a
switch board or box having a pivoted arm connected with a battery, a pair of
normally disconnected contacts connected with the bell wire, and with a push
button or switch respectively, a contact on said arm to close the circuit throngh
snid contacts, a normally closed line having a normally closed contact to be
operated by said arm to break the circuit through said line and a contact connected
with the above-mentioned wire, and a contact operated by said arm to close the
circuit through the last mentioned wire.
17. A switch board or box having a pivoted arm connected with a battery, a
series of contacts for connection with a push button or switch, a corresponding
series of contacts being arranged in pairs, a contact carried by and insulated from

page_text: said arm and arranged to make connections between pairs of said contacts, and
another contact or contacts connected with another line wire, and a contact in said
arm to engage therewith to close the circuit from said battery through said
wire.
18. A switch board or box having a pivoted arm connected with a battery, a
series of contacts for connection with a push button or switch, a corresponding
series of contacts for connection with a line wire, said contacts being arranged in
pairs, a contact carried by and insulated from said arm and arranged to make
connection between pairs of said contacts, and another contact or contacts
connected with another line wire, a contact in said arm to engage therewith to close
the circuit from said battery through said wire, and a normally closed contact for
connection with a normally closed line wire, said arm when turned acting to break
the circuit through said closed contact.
19. A switch board or box comprising two pivoted arms connected with a
battery, a signaling wire leading therethrough from opposite directions, one part
of the wire being connected with a contact 34, and the other part with a
contact 35, contacts 34", 35", connected together and a contact e on said arms, to
join the contacts 34, 34 and 35, 35", respectively, contacts 42, 43, and 42", 43ª,
connected with the contacts 34, 35 respectively and contacts 37, 38 and 37, 38,
respectively connected with a push button or switch 8 by wires 41, 41" the
contacts 37, 42, and 38, 43, as well as contacts 37" 42", and 38, 43", being arranged
to be connected by the contacts e on the arms 33, 33ª.
20. A switch board or box comprising two pivoted arms connected with a
battery, a signaling wire leading therethrough from opposite directions, one part
of the wire being connected with a contact 35, contacts 34, 35°, connected together
and contacts e on said arms to join the contacts 34, 34, 35, 35", respectively,
contacts 42 43, and 42" 43", connected with the contacts 37, 38, and 37", 38ª,
respectively connected with a push button or switch 8 by wires 41, 41, the
contacts 37, 42, and 38, 43, as well as contacts 37, 42 a, and 38 a, 43 a, being
arranged to be connected by the contacts e on the arms 33, 33", and contacts 47, 47",
for connection with another line wire, contacts 49, 49, connected together, a
contact 48 on each arm 33, 33", to connect contacts 47, 19, and 47, 49",
respectively and contacts 51, 51, respectively connected with said other line wire,
and adapted to be connected with the contacts on the arms 33, 33", respectively.
21. A switch board or box comprising two pivoted arms connected with a
battery, a signalling wire leading therethrough from opposite directions, one part
of the wire being connected with a contact 34 and the other part with a contact 35,
contacts 34, 35°, connected together and contacts e on said arms to join the
contacts 34, 34", and 35, 35", respectively, contacts 42, 43, and 42*, 43, connected
with the contacts 34, 35, respectively connected with a push button or switch 8 by
wires 41, 41, the contacts 37, 42, and 38, 43, as well as contacts 37", 42",
and 38", 43, being arranged to be connected by the contacts e on the arms 33, 33*,
and contacts 47, 47%, for connection with another line wire, contacts 49, 49",
connected together, a contact 48 on each arm 33, 33", to connect contacts 47, 49,
and 47, 49, respectively and contacts 51, 51, respectively connected with said
other line wire and adapted to be connected with the contacts on the arms 35 35",
respectively and normally closed contacts 54, 54", for connection with a normally
closed line, a projection on each arm 33, 33, acting to operate the contacts 54, 54*,
respectively to break said normally closed line.
22. An electrical circuit comprising a line wire, an electrical instrument
connected therewith, means for causing the latter to operate, a circuit breaking
device in the circuit of said instrument, and a separate line wire having electrical
devices for operating said circuit breaking device, combined with a telephone
circuit, for use when a signal is given in the calling circuit.
23. An electrical circuit comprising a line wire, an electrical instrument
connected therewith, means for causing the latter to operate, a circuit breaking
device in the circuit of said instrument, and a separate fine wire having electrical

page_text: devices for operating said circuit breaking device, combined with two telephone
line-wires having spurs therefrom provided with contacts 63, 63", and a switch 64
for connection with said contact, and a telephone instrument connected with said
switch.
24. An electrical circuit comprising a line wire, an electrical instrument
connected therewith, means for causing the latter to operate, a circuit breaking
device in the circuit of said instrument, and a separate line wire having electrical
devices for operating said circuit breaking device, combined with two telephone
line wires having spurs therefrom provided with contacts 63, 63", and a switch 64,
for connection with said contacts, and a telephone instrument connected with a 1
switch 05 in the circuit from the switch 64 to the telephone.
25. A switch hard or box having pair of contacts 31, 34, and 35, 35, the
contacts 34 and 35 a being electrically connected together, normally closed
contacts 54, 54, pairs of contacts 37, 42, and 37", 42", contacts 51, 51, and
pivoted arms 33, 33, enrrying contacts e, 48 and 51, adapted to engage the
contacts on the board or box, all arranged for joint operation, substantially as
described.
26. In a signaling system a plurality of stations, a wire passing through said
stations and having branch connections at each station, and circuit changing devices
located at each station arranged to operate one at a time and successively to break
said brunch connections at stations successively and to hold said branch connections
broken to provide through line to the station desired, without affecting the
circuit changing devices in any station beyond the called station.
27. In a signaling system having a plurality of stations, a wire passing through
said stations and normally in circuit with signaling devices at each station,
eirenit changing means for preventing any it rugdiate one of said signaling
devices from operating so that the instrument on the line next beyond can operate,
without affecting the circuit changing devices at or beyond the called station and
means for restoring said instruments to their proper circuits simultaneously.
28. In a signaling system having a plurality of stations, n wire passing through
said stations, a signaling instrument at each station normally in circuit. with said
wire, a separate wire passing through said stations and circuit changing devices on
said separate wire at said stations and arranged to cut said instruments from
circuit with their wire at the intermedinte station so as to provide a through wire
to the signaling instrument at the station desired without affecting the circuit
changing devices in any station beyond the called station.
29. An electrical circuit comprising n line wire, a signaling instrument
connected therewith, a normally broken shunt around said instrument and
containing a contact normally leading to ground, a normally closed fine wire having
a magnet 12 and armature 13 to operate said contact to break the ground for the
signaling instrument and else the slant around said instrument, a shunt around
the magnet 12 and a line creuit having electrical devices to break the shunt around
the magnet 12.
30. An electrical circuit comprising a line wire, a signaling instrument connected
therewith, a shunt around said instrument having a contact to normally break said
shunt and leading to ground, a normally closed line having magnet 12 and
armature 13, the latter being arranged to operate said contact to break the ground
and close the shunt around the signaling instrument, a shunt around the magnet. 12
having a contact to engage the armature 13, a line wire 23 having a magnet. 21
and an armature 17 included in the shunt around the magnet 12, and a shout around
the magnet 21 having a wire connected with a contact carried by the armature 13
and a wire 29" having contacts 29, 29° to be engaged respectively by a contact 25
on the armature 17, and the contact on the armature 13.
31. The combination of a circuit having a contact to break it, with a magnet 1
and an armature 13 the laiter being arranged to operate said contact, a shun
around said magnet, said armature being included in said shunt, a magnet 21
and an armature 17, the latter being also included in said shunt, and a shun

page_text: around the magnet 21 arranged to be closed and broken by both armatures 15
and 17.
32. The combination of two magnets 12 and 21, and armatures 13 and 17 for
said magnets respectively, with a wire extending from the magnet 21 to a
contact carried by the armature 13, and a wire 29 having a contact 29" normally
out of engagement with the contact on the armature 13, and a contact 29*
normally in engagement with a contact on the armature 17, and a wire connecting
the latter contact with the magnet 21.
33. In a signaling system, the combination of a circuit having a contact. 5
lending to ground, a magnet 12 having an armature 13 to operate said contact.
a shunt around said magnet, the armature 13 being included in said shunt, a
magnet 21 having an armature 17 included in said shunt, a shunt around the
magnet 21 lending to a contact on the armature 13, a wire 29 in said shunt
having contacts 29", 29, and a wire 22 leading from said magnet to a contact 24
on the contact 5, a contact 26 leading to ground and normally engaging the
contact 24, and a wire 31 leading to ground and having a contact 30 to be
engaged by the contact 29 on the armature 17, all arranged substantially as
specified.
34. In a signaling system having a plurality of stations, a wire passing through
said stations in opposite directions, signaling instruments at said stations connected
with the portion of the wire extending in one direction, means at each station
adapted to cut the signaling instrument at that station from the line, and means at
said stations connected with the portion of said wire extending in the opposite
direction adapted to operate the signaling instruments on said wire.
35. In a signaling system having a plurality of stations, a wire passing through
said stations in opposite directions, signaling instruments at said stations connected
with the portion of said wire extending in one direction, said signaling instruments
having individual circuits lending from said portion of said wire, means at said
stations connected with the portion of said wire extending in the opposite direction
adapted to operate the signaling instruments on said wire, and means at each
station for breaking the individual circuit of any signaling instrument in another
station to establish a through line to the next station.
36. In a signaling system having a plurality of stations, two wires passing
through all of said stations in opposite directions, signaling instruments connected
to the portion of one of said wires at each siation that extends in one direction,
said signaling instruments having individual circuits at each station leading from
said wire, means at each station connected with the portion of said wire which
extends in the opposite direction adapted to operate said signaling instruments,
and electrical devices connected with that portion of the second-mentioned wire
which extends in one direction through the stations to break the individual circuits
of said instruments, and means connected with the oppositely extending portion of
said second-mentioned wire adapted to operate said electrical devices connected
with the other portion of said wire.
37. In a signaling system having a plurality of stations, two wires passing
through all of said stations in opposite directions, signaling instruments connected
to the portion of one of said wires at each station that extends in one direction,
said signaling instruments having individual circuits at each station leading from
said wire, means at each station connected with the portion of said wire which
extends in the opposite direction, adapted to operate said signaling instruments,
and electrical devices connected with that portion of the second-mentioned wire
which extends in one direction through the stations to break the individual circuits
of said instruments, and means connected with the oppositely extending portion of
said second-mentioned wire adapted to operate sail electrical devices connected
with the other portion of said wire, and a third wire passing through all of said
stations adapted to operate in conjunction with said electrical devices to break the
individual circuits of said signaling instruments, and means connected with said

page_text: third-mentioned wire arranged to act on said electrical devices to restore the circuits
through said instruments.
38. In a signaling system having a plurality of stations, two wires running in
opposite directions through enid stations, one of said wires having electrical
instruments connected with it, said instruments having individual circuits at said
stations lending from said wire, the other wire having electrical devices to effect
the breaking of said individual circuits in said electrical instruments at one station
to permit the current to pass to the electrical instrument at the next station, and
means connected with the opposite portion of said wire for operating the devices
connected with said wires.
39. In a signaling system comprising a plurality of stations, a wire leading
through all said stations in two directions, signaling instruments at each station
which have individual circuits leading from one portion of said wire, and means in
ench station connected with the other portion of said wire for operating the
electrical instrument at the first station of the series directly, and circuit changing
devices in said first station arranged to be operated from any station on the series
for breaking the individual circuit of the electrical instrument in said first station
nud for establishing a through line to the station beyoud.
Dated this 15th day of October 1895.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicants.