CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS. SHALL COME I GEORGE
PETRIE of No. 14 Mountford Street Whitechapel in the County of
Middlesex Electrical Engineer send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland bearing date at Westminster the Twenty-sixth day of October in
the eleventh year of Her reign did give and grant unto me the said George
Petrie my exors admors and assigns Her especial licence full power sole
privilege and authority that I the said George Petrie my exors admors and
assigns and every of them by myself and themselves or by my and their deputy
or deputies servants or agents or such others as I the said George Petrie
my exors admors or assigns should at any time agree with and no others
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term of years therein
expressed should and lawfully might make use exercise and vend his said
Invention within that part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland called England Her Dominion of Wales and Town of Berwick-¨
upon-Tweed and in Her Islands of Jersey Guernsey Alderney Sark and
Man and also in all Her Colonies and Plantations abroad (save and except
Her provinces of Canada Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and Her Island
of Prince Edward in North America) in such manner as I the said George
Petrie my exors admors and assigns or any of them should in his and their
discretion seem meet my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC
TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a
21364-1.

page_text: proviso that if I the said George Petrie shall not particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal
and cause the same to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date 5
of the said in part recited Letters Patent that then the said Letters Patent
and all liberties and advantages thereby granted shall utterly cease determine
and become as by the said Letters Patent reference being thereunto had
will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE that in compliance with the said proviso I the said 1
George Petrie do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by this present Instrument in writing reference being had to the
several Drawings therein referred to and hereunto annexed.
The first of these improvements consists in the arrangement of an improved
communicator or key board for transmitting and reversing the direction of an
electric current through a telegraphic circuit whereby the chances of the
failure of contacts in the communicator may be diminished.
Figure 1 is a top view of the key board. Figure 14 is a section of the left-
hand key. Figure 1B is a section of the right-hand key. Figure 1° is a side
view and Figure 1º is a top view with the keys removed. In each of these
Figures similar letters refer to similar parts. A A Figure 1 is a wooden
board upon which the apparatus is fixed B and B are two upright standards.
CC seen at Figure 1 and Figure 1º is the axis or pin upon which the two
keys move. D Figure 1 and D¹ Figure 1B are two springs which keep
the two keys elevated. E E Figures 1A and 1B is an elevated part of the
wooden board which keeps the keys from being pressed too far by the springs.
F Figure 1 and F1 Figure 1B are two metallic vessels for containing
mercury. Between these mercury vessels a metallic connection exists by
means of a wire or piece of metal as seen at Figure 1º. G Figure 14 and
G¹ Figure 1B are two other metallic mercury vessels between which also a
metallic connection exists as seen at Figure 1". This metallic connection
extends also to the battery screw 9 as seen at Figure 14. H Figure 1ª and
H¹ Figure 1B are two other mercury vessels which are also connected
together as seen at Figure 1º. This connection extends to the other battery
screw seen at Figure 13. I Figure 1A is a small spring which together
with the small spring J is in metallic connection with the binding screw
K. J and K¹ constitute a similar arrangement for the other key.
L Figure 1 is a small spring which is in metallic connection with the

page_text: binding screw M. L' and M' is a similar arrangement for the other key.
P and Q Figure 1 are two wires by which the key board is connected into the
long telegraphic circuit. The wire P is connected to the screw K and also
to the screw M¹ and the wire Q is connected to the screw K¹ and also to the
screw M. It will be obvious that instead of the springs being fixed to the
keys pieces of fixed metal may be fixed to the keys and that the mercury vessels.
may be arranged with small springs immersed in mercury. When the keys are
left untouched the springs D and D¹ keep them in the position shown in the
Figures and in this position no contact exists between M and K or between
M and K¹ but a contact exists at this time between K and K¹ through the.
mercury vessels F and F and this contact is broken when either key is
depressed. Secondly when the left-hand key is depressed the wire P.
is connected to the positive pole of the battery through the screw K the
spring I the pair of mercury vessels H and H¹ and the battery screw h
while the wire Q is connected to the negative pole of the battery through the
screw M the spring L the pair of mercury vessels G and G¹ and the battery
screw g. Thirdly when the other key is depressed the wires P ard Q are
connected each to the opposite pole of the battery.
I claim as of my Invention a communicator or key board in which the
contacts are made by springs coming against pieces of fixed metal immersed
in mercury or by pieces of fixed metal coming against springs immersed in
mercury.
The second of these improvements consists in the arrangement of an
apparatus for breaking and completing local circuits. Figure 2 is a side.
view Figure 2A is a top view and Figure 2B is an end view of the circuit
completer and in each of these Figures similar letters refer to similar parts.
A A A seen at Figure 2 are three blocks of wood which form the
bottom and the two ends of the framework A1 A2 A3 and A*
seen at Figure 2B are four pieces of brass or other metal which being
screwed to the blocks of wood as seen at Figure 2 form the sides of the
framework. B is a voltaic magnet. C. C. seen at Figure 2 and Figure 2ª is
a block of wood which is fixed with screws to the two pieces of metal A¹ and A³.
D and D¹ are two binding screws by means of which the two ends of the wire,
of the magnet B are connected into the telegraphic circuit which is repre-
sented by the wires E and E¹. SN and S¹ N¹ seen at Figure 2 are two
permanent magnets which are fixed to and suspended by the axes or pins
F and F. The two permanent magnets are disposed so as to have a similar
pole downwards so that whichever way the current from a distant place is
transmitted through the voltaic magnet B one of these permanent magnets
D

page_text: will be attracted and the other will be repelled. G and G. are two delicate
springs which press the lower ends of the permanent magnets away from the
voltaic magnet when the voltaic magnet is not excited but the same effect
may be produced with weights. H and H¹ are two wooden or ivory pins
which prevent either of the permanent magnets from moving out of the sphere
of the electro-magnetic attraction. I and I¹ are two similar pins which prevent
the permanent magnets from coming into actual contact with the voltaic
magnet. The wooden part of the framework may be cut so as to dispense
with these pins. J and J¹ are arms of wire or metal which are fixed to the
axes of the permanent magnets. These should be light in comparison with
the weight of the permanent magnets. L and M seen at Figure 24 is a pair
of vessels or cups containing mercury. L' and M³ is another similar pair
of mercury vessels at the other end of the apparatus. K and K' are two
connecting pieces (or pieces of bent wire) which are fixed at the ends of the
arms J and J. Each of these connecting pieces will dip into its respective
pair of mercury vessels when the magnet to which it is fixed is attracted
by the voltaic magnet. The mercury vessel L is connected by the wire N
to the binding screw Q and the mercury vessel M is connected by the wire O
to the binding screw P. The pair of mercury vessels at the other end of
the apparatus are connected to the binding screws P¹ and Q¹. The wires
R and S represent the two ends of one local circuit and the wires R¹ and S¹.
represent the two ends of another local circuit.
Figure 2° shows another way of arranging the magnets according to the
same principle. The operation of the circuit completer is as follows When
no electric current is passing through the long telegraphic circuit then the
voltaic magnet B is unexcited and the inductive power of the magnet S N is
balanced by the inductive power of the magnet S¹ N¹ and consequently no
attraction exists and in this state the pressure of the springs or the gravi-
tation of the weights (as the case may be) keep the magnets in such a position
as to cause the connecting pieces to be out of the mercury vessels and conse-
quently both the local circuits remain broken. Secondly when an electric
current is sent in one direction through the long telegraphic circuit and
consequently through the wire of the voltaic magnet B then the permanent
magnet S N is attracted and the connective piece K which moves with it
dips into the mercury vessels L M and thus the local circuit represented by
the wires R. S is completed while the other local circuit remains open.
Thirdly when the electric current is sent in a contrary direction through the
long telegraphic circuit and consequently through the wire of the voltaic
magnet B then the permanent magnet S¹ N¹ is attracted and the connecting

page_text: piece K¹ is now depressed into the mercury vessels L¹ M' and thus the
other local circuit namely the one represented by the wires R¹ S¹ is now
completed while the other circuit remains broken..
I claim as of my Invention in this circuit completer the arranging of two
permanent magnets suspended by their similar poles upon two separate axes
so that the motion of each magnet shall be independent of the other and so
combined with voltaic magnets as to cause the inductive power of one per-
manent magnet acting at one pole of the voltaic magnet or magnets to
balance the inductive power of the other permanent magnet acting at the
other pole of the voltaic magnet or magnets.
The third of these improvements consists in the arrangement of an appá-
ratus for causing an electric current which is passing through one telegraphic
circuit (such as a main telegraphic circuit) to communicate a similar electric
current to another telegraphic circuit or to other telegraphic circuits (such as:
branch telegraphic circuits). This apparatus may be called a circuit commu-
nicator because its object is to communicate by self-action the signal from one
circuit to another. Figure 3 is a side view. Figure 3A is a top view and
Figure 3B is an end view of the circuit communicator and in each of these
Figures similar letters refer to similar parts. A A A seen at Figure 8 are
three blocks of wood which form the bottom and the two ends of the frame-
work. A' A3 A3 and A* seen at Figure 3B are four pieces of brass or other
metal which being screwed to the blocks of wood as seen at Figure 3 form
the sides of the framework. B is a voltaic magnet. CC seen at Figure 3
and Figure 3A is a block of wood which is fixed to the two pieces of metal
A¹ and As. D and D¹ seen at Figure 3A are two binding screws by means of
which the two ends of the wire of the voltaic magnet B are connected into the
main telegraphic circuit. A small spring is fixed to one of these binding
screws this spring has a tendency to press against the other binding screw.
E is a handle for breaking the metallic contact between the binding screws
D and D' when the apparatus is required to operate. S N and S¹ N¹ seen
at Figure 3 are two permanent magnets which are fixed to and suspended by
the axes or pins F and F. The two permanent magnets are disposed so as
to have a similar pole downwards so that whichever way the current from a
distant place is transmitted through the voltaic magnet B one of these perma-
nent magnets will be attracted and the other will be repelled. G and G¹ are
small weights which keep the permanent magnets away from the voltaic magnet
when the voltaic magnet is not excited. H and H¹ are two wooden or ivory
pins which prevent either of the permanent magnets from moving out of the
sphere of the electro-magnetic attraction. I and I are two similar pins

page_text: which prevent the permanent magnets from coming into actual contact with
the voltaic magnet. The wooden part of the framework may be cut out so as
to dispence with these pins. J J are arms of wire or metal which are fixed
to the permanent magnet S N or to the axis of the magnet see Figure 3A.
K is a connecting piece fixed at one end of the arms J J. L and M are two
other connecting pieces fixed at the other end of the arms J J each of these
three connecting pieces are insulated from each other and under each may be
seen a pair of mercury vessels J¹ and J. K¹ L' and M¹ constitute the same
arrangement for the other end of the apparatus. R R is the wire of the
branch line of telegraphs the two ends of this wire are fastened to the
binding screws T and T. The screw T is connected by a wire to the
mercury vessel 1. and the screw T¹ is connected to the mercury vessel 4.
The mercury vessels 2 and 3 are also connected by a wire. This forms
a metallic circuit between the screws T and T through the mercury
vessels 1. 2. 3 and 4 and the circuit is liable to be broken at two points
namely by the lifting of the connecting piece K or by the lifting of the con-
necting piece K². Two other wires also proceed from the screw T one to
the mercury vessel 6 and the other to the mercury vessel 9. Two other wires
proceed also from the screw T¹ one to the mercury vessel 8 and the other to
the mercury vessel 11. The wires of a local battery are connected thus-
The positive wire to the mercury vessel 10 and 7 and the negative wire to the
mercury vessels 12 and 5. The operation of the circuit communicator is as
follows When no electric current is passing through the wire of the main
line of telegraphs then the voltaic magnet B is unexcited and the inductive
power of the permanent magnet S N is ballanced by the inductive power of
the permanent magnets S¹ N¹ and consequently no attraction exists and
in this state the weights G and G¹ keep the two magnets away from the
voltaic magnet and in this position the connecting pieces K and K' are down
in the mercury vessels and thus the circuit of the branch line of telegraphs
is kept complete.
Secondly when an electric current is passing in one direction through the
main telegraphic circuit (provided the apparatus is set so that the current
shall run through it) then the magnet S N is attracted towards the voltaic
magnet and the connecting piece K is lifted out of the mercury vessel 1. 2.
and thus the branch telegraphic circuit is broken while at the same time the
connecting piece M descending into the mercury vessels 7 and 8 forms a con-
nection between the positive pole of the battery and that end of the divided
circuit of the branch line of telegraphs which is connected to the binding
screw T¹ and also at the same time the connecting piece L descending into

page_text: the mercury vessels 5 and 6 forms a connection between the negative pole of
the battery and that other end of the divided circuit of the branch line of
telegraphs which is connected to the binding screws T.
Thirdly it will be seen that when the direction of the current in the main
telegraphic circuit is reversed that the poles of the local battery will be con-
nected reversely into the branch telegraphic circuit.
I claim as of my Invention in the circuit communicator the arranging of the
wires and the mercury vessels so that when no current is passing through
the apparatus the branch telegraphic circuit shall be kept entire and so that
when the currents in the main circuit are allowed to pass through this appa-
ratus the poles of a local battery shall be introduced into the branch circuit
in such a manner as to transmit through the branch circuit similar currents.
to those which are being transmitted through the main circuit.
The fourth of these improvements consists in a new mode of employings
the ratchet wheel and claw for the purpose of communicating an intermittent
revolving motion to electric telegraphic indices. The object of the improve-.
ment is to produce the above-mentioned effect with greater certainty and.
without the necessity for the teeth of the ratchet wheel being so small as to
occupy each of them only a very small portion of the circumference of the
wheel. Two of these arrangements are applicable for working the indices of
the conversing dials hereafter described. These arrangements are also
applicable for working the indices of other telegraphic dials as hereafter.
described. And note in the Drawings hereunto annexed the prime mover:
which moves the above-mentioned apparatus is represented as being a voltaic
magnet and an armature of soft iron or an arrangement of magnets on the
principle of the galvanometer. But I do not confine myself to any particular
kind of prime mover various other arrangements may be employed for the
purpose of moving the above-mentioned mechanism.
Figure 4 is a front view of an apparatus containing the above-mentioned
mechanism Figure 4° is a top view of the apparatus Figure 4B is an end
view and Figure 4ª is a top view of such part of the apparatus as illustrates
the principle of my improvement. In each of these Figures similar letters
refer to similar parts. A A Figure 4 is the ratchet wheel. B is the axis
to which the ratchet wheel is fixed. CC is a section of one of two tubular
bearers for the leverage. In small instruments these bearers may be dis
pensed with. D D is one side of the leverage which carries the claw the
other side of this leverage may be seen in the other Figures. EE is a cross
piece which connects the two sides of the leverage together. F is a spring
fixed to the cross piece. e is a screw for adjusting the pressure of the spring.
G is the claw fixed on the spring. Z is the voltaic magnet. Y is its arma

page_text: ture of soft iron. X is one side of the leverage which carries the armature
the other side of this leverage may be seen in Figure 4°. W is the axis
upon which this upper leverage moves. V Figure 4 is one of two connecting
pieces which connect the upper to the lower leverage. H is a spring to press
down the leverage when it is not acted upon by the voltaic magnet. I is a
screw for adjusting the pressure of the spring last mentioned. J is a section
of a pin for preventing the spring H from pressing down the leverage farther
than necessary. K is a claw for preventing the wheel from moving back-
wards. L and L are small bolts for putting the leverage together. U seen
only at Figure 4° is a plate of metal for the spring H to press upon. This
plate is fixed to the leverage. Figure 4D shows the shape of the axle for
small instruments when the tubular bearings may be dispensed with. a is
the part for the wheel to be fixed upon. b and c are the parts upon which
the leverage is to move.
Figures 4. 4. 40. 4. 41. 4. 4* 4 and 4. illustrate another apparatus
constructed on the same principle. In these Figures similar letters refer to
similar parts. A A Figure 4B is an axis upon which a series of groups of
very thin sheet permanent magnets are fixed. They are arranged so that
each contiguous group shall have its pole reversed. Figures 4 and 4° are
two blocks composed of any kind of hard wood the space in the centre is
for the magnets to move in. Figure 4" is a section of the two blocks.
B is the large block. B' is the small block. C. C¹. C. and C³ are four
standards composed of cast brass. These are fixed one at each end of each
block. D is a side view of the magnets. Figure 4' is an end view of the two
blocks with the standards. E E &c. are holes through which thin insulated
wire is to be drawn so as to form thin walls or partitions of wire from one
end of the block to the other as hereafter described. FF are bolts to bolt
the upper part to the lower when the wires and the magnets are arranged.
Figure 4 is a front view of the apparatus complete. G is one of the two
standards which are fixed one at each side of the large block. H is a steel
plate with a socket for supporting one end of the axis of the magnets. I is
is a ratchet wheel containing only ten teeth. H¹ is another steel plate
with a socket for supporting one end of the axis of the ratchet wheel.
J J is the lower part of the leverage. Ķ is a balance weight. L L is the
upper part of the leverage. M is the spring which carries the claw. N is
another claw to keep the wheel from moving back. O and P are two stop
pins to limit the motion of the apparatus. Figure 4 is an end view of the
apparatus without the wire. QQ is the axis of the magnets and the lower
leverage. R R is the axis of the ratchet wheel and the upper leverage.
This axis comes through the steel plate at H¹ and projects for the index to be

page_text: fixed upon it. S is a cross piece of wood to keep the two standards G G
firm and to support the spring and claw N. Figure 4 is a top view of the
apparatus without the wires the magnets are seen through the centre space
of the two blocks. Figure 4 is a top view when the top part of the
apparatus is lifted off the wires and the magnets are here exposed to view.
The coils are connected in a series that is so that the whole of the electric
current shall run through each coil and the coils are so connected that the
current in each contiguous wall or partition of wire shall run in the same
direction as shown by the arrows. This apparatus is arranged so as to com-
plete its revolution in ten movements but it is evident that whatever may be
the size of the teeth that is to say whatever may be the number of degrees
of the circle each tooth may occupy the claw will always take into the teeth
because the claw moves concentric with the wheel. The mode of moving
a telegraphic index by means of a ratchet wheel operated upon by a claw
which is moved by electro-magnetic agency (that is electric and magnetic
agency) is not new but the mechanism of electro telegraphs has not yet been
arranged so that the motion of the claw shall be concentric with the motion of
the wheel and consequently the mechanism hitherto used will not operate
unless the teeth of the ratchet wheel are very small. Also the mode of moving
a ratchet wheel by a claw which moves concentric to the wheel is not new
as applied in some other arrangements but I claim in this apparatus the
moving of the indices of electric telegraphs by means of a ratchet wheel
combined with concentric leverage and actuated by any kind of electric (that
is electric and magnetic) prime mover.
The fifth of these improvements consists in the arrangement and application
of a new escapement for releasing by electro-magnetic agency (that is to say
electric and magnetic agency) clockwork which is for sounding alarums and
giving visible signals with revolving indices. Two of these arrangements are
applicable for working the indices of the conversing dials hereafter described
as the sixth and seventh of these improvements. These arrangements are also
applicable for working the indices of other telegraphic dials also hereafter
described. In the Drawings hereunto annexed the electric prime mover
which releases the apparatus is represented as being a voltaic magnet and an
armature of soft iron but I do not confine myself to this prime mover as
others may be employed. Figure 5 is a front view and Figure 5A is an end
view of this apparatus. A is a cylinder which may be composed of wood.
B is the axis of the cylinder upon which also is fixed the index of the tele-
graph and a cog wheel connecting the apparatus to common clockwork which
being well known need not be further described. CCC &c. are a series

page_text: of stop pins radiating at one edge of the cylinder. D D D &c. are another
series of stop pins radiating at the other edge of the cylinder but on a line
crossing halfway between the stop pins C C &c. E is a bar or pallets for
releasing the pins arranged so that the end E shall come into the way of the
stop pins D before the other end is quite clear of the stop pins C. F is the
axis of the bar or pallets. G G are projections (from the framework of
whatever apparatus this may be used with) to prevent the pallets from
touching the cylinder. Figure 5B is a top view of the cylinder. H is a frame
or a plate of brass connected to the axis of the pallets. I I is a piece of
soft iron fixed in the brass frame or plate. J is a voltaic magnet fixed over
the soft iron as seen also in Figure 5º. K is a spring to cause reaction when
the magnet is unexcited.
I claim as of my Invention first the combination of a cylinder having two
series of stop pins which radiate from the circumference (and which are dis-
posed as herein described) with a bar or with pallets moving in a plane at right
angles to the plane in which the cylinder moves and secondly the application
of this escapement in combination with electro-magnetic (that is to say electric
and magnetic) apparatus and common clockwork to the purpose of governing
the movement of telegraphic revolving indices and sounding telegraphic alarums.
The sixth of these improvements consists in the arrangement of an improved
converting dial. The object of this improvement is to obtain (by means of
indices the revolution of which can be completed in a few movements) a large
number of elementary signals whereon to lay the foundation of an improved
system of telegraphic correspondence. A telegraphic dial plate having two
revolving indices has been employed for some purposes and the improvement
which I have made in this kind of telegraphic apparatus consists in arranging
the dial so that the compound positions and movements of the two indices
taken together shall point out the elements of telegraphic correspondence
by moving and stopping upon two concentric circles of figures arranged as
follows namely nine units and a cypher upon one circle and nine tens and a
cypher upon the other circle whereby one hundred elementary signals are
very conveniently indicated and quickly received by the mind of the tele-
graphist. To these indices I apply mechanism similar to that which is
described as the 4th and 5th improvements whereby the revolution of the
indices may be finished in a few movements. Figure 6 is a view of the
improved conversing dial. A is a long index which points to the figures on
the outer circle B is a short index which points to the figures on the inner
circle each elementary signal is indicated by the position of the two indices
taken together thus the signal pointed out in the figure is 91. Figure 6ª is

page_text: au end view. A A A'is a board upon which the apparatus is fixed BB
is the dial. The axle of one index is tubular and the axle of the other index
passes through the tubular axle as seen in the Figure. C contains the
mechanism of one index and D the mechanism of the other being the same
as was described as the 4th or 5th of these improvements. If the escapement
is employed as represented at C Figure 64 (see description of the 5th improve-
ment) additional telegraphic characters may be marked on the dial halfway
between each of the figures and clockwork must be employed to move the
axes of the indices as seen at E Figure 64. The mechanism contained in C
is quite independent of the mechanism contained in D the two indices
being actuated by two local circuits as will be seen hereafter at Figure 7°
but when the distances are not very great or when a powerful battery is
employed the circuit completer may be may be modified in such a manner and
may be fixed in such a position that the pallets of one escapement may be
fixed to the axis of one of the magnets of the circuit completer and the pallets
of the other escapement may be fixed to the axis of the other magnet of the
circuit completer.
I claim as of my Invention in respect of this dial apparatus first the
arrangement of the dial and secondly the application of the mechanism
described as the 4th or 5th of these improvements the axes of the two.
indices.
The seventh of these improvements consists in the arrangement of a dial
suitable for conversing with the common alphabet. Figure 7 is a dial
arranged according to this 7th improvement. The common alphabet is divided
into five groups each group containing five letters which are disposed in
five different positions as shown by Figure 7 the group is pointed out by
the short index and the individual letter is indicated by the position of the
long index thus if the short index points to the group E and the long index
to the first position as seen on the dial of Figure 7B the letter a is indi-
cated as (a) is in the first position of group E. If the escapement described
in the fifth part is used for the indices of this dial then the marks halfway
between the figures are the points at which either index will stop if the finger
key is held down and this will serve for the introduction of abbreviating
characters. Figure 7³ is a front view of a telegraph constructed according to
the improvements herein described. A A is a case which contains the
various parts of the telegraph but these parts may all be arranged in a more
compact case if necessary B is the dial above described C is a door which
opens so that the dial apparatus may be disconnected and taken out of the
case when repairs are necessary D is a key board such as was described in

page_text: the first part this also may be easily diconnected and taken out of the case.
Figure 7 is a side view with the side covering removed and the letters A B
C and D refer to the same parts as in the last Figure F and F is the
mechanism for moving the indices G and G¹ are two local circuits for
actuating the mechanism of the indices H is a case containing an apparatus
for completing the two local circuits. This may be the circuit completer
described as the second of these improvements or a galvanometer circuit com-
pleter or any other arrangement for completing local circuits II (seen also
at Figure 7) are the wires of the local telegraph by which the local telegraph
is joined into the long telegraphic circuit these wires are connected at E to
the key board and then pass through the circuit completer as seen at J K
is a battery for the two local circuits this battery should be what is called
a quantity battery if the indices are actuated by arrangements of voltaic
magnets or it should be what is called an intensity battery if the indices are
actuated by galvonometer arrangements L is a battery which is connected to
the key board by the wires M M N N are two other wires which proceed
from the same battery to the key board of the governing apparatus which will
be described as the eighth of these improvements.
I claim as of my Invention in respect of this apparatus the arrangement of
the letters into the groups and the positions as herein described and repre-
sented in Figure 7.
The eighth of these improvements in general electric telegraphic apparatus
consists in the Invention of a new apparatus which may be called the tele-
graphic governing apparatus. The object of this apparatus is to enable the
telegraphist at any station or at any part of any circuit in a large system of
lines of telegraphs to operate upon any distant part or parts of the general
telegraphic apparatus so as to connect into one long circuit any number of
consecutive circuits also so as to divide any circuit or circuits into any num-
ber of smaller circuits also so as to cut off from or introduce into any of
the main or branch circuits any number of conversing telegraphs or recording
telegraphs or alarums or any other kind of telegraphic apparatus. In short
the object of the apparatus is to modify and controul connect and disconnect
all or any of the instruments and circuits which are combined together in a
general system of telegraphs so that a person at any station without asking
the consent of the telegraphist at any of the distant places may operate
upon whatever particular telegraph or line of telegraphs and thereby cause
the intelligence to be transmitted to any particular place or places. Also
so that it may be determined according as may be required whether the
intelligence shall be produced at the distant place or places in the form of

page_text: signals or in a recorded state or so that the intelligence may be signalized at
some places and recorded at other places. Also so that different kinds of
intelligence may be transmitted at the same time through different circuits
and through different parts of the same circuits without interference and yet
so that when required intelligence may be transmitted from any place to any
other place or places or to all places simultaneously throughout the whole
system of main lines and branches. It will be hereafter seen that this appa-
ratus is capable of an endless variety of forms and modifications and modes of
application but the apparatus now to be described is an example which
sufficiently illustrates the principles of the Invention the apparatus herein
described is adapted to govern the telegraph which has just been described in
the seventh of these improvements and it is arranged for seven stations.
Figure 8 is a series of seven telegraphs with a governing apparatus
connected to each telegraph. A A A is the long telegraphic wire which
together with the earth or with an additional wire forms the long telegraphic
circuit. B B B is another long wire which may be called the long
governing wire and which together with the earth or with the additional
wire above mentioned forms the long governing circuit. One of the key
boards described in the first of these improvements is to be joined to each
local governing apparatus so that the electric currents may be sent in either
direction through the long governing circuit or in place of this key board a
handle or any other kind of apparatus may be used provided it is such
apparatus as will enable the operator to send any particular number of short-
timed currents in either direction through the long governing circuit. Note
as the term current would imply a continued stream of electricity and as the
currents employed in this apparatus are intermittent and rather short timed
being only of sufficient duration to allow of the action of the magnetic
apparatus I will (in the absence of a better name and for the sake of
facilitating this description) call these intermittent currents by the name of
shocks and as I shall often require to distinguish between those shocks which
are sent in one direction through the long governing circuit and those which
are sent in the opposite direction I will call the one by the name of positive
shocks and the other by the name of negative shocks these however it
must be remembered are conventional terms and used only to facilitate the
description of the apparatus. CC are the local telegraph wires which pass
from the long telegraphic circuit through the local governing apparatus to the
local telegraph. In practice these wires will be enclosed in a tube but they are
here represented so that the circuits may easily be traced. D D are the wires
which connect the local governing apparatus into the long governing circuit.
:

page_text: E is the dial apparatus of the local telegraph. F is the local governing
apparatus the internal mechanism of which will presently be described.
G is the key board of the local telegraph. H is the key board of the local
governing apparatus. I I is the continuation of the local telegraph circuit
after it has passed through the governing apparatus. N N are the wires
which connect the telegraph battery to the key board of the governing apparatus
as in this arrangement of the governing apparatus where there is one circuit
for the telegraph and another circuit for the governing apparatus the same
battery will serve for both key boards.
Figure 8 is an end view of the local governing apparatus. A A A A is
a wooden case within which the apparatus is fixed. B B is the dial seen
also at F Figure 8. CC is a piece of metallic frame work for supporting
the progressive part of the apparatus. D D is a piece of metallic frame-
work for supporting the governing part of the apparatus each frame contains
a barrel a fusee and a train of wheels. The object of this mechanism is to
cause the axle E and the axle F to have a constant tendency to revolve in
the same direction as hereafter described. I call the axle E the progressive
or neutralizing axle and the axle F the determinating or governing axle.
G is an arm which projects at one end of the axle F. H is an arm which
projects from the adjacent end of the axle E the axles E and F are not
fixed to each other but the arms G and H prevents the axle F from revolving
except when the axle E revolves and when the axle E revolves the axle F will
have a tendency to keep pace with it and will do so unless prevented by the
detent hereafter described but when the axle F is detained by the detent its
detention will not prevent the axle E from finishing one revolution and if this
detent should be afterwards removed then the axle F will revolve until it has
overtaken the axle E. It will be hereafter seen that the axle E can never finish
a revolution without removing the detent which detains the axle F so that at
whatever point of its revolution the axle F should be detained it will always
overtake the axle E whenever the axle E shall finish a revolution. The axle
F carries two wheels exclusive of the cog wheel which connects it to the
clockwork namely the wheel marked D W which I call the determinating
wheel and the wheel marked G W which I call the governing wheel. The
axle E carries also two wheels exclusive of the cog wheel which connects it
to the clockwork namely the wheel marked E W which I call the escape-
ment wheel and the wheel marked N W which I call the neutralizing wheel.
I is an index fixed at the outer end of the axle E this index revolves with
the axle E and points to numbers on the dial which are the number of the
telegraphs or circuit completers or circuit communicators (as the case may be)

page_text: which are to be thrown in and out of the long telegraphic circuit. The
escapement wheel works into the wheel K which turns the arm L which
is prevented from moving by the escapement. Z is a voltaic magnet which I
call the escapement magnet. Y is the axis of the escapement. X is a brass
frame or plate which is fixed on the axis. W is a piece of soft iron fixed in
the brass frame or plate. V V are two pallets or pieces of metal projecting
from the brass frame or plate. U is a spring to cause reaction when the escape-
ment magnet is unexcited. T T are the two ends of the wire of the escapement
magnet these are joined into a local circuit which I call the escapement circuit
and which will be described hereafter. When the escapement magnet is
excited by an electric current passing through the escapement circuit then
the armature W is attracted and thus by the moving of the frame X the
pallet or projecting piece at the upper end thereof is removed from out of the
way of the arm L while at the same time the pallet or projecting piece at
the lower end of the frame X comes into the opposite part of the way or path
of the arm L. When the electric current which excites the escapement
magnet ceases then the spring U pushes back the escapement to its former
position which then allows the arm L to pass through the other half of its
revolution the distance at which the escapement is fixed from the arm L and
the proportions of the parts must be so adjusted that the one pallet shall
intercept the way of the arm L rather before (or at least quite as soon as)
the other pallet is removed out of the way so that however fast the arm L
may move it shall be impossible for it to pass the opposite side of its orbit
before the other pallet is there to stop its progress and therefore so that the
arm L shall always make one half of its revolution and no more whenever
the escapement magnet is excited and the other half of its revolution when
the excitement of the escapement magnet ceases. It is not necessary that
the apparatus should be confined to the particular kind of escapement just
described the revolution of the axle E is divided into a certain number of
divisions and the object of the escapement is to allow the axle E to progress
through one of those divisions every time that the escapement circuit is
completed and broken again. It is also immaterial what kind of magnetic
prime mover is used to actuate the apparatus.
Figure 8 represents a side view of the escapement wheel and the wheel
K. In the present example of the apparatus the revolution of the escape-
ment wheel is divided into eight portions but the number of these divisions
must in all cases depend upon the particular circle of conditions or options
required by the nature and number of the instruments and circuits contained
in the system or part of the system of telegraphs to which the apparatus is to
be applied. In a governing apparatus wherein a great number of divisions

page_text: are required to complete the circle of conditions it will be found necessary
to construct the apparatus so that several multiplying wheels shall intervenè
between the escapement wheel and the wheel K or else to enlarge consider
ably the circumference and number of teeth of the escapement wheel. In a
very large system of telegraphs it will probably be found most convenient to
construct the apparatus with the escapement described in the fifth of these
improvements. In the particular example which is under description the
apparatus is adapted for five intermediate telegraphs two terminal telegraphs
and one neutral condition therefore the escapement wheel has eight divisions.
Figure 8° represents a side view of the determinating wheel (the wheel D W)
and the detaining part of the apparatus. a is an indent cut across a small
part of the periphery of the determinating wheel 66 is a flat bar or a frame
of brass which I call the stopper M (seen also at M Figure 84) is the
axis of the stopper N (seen also at N Figure 84) is a brass plate or bracket
which is fixed to the framework and which supports the axis of the stopper
O (seen also at O Figure 84) is a voltaic magnet which I call the stopper-
lifting magnet P P (seen also at P P Figure 84) is a brass plate for
supporting the magnet. This plate has a groove cut into it as seen between
C and C and the magnet is made with shoulders at the upper part so that
it may rest or be fixed in its true position as seen at Ob Figure 8ª and Od
Figure 8°. Figure 8° is the end view of a piece of soft iron which is
fixed across the stopper so as to be close under the two poles of the
stopper-lifting magnet the other end of the stopper rests upon another
bracket which prevents the armature d from descending out of the sphere
of the attraction of the stopper-lifting magnet e e are the two ends
of the wire of the stopper-lifting magnet these are connected into what
I call the stopper-lifting circuit which like the escapement circuit is a
local circuit and will be described hereafter f is a detent which is fixed on
the upper surface of the stopper opposite bottom of the determinating
wheel. When the determinating wheel inch a position as to cause its
indent to be opposite the detent on the stoppe it is in that position which I
call its stopping position and then if the stopper should be lifted by the com-
pletion of the stopper-lifting circuit exciting the stopper-lifting magnet the
detent on the stopper will fit into the indent on the periphery of the deter-
minating wheel but as soon as the stopper-lifting circuit is broken the stopper
would fall again only it is prevented by the arrangement which is now to be
described and it will be seen that the following arrangement can come into
operation only at such times as the stopper is lifted while the determinating
wheel is in its stopping position g is another voltaic magnet which is fitted
into the plate P P in the same manner as the stopper-lifting magnet. I call
21

page_text: this magnet the detaining magnet. is the end view of another piece of soft
iron which is fixed across the stopper. It will hereafter be seen that this
arinature of soft iron is never attracted to the detaining magnet until it is
lifted into contact with the magnet so that when the stopper is in the position
shown in the Figure this armature h need not be within the sphere of the
magnetic attraction. ii is a brass bracket which is fastened to the framework
the same as the bracket N j j is a small block of wood which is fixed by
the screws kk to the bracket ii is a spring which is insulated by being
fixed to the block of wood j j. The bracket i i besides supporting this
insulated spring supports the loose end of the stopper as before mentioned.
m is the end of a piece of hard wood which is fixed across the stopper n is
a stud of brass fixed into the piece of hard wood m. Whenever the stopper
is lifted while the determinating wheel is not in its stopping position the
detent on the stopper coming against the periphery of the wheel will prevent
the stud n from coming into contact with the spring // but this contact
will be made whenever the stopper is lifted while the indent of the wheel is
opposite the detent on the stopper. p is one end of the wire of the detaining
magnet this is fastened by a screw to the stud n. q is the other end of the
wire of the detaining magnet is a wire which is connected by a screw to
the spring. The wires q and r are connected into a local circuit which I
call the detaining circuit and which will be described hereafter. Besides
the point of contact and separation which exists between the stud n and
the spring there is in this detaining circuit another point of contact and
separation which will be shewn in the description of the neutralizing wheel
which is now to be described see Figure 8. NW is the neutralizing wheel.
Qand Q are two springs with studs pressing on the periphery of the neutra-
lizing wheel. R is a small block of wood to which the springs are fixed
and which serves also to insulate the springs. S S S is a bracket or plate
of brass fixed to the framework of the apparatus and to which the block R
is fixed by screws passing through the bracket into the under side of the wood.
Figure 8 is a top view Figure 8 is a side view and Figure 8 is an end
view of the neutralizing wheel shewn separately and in each of these Figures
similar letters refer to similar parts. NW is the neutralizing wheel. EE is
part of the progressive axle before described. Q¹ and Q are the two springs.
with their studs pressing on the periphery of the wheel. Only one of these
springs with its stud is seen at Figure 8. R. Figure 8D is part of the wooden
block to which the springs are fixed. A section of this is also seen at R
Figure 8. q and are continuations of the same two wires which were seen
at q and Figure 8°. These are connected to the springs Q¹and Q by two bind-
R

page_text: ing screws. a a is the part of the detaining circuit which proceeds to the
local battery. S S Figure 8 is a section of the brass bracket which fixes
the insulated springs to the framework. 666 is the periphery of the neutra-
lizing wheel it is composed of brass or other metal. cc is a piece of hard
wood or ivory which is let into the metal so as to extend across a small part
of the periphery and made level with its surface as seen. at c c c Figure 8D
and c c Figure 8. As the periphery of the neutralizing wheel is composed
of metal except the small part c c and as the studs of the springs Q¹ and Q
continually press upon the periphery so there will be a metallic connection
existing between the springs Q¹ and Q2 during every part of the revolution of
the neutralizing wheel except that part of its revolution when the operating
point (that is to say the piece of wood or ivory) of the periphery is under the
studs and then at this particular point the springs will be insulated and thus
the detaining circuit will be broken whenever the neutralizing wheel shall
come into this particular position. This position I call the neutral position
of the apparatus because as will hereafter be seen this wheel will then
neutralize the effect which the other parts of the apparatus had before
co-operated to produce. It may also be called the starting position of the
apparatus because as will hereafter be seen it is the end of the revolution
of the progressive part of the apparatus and the position in which the appa-
ratus is always to be left when intelligence is not being transmitted to any
particular place. The index seen at I Figure 8 and the neutralizing wheel
are both fixed on the axle E in such a position as to cause the index to point
to the neutral point on the dial whenever the neutralizing wheel is in its
neutral or starting position.
Figure 8 shows a front view of the dial of the governing apparatus with
the index in its neutral position.
I will now describe that part of the apparatus which governs the tele-
graphic instruments and circuits. Figure 8 is a side view of the governing
wheel Figure 8 is a top view and Figure 8¹ is an end view and in these
three Figures similar letters refer to the same parts. The governing wheel is
seen also in its proper place at G W Figure 84. a a a is the periphery of
the wheel which in the present example is composed of wood. 6 is a small
piece of metal let into the wood so as to extend across a small part of the
periphery. This may be called the connecting piece. Qs and Q are two
springs at the end of each of which is fixed a metal stud which presses on the
periphery of the wheel. The wooden periphery insulates the two springs
except at the time when the connecting piece is under the springs. R is part
of the block of wood before described for insulating and supporting the

page_text: springs. S S is part of the bracket before described for fixing the block of
wood to the framework of the apparatus. CC are the wires of the local tele-
graph as they enter the governing apparatus. These wires are connected one
to each spring by means of a binding screw and are then carried onward as
seen at d d to be connected to the local telegraph. These wires might be
the wires of a local signal telegraph or an instrument for recording intel-
ligence or a circuit communicator or the circuit of a branch line of telegraphs
or any other kind of telegraphic instrument or circuit. When the governing
wheel is in such a position as shall cause the connecting piece to be under the
springs then the electric currents which are passing through the long tele-
graphic circuit and consequently through the wires CC will pass through
the connecting piece instead of passing on to d d and through the remainder
of the circuit. The governing wheel may be variously modified. For general
purposes the periphery should be composed of wood and the operating
point or points should consist of metal but for some purposes the arrange-
ment may be reserved that is the periphery may consist of metal and the
operating point or points may consist of wood. This is a matter of minor
importance and can easily be arranged as occasion may require. It now
remains to be shewn how the positive shocks which are sent from the key
board of the governing apparatus of any station through the long governing
circuit shall excite the escapement magnet without exciting the stopper-lifting
magnet and how the negative shocks which are sent as aforesaid shall excite
the stopper-lifting magnet without exciting the escapement magnet.
Figure 8 shows the arrangement of the wires. A A A A is the case
with the side covering removed but all the parts may be arranged in a more
compact case if preferred. B is the case which contains the wheelwork of
the local governing apparatus which has been described. C is an apparatus
for completing two local circuits. D is one of the key boards which has been
described. E is a battery for exciting the escapement magnet whenever the
escapement circuit is completed and also for exciting the stopper - lifting
magnet whenever the stopper - lifting circuit is completed. F is another
local battery for exciting the detaining magnet during the time that the
detaining circuit is completed at both its parts of separation. If the
governing apparatus is actuated by arrangements of voltaic magnets these
local batteries should be what are called quantity batteries and if the govern-
ing apparatus is actuated by any kind of arrangements analogous to galvano-
meters then these local batteries should be what are called intensity batteries.
GG are the wires which are joined to the two divided portions of the long
telegraphic wire and which pass into the local governing apparatus. These

page_text: wires constitute the local telegraph circuit which is terminated either by the
governing wheel inside the case or else by the continuation of the wires which
come out of the governing apparatus at H H. These wires then proceed to
the instrument to be governed or they constitute part of the circuit to be
governed. II are the wires which are connected to the two divided portions
.of the long governing wire these wires together with the hindmost pair of
mercury vessels in the key board of the governing apparatus and the wire of
the magnet of the circuit completer belonging to the governing apparatus
constitutes the local governing circuit. This local governing circuit is always
part of the long governing circuit that is to say in combining the apparatus
with single-action telegraphs that is to say with any kind of telegraph
wherein the intelligence is transmitted by merely making and breaking the
circuit the long wire will answer for both the long telegraphic circuit and
the long governing circuit as shewn by the wire G I Figure 8 and by
Figure 8 but in these cases as in the cases of its combination with the
more perfect kind of telegraphs that is to say double-action telegraphs it is
the local telegraphic circuit (the wires H H) which is cut off by being
completed in the governing wheel while the local governing circuit namely
the wire II always remains part of the long governing circuit. J J are the
wires from the telegraph battery which are connected to to key board of the
governing apparatus as well as to the key board of the telegraph. K K are
the binding screws by which the governing circuit enters the key board. The
governing circuit enters the circuit completer at L. The escapement circuit
enters the circuit completer at M The stopping lifting circuit enters the
circuit completer at N. The operation of the circuit completer has been
described in a former of these improvements and from that description in
connection with this it is evident that the positive shocks which are sent
through the long governing circuit whether from the key board of the local
apparatus or from any distant apparatus by completing and breaking the
escapement circuit will act only on the escapement and in like manner that
the negative shocks will act only on the stopper. OO are the binding screws
by which the escapement circuit enters the governing apparatus. P P are
the binding screws by which the stopper-lifting circuit enters the governing
apparatus. QQ are the binding screws by which the detaining circuit enters
the governing apparatus.
.
Figure 8 is a governing circuit for branches. Figure 8 is a governing
circuit for the central system. Figure 80 is a governing circuit for numerous
telegraphs not far distant from each other. The manner in which the general
governing apparatus operates has yet to be described.

page_text: From the foregoing descriptions it is evident that by depressing one key
say for instance the right-hand key of any key board connected in the long
governing circuit any number of times in succession that a corresponding
number of positive shocks will be sent through the long governing circuit and
that by depressing the left-hand key once a negative shock will be sent
through the long governing circuit. And first with respect to the positive
shocks it has been shewn that each positive shock by acting on the escape-
ment of the apparatus at each. station allows the progressive or neutralizing
axle (E Figure 8) of each apparatus to progress through one division of its
revolution and that the governing or determinating axle (F Figure 84) of
each apparatus will keep pace with the neutralizing axle of the same except
when any determinating axle is detained by the influence of a negative shock
as before described. Secondly with respect to the negative shocks it has
been shown that each negative shock although it lifts the stopper of the
apparatus at each station yet that the stopper can be detained only in such
apparatus where the determinating wheel is in its stopping position. Now
the neutral or starting position of each local governing apparatus is arranged
differently with respect to its own stopping position so that although each
apparatus progresses the same by the influence of the positive shocks yet only
one at a time in succession will arrive at its stopping position. Figure 8³
(see Sheet 6) represents in its neutral or starting position the determinating
wheel which belongs to the governing apparatus at each of the seven stations
(the particular example before described being adapted for seven stations).
The wheel marked A shews the neutral or starting position of the determi-
nating wheel of the apparatus of station Number 1. B shews the position of
apparatus Number 2 and the same for the other five Figures. It has been
before explained that the stopping position of each determinating wheel is
when its indent is opposite the detent on the stopper. Now each of the small
arrows round the series of wheels indicates the movement of the apparatus
through one division of its revolution and the dotted lines marked 1" in each
Figure indicates the point at which the indent of each wheel has arrived after
the first movement produced in each apparatus by the first positive shock.
2m in all the Figures indicates the position of each wheel after the second
movement produced as aforesaid and so on till it comes to the seventh move-
ment which in the present example is the last which can be made previous to
the neutralizing movement, by referring to the Figures it will be seen that
the number of positive shocks which it requires to bring any apparatus to
its stopping position corresponds to the number of the station to which the
apparatus belongs and by the previous explanations it is known that this is

page_text: the only time at which it can be detained in that position by a negative shock
thus each apparatus in succession arrives at its stopping position by the
influence of the positive shocks and thus each apparatus is capable of being
detained in that position by the influence of a negative shock sent through the
circuit only at the time when it is in its stopping position so that any one or
more of the local apparatuses may or may not be detained in the stopping
position and as the stopping position of each determinating wheel corresponds
to the operating position of its respective governing wheel so it is evident
that any required change may or may not be produced in any distant part or
parts of the telegraphic circuits by an operator at any part of the long governing
circuit. From what has been before explained it is also evident that to
neutralize any change which has been produced it is only necessary to transmit
through the governing circuit as many of the positive shocks as will bring the
index of the governing apparatus to its neutral position when every stopper
which has been lifted and detained will fall from its respective determinating
wheel and allow it to overtake the progressive part of the apparatus. The tele-
graphic governing apparatus is capable of an almost endless variety of forms and
modifications and modes of application. I do not confine myself to any par-
ticular arrangements for effecting the electric contacts various arrangements
for this purpose are well known. Nor I do not confine myself to any par-
ticular electro-magnetic (that is electric and magnetic) arrangements for
actuating the various parts of the apparatus but I prefer those which have
been already described. The apparatus described is adapted for only seven
stations connected into a circuit without branches but it may be modified so
as to effect any of the objects herein-before recited. It is also represented as
being combined with the particular telegraph described in these improvements
but it can be combined with other kinds of telegraph. Telegraphs which
operate by making and breaking the circuit are connected into the governing
circuit without any additional telegraphic wire however excepting from
motives of economy it will always be greatly preferable to combine the
governing apparatus with double-action telegraphs that is to say with
telegraphs which operate with communicators which transmit the electric
currents in either direction through the telegraphic circuit and in these cases
the additional or governing wire is always necessary except for the arrange-
ment described in the ninth of these improvements where one wire serves
for the governing wire and the wire of a double-action telegraph.
The governing apparatus just described may operate on alarums signal
telegraphs conversing telegraphs or recording telegraphs or all or some of
these kind of telegraphs may be combined together in the same circuit and

page_text: the governing apparatus will enable the telegraphist to determine whether the
intelligence shall be signalized or recorded at the distant place or places.
The apparatus may also be applied so as to divide connect or disconnect any
number of branch circuits or consecutive circuits, or operate on any number
of circuit completers or circuit communicators. The governing wheel of the
apparatus may be arranged for operating on telegraphs consisting of any
number of wires. It is very applicable for combining with Mr. Morse's
Mr. Davy's and Mr. Bain's telegraphic Inventions. The apparatus may also
be modified so as to dispense with the escapement circuit and the stopper-
lifting circuit and the local battery which supplies these two circuits and the
escapement and the stopper may be moved by apparatus connected directly to
the long governing circuit.
I claim as of my Invention in respect of the telegraphic governing
apparatus
Firstly the use of the additional or governing circuit that is to say the
use of an additional circuit which acts upon local apparatus for controling
modifying connecting insulating and dividing the other long circuits wherein
the telegraphs &c. are connected.
Secondly the arrangement of the mechanism of the local apparatus which
I have called the local governing apparatus so that those electric currents
which I have called for convenience the positive shocks shall produce in the
said local governing apparatus two distinct effects the one effect being an
intermittent revolving motion which continues in one part of the said apparatus
as long as the positive shocks are continued and the other effect being an
intermittent revolving motion which continues in another part of the apparatus
only until this second part of the apparatus is arrested and detained by a third
part of the apparatus this third part of the apparatus being moved by a
negative shock sent through the governing circuit.
:
Thirdly the arrangement of the mechanism so that although each negative
shock which is sent from any station through the long governing circuit
must of necessity act or tend to act on the governing apparatus of each
station yet so that this action or tendency to action shall have no arresting or'
detaining effect on any but the governing apparatus of one station at a time
namely on that particular governing apparatus which is at the time in a
peculiar position which I have called its stopping position.
Fourthly the arrangement of the starting position of each local apparatus
in such a manner with respect to its stopping position that it shall require as
many of the positive shocks to bring it from its starting to its stopping
position as shall correspond to the number of the telegraph or station to which '
'
3

page_text: $
this particular local governing apparatus belongs for instance so that it
shall require one of the positive shocks to move the governing apparatus of
station No. 1 from its starting to its stopping position two of the positive
shocks to bring the apparatus of station No. 2 to its stopping position three
positive shocks for station No. 3 and so on for all the terminal intermediate
and branch telegraphs and all circuit communicators and all other telegraphic
apparatus which may be connected in any of the long telegraphic circuits.
Fifthly the arrangement of the mechanism so that the detention of any
local governing apparatus (which has been acted upon while in its stopping
position by a negative shock passing through the long governing circuit) shall
be rendered permanent until it may be desirable to neutralize this effect and
bring the apparatus again to its neutral or starting position that is to say this
fifth claim consists in the arrangement of the mechanism so that the effect
which was described in connection with the third claim is rendered permanent
on the apparatus which is thus acted upon while in its stopping position
while at the same time the stopping part of all the other apparatuses ceases to
act as soon as the current ceases and thus leaves all the other governing
apparatuses free to be acted upon or not to be acted upon when they arrive at
their stopping positions just as occasion may require and also so that this
detention in their stopping positions of some of the local apparatuses shall not
be so permanent as to prevent the detention from being immediately neu-
tralized at the pleasure of the operator at any of the distant stations.
Sixthly the arrangement of the mechanism so that when any particular
local governing apparatus is in its stopping position (i. e. the position in
which it may be temporarily detained) a connecting piece which is a better
conductor than the circuit of the local telegraph or series of telegraphs et
cetera shall then be in such a position as to complete the long telegraphic
circuit over the point at which the local telegraph circuit branches off or in
such a position as to connect the two sides of a circuit so as to divide the
circuit into two circuits or by reversing the arrangement of the governing
wheel (as described in the ninth of these improvements) to cause the breaking
of a circuit when the apparatus is in its stopping position.
Seventhly the arrangement of the mechanism so that as soon as the
detaining effect which has been produced on any particular local governing
apparatus or number of local governing apparatuses is neutralized that the
stopping parts of the said apparatuses which have been detained (and which
have thereby been made to differ in their relative positions with each other
and with those particular apparatuses whose stopping parts have not been
detained) shall each and all of them immediately adjust their positions to all

page_text: the rest so that all shall again be in their neutral or starting positions and
thus so that all the local telegraphic instruments shall be immediately thrown
into the general circuit.
Eighthly the use of a dial and index adapted and arranged as above
described to show when all the stations are connected into the general
circuit.
The ninth of these improvements consists in a peculiar mode of arranging
an electric circuit and connecting therein the apparatus herein mentioned so as
to constitute a one-wire deflecting and recording telegraph. Mr. Davy in-
vented a recording telegraph wherein the electricity operated by producing
marks upon chemical paper. Mr. Morse invented a recording telegraph
wherein the transmitting apparatus consists of previously composed apparatus
analagous to type and Mr. Bain has recently made improvements in apparatus
for recording intelligence on Mr. Davy's principle and combined it with trans-
mitting apparatus constructed upon Mr. Morse's principle but in the use of
this apparatus it will be a matter of great importance for the electric circuit
to be so arranged that the electric current may not operate upon or pass
through any more instruments than necessary. This may be accomplished
according to the eighth of these improvements by having a distinct governing
circuit or it may be accomplished according to the eighth of these improve-
ments with one wire by transmitting the signal shocks through the circuit
only in one direction and connecting the governing apparatus so that the
currents which are sent in the opposite direction shall act upon its escapement.
But to transmit the signal shocks in both directions through the circuit
according to the improvements made by Mr. Bain and yet with only one wire
to all places to cause the effect to be produced at any particular distant place
or places will require the peculiar arrangement of the long circuit which
forms the subject of this ninth improvement that is to say this ninth improve-
ment consists in arranging a single wire in such a manner and connecting the
mechanical transmitting apparatus the electro-chemical recording apparatus
and my own governing apparatus into the circuit formed by that wire in such
a manner as to enable a person at any station to send the telegraphic shocks
in either direction through that one wire and yet cause the effect to be pro-
duced (i.e. the intelligence to be recorded) only at such station or stations.
as may be required. Figures 9 and 9° are two terminal telegraphs and
Figures 94 and 9 are two intermediate telegraphs arranged with my governing
apparatus. According to this plan A A contains the local governing appara-
tus described in the eighth of these improvements B contains the key board
and battery of the local governing apparatus C contains the electro-chemical.

page_text: recording apparatus which is not of my Invention D contains the previously
composed transmitting apparatus and its battery which is not of my Invention
E. E &c. is the long telegraphic wire at F. The. long telegraphic wire
passes through the key board of the governing apparatus at G. The two
ends of the long telegraphic wire passes to two binding screws and between
these two binding screws a metallic contact exists by a spring except at such
times as the transmitting apparatus is being used. The dotted line a indicates
the completion of the circuit whether by the spring just mentioned or by the
transmitting apparatus and its battery. Between the binding screws and F
the long wire is divided into two channels for the current by means of the
wire H and the wire I. The wire H, H. may be called the channel of the
governing apparatus and the wire I, I may be called the channel of the
recording apparatus. The mass or thickness of metal in these two channels
must be so arranged that the conducting power of the telegraphic channel
shall be greatly superior to the conducting power of the channel of the
governing apparatus. The wire H, H passes through the magnet wire of the
circuit completer of the governing apparatus as described in the eighth of
these improvements. The wire I. I passes through the governing wheel of
the governing apparatus and then passes into the recording apparatus as
represented at J. K K is the earth which completes the electric circuit.
The governing wheel may be arranged like the neutralizing wheel so as to
cut off the local telegraph by breaking the telegraph channel or it may be
arranged as shown in the example described in the eighth of these improve-
ments so as to cut off the local telegraph by completing the telegraph channel.
In the use of this apparatus it will be necessary to use certain signals to mark
the beginning and end of communications as a few unmeaning characters
would necessarily be recorded in the act of setting the governing apparatus
from a distant station. These signals may be called key signals and may
consist of a few of those shocks which act upon the stopper of the governing
apparatus for these when given in succession produce no change in the
governing apparatus. When the governing apparatus is set and the key
signal given then the previously composed intelligence may be transmitted by
Mr. Bain's transmitting apparatus but the shocks must be transmitted so
rapidly as not to act upon the escapement of the governing apparatus.
In the arrangement of this apparatus I do not claim the combining
together of apparatus analagous to Mr. Morse's with apparatus analagous to
Mr. Davy's in the manner described in Mr. Bain's Specification neither do
I claim anything relating to the arrangement of any particular apparatus for
recording intelligence upon chemical paper nor to the arrangement of any

page_text: particular apparatus for transmitting previously composed intelligence but I
claim the arrangement of a telegraphic circuit in the manner herein described
and the connecting of the aforesaid recording apparatus and the aforesaid
transmitting apparatus into that circuit together with my own governing
apparatus.
The tenth of these improvements consists in the arrangement of an appa-
ratus which may be called a railway danger-signal apparatus the object of
this apparatus is to enable the person in charge of a train in case of unex-
pected stoppage of the train on any part of a railway to send danger signals
along the line to the stations in both directions. In the description of this
apparatus the word station signifies a signal station these signal stations
may be at the usual passenger stations but other signal stations may inter-
vene which are not at the passenger stations. A railway provided with this
apparatus is divided at certain distances into what may be called local divisions.
A signal station is fixed at the point which connects every two of these local,
divisions. Each of these signal stations is provided with two instruments for
indicating danger one danger indicator belonging to the local division on one
side of the station and the other danger indicator belonging to the local
division on the other side of the station. A closed battery circuit that is a
complete circuit in which a galvanic battery is permanently joined is extended
along each local division from the indicator at one station to the indicator at
the next. These circuits may be called the danger circuits and may consist
of one wire and the earth or of two wires at regular and convenient distances.
all along each local division the danger circuit passes through a communicator,
these communicators are fixed to the posts supporting the wires or to any
other convenient places on the line and are for the purpose of enabling the
guard of any train which may happen to be unexpectedly delayed between
the stations to break for a time the continuity of the danger circuit and
thereby to transmit a danger signal to the danger indicator at each end of the
danger circuit.
From Figure 10 to Figure 10A represents one of the local divisions.
A Figure 10A is one of the danger indicators hereafter described.
B Figure 10 is a similar apparatus at the other end of the danger circuit.
C is a galvanic battery. Figure 10B is one of the telegraphic posts to which
is fixed one of the danger communicators which is hereafter described.
Figure 10° is a side view of the same. D is one of the wires of the battery.
This wire passes through the indicator and from thence along the local
division of the railway through all the danger communicators to the danger.
indicator B at the other end of the local division and from thence to the

page_text: earth as seen at E Figure 10 or to a return wire as the case may be.
F Figure 10 is the other wire of the galvanic battery and this wire is con-
nected to the earth or to a return wire as the case may be.
G Figure 10
is one of the danger indicators of the next local division at one end of the
local division just described. H Figure 10 is one of the danger indicators
of the next local division at the other end of the division just described.
Figure 10 and Figure 10 represents in detail the instruments at the
station that is to say the indicator of each of the two divisions which are
connected by the station. Each indicator consists of a dial having three
stars or other marks upon it the centre mark signifies all right the other
two marks signify danger on the up-line or the down-line according to the
position of the index A. The index of the dial is moved by common clock-
work as seen at C Figure 10. The clockwork is released by the escape-
ment which has been described in the fifth of these improvements. The
escapement wheel in this case has only two stop pins on each side of its
periphery see Figure 10 see also description of the escapement in the fifth
improvement. The index of the indicator is fixed on the axis of the escapement
wheel and arranged with respect to the escapement magnet in such a position
that when a current of electricity is passing through the wire of the magnet
the index shall stand perpendicular pointing either upwards or downwards
and consequently so that when no current is passing through the wire of the
magnet the index shall stand horizontal pointing to one of the red marks.
The clockwork may also strike a bell every time it moves in the manner of
a common clockwork alarum.
Figures 10 10 10 and 101 represent the danger communicator.
Figure 10 is a side view of the apparatus in its place with the side covering
of its case removed Figure 10° is a section of the apparatus Figure 10" is
a top view and Figure 10' is a top view with the finger key removed. In
each of these Figures similar letters refer to similar parts. A is a block of
wood. B is a finger key. C is a nut which screws on to the end of a small
bolt or pin upon which the finger key moves. D is one of two brass standards
for supporting the finger key. E is a spring for keeping the finger key
elevated. F is a button for turning across to keep the key down when the
danger signal is given. G G are two small springs which are connected
together and fixed through the finger key so as to dip into a pair of small
brass vessels for containing mercury and so as to form a contact against the
metalic sides thereof as before explained in the first of these improvements
or a piece of bent wire may be used instead. H H are two binding screws
in contact with the mercury vessels. I I is a case for containing the appa-

page_text: ratus. This case is fixed to the telegraph post as seen at Figures 10B and 10°.
The wire of the danger circuit enters the case as seen at a, a Figure 10³.
and a
a Figure 10 and is connected to the binding screws H, H.
J Figure 10 is a door to the case. This door is fixed to open upwards so that
it will always remain closed when not held open by the hand of an operator
and will thus keep the rain from getting into the apparatus. This door
should be kept fastened by some kind of latch or lock which the guard
should have the means of opening. One of the communicators just described
may be combined with each indicator at the stations as represented at B and B
Figure 10P and B Figure 10 so that the indicator may be adjusted in case
that it should ever be left with its index pointing downwards after giving
signals. The railway danger-signal apparatus operates in the following
manner By pressing down' any one of the communicators situated along the
line the danger circuit is broken by the connecting springs G. G being
lifted out of the pair of mercury vessels which will cause the escapement
magnet of the indicator at each end of the danger circuit to release one of
the pins on the escapement wheel and the index will move through one
quarter of the circle and the alarum will ring. By releasing the finger key
the indices will move through another quarter and this will signify attention.
Then if the danger is on the up-line the finger key is to be pressed down and
not released again that is to say the button must then be turned and the key
be thereby held down till the danger is over but if the danger is on the
down-line the key is to be pressed down twice and be held down by the button
when it is down the second time. When the delayed train is able to con-
tinue its course along the line then a few signals may be given and the finger
key must be left in its released position. The dial of the danger indicators
may have three of one kind of marks and three of the other kind of marks
arranged alternately but the dials represented at Figure 10 which contains
only three marks will probably be found the most convenient..
I claim as of my Invention in the danger signal apparatus
First the arrangement of the dial called the danger indicator.
Secondly. The application of the apparatus called the danger communicator
so as to provide the means of giving a danger signal from any part of a division
of a railway between the stations by the breaking of a battery circuit which
extends along that division of the railway. But note I do not claim the
giving of signals from any part of a line of railway by means of electric
telegraphic apparatus unless they are given by means of a finger key or
handle or other signal-communicating apparatus which is permanently.fixed
at regular intervals along the line and capable of being operated upon by the

page_text: guard of a train in case the train should unexpectedly be delayed on any part
.of the line.
Thirdly the application of the escapement which is herein-before described
for the purpose of governing the movement of the index of the dial.
The eleventh of these improvements consists in the arrangement of an
apparatus which may be called a railway train progression signal apparatus.
The object of the apparatus is to cause the trains as they pass along the line
to transmit signals to the stations so as to indicate at the stations the progress
and positions of the trains. A railway provided with this apparatus is divided
in a similar manner to that described in the tenth improvement and the electric
circuits are arranged in the same manner excepting that one circuit will not
serve for both lines of rails. From Figure 11 to Figure 114 is the progression
circuit for one line of rails and for one local division. Figure 11B is a tele-
graph post where the progression circuit passes through a progression commu-
nicator and a danger communicator which is here employed as part of the pro-
gression-signal apparatus. Figure 11° is a side view of this post. Figure 11"
represents the instrument at the station that is to say the progression indi-
cator of each of the two local divisions which are connected by the station.
Each indicator consists of a dial having red and black marks placed alter-
nately all round its circumference. When the index points to a black mark
it signifies that the distant train is moving and when it points to a red mark
it signifies that the distant train has stopped and the number opposite the
mark shows the part of the local division at which the train is moving or
stopping. The index is moved by common clockwork which is released by
the escapement which has been described in the fifth of these improvements.
The index is fixed on the axis of the escapement wheel so that it shall point
to a black mark when the progression circuit is completed and to a red mark
when the circuit is broken. Figure 11P is arranged for local divisions having
sixteen communicators but the number is a matter of choice. The escape-
ment wheel must have as. many stop pins on each side of its periphery as
there are progression communicators connected into the progression circuit.
Figures 11 11 and 11 represent an apparatus for communicating the
progression signals. In each of these Figures simlar letters refer to similar
parts. Figure 11 is the framework of the apparatus. A is a block of hard
wood. B. B are two metal standards C is another block of wood which is
fixed between the upper part of the two standards as seen at C Figure 11"
and C Figure 11°. These are all fastened together firmly by screws or
bolts. D Figure 11 is part of one of the telegraphic posts E is the case
of the apparatus with the side covering removed F is a block of wood which

page_text: forms the lower part of the case and to this block of wood the apparatus is
fixed by screws or bolts G is a pendant rod hanging outside the case H H
is an horizontal axis to which the pendant rod is connected I seen at
Figure 11 is one of two plumber blocks for supporting the axis of the
pendant rod J seen also at Figure 11 is a piece of either wood or metal
fixed to the axis of the pendant rod this may be called the contact breaker.
K. K Figure 11 is a piece of bent wire or metal which is fastened at the
middle to the contact breaker and the two ends of this bent wire or piece of
metal dip into a pair of small troughs containing mercury. One of these
troughs is represented by the dotted line L. L. These troughs are connected
by wires to the two binding screws M' and M². N¹ and N2 are two springs
which press one on each side of the contact breaker to cause the contact breaker
to spring back at once to its place after it has been turned on either side.
O and O¹ seen at Figure 11 are two stop pins to prevent the springs from
pressing the contact breaker farther than the middle position one of these
pins is seen at Figure 11. P¹ and P2 are two binding screws by which the
apparatus is connected into the progression circuit. Q. Q are two holes by
which the wires 'pass out on the other side of the case. The dotted lines
R R represent the wire insulated and fixed into a groove in the side of the
post the remainder of this circuit is seen at Figure 11°. S Figure 11° is
a horizontal rod projecting from the side of a train. S Figure 11³ is a
section of the same rod. I call this rod the connecting rod because its.
function in one apparatus (namely the safety-signal apparatus hereafter
described) is to connect the two halves of an electric circuit. The progression
communicators are fixed to the telegraphic posts at any convenient height so
as to be out of the way of workmen and others passing along the line. The
pendant rod of every communicator must hang at the same height as the rest
above the level of the rails and at the same lateral distance therefrom so that
each of them may be acted upon in the same manner by the connecting rod
which projects horizontally from the side of each train. Also the length of
the pendant rods and the way or path of the connecting rods must be so
arranged with respect to each other that the connecting rods in passing shall
move the pendant rods to an angle of about forty-five degrees so as to give a
small amount of time for the circuit to remain broken.
Figure 11 represents another form of apparatus for communicating the
progression signals. A A A A is a block of wood B B is one of two
standards C C are two keys, like the finger key of the danger communi-
cator D is a cross piece of wood fixed to the axis of the pendant rod E E
are two springs fixed to the cross piece D. The springs which keep the two

page_text: keys elevated must be more yielding than the springs E E so that either of
the springs E E may depress the key which is under it (and thereby break
the circuit as before described) the very instant that the axis of the
pendant rod begins to move and so that the key may remain depressed during
the time that the cross piece D is being deflected. At Figures 11 and 11° a
danger communicator is represented as being connected into the progression
circuit but this may be dispensed with by providing any kind of means for
holding on one side the pendant rod of the progression communicator. In
the progression-signal apparatus one circuit will not serve for both lines of
rails as in the danger-signal apparatus but the other line of rails can be
provided with another apparatus and the wire for the apparatus on the other
side need not be suspended on posts all the way along that side of the line
but posts for supporting the communicator may be fixed in the ground at the
required distances and the wire of this other apparatus is to cross either in
the air at a sufficient height to be clear of the trains or else in the ground
enclosed in a tube. Figure 11 represents this arrangement A is a signal
station B B B &c. are the telegraphic posts C is one of the posts to
which a communicator is fixed D is a similar post on the other side. The
progression-signal apparatus operates in the following manner As a train
passes along a local division of a railway which is provided with this appa-
ratus the connecting rod before described breaks the battery circuit which
extends along the line. This suspends the magnetism in the escapement
magnet of the indicator at each end of the circuit which as before described
in the fifth of these improvements releases one of the stop pins of the escape-
ment wheel but as the circuit is immediately completed again by the falling
of the pendant rod another pin of the escapement wheel is therefore released
so as to carry the index beyond the red mark to the next black mark (see
Figure 11º) and thus the progress of the train is indicated at the station
behind the train and at the station in advance by the index pointing to the
black marks on the dial the numbers of which correspond to the numbers of
the communicators connected in the circuit along the line and thus as the
train passes off the local division the index is brought again to the last
number on the dial the point from which it started and is thus ready to
indicate the progress of the next train which may come on to that local
division. From what has been said it will be seen that the progression com-
municators acted upon by the train can move the indices only from one black
mark to the next. Now the manner in which the danger signal is commu-
nicated through this apparatus in case the train should be delayed between the
stations is by the person in charge of the train pressing down at once the

page_text: nearest danger communicator without giving any warning signals and leaving
the finger key buttoned down until the train is able to continue its course
along the line so that the circuit is broken during this time and the index of
the indicator at each end of the circuit is thereby held at that red mark which
is between those two black marks which point out the number of the two
communicators between which the train is standing. Thus the danger signal
is given by the breaking of the circuit causing the index to point to a red
mark and the progression signal is given by the momentary breaking and
completing of the circuit causing the index to move from one black mark to
the next without stopping at the intervening red mark.
I claim as of my Invention in the progression-signal apparatus.
First the arrangement of the dial called the progression indicator that is
to say a dial having two kinds of marks placed alternately all round its cir-
cumference the one kind of marks signifying the place where a train is moving
and the other kind of marks signifying the place where a train is stopping.
Secondly the application of the escapement which is herein-before described
to the purpose of governing the movement of the index of the dial.
Thirdly the construction of progression communicators by the adaptation of
what I have called the telegraphic connecting rod that is say the fixing of
a rod so as to project horizontally from the side of an engine or train at a
sufficient height to clear all impediments except the pendant rods herein
described also by the adaptation of springs and stop pins so as to cause the
communicator to return decidedly and without oscillation to its usual position
as soon as the pendant rod falls from the telegraphic connecting rod also by
the adaptation of the pendant rods so as to rest momentarily upon the tele-.
graphic connecting rod as the telegraphic connecting rod slides beneath it.
The twelfth of these improvements consists in the arrangement of an appa-
ratus which may be called a railway safety signal apparatus. The object of
the apparatus is to transmit safety signals and stop signals from the stations to
the trains moving between the stations and starting signals to trains standing
on the line between the stations. A railway provided with this apparatus is
divided into local divisions as described in the tenth of these improvements
and a battery circuit for each line of rails extends along each local division
from one station to the next. These may be called the safety circuits. From
Figure 12 to Figure 12ª represents one of the local divisions of the railway.
Figure 12 is the apparatus at one station. A is a galvanic battery. B is
one of the danger communicators before described. This application of the
communicator may be called the stop-signal communicator. C is the safety
indicator at the station. This indicator is merely a common clockwork

page_text: alarum which is released by the escapement herein-before described and
which may also be provided with a dial like the danger indicator before
described. In this apparatus as before mentioned in the fourth of these
improvements the ratchet wheel, and concentric leverage may be used instead
of the escapement and clockwork. D. D is either of the wires of the battery
say the positive wire. This wire is connected to the stop-signal commu-
nicator so that the mercury vessels and the two connecting springs shall form
part of the circuit (see description of the danger communicator). From the
communicator this wire is connected to the indicator so as to include the
indicator in the circuit and from thence this positive wire is connected to
the rails or to the earth as represented at E. Or the positive wire may
be carried along the line and be connected to the galvanized rails hereafter
described. If this positive wire is connected to the earth then the gal-
vanized rails hereafter described must also be connected to the earth. If
it is connected directly to the rails a continuous conductor through the
rails must be insured by connecting the rails together, at their joints or ends
with small pieces of galvanized wire or metal fastened by small galvanized
screws to the side or under part of the rails. Figure 12B is a post to which a
safety communicator is fixed. F is a train moving along the line. G G is a
portion of the rails sufficient to extend to all the wheels of the guard's carriage
when the connecting rod is in contact with the pendant rod. This portion of
the rails and also the tires of the wheels of the guard's carriage should
be galvanized or otherwise prepared to prevent oxidation. H is the safety
indicator in the guard's carriage. This apparatus is similar to the one at the
station except that it has no finger key or other communicator. The wires
I and I are the two ends of the circuit of this indicator. The connecting rod
described in the eleventh improvement projects from the side of the guard's
carriage. The wire I is joined to this rod and the wire I¹ is joined by other
wires to the metal in contact with the wheels of this carriage. J is the other
wire of the battery that is to say the negative wire. This wire is connected
to the wire Z Z which extends along the line to the distant end of the local
division branch wires connect this wire Z Z to the pendant rod of each com-
municator. One of these branch wires is represented by the dotted line Y Y
Figure 12. This wire Z Z is continuous (that is it is not interrupted by
passing through any instrument) all along the local division as seen at A
Figure 12 and it is insulated at the other end of the local division as seen at
Figure 12. KK Figure 12 is the positive wire of the safety circuit of the
next local division of the railway. This wire is either connected with the rails
or the earth as represented in the Figure or else it is carried along the line

page_text: and is connected to the galvanized rails. L' is the negative wire of the same
circuit. M is the battery. N is the stop-signal communicator and O is one
of the indicators of this next safety circuit. P Figure 12 is the insulated
end of 'the' negative wire of the safety circuit of the next local division the
other way.
Figure 12° is a side view of the safety communicator with the side covering
of the case removed. Figure 12º is a front view of the same with the front
covering of the case removed. In these Figures similar letters refer to similar
parts. A is the case of the apparatus fixed to the post. B is a block of wood
which forms the bottom of the case and to which the apparatus is fixed.
C is the pendant rod. In this communicator the pendant rod must be
effectually insulated from the earth as it is by the block of wood B. The
pendant rod of the communicator and the connecting rod which projects
horizontally from the side of the train must in this apparatus be galvanized or
otherwise prepared at the parts of contact to prevent oxidation. In other
respects these two rods are the same as in the progression communicator.
D is the horizontal rod or axis to which the pendant rod is connected. E E
are two plumber blocks for supporting the horizontal rod D. FF Figure 12D
is à cross piece of wood fixed to the rod D. G G are two spiral springs
connecting each end of the cross piece F F to the block of wood B.
H Figure 12° is a binding screw. I is a wire connected to the rod D and
to the binding screw H. Y Y is one of the branch wires before described
and represented at Figure 12. This wire is also connected to the binding
screw H at Figure 12°.
Figure 12 shows another arrangement of springs for the rod D. From
the foregoing 'description it will be seen that the positive half of the safety
circuit of each local division terminates in the telegraphic connecting rod of
any train which may happen to come upon it, also that the negative half of
the safety circuit of each local division terminates at each of the pendant rods
arranged along that local division. It is therefore evident that the contact of
these two rods will complete the safety circuit and cause the indicator at the
station and the indicator in the guard's carriage to give the safety signal every
time the train passes a communicator. But if any obstruction should exist in
the local'division on the other side of the signal station or in any local division
in advance of the train then the person at the station by pressing down the
finger key of the stop-signal communicator will cause the safety circuit to be
divided in the positive half thereof and thus the contact of the telegraphic
connecting rod with the pendant rods will no longer effect the completion of
the safety circuit of that local division upon which the train is moving. The

page_text: safety indicator in the guard's carriage will therefore cease to operate and he
will order the engine-man to stop. The engine-man should stop so that the
guard's carriage may be near one of the communicators. And in order that
the guard of the train may know when the obstruction at the distant part of
the line is removed the train may be provided with a small insulated wire rope
with one of its ends attached to the telegraphic connecting rod of the train
and the other of its ends attached to a rod with a hook which may be hung
upon the horizontal rod of the communicator which will complete the safety
circuit at the train so that when the obstruction is removed and the finger
key of the stop-signal communicator at the station is released the safety
circuit will again be completed and the indicator at the station and on the
train will give the safety signal. The portable rod can then be taken off the
communicator and be put into the guard's carriage again. The train may then
continue its course along the line and both the train and the station will
again continue to receive the safety signals from the battery. If a proper
understanding exists between the signal men on the trains and the signal men
at the stations a code of signals may be used which will enable them to
retard or accelerate the movement of the trains and to start or stop them
according to orders received from a chief signal man who may be held
responsible for avoiding all collisions and all unnecessary delays but this will
require a combination of the apparatus as described in the thirteenth of these
improvements.
I claim as of my Invention in the safety-signal apparatus
Firstly the construction of an electric circuit by means of the rails of a
railway the wheels of the trains the wire of an instrument carried with the
train the telegraphic connecting rod the pendant rods and wires connected
and arranged as above described.
Secondly the adaptation of the two indicators for the purpose of producing
visible and audible signals on the train and at the station in advance of the
train as herein described.
Thirdly the application of the communicators at the stations adapted and
arranged so as to enable the person in charge of the telegraph at the stations
to break the connection between the battery and the rails so as to prevent
(when occasion may require) the contacts of the telegraphic connecting rod of
the train with the pendant rods of the communicators on the line from
effecting the completion of the safety circuit.
The thirteenth of these improvements consists in the arrangement of a
complete apparatus for preventing railway collisions. This apparatus may be
called the railway governing apparatus. The object of the apparatus is to

page_text: enable the persons in charge of the trains to communicate danger signals when
required from any part of the line to the stations also to enable the persons
at the stations to know the positions of the trains and whether they are
moving along or stopping on the line. Also to communicate safety signals and
5 stopping signals from the stations to the distant trains which are moving along
the line and starting signals to distant trains which may be stopping on any
part of a line of railway and thus to place the trains under the command of
the telegraph so that the trains may be prevented from coming within a
certain minimum distance of each other.
From Figure 13 to Figure 134 is one of the local divisions before
mentioned. A Figure 134 is a galvanic battery. N is the negative
pole thereof and from which a wire proceeds direct to the long negative
wire Z Z. The branch wires of the safety circuit are connected to
this wire Z Z as seen at Y Y Figure 13B. At the other end of the
3 local division this wire Z Z instead of being insulated as in the safety
signal apparatus is connected (as seen at B Figure 13) to one end of the
wire of the escapement magnet of a progression indicator whereby it becomes
half of the progression and danger circuit. P Figure 134 is the positive pole
of the battery A. Two wires proceed from this pole of the battery one
passes through the stop-signal communicator as seen at C Figure 134 and
from thence either directly to the rails or the earth or else along the line to
the galvanized rails under the communicators and thus together with the
train at 13B forms (as described in the twelfth of these improvements) the
other half of the safety circuit. The other wire from the positive pole of the
battery passes through D which is one of the progression indicators before
described and from thence this other wire of the battery passes direct to the
long positive wire E along the line through the progression communicators
and the danger communicators to the other end of the local division where it
is connected (as seen at F Figure 13) to the other end of the wire of the
escapement magnet of the progression indicator.
Figure 13° shows a division of a railway which may be called a district
and which consists of so much of the line as extends between two crossings
and upon which no two trains should move in contrary directions on the same
line of rails. These divisions are of course large or small according to circum-
stances. The one in the Figure is represented as containing three local
divisions. A B C and D are the signal stations which connect the three
local divisions. A and D may be called district signal stations. A speaking
telegraph and also an appropriate code of conventional signals is understood
to exist in connection with the apparatus and the stations are named as

page_text: above mentioned in order to facilitate the construction of rules for the use of
the apparatus. When the trains are moving through a district in the direc-
tion shown at Figure 13³ the responsibility for their safety exists at the
stations in advance and when moving in the contrary direction the stations
behind the trains are responsible for their safety.
Figure 13P is a table showing a code of signals for the safety circuits. The
cross signifies a train passing a communicator and receiving the safety signal.
The cypher signifies the train passing the communicator and not receiving the
safety signal.
I claim as of my Invention the arrangement of the circuits and the combi-
nation of the progression and safety-signal apparatus as above described and
represented.
The fourteenth of these improvements consists in the arrangement of an
improved apparatus for insulating the telegraphic wires when suspended in the
air. The objects of these improvements are first to insulate the wires
effectually by a strong and substantial apparatus and secondly to provide a
good means for conducting atmospheric electricity into the earth. In this
apparatus the wires are suspended by being attached to metallic rings. These
rings are insulated by being placed over a series of waterproof covers and
insulating covers arranged alternately. An additional ring is in metallic
contact with the earth and each ring is provided with metallic points which
are capable of being conveniently adjusted so as to conduct atmospheric elec-
tricity from the wires to the earth.
Figures 14 14 14 14° and 14° illustrate this apparatus and in these
Figures similar letters refer to similar parts. Figure 14 is a cast-iron hollow
post. A A is the ground line. B B and C are two cross bars fixed into
two holes across the post these serve to fix the post firmly in the ground
and if composed of metal they will also serve to facilitate the passage of
atmospheric electricity into the earth. Figure 14ª is a view of the parts
which are fitted on to the top of the post. E is a metallic ring. F G H is
a wrought-iron rod. The part from F to G passes through the ring E and
fits into the tube or hollow part of the cast-iron post. G is part of the
wrought-iron rod which forms a shoulder and which rests upon the ring E
and fixes it to the post. This ring E by being in contact with the post forms
a communication to the earth. The wrought-iron rod from the top down to I
is covered with stout flannel or cloth or felt saturated with any kind of non-
conducting substance. J K is a cover composed of metal or any other
waterproof substance. This cover goes over the part H I of the wrought-iron
rod and is thereby insulated. L is another metallic ring this goes on over

page_text: the cover J K and rests upon the shoulder J. The metal cover J K is
then covered with the non-conducting substance from the top down to the part
marked M. NO is another cover composed of metal or other waterproof
substance. P is another metallic ring which goes on over the cover N O
and rests upon the shoulder O. Figure 14³ is a view of all these parts in
their places and Figure 14° is a section of the same. Figure 14" is a top
view of the ring L. QQQQ are brass pins which screw into the rings
and which by screwing up or down may be adjusted as required for con-
ducting atmospheric electricity without voltaic electricity from one ring to the
next till it arrives at the ring in connection with the earth. R R R R are
holes in the edge of the rings through which the wires are attached.
I do not claim the suspending of the electric conductors upon posts or the
use of a single cover but I claim the particular method of insulating the
electric conductors by means of alternate covers as above described. Also I
do not claim the application of metallic posts for supporting the telegraphic
conductors unless these metallic posts are used for supporting the wires and
conducting atmospheric electricity to the earth according to the arrangements
above described and represented.
In witness whereof I the said George Petrie have hereunto set my hand
and seal the Twenty-fifth day of April in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
Enrolled the Twenty-fifth day of April in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.