IMPROVEMENTS IN GIVING SIGNALS AND SOUNDING ALARUMS AT DISTANT PLACES BY MEANS OF ELECTRIC CURRENTS TRANSMITTED THROUGH METALLIC CIRCUITS
Year: 1838

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
FOTHERGILL COOKE, of Breed's Place, Hastings, in the County of Sussex,
Esquire, send greeting.
WHEREAS I did, by petition, humbly represent unto Her most Excellent
Majesty Queen Victoria that, after considerable application and expence, I
had invented "IMPROVEMENTS IN GIVING SIGNALS AND SOUNDING ALARUMS AT
DISTANT PLACES BY MEANS OF ELECTRIC CURRENTS TRANSMITTED THROUGH METALLIC
CIRCUITS;" and Her said Majesty, being willing to give encouragement to all
arts and inventions which may be for the public good, was graciously pleased
by Her Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Eighteenth
day of April last, (One thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight,) in the first
year of Her reign, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, to give and grant unto
me, the said William Fothergill Cooke, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I
or they, by myself or themselves, or by my or their deputies, servants, or
agents, or such others as I or they should agree with, (and no others,) during
the term of fourteen years from the date of the said Letters Patent, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend my said Invention within
that part of Her said Majesty's Dominions called England, Wales, and the
Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in such manner as to me, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, shall seem meet, and as that I or they shall enjoy the
whole profit and advantage arising by reason of the said Invention during the

page_text: said term of fourteen years: And for that end Her said Majesty requires and
strictly commands all Her subjects whatsoever, within England, Wales, and
Berwick-upon-Tweed aforesaid, that they shall not, neither directly nor indi-
rectly, make, use, or put in practice my said Invention, or any part thereof,
nor in any wise counterfeit, imitate, or resemble the same, nor make any
addition thereto or subtraction therefrom, whereby to pretend himself or
themselves to be the inventor or inventors thereof. And whereas the said
Letters Patent contain a proviso, obliging me, the said William Fothergill
Cooke, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, and to cause the same to be enrolled in Her Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Fothergill Cooke, do hereby declare that my said Invention is
described and ascertained in manner following, and by the aid of the two
Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:-
My said improvements relate to certain apparatus or mechanism and modes
of giving signals and sounding alarums at distant places, by means of electric
currents transmitted through metallic circuits, for which a former Patent was
granted to me, the said William Fothergill Cooke, and to Charles Wheat-
stone, by His late Majesty King William the Fourth, bearing date at West-
minster, the Twelfth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-
seven, and whereof the Specification stands enrolled in the Chapel of the
Rolls; and in that said former Specification it is fully explained how the
transmission of an electric current or currents through certain metallic con-
ducting wires or telegraphic wires (which are formed or conjoined for the
time being into circuits suitably for such transmission) may be caused to
communicate determinate angular motions to certain magnetic needles, which
are suitably disposed and combined for pointing out upon suitably marked
dials or tablets the significations of the signals which are intended to be given
by any such determinate angular motions aforesaid, as may from time to time
be communicated by transmission of an electric current or currents as afore-
said to one or more such needles at a time. And it is also fully explained
how the transmission of an electric current or currents as aforesaid may be
caused to sound alarums by medium of the attractive force of occasional or
temporary voltaic magnetism, which will be excited in masses of soft iron by
such transmission; and duplicates of the apparatus containing such magnetic

page_text: needles, with their dial aforesaid, and with such alarums as aforesaid, together
with suitable voltaic batteries and certain buttons or finger keys, as therein
fully described, being situated at the distant places between which communi-
cations are to be made by giving signals and sounding alarums, a set or
series of the metallic conducting wires or telegraphic wires aforesaid is ex-
tended from one of those distant places to the other, each wire preserving its
own course of metallic continuity, independently of or insulated from all the
other wires, and one such wire is carried as a part of the said course in
suitable proximity to each of the magnetic needles of each duplicate set of
such needles, and one such wire is carried as part of its said course in suitable
proximity to each of the aforesaid masses of soft iron, all which is fully ex-
plained in the said Specification. And it is also therein explained how the
ends or extremities of any two or more such conducting wires can, by pressure
of the hands or fingers upon suitable buttons or finger keys, be connected to
the two opposite poles of the voltaic battery belonging to such finger keys,
whilst the contrary ends of the wires to those ends thereof which are so con-
nected are at the same time conjoined together, whereby the said wires so con
nected become formed into a metallic circuit or circuits suitably for the trans-
mission of an electric current or currents throughout the length of two conjoined
wires, and such transmission is (as already stated) made the means of giving
signals by the angular motions that such current or currents will communicate
to the magnetic needles, which (in consequence of their proximity to the wire
or wires through which that transmission is made) are subjected to the
influence of such current or currents, or is made the means of sounding
alarums by the action of occasional or temporary voltaic magnetism, excited in
the aforesaid masses of soft iron, which (in consequence of their proximity to
the wire or wires through which that transmission is made) are subjected to
the influence of such current or currents; and whatever signals are so given
or alarums are so sounded by the apparatus at one of the distant places, like
signals or alarums will be at the same time given or sounded by the duplicate
of the said apparatus at the other of such distant places. And it is also fully
explained that such transmission of an electric current or currents may be
made to proceed either in one direction through each such metallic circuit or
circuits as may be formed by connecting any two or more of the conducting
wires aforesaid with the two opposite poles of the battery, or else may be made
to proceed in a contrary direction through the same circuit or circuits, and
thereby the angular motions which will in consequence be given to the mag-
netic needles will take place either in one direction or else in a contrary
direction, so as to enable the apparatus to give two different significations or

page_text: signals by the pointing of each needle in each of the aforesaid duplicate appa-
ratuses at distant places. And also it is fully explained how several magnetic
needles may be combined together, in order to point out the significations of
signals on a suitably marked dial, by the concurrent angular motion of two
or more of such needles, and how a great diversity of such signals can be
given by the several variations of such concurrent pointing of two or more
needles, which can be obtained by varying the combinations or coupling
together of the several conducting wires, when, by pressure on the buttons
or finger keys aforesaid, the ends of any two or more of the wires are con-
nected with the two opposite poles of the battery, to form those two or more
wires into a metallic circuit or circuits for the transmission of an electric cur-
rent or currents, and the number and diversity of such variations can be
augmented by reversing the direction of such transmission as aforesaid. And
it is also explained how signals may be given or alarums sounded by a person
stationed at either of the aforesaid distant places, by merely applying his hands
or fingers to press the buttons or finger keys belonging to that part of the
apparatus which is in his presence, and the duplicate part of the apparatus
which is situated at the other distant place will at the same time give likė
signals and sound like alarums, which may be observed and recorded by the
person stationed at that other last-mentioned distant place, and then that person
may in an instant afterwards become the operator, to give signals or sound
alarums, which being given or sounded in the same manner and at the same
time by both the distant parts of the apparatus, may be observed and recorded
by the first-mentioned person, so that a mutual interchange of signals and
alarums, constituting a telegraphic communication, can be carried on be-
tween persons stationed at the distant places where the duplicate parts of the
apparatus are situated. And it is also explained how other duplicates of the
apparatuses containing magnetic needles, with their dials (though without any
voltaic batteries or finger-keys), and containing alarums, may be disposed at
intermediate places between the two most distant places herein-before men-
tioned, and which for distinction are called the two termini; and how, by suitable
connections of the conducting or telegraphic wires, which extend through such
intermediate places as part of their course of extension between those termini,
the same signals will be given or the same alarums will be sounded at all such
intermediate places, as are at the same time given or sounded at the two
termini. And respecting my present improvements, which are the subject of
the said Letters Patent of the Eighteenth of April last, I will first describe
certain apparatus or mechanism which is constructed according to my said
improvements, and then at the conclusion of this my Specification, I will

page_text: point out the particular improvements whereof the exclusive use is granted by
the said Letters Patent. And whereas, by the means explained as aforesaid
in the said former Specification a mutual telegraphic conversation or corre-
spondence can be carried on or interchanged between two persons situated at
the two extreme ends or termini of a long line of conducting or telegraphic
wires, so that either of those persons, by giving signals and sounding alarums
in a suitable manner, as therein described, can communicate intelligence to or
receive intelligence from his correspondent. And whereas, by the means
therein explained as aforesaid, duplicates of the apparatus (Figures A to G,
Sheet I., of the Drawings thereunto annexed), containing needles, and of the
apparatus, Sheet II., for sounding alarums, may also be situated at interme-
diate places between the two termini, in which case the same signals will be
exhibited by the needles of all the several duplicate apparatuses or dials at
intermediate places, and the same alarums will be sounded at those places as
are exhibited or sounded by the apparatus at the two termini; hence it is
evident, that although persons situated at such intermediate places may acquire
a knowledge of all the telegraphic communications which are passing and
repassing between the two correspondents at the two termini, nevertheless
those said persons at intermediate places would not have any power of giving
signals or sounding alarums. And this being understood, I shall now proceed
(as part of my present Specification) to explain how any duplicate apparatus
at such intermediate places may be provided with a set of buttons or finger-
keys and their accessaries, and with a voltaic battery, together with adequate
means of instantaneously connecting and disconnecting the said keys and
battery with the long conducting or telegraphic wires, so as to enable persons
at any of such intermediate places to give signals and sound alarums at either
one or other of the termini (whichever may be chosen by such persons), as
well as at such other of the said intermediate places as may be situated between
that terminus which is so chosen, and the aforesaid intermediate place, from
which the signals are to be given or alarums to be sounded. Wherefore by the
means now about to be described, the duplicate apparatus situated at any
intermediate place between the two termini may at pleasure be in an instant
endowed with all the qualifications of the apparatus at one of the termini, that
is all the qualifications requisite for the purpose of giving signals and sounding
alarums from such intermediate places in the manner described in the former
Specification, in reference to the apparatuses at the two termini; but, neverthe-
less, in an instant the means of mutual communication between the two termini
can be perfectly restored without any longer interruption to the communication
than during the time of making communication from the intermediate.

page_text: place. The Figures at the lower part of Sheet A of the Drawings hereunto
annexed, which Figures are marked Figure A and Figure 6, may represent the
apparatuses at the two termini, whilst Figure T represents an apparatus at an
intermediate place between the two termini. Each of the dials in those three
Figures is represented with four needles, whereof each needle is adapted to
give two significations by its own individual motions, as well as other signals
by its pointing concurrently and contemporaneously with another needle, or
with other needles, as is explained in the former Specification respecting
Figure Z, Sheet III. thereof. And note.-The arrangement of the needles]
and characters on the dials, Figures A, b, and T, Sheet A, hereof, are the same
in effect as in that Figure Z of the former Specification, although somewhat
different in appearance. The long conducting or telegraphic wires, 21, 22,
23, 24, and 25, Sheet A, which should be at least five in number, may form a
continuity of metal extending from Figure A to Figure 6, and passing through
the intermediate apparatus, Figure T, and the four first-mentioned of those
wires making their appropriate coils around the four needles of the apparatus,"
Figure T, in the same manner as is described in the former Specification in
respect to all five wires in Figures A and b, Sheet I., thereof, and in such case
whatever signal is exhibited by the needles of the dials, Figures A and b,
Sheet A, or alarum sounded at the two termini, the same will be exhibited by
the dial, Figure T, or sounded by its alarum, as already herein-before stated;
but according to the arrangement now to be described, the said long telegraphic
wires admit of having their continuity of metal disconnected at the inter-
mediate apparatus, Figure T, so as to divide the whole length or extension of
those wires into two portions, whereof one portion is to be used and the other
is to be disused in such manner as to leave that apparatus T for the time with
no other connexion by means of the said wires, excepting with the apparatus,
Figure A, at one terminus, through one of the said portions, or otherwise with
the apparatus, Figure b, at the other terminus through the other of the said
portions, according as it may be intended to give signals or sound alarums from
the said intermediate apparatus, Figure T, either to the terminal apparatus
Figure A, or otherwise, to the terminal apparatus, Figure 6; and the same
action whereby the long telegraphic wires are so disconnected and divided into
two portions, also connects a set of buttons and finger-keys belonging to
Figure T, and a voltaic battery, with that portion of the said wires which is
to be retained in use in such manner that the intermediate apparatus T
becomes fully qualified for carrying on a mutual telegraphic communication in
the manner herein-before stated with that terminal apparatus (either Figure A
or else Figure 6), with which it is (for the time) put into connection. The

page_text: requisite connection and disconnection can be very readily made by merely
moving an index, g, Figure T, which projects out through an upright slit in
one margin of the frame of the box or case in which the apparatus, Figure T,
is contained. When the index g is raised up in its slit, so as to come opposite
to the mark b, it causes the terminal apparatus, Figure A, to be wholly discon-
nected from the apparatus, Figure T, but at the same time the said raising up
of the index g establishes the requisite connexion between the apparatus,
Figure T (together with its own finger-keys and voltaic battery), and the
other terminal apparatus, Figure 6, suitably for carrying on a mutual tele-
graphic communication between Figure T and Figure 6; but, nevertheless, the
said raising up of the index g does not disconnect the alarum apparatus
which belongs to the intermediate apparatus, Figure T, from its connexion
with the terminal apparatus, Figure A. Or, if the index g is put down
in its slit, so as to come opposite to the mark A, Figure T, then it
causes a total disconnection between the apparatus, Figure T, and the
terminal apparatus Figure 6 (excepting as relates to the alarum at the
intermediate apparatus, Figure T), but at the same time the said putting
down of the index 9, establishes the requisite communication between the
apparatus, Figure T, (together with its own finger keys and voltaic battery)
and the other terminal apparatus Figure A, suitably for carrying on a mutual
telegraphic communication between Figure T and Figure A; but if the said
index g is placed in its intermediate position, as represented in Figure T, then
each of the several five long telegraphic wires becomes reconnected into one con-
tinuity of metal extending from Figure A to Figure b, the coils of wires around
the four several needles of the intermediate apparatus, Figure F, as well as
the coils for its alarum, being included in the said continuity of metal formed
by four out of the five telegraphic wires as part of the extension of those four,
but the finger keys and the voltaic battery of the apparatus, Figure T, being
wholly disconnected from the telegraphic wires, in which state the intermediate
apparatus T answers in all its conditions to the description given in the former
Specification of a duplicate apparatus (containing needles and provided with an
alarum) which may be situated at an intermediate place between the two
termini. The index g, Sheet A, is one end of a wooden lever which is con-
tained within the box or case of the apparatus Figure T, disposed in a direction
across the same from front to back, and is marked f, in Figures P, p, m, 1, 1 a,
and k, wherein it is drawn full size; it is mounted on a horizontal axis o,
I call it the current director; its end nearest to the index g is included between
two slender springs h, h, which are adapted to retain it in either of its three
intended positions above described, that is either with the index g raised up or

page_text: else put down, or else in its intermediate position. The springs h, h, yield by
opening one from the other when the index g is raised up or put down, but
collapse together again around it when the index reaches either of its three
intended resting places. The five finger keys 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35, Figure
P, a, which are very similar to those described in the former Specification (in
reference to Figures H, I, J, Sheet I., thereof) are disposed with their length
horizontal and across the box or case below the dial, their ends coming
forwards in front thereof, so that the ten buttons belonging to those five keys
stand up in two rows through the cover of the lower and advanced part of the
box. All this is sufficiently evident from the front elevation Figure T, or
Figure t, which is the same, but which has also a vertical section of the box
or case, Figure u, drawn side by side with it, and also a horizontal plan
Figure x, drawn beneath Figure u. Each key has a connecting wire pro
ceeding from it, as shewn at 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95, Figure Pa, to connect it
with a small piece of metal which is affixed to the wooden current director f
in the manner shewn by the like numbers in Figures P, p, 1, and la, all the
said five pieces of metal being fixed side by side on the wood f, and so far apart
thereon as to be insulated one from another, and the several wires 91, 92, 93,
94, and 95, are also insulated one from another. All connexion of the finger
keys with the telegraphic wires is by this means rendered dependent upon the
current director f, which being placed in its intermediate position, already
mentioned in reference to Figure T (and in which it is shewn in Figure p),
then allows of no connexion between the telegraphic wires and the finger keys,
but leaves the latter wholly disconnected and useless for the present; also the
two fixed pole bars 26 and 36, Figure Pa, which extend across under the
finger keys and beneath the two rows of buttons thereon in the manner described
in the former Specification (in reference to Figures H and h, Sheet I. thereof
are not connected directly by wires with the two poles of the voltaic battery, as
described in the former Specification, but two insulated connecting wires 87
and 97, Figure Pa, Sheet A, proceed from those pole bars 26 and 36 to
connect them with two distinct and insulated pieces of metal which are fixed
side by side on the tail or short end of the current director f, as is shewn at
87 and 97, in Figures P and p, by which means all connexion of the voltaic
battery with the pole bars (and through them with the finger keys) is rendered
dependent upon the current director f, which being placed in its intermediate
position, as in Figure p, leaves the pole bars 26 and 36 wholly disconnected
from the voltaic battery, which is therefore useless for the present. The five
long telegraphic wires 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 preserve their continuity of metal
in their passage though the intermediate apparatus, Figure T, so long as the

page_text: current director f thereof is in its intermediate position, as in Figure p, for
distance. Those portions of the five telegraphic wires which extend from the
terminal apparatus, Figure A, enter into the intermediate apparatus, Figure T,
by being attached to five insulated buttons at one side thereof; one of those
wires and buttons is more particularly shewn at 22, in Figure 1 a. The said
button is suitably connected with a brass spring which enters into the box as
at 22 a, and bears by its elasticity against another like spring 22 b, so as to
preserve the requisite continuity of metal between those two springs, and
from the spring 22 b, the continuation 22 c of the said telegraphic wire
proceeds to make its coils 8, 8, around the second magnetic needle of the
intermediate apparatus, Figure T, in the manner fully described in the former
Specification (respecting Figures C to G, Sheet I. thereof), and after having
made those coils, the further continuation 22 d of the said telegraphic wire pro-
ceeds to a spring 22 e, which bears by its elasticity against another like spring
22f, so as to preserve the requisite continuity of metal between those two
springs; and then by means of a button 22 g suitably connected with the
spring 22f, the same is united to that portion of the long telegraphic wire 22
which extends to the other terminal apparatus Figure b. Four of the five
telegraphic wires make a like course of metallic continuity through the inter-
mediate apparatus Figure T, and the fifth wire 25 a nearly similar course,
but it makes no coils around a magnetic needle; see the dotted lines 25 d, c,
Figure 1 a, Sheet A. That is, each wire proceeds by the intervention of four
such springs as 22 a, 22 b, and 22 e, 22f, with two places of contact formed
between four of those springs for preserving the requisite metallic continuity
of each telegraphic wire, but all the said several springs for the different wires
are disposed side by side in rows, and are insulated one from another by being
fixed to a suitable part of the wood of the frame, as shewn in Figure p, by
21 b, 22 b, 23 b, 24 b, 25 b, also 21 e, 22 e, 23 e, 24 e, 25 e. Note. Re-
specting that one of the five telegraphic wires to which an alarum apparatus
described in the former Specification (in reference to Figure S, Sheet II.
thereof), is connected, and the metallic continuity of which wire is to form
coils around the magnetic needle of that alarum apparatus (as is represented
in that Figure S, Sheet II.), and which may be the wire 21, Sheet A, whereof
the course of metallic continuity is nearly similar to what has been herein-before
traced through the intermediate apparatus Figure T. Now the course of the
said wire 21 being, as herein-before described respecting the wire 22, as far as
the spring 21f, Figure l, that spring is not connected immediately with the
button 21 g, (as is the case with the corresponding spring and button for each
of the other four telegraphic wires), but the spring 21f forms a contact, as is

page_text: shewn in Figure 1, with a piece of metal which is affixed to the inside of a
wooden prominence e, Figure 1 of the index g, and from that piece of metal a
connecting wire 21h, proceeds to the button 75, which belongs to the alarum
apparatus described in the former Specification (and therein shewn in Figure S,
Sheet II.), that button 75 being at the commencement of the coiling which the
wire is to make around the magnetic needle of the alarum apparatus. Also
the button 76, which is at the termination of the same coiling, is connected
by the wire 21 k, Figure l, Sheet A, with another piece of metal, which is
affixed to the outside of the aforesaid wooden prominence e of the index g,
that is at the contrary side thereof to the before-mentioned piece of metal to
which the wire 21h is connected, in order that the said two pieces of metal
may be insulated one from the other by the wood e intervening between them.
Against the said outside piece of metal a spring 21 bears laterally with
close contact, and to that spring the button 21g is affixed for connecting
the long telegraphic wire 21, which extends to the terminal apparatus
Figure b. The consequence of this arrangement of the wire 21 is, that when-
ever the wire is formed into a metallic circuit, so that an electric current is
transmitted through it in a suitable direction for causing the alarum belonging
to the terminal apparatuses, Figure A and Figure b, to be sounded, the
alarum belonging to the intermediate apparatus Figure T, will likewise be
sounded, in the same manner as has been herein-before stated, and as is
fully described in the former Specification. But whenever it is required to
prevent the last-mentioned alarum from being sounded by the aforesaid
transmission of an electric current, in the suitable direction through the wire
21, then the alarum wires 21 h, 75, 76, 21 k, Figure 1 of the intermediate
apparatus T, can be disconnected by turning a small thumb screw which is
tapped through the spring 21 1, Figure l, until the point thereof reaches
the spring 21 f. In order to make such a metallic contact between the two
springs 21 and 21f that the electric current will pass direct from one to the
other without being transmitted through the wires 21 h, 21 k, of the alarum,
and consequently without causing the said alarum to be sounded, if the
screw 21 is screwed somewhat further than merely to make the said contact,
it will bear off the spring 21 from its contact with the piece of metal at the
outside of the prominence e, and render the aforesaid disconnection quite
effectual. Note. This mode of disconnecting the alarum of the intermediate
apparatus, Figure T, effects that purpose in nearly the same manner as that
described in the former Specification, whereby the spring pieces 72, and sliding
bolts 73, Figures H and h, Sheet I., thereof, operate to disconnect the alarums
of the terminal apparatuses Figure A and Figure 6 of that Sheet I., when

page_text: required. All the circumstances above explained respecting the intermediate
apparatus, Figure T, being kept in mind the operation of the current director f
with its accessaries may now be explained, whereby that apparatus T is ren-
dered capable of giving signals and sounding alarums at either one or other of
the termini, whichever of them may for the time be chosen. For instance,
if the index g, Figure T, is put down opposite to the mark A, then, as before
mentioned, the intermediate apparatus, Figure T, will be prepared for mutual
telegraphic communication with the terminal apparatus, Figure A. For the
index g, at the front end of the current director f, Figures m and p, being put
down tilts the current director finto an inclined position, whereby the pieces
of metal 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95, at one side of it are brought down into lateral
contact with the springs 21 e, 22 e, 23 e, 24 e, and 25 e, which are beneath it,
(see also Figure 7) so as to bring the latter springs into connection (through,
the wires 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95,) Figures P and Pa with the finger keys
31, 32, 33, 34, and 35; and also by the same lateral contact aforesaid, the
said springs 21 e, 22 e, 23 e, 24 e, and 25 e, are bended aside and disconnected
from their previous contact with their adjacent springs 21 f, 22f, 23f, 24 f,
and 25f; the consequence of the disconnection is that the metallic con-
tinuity of all the five telegraphic wires is cut off at the intermediate apparatus,
Figure T, so as to disconnect those portions thereof which extend therefrom
to the terminal apparatus, Figure 6. And also the five finger keys of the inter-
mediate apparatus Figure T are become connected to the several ends of
those portions of the five telegraphic wires which extend to the terminal
apparatus A, and which portions are now to be used for carrying on a mutual
telegraphic correspondence between the two apparatuses A and T by forming
those portions into metallic circuits exactly in the same manner as is fully
explained in the former Specification respecting the two terminal apparatuses,
(Figure A and Figure b, Sheet I. thereof,) and therefore it is unnecessary to
enter into a repetition of the description; but, note, the aforesaid tilting down
of the current director f, Figure p, Sheet A, by elevating its tail or short end
raises up
the pieces of metal 87 and 97, which, as before mentioned, are con-
nected by wires 87 and 97 with the pole bars 26 and 36, Figure Pa, of the
set of keys of the intermediate apparatus T, so as to bring those pieces of
metal 87 and 97 into lateral contact with springs 27 a and 37 a, which are
situated over the tail end of the current director f, (see also Figure k) and
which springs are connected by branches of the two wires 27 and 87, with
the two poles of the voltaic battery belonging to the intermediate apparatus,
Figure T, and which battery is thus brought into connexion therewith ready
for operation whenever it is required to give signals or sound alarums, at the

page_text: terminal apparatus, Figure A, as well as at any other duplicate apparatus
containing needles, which may be situated at any intermediate place between
Figure T and Figure A. And, note, respecting the alarum belonging to the
intermediate apparatus, Figure T, the same is not connected with those portions
of the telegraphic wires which extend to the terminal apparatus, Figure A,
when the current director is tilted down, as herein-before mentioned, but on
the contrary, the said alarum apparatus becomes connected with those portions
of the telegraphic wires which extend to the other terminal apparatus,
Figure b. To effect this a piece of metal plate, which is fixed to the side of
the current director f, as shewn at 17, Figure m, (and which I call the cross
plate) comes down into lateral contact with all the five springs, 21f, 22 f,
23f, 24f, and 25f, Figure 1, in such manner as to connect all those springs
together by a lateral connection resulting from the same action, whereby they
have been disconnected from their previous contact with their fellow springs,
21 e, 22 e, 28 e, 24 e, and 25 e, as before mentioned. But, note, the wood of
the current director f insulates the cross plate 17 at one side of it, from the
detached pieces of metal 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95, at the other side of it. Also,
the aforesaid tilting down of the current directorf depressing its prominence e,
Figure 7, retains the piece of metal at the outside thereof belonging to the
alarum wire 21k in its previous lateral contact with the spring 211, so as to
continue to bend the same away from all contact with the spring 21f, but the
latter still continues in contact with the piece of metal at the inside of the
prominence e, which belongs to the alarum wire 21 h. The consequence of this
situation of the parts is that the alarum of the intermediate apparatus T con-
tinues to be connected with those portions of the telegraphic wires which extend
from the intermediate apparatus, Figure T, to the terminal apparatus, Figure 6,
wherefore if an electric current is transmitted from one pole of the voltaic
battery belonging to the terminal apparatus, Figure b, through the telegraphic
wire which extends from the terminal apparatus, Figure b, to the button 21 g
and spring 211, Figure 1, the latter being separated from its fellow spring 21 f,
but being in contact with the outside piece of metal on the prominence e, the
said current will be transmitted through the wire 21 k to the button 76, and
thence through the wire coils around the magnetic needle of the alarum appa-
ratus described in the former Specification, (in reference to Figure S, Sheet II.
thereof,) causing that apparatus to sound its alarum, and then the current will
proceed to the button 75, Sheet A, and through the wire 21h to the piece of
metal at the inside of the prominence e, and thence to one end of the spring 21 f,
which is in contact therewith, and from the other end of that spring, by the
cross plate 17 the said current will be transmitted to any other of the springs

page_text: 22f, 23, 24f, or 25 f, whereof the corresponding telegraphic wire extend-
ing to the terminal apparatus, Figure 6, may be for the time in connection
with the contrary pole of the voltaic battery to that pole thereof which has
been recently mentioned; or, if the index 9, Figure T, is raised up opposite to
the mark 6, then, as before mentioned, the intermediate apparatus, Figure T,
will be prepared for mutual telegraphic communication with the terminal
apparatus, Figure b, for the current director, f, Figure p, being tilted up into
an inclined position, its pieces of metal 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95, are raised up
into lateral contact with the five springs, 21 b, 22 b, 23 b, 24b, and 25 b,
which are above it, so as to bring the latter springs into connection (through
the wires 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95, Figures p and Pa) with the finger keys
31, 32, 33, 34, and 35. Also by the same lateral contact aforesaid, the said
springs 21 b, 22b, 23 b, 24 b, and 25 b, are bended aside and disconnected
from their previous contact with their adjacent springs 21 a, 22 a, 23 a, 24 a,
and 25 a. The consequence of the disconnection is that the metallic continuity
of all the five telegraphic wires is cut off at the intermediate apparatus;
Figure T, so as to disconnect those portions thereof which extend therefrom to
the terminal apparatus, Figure A; and also the five finger keys of the inter-
mediate apparatus, Figure T, are become connected to the several ends of
those portions of the five telegraphic wires which extend to the terminal
apparatus, Figure b, and which portions are now to be used for carrying on
a mutual telegraphic correspondence between the two apparatuses 6 and T by
forming those said portions into metallic circuits exactly in the same manner
as is fully explained in the former Specification respecting the two terminal
apparatuses (Figure A and Figure b, Sheet I. thereof), and therefore it is
unnecessary to enter into a repetition of the description. But note, the
aforesaid tilting up of the current director f, Figure p, by depressing its tail or
short end, depresses the pieces of metal 87 and 97, which (as before mentioned)
are connected by wires 87 and 97 with the pole bars 26 and 36, Figure P a of
the set of keys of the intermediate apparatus T, so as to bring those pieces
of metal 87 and 97 into lateral contact with springs 37 and 27, which are
situated beneath the tail end of the current director f, see also Figure k, and
which springs are connected by branches of the two wires 27 and 37 with the
two poles of the voltaic battery belonging to the intermediate apparatus;
Figure T, and which battery is thus brought into connexion therewith, ready
for sending forth electric currents in a suitable direction whenever it is required
to give signals or sound alarums at the terminal apparatus, Figure b, as well
as at any other duplicate apparatus containing needles, which may be situated
at any intermediate place between Figure T and Figure b. And note, the

page_text: alarum belonging to the intermediate apparatus, Figure T, is not now connected
with those portions of the telegraphic wires which extend to the terminal
apparatus, Figure b, but on the contrary, the said alarum apparatus becomes
connected with those portions of the telegraphic wires which extend to the
other terminal apparatus, Figure A. This results from the cross plate 17
rising up into lateral contact with all the five springs 21 a, 22 a, 23 a, 24 a,
and 25 a, Figure 1, in such manner as to connect all those springs together by
a lateral connexion resulting from the same action, whereby they have been
disconnected from their previous contact with their fellow springs 21 b, 22 b,
23 b, 24 b, and 25 b, as herein-before stated. Also the aforesaid tilting up of
the current director f, by elevating its prominence e, Figure 1, raises the piece
of metal at the outside thereof belonging to the alarum wire 21 k, into lateral
contact with the spring 21 m, so as to bend the same away from its previous
contact with its fellow spring 21 a, but as the latter is now brought into contact
with the piece of metal at the inside of the prominence e, which belongs to the
alarum wire 21 h, the alarum of the intermediate apparatus T becomes
connected with those portions of the telegraphic wires which extend from the
intermediate apparatus Figure T, to the terminal apparatus Figure A;
wherefore, if an electric current is transmitted from one pole of the voltaic
battery belonging to the terminal apparatus Figure A, through that telegraphic
wire 21, which extends from the said terminal apparatus Figure A, to the
button and spring 21 in Figure 1, the latter being in contact with the piece
of metal on the outside of the prominence e, will transmit the said current
through the wire 21 k to the button 76, and thence through the wire coils
around the magnetic needle of the alarum apparatus, causing the same to
sound its alarum, and then to the button 75, and through the wire 21 h to the
piece of metal at the inside of the prominence e, and thence to the spring 21 a
which is in contact therewith, and from that by the cross plate 17, the said
current will be transmitted to any other of the springs 22 a, 23 a, 24 a, and 25 a,
whereof the corresponding telegraphic wire extending to the terminal apparatus
Figure A, may be (for the time) in connection with the contrary pole of the
voltaic battery, to that pole thereof which has been recently mentioned.
And, note, it cannot be necessary to have the alarum of the intermediate
apparatus Figure T, capable of being sounded by transmission from that
terminus Figure A, or Figure b, with which a mutual telegraphic communica-
tion is carrying on during the time of such communication, provided the
person at the intermediate apparatus T, never keeps the index g thereof up
or down any longer than he requires it to be so for enabling him to make his
communication, for as soon as ever he has finished the same he should restore

page_text: the index g to its intermediate position, in order to give the means of mutual
communication between one terminal apparatus Figure A, and the other
Figure 6, in which case the alarum of the intermediate apparatus T would be
capable of being sounded by transmission from either terminus, provided that
the thumb screw of the spring 21 1, Figure 1, is screwed out as there shewn,
and as has been herein-before stated. But, on the other hand, it is a great
advantage to be able to sound the alarum of the intermediate apparatus by
transmission from that terminal apparatus with which the mutual telegraphic
communication is not going on for the time, because it enables the person at
the last-mentioned terminus to call the attention of the person at the inter-
mediate apparatus whenever any communication is required to be made to
him, or to the other terminus beyond him, and the sounding of such alarum
gives him notice that he must prepare his intermediate apparatus, Figure T,
for mutual telegraphic communication between the termini, by putting its
index g to its middle position. And, note, owing to the cross plate 17,
Figure m, on the current director f, putting all the five springs 21 a to 21f
into a transverse or lateral connexion one with another, whenever the inter-
mediate apparatus, Figure T, is disconnected from one terminal apparatus
(by raising up or putting down its index g, as before explained) in order that
it may be enabled to carry on a mutual telegraphic communication with
the other terminal apparatus as aforesaid, which is not disconnected, that
terminal apparatus which is so disconnected from the intermediate apparatus
(so as to be incapacitated for the present for giving signals thereat) will
nevertheless preserve the power of sounding the alarum at the intermediate
apparatus, as already described, and also the said terminal apparatus, which is
so disconnected, will still preserve the power of giving signals or sounding
alarums at any other duplicate apparatus or apparatuses, which may be
situated at intervening places between the said terminal apparatus and the
aforesaid intermediate apparatus which is disconnected from that terminal
apparatus. Note, the use of the current director f, and of putting its index g,
up or down, as above described, is to cause the several electric currents which
may be transmitted along the several coils of wire 8, around the magnetic
needles of the intermediate apparatus, Figure T, to assume in each case the
proper direction for influencing those needles, in the same manner as the
needles of the terminal apparatus (which is at the time connected with the
intermediate apparatus) are influenced by the same electric currents. And
in case a line of railway road is to be provided with an apparatus for giving
signals and sounding alarums at distant places along such line by means of
electric currents transmitted through metallic circuits, the long conducting or

page_text: telegraphic wires being extended along such line of railway, whereon stations
(at suitable distances) may be provided with terminal apparatuses as at
Figure A and Figure 6, Sheet A. And also intermediate apparatuses, as at
Figure T, may be provided wherever they can be required, on such line between
those said terminal apparatuses either as mere duplicates of the apparatus
for giving signals and sounding alarums to operate simultaneously with, and
similarly to the two terminal apparatuses to which they are intermediate, as
is described in the former Specification, or else such intermediate apparatuses
(or so many of them as is desirable) may have all the provisions herein-before
explained, in reference to Figures T, P, a, p, m, 1, 1 a, and k, Sheet A, for
enabling persons stationed at any of the intermediate apparatuses which are
so provided to give signals or sound alarums at either one of the said terminal
apparatuses as well as at other intermediate apparatuses which may intervene
between that one terminal apparatus aforesaid and the said particular inter-
mediate apparatus so provided as aforesaid, from which the signal is given or
alarum is sounded. And further, in case it is thought desirable to provide the
means of establishing for a time a temporary and occasional mutual telegraphic
communication from almost any part of a long line of railway road, to either
one of the two nearest terminal apparatuses and intervening intermediate
apparatuses, then a portable apparatus for giving signals, having its set of
buttons and finger keys and its voltaic battery, may be adapted to be packed
in a suitable case and carried with any train of carriages so as to be ready for
use at any time, and at nearly any place along the line, in case of accidents or
stoppages, or other events occurring which may render it desirable to open a
mutual telegraphic communication with the several stations on the line, or
some of them where terminal or intermediate apparatuses are established, as
above stated. And in such case, the said portable apparatus is to be suitably
(but temporarily) connected with the telegraphic wires (or with part of them)
at some convenient place along the line, which has been provided at the time
of laying down the telegraphic wires with adequate means for making such
temporary connections whenever the same should become requisite, and such
places may be at or near every mile post, or every half mile post, or quarter
mile post, or under the bridges nearest thereto, or other suitable places along
the line, so as to offer the means of connecting a portable apparatus with the
telegraphic wires within a reasonable distance of any place along the line,
where an accident, or stoppage, or other event may occur, and render it
desirable to establish for a time a mutual telegraphic communication with
some of the stations on the line. A portable apparatus and means which may
be provided for connecting it when required with the telegraphic wires, is

page_text: represented in Sheet B. The portable apparatus itself, Figures d, e, f, g, t, u, x,
in that Sheet, is for the most part of the same construction as the intermediate
apparatus, Figures T, t, u, & x, Sheet A, already described; but it has only
two needles, which are adapted to give eight signals, and it is connected with
only three of the long conducting or telegraphic wires; nevertheless, that
difference is not essential to a portable apparatus, for it might be constructed
with four needles, the same as the intermediate apparatus, Figure T, Sheet A.
The means provided at every quarter mile, or other post, or under the bridges
nearest to the same, are represented in Figures q, r, s, n, y, and z, Sheet B.
The five, six, or other number of long conducting or telegraphic wires,
21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, Figure 9, in proceeding on their horizontal course
along the line of railway road (as shewn along the bottom of Sheet B):
are deflected laterally therefrom, and carried upwards as at 9, within a hollow
in the mile post, or other suitable post where such means are to be provided,
or within a metal pipe or tube 9, fixed within such hollow, or within the brick
or stonework of the pier of a bridge or other wall, so that by one or other
such means the conducting or telegraphic wires are caused to go up into a
hollow box, 15, Figure q, r, s, which is firmly fixed at the top of such post,
or which is imbedded into the brick or stone work of such pier or wall, and
then from the interior of such box a continuance of the wires descend again
within the said hollow or tube 9 (or else within another such, side by side
therewith), in order to resume their proper horizontal course along the line of
railway or road. The means of connexion now to be described are contained
within the said box 15, which must be made to shut very close with any
suitable kind of lid or door 16, which is capable of being locked, so as to
protect the contents of the box from injury or wet, and a key or keys capable
of opening such locks must be carried with the portable apparatus. The box
15 may be conveniently made of cast iron of any suitable form, but if it has.
a circular doorway into it (as shewn in Figures q, r, s, n, y, z), the door, or
lid 16, may be the more easily made to fit close by turning in a lathe; the
circular door or lid 16, may be a dish with its prominent rebated border, closely
fitted into an internal rebated border around the circular doorway, as shewn
in the horizontal section, Figure n, of the box, and the lock may be an internal
turning crossbar 29, fixed to a short axis 28, sunk in a key hole in the centre
of the door 16, and forming a diameter to the circle, but somewhat longer than.
the interior diameter of the circular doorway of the box 15, and when the door
is in the act of being applied in place, the two ends of the turning crossbar. 29 are
admitted into two notches, which are cut in the doorway for the reception of
those ends, and then by a suitable key inserted from the outside of the door

page_text: into the keyhole in its centre to fit on the end of the axis 28 of the crossbar 29,
the same may be turned round so as to carry its said ends from the said notches
into a circular groove which is formed around the inside of the circular doorway,
and after that (when the key is withdrawn from the key hole) the crossbar 29
will hold by its ends in the said groove so as to retain the door 16 securely in
place against any accidental or intentional violence; but at any time on apply-
ing the key to the axes 28, and thereby turning the crossbar 29 round as far
as suitable stops fixed to the door 16 will permit it to go, then the two ends
of the crossbar 29 will come to those parts of the circular groove, where the
two notches before mentioned are cut in the doorway, so as to allow those ends
to come out of the groove when the door 16 is opened. The door may be
hung on a hinge for opening, or it may be wholly removed in order to open
the box 15, in which case there must be some steady pin or stud in the circular
fitting of the door 16 into its doorway in order to guide the door, and the
ends of the crossbar 29 into place when the door is to be closed. The key
should fit upon some particular shaped end of the axis 28 of the crossbar 29,
and that end should be wholly sunk into a socket within the keyhole, as shewn
in Figure n, so as not to be accessible by any other instrument than the proper
shaped key; and that key should have a projecting stud or studs to enter into
a circular internal groove within the keyhole, so as to retain the key from
being withdrawn from the keyhole, unless the crossbar 29 is turned to the
position in which it locks the door, all which may be on the same system as
the keys commonly used for what are called lock-cocks for drawing off beer
from casks; and all the boxes 15 along all the line should be capable of being
opened by one or other of a few such keys, which are to be carried with the
portable apparatus. The telegraphic wires which come up at 9, Figure q, into
the interior of the box 15, as before mentioned, are severally connected to as
many metal screw pins 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75, which are fixed in a vertical
row one above another, in a piece of wood y, contained and fastened into the
box 15, the said several screw pins being quite insulated one from another by
the non-conducting quality of the wood y into which they are all fixed, and
they project out horizontally therefrom; the said screw pins 71 to 75 are con-
nected to the ends of the several telegraphic wires which come up at 9 into
the box 15, and there is another like row of pins 81, 82, 83, 84, and 85 fixed
into the same wood y, and the latter pins are connected to the ends of the
several telegraphic wires which go out from the box 15. The ends of all the
several wires are twisted into eyes, which are applied around the several screw
pins so as to form suitable metallic contacts, but each wire and pin is kept
insulated from all the other wires and pins. Short pieces or links of wire 38,

page_text: 8, each bended into an eye at each end, are applied with those eyes over the
said screw pins, so as to reach horizontally from each pin of one row to the
corresponding pin of the other row; those links are all insulated one from
another, and they form the continuity of metal of each telegraphic wire 21,
22, 23, 24, 25, and 26, in its passage through the box 15. A small nut
which is screwed upon the screw thread of each pin 71 to 75, and 81 to 85,
presses upon the eye of the wire link 38, and upon the eye at the end of the
telegraphic wire, so as to ensure an effectual metallic contact and continuity
of each of the telegraphic wires. All the several boxes 15 along the line, being
as above described, are kept shut and locked, and they will have no effect on
the transmission of electric currents through such of the conducting wires as
may for the time be formed into metallic circuits, for such electric currents in
passing through any one of the wires will go from the long horizontal line
thereof up that portion of the wire which ascends at 9, Figure q, into the box
to one of the screw pins 71 to 75 belonging to that wire, and from that pin
through the horizontal wire link 38 to the other corresponding screw pins 81
to 85 belonging to the same telegraphic wire, and thence passing down through
that portion of the wire which descends at 9, from the box 15 to the con-
tinuation of the long horizontal line, as shewn in Figure q. And whereas in
so passing through the box 15 each telegraphic wire preserves its own course
of metallic continuity, and is kept insulated from each of the other wires, as
well as from all parts of the box 15, the transmission of electric currents
will take place through all the length of each of the wires as readily as though
the several wires continued along their usual horizontal course, as shewn at the
bottom of Sheet B, without ascending therefrom at 9, into each box 15, and then
descending again at 9, from that box to continue along the horizontal course,
because the wire links 38 within the box 15 preserve the metallic continuity
of each telegraphic wire in its course through the box. And whenever it is.
required to connect the portable apparatus with the telegraphic wires or some
of them, the door 16 of that box 15 which is nearest at hand being unlocked,
and opened or removed, the horizontal wire links 38, 38 are cut with a chissel
or pair of nippers, or otherwise removed, so as to break the aforesaid metallic
continuity of each telegraphic wire, or rather of so many thereof as the
portable apparatus is to be connected with, which, if it is constructed as repre-
sented in Sheet B, will be only three in number, and those three may be the
wires 21, 22, and 23, which are connected by the three uppermost links 38 of
those in the box 15, and those three wires 21, 22, and 23, thereby become
divided into two distinct portions, whereof one portion forms a metallic conti-
nuity extending from the box 15 to one of the terminal apparatuses, and the

page_text: other portion a like metallic continuity, extending from the same box to the
other of the terminal apparatuses. This being done a new connexion is esta-
blished with the wires (that have been so interrupted) by means of a piece of
wood 56, Figures r, y, and z, which is carried with the portable apparatus as
a part thereof. It has metal springs 61, 62, 63, and 64, 65, 66, fixed to it, and
projecting out laterally each way, so that when the piece of wood 56 is inserted
in place into the box 15, as shewn in Figures r, y, and z, those springs corre-
spond to the several wire links 38, 38, whereof some have been just before
removed, and the end of each spring 61 to 66, will apply with a close metallic
contact to the outermost or projecting ends of the screw pins 71 to 75, and 81
to 85 of those links which have been removed. And in order to guide the
piece of wood 56 truly into its place when it is in the act of being fixed into
the box 15, it has three stumps 40 projecting from a slight iron bar which
forms a back to the wood 56, and those stumps enter into three corresponding
holes in the wood y which is fixed into the box 15, and the piece of wood 56 is
retained in place by means of a slight turning crossbar 39, which is fitted on a
centre pin in the back bar of the piece of wood 56, and answers to the turning
crossbar 29, which, as already described, forms the lock of the door 16; the
two ends of the crossbar 39 are admitted into those two notches which are cut
as before mentioned in the circular doorway, when the stumps 40 of the piece
of wood 56 are in the act of being inserted into their holes, and then the cross-
bar 39 being turned about its centre pin by means of its handle 76, which
projects out from it for that purpose, as shewn in Figures r, y, z, the ends of
the crossbar 39 are carried from the said notches into the circular groove before
mentioned, and as shewn in Figure r, so as to lock the piece of wood 56, with
its springs 61 to 66, into their intended place. And note.-The springs 61, 62,
and 63, which project out one way from the piece of wood 56, have no metallic
continuity of connection with the corresponding springs 64, 65, and 66, which
project out the other way therefrom; but all the several springs are kept
insulated one from another by the wood 56 to which they are all affixed, and a
set of three conducting wires 67, 68, and 69, proceed one wire from each of
the springs 61, 62, and 63, which project from one side of the piece of wood
56, and extend any convenient length therefrom to reach to the portable appa-
ratus, where they are connected to three screw buttons 21 m, 22 m, and 23 m,
Figures d and f, which project from the outside of the case or box thereof.
Also three other like conducting wires 77, 78, and 79, proceed from the other
springs 64, 65, and 66, which project on the opposite side of the piece of wood
56, and those wires are connected to three other screw buttons 21 g, 22 g, and
23 g, of the portable apparatus. The said screw buttons 21 m, 22m, 23 m,

page_text: and 21 g, 22 g, 23 g, which project from the outside of the case, are in
fact milled thumb nuts screwed upon projecting screws, and the ends of the
several branch wires 67, 68, 69, and 77, 78, 79, which are to be connected to
them respectively, are terminated with small tags or forked pieces of metal,
which being applied on the said screws, and the nuts or buttons screwed tight,
they bind the forked tags so as to make the metallic contact complete between
the wires and the screws on which the buttons are screwed. The said screws
enter into the box or case, Figures d, e, f, u, t, of the portable apparatus to
the interior thereof, and are there connected by means of wires to a suitable
current director contained in the case, and having nearly the same properties
as that herein-before described as belonging to the intermediate apparatus
Sheet A. And the current director might be constructed in the manner of
a lever capable of being tilted up or down about a centre of motion, as
herein-before described, or otherwise it may be constructed in the manner of an
axis mounted on pivots, and capable of being turned half round. The portable
apparatus represented in Sheet B is constructed in the last-mentioned manner,
the current director f, Figures f, u, and g, being a horizontal axis of wood f,
whereof one end projects out through the right-hand end, Figure e, of the box or
case, and has a lever handle or index 9, Figures e, f, t, x, and 9, fixed upon
it, to enable the operator to turn the axis half round. When the index
g is turned so as to point upwards, then by medium of the current director f,
and its accessaries within the case, the coils of wire around the magnetic
needles of the portable apparatus, and the finger keys thereof, and also its
voltaic battery become duly connected with one of the portions into which the
three long conducting or telegraphic wires 21, 22, and 23, have been divided
by the removal of their wire links 38 from within the box 15, as already
stated, the connections being such as will qualify the portable apparatus for
carrying on a mutual telegraphic communication with that terminal apparatus
to which the said portion of the telegraphic wires extend. But on the contrary,
if the index g is turned half round so as to point downwards then the current
director causes the coils of the needles of the portable apparatus and the
finger keys and voltaic battery thereof to become duly connected with the
other portion into which the said three long telegraphic wires have been
divided as aforesaid, the connections being such as will qualify the portable
apparatus for carrying on a mutual telegraphic communication with that
terminal apparatus to which the said other portions of the telegraphic wires
extend; or if the index g is turned so as to point in a horizontal direction (inter-
mediate to the aforesaid positions of pointing upwards or pointing downwards),
then each of the said three long telegraphic wires becomes reconnected into one

page_text: long continuity of metal, extending from one terminal apparatus to the other,
but nevertheless the coils of wire around the magnetic needles of the portable
apparatus still remain connected so as to form part of that continuity; but now
those coils are at a middle part of the length of the long continuous extension
instead of being as they were in the two preceding cases at the termination of
one or other of two portions into which that length was then divided, but the
finger keys of the portable apparatus, and also its voltaic battery, become
wholly disconnected from the telegraphic wires when the index g is in its afore-
said intermediate position, and in this state the portable apparatus will operate
as a duplicate apparatus containing needles which always give the same signals
as are given by the corresponding needles of the two terminal apparatuses
between which the portable apparatus is situated. The manner whereby the
current director f operates to produce the requisite changes of the connections
for the aforesaid purposes is similar to that of the current director herein-before
described in reference to Sheet A, notwithstanding the apparent differences in
the construction and arrangement of the parts. To explain the differences the
course of the metallic continuity of the long telegraphic wires through the
apparatus now describing must first be traced. Supposing the index g of the
current director f to point horizontally or to be in its intermediate position,
the three branch wires 67, 68, 69, Figures r and d, Sheet B, have been already
explained to the prolongations of the metallic continuity of those three long
telegraphic wires, 21, 22, 23, which have had their connecting links 38, 38, 38,
within the box 15, Figure 8, cut or removed, the said continuity of those
branch wires being obtained by the contact of the springs 61, 62, 63, Figures
r and with the ends of the screw pins 71, 72, 73, Figures, as already ex-
plained. The forked tags at the ends of the branch wires 67, 68, 69, being
joined to the buttons 21 m, 22 m, 23 m, Figures d and f, at the outside of the
case of the portable apparatus wires 21 a, 22 a, 23 a, Figures f and g, proceed
within the case from those buttons to three pins which project upwards from a
piece of wood 0, which is fixed horizontally in the case parallel to the horizontal
axis of the current director; upon the upper ends of the said pins the ends of
three metal springs 21 b, 22b, 23 b, press down with close contact so as to
prolong the metallic continuity of the wires through those springs which are
fixed by their other ends to the woodwork of the box, and from those fixed ends
of two of the springs 21 b, and 22 b, ascending wires 21 c, 22 c, are connected
and those wires form the coils 8, 8, Figure f, around the magnetic needles
1 and 2 of the portable apparatus, and after completing the said coils the other
ends of the same wires descend at 21 d, 22 d, and are connected to two other
springs 21 e, 22 e, which are similar to the springs before-mentioned, but in-
y,

page_text: verted, for these press upwards beneath the ends of two pins which project
downwards from the same fixed piece of wood 0; and from those pins wires,
21 f, 22f, proceed to the buttons 21 g, 22 g, at the outside of the case. And
note. The course of the wire 23, which has been already traced along with the
other two wires as far as the spring 236, is the same as those other wires,
excepting that it does not form coils around any magnetic needle, but the wire
which is connected to the fixed end of the spring 23 b, proceeds as shewn at
28 d, c, Figure f, to connect at once with an inverted spring 23 e, which stands
side by side with the other two such springs 21 e, 22 e, before-mentioned, and
the end of the spring 23 e presses upwards with contact beneath the end of
a pin which projects downwards from the piece of wood 0, and from that
pin a wire 23f proceeds to the button 23 g, and the three buttons 21 g, 22 g,
23 g, are connected to the branch wires 77, 78, 79, which extend from those
buttons to the box 15, Figure r, and there by their connection with the springs
64, 65, 66, and by the contact of the ends of those springs with the ends of the
pins 81, 82, 83, Figure s, the course of metallic continuity is prolonged to those
parts of the long telegraphic wires 21, 22, 23, where they descend at g to continue
their horizontal course, as is shewn in Figure q. The current director f.
whereof the axis extends horizontally across and between the three upper
springs 21 b, 22 b, 23 b, and the three lower or inverted springs 21 e, 22 e,
23 e, has no effect whatever when it is in its intermediate position, as it now
stands; but when its index 9 is turned to point upwards, then three pius
which project out from its axis f, on the same side of the centre thereof as the
index 9 projects therefrom, are brought into contact with the undersides of the
springs 21 b, 22 b, 23 b, in order to bend those springs upwards so much as
will detach their extreme ends from their previous contacts with the projecting
pins in the piece of wood 0. Or if the index g is turned so as to point down-
wards, then the same three projecting pins in the axis f are brought into
contact with the upper sides of the springs 21 e, 22 e, 23 e, in order to bend
those springs downwards so much as will detach their ends from their previous
contacts with the pins which project downwards from the piece of wood 0.
And it is by thus detaching the previous contacts that the metallic continuity of
each of the long telegraphic wires becomes divided into two portions as afore-
said; but when the index 9 points horizontally the said three projecting pins in
the axis f do not form any contacts whatever, and the long telegraphic wires
preserve their metallic continuity through the portable apparatus in the
manner already explained. The three pins in the axis f are connected by
wires 91, 92, 93, with the finger keys 31, 32, 33, by which means it follows
that whenever the pins in the axis f are brought in contact with either set of

page_text: the said springs (whether above or below the axis f,) in order to bend them
away from their former contacts as aforesaid, the new contacts which are so
formed will connect the said springs with the finger keys by intervention
of the pins in the axis f and the connecting wires 91, 92, 93, which extend
from those pins to the finger keys. And note.-The said connecting wires
91, 92, 93, are curled in the manner of spiral wire springs at some part of
their length, in order that they may be qualified to bear extension in length
when the axis f is turned in that direction, which tends to wind them up
around it by its motion, and also by the elasticity of the said curled portions
the wires will preserve a sufficient tension to keep them one out of the way of
another when the motion of the axis f is in that direction, which tends to
unwind the wires from around it. The operation of the current director f
will be rendered more intelligible by considering the before-mentioned pro-
jecting pins in the fixed piece of wood 0 as the terminations of the two portions
into which the long telegraphic wires are to be divided, viz., the said pins
which project upwards from the piece of wood 0 being considered as the termi-
nations of those portions of the telegraphic wires which extend from the portable
apparatus in one direction, and the other such pins, which project downwards
from the piece of wood 0, being considered as the terminations of those other
portions of the telegraphic wires which extend from the portable apparatus in
a contrary direction; also, considering the springs which are to form the
contacts with the said pins in the piece of wood 0 as the terminations of the
coils of wires 8 around the magnetic needles 1 and 2, viz., the upper springs
21 6, 22 b, being one end of each of such coils, and the lower inverted springs
21 e, 22 e, being the other end of each of the same coils; and also con-
sidering the three pins in the axis f as the terminations of the finger keys 31,
32, 33. And by thus considering the several parts, and then comparing them
with the corresponding parts of the current director, represented in Sheet A,
and herein-before described, and by considering the latter in the same manner,
the similarity of operation of the two forms of the current director with their
accessaries will become evident. The same letters of reference are used to
denote the several parts in Sheet B as were used to denote the corresponding
parts in Sheet A, in order to facilitate the identification of corresponding parts
in the two Sheets. The voltaic battery belonging to the portable apparatus,
Sheet B, being properly charged for use, has its two poles connected by wires
to the two buttons 27, 37, at the left-hand end of the case (see Figure d,) and
each of the wires which proceeds from those buttons withinside of the case,
divides into two branches, as is shewn in Figure f. One branch of the wire
27 is connected to a spring 27 a, and the other branch to a like spring 27, the

page_text: former spring being above and the latter below the axis f of the current
director; also, one branch of the other wire 37 is connected to a spring 37 a
above, and the other branch to a spring 37, below the axis f. The axis f has
two projecting pins fixed into it on the opposite sides of its centre to that side
thereof from which the index g projects, and when the index g is turned so as
to point downwards, then the said two pins are brought up in metallic
contact with the two affixed springs 37 a, 27 a, which are above the axis f,
and the said two pins in the axis f are connected by wires 97 and 87
with the two pole bars 26 and 36 of the finger keys of the portable appa-
ratus, some part of each of those wires being curled, as already mentioned
respecting the wires 91, 92, 93. Note.-Those pole bars and finger keys,
as represented in Sheet B, are on a different construction to those described in
the former Specification in reference to Sheet I. thereof, and also represented
in Figure Pa, Sheet A of this Specification, but that difference is not peculiar
to the portable apparatus, for the same might have its finger keys and their
pole bars constructed in the manner of the intermediate apparatus, repre-
sented in Sheet A; or, on the other hand, the same kind of finger keys and
pole bars as are represented in Sheet B (and now about to be explained)
might be used for any apparatus, whether terminal, or intermediate, or
portable. The finger keys in Sheet B are small levers 51, 41, 52, 42, 53, 43,
ench one being poised on a distinct centre pin of its own, and the fingers are
applied to one or other of the ends of those levers, in order to press down that
end, and so tilt or incline the lever one way or other, as is shewn at 51, 41,
or at 53, 43; and the parts are so arranged that when a finger key is thus
inclined, the needle which corresponds to that finger key will in consequence
be inclined about its own centre in the same direction as the finger key is
inclined about its own centre. The centre pins on which the said levers or
finger keys are mounted are sustained in small metal frames affixed to the
woodwork of the case, each such frame being kept insulated from its neigh-
bour, and from each lever a short arm descends through the said frame below
the centre, the arm being prolonged downwards by a small blade of watch
spring 31, 32, 33, which is retained near its lower end in a narrow cleft
between two pins or studs which are fixed in the woodwork of the case,
wherefore, the said spring being straight when left to itself, always tends to
hold the key in a horizontal position, as shewn by 52, 42, with its two ends
equally elevated; but when by pressure of a finger on either of those ends the
key is inclined either way, the spring 31 is thereby bended one way or other,
as is shewn by 51, 41, or 58, 43. The lower end of each watch spring, when
the same is straight and its key horizontal, reaches down below its two fixed

page_text: pins or studs before mentioned into contact with a spring, which is affixed to a
horizontal metal cross bar 17, which extends beneath all the keys, and forms a
connection of metallic continuity between them all so long as they continue to
be horizontal, but whenever either end of any key is pressed down, then by the
consequent flexure and shortening of the watch spring of that key the lower
end is drawn so much upwards between its fixed pins or studs as to quit
contact with the spring of the crossbar 17, thereby disjointing the said key
from its previous connection with all its other fellow keys, and at the same
time that end of the key which is so depressed comes down in contact with
the upper end of a fixed upright pin, which stands up from one of the two
pole bars 36 or 26, which are connected with the two opposite poles of the
voltaic battery belonging to the portable apparatus. The said fixed upright
pins serve as stops to limit the inclination of the keys; and in all cases of
pressing the finger on either end of a key, the pressure must be continued
until that end of the key is pressed down into effectual contact with the said
stop pins, because by means of that contact the key becomes connected with
the battery. The two pole bars 26 and 36 are supported by horizontal pillars
reaching out from the woodwork of the case, and from each of those pillars
one of the said fixed upright pins ascends to stand up beneath one end of one
of the keys, and the parts being arranged as shewn in Figure t, all the said
fixed pins, which ascend from the supporting pillars of the pole bar 26, stand
up beneath the right-hand ends 41, 42, 43, of the several keys, and all the
pins which ascend from the supporting pillars of the pole bar 36 stand up
beneath the left-hand ends 51, 52, 53, of the several keys. The two pole
bars 26 and 36, with the several upright pins which stand up from each bar,
are quite distinct, and have no connection one with the other, the woodwork
by which they are both supported keeping them insulated. Each of the keys
is connected to a wire 91, 92, 93, before mentioned. Those wires extend
from the three pins which project out from the wooden axis f of the current
director, as shewn in Figure u, part of their length being curled in the
manner of spiral springs, as already stated. The said wires 91, 92, 93, are
connected to their several keys near to their centres of motion, so as not to be
much affected by the tilting motion of the keys. Note.-The same numbers
of reference have been used to denote the several parts in the aforesaid de-
scription of the finger keys, Figures t and x, Sheet B, as were used in the
former Specification to denote the corresponding parts in the description of
the finger keys (Figures H, I, and J, Sheet I. thereof,) and by comparison it
will be found that the operation of both kinds of finger keys is in effect the
same, notwithstanding the difference of their construction. The same action

page_text: of depressing one end of the tilting lever key in Sheet B, which disjoints that
key from its previous connection by its blade of watch spring with the cross
bar 17, also brings the depressed end of the key in contact with one of the pole
bars of the battery, wherefore, one end of each lever key answers to one of the
two buttons with which each of the keys described in the former Specification
in reference to Sheet I. thereof is provided, and the other end of each lever
key answers to the other of those two buttons. Note.-When the. index g
of the current director f, is turned to point horizontally, being then in its
intermediate position the tail end of the index g, is detained in that position
by lodging in a notch in a spring catch h, Figure e. The portable apparatus
Sheet B, when required for use, may be set up upon its own packing case by
way of a temporary support, and the connecting wires 67, 68, 69, and
77, 78, 79, are of such length as will be most convenient to enable them to
reach from the portable apparatus to the box 15, which (as before stated) is
fixed on the top of some post or embedded into some wall or pier of a bridge,
so as to stand by the road side, and the door 16 of the box being unlocked
is opened in order to insert the piece of wood 56, which belongs to the
portable apparatus, and is connected therewith by its wires 67, 68, 69, and
77, 78, 79 (which wires may for convenience be bound together into one
bundle, their respective coverings keeping them insulated one from another).
The three uppermost wire links 88, Figure s, being cut out and removed in
order to divide the long metallic continuity of each of the three telegraphic
wires, 21, 22, 23, into two portions, then the piece of wood 56 is mounted
in its intended place in the box 15, and fixed therein by turning its cross bar
39, as is seen in Figures r, y, z, wherefore the springs 61, 62, 63, and 64, 65,
66, by applying in close contact with the ends of the screw pins 71, 72, 73,
and 81, 82, 83, Figure 8, connect the portable apparatus with the said
three telegraphic wires, because the wires which extend to the portable
apparatus (and into the interior thereof) form prolongations of the metallic
continuity of the two portions into which each of the said three telegraphic
wires has been divided by the removal of their wire links 38. And the coils
of wires around the two magnetic needles 1 and 2 of the portable apparatus,
are parts of the said prolongations, but the connections or disconnections of
the metallic continuity of the telegraphic wires, or of either of the portions
thereof, with those prolongations, is for the present become entirely dependent
upon the current director f. The voltaic battery belonging to the portable
apparatus being properly charged, has its two poles connected by wires to
the two buttons 27, 87, Figures d, f, at the end of the box. All the
circumstances herein-before explained respecting the construction of the

page_text: portable apparatus being kept in mind, and the requisite preparations for
using the same being made as above described (and which may be done
in a very short time), its operation is as follows:-In case it is required
to open a mutual telegraphic communication between the portable apparatus
and that terminal apparatus which is situated in a direction towards
the right hand of Sheet B, then the index g is to be turned so as to
point downwards, as represented in the Figures. The metallic continuity of
the three long conducting wires 21, 22, 23, is thereby broken in consequence
of the separation of the three lower springs, 21 e, 22 e, 23 e, from their
previous contacts with the three pins 21 f, 22 f, 23 f, which project downward
from the piece of wood 0. If (as before mentioned) those three pins are
considered as the terminations of those portions of the telegraphic wires which
extend to that terminal apparatus which is situated towards the left hand in
Sheet B, it is obvious that the said terminal apparatus is become disconnected
by the aforesaid separation of the springs from the pins, but the coils of wires
around the magnetic needles 1 and 2 of the portable apparatus continue in
connection with the terminations of the other portions of the telegraphic
wires which extend to the right-handmost terminal apparatus, those coils being
prolongations of those portions. Also, as that separation has been effected by
the three projecting pins in the axis f, and those pins respectively being
connected by their wires 91, 92, 93, Figures u and 9, with the three finger
keys 31, 32, 33, it is obvious that the finger keys are become connected with
the prolongations of those portions of the divided telegraphic wires which
extend to the right-handmost terminal apparatus. Note.-The other two pins
which project out of the axis f, and which are in connection by their wires 97
and 87, with the pole bars 36 and 26 of the finger keys (see Figures f, g,
and t) have come up in contact with the two uppermost springs 37 a, 27 a,
which by branches of the wires 37, 27, are in connection as before stated,
with the two poles of the battery of the portable apparatus. Note.-The course
of metallic continuity which is now established from each of the finger keys
of the portable apparatus is as follows:-For instance, from the spring blade,
key 31, along the wire 91 to its pin on the axis f, of the current director,
and therefrom contact to the lower spring 21 e, and thence along the
wire 21 d, which forms a series of coils 8, around the magnetic needle 1 of
the portable apparatus, and after those coils then joins by the wire 21 c, to
the upper spring 21 b, and therefrom by contact to the pin 21 a, which projects
upwards from the piece of wood 0, and thence along the wire 21 a to the
bottom 21 m, and therefrom along the wire 67, Figure d, to the spring 61,
in the box 15, Figure r, and therefrom by contact to the screw pin 71,

page_text: Figure 8, which is in connection with the long telegraphic wire 21, at that
part thereof which has quitted its horizontal course to come up at 9, Figure q,
into the box 15; but by tracing the wire 21 from its said pin 71, down at
9, Figure 9, to the horizontal course, it will be found to be that portion
of the divided wire 21, which extends to the right-handmost terminal appa-
ratus. The course from the other finger key 32 is similar to the above, and
so is the course from the finger key 33, excepting that it does not form any
coils around magnetic needles, but instead thereof passes through a short wire
23 d, c, Figure f, from the lower spring 23 e to the upper spring 23 b, in lieu
of passing through such coils. The portable apparatus in the above positions
of its parts (excepting that it has no alarum attached to it) has all the same
capabilities for carrying on a mutual telegraphic communication with the
right-handmost terminal apparatus as the left-handmost terminal apparatus
would have if the metallic continuity of the three telegraphic wires 21, 22, 23,
had not been broken between those two terminal apparatuses, because by the
very act of breaking that continuity the portable apparatus is put into the
condition of a terminal apparatus in every respect, except having no alarum,
and also in the instance now describing in having only two needles. It is,
therefore, needless to enter into any further explanation of the manner
whereby a person situated at the portable apparatus can give signals and sound
alarums at the right-handmost terminal apparatus, like signals and alarums
being also given and sounded simultaneously at any duplicate apparatuses which
may intervene between the portable apparatus and the said terminal apparatus ;
or, how a person situated at the right-handmost terminal apparatus can in
return give signals (but without sounding alarums) at the portable apparatus,
like signals being also given and alarums being sounded at the aforesaid
duplicate apparatuses; for those effects are produced in the same manner as
has been already fully explained in the former Specification respecting the
carrying on of mutual telegraphic communications in reference to Figure A
and Figure b, Sheet I. thereof. Note.-It should be incumbent on the
person at the portable apparatus to turn the index g to point horizontally, in
order to restore the metallic continuity of the whole length of the telegraphic
wires between the two terminal apparatuses, as soon as he has received answers
to the communications he may have made to the person at the right-handmost
of those apparatuses, because the person at the portable apparatus being only
an occasional (and perhaps an unexpected) correspondent, who must necessarily
hinder (in part) the ordinary communication between the persons at the two
termini, ought not to prolong that hindrance beyond absolute necessity. And
when the index g is placed in a horizontal position the finger keys and the

page_text: voltaic battery belonging to the portable apparatus become wholly discon-
nected from the three telegraphic wires, and the metallic continuity of those
wires is restored through their whole extension between the two terminal
apparatuses, but nevertheless, the coils around the needles of the portable
apparatus are included in that continuity as part of the said whole extension,
whereby the portable apparatus becomes a duplicate apparatus of the first and
second needles of the two terminal apparatuses, and will consequently exhibit
whatever signals the said first and second needles of those apparatuses exhibit,
and in case it is required to communicate from the portable apparatus to
the left-handmost terminal apparatuses, then the index g is turned to point
upwards. The metallic continuity of the three wires 21, 22, 23, is in that
case broken by the three pins in the axis f (which pins belong to the wires
91, 92, 93, and through those wires to the three finger keys pressing upwards
beneath the three upper springs 21 b, 22 b, 23 b, and separating them from
their previous contact with the pins 21 a, 22 a, 23 a, which project upwards
from the piece of wood 0, and those portions of the horizontal extension of the
long telegraphic wires which extend towards the right hand are become dis-
connected from the portable apparatus; but those portions which extend
towards the left hand continue in connection with the coils of wires around
the magnetic needles 1 and 2 of the portable apparatus, which coils form
prolongations of the said portions, and the finger keys 31, 32, 33, are become
connected with those prolongations by the contacts aforesaid of the pins in
the axis f with the springs 21 b, 22 6, 23 b, and by the wires 91, 92, 93,
which extend from those pins to the keys. Also, the two other pins in the
axis (which belong to the wires 97 and 87, and through those wires to the
two pole bars,) have gone down into contact with the two lowermost springs
37 and 27, which, by branches of the wires 37 and 27, are in connection with
the two poles of the voltaic battery belonging to the portable apparatus.
Note. The connection thus established between the said two poles and the
two pole bars is reversed to what it was before when the index g pointed
downwards. For instance, if the positive pole of the battery. was then con-
nected with the pole bar 26, and the negative pole thereof with the pole bar
36, then the connections now established will be between the negative pole
of the battery and the pole bar 26, and between the positive pole thereof
and the pole bar 36. The course of metallic continuity which is now
established from each of the finger keys of the portable apparatus is as
follows: For instance, from the key 31 along the wire 91 to its pin in the
axis f, and therefrom by contact to the upper spring 216, and thence along
the wire 21 c, and through the coils of wire 8 around the magnetic needle 1,

page_text: of the portable apparatus, and thence by the wire 21 d, to the lowermost
spring 21 e, and therefrom by contact to the piu 21 f. which projects down-
wards from the piece of wood 0, thence along the wire 21f, to the button 21 g
and therefrom along the wire 77, Figure d, to the spring 64 in the box 15,
Figure r, and therefrom by contact to the screw pin 81, Figure s, which is in
connection with that part of the long telegraph wire 21, where it has come
up at 9 into the box 15, but by tracing the course thereof from the said pin 81,
down at 9 to the horizontal course, it will be found to proceed along that
course towards the left band terminus. The course from the other finger
key 32 is similar, and so is the course from the key 33, except passing directly
through the wire 23 d, c, Figure f, in lieu of passing through coils around a
magnetic needle. The portable apparatus in the above state is prepared for
carrying on a mutual telegraphic communication with the left-handmost
terminal apparatus. Note-The effect of the current director f, and of turning
its index g to point down or up, as already described, is to connect the finger
keys with the telegraphic wires in such manner that all the several electric
currents which by diversified action of the finger keys are to be transmitted
along the coils of wire 8 around the several magnetic needles of the portable
apparatus, will be caused to assume in each case the proper direction (or
directions) for influencing those needles, in the same manner as the cor-
responding needles of the terminal apparatus (which is at the time connected
with the portable apparatus) are influenced by the same electric currents,
and that the several keys will by their action produce the same effect on all
the several needles (as well those of the portable apparatus as of the terminal
apparatus) as like action of the finger keys at the terminal apparatus would
produce. That is to say, when the portable apparatus is connected to the
right-handmost terminal apparatus, the electric currents which cause the first
and second needles thereof to give any particular signal must be caused to
pass through the portable apparatus by action of the current director f, in
such direction as will cause the needles thereof to give the same signal as is
given at the said terminal apparatus. But when the portable apparatus is
immediately afterwards connected to the other or left hand terminal apparatus,
then the current director f, by changing the connections with the wires which
form the coils 8, and the connections with the finger keys and reversing the
connections with the poles of the battery, causes the needles of the portable
apparatus to give the same signals as are given by the needles of the left
hand terminal apparatus. Note.-Only. three of the telegraphic wires require
to be connected with the portable apparatus when it is constructed as in
Sheet B, and contains only two needles; whereas, if a portable apparatus

page_text: containing four needles as represented by Figure t, Sheet A, were to be used,
then it must be connected with five telegraphic wires, and there would be
five connecting wires 67, 68, 69, and 77, 78, 79, and five pairs of buttons at
the end of the case, and five pairs of springs 21 6, and 21 e, and so on. The
whole number of long telegraphic wires 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, are conducted
up at 9, Figure q, into the hollow of each box 15, and horizontally across by
the links 38 therein, and then down again at 9, as before explained, and the
piece of wood 56 has pairs of springs 61, 64, for so many of the telegraphic
wires 21, 22, 23, as are to be connected with the portable apparatus, and the
links 38 belonging to those wires are to be removed. And after the intended
use has been made of the portable apparatus, and after its piece of wood 56,
and springs are removed from the box 15, in order to pack up and carry
them away along with the portable apparatus, then the metallic continuity of
the telegraphic wires which have been broken should be restored without
delay, by putting on links 38, which may be made of straight wire or else
curled in the manner of a spring, as shewn in Figure 38, Sheet B. All
the overlapping junctions of the several wires within the several boxes 15
should be well secured by pressure of the nuts on the screw pins 71 to 81,
so as to render the metallic continuity of each wire throughout its whole
length as complete as possible, then the door 16 of the box 15 must be shut
and locked. And note.-All such doors should be very closely fitted, or else
cemented with pitch or other suitable resinous matter all round their junctions,
with their doorways so as effectually to exclude any entrance of damp or wet.
When a portable apparatus is to be connected with the telegraphic wires at
any of the boxes 15, the first thing to be done after opening the door of
that box is to remove the links 38, of those telegraphic wires to which the
portable apparatus is to be connected, which can be very easily done by
unscrewing the nuts which fasten them on to their screw pins 71 to 81; a
suitable turnscrew for which purpose may be carried with the portable
apparatus. And whenever the use of the portable apparatus is over for the
time, the first thing to be done after removing the piece of wood 56, together with
its springs, from the inside of the box, must be immediately to restore the
metallic continuity of each wire by replacing the link 38 and then closing and
locking the door 16. And note.-The portable apparatus is represented in
Sheet B as containing only two needles, which are adapted to give eight signals
on their dial, and they require only three out of the five telegraphic wires to be
connected with the portable apparatus by the intervention of three pairs of con-
necting wires 67, 77, because it may be expected that such a simple apparatus
will suffice for all the telegraphic communications which can be required to bo

page_text: made from a portable apparatus, for the purpose of giving intelligence of
accidents and stoppages which may occur on a railroad, that is, by having a
suitable system of conventional arrangements recorded in books, whereof a
copy is to be carried with the portable apparatus and other duplicate copies
kept at each terminal and each intermediate apparatus to assist in giving
significations to the signals. And note.-It is a great advantage to leave at
least two of the telegraphic wires undisturbed, by the application of a portable
apparatus to the rest of those wires, because those two wires will serve
to carry on some limited degree of telegraphic communication between the
two termini all the time that the portable apparatus is in use. Note. The
alarums at the terminal and intermediate apparatuses should be capable of
being sounded by those wires which are not divided or connected with the
portable apparatus. Note.-If six telegraphic wires are used, and the portable
apparatus has only two needles like Figure t, Sheet B, then three out of the
six telegraphic wires may be left undisturbed when that portable apparatus is
applied, and they will permit of carrying on a considerable telegraphic.com-
munication between the two termini; or else a portable apparatus with three
needles may be used, requiring a connection with four out of the six tele-
graphic wires, and leaving the other two for communication between the
two termini; or otherwise, a portable apparatus having as many needles
as the terminal and other apparatuses have, may be connected to all the
telegraphic wires, whether five or six, in the manner of the intermediate
apparatus Figure T, Sheet A, and herein-before explained; or on the other
hand, a portable apparatus, having a smaller number of needles than the
terminal apparatuses have, may have its current director constructed in the
manner represented at Figures P, P, a, m, p, l, Sheet A, but adapted to be
connected with only a portion of the telegraphio wires by boxes 15 with the
means represented at Figures q, r, s, n, y, z, Sheet B, and herein-before
explained. All which may be arranged as will best suit the circumstances of
the particular railway which is to be provided with the aforesaid means of
applying a portable telegraph. And note.-Although the intermediate appa-
ratus Figure T, Sheet A, as well as the portable apparatus Figure t, Sheet B,
are represented, and have been described as containing only four needles, to
be actuated by means of five telegraphic wires, nevertheless, they might have
five needles, as explained in the former Specification, and represented at
Figures A and b, Sheet I. thereof, either to be actuated by five telegraphic
wires or by six. And note. Six telegraphic wires may be laid down, as
shewn at Figure q, Sheet B, when the apparatuses only employ five wires, the
sixth wire being in such case a spare wire, any portion of which will be avail-

page_text: able to substitute for any portion of any of the five wires which may fail to
operate efficiently by defect of metallic continuity or of insulation. And
note. Although the portable apparatus herein-before described has been stated
to be for railway roads, nevertheless the same is equally applicable to turnpike
or other public roads, or to the towing paths of canals, along which lines of
telegraphic wires may be conducted for the purpose of giving signals and
sounding alarums at distant places by means of electric currents transmitted
through metallic circuits formed of such telegraphic wires. And note.--The
same means which may be provided within boxes 15 at the several suitable
places along the line as before mentioned, and represented at Figures q, r, s,
n, y, z, Sheet B, for connecting a portable apparatus with the telegraphic
wires, may also be made to serve when required for connecting a suitable
proving apparatus with any two of the telegraphic wires at a time, at any
parts of the length thereof which may be desirable for the purposes herein-
before described in the former Specification in reference to Figure W, Sheet
III. thereof, the proving apparatus W there described being in fact a kind of
portable apparatus, but containing only one needle. And when by such proof
any portion of any wire is found to be defective, the same may be replaced by
the corresponding portion of the spare wire above mentioned, by mutually
exchanging the connections that the ends of the defective wire and the
spare wire make with the pins 71, 81, in the boxes 15 at the two ends
of the said portions. And whereas it is explained in the former Specification
(in reference to Figures 21, 22, 23, and 24, Sheet III. thereof, that the long
extensions of the conducting or telegraphic wires between distant places may
be lodged in channels formed in rails of wood, with a distinct channel for
each wire, or that each wire being covered with thread and varnished, so as to
keep it insulated, the whole number of such wires either loose or bound together
in a bundle by a wrapping of thread may be lodged together within one channel
formed by inverted gutters of metal plate fastened down upon wood rails or
else within one channel formed of metal plate bended up into semicircular
troughs to be put together in two halves with screw bolts, or else that the whole
number of covered insulated wires, detached and loose, may be lodged within
tubes formed by bending up hoop iron with its meeting edges left sufficiently
apart to introduce the wires one by one, and afterwards to be closed by insert-
ing tarred felt, and pinching the edges together with screw bolts.
Now my
present improvement on those modes is to lodge the telegraphic wires within
metal pipes or tubes, which are solidly closed all round the circumference.
The several lengths or pieces of such pipes being united by screw joints or
socket joints, or by soldering in the same manner; such metal pipes or tubes

page_text: with their joints being of the same kind as are commonly used for the con-
veyance of gas or water or steam. The whole number of covered insulated
telegraphic wires being collected together side by side, (and either with or
without a wrapping to bind them together) are introduced all together into as
great a length of such pipes or tubes, united by joints into one length, as can be
conveniently managed by drawing the collected wires into their intended places
within the tubes by means of a rope which has been previously introduced by
means of a leading wire through the united pipes or tubes, that rope or wire
being fastened to the end of the collected wires in order to draw the same into
place within the tubes; and each of the wires may be drawn through a boiler
or reservoir containing a suitable resinous substance in a melted state to cover
them therewith before they are collected, in order to be so drawn into the said
pipes or tubes, and such pipes, if of lead or pewter, may be of the kind called
drawn pipe, and those pieces joined together by union screw joints soldered to
the ends of the several pieces; or if of iron, the tubes may be of the kind called
gas pipe, in which case they should be coated inside and out by heating the
separate lengths and immersing them whilst hot into a bath containing heated
tar; several lengths, so prepared, being screwed together by screw sockets in
the usual manner of gas pipes, the collected wires are to be drawn into them as
before mentioned; or otherwise, the tubes may be drawn in lengths over the
collected wires, which must in that case be kept extended by the leading wire
or rope which has been previously passed through the tubes and stretched with
a sufficient tension to render the wires straight, the tubes being supported on
small wheels or trucks applied at intervals along the tubes to bear their weight,
such trucks being adapted to run on a straight rail or rails. The several
lengths of collected wires which are so lodged in lengths of tubes are to be
united with the end of each wire joined to the end of its corresponding wire
of the next length by twisting the of the bare wires together, or else forming
those bare ends into eyes as shewn in Figure v, Sheet B, which may be applied
one over another, and a small screw pin put through both eyes, with a nut on
the screw to bind the two eyes into close contact. The joint of each wire so
made is to be covered with a fillet of tape and bound with thread and varnished
to keep the metal of one wire insulated from the others, such joinings of the
wires must be made at an interval between the lengths of tubes, see Figure w,
5 Sheet B, which interval is afterwards to be closed by a very long screw
socket made of a larger sized pipe which will go over the outsides of the other
pipes, and which has been kept out of the way thereon, until the joining of the
wires is finished, but is then brought over the interval and made close at the
ends of both lengths of pipes either by screwing the socket over screws on those

page_text: ends; or otherwise, instead of so screwing, by caulking with hemp between the
ends of the socket and the ends of the pipes, which ends must in that case enter
a sufficient distance into the long socket piece. And note.-The screw socket
for uniting the lengths of pipes may be of the kind called union joints which do
not require the pipes to be turned round, but only the screw socket to be turned
in order to screw up the joints, this is shewn at Figure 2, Sheet B, which also
explains how a branch piece may be introduced into the horizontal line of pipes
to allow the wires to turn up from their horizontal course in order to ascend at
9 into the box 15, and then to come down again therefrom at 9 to proceed
horizontally again.
And whereas it has been explained in the said former Specification (in
reference to Figure S, Sheet II. thereof,) how alarums may be sounded at
distant places by means of electric currents transmitted through metallic
circuits and operating (when required) to give angular motion to a magnetic
needle which is disposed within multiplying coils of conducting wire through
which (when required) an electric current is transmitted from a dis-
tance, the said angular motion of the needle being caused (as therein
described) to make the requisite contacts for forming a metallic circuit
whereby an additional voltaic battery, called an alarum battery, is brought
into action when required for sounding the alarum. I now, as part
of my present improvements on that mode (instead of using any such
additional or alarum battery) cause the angular notion of such a magnetic
needle to remove a detaining detent or stop of any sufficiently delicate clock
or watchwork alarum, so as to allow the wheelwork thereof to be put into
motion by the mechanical force and action of its own mechanism, in order to
sound the alarum by action of that mechanism. And by this improvement
the necessity of having an additional voltaic battery or alarum battery is
avoided, which circumstance is particularly advantageous for a portable
apparatus, wherein an additional battery for the alarum would by very incon-
venient, and hence in the description herein-before given of the portable
apparatus in reference to Sheet B, it has been stated that the same has no
alarum apparatus attached to it, but an alarum apparatus may (according to
the improvement now describing) be very conveniently applied in a portable
apparatus. The magnetic needle and coils of wire within which it is included
may be constructed as shewn in Figure Æ, Sheet B, being the same con-
struction as described in the former Specification and represented in Figure S,
Sheet II. thereof, excepting that the end of the slender lever 63, 64, which is
fixed on the axis of the magnetic needle, and which projects out forwards there-
from in the manner described in the former Specification (instead of having

page_text: a fork at its end 63, to dip into two cups of mercury as therein described)
is straight to the extreme end 63, and that end when it descends strikes
down upon the long end 84, of a very delicate lever detent 84, 88, belonging
to the clockwork or watchwork of the alarum, so as to depress that long
end and thereby remove a very slender arm 87, of that lever out of the way
of the fly 86, or most rapidly revolving part of the wheelwork of the said
clock or watchwork, and that removal will allow the said wheelwork to be
put in motion by action of the mechanical force of the clock or watchwork
in order that the same may sound an alarum, because the arm 87 of the detent
lever 84, 88, is the stop, which when left to itself rises by the preponderance
of the heavier end 88, so as to bring the arm 87, which is part of the lighter
end 84 into contact with the said fly 86, in order to arrest the revolving
motion thereof. The construction of the clockwork or watchwork of the
alarum may be of any suitable kind which is in common use in alarum clocks
or watches, or striking watches, and being well known requires no particular
description. Whenever the magnetic needle of the apparatus, Figure Æ,
is not influenced by any electric current through the coils 8, its lever 63, 64,
rises and quits the long end 84 of the lever detent 84, 88, and then the
heavier end 88 thereof comes to rest within a notch in the circumference of
a small wheel 85, which is fixed upon the axis of some wheel in the watch or
clockwork, whereby that wheel will revolve much slower than the fly
wheel 86, or most rapidly revolving part, which is intercepted as aforesaid by
the slender arm 87 of the detent lever. And when, by transmission of an
electric current through the coils 8, in manner explained in the former
Specification, in reference to Figure S, Sheet II., the magnetic needle is caused
to strike down upon the long end 84 of the detent, so as to remove the end
of its arın 87 out of the way of the fly 86, and also to lift the heavier end 88
out of the notch in the wheel 85, then the fly 86 begins to turn rapidly round
and the notched wheel 85 also begins to turn, but with a slower motion than
the fly, and thereby the notch in the wheel 85 is carried away from beneath
the heavier end 88 of the detent lever which end will therefore rest on the
circumference of the wheel 85, so as to be prevented from descending again
for the present, even although the action of the magnetic needle on the long
end 84 of the detent lever should be discontinued, but the clock or watch-
work will nevertheless continue to move and sound an alarum until the
motion of the wheel 85 brings the same (or another like notch) beneath the
heavier end 88, and (provided that the action of the magnetic needle is by
that time discontinued), that notch allows the said heavier end 88 to drop
into the notch so as to bring the end of the arm 87 into the way of the.

page_text: fly in order to stop the motion thereof, and of the clock or watchwork.
Hence, in this way, the alarum whenever it may have been put into action by
the magnetic needle will continue to sound during a certain time, and will
not stop until it has sounded so long. The construction and operation of
the said wheel 85, on the detent lever 84, 88, requires no further explanation,
being commonly used in musical snuff boxes, and well known. And note.-
The manner of connecting the said alarum apparatus Figure Æ with any
apparatus containing needles for giving signals is to be by means of the
buttons 75 and 76, in the same manner as explained in the former Specifica-
tion in reference to Figure S, Sheet II. thereof, and herein-before described,
and in reference to Figures Pl, Sheet A. And note.-It is not necessary
that the apparatus for sounding alarums according to this present part of
the improvements should have a distinct magnetic needle of its own, as
represented in Figure Æ, for one of the ordinary magnetic needles or
pair of astatic needles of any apparatus for giving signals, may be made to
answer the purpose: see the dotted lines Figurest and e, Sheet B, which is a
portable apparatus, whereof the second needle may have a slender arm 63
projecting out from its axis, as shewn by dotted lines in Figure t, and that
arm 63 may operate in every respect in the same manner as already described
respecting the arm 63, Figure Æ, upon the long end 84 of a detent lever 84, 88,
Figurest and e, which end may come through an opening in the dial plate,
and the heavier end 88 of the lever may extend behind that plate, as shewn by
the dotted lines in Figure e, and have a slender arm 87 to intercept and stop
the fly 86 of the clock or watchwork, which is also placed behind the dial, and
the heavier end 88 may apply to a notched wheel 85 belonging to the wheel-
work, and operating as already described in respect to the corresponding parts
of Figure Æ. And note.-It is obvious that each of the needles of the portable
or other apparatus might be provided with a similar arm 63, and with clock or
watchwork alarums of the same kind as last described, so as to render the
apparatus capable of sounding two or more kinds of alarums, which may be
distinguishable one from another by decided differences in their sounds. And
note. The said clock or watchwork alarums may be provided with stop
detents, of the kind commonly used in clockwork and watchwork, to prevent
the motion of the wheelwork when it is not required to have alarums sounded.
And whereas it is explained in the early part of the former Specification
respecting the several magnetic needles which are to be moved with angular
motion about their axes or centres of motion by means of electric currents,
that each such needle must have some slight tendency given to it to induce it
to point in one particular direction whenever it is left to itself, uninfluenced by

page_text: the electric current, and also that the simplest mode of giving such a
tendency is by gravitation, for which purpose one end of the needle may be
made heavier than the other, as already fully explained. I now employ (as
part of my present improvements) another mode of giving such a tendency,
namely, by magnetic attraction, either instead of gravitation or in aid thereof,
for which purpose a small magnet is to be fixed in a suitable position in respect
to one end of the magnetic needle for attracting the same into the required
particular direction whenever the needle is not influenced by the electric
current, the proximity of such fixed magnet to the end of the needle, together
with the attractive force of such magnet, being suitable for enabling it to
command the needle, whenever the same is not influenced by the electric
current, but nevertheless the magnet must not have so much power over the
needle as to prevent the same from being moved about its centre of motion
(in manner herein-before fully described) by action of the electric current, in
order to incline or deflect the direction of the needle either way from the
aforesaid particular direction which the needle is caused to assume when
uninfluenced by the electric current. Figures M, N, and O, Sheet A, repre-
sent one of the needles 7, similar to those described in the former Specification
(in reference to Figure C to G, Sheet I. thereof) and the several parts being
designated by the same Figures of reference, the description in that former
Specification is applicable, and need not be herein repeated. w is the small
magnet now describing. It may be a small prismatic piece of hardened steel
well magnetized. It is held fast in a small brass socket y, which may be
affixed to the back of the dial board A with one of its ends situated in the
direction which the needle 7 is required to assume when it is uninfluenced by
the electric current. That end of the magnet w which is towards the end of
the needle 7 must present the contrary magnetic pole of the magnet w to the
magnetic pole of that end of the needle 7 towards which the said end of the
magnet w is so presented, in order that there may be a mutual magnetic
attraction between the end of the magnet w and the adjacent end of
the needle 7. For instance, if the magnet w is fixed opposite to the north
pole or end of the needle 7, then the said magnet w must present its
south pole or end to the said north pole or end of the needle 7, or vice
versâ. The magnet w being fastened into its socket y by a setting screw,
and the socket y being capable of being turned round about its centre, it
admits of the magnet w being placed with its end at such a distance from
(and such a position laterally in respect to) the end of the needle 7 as
(according to the vigour of the magnet w and the balance of the needle,
will give the magnet a sufficient and suitable control over the needle 7

page_text: to command the same and recall it to its intermediate position whenever it is
not influenced by the electric current, but without giving the magnet > a
sufficient power over the needle 7 to prevent the latter from moving promptly
in either direction by action of an electric current (as explained in the former
Specification). Or the action of such magnet may be combined with the gravi-
tating action of a heavy end to the needle, which gravitating action is explained
in the former Specification, provided that the combined action of magnetic
attraction and gravitation be, as before stated, sufficient for commanding
the recall of the needle accurately to its intermediate position without being
sufficient to impede the motion of the needle, which will be induced by action of
an electric current. Note.-This part of my present improvement is particularly
applicable to portable apparatuses, but may be also used in fixed terminal and
intermediate apparatuses. And note.-Respecting Figures M, N, & O, Sheet
A, I find it most convenient to provide a separate bridge or support 12, 13,
12, 13, for the screws which contain the pivot holes for the pivots at the two
ends of the axis 6 of each magnetic needle or pair of astatic needles, those
bridges being fastened by screws to the dial plate A and to the frame 10 con-
taining the coils of wire. In this way the bridges 12, 13, for any one needle
or pair of astatic needles in an apparatus can be removed without disturbing
the other needles of that apparatus, which disturbance is an inconvenience if
all the needles are sustained as described in the former Specification (in re-
ference to Figures A and C in Sheet I. thereof) by one horizontal bar 12 in
front of the dial, and another such bar 12 behind the dial. And note.―The
pivot holes in the said bridges 12, 13, for the reception of the pivots at the
two ends of each axis of the needles may be jewelled in the same manner
as is commonly practised for watchwork. And note.-Respecting the stops 14,
Figures M, N, O, Sheet A, for limiting the extent of the angular motion of
the needles, as explained in the former Specification (in reference to Figures
D and F, Sheet I. thereof,) I make the said stops 14 of slender strips of
copper plate, fastened by screws to the frames 10 containing the coils of wire
and to the extremity of each such copper stop I affix a small piece of ivory or
bone, to be presented to the needle in order to stop its motion easily without
causing the needle to rebound from or allowing it to adhere to its stops.
Having now described my said improvements, I, the said William Fothergill
Cooke, do hereby declare that the new Invention whereof the exclusive use is
granted to me by the said Letters Patent, of the Eighteenth day of April last,
consist in the following particulars. And note.-Whereas the particulars of
improvements which were claimed by me and Charles Wheatstone in the
former Specification, by virtue of our Patent of the Twelfth day of June, One

page_text: thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven, were therein enumerated, as firstly,
secondly, and so on in due order up to ninthly, I shall, in order to avoid con-
fusion therewith, enumerate the several particulars of improvements which I
now claim in this Specification under the heads or titles Part A, Part B, and
so on, as follows:-
Part A is the improvement herein-before described and represented in
Figures T, Pa, Pp, m, 1, 1, a, and k, Sheet A of the Drawings hereunto
annexed, the improvement being upon a duplicate apparatus such as is
mentioned in the claim at the end of the former Specification, as the fifth
particular thereof, for exhibiting signals and sounding alarums at any inter-
mediate place between the two termini of a long line or extension of combined
conducting or telegraphic wires, which are suitable for carrying on a mutual
telegraphic communication between appropriate apparatuses at those two
termini. My present improvement on such duplicate intermediate apparatus
being the means herein-before described and represented as aforesaid in
Sheet A by Figure T, P a, P p, m, 1, 1, a, and k, whereby a set of buttons
and finger keys and a voltaic battery may be added to such duplicate inter-
mediate apparatus in such manner and with such arrangements as that by a
suitable manipulation, as herein-before described, the said long conducting or
telegraphic wires may have their metallic continuity cut off at the said inter-
mediate apparatus, so as to divide the whole length or extension of the said
long conducting or telegraphic wires into two distinct portions for a time, one
portion extending in one direction from the said intermediate apparatus to the
apparatus at one terminus, and the other portion extending in a contrary
direction from the same intermediate apparatus to the apparatus at the other
terminus. And also that the same manipulation, which so divides the said
wires into two such portions, shall connect the ends of either one or other of
those portions (whichever of them may be chosen for the time) with the
aforesaid set of finger keys and buttons (wherewith the intermediate apparatus
is provided) and shall likewise connect the aforesaid voltaic battery (wherewith
taat intermediate apparatus is provided) to that said set of buttons and finger
keys in a suitable manner for qualifying the said intermediate apparatus (to
which this present part of my improvements is added) for giving signals and
sounding alarums at that terminus which may have been chosen for the time
as aforesaid, as well as at any duplicate apparatus which may be provided as
mentioned at the end of the former Specification in the fifth particular of im-
provement at any intermediate place between the said terminus and the said
intermediate apparatus to which this present part A of the improvements is
added.
But, nevertheless, that by reversing the aforesaid manipulation, in

page_text: manner herein-before described, the metallic continuity of the long conducting
or telegraphic wires which have been so divided for a time into two portions as
aforesaid, may be instantaneously and effectually restored to their whole exten-
sion suitably for carrying on a mutual telegraphic communication between the
two apparatuses at the two termini, the set of buttons and finger keys, and the
voltaic battery wherewith the said intermediate apparatus is provided, becoming
instantaneously disconnected from the long conducting or telegraphic wires by
the said reversing of the manipulation aforesaid, but notwithstanding that
.disconnecting the said intermediate apparatus being nevertheless qualified (as
the intermediate apparatus was described to be in the former Specification),
for operating simultaneously with the apparatuses at the two ends as well as
with any other duplicates thereof) which there may be at other intermediate
places so as to give like signals and sound like alarums by every apparatus
according to what is stated in the former Specification as the fifth particular
of improvement.
Part B is the improvement herein-before described and represented in
Figures T and 7, Sheet A, and also in Figures f, u, and g, Sheet B of the
Drawings hereunto annexed, whereby the alarum apparatus belonging to any
intermediate apparatus to which part A of the improvements is added,
will not be connected with that same portion of the divided conducting or
telegraphic wires wherewith the set of buttons and finger keys and
voltaic battery become connected by such a manipulation with a current
director, as is fully explained respecting part A of the improvements, but on
the contrary the said alarum apparatus will by such manipulation aforesaid
become connected with the other portion of the divided conducting or
telegraphic wires and thereby the said intermediate alarum apparatus may
be sounded from one terminus whilst the said intermediate apparatus is
carrying on (or is prepared for carrying on) a mutual telegraphic corres-
pondence with the other terminus.
Part C is the improvement herein-before described and represented in
t, u, a, f, d, and q, r, s, n, y, z, in Sheet B, whereby a suitable portable
apparatus for giving and for exhibiting signals can be temporarily connected
with the long conducting or telegraphic wires (or with some of them) at any
part of their length where the means herein-before described and represented
at Figures q, r, s, n, y, and z, Sheet B, have been previously provided for the
-purpose of making such temporary connections; also the improvement of the
said means so represented at Figures q, 1, 8, n, y, and z, Sheet B, and herein
before described for making temporary connections with the telegraphic wire
(or with some of them) at any part of their length where those said means may

page_text: have been previously provided when such connections are made as herein-
before described for the purpose of proving the metallic continuity of the
several telegraphic wires according to the mode of proof explained in the
former Specification (in respect to the Figures W and L, Sheet III. of
the Drawings thereof.
Part D is the improvement herein-before described and represented at
Figures 1, v, w, Sheet B, for securing and protecting the long conducting or
telegraphic wires by laying the said wires within pipes or tubes of metal
whereof the several lengths or portions are united by screw joints or socket
joints or by soldering, and the several wires being so insulated by their re-
spective nonconducting coverings as to admit of laying side by side within
such pipes and the several wires being either left detached one from another
within such pipes, or else bound together in a firm bundle, as has been
herein-before described in reference to Figure q, Sheet B, and the collected
set of Joose wires (or the bundle thereof) being drawn into place within such
pipes, or otherwise the pipes being drawn over the wires, in the manner
herein-before described.
Part E is the improvement herein-before described and represented in
Figures M, N, and O, Sheet A, whereby magnetic attraction is rendered
operative either instead of gravitation or else in aid thereof, for giving to
magnetic needles which are employed for giving signals a decided tendency to
point in some particular direction whenever they are not influenced by electric
currents, and thereby caused to incline or deflect from that particular direction.
But note. Whereas similar applications of magnetic attraction have been
made to magnetic needles used in the instruments called galvanometers, I make
no claim to any such application, except to magnetic needles which are
employed for giving signals.
Part F is the improvement herein-before described in reference to
Figures Æ, and e and t, Sheet B, respecting the sounding of alarums
whereby the angular motion communicated to a magnetic needle which is
disposed within multiplying coils of conducting wire (in the manner described
in the former Specification in reference to Figure S, Sheet II. thereof), by
transinission of an electric current through those coils, is now by this part F
of my present improvement caused to disengage the stop detent of any
sufficiently delicate watch or clockwork alarum so as to allow the wheelwork
thereof to be put into motion by the mechanical force of its own mechanism in
order to sound alarums by action of that mechanism. This mode of sounding
alarums requiring no additional voltaic battery (as is the case in the mode
described in the former Specification) is particularly adapted for application

page_text: to a portable apparatus, but it may be also applied to any apparatus whether
of the kind berein-before called terminal, or duplicate, or intermediate, as well
as portable, and also the magnetic needle, which according to this part F, of
my present improvements is to disengage the stop detent and allow the clock
or watchwork alarum to be sounded, may be one of those magnetic needles
which is provided for exhibiting signals by its angular motion.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Fothergill Cooke, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of October, One thousand
eight hundred and thirty-eight.
Inrolled the Eighteenth day of October, One thousand eight hundred
and thirty-eight.