IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO TELEPHONIC AND TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Albert Roland Shaw of Clifton Hill, in the County
of Middlesex for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO
TELEPHONIC AND TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Albert Roland Shaw at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd October 1883.
ALBERT ROLAND SHAW, of Clifton Hill, in the county of Middlesex, "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND RELATING TO TELEPHONIC AND TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS
"
My invention relates chiefly to telephonic apparatus and comprises a trans-
mitting instrument and a receiving instrument. It also comprises a novel method
of constituting an electrical circuit for use in connection with these instruments
and otherwise.
CE
-
My improvements in telephonic transmitters relate to those termed microphones.
According to these improvements I dispense with the use of a diaphragm or
tympan, and allow the air-waves to act directly and immediately upon the
tension-regulator" or electrodes, while providing for the action of magnetic lines
of force to effect a quick return of one or more of the electrodes to normal repose
after being displaced by the air-waves or voice vibrations. Moreover I prevent the
resiliency which attends the use of springs or diaphragms employed to carry one
or more of the electrodes and serving as a part of the "tension-regulator" of a
microphone. I supply a force more rapid in its action than gravity, mercury, or
any electrolytic fluid, applied to regulate the contact (or the "make and break") of
the electrodes; and I ensure most accurate correspondence between the vibrations
of the voice or air-waves and the movements of the electrode or electrodes, that is
to say I compel the electrode or electrodes to move synchronically with the voice
vibrations.
I accomplish these results as follows, viz, I suspend, support, hinge, or in any
suitable manner loosely secure one or more magnets or. pieces of metal susceptible
of magnetic induction, of any available size and form, always providing that one
or more of these magnets or pieces shall be so loosely secured as to allow it to move
freely under magnetic influence. To these magnets or pieces I attach the electrodes
.. 01

page_text: in such manner that they make contact when in working position, or one electrode
may be attached to any fixed part not tympanic, while the other electrode is
carried by a loosely supported magnet or piece so placed as to make contact with
the fixed electrode.
The aforesaid loosely arranged supports are caused to move in a magnetic field
created by one or more magnets placed in such adjustable relation to the said
supports as to subject them to the influence of the lines of force that radiate from
the said adjustable magnets; I rely mainly upon repellant magnetism to control
the movements of the electrodes and render them synchronous with the vibrations
of the voice.
When I wish to multiply the points of contact and thus increase the microphonic
effect, I firmly attach a small bar or needle to each loosely arranged magnet or
magnetic support and pass the needle through a tube containing powdered,
granulated, or globular carbon or its equivalent.
I form the electrodes of any suitable substance, which may or may not be
semi-conductive; I adopt any convenient form of box, case, or chamber for
enclosing my apparatus and provide a mouth-piece adapted to concentrate the air-
waves upon the electrodes or their supports and yet exclude the moisture of the
breath.
In some instances I arrange the mouth-pieces to turn upward so as to reflect
the air-waves or bend them up against the tension-regulator.
In order more fully to utilize the air-waves I attach to the supports of the
electrodes pieces of cork, wood, ebonite, or any material that will either reflect or
absorb the air-waves so that the maximum effects of the voice vibrations are
conveyed to the electrodes either by molecular action or otherwise. I arrange one
or more induction-coils in electrical connection with the electrodes, the said coil or
coils being placed in such a position in the magnetic field that the magnetic
induction will assist the working of the telephone.
I also provide two cups or tubes containing mercury and place them in any
convenient position in the box or chamber of the microphone. Through the
mercury of one cup I pass the outgoing currents that pass through the electrodes
and leave the induction coil while all returning currents are passed through the
mercury of the other cup. These mercury cups exclude foreign currents of
induction, while they utilize the magnetic currents of the earth and air. The
receiving telephone may be placed in any part of the circuit.
My transmitter is a true "make and break" instrument and can be made to
accurately transmit articulate speech by virtue of the "makes and breaks" of the
electrodes rather than by virtue of variations of pressure while contact of the
electrodes is maintained; the said transmitter can however be adjusted to transmit
speech while maintaining contact of the electrodes.
In my improved receiving instrument or telephone I dispense with the use of a
diaphragm or tympan, disc, spring, tongue, or elastic material rendered stiff and
vibrated by magnetic or electric induction, and I provide for so applying magnetic
lines of force and electro-magnetism as to cause the mass movement of a bar, lever,
ring, hammer or other device loosely secured, such mass movements will accurately
correspond with, the movements of one or more of the electrodes of a transmitting
instrument in the same electric circuit and cause the sound waves or speech to be
accurately reproduced as to pitch and quality when a suitable sounding board, or
sounder is provided to receive the impulses, shocks, or movements of the loosely
secured piece or device.
Moreover I eliminate the resiliency which inevitably follows the use of a
tympanic substance or material rendered stiff and fixed at one or more points when
vibrated by inductive action.
In the construction of my receiver I use one or more horse-shoe or other magnets.
In some instances a compound magnet; to each pole of the said magnet, I attach a
piece of magnetic material which serves as the core of a spool or bobbin. The said
spools are in the telephone circuit and in electrical connection with each other.

page_text: Between the cores of these spools I place one end of the loosely secured bar or
other device susceptible of magnetic induction always providing that the same
shall be so arranged as to freely move under the action of magnetic force. The
portion of magnetic material between the cores may or may not be in contact with
one of the said cores. The portion that projects beyond the spools must either be
one pole of a magnet or may be terminated with a magnet and have a short
projection or knob on one side. At the other side I place in close proximity
thereto an adjustable magnet, electro-magnet or solenoid for regulating the action
and movements of the said knob. This knob or projection rests against the case.,
The pressure of the knob or projection against the substance in contact with it, is
determined by the position and action of the said adjustable magnet, electro-
magnet or solenoid, an ear piece may be attached to the case. Small cups or tubes
containing mercury are so arranged as to conduct the electric and magnetic currents
that enter and leave the telephone through the mercury as above described.
My improvements relating to the method of connecting these instruments and
constituting the circuits for telephonic or telegraphic purposes are as follow that is
to say, I use the earth in place of the line-wire for conducting the currents from
the transmitting instrument to the receiving instrument whatever may be the
distance between the two instruments. The aim of this part of my invention is to
cause the earth to serve the purpose of the line wire" for operating instruments
by electricity magnetism or electro magnetism.
"
In connecting the instruments with the earth I use a wire, mercury and any
suitable earth plate or plates or any combination of materials best suited to make
a good earth contact and to utilize the magnetic currents of the earth.
In applying to a telephonic or other apparatus my method of using the earth as
a conducting agent I provide for conducting the current from one pole of a battery
or of a magnet through the electrodes thence through the primary wire of an
induction coil or coils thence through mercury to earth by earth plates or other
devices. I connect the other pole of the magnet or battery with the secondary wire
of the induction coil, thence through mercury to an aerial or underground wire.
The aerial wire or its equivalent may be connected with the electrodes and the
primary wire, and and thence to the active pole of the current generator while the
secondary wire of the induction coil is joined to the other pole and to earth, but I
prefer the arrangement first described. The telephone or receiving instrument
may be placed in any part of the circuit but I prefer to place it between the
induction coil and the mercury forming a part of the primary line.
When telephonic or other instruments are used in connection with a local circuit,
the earth is connected with the secondary wire of the induction coil so that the
outgoing current will take the earth direction while the "line wire" will serve to
complete the circuit.

page_text: -SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Albert Roland Shaw in the Patent Office on the 3rd April 1884.
ALBERT ROLAND SHAW, of Clifton Hill, in the County of Middlesex
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO TELEPHONIC AND TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS
"
My invention relates chiefly to telephonic apparatus and comprises improvements
in transmitting and receiving instruments. It also comprises a novel method of
constituting an electrical circuit for use in connection with these instruments and
otherwise.
My improvements in telephone transmitters relate to those which have
electrodes arranged in microphonic contact and which are sometimes termed
microphones.
According to these improvements I dispense with diaphragms, tympans or other
devices which would separate the voice-vibrations or air-waves from the electrodes
or from what is termed the "tension regulator," and I ensure the quick return of
one or more of the electrodes to their normal state of repose, when displaced or
agitated by the air waves or voice-vibrations, in the following novel manner, that
is to say I fix one or more of the electrodes to a loose or loosely secured device,
such as a lever, ring, bar or reed pivotted to, or carried by, an adjustable fulcrum
or support. The latter is so arranged as to allow both ends of the lever, or (in
case of a ring) two opposite sides thereof, to freely move under the action of
magnetic lines of force. This loosely secured device must be a magnet or partly
formed of magnetic material; it must be so arranged relatively to one or more
adjustable permanent or electro magnets or solenoids as to be subjected to the
action of the lines of force proceeding from the said adjustable magnet or magnets
or solenoids, which quickly counteract, overcome or subdue any vibrations of the
said device caused by the voice. The action of the magnetic lines of force, when
thus applied, prevents or eliminates from the electrodes or their supports the
resiliency which inevitably attends the use of the springs or diaphragms ordinarily
employed in telephone transmitters or microphones to carry one or more of the
electrodes and serve as a part of the "tension regulator."
This property of resiliency, by causing or permitting the existence of vibrations
that interfere with and interrupt those caused by the successive air-waves, tends to
impair the distinctness of utterance of the telephone. But the arrangement
whereby the magnetic lines of force are applied as above described ensures
most accurate correspondence between the voice-vibrations or air waves and the
movements of the electrode or electrodes, that is to say, they compel the
electrode or electrodes to move synchronically with the vice-vibrations or air-
waves.
I provide the instrument with a mouth-piece adapted to concentrate the voice-
vibrations or air-waves upon the electrodes and their supports as well as to convey
or conduct the said voice-vibrations or air-waves by molecular action to the
electrodes through the medium of mercury as hereinafter set forth.
I employ the mercury to increase the effect upon the electric current of the
voice-vibrations or air-waves, and to utilize the magnetic currents of the earth and
air, as well as to partially exclude foreign currents of induction. In other words
the mercury augments the variations or fluctuations of the current and renders
them more defined.
I place mercury in a suitable chamber or cavity in the mouth-piece in such a
manner that the electric current will pass to the electrodes through the mercury,
which is put in molecular vibration by the voice through the medium of the said
mouth-piece and thereby causes corresponding variations or fluctuations of the

page_text: said current. Mercury is also placed in a chamber or receptacle in any convenient
part of the box or case of the instrument, so that the electric current will pass
through the said mercury after it has passed through the electrodes. I do not
confine myself to one set of electrodes, but I employ one or more sets; in some forms
of transmitters or microphones I employ a series of sets of electrodes and many
contact points, the several sets of electrodes being caused to act with equal precision
and in exact synchronism with each other.
When I thus multiply the sets of electrodes or contact points, I pass the current
through tubes containing powdered or granulated carbon or other suitable material
after it has passed through the several electrodes, thus amplifying the variations of
the said current.
In some cases I provide a pivotted magnet or piece of magnetic material
arranged to be acted upon by, and to react upon, electro-magnets or solenoids
included in the same circuit as the transmitter, in such a manner that the electrical
variations or fluctuations of the current will be repeated intensified or amplified
thereby.
In my improved receiving instrument, I dispense with a diaphragm, tympan,
disc, spring, tongue or like piece of elastic material rendered stiff and vibrated by
magnetic induction, or by the variations of an electric current, and I provide for
so applying or utilizing magnetic lines of force and electro-magnetism or magneto-
electricity as to cause the mass movement of a bar, lever, ring, hammer or other
device pivotted or otherwise loosely secured and acting as a free reed having a
fulcrum support, so that both ends or opposite sides or parts of the said device are
free to move under the action of magnetic lines of force; and such mass movement
will be caused to accurately correspond with, and constitute a reproduction of, the
movements or vibrations of an electrode or electrodes of a transmitting instrument
included in the same electric circuit as the said receiver.
I also provide a suitable sounding board or sounder adapted to receive any
impulses, movements, shocks or vibrations that may be imparted to it by the action
of the said loosely secured device, and to accurately reproduce, in respect of both
pitch and quality, the sound-waves or voice-vibrations.
Moreover I eliminate the resiliency which inevitably results from the use of a
tympanic substance, spring, tongue or similar device, that is rendered stiff and
fixed at one or more points and vibrated by magnetic induction or electrical
variations.
In the construction of my receiving instrument, I use a magnet, which may, if
desired, be a compound magnet, and I sometimes provide the same with secondary
poles and place bobbins or coils upon the same, or I attach a piece of magnetic
material (such as soft iron) to one or both poles of the magnet, and place bobbins
or coils thereon. Between the cores of the inducing coils and between the poles of
the magnet is arranged one end of the aforesaid loosely secured device, or any
portion of the same that is free to move under magnetic action. This portion must
be either a magnet or of magnetic material and may, or may not, be in contact
with one of the cores or poles of the said magnet.
The said device is furnished with a knob or projection extending upward so as to
rest against the sounder as hereinafter described.
This sounder may be of any material that is dense of fibre, and may be of any
convenient shape. The said loosely secured device or a part thereof must be either
a magnet or of magnetic material, and I provide one or more adjustable permanent
or electro magnets or solenoids from which magnetic lines of force act upon the
said device and regulate the pressure of the same. upon the sounder. These lines
of force also serve to quickly return the said device to its normal state of repose
when vibrated or moved by electrical variation and induction. A frame of wood
or other suitable material is provided, to which the said magnet is fixed.
This telephone receiver is, or may be, furnished with two small cups or tubes
of mercury through which the current is caused to pass as it enters and leaves the
telephone.

page_text: In the accompanying drawings I have shown various forms or modifications of
my improved transmitting and receiving instruments.
Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved transmitting instrument showing the
same secured to the inner side of the lid or cover of a suitable box or case.
Figure 2 is an elevation, partly in section on the line x, x, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a transverse section shewing the chamber in the mouth-piece for
containing mercury.
Figures 4, 5 and 5* are sectional views or diagrams showing modifications of my
improved transmitting instrument.
Figures 6 and 7 are sectional views or diagrams illustrating different forms or
modifications of my improved receiving instrument.
In Figures 1 and 2, a is a permanent magnet to which is fixed a rod b carried in
bearings in the brackets c. This rod b forms a pivot or fulcrum for the bar a and
is adjustable thereon by means of the clamping plates and screws 6¹, b². The
magnet or bar a carries a metal electrode d which is adjustable on the said magnet
or bar in a similar manner to the rod b. This electrode is arranged to be held in
contact with another electrode e of carbon or analogous material, which is
supported by a metal ring f immediately behind the inner and smaller end of the
mouth-piece g, so that the voice-vibrations or air-waves will impinge directly upon
the electrode e. The magnet or bar a also carries an electrode h of carbon or
analogous material, which is also adjustable on the magnet or bar in a similar
manner to the rod b, and which is held in contact with the metal electrode i. This
electrode is fixed to, or forms part of, the adjusting screw i¹ passing through the
bracket j.
k, k¹ are permanent magnets which are screw-threaded and are adjustable in
screw-threaded apertures in the plate 7. These magnets are so arranged that their
inner extremities are in proximity to the ends of the magnet or bar a, with like
poles facing each other, so that each of the magnets k, k¹ tends to repel the end of
the magnet a facing it. Therefore the magnet k tends to keep the electrodes in
contact and the magnet ¹ tends to diminish the contact pressure, which will
therefore vary according to the strength of the mutual repulsion of the magnets.
If desired I may employ electro-magnets or solenoids instead of the permanent
magnets k, k¹, and, in this case, the bar a instead of being a magnet may be of
magnetic material such as soft iron.
The plate is made with slots through which are passed the screws ³ for
securing the said plate to the lid m³ of the box or case m. The said plate can,
therefore, be adjusted so as to bring the pivot or fulcrum b nearer to, or farther
from, the electrode e. The bracket j is also provided with slots j¹ through which
are passed the screws 13 for securing the said bracket to a piece j³ of insulating
material fixed to the plate . The said bracket can, therefore, be adjusted so as to
bring the electrode i nearer to, or farther from, the pivot or fulcrum b.
The mouth-piece g is made with an annular chamber g¹ divided by a partition g³
as shewn in Figure 3. This chamber is filled with mercury which forms part of
the circuit in which the instrument is included, that is to say, the wire n extends
from the active pole of the battery and enters the mercury on one side of the
partition g; another wire n' extends from the mercury on the other side of the
partition and is connected to the metal plate e¹ which supports the electrode e by
means of the studs e². The electric current will therefore pass through the
mercury and then through the electrodes and bar a to the bracket j and thence by
the wire n² to an induction coil. In some cases I provide a suitable chamber or
receptacle for containing mercury, through which the electric current can pass after
leaving the induction coil.
The mouth-piece g is preferably lined with cork as shown at g³ as this material
is well adapted for transmitting the voice-vibrations or air-waves in the form of
molecular vibrations to the mercury.
In the form or modification of my improved transmitter shown in Figure 4, I
employ two pivotted magnets a or pieces of magnetic material, three sets of

page_text: electrodes d✶ and three adjustable regulating magnets k, k, . Instead of the
above described electrodes I may employ a piece of cork or other suitable material
between the magnets or pieces of magnetic material or between either of the
brackets m³ and the said magnet or piece.
In the form or modification of my improved transmitter shown in Figure 5, I
employ two pivotted bars or magnets a, four sets of electrodes d* and three
adjustable regulating magnets k, k¹, k². In this Figure I have shown a device for
amplifying or augmenting the variations or fluctuations of the current passing from
the transmitter, and I thereby provide for the transmission and loud and distinct
reproduction of speech through great distances. This device may be placed either
within the box or case enclosing the transmitting instrument or at any other
suitable point upon the line. The said device is based upon the principle of
induction and is constructed as follows, that is to say, p, p¹ are two permanent
magnets, upon which are placed the bobbins or coils q, q. These magnets are placed
upon oppposite sides of a pivotted bar or magnet a¹ at or near each end thereof,
and the current is passed through the said coils in such a direction that they tend
to repel the said bar or magnet a¹ and turn the same on its pivot or fulcrum, two
stops being provided to prevent the said bar from coming in contact with either
of the magnets. These magnets may, if desired, be made adjustable to and from
the said bar; the bobbins or coils q, q¹ are so arranged in the circuit that the
current, after it has passed through the transmitter, will pass through the said coils.
The variations or fluctuations of the current passing through the coils will cause
the same to act with varying force upon the bar a. This bar will, therefore, be
vibrated and as its fulcrum a³ is nearer to the coil q than to the coil q' these
vibrations will be amplified at the end next the coil q¹ and the ends of the magnet a
will act inductively upon the said coils and the electrical variations will be
repeated or amplified. This apparatus may, therefore, be used in telephone systems
to render the same serviceable through longer distances than would be practicable
with the arrangements heretofore employed.
In Figure 5 I have shown a further modification of my transmitter wherein a is
a pivotted bar or magnet carrying an electrode d which bears against an electrode e
at the inner end of the mouth-piece g. p is a magnet surrounded by a coil q in
circuit with the electrodes for repeating or amplifying the electrical variations, and
k is an adjustable regulating magnet.
Figure 6 shows one form or modification of my improved receiving instrument
wherein I employ a magnet s having the form of an incomplete ring. This magnet
is provided with secondary poles 81, upon which are fitted the coils t. u is a magnet
capable of movement upon a pivot or fulcrum u which is adjustable on the said
magnet as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. One end of this magnet
lies between the poles of the magnet 8, and its other end is provided with a
projection which bears against a sounding board or sounder v. w is an
adjustable magnet for regulating the mass movement and position of the magnet u
and the pressure of the projection u³ against the sounder v, and so arranged
relatively to the magnet u that it will repel the same. The coils t are included in
the circuit of a telephone transmitter.
In the modification of my receiver shown in Figure 7 the magnets is made in
the form of an incomplete ring and has the coils t fitted upon its ends.
My improvements relating to the method of connecting these instruments and
constituting the circuits for telephonic or telegraphic purposes are as follows, that
is to say,
arrange the circuit to use the earth instead of the "line wire" for
conducting the currents from the transmitting instrument to the receiving
instrument whatever may be the distance between the two instruments. In other
words I place the transmitter between one pole of the generator and the earth and
connect the other pole of the generator with the line, and I may adopt this
5 arrangement for operating instruments by electricity, magnetism, electro-magnetism,
or magneto-electricity.

page_text: -
In connecting the instruments with the earth, I use a wire, mercury and a
suitable earth plate or plates, or any combination of materials best suited to make
a good earth contact and to utilize the magnetic currents of the earth.
In applying to a telephonic or other apparatus my arrangement of using the
earth as a conducting agent, I provide for conducting the current from one pole of
a battery or other electric generator through the transmitting instrument and then
either directly or through the primary wire of an induction coil through mercury.
to earth by earth plates or other devices. I connect the other pole of the battery.
or generator either directly or through the secondary wire of the induction coil or
coils through mercury to an aerial or underground wire or its equivalent. When
I use the induction coil or inductorium, both the primary and secondary thereof
form portions of, or are included in, one circuit, that is to say, the circuit of which
the earth forms a portion as above described.
I sometimes provide for conducting the outgoing current from an electric
generator to a transmitting instrument and through the primary wire of the
induction coil to the aerial or underground wire, while the other pole of the said
generator is joined to the secondary wire of the said induction coil and thenco
through mercury to earth, but I prefer the arrangement first described.
The receiving instrument or telephone may be placed in any part of the circuit,
but I prefer to place it between the induction coil and the mercury forming a part
of the primary line.
When I use a telephonic or other instrument in connection with a local circuit,
I connect the secondary wire. of the induction coil with the earth so that the
induced current will take the earth direction while the line wire serves to complete
the circuit.
Having thus fully described my said invention and the manner of performing
the same I wish it understood that I claim :-
.
First The above described improved telephone transmitter or microphone
wherein I dispense with a diaphragm, spring or similar device and employ one or
more pivotted or loosely held or supported magnets or pieces of magnetic material
provided with one or more electrodes or contact pieces and capable of mass
movement under magnetic action, in combination with one or more adjustable
magnets, electro-magnets or solenoids for regulating the motion or action of the
said electrode or electrodes, thereby preventing, eliminating or diminishing the
resiliency of the electrodes or their supports and rendering their movements
synchronous with the voice vibrations or air-waves.
Second In combination with a telephone transmitter or microphone, the
employment of a pivotted magnet or piece of magnetic material arranged to be
acted upon by one or more magnets carrying bobbins or coils in circuit or by one or
more electro-magnets or solenoids in circuit, so as to cause the electrical vibrations
or variations to be repeated, intensified or amplified, substantially as set forth and
for the purpose specified.
Third The adjustable plate or frame carrying the regulating magnets, the
adjustable electrode insulated from the said plate or frame, and the magnet having
the adjustable pivot or fulcrum and the adjustable electrodes, all substantially as,
and for the purposes, set forth.
Fourth In a telephone transmitter or receiver, the employment of mercury in
the manner, and for the purposes, specified.
Fifth In a telephone receiver, the employment, substantially as described with
reference to Figures 6 and 7. of the drawings, of one or more pivoted magnets or
pieces of magnetic material subjected to the action of a permanent or electro-
magnet or solenoid, in combination with a sounding board or sounder and one or
more adjustable permanent or electro-magnets or solenoids for regulating the mass
novement and position of the said pivotted magnets or their equivalent.
:
Sixth-An electrical circuit wherein the earth is utilized in the manner described
to effect the transmission of sound-vibrations, intermittent currents or the like

page_text: from a telephonic, telegraphic or other signalling instrument to the receiving
instrument of any station in the circuit, and wherein the aerial wire or its
equivalent is used to effect the completion of the circuit or for the return current
only, as above setforth.
Seventh-In an electrical circuit substantially as above described, the employment
of mercury through which to pass the currents in their connection with earth and
with the aerial line or its equivalent.
Eighth The arrangement of an inductorium in such a manner that the primary
and secondary thereof are included in one circuit, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Albert Roland Shaw, have hereunto set my
hand and seal this third day of April in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty four