Improvements in or relating to Telegraphic Transmitters, and Recording Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 2nd Feb., 1895
Improvements in or relating to Telegraphic Transmitters, and
Recording Apparatus therefor.
A communication from CHARLES SPIRO, of 116th Street, 5th and Lenox Avenues,
City, County, and State of New York, United States of America, Gentleman.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to telegraphic transmitters and recording apparatus
therefor and has for its principal objects to enable messages to be sent with greater
speed, ease and accuracy than has hitherto been possible with the usual device and
moreover, when used in combination with recording apparatus to ensure at the
same time as the telegraph message is being sent a faithful record of eaid message
being automatically made.
Apparatus constructed according to this invention is not to be classed with the
ordinary printing telegraphic instruments as these latter cannot well be introduced
into existing systems without great disorganization of such installations whereas
the apparatus hereinafter described may be introduced into any such system
without appreciable disturbance of the parts thereof.
The operators of the usual transmitters are frequently incapacitated from work
by reason of wrist-paralysis attributable to the method of operating these
instruments which method as is well known involves a different manipulation of the
key or transmission device for signalling the required arrangement of "dots" and
dashes" for each letter or symbol telegraphed. According to this invention this
result cannot obtain because, so far as the telegraphist is concerned the trans-
mission of any letter or symbol requires only one depression or operation of a
single key, one key being appropriated to each such letter or symbol; indeed the
simplicity of operation of the instrument constructed according to this invention is
such that telegraphists previously incapacitated by wrist-paralysis from operating
the usual transmitting device may without trouble operate this apparatus.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings
in which :-
:-
Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation of the left hand side and partly in section
of a telegraphic transmitter constructed according to this invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of part of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a plan of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is an elevation of the retarding device shown partly in Figure 3 and
which device in the arrangement illustrated is located at the right-hand side of the
machine.
Figure 6 is a view showing the manner in which the telegraphic transmitter is
Connected with the battery and receiver or sounder and
Figuro 7 is a perspective view of one of the contact discs or rings.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
As shown in the drawings the transmitter comprises a number of key levers A
one for each letter or symbol to be signalled. All of these levers may be pivotted
LI
f the machine au instrument

page_text: A convenient way of domg this is to provide each lever A near its back end with
an open bearing as shown in Figmes 1 and 6, the lever being constantly held up against
the iod A by a sping B which is provided for returning the level to its normal
position after it has been depressed by the telegraphist. The front end of each
lever A projects upwards and is provided with a key or head A' bearing the letter
or symbol con esponding with that telegraphed when said level is depressed. In
general the key levers A Aare similar to those employed in type-witing machines
and when a recording device is to be used in combination with the transmitter it
is preferred to make these key levers fulfil the function before descubed as well as
operate type levers as in an ordinary type writing machine
Beneath all the key levers A passes a bail or frame C pivotted at C to the sides
of the stationary frame D. When the transmitter is used in conjunction with a
type-writing machine, as before mentioned, for taking records of the messages
despatched, it is the spacing fianie of said machine which fulfils the function of
the bail C From the bail Cat, say the left-hand side of the machine, projects an
arm C³ whose free end benis against the underside of a 1oller E' of non-condneung
material, carried on one arm of the lever E which is pivotted at E to the outer
side of a block F of non-conducting material secured to the side of the frame D
To a second aim of the lever E is connected the lower end of a helical spring G
whose upper end is attached to a screw Gadjustable by puts Gma bracket
plate G secured to the block F. The upper end of the lever E is provided with a
segmental rack E³ gearing with a pinion H retained by a nut I'loosely on the
shaft I which extends from side to side of the machine and is supported near its
ende in bearings fitted in the blocks FF the latter of which, like the former IB
formed of non-conducting material and secured to one side of the frame D.
Rigidly secured to or formed in part with the pinion 1 is an arm or plate H' on
which is pivotted a sping-controlled pawl H2 adapted to engage with a pin or
projection I fixed in a disc I secured upon the shaft I; or the projection
be secured directly to the shaft 1.
2
may
On the shaft I are secured electrical connection therewith a number of
contact dises or rings J one for each letter or symbol to be signalled and each one
as regards its peripheral shape differing from all the others so that by each of
these rings a distinctive signal may be despatched. For example, according to the
Morse alphabet, the letter A is represented by a "dot" and a "dash" thus
therefore the ring J appropriated to that letter, duing each revolution 18 arranged
to transmit two separate electrical impulses the first of shorter duration than the
other, for which purpose this particular ring J as shown in Figure 7 is formed
with two peripheral projections JJ the former being the shorter, corresponding
with the shorter impulse to be transmitted, and the latter (J) corresponding with
the longer impulse. For the letter B which, according to the same code is
represented by a dash and thice dots thus
the ling J would have four
projections JJJJ' the first of which as shown for example in Figure 3 would
be longer than the three others.
Adjacent to each of the contact rings J is a non-conducting ring K also secured
to the shaft I or to the contact ring. The radius of the 1ngs as shown in Figure 3
is slightly longer than the radius of the recessed portions of the contact rings J
but slightly shorter than that of the projecting portions J1 J' of said contact
rings J for allowing the pivotted or swinging contacts L hereinafter described
to make contact only with the projections J¹ Ï' and not with the recessed portion
of the rings J. Each of the non-conducting rings K is provided with a cam or
projection K' for operating one of the swinging contacts L as hereafter
described.
On one end of the shaft I the right hand end in the drawing; is secured a
norm-wheel M which gears with a worm M' mounted on a vertical spindle M²
supported in a bracket N secured to the non-conducting block Fl. At its upper
end the spindle M³ carries the fly M³ for retarding the speed of notation of the
shaft 1.

page_text: L' is a metal bai secured to the two blocks F F' which insulate it from the
other parts of the machine, and at one end of which bar is provided a binding
screw L for the connection of the line wire. On the bar L' are mounted
brackets L to which the upper ends of the before mentioned contacts L are
pivotted. The lower end of each of the contacts L is provided with an anti-
friction toller L adapted to engage with recesses A³ A' formed in the upper edge
of each key lever A and near the central part the contacts L are provided with
projections L adapted to bear against the ings J and K and be operated on by
the cams or projections K'. The swinging contacts L are morcover connected to
springs L which tend always to draw them towards the shaft I.
The rollers L of the swinging contacts L are normally engaged with the
recess A³ of the key lovers A.
Pivotted to the block F is a catch o catch lever 0 0¹ the arm of which
tei minates in a hook 02 engaging with the before described pin I to prevent the
shaft I notating beyond the desired extent, while the aim is provided at its
underside with a cain surface U³ against which a pin E carried by the level E
operates so as at the required times, to release the hook O' from the pro I* or
allow it, under the weight of the catch lever 00' to assume the necessary position
for engaging the pin.
When the before described electrical transmitter forms part of, or an adjunct to
a type writing machine there is provided a lever P pivotted to the side of the frame D
and having at one end a hook Padapted to engage with a piu or stud E' secured
to the lever E, and at the other cud a handle P2 by means of which the hook Pi
may be readily engaged with oi disengaged from the pin E. When the book P
is engaged with the pin E the lever E is maintained out of reach of the aim C³
and the type-writing innchine may be operated independently of the transmitter,
when however the Look P is disengaged from the pin E, which may be effected
by depressing the handle P the transmitter will always operate simultaneously
with the machine the shaft I making one complete revolution at each depression of
a key lever A. The weight of the lover P hook P' and handle P 18 so disposed
as to tend always to hold the hook P¹ out of engagement with the pin E³.
E is a handle conveniently formed in part with the pin or projection E on the
lever E to enable the latter to be moved by hand against the influence of the
spring G when it is desired to engage the hook P' with the pin E and D' and D
are two pius the former for limiting the forward movement of the lever E and latter
for limiting the movement of the lever P.
Qis a spring contact or brush secured to the non-conducting block F and
bearing upon the shaft I so as to place it in electrical communication with the
binding post Q by which the brush Q is conveniently secured to the block F.
R Figure 6 represents a telegraphic receiver of well-known construction con-
prising an electro-magnet R and spring-controlled amature R' and which may
be used in combination with the usual ibbon punting on recording apparatus ;
instead of this construction of icceiver however any other suitable to the purpose
may be employed.
1
Sindicates the battery and T' T' T' the line wies one of which may obviously
be dispensed with if suitable caith connections are made instead.
The operation of the before described apparatus 14 as follows
When any of the key levers A is depressed the free end of the lever arm C² 1s
aised and through the anti-fiction olle L' the lever E and rack E are moved
forward and though the pmion and plate 1' the pawl H 18 8wung one
ievolution backwards. During this revolution the pawl first leaves the pm or
projection which at that time remams stationary and then after completing the
evolution again engages the put I so that at its return stroke it will carry the
pin forward one revolution This return stroke 18 effected as soon GB
the telegraphist releases the depressed key lever by the spring G acting on
the lever and moving it (the latter) in the direction indicated by the arrow
in Figure 6 and it results in the shaft I under the control of the fly 'M' or

page_text: equivalent, being rotated along with the pinion H. By the depression of the key
lever the roller L of the corresponding swinging contact L is released from the
key-lever recess A' which allows said contact to be drawn by its spring L
towards the shaft I so as to bring the contact projection L' into position for
making electrical contact with the projections JJ as the latter are rotated past
it. When the key lever is 1eleased by the telegraphist the front or forward part
of the recess A-under the influence of the key-lever-spring R bears against the
roller L and holds it in position to ensure good electrical contact being made
between the projections and L' as the former are presented to the latter.
At each completion of the electric circuit as last described an electric impulse
is sent along the line, and the receiver R is operated, the duration of each
such impulse or operation depending upon the length of the projection J' or J
then in contact with the projection L The particular arrangement of these
long and short impulses indicates at the receiving station the letters or symbols
telegraphed.
At the termination of each rotation of the shaft I the non-conducting projection
of the last displaced contact L acts on the projection L' of said contact and forces
the latter forwards away from the shaft I so that the roller I thereof engages
with the recess A' the key lever during this operation being slightly depressed by
the roller and thereafter raised by its spring when the roller L is properly over
the recess A³.
When the end of a word is reached a special key corresponding with the spacing
key of a type-writing machine is operated to transmit a particulni signal indicating
such juncture; or this may be provided for in any other convenient and pre-
arranged manner.
The operation of the telegraphic transmitter in conjunction with the type writing
machine is considered to be herembefore sufficiently explained to ender further
description unnecessary.
If desired a ratchet and pawl may be provided for preventing the shaft I from
turning in the wrong direction though such a device is not actually necessary as the
friction of the brush Q and other parts on the shaft are sufficient for this purpose.
The contacts Jinstead of being formed as before described may if desired be
provided with one or more additional sets of contact surfaces J'J' and projections K¹
at different parts of the circumference the contacts being arranged to make half,
third or other corresponding part of a revolution at each operation of a key lever,
or these contacts and other parts of the apparatus may be otherwise modified
without departing from the essential features of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim 18:
1. In a device for telegraphic transmission by the Moise or similar code a disc
or contact having contact surfaces and intervals or breaks the shape and airange-
meul of the surfaces and intervals being dependent upon or determined by the
signal to be transmitted substantially as described.
2. In a device for electrically transmitting a number of different signals a number
of contacts one for each signal to be transmitted and each having an arrangement
of contact surfaces differing from all the others.
3. In a device for electrically transmitting a number of different signals the
combination with a corresponding number of contacts each differing from all
the others of a corresponding number of other contacts each controlled by a
special key.
4 The application of a type-writing machine to the electrical transmission of
signals of the Morse code
5. The combination with a type-writing machine of a device for electrically
transmitting a number of different signals by the same operation of the keys as that
by or through which the type-writing is effected.

page_text: 6. In a device for electrically transmitting a number of different signals the com-
bination with a number of keys such as A A' one corresponding to each of the
Bignals and a similar number of different contacts such as J of mechanisın
operated by the keys for intermittently rotating the contacts substantially as and
for the purpose described.
7. In a device for electrically transmitting a number of different signals the
combination with a number of keys A A' one corresponding to each of the signals
and a similar number of different contacts such as J of means such as a bail or
frame C lever arm C lever and rack E E' pinion H pawl H2 pin 1' and shaft I for
intermittently rotating the contacts substantially as described and illustrated in
the accompanying diawings.
8. In a device for electrically transmitting a number of different signals the
combination with a series of iotatable different contacts of a retarding device
therefor substantially as described.
9. In a device for clectically transmitting a number of different signals the
combination for each signal to be transmitted of a contact such as J differing from
all the other contacts in the device a non-conducting projection or cam such as K'
a sping-controlled and pivotted contact such as L L and a spring or equivalently
controlled key such as A A' having or operating a retaining device for the
contact L substantially as and for the purpose described.
10. In a device for electrically transmitting a number of different signals the
combination with a shaft carrying a number of contacts such as J each differing
from all of the others and keys such as A A' lever and rack such as E E³ pinion H
and pawl H and pin 12 for intermittently rotating the shaft of a lever-catch such
as 001 03 03 and pin or projection E substantially as and for the purpose
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
11. The combination with a type-writing machine and a device such as claimed
in the last preceding claim of a pin or projection E and catch lover such as P P
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
12. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete
telegraphic transmission device substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 24th day of December 1894.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.