Designed for Call and Signalling Purposes in Towns and Cities.
Year: 1886

page_text: Designed for Call and Signalling Purposes in Towns and
Cities.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of my invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to telegraph apparatus for municipal purposes by means of
which communication may be established between a main office or police station
and signal boxes on the streets of a city, for the purpose of facilitating the work
of policemen or of affording prompt aid to citizens when required.
Means are provided by which a citizen can without opening the signal box,
transmit a signal to the main office; showing the box or station at which police
assistance is required; and means are also provided for deterring citizens from
making an undue use of the apparatus or sending false alarms.
The transmitting mechanism of the box may also contain appliances for trans-
mitting any desired one of a number of different special signals, each showing the
number of the box and also indicating what is wanted there, and if desired the
apparatus may be used for sending patrol signals for the purpose of showing that
the officer is attending to his duty and making a record of the fact that he visited
each box at the proper time in going his rounds.
Means are also provided for distinguishing between signals that require especial
attention from the main office, and those which merely indicate the presence of an
officer at a box without requiring any action to be taken at the main office.
+
Means are also provided for establishing telephonic communication between the
main office and the boxes, and also for indicating to the officer upon arriving at a
box whether or not he is wanted for any purpose by the main office, so that if he

page_text: '
is wanted he can open the box and communicate by telephone with the main
office; or in cases where telephonic communication is not provided for, he can
proceed immediately to the main office to find out what is required.
The invention consists in various appliances and combinations of instrumentalities
and circuits by which all these various operations are jeffected the appliances
being briefly stated, as follows, that is to say; The transmitting apparatus at the
box consists of a series of break-wheels and a motor for actuating the same, each
wheel cooperating with an independent contact spring normally separated there-
from or out of circuit but brought into engagement there with or in circuit by the
operation by which the motor is wound to set the break-wheels in operation.
Each break-wheel and spring sends a distinct message, although each message is
intended to contain the number of the box, and the different springs are brought
into engagement with the different break-wheels by different pulls or box operating
devices, each of which winds the motor and places a corresponding spring in
engagement or in circuit with the corresponding break-wheel during the subsequent
operation of the latter. A locking device is employed which after any one pull is
operated, mechanically locks all the pulls until the complete signal is transmitted,
so that an operator cannot break in upon a signal during its transmission. The
break-wheel and its spring preferably operate to intermittingly throw resistance
into the circuit, and the receiving relay responds to the changes in current strength
that are thus produced, the signals being thus transmitted without opening the
circuit. In order to distinguish signals requiring immediate attention from others,
the pulls by which such signals are operated are arranged to produce a momentary
break in the circuit which break affects an indicating signal instrument, preferably
an alarm bell, at the main office, which, though not affected by the changes in
current strength is set in operation by a break in the circuit and will remain in
operation until stopped by the attendant at the main office.
The pull or transmitting device by which a citizen summons aid without
opening the box is operated by a device which may be like an ordinary door key
and may be inserted in a suitable opening or key hole in the box, it being
intended to distribute such keys to responsible citizens whose names will be
registered and in one plan of operation the key bits will be different in the
different keys and will co-operate with a series of tumbler-like pointers or indi-
cating levers in the box which will be moved different distances by the different
keys, and by cooperation with a dial or numbered segment will indicate a number
corresponding to the number of the key, so that if a false or needless alarm has
been sent, the number of the key by which it was sent may be discovered by the
officer coming to the box, and the citizen holding such key may be called to account
and his key taken away if satisfactory explanation is not given.
In another plan the citizens keys have a detachable portion that is left in the
box after a signal is transmitted and thus indicates whose key was used.
In order to indicate to an officer upon arriving at a box whether or not he is
wanted at the main office, each box may contain a polarized signalling instrument
normally shunted and a circuit breaker for opening the shunt which can be
operated by the officer without opening the box; and the main office contains a
pole changing device which may at any time be set in operation to continually
reverse the current on the line, so that the moment a shunt for one of the
polarized signals is broken the said sigual will be operated thus informing the
officer that he is to proceed to the main office at once or place himself in telephonic
communication therewith; or in another plan the signal in the box may be in a
normally open earth branch which is closed by the officer, and responds or not
according as a corresponding earth branch at the main office is open or closed at
the time,
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a signal box forming part of an apparatus

page_text: UL
key by which the box has been operated.
Figure 4 is a detail of the mechanism of the pull operated by the key.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing the circuits and apparatus included therein.
Figure 6 is a front elevation of a signal box of simpler construction operating on
a somewhat different plan, embodying this invention.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 are details showing the construction and operation of the
citizen's key employed in this plan.
Figure 10 is a detail of an officer's signalling key.
Figure 11 is a detail of the device for operating a telephone call at a box, and
Figure 12 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the circuit and instruments
therein operating on this plan.
The signal transmitting device at the box, best shown in Figure 2, consists of a
train of wheel work a actuated by a shaft a¹ having a ratchet a fixed therein, and
acted upon by a spring, not shown, tending to turn the ratchet in the direction of
the arrow thereon, the said shaft being turned to wind the spring and bring the
teeth of the ratchet into engagement with the pawl a³ on the main wheel of the
train a (which wheel is loose on the shaft a¹) by a crank a' connected by a link a³
with a rocking lever or frame a supported on a rock shaft parallel with the shafts
of the train of wheel work. Thus by depressing the lever a6 and then releasing
it, the train is set in operation in substantially the same manner as in the well
known fire alarm and district signalling apparatus from which the mechanism thus
far described differs mainly in having a number of break-wheels b revolved
simultaneously by the train instead of a single wheel as is usual in district
telegraph boxes.
The lever a is depressed and then released to set the break-wheels b in rotation
by any one of a series of pulls c consisting of finger pieces or handles connected
with slide bars d having a longitudinal movement in guides e, e¹, and each provided
with a pawl d', which when the said bar is moved down by its pull c, engages a cross-
bar or treadle a connected with the lever a, depressing the said lever a sufficient
distance to wind the spring, and then releasing it owing to the fact that the
treadle a moves in an arc while the pawl moves in a straight path.
The slide bars & are provided with locking pins d³ cooperating with a locking
device f shown as a plate extending across in front of all of the slide bars and
pivotally connected with the frame work of the motor at f¹. The said locking
bar for its supporting arm is provided with an arm f' engaged by a rod f³ operated
by a projection as from the winding lever as and as soon as the said lever is moved
down by one of the slide bars the rod f³ drops and the bar ftends by its weight
to move inward towards the slide bars d, and as soon as the slide bar that is
operated has been moved fully down, the bar f will move in above the pin d²
thereof, holding said pin down and also obstructing the pins of the other pulls, so
that they cannot be moved down until the winding lever a returns to its normal
position, when it will raise the rod f³ and the latter will move the locking bar f
outward, releasing the pin d' of the slide bar that has been depressed and permitting
the same to be moved upward by a spring d'. The slide bars d are each provided
with a contact spring b¹ insulated from the frame-work and normally held out of
contact with the corresponding break-wheel b as shown in full lines. When how-
ever any one of the slide bars is depressed the corresponding spring is moved down
into engagement with the corresponding break-wheel, as shown in dotted lines
Figure 2, and remains there during the transmission of a signal, while the bar is
retained depressed by the locking device f. When in this position the break wheel
spring 6 comes in contact with a spring 62, which completes the circuit controlled
by the break-wheel that is in operation. The lever a is also provided with a
contact spring 63 which, when the said lever arrives at its normal position after the
transmission of a signal comes in contact with the spring b³ for the purpose to be
hereinafter described.

page_text: When it is desired to distinguish some of the signals from others before looking
at the recorded message at the main office, the slide bars & cooperating with the
break-wheels by which messages requiring especial immediate attention are trans-
mitted, act on a circuit controlling device consisting of two springs i, i¹, connected
with one portion of the line and an intermediate spring is connected with the other
portion and acted upon by the slide bar which when in its normal position presses
it against the upper spring i, closing the circuit between them. When the bar is
moved down the spring follows it by its own elasticity, leaving the spring i and
thus breaking the circuit but immediately afterwards coming in contact with the
spring and thus closing the circuit so that a momentary break is produced when
the bar is depressed and before the signal is transmitted.
In addition to the transmitting mechanism just described the box contains a
polarized signalling instrument S and another signalling instrument or tap bell S¹
operated by a neutral magnet, the coils of which are of a considerable resistance
and preferably also contains a telephone T which may however be omitted when
the telegraphic messages alone are to be used. The relation and mode of operation
of the devices thus far described may be best understood by referring to Figure 5
which shows the apparatus at one of the boxes and at the main office, it being
understood that the circuit connecting the said devices passes through any desired
number of boxes indicated at A.
The main battery B, by the current of which the messages are transmitted has
its terminals 2, 3 connected with a pole changing device P, which may consist of
a cylinder or drum p having contact pieces p', p occupying opposite halves of its
periphery and being connected with rings encircling the said drum, that are always
in contact with springs connected with the battery wires 2, 3, so that one of the
said contact pieces p¹ is always connected with one pole and the other contact
piece p³ with the other pole of the battery.
The main line or circuit including the various instruments terminates in
springs p³, p bearing on the drum in line with the contact pieces p', p³ so that
when the said drum revolves the connection of the poles of the battery with the
line is reversed at each half rotation of the drum the operation of which is
substantially the same as that of the commutator of a Siemen's magneto electric
machine. The said drum p is acted on by a clock-work or motor, a portion only
of which is shown, provided with a detent p by which it may be stopped or set in
motion as desired by the operator. From the spring p³ cooperating with the pole
changer the line is continued as indicated at 4 to a receiving relay r controlling a
register R in the usual manner, the said relay being adjusted to respond to certain
changes in current strength as well as complete interruptions of the current. From
the relay r the main line is continued at 5 to a relay r¹ adjusted so as not to
respond to the changes in current strength that operate the relay r but only to a
total interruption in the current. The said relay r controls a local circuit 30
including an electro magnet m the armature of which controls a circuit closer n
and when attracted closes a branch 31 of the local circuit 30 including the battery
and the said magnet m which will thus be retained in circuit after having been
momentarily energized by the closing of the circuit 30 by the relay r¹. The said
magnet m forms part of an indicating instrument or alarm S³, shown as a vibrating
bell which is thus set in operation for an indefinite period of time through the
action of a momentary interruption in the current in the main circuit and relay r¹.
The relays r, r will not be effected by the reversal of polarity produced by the
pole changer P and if desired they might be placed in the wires 2 or 3 between
the battery and pole changer.
The circuit is continued from the relay by wire 6 out of the main office to the
different boxes in each of which the lines 6 entering is shown as connected with
one terminal of the telephone T, the other terminal of which is connected by
wire 7 with one terminal of the magnet m¹ of the signal S', the other terminal of
which is connected by wire 8 which passes through the different circuit controlling
devices ¿, ¿¹, 2³, seriatim to one terminal of the polarized signal instrument S, the

page_text: other terminal of which is connected with the main line 9 leading out from the
other side of the box to the contact spring p* of the pole changer at the main
office.
The telephone T is provided with a shunt controlled by its gravity switch being
closed when the said telephone is hung up and the wire 7 at the one side of the
magnet m¹ is connected by wire 12 with the break-wheels b and also with the
winding lever a6 and spring b³ thereon, while the contact spring 62 is connected by
wire 13 with the wire 8 at the other side of the magnet m, and normally when the
box is not operating the contact of the spring 63 with the spring 6% closes the
shunt 12, 13, of low resistance around the magnet m¹. When however a signal is
to be transmitted and the winding lever a is depressed it opens the said
shunt 6, 63, but at the same time one of the springs 61 is brought into contact
with the cooperating break-wheel h, which thus controls the said shunt opening
and closing, the same and thus throwing the resistance of the magnet m¹ into and
out from the circuit as the said wheel revolves. The resistance of said magnet m¹
is intended to be sufficient to produce such weakening of the current as to operate
the relay at the main office so that the message determined by the wheel b that
is thrown into operation will be transmitted. If needed more resistance can be
placed in the wire 7 or 8 between the points where the shunt wires 12, 13 join
them.
If the pull or slide bar & by which the box is operated was one that cooperated
with one of the circuit controlling devices i, i, 2, a momentary break in the
circuit would have been produced in the act of winding the box before the signal
is transmitted, which break would cause the alarm instrument S at the main office
to be set in operation as before described but if no such interruption were produced
the message would be merely transmitted to the register R without operating the
signal S² at the main office.
The polarized signal S at the box is provided with a shunt 14, 15, of low
resistance including a circuit breaker t which may be operated from the outside of
the box preferably by a button t¹ that will be placed at a point where it will not
be readily noticed except by the person instructed to use it, and the officer would
be instructed to press the button upon arriving at a box. If the attendant at the
main office desires to communicate with an officer, the pole changer P at the main
office will be set in operation and the next time that the officer arrives at a box
and opens the circuit closer t the signal S will be operated by the reversals in
current produced by the pole changer P and the officer will know that he is
wanted and will open the box and transmit a signal to the main office that would
be known as a call to the telephone. The telephone call may be produced by
merely breaking the circuit and thus setting the instrument S in operation
without producing any record on the instrument R except a single dot or dash.
The resistance of the magnet of the polarized signal S is intended to be insufficient
to affect the relay r.
When the signals are transmitted by the change in current strength as described
and an additional alarm is produced by an interruption in the current, the
apparatus may be used for transmitting patrol or on duty signals which will not
be accompanied by the alarm, as they will usually be the most numerous signals
and do not require immediate attention at the main office while all the other signals
that do require immediate attention will be accompanied by the alarm so that the
attendant will immediately examine such signal to see what is wanted and take
the proper action.
The mechanism by which a citizen can transmit a call without opening the box
and obtaining access to the pulls c is best shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4.
One of the slide bars d instead of being provided with a finger-piece c is con-
nected by a link u with one arm of a lever u¹, the other arm of which rests over
an eccentric or cam u³, see figures 2 and 4 on a shaft u³ adapted to be operated by
a key or wrench K inserted through a key hole K¹ in any convenient part of the

page_text: box. The key preferably engages the shaft u³ at its end, either having a square
portion which engages a corresponding square-socket, or engaging like a screw-
driver, so that it turns the shaft without the cooperation of the bit or usual
projecting portion k of the key. By rotating the key and shaft and cam or
eccentric u the end of the lever u¹ connected with the slide bar is depressed
operating the said slide bar to depress the winding lever a6 and transmit a message
in just the same manner as before described when referring to the slide bars
operated by the finger pulls c.
In order to place a check upon careless or unnecessary use of the keys K which
are intended to be distributed among responsible citizens, the bit portions of said
keys are all different and the keys are numbered to correspond with the shape of
their bits, and when delivered to a citezen the number of the key is registered
together with the citizens name. The said bits are like those of the keys of an
ordinary tumbler lock and cooperate with a series of pivotted levers or pointers k²,
³, the ends of which extend over a graduated numbered segment or dial K'
figure 1; thus when the key is revolved to turn the shaft u³ and send an alarm
the bit also raises the said pointers different heights according to the length of
different portions of the key bit, placing the ends of said pointers opposite different
figures on the segment K³ making a combination of figures the same as the number
of the key. In order to retain the pointers opposite the figures to which they are
thus set, the said levers are provided with segmental ratchets k³ cooperating with
pawls see figure 3, which retain them at the height to which they were raised
by the key. In order to prevent error which might arise in case two persons
should separately operate by keys before the first message was answered, a tripping
device is preferably provided for the said pawls, shown as a lever k³ pivotted con-
centrically with the pawls and provided with an arm that engages all the pawls
and throws them out from the ratchets when the lever k is lifted and each key
is provided with an auxiliary bit or projection k³, see figure 2, that engages the
said tripping lever k and lifts the same and then releases it before the bit k arrives
at and operates upon the indicating levers k², k, k so that each key will destroy
the combination last made and leave its own combination of figures indicated by
the pointers. The officer on arriving at the box will, if it is found that the alarm
is unnecessary or that no one is waiting to give an explanation, note the number
indicated by the levers k, k³, and will then return said levers to the zero point,
by raising the disengaging lever k or tripping the pawls ko by hand. As it may
sometimes be desirable for officers to transmit a call without opening the box they
may also be provided with keys like the one K except that they will have neither
of the bits or k¹ and will thus turn the shaft u³ and operate the pull without
however producing any effect on the indicating levers.
When desired the apparatus may be used without providing for a patrol or on
duty signal to be operated at stated intervals by the officer on his beat, since owing
• to the signal. S the officer would be obliged to visit the boxes regularly as he knows
that a signal may at any time be waiting for bim and that he will be called to
account for failure to respond to said signal within a reasonable time.
In this method of operation the apparatus could be simplified as the signal S¹
at the box might be omitted as well as the circuit controlling devices i, i¹, 2, and
the signals may be transmitted by breaking and closing the circuit in the usual
manner.
It is preferable however to transmit the signals by changes in current strength
as they would then not interfere seriously with the simultaneous operation of a
telephone at another station and the single momentary break produced by the
devices i, i, i, would be scarcely perceptible. If desired the button t¹ might be
inaccessible except by a suitable key or instrument carried by the officer which
might be the same key by which he can operate the shaft u³.
By making the resistance that is used to vary the current strength at the signal
box for giving signals as the coils of a tap bell the said bell will operate while the

page_text: signals are being transmitted and thus show whether or not the circuit is in
working order, and by opening the shunt 12, 13 for the said tap bell it may be
used to respond to breaks in the circuit produced at any other point, thus pro-
viding for telegraphing messages between the different stations by means of
circuit-breaking keys such as usually provided in fire alarm boxes.
Such telegraphic messages may be received at the main office on the register R
like the regular automatic messages.
It is obvious that the pole changer P and polarized receiving instrument S of
the present application might be made to produce different signals, in accordance
with the desire of the operator at the main office, by having the pole changing
instrument provided with differently arranged contact pieces any one of which
might be used to control the current in the main line in accordance with the desire
of the attendant at the main office although such devices will not usually be
required for the purposes for which the present apparatus is intended.
In many cases it will not be necessary to provide means for transmitting
different telegraphic messages as a telephone will be used when any special
information is to be given to the main office, and in such case any call from
a box whether transmitted by an officer or citizen will be responded to by
despatching men to that point who will be able to render any assistance that may
be required. When but one call is to be transmitted from each box the con-
struction may be simplified, as best shown in figure 6 and the circuit may be
arranged for a somewhat different plan of operation as shown in figure 12. In the
signal box shown in figure 6, the motor a will be substantially the same as that
described in connection with figure 1 but will turn only a single break-wheel having
a spring that normally rests on its surface. The motor may be actuated by a
spring which is strained or wound by a winding arm "a corresponding to the
frame a of figures 1 and 2, the shaft of which has a ratchet and pawl connection
with the train of the motor in the usual manner. The said arm a60 is engaged by
a projection d¹º on the slide bar d which operates in substantially the same manner
as those described in connection with figures 1 and 2 and may be provided with a
finger piece c to be engaged by the operator when the box door is open, and is also
connected by a link u to one arm of a lever ul pivotted at u and having its other
arm u made cam shaped and located over the key-hole K¹ in the box in such
position that a key having a bit of proper length when inserted in the said key-
hole and rotated will move the lever and thus depress the slide-bar d. As the
arm a moves in the arc of a circle while the engaging projection d¹ moves in a
straight line the said projection after a certain movement, which is sufficient to
advance the ratchet of the motor one tooth or notch, will disengage the said
arm a60 and permit it to run back with the motor during the rotation of the break-
wheel. In order to prevent the winding arm a60 from being acted upon during its
return movement and thus checking the movement of the motor and interfering
with the signal, the winding slide-bar d is locked during the return movement of
the arm a by a locking device shown as a sliding bolt f10 acted upon by a
spring f which throws it over the upper end of the slide-bar d when the latter is
depressed, thus preventing return movement of the said slide-bar until released by
said locking device, which release takes place only when the arm a 60 has completed
its return movement just at the end of which an arm a thereon acts upon the
locking device ƒ10 and disengages it from the slide-bar d which is then returned by
the spring d to its normal position. In order to permit the projection do to pass
the arm a60 in the return movement of the slide-bar d, the said slide-bar is
arranged to have a sufficient lateral movement in its guides e" and is acted upon
by a spring e that throws the projection d into engagement with the arm a
after the projection has passed the said arm in its upward movement.
The winding lever u¹ is so arranged with relation to the key-hole K¹ that a key
of proper size to fit the said key-hole, having a plain bit, will operate the said lever
and wind and release the motor, but a key having a shorter bit will not produce

page_text: sufficient movement to wind the motor, but will merely spring the arm a down
part way and then release it again.
are,
Instead of setting up a number to show by which key an alarm has been
transmitted as described in connection with figure 1, the bits of the citizens keys
in the plan illustrated in figures 6 to 9, made in two parts, as best shown
in figures 8 and 9, the end ko of the bit being made separately from the body and
connected therewith by a dove-tail or similar joint that will permit the end
portion to slip out from the main portion ka by a movement parallel with
the shank or spindle of the key K.
Both the main portion of the key and the removable end portion 10 of its bit
bear the registered number of the key as shown and it requires the combined
length of both parts of the key to operate the lever ut so as to wind the box. At
the key-hole the box is provided with a stop k shown as a pivotted spring-pressed
piece which yields to permit the insertion of the entire key into the box and then
springs up behind the removable portion 10 of the key-bit, so that when the key
is withdrawn the said portion of the bit will be stripped off from the main portion
and left in the box, thus indicating which key has been used and also disabling the
said key so that it cannot again be used until the removable indicating portion
is replaced. The key is not however disabled until it is withdrawn from the box
and may be used to repeat the signal as often as desired.
If a citizen after transmitting a call waits, without withdrawing the key, until
an officer responds to the call, the officer can open the box and release the removable
or indicating portion of the key or if the key has already been removed from the
box, the indicating portion may be taken from the box and returned to the key holder.
The signal box in addition to the automatic transmitter for telegraphic messages
just described contains a signal receiving instrument So, shewn as a tap-bell, and
a telephone T which may be normally shunted by its supporting hook in the usual
manner and the box also has a circuit closer 10 preferably operated by a button t¹¹
from the outside of the box for the purpose of operating the signal S¹º as hereinafter
described.
The operation of the parts for transmitting and producing the signals may be
best understood by reference to Figure 12 that shows in diagram the circuits and
instruments therein.
The main circuit is wholly metallic and connected at 20 with one pole of the
main battery B from which it passes through the receiving relay r that controls a
local circuit containing a register R. The relay r also controls the indicating
instrument S which may be of the same nature as that shewn in Figure 5, so that
when once set in operation by the closing of its circuit by the relay r when the
main line is once broken, it remains in operation until stopped by the attendant.
From the relay r the line is continued, as shewn at 30, to the different boxes or
stations, where it includes the break-wheels b and telephones T when not shunted by
their gravity switches and returns to the other pole of the main battery as shewn
at 40. The actuating magnet m10 of the signal S¹º is in a normally open branch 50
from the main line 30 the said branch containing the circuit closer t¹º, by which it
may be connected with the ground. If one of the ground-branches containing the
magnet m10 of the signal So is closed but the line is then grounded at no other
point no effect is produced on the said signal $10. If however, the attendant at the
main office wishes to summon an officer he will place a ground connection on the
line, preferably by a ground branch 70 which is connected with the main line at
one side of the main battery B and includes a switch a and preferably an alarm
instrument So, which may be a vibrator, the armature of which vibrates at such
rate that the armature of the tap-bell So will naturally accompany it when both
are in circuit together, as is the case when both earth branches 50 and 70 are
closed at the same time.
The closing of the earth branch 70 by the attendant at the main office will not
affect the line or instruments therein as long as all the other branches remain open,

page_text: but as soon as an officer arrives at one of the boxes and closes the earth branch by
the push button t¹ a ground circuit will be afforded including the magnets of both
instruments S10 and S80 which will both be set in operation, thus indicating to the
officer at the box that the attendant at the main office desires to communicate with
him and also indicating to the attendant at the main office that the officer has just
arrived at a box and received his signal and both will immediately proceed to the
telephone. Should two officers happen to close their earth branches simultaneously
when the branch 70 at the main office was not closed, they would complete an
earth circuit through the signalling instruments S at both boxes but the bells
would only give a single tap, so that the officers would know that they were not
signalled from the main office.
If necessary, resistance will be placed in the main line as shewn at R¹º beyond
the junction of the earth branch 70 in order to cause a sufficient portion of the
current to pass through the earth circuit to operate the signals S10 and $30.
It may be desirable for the officers to summon aid without opening the box and
for this purpose they will also be provided with keys K10 see Figure 10, to operate
the pull lever u¹ the same as the citizens keys K, and as there is no need of leaving
a record when the box is operated by an officer and as the officers key should
never be disabled, it need not have a detachable bit, and in order to permit the
key to be readily withdrawn the bit is bevelled, as shewn at 80, Figure 10, so that
it will depress the catch piece 15 and may be removed without difficulty and also
without disabling it for future use.
The officer may sometimes desire to communicate with the main office by
telephone without summoning aid and the boxes are provided with means for
operating a signal, which will be known as a telephone call. This is shewn as
effected by the circuit breaker w shewn in plan in Figure 11, included in the main
circuit, the movable member of which circuit breaker is normally pressed by a
spring w against the cooperating stationary member, and is actuated to produce a
momentary break in the circuit by a push button w, the shank of which has
a sliding movement in a guide wand is provided with a pivotted cross-piece
or lever w one arm of which is arrested by a stop pin w at the time that the
opposite arm engages the movable member of the circuit breaker so that as the
button wis pressed further in, the end of the cross piece carries the movable
member of the circuit breaker away from the stationary member for a moment,
breaking the circuit, and then passes by the said movable member, which is at
once restored to the normal position, closing the circuit, by the spring w'. When
the push button is released and returned to its normal position by a spring we the
cross-piece turns on its pivot to permit its end to pass the movable member of the
circuit closer, which it does without again breaking the circuit. The depression of
the push button w³ thus causes a single break in the circuit of short duration
sufficient to act on the relay r at the main office and set the signal S' in operation,
but as the operation of said signal will not be accompanied by a message on the
register R it will be understood as a call to the telephone and not a call for aid.
The telephonic instruments at the main office are not shewn as they are of usual
character and may be switched into or out from any of the circuits coming into
the office in any usual manner.
The usual magneto telephones may be employed at the boxes and used both for
transmitting and receiving, thus avoiding the necessity of maintaining a local
battery circuit at each box.
It is to be understood that any of the well known transmitting devices having a
notched or equivalent circuit controlling surface and means to actuate it or its
cooperating member so as to automatically produce a definite series of changes in
circuit is the equivalent of the break-wheel and motor, which is merely shewn as
illustrating a simple, convenient, and familiar form of automatic signal transmitter.
The signals may be transmitted from the boxes in the plan shewn in Figure 12,
just as in that shewn in figure 5, by cutting resistance (indicated in dotted lines
at R) in and out of the circuit.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
First. A signal box containing the following elements in combination; an
automatic transmitter having a circuit controlling surface and an actuating motor, 5
a winding device for said motor, an actuating device for the said winding device
arranged to wind and then release the motor, and a locking device to engage and
retain the said actuating device inoperative while the motor is running, substan-
tially as described.
Second. In a signal box, a motor and series of break-wheels operated thereby
combined with a series of pulls each corresponding to one of said break wheels,
each of said pulls winding the motor and placing the corresponding break-wheel in
control of the circuit, substantially as described.
Third. In a signal box, a motor and series of break-wheels operated simul-
taneously thereby, combined with a series of pulls for winding the said motor, each
corresponding to one of said break wheels and a locking device controlled by the
said motor by means of which the pulls are all rendered inoperative after one
has been operated, until the signal is completely transmitted, substantially as
described.
Fourth. In a municipal telegraph apparatus a signal box containing a motor,
and series of break-wheels operated thereby, and resistance and a shunt therefor
controlled by said break-wheels, and a circuit controlling device and means for
operating the same by which a momentary break is produced in the circuit when
some of said break-wheels are operated but not when others are, and a receiving
instrument at the main office responding to changes in current strength produced
by the introduction and removal of the resistance at the box, and an indicating
signal at the main office to respond to a total interruption of the current but not
to the reduction in current strength produced by the introduction of resistance at
the box, substantially as described.
Fifth. In a municipal telegraph apparatus a pole changer and motor therefor at
the main office by which the line current may be continually reversed, combined
with a signal box and circuit connecting the same with the main office, and a
polarizing signalling instrument in the said box, and a normally closed shunt of
low resistance around said instrument, and circuit breaker therein, whereby the
said shunt may be opened and cause the signal to indicate whether or not the pole
changer at the main office is in operation, substantially as, and for the purpose
described.
Sixth. A signal box and a signal transmitting device therein, and a pull for
operating the said transmitter the said pull being arranged to be operated by a key
from the outside of the box, combined with a series of indicating pointers operated
by the key and making an indication corresponding to the shape of the key,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
Seventh. The combination with a key of an indicating pointer actuated by the
said key and means for retaining it in the position it is left by the key for the
purpose of making an indication corresponding to the key acting upon it, substan-
tially as described.
Eighth. In a telegraph apparatus, a signal box and a motor and break-wheel
operated thereby in said box, said break-wheel acting to produce a series of changes
in the current, combined with a receiving station connected in circuit with the said
signal box, and a receiving instrument adjusted to respond to the current changes
produced by the break-wheel at the box, and a signalling instrument adjusted
to be unaffected by the changes produced by the break-wheel but having its
operation controlled by a change in current of different character, substantially as
described.
Ninth. In a telegraph apparatus, a signal box or out station and main office or
receiving station connected in circuit therewith containing the following instru-
mentalities an instrument at the main office for producing changes in the line

page_text: current as long as it remains in operation, and means for controlling its operation,
operated by the attendant at the main office, combined with a signal receiving
instrument at the box, normally irresponsive to the instrument at the main office.
whether the latter is in operation or not, and a controlling device adapted to be
operated by the person at the box by which the said instrument is rendered
responsive to the instrument at the main office if the latter be in operation
substantially as described.
Tenth. A signal box and automatic transmitting device therein, combined with
a key having a detachable indicating portion and a catch for said detachable
portion, whereby the latter is removed from the key when the key is withdrawn
from the box, the said key when in the box engaging and operating the automatic
transmitting device, substantially as described.
Eleventh. A signal box and automatic transmitting device therein, combined
with a key composed of a main portion and detachable indicating portion
cooperating with the transmitting device as described, the entire key being
capable of operating the transmitting device, while the main portion alone is
insufficient to operate the transmitting device, and a catch that retains the
detachable portion of the key when the main portion is removed from the box,
substantially as described.
Twelfth. A telegraph apparatus comprising a series of stations and metallic
circuit connecting the same and normally open earth branches at the said stations,
and a switch at one station by which the earth branch at said station may be
closed, and normally open circuit closers and signalling instruments in the branches
at the other stations, whereby an earth circuit may be established through the said
signalling instrument if the switch is closed at the other station, substantially as
and for the purpose described.