Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Mar., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 12th July, 1887.
[Communicated from abroad by JAMES F. MCLAUGHLIN, of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Electrician.]
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the county of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E. 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 fun Electro-Pneumatic Despatch tube System for
transmitting goods, parcels, letters &c. from different initial terminal or stations,
located at suitable and intermediate points along the line through a system of
underground pneumatic tubes, properly arranged and provided with certain
appurtenances, and auxiliary devices essential to the proper operation and convenience
of said system.
This invention has for its object :-
1st. To construct and arrange an electro-pneumatic despatch service or system in
which, one tube serves the double purpose of both sending and receiving the carrier
over the line, between any one station and the central office or exchange thereby
simplifying the construction and operation of said system, insuring the certain
delivery and return of the carrier, and the dispensing with more than half of the
tubes now in ordinary use in such systems.
2nd. To furnish each tube with certain new and improved electro-mechanical
devices for indicating the departure and arrival of the carrier to the operator; and
3rd. To provide means, whereby the power applied for transmitting the carriers
through said tubes or conveyors, can be so changed and directed as to cause the said
carrier to be forwarded or returned by the agency of the transmitting power, and
through the same tube.
With these ends in view, this invention consists in certain details of construction,
arrangement and combination of parts, which will be more particularly and fully
described hereinafter; and the points of novelty in which, will be designated in tho
appended claims.

page_text: Referring to the accompanying drawings:-
-
Figure 1, is a view in elevation of the exchange end of the different tubes, the
pressure and suction blowers for imparting differential motion through the distri-
buting pipes to the carriers, the branches connecting the tubes proper with the
distributing pipes, and the valves for changing the motion from pressure to suction or
vice versa.
Figure 2, is an elevation, partly in section, showing the exchange and station ends
of each underground tube, and the electro-mechanical devices arranged in the ends
thereof for signalling and operating the same, at the arrival and departure of the
carrier.
Figure 3, is a view in elevation of the exchange or switch end of the tubes,
showing all the tubes congregated together, and provided with the hinged doors for
closing the ends thereof.
Figure 4, is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, showing the carrier within
the tube, and the devices arranged on the end thereof for signalling the arrival and
departure of said carrier.
Figure 5, is a longitudinal sectional view of an improved carrier designed to fit and
travel through the pneumatic tubes.
Figure 6, is a transverse section of the same.
Figure 7, is a longitudinal sectional view of carrier, showing hinged central
shaft.
Figure 8, is a detail perspective view, showing the manner of hinging the covering
or ribs of the carrier.
Figure 9, is a perspective view of the central hinged flexible shaft of the carrier,
which both serves the purpose of securing the parts of said carrier together, and of a
paper roll, as will be hereinafter explained.
Figure 10, is a detail perspective view of one of the doors for the ends of the
pneumatic tubes.
Like letters of reference mark the same parts in all the figures of the drawings.
Referring to the drawings by letters, A. A. A, are a number of pneumatic tubes,
arranged as shown, radiating from the central office or exchange, station B, to the
different initial stations D, D, located at suitable or desirable points throughout the
store, warehouse, or other locality in which the system is placed.
The tubes are preferably arranged the most of their length underground, as shown
in Figure 2, with the ends connecting with the exchange or central office B, and the
stations D, D, emerging from underground at convenient points near said stations, as
shown in Figure 2.
These tubes are preferably of iron, of convenient size to accommodate the carrier,
and the necessary thickness to withstand the pressure of transmitting power for
carriers.
In this system, as before stated, there is but one tube connecting with any one
station D, and the exchange B, which conveys the carrier to or from the exchange
or central office B, and the station, as will appear from the explanations given
hereinafter.
In describing the hereinbefore mentioned system, we will premise or suppose that
it is located in a store or warehouse having a cashier desk or bundle counter, and
different stations situated at certain points where it may be desirable to have them,
by means of underground conveying tubes communicating or connecting with the
cashiers desk or other initial station.
By arranging this system to conveniently meet the requirements of such store or
warehouse, it is deemed preferable to have the exchange or central office B, located
at the cashiers desk or bundle counter, as that point would naturally be the
destination of most of the carriers sent from remote initial stations; therefore, from
the above explanation, it will be hereinafter understood that the converging point or
exchange B, is identical with the cashiers desk, and the blower or fan for imparting
the transmitting power is arranged underneath and in connection with the two

page_text: distributors E, E', so that the operator can readily apply and direct said power at
will, by certain devices hereinafter explained.
Referring to Figure 2, A, A, A, A, represent the pneumatic tubes connecting with
the different stations D, D, and centering or converging at the exchange B, in the
manner shown, so that each and every tube will be within easy reach and manipulation
of operator.
F, F, each, designates a straight metallic pipe of smaller diameter than tubes A, A,
opening at their tops into said tubes, and communicating at their bottom with the
power distributing pipe E, and midway on each of these pipes F, F, between the
tubes A, A and the distributing pipe E, is jointed the curved elbow pipes G, G, which
communicate with said pipes F, F, at the top of the second distributing pipe E¹, at
the bottom.
The pipes F, F, and G, G, are securely jointed to tubes A, A, and distributors E, E¹
by suitable air-tight couplings, as shown, and are each provided with a valve a, a,
respectively secured immediately above the distributor E, E, in ground joints b, b,
for the purpose of controlling the power accumulated in said distributors and supplied
by the pressure and suction blowers A¹, B₁ suitably connected to the distributors by
straight funnels or pipes H, H.
These distributing pipes E, E¹, are designed to be constantly charged and supplied
respectively with pressure and suction from the blowers A, B, and might be
preferably of larger diameter than the tubes A, A, in order to withstand the heavy
pressure or suction from said blowers.
Thus, when either one of the valves a, a¹, is opened, either pressure or suction is
admitted in tubes A, A, through pipes F, F, or G, G, from distributing pipes E, E',
thereby furnishing a transmitting or motive power for the carrier, either to or from
the exchange B, through the same tube, and in order to prevent said suction or
pressure from expanding or injuring by its sudden introduction, any of the
tubes A, A said tubes are curved or headed, as shown in Figure 2, so that the power
admitted for distributors will be somewhat diffused into the course or direction of the
tube A.
At each end of the tubes A, A, are pivotally hinged the doors I, I which prevent
the egress of the air from the tubes and are each provided with a spring catch c,
which engages with a similar catch c¹, on the other end of the tubes and serves to
prevent said doors from swinging beyond a centre, and holds it in a closed position.
c, is another spring secured at one end of the top and end of the tube, having a
lip or tongue at its end for engaging with a pin projection d, on the door I, so as to
hold the door open when desired.
J, J, designate the receivers or aprons for the reception of the carrier when it has
been discharged from the open tube by the agency of the transmitting power.
One of the aprons J, J, is secured at the end of the tube, both at each and every
initial station and at the exchange B.
When an operator at any of the initial stations D, D desires to send the carrier to
any destination whatsoever, he first removes the hinged door I, and inserts the said
carrier in the open end of the tube; this action automatically, by means of certain
electro-mechanical devices hereinafter explained, signals or indicates to the operator
at the exchange B, that the carrier has started to its destination, and he consequently
opens the door at the exchange so that the carrier may fall in the apron or
receiver J, J.
The electro-mechanical apparatus for signalling the arrival and departure of the
carrier at the different initial or terminal stations and exchange, consists in providing
each station end of the tubes A, A with a depending spring, secured at its inner end
to the binding post.
This spring may be rigidly fastened to said binding post so as to have sufficient
flexibility at its depending or projecting portion f, to make contact with plate g,
which is secured to second binding post f, and insulated from spring; or, may be
pivotally fastened and provided with a finger or stud for making such contact when
the carrier is inserted, às may be desired.

page_text: It will be understood that only the terminal station ends of the tubes A, A, are
provided with the springs & g, and binding posts f¹ and f; the exchange end of
each tube merely having an annunciating apparatus A', electrically connected by
means of line to the binding post ml, of each terminal station, which, in turn, is
locally electrically connected to both the switch point m, and the spring f
The electro-mechanical annunciating apparatus A', at exchange B, consists of the
magnet K, having its lower pole h, converted and brought up parallel to its height,
the pivoted elbow-shaped armature L, secured on the vertical or upper end of said
pole, the bell-rod i, attached to the end of the horizontal arm of said armature,-the
gong M, the platej, pivoted at its lower end, insulated from magnet K, and having
catch on its upper end to normally engage the horizontal arm of armature L; said
plate being provided with a small spring k, near its pivot, the tendency of which is to
throw down plate j, when the magnet K, attracts armature L.
The annunciating devices A", at terminal or station ends of the tubes A, A, are
similar to A¹, in construction, except there is no necessity of having the plate j,
insulated from magnet K.
The line circuit extends from each binding post m, over tube A, to the corresponding
binding post m³, at station end.
O, designates a button switch of the ordinary construction, having the contact
point m, the stop m¹, and the switch lever m
111
The lever m, is electrically connected by wire p, with binding post m', as shown,
and the switch-point m¹ is in circuit with the magnet K, of annunciating device A",
and spring g, respectively by wires p', p".
111
The binding post m¹, is also connected by wire p¹ with spring, and the magnet K,
is electrically connected by wire u, with ground.
Thus, when a carrier is inserted in the mouth of tube A, at station D, the
switch point, not being in contact with lever m1111, the spring f, is forced in contact
with spring g, which automatically closes the circuit from battery M', up through
wire o, pole h, armature L, plate j, wire o¹, and the magnet K, of annunciator A", is
energized, which causes the attraction of armature L, and allows the plate j, to be
forced down by action of spring k, thereby announcing to exchange that carrier is
ready at that particular initial station.
The current then passes out of magnet K, by wire o¹¹, over the line, through
wire, into spring f. The operator at station D, now changes the lover m¹
bringing it in contact with point m¹11.
'
Now, when operator at exchange wishes to signal to station D, that carrier has
started back, he merely replaces drop or plate j, (which has been previously forced
down by signal from station D,) which action will close the circuit from battery M³,
and the lever m, being as before stated in contact with point m, the current will
pass over the line, up through wire p, lever m, point m¹, wire p', into magnet K, of
apparatus A, thereby energizing said magnet, causing the attraction of armature L,
and the drop of plate, which will notify to station D, that carrier has started from
exchange. The current then passes over wire u, to ground.
As shown in Figure 2, the tubes A, A, are insulated so as to prevent ground
connection.
Each station has of course, a chart conveniently placed within vision of the
operator or clerk, which indicates the different numbers or letters of the different
stations.
The carrier designed to be used in connection with the pneumatic system is of
improved construction, being arranged so as to travel around curves in the tubes A,
and arranged to facilitate the action of the transmitting power.
This carrier however, I do not desire to particularly describe nor claim in this
application, it, together with the engine for supplying the transmitting power, being
designed to form subject matter for separate applications.
The operation of this invention is as follows:-
Should a clerk or salesman desire to send a carrier from station
Figure 3, to station numbered 2, same figure, he removes lever m
11
>
numbered 1, in
of switch O, if

page_text: in contact with point m, puts the desired money or article in carrier, closes it securely,
opens the door I, (it being understood that the operator at exchange has the pressure
valve of station (1) closed, and suction valve open) and inserts said carrier, which
bears marked upon it, the number of the station (2) to which it is destined, into the
tube, which action, causes the spring to form contact with plate g, signals
annunciator at station (1), and the same similarly signals to operator at exchange
that carrier from No. 1, has started, and therefore exchange operator opens door 1,
then, operator places switch lever m, in contact with point m, as previously
explained.
When carrier marked No. 2, reaches the exchange, it falls into the apron J, and
the operator then picks up carrier from said apron or receiver J, J, notes its
destination marked thereon, closes valve a¹, of pipe E¹, of the tube which com-
municates with station No. 2, opens valve a, of pipe E, of same tube which changes
power from suction to pressure, opens door of tube leading to station No. 2,
inserts carrier, which necessarily (as before described) signals to clerk or salesman
at No. 2, that carrier is coming from exchange, and closes the door I, of tube leading
to No. 2.
When carrier reaches station No. 2, it is taken out of apron by operator, opened,
and contents disposed of, then operator at exchange changes pressure to suction, the
clerk at No. 2 re-marks and replaces carrier, thereby again notifying exchange
operator that carrier is returning.
When carrier again arrives at exchange, operator by replacing plate j, to position
shown at exchange Figure 2, signals back to No. 2; the operator removes it from
apron, changes suction of tube loading to No. 1, to pressure inserts carrier in said
tube, and it (the carrier) is returned to its original station (No. 1), then the exchange
operator changes the power of both tubes (1 and 2) back to suction.
In this before described manner, articles such as goods, letters, parcels &c. can be
readily, quickly and simply conveyed from one station to another and return with
certainty, ease and rapidity.
I am aware that an electro pneumatic system for transmitting despatches having:
First. An apparatus for introducing into a receiving chamber at the end of the
message pipe, compressed air.
Second. A mechanism for opening communication between said pipe and the air
exhaust.
Third. Means for cutting off, at will, both the compressed air and exhaust
chambers; and
Fourth. An electro-mechanical arrangement for automatically cutting off the
compressed air, has been used heretofore, however, such, 1 do not claim, inasmuch
as the main or compressed air chamber is operated by pistons and valves, which in
turn, are actuated by a series of auxiliary valves and pistons-the exhaust and
compressed air chambers being connected by pipes with a cylinder which is operated
by keys or buttons, and spring valve-and the message tube or pipe is provided
with an air compressing apparatus, and a cut off mechanism consisting of a piston
and slide valve are arranged between said message tube and the receiving
chamber.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :—
AL
1. The means for actuating and conveying a carrier in either direction which
consists of the distributing pipes, holding respectively, pressure and suction power
branched pipe connecting each conveying tube with both distributing pipes, the valve
located in each branch of the connecting pipe, and a series of conveying tubes
arranged and constructed in the manner herein before described.
2. In a pneumatic despatch tube system, the apparatus for conducting and
controlling the power which actuates the carriers in either direction, consisting of a

page_text: series of branched pipes, cach, opening at its top in a conveying tube and
communicating respectively by its branches or lower ends with the distributing pipes,
a valve located in each branch of said branched pipes, and the distributing pipes
arranged and constructed to operate substantially as set forth.
3. The combination of the two reservoir or distributing pipes suitably connected
with an engine for producing the transmitting power, with a series of branched
pipes respectively communicating with said distributing pipes at their bottoms,
and opening at their tops into the conveying tubes, a controlling valve located in
each branch of the branched pipes, and the series of conveying tubes as shown and
described.
4. The combination of a suitable carrier, the conveying insulated tubes, the
mechanism for controlling and directing the pressure and suction power at exchange
and the electro-mechanical signalling apparatus arranged at each end of the conveying
tubes as described.
5. The combination of the two distributing pipes, the pipes F, F, and G, G, the
valves a, a, and the doors I, I, with the tubes A, A, as set forth.
6. The combination of the tubes A, A, the battery, the electrical connections, the
annunciating devices, A¹ and A, and the switch Ŏ, as specified.
7. The combination of the pneumatic conveying tubes, the distributing pipes,
holding respectively pressure and suction power, the branched pipes provided with
controlling valves and respectively connecting the tubes with the distributing pipes
and the electro-mechanical signalling devices arranged on each end of tubes with a
suitable carrier designed to fit in and travel through said tubes as set forth.
8. The combination of the distributing pipes E, E', with the pipes F, F, and G, G,
as set forth.
9. The combination of the two distributing pipes, the pipes F, F, and G, G, and
the valves a, a¹, as set forth.
10. The combination of the two distributing pipes F, F, and G, G, the valves a, a¹,
and the tubes A, A, as set forth.
11. The combination of the metallic tubes conducting the current from battery
located at exchange to the initial station, with the electro-mechanical signalling
apparatus arranged at each end of tubes substantially as described.
12. The combination of the metallic tubes for conducting the current from battery
located at the exchange to the initial station, with the electro-mechanical devices for
signalling, both at exchange and station, and a suitably constructed carrier and means
for conveying the said carrier back and forth through the system of pneumatic tubes
as described.
13. The combination of the spring f, contact plate g, the circuit tubes A, A, the
magnets, the pivoted armatures and the annunciating devices attached to, and operated
by said armatures, as set forth.
DL 151 day of ML 1007