Improvements in Signalling, Indicating, or Communicating, Especially Adapted for Police Signal Purposes, and in Means or Apparatus Employed therein.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1889--Accepted, 27th Sept., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Signalling, Indicating, or Communicating, Especially
Adapted for Police Signal Purposes, and in Means or Apparatus
Employed therein.
"
I JOHN CORNELIUS WILSON of 51 State Street, Boston, in the State of Massachusetts,
one of the United States of America lo 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 has for its object to construct an individual visual or light signal
system especially adapted for police signal purposes wherein a series of visual or light
signals are arranged on a signal wire and operable independently by means located at
the central office, and also to construct and arrange the circuits whereby they may be
free from inductive influence or substantially so.
My invention consists in the combination of the following elements :-an electric
circuit, a main station, and a series of sub-stations, each sub-station containing a visual
signal preferably a light signal, and an electro-magnet controlling its operation, and an
electro-magnetically moving step-by-step individual-call-switch controlling the circuit
of the said visual or light signal operating magnet, and a circuit changing device at
the main station by which said switches are controlled.
Also in a municipal telegraph system comprising a main office and several sub-
stations, of boxes connected by a single wire, the combination substantially as described
of circuit changing devices contained in the boxes for transmitting signals, a receiving
instrument such as a Morse register at the main office for receiving the said signals
from the boxes, with visual or light signals, and electro-magnets controlling their
operation, and electro-magnetically movable step-by-step individual-call-switches
controlling the circuits, the said light signal operating magnets, and a circuit changing
device at the main station for effecting the movement of the said switches whereby
two independent systems of communication are effected over one wire between the
main and the several sub-stations, namely, a system of signalling from the several sub-
stations to the main station for aid etc., and a system of light signaling from the main
station to the several sub-stations independently to call the attention of a passing
officer, substantially as described.
Also in a signaling apparatus comprising a main station and several light signal
stations connected by an electric circuit, releasing magnets included in branch
circuits, and electro-magnetically movable step-by-step devices included in other
branch circuits and normally forming a shunt for the releasing magnets, a polarized
magnet controlling switch for closing the branch circuits containing the releasing
magnets and opening the branch circuits containing the operating electro-maguets
of the step-by-step devices, combined with the circuit changing devices at the
central station for effecting the operation of the electro-magnets of the step-by-step
devices, a battery reversing instrument for effecting the movement of the polarized
magnet controlling switch, and other circuit changing devices for effecting the
operation of the releasing magnets.
Also in a light signal system comprising a main station and light signal stations
connected by an electric circuit, the combination of the releasing electro-magnets
for the light signals, electro-magnetically movable stop-by-step individual-call-
switches for independently including in the circuit the said releasing magnets, and
a unison substantially as shown and described for the individual-call-devices of the
circuit changing devices at the main station for effecting the operation of the
electro-magnet for the unison and another circuit changing device at the main
station for effecting the operation of the electro-magnetically movable step-by-step
individual-call-switches, and a circuit controller at the main station for transmitting

page_text: impulses of different character for effecting the releasing magnets when properly
included in the circuit.
Also in a light signal system comprising a main station and several light signal
stations connected by an electric circuit, the combination with releasing magnets
included in branch circuits and individual-call-switches included in other branch
circuits short circuiting the said releasing magnets, electro-magnets included in
other branch circuits for moving said individual-call-switches, and a polarized
magnet controlling switch for closing a branch circuit containing the releasing
magnets and for opening the branch circuit containing the electro-magnets for the
individual-call-switches, and a unison substantially as described for the circuit changing
devices at the main station, the resistance coil, the pole changer and keys.
Also in two metallic circuits or loops arranged adjacent to each other, combined
with telephonic instruments and a condenser included in multiple arc between the said
two circuits, whereby if desired the light signal operating magnets, circuit controller
therefor may be in one loop, and the multiple signal transmitters and the receiver in
the other loop.
Also in two metallic circuits or loops arranged adjacent to each other, one of which
contains circuit changing devices, a battery and a receiving instrument, combined
with telephonic instruments and a condenser included in multiple are between said
metallic circuits or loops.
Also in two circuits combined with a cross or connecting wire including telephonic
instruments and a condenser.
Also in a single metallic circuit or loop including wires running adjacent to each
other, combined with condensers and telephonic instruments arranged in multiple arc
between the said wires.
Also in a metallic circuit or loop, a resistance included at the remote end of the
loop, combined with the connecting wires and telephonic instruments, and a condenser
including said connecting wires.
Also in a single circuit for sending and receiving signals arranged in two contiguous
parts, combined with condensers and telephonic instruments, arranged in multiple are
between the said contiguous parts.
Also in a signaling circuit comprising contiguous or adjacent wires and connecting
wires including or containing telephones and condensers, signal boxes included in
one of the contiguons wires for sending signals to the central office and light signals
included in the other contiguous wire for receiving signals from the central office.
Fig. 1 shows in diagram independently operable step-by-step devices at a visual or
light signal station, the releasing devices for the visual or light signals, and a unison
which may be employed; also the apparatus at the central station for operating the
visual or light signal controlling devices,
Fig. 2, an electric circuit arranged to be free from inductive influences in which
the instruments and devices shown in Fig. 1 may be included or connected,
Fig. 3, a modification of the circuit shown in Fig. 2,
Fig. 4, a side view and partial section of a light signal employed,
Fig. 5, a motor mechanism to be used in connection with said light signal shown
in Fig. 4,
Fig. 6, a modified form of light signal employed,
Fig. 7, another modification of a visual signal desirable in some instances and
Fig. 8, a diagramatical arrangement of parts which will be horeafter described,
where the code signaling and light signaling are done over separate circuits.
The circuit a, see Fig. 2, is represented as a metallic circuit including the
battery a, circuit changing devices a, and a receiving relay a, and hence may be
termed the signaling circuit.
The circuit changing devices a may be multiple signal transmitters contained in
boxes, such as shown and described in English patent No. 2799 dated Mar. 3-1885 ;
and so also the receiving apparatus included or connected in the signal circuit may
be as shown and described in English patent No. 4256 'dated Mar. 22—1887.
The circuit & represented in dotted lines is shown as a metallic or complete loop

page_text: extended substantially parallel to the circuit a³ or in nearer proximity thereto than
any disturbing wire will be placed.
The signal box contains a telephone, a condenser and these instruments represented
at c, care included between the two circuits a, b, by wire d in multiple arc, a
switch as a preferably being employed to open said connecting wire.
Any disturbing wire acts to cause momentary and disturbing impulses of like
intensity and polarity to traverse the two wires between which the condenser and
telephones are connected, and these impulses necessarily act inductively to neutralize
and destroy each other in the same manner as if the telephones were connected in a
conducting circuit instead of an inducting one.
The circuit a³ may be used as the signaling circuit and if desired the circuit 6*
may include batteries to be used as the light signaling circuit to be described, and as
shewn in Fig. 8, although the single wire may include or be used for both.
Referring to Figs. 1, 4, 5, instruments to comprise a light signal system are
shown included in a single wire, the circuit changing device by which code signals
are shown, being omitted.
The light signal which I prefer to use consists of an ordinary lantern A mounted
in usual manner on the top of the post A', and enclosing the gas pipe a, and tip a¹.
A tube a surrounds the gas pipe a, and is adapted to be moved vertically, said
tube supporting at its upper end, as by a bracket or frame a³, a colored glass globe or
screen a*.
The globe or screen a consists of a metallic frame having side walls of glass, and
the said frame at its lower end has an inwardly turned flange a which, as the globe
is raised engages a corresponding outwardly turned flange a of a similar colored
glass globe or screen a' contained within the globe or screen a*, and raises the said
globe or screen a' telescopically.
By this arrangement a two part globe or screen is formed which, when in its
normal position offers no obstruction to the rays of light, and affords no distinguish-
able signal except when enclosing the illuminating flame.
At the lower end of the tube a² a collar a³ is secured, which rests upon or is
secured to a spiral spring a³, also encircling the gas pipe, the said spring when the
two-part globe is in its normal position being compressed.
The collar a has a pin a to which is fastened a cord a", which passes around
a drum a¹³ loosely mounted on a shaft a".
Upon one end of the drum a pawl a is attached which engages the teeth of a
ratchet wheel a 16 secured to the shaft a¹.
A gear wheel 2 is fixed to the shaft a¹, which engages a gear wheel fixed to a
shaft a, and a gear wheel 4 is fixed to the shaft at which engages a gear wheel 5
fixed to a shaft as which revolves with an escape wheel 6 fixed to the shaft a¹ which
has co-oporating with it a suitable pallet 7.
The armature 8 of the electro magnet b has a pin which engages the pallet so that
when the armaturo is attracted toward the poles of the said magnet the pallet will be
released.
This train of gearing serves to hold the spring compressed, and when released
serves as a retarding device for the upwardly moving tube.
Another or independent cord 9 is wound around the drum a¹ in a direction
opposite to that of the cord a12, and as the drum is rotated, or the tube is moving
upwardly the said cord 9 will be wound, and when it is desired to keep the tube
down the cord 9 will be drawn to thereby rotate the drum a¹³ in the opposite direction
and wind upon it the cord a".
Ench light-signal station will have a light-signal and operating mechanism similar
to that just described, the electro-magnets b serving as the release magnets.
The electro-magnet b at each light-signal station is included in a branch wire 10
leading from the main line wire c, but said magnet is short-circuited by the wire 13
leading from the main line wire c, and extending through a shaft d, circuit wheel d¹,
and pen d³.
A ratchet tooth wheel d³ is also fixed to the shaft d which is engaged by a pawl d'

page_text: loosely connected with the upper end of a pawl carrying arm d³, which has at its
lower end an armature do of the electro-magnet d'.
The electro-magnet d' is included in a branch wire 12 leading from the main line
wire c.
The electro-magnet d' is employed to move the shaft d forward step-by-step, and is
energized by an increase in the strength of the current.
To effect this result, at the central station a main battery B is included in the line,
and also a heavy resistance coil B¹.
At the central station a wire 14 leads from the main line wire c at one side of the
resistance coil B¹, and including the pen e, circuit wheel e', and connecting with the
main line c at the opposite side of the said resistance coil thereby when closed serving
as a shunt for the resistance coil, and increasing the strength of the current.
The circuit wheel e¹ will be understood as being revolved by any suitablo motor
mechanism, preferably set in operation by a pull, and a pointer or arm e³ is fixed to
the shaft to which the said circuit wheel is attached and as the circuit wheel is
revolved, its projections making contact with the pen e closes the shunt 14 thereby
cutting out the resistance coil B', and for each impulse of increased tension the
electro-magnet will respond.
A spirally grooved hub of insulating material is fixed to the shaft d, it having
at a determined point a stop pin f; and an arm f³, hinged at 3, and pivoted at f
is provided on its under-side with a pin f which follows in the spiral groove of said
hub, so that as the hub is revolved by the shaft d, the armi f' will be swung on
its pivot.
The arm occupies a position between the arms of the forked lever g fixed to a
pivoted armature g' of a polarized electro-magnet, and when said armature g' is
moved from its normal position, as herein shown, to its abnormal position, the arm f
will be raised sufficiently to remove its pin f³ from the groove of the hub, and when
the arm is thus lifted the spring facts to swing the arm on its pivot back to its
normal position so that as the arm g' is restored to its normal position the pin ƒ³
of the arm will again enter the groove of the hub f
This pivot and hinged arm f2, and the means herein shown for moving it constitute
the unison.
I have herein shown the ratchet wheel das having twelve teeth, and hence twelve
impulses will effect a complete rotation of the shaft & and will move the arm f³ so
that the pin fo will bear against the stop pin f' of the hub, but I have herein shown
the circuit wheel e as having fifteen projections, so that in case of any accident all
the ratchet wheels of the light-signal stations will upon the occurrence of fifteen
successive impulses arrive at unison point.
To effect the operation of the unison, the main circuit c includes the battery B, the
shunt 14, or the resistance coil B₁ at the central station, and the branch wire 12,
contact springs g³, forked lever 9, wire 15, polarized electro-magnet g³, and at the
completion of the fifteen impulses the polarity of the line is reversed.
This is accomplished (as herein shewn) by providing at the central station a
battery reversing instrument C, and an electro-magnet H for operating it, the said
electro-magnet being included in a local circuit 17 containing a local battery 18, a
contact pen 19, a projection 20 secured to insulating material on the circuit
wheel c¹.
When the said circuit wheel el arrives at a position whereby the projection 20
makes contact with the pen 19, the local circuit 17 is closed energizing the electro-
magnet H and changing the battery reversing instrument or polo changer C.
At such time the polarized electro-magnet 2 is effected and the lever lifted to
thereby permit restoration of the parts as above described.
It will be seen that when the pole changer C is operated, the polarized electro-
magnets at all the light-signal stations will be effected simultaneously, so that
all the circuit wheels as d will occupy the same relative position called unison
point.
The circuit wheels as d' for each box have a single notch or insulated portion,

page_text: each arranged at a different distance from unison point but corresponding with the
teeth of the ratchet wheel, the circuit wheel herein shown, having its insulated portion
to correspond with the fourth tooth of the ratchet wheel thereby requiring four
impulses to move the shaft d sufficiently to bring the insulated portion beneath the
contact pen d².
As I have provided the ratchet wheel with twelve teeth I may employ on the
circuit twelve different light-signal stations, and the circuit wheel e' at the central
office has in addition to the projections heretofore described twelve projections, and
a dial plate is provided having holes to receive a pin as which will be struck by the
pointer in its rotation to thereby stop the circuit wheel at any point desired, the pin
being herein shewn as placed in a hole which when struck will stop the circuit wheel
after it has rotated sufficiently to transmit in addition to the fifteen unison impulses,
and the one pole changer impulse four impulses to thereby bring the insulated portion
of the circuit wheel beneath its contact pen.
When the circuit wheel d¹ occupies a position whereby its insulated. portion is
beneath its contact pen the circuit 13 of the branch 10 will be opened, and it then
remains to close the branch 10 and energize the electro-magnet b.
To close this branch 10, the forked lever g is lifted by reversing the pole changer,
it being accomplished by depressing the key to close the local circuit 17 and theroby
energize the electro-magnet : and to energize the electro-magnet b, and release
the light-signal, (it being understood that it is responsive only to a current of
considerably greater strength than the normal strength of the line) the resistance
coil B is shunted out by the key which closes a branch around the said coil
practically eliminating it from the circuit and thereby increasing the strength of the
ling for the purpose of affecting the light signal operating magnet.
I have herein shown the keys i, i, as arranged one above the other, so that the
pressure of one effects the closing of both, so that the pole changer will be operated
and the resistance coil B' shunted in succession.
It will be seen that just as soon as the pole changer is effected by the movement of
the key i, the forked lever g will be lifted thereby opening the brancb 12, and hence
immediately thereafter increasing the strength of the current has no effect upon the
electro-magnet d².
By removing the pin h³ the circuit wheel e' completes its rotation, and also completes
the rotation of the shafts, as d, at all the light-signal stations.
It will thus be seen from the foregoing that any light signal in the circuit may be
operated at will as desired.
Instead of employing the circuit shown in Fig. 2, I may use the circuit shown in
Fig. 3, wherein the metallic circuit comprises the wires a, b, arrayed to form a
complete loop.
The circuit ax, 6x includes the battery a* and relay a".
In this instance cross or connecting wires a are arranged between the
wires a, b, in multiple arc, they containing telephonic instruments and a
condenser.
It will be seen that the said connecting wires a together with the wires ax, 6x, or
portions of them form independent metallic loops, and to prevent their short-circuiting
at the remote ends of the line, resistances will be included.
In this instance .any disturbing wire will act to cause momentary disturbing
impulses of like intensity and polarity to traverse the two wires between which the
condensers and telephones are connected, and these impulses necessarily act inductively
to neutralize and destroy each other in the same manner as if the telephones were
connected in a conductive circuit instead of an inductive one.
Instead of the particular form of light shewn in Fig. 4 the form shewn in Fig. 6
may be used, it representing an ordinary globe (colored) attached to a tube
adapted to be raised by a spring being released by the electro magnet b, and
returned by hand.
'
In Figure 7, in lieu of the light shown a visual signal or disk is shown, moving
back of an opening, and controlled by the electro magnet b (such as already described)

page_text: the armature b¹ of the said magnet is attached to an armature carrying lever, 63, to
which a target or disk 63, is secured, which moves back of an opening in the face
opening 6, in the face plate , of the box said plate being broken away to expose the
magnet & back of it.
The opening will be covered by a piece of glass as 6, and the door d will have
an opening d supplied with a piece of glass d². Or a gas jet to be lighted by an
electric impulse sent from the central or operating station, may be substituted for, or
be used to supplement the disk, the light being arranged to shine out through an
oponing filled with glass, stained, or clear, as a signal to attract the attention of
constables on their beats.
In this latter instance the visual signal is enclosed in the box.
For this purpose any suitable known form of automatic electric gas burner, regulator
and igniter may be employed.
In some cases an automatic electric gas burner, regulator and igniter of any suitable
known construction may be placed at the back of each of a number of openings
arranged around the largest diameter of a globe supported on a pedestal projecting
from the box containing the signalling apparatus, and by the ignition of a gas jet or
jets within said globe a light will be caused to be shed out through one or more
openings, to signal to those on duty that aid is needed.
The globe will be the form most suitable for a public square or space approachable
in several directions but where the directions of approach aro vory limited the
containing case instead of being globular may be flat sided and the openings may be
say three on each; and the apertures may be coloured to indicate different signals
and the jets behind be ignited accordingly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
In signalling, indicating or communicating especially between police or their agents
and in means or apparatus employed therein.
1: The combination of the following clements :-an electric circuit, a main station,
and a series of sub-stations, each sub-station containing a visual signal preferably a
light signal, and an electro-magnet controlling its operation, and an electro-
magnetically moving step-by-step individual-call-switch controlling the circuit of the
said visual or light signal operating magnet, and a circuit changing device at the
main station by which said switches are controlled substantially as described.
2-In a municipal tolograph system comprising a main office and several sub-
stations, of boxes connected by a single wire, the combination substantially as
described of circuit changing devices contained in boxes for transmitting signals, a
receiving instrument at the main office for receiving the said signals from the boxes,
with visual or light signals, and electro-magnets controlling their operation, and
electro-magnetically movable step-by-step individual-call-switches controlling the
circuits, the said light signal operating magnets, and a circuit changing device at
the main station for effecting the movement of the said switches whereby two
independent systems of communication are effected over one wire between the main
and the several sub-stations, viz. :-a system of signalling from the several sub-stations
to the main station for aid etc., and a system of light signaling from the main station
to the soveral sub-stations independently to call the attention of a passing officer,
substantially as described.
3-In a signaling apparatus comprising a main station and several light signal
stations connected by an electric circuit, releasing magnets included in branch circuits,
and electro-magnetically movable step-by-step devices included in other branch
circuits and normally forming a shunt for the releasing magnets, a polarized magnet
controlling switch for closing the branch circuits containing the operating electro-
magnets of the step-by-stop devices, combined with the circuit changing devices at
the central station for effecting the operation of the electro-magnets of the step-by-step
devices, a battery reversing instrument for effecting the movement of the polarized

page_text: magnet controlling switch, and other, circuit changing devices for effecting the
operation of the releasing magnets, substantially as described.
4-ln a light signal systein comprising a main station and light signal stations
connected by an electric circuit, the combination of the releasing electro-magnets,
electro-magnetically movable step-by-step individual-call-switches for independently
including in the circuit the said releasing magnets, and a unison substantially as shown
and described for the individual-call-devices of the circuit changing devices at the
main station for effecting the operation of the electro-magnet for the unison and
another circuit changing device at the main station for effecting the operation of the
electro-magnetically movable step-by-step individual-call-switches, and an instrument
at the main station for transmitting impulses of different duration for effecting the
releasing magnets when properly included in the circuit, substantially as described.
5-In a light signal system comprising a main station and several light signal
stations connected by an electric circuit, the combination with releasing magnets
included in branch circuits and individual-call-switches included in other branch
circuits short circuiting the said releasing magnets, electro-magnets included in
other branch circuits for moving the said individual-call-switches, and a polarized
magnet controlling switch for closing a branch circuit containing the releasing
magnets and for opening the branch circuit containing the electro-magnets for
the individual-call-switches, and a unison substantially as described for the circuit
changing devices at the main station, the resistance coil, the pole changer and keys,
substantially as described.
6: In two metallic circuits or loops arranged adjacent to each other, combined
with telephonic instruments and a condenser included in multiple are between the said
two circuits, whereby if desired the light signals may be in one loop, and the other
signals in the other loop.
7:-In two metallic circuits or loops arranged adjacent to each other, one of which
contains circuit changing devices, a battery and a receiving instrument, combined
with telephonic instruments and a condenser included in multiple are between said
metallic circuits or loops, substantially as described.
8: In two circuits combined with a cross or connecting wire including telephonic
instruments and a condenser, substantially as described.
9-In a single metallic circuit or loop including wires running adjacent to each
other, combined with condensers and telephonic instruments arranged in multiple arc
between the said wires, substantially as described.
10 In a metallic circuit or loop, a resistance included at the remote end of the
loop, combined with the connecting wires and telephonic instruments, and a condenser
including said connecting wires, substantially as described.
11 In a single circuit for sending and receiving signals arranged in two con-
tiguous parts, combined with condensers and telephonic instruments, arranged in
multiple are between the said contiguous parts, substantially as described.
12-In a signaling circuit comprising contiguous or adjacent wires and connecting
wires including or containing telephones and condensers, signal boxes included in one
of the contiguous wires for sending signals to the central office and light signals
included in the other contiguous wire for receiving signals from the central office,
substantially as described.
13-In a light signal system comprising a main or distant station and several light
signal stations connected by an electric circuit the combination therewith of means for
effecting at will the ignition of a gas jet in a signal holder or box by an impulse of
electric enerov.
e 16th day of December 1889.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.