AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING TELEGRAPHIC MESSAGES OR SIGNALS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Harris Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an invention of
"AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSMITTING AND
RECEIVING TELEGRAPHIC MESSAGES OR SIGNALS."-A communication from
abroad h.. A
Pancalle of the Tnited States of Amariae
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Harris Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th March 1882.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co. Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings London "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS
FOR TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING TELEGRAPHIC MESSAGES OR SIGNALS." [A
communication from abroad by A. L. Parcelle, of the United States of America.]
The first part of this invention relates to that class of automatic telegraphs
known as "fac simile" " "autographic" and "pantographic" in which a practical
fac simile is produced at a receiving station of the line of a message written at the
transmitting station.
This part of the said invention has for its object to provide an improved
apparatus of this class adapted to reproduce in fac-simile a message written on
ordinary paper with a metallic ink and to this end it consists in the employment
at the transmitting station of a series of reeds each tuned to vibrate at a different
rate from the others; a corresponding series of reeds at the receiving station each
series having a corresponding series of electro magnets a metallic table connected
with the receiving reeds in a local circuit and adapted to support a strip of
chemical paper for the action of the receiving reeds and means substantially as
described hereinafter for closing a circuit through either of the transmitting reeds
the line and the corresponding receiving reed by the action of lines or characters
written in metallic ink on ordinary paper at the transmitting station; so as to
reproduce in fac simile upon the chemical paper at the receiving station, the
characters written in metallic ink at the transmitting station.

page_text: In carrying the first part of my invention into practice I employ at the
transmitting station a series of musical reeds of any desired number each tuned
to a different pitch from the others, each located over its own electro magnet and
all connected in the main line circuit each line extending through each reed to
ground through a battery so that when either reed is vibrated by its electro
magnet it is caused to rapidly make and break the main line circuit and send a
series of impulses through the line at the receiving station I employ a corresponding
series of reeds and electro magnets each reed being tuned to accord or vibrate
synchronously with one of the transmitting reeds. The line extends through the
magnets to the ground and when impulses are sent through the line by the
vibration of one of the transmitting reeds the corresponding receiving reed is
vibrated in unison therewith.
The latter reeds are provided at their free ends with points or styluses which
are arranged in line with each other over a metallic table adapted to support a
strip of chemically prepared paper the table being connected in a local circuit and
located so that when either receiving reed is vibrated contact is made by its point
with the chemical paper thus closing the local circuit and causing a dot or mark
to appear on the paper. The receiving reeds are arranged in the same order as
the transmitting reeds so that if the former are successively vibrated in a given
order the latter will be vibrated in the same order. The message to be transmitted
is written on a sheet of ordinary paper in a suitable metallic ink which when
dried will act to transmit a current of electricity. The message is placed upon a
suitable support and upon its written side is placed a series of metallic springs or
devices so arranged that their contact with the lines of metallic ink will close the
circuit through the transmitting reeds Two arrangements embodying this principle
are employed.
In the first named arrangement a table is employed over which is located a
series of metallic springs there being as many pairs as there are transmitting reeds
and magnets. The springs of each pair are insulated from each other by an
insulating block, and their points are located in close proximity to each other and
arranged to bear upon the surface of the message paper on the table. Each pair of
springs is connected in a local circuit with one of the magnets through a battery,
each said circuit being normally open at the points of the springs closed by the
simultaneous contact of both springs with the same line of metallic ink. Each
magnet is connected with only one pair of springs There will be a sufficient
number of pairs of springs to extend across one or more written lines on the
message paper in close proximity to each other and said message paper and the
receiving strip are caused to move as nearly in synchronism as possible by suitable
feeding mechanism. It will be seen therefore that the closing of the circuit by the
action of the metallic ink on the separate points of the springs will cause the
vibration of the transmitting reeds and consequently the vibration of the
receiving reeds and the recording on the chemical paper of a fac-simile of the
letters or characters on the message paper.
In practice I make the points of the springs which bear upon the message paper
very small so that they will not cover more than the width of one ink mark at a time.
I can also set them slightly apart and place another row behind them arranged to
alternate with those of the first row so as to cover the space untouched by the
springs of the first row. The points of the springs or of the single spring are
arranged to bear upon the message paper in a row having the same relation to
the message paper that the points or stylusses of the receiving reeds have to the
receiving paper.
In the other arrangement I employ a message paper ruled or printed in lines
with metallic ink with a broad line at one end.
The message is written on this strip with metallic ink, the lines of the message
crossing said printed lines. The message paper is then placed on a movable table
which rests upon a support and is held to said table by a metallic spring clip
said clip resting upon the broad printed band of the message strip and being

page_text: electrically connected to one pole of battery. The table is then caused to pass under
a series of springs each spring being connected through an electro-magnet to
ground. Over each electro magnet is a vibrating reed arranged with battery and
ground on one side, and line on the other so that when a spring connected to the
magnet of any reed, rests upon a printed or written line of the message, a circuit
is thus formed from ground through clip lines on strip spring, through reed and
its electro magnet to ground, and said reed is caused to vibrate and so transmit
its vibrations to the receiving station where they are registered as in the
arrangement herein before described.
It will be understood that there is a number of springs, electro-magnets and
reeds each reed tuned to give different vibrations, as in the first case with corres-
ponding numbers at the receiving station.
The second part of this invention relates to the automatic transmission of
telegraphic messages or signals and the reproduction at the receiving end of the
line of any particular arrangement of characters or lines in or upon the message
strip at the transmitting end and it consists first, in an apparatus composed of a
series of transmitting reeds and corresponding electro magnets each of which reeds
transmits in a given space of time impulses differing in number from the others in
the series; secondly, receiving registering reeds each tuned to a pitch at which it
will be put in vibration to cause a registration by one only of the transmitting
instruments and adapted to make contact with chemical paper when put in
vibration and means for closing a circuit through either of the transmitting reeds,
the line and the corresponding receiving reed. This part of my invention also
consists in a perforated strip of paper for use in connection with the apparatus above
mentioned having its perforations arranged in several longitudinal rows or series
each occupying a separate and distinct longitudinal space or division in the strip
and indicating by its lateral position on the strip the value or meaning of each
of the perforations composing it; the arrangement of the perforations in said strip
being reproduced on a receiving strip at the receiving end of the line.
The third part of my said invention involves the employment of the perforated
message-strip transmitting and receiving reeds, and chemical receiving paper
described in the second part of my invention, the special improvement consisting
in the transmission of alternating currents of electricity whereby the line can
be cleared of static charges and the number of reeds at both ends of the line
can be lessened if desired so as to simplify and facilitate the mechanism
required for the transmission and reception of messages. In carrying into
practice the second part of my invention I provide a disc or drum which rotates
in suitable bearings. Bearing upon said drum is a series of metal springs, each
preferably composed of several fine strips in the form of a brush bearing with a
yielding presure upon the drum. There is a series of metallic reeds or circuit
breakers corresponding in number to the brushes and arranged over a series of
electro-magnets.
In the operation of my apparatus a strip of paper hereinafter described having
as many longitudinal rows or series of perforations as there are brushes is passed
between the drum and the brushes its rows of perforations being so arranged that
each row coincides with one of the brushes, each perforation as it comes under the
point of a brush permitting the said brush to touch the metal surface of the drum
and thereby close the circuit through one of the reeds. The connection of the
reeds to the drum is such that the closing of the circuit through any perforation
is a given row in, the paper strip will be through only the reed corresponding with
said row of perforations, the other reeds remaining inoperative. This result may
be accomplished in different ways. In one construction said result is accomplished
by making the drum of a series of metal discs one for each brush said discs being
insulated from each other and providing a series of springs one bearing against
each disc and each connected by a wire with one of the reeds. In this construction
the brushes are connected by wire with a battery having a ground connection
when either brush touches its disc of the drum the circuit will be closed only

page_text: through the reed which it connected to the spring bearing on said disc. In another
arrangement the same result is produced by making the drum with a continuous
metal surface from end to end, connecting the drum by wire to the battery and
ground and connecting each brush by an independent wire, to its corresponding
reed, so that when a brush is in contact with the drum the circuit is closed only
through that brush and its corresponding reed. Each reed has a back contact
against which it normally rests. From said back contact a wire extends to and
forms part of the electro magnet, and then extends to the line. Each reed is
adapted to be vibrated when the circuit is closed through it, and each is tuned to
a separate and distinctive pitch, that is each receives a separate and distinctive
number of vibrations per second, and by its action on the electro magnet transmits
said vibrations through the line to the receiving station.
At the receiving station the line passes through a series of electro magnets and
other parts to ground the magnets and other parts, correspond in number to the
magnets and other parts at the transmitting end and over said magnets are
arranged a series of vibrating reeds or circuit breakers, each of which is tuned to
vibrate synchronously with one, and only one of the reeds. So that when anyone
of the reeds is vibrated the impulses caused thereby will affect only one of the
reeds, causing said reed to be drawn to its magnet, each reed is provided with a
stylus or point at its free end. Said points are arranged to project different
distances over a metallic table, on which when messages are being transmitted I
cause a strip of chemically prepared paper to pass. When a reed is attracted by
its magnet its point is brought in contact with the chemical paper, and thus
caused to close the local circuit, the current causing a mark to appear upon the
paper.
The arrangement of the points is such that the marks made by each upon the
paper will have a different lateral position upon the strip from the others, the paper
being fed longitudinally by any suitable feeding mechanism so that each point will
make its own longitudinal series of marks which will preferably be composed of
dots and dashes likes thos of the Morse telegraphic alphabet.
In transmitting messages with this apparatus by the automatic system I employ
a paper strip having as many longitudinal divisions as there are transmitting
reeds and in these divisions, or both in and between them, the message perforations
are formed. To a perforation of a given length or to a given combination of
perforations, where more are used to indicate a single character, I attach a different
meaning in each longitudinal division or upon each line that is to say the lateral
position of a given perforation or contribution of perforations upon the paper strip
indicated by the division or line on which it is formed determines the letter or
character of which it is a symbol.
The strip may be divided into any desired number of longitudinal spaces. I
may use longitudinal lines dividing the strip into eight spaces. A perforation of
a given size in the first place indicates a given character say the letter E, a
perforation of the same size in the next space the letter H and so on across the
strip. Then commencing, again at the space first mentioned a different character,
say a longer dash may indicate the letter D. and so on, the letters most frequently
used being preferably arranged nearest one edge of the strip for convenience.
I may use a strip having eleven lines and twelve spaces. A perforation in the
first space here indicates one letter, a perforation on the line dividing the first from
the second space indicates another letter and so on
The characters may be
distinguished from each other in each longitudinal space by the number of
perforations comprising them. For instance E may be indicated by three per-
forations D by two perforations, and B by one perforation all in the same longi-
tudinal space in the transmitting strip said perforations being reproduced in dots
on the receiving strip In all cases the Number of longitudinal rows or series of
perforations in the strip is the same as the number of brushes or electrodes and
connected transmitting and receiving reeds, the brusher or electrodes being arranged
to register with the rows of perforations so that when the strip is placed between

page_text: the drum and moved longitudinally the perforations of each row will coincide with
only one of said brushes and each perforation will allow the current to be closed as
usual in automatic telegraphy.
The transmitting reeds are thus caused to vibrate each having its particular
number of vibrations per second and each causing the vibration of its corresponding
receiving reed so that the lines of marks made by the points of the receiving reeds
on the chemical paper strip will have the same significance as the rows of per-
forations in the transmitting strip the lateral position of each mark indicating its
value or meaning.
It will be seen that by the arrangement of perforations in the transmitting strip
in several longitudinal rows or series and the employment of the transmitting and
receiving reeds corresponding in Number to the rows of perforations great rapidity
in the transmission of messages can be attained the letters or characters being sent
almost simultaneously The arrangement of perforations in the transmitting strip
is such, however, that the letters are not transmitted simultaneously but in very
rapid succession that each character on the receiving strip will have a different
longitudinal position from the characters coming before and after it. The order
in which the characters are to be read is thus indicated by their longitudinal position.
Both the strips are preferably provided with transverse lines or marks to
indicate more clearly the order in which the characters stand and enable the
message to be read easily.
I propose to perforate the transmitting strip by the use of a perforating machine
operating on the principle of the type writer and adapted to form perforations or
combinations of perforations by the depression of a corresponding key to feed the
paper along after each perforation or combination of perforations is made, and also
to feed the paper after the completion of each word so as to form a space between
each word and the next.
I prefer to print at intervals of a foot or more, or less, upon the strips, a key or
guide indicating the letter or character represented by a perforation in a given
longitudinal space of the transmitting strip and a dash or mark in a given longi-
tudinal space of the receiving strip. Such key or guide is preferably printed in a
pale tint so that it can be seen by the operator without being so conspicuous as to
interfere with the reading of the message.
I do not limit myself in all cases to the employment of a perforated transmitting
strip in connection with the series of transmitting and receiving reeds When a
brief message is to be sent the circuit may be closed through a series of levers equal
in number to the transmitting and receiving reeds and having at their outer ends
knobs marked with the characters they represent. Each lever is connected to a
battery. Over the inner end of each lever is a metallic insulated anvil block which
is connected to one of the reeds. By pressing down one of the levers contact is
made with the corresponding anvil block and the circuit is closed through the
connected reed the same as when the perforated strip is employed.
If desired the receiving reeds may be adapted to make the characters on the
receiving strip in ordinary letters.
It is obvious that as the arrangement of marks or dashes on the receiving strip
is a fac-simile of the arrangement of perforations in the transmitting strip, it will
be possible to group the perforations in the form of letters in the transmitting
strip and produce the letters in dots on the receiving strip.
The third part of my invention is described as follows: vizt.: At the trans-
mitting end of the line is a roller composed of a series of metallic discs alternating
with each other and insulating discs interposed between the metallic discs. Upon
some of the metallic discs bear a series of metal brushes or springs which are
connected with a battery and upon the other metallic discs bear a series of similar
brushes or springs which are connected with another battery; said batteries have
their poles reversely arranged, that is to say some of the brushes are connected to
one pole (say the positive) of one battery and the other brushes are connected to
the opposite pole of the other battery.

page_text: Upon the metallic discs bear springs which are connected in pairs with a series
of musical reeds each reed being connected with one of the metallic discs and one
of the other metallic discs and each tuned to separate pitch.
Each reed is arranged over the pole of an electro-magnet but is normally
separated therefrom and bears against a back contact which is connected with its
magnet. The electro magnets are all connected to line. At the receiving end of
the line are a series of electro-magnets. The line passes through said electro-
magnets and normally through a resistance to ground.
Over the poles of the magnets, and normally separated therefrom, are a series of
musical reeds corresponding in number to the other reeds and each tuned to vibrate
synchronously with one of said reeds as described in the first part of my invention.
Each of the first named reeds is connected to its magnet. Under the free end of
each reed but not touching it normally is a contact or anvil which is connected
through an electro-magnet to ground, there being the same number of one set of
magnets as of the other set of magnets. Over each electro-magnet of one set are
two centrally pivoted polarized armatures each carrying at its outer end a stylus
which is adapted to touch a strip of chemical paper on a table when the outer end
of the armature to which it is attached is drawn downwardly by the action of the
magnet. The poles of the armatures are reversed so that when the outer end of
the armature with its stylus is depressed the corresponding end of the other
armature is elevated and vice versa. The table is composed of a number of
parallel metal strips alternating with each other and insulated by interposed
insulating strips. Over the inner ends of each of one set of armatures is a back
contact and over the corresponding ends of each of the other set of armatures is a
back contact; said back contacts are arranged to make contact respectively with
the armatures whenever the outer ends of said armatures are depressed. The back
contacts are connected through a local battery with the strips of the table while
the back contacts are similarly connected to the strips, each back contact being
connected to only one of said strips. The armatures are of different lengths and
the styluses of the armatures of one set are arranged to coincide with one set of
strips and the styluses of the armatures with the other strips.
In operating this apparatus I employ at the transmitting end a perforated
message strip like that described in the second part of my invention. When such
a message strip is drawn between the roller and the brushes the circuit is
alternately closed and broken as usual in automatic telegraphy. Each reed is
connected to two of the metallic discs, hence each battery of the two batteries can
send a current through the same reed, said currents being of opposite polarity.
The reeds are caused to vibrate when the circuit is closed and the vibrations of
each reed are transmitted through the line and received by the corresponding reed
at the receiving end as follows.
An impulse of either polarity reaching an electro magnet tends to go to ground
through resistance but the core of said magnet becoming charged attracts its reed
to the contact thus connecting one magnet with another magnet. The resistance
being made less through the magnet than through the resistance device the current
is shunted through said magnet and goes to ground by the wire. One magnet
being charged attracts one of the poles of the polarised armatures which are
opposite in polarity to the passing current, thereby drawing down the style of one
of the armatures so that it touches the chemical paper passing under it on the
surface of the table thus completing a circuit through one of the strips and its
local battery and registering a definite character on said paper.
At the same time the polarised armature of the same magnet is attracted at its
opposite end and its style is raised from the paper. When an opposite current is
sent from the sending station the above described operation of the armatures is
reversed, the stylus that was before depressed being raised and vice versa.
It will be seen that the arrangement whereby either positive or negative currents
can be sent through the reeds at the sending and receiving stations, and the
provision of means at the receiving station for enabling a positive current to

page_text: operate one stylus and a negative current another stylus enables the number of
reeds employed to be reduced by one half, each reed doing the work which two
were required to perform in the first part of my invention. By the employment
of alternating currents the line is constantly cleared of static charges an opposite
current clearing the line of a current previously sent.
I do not limit myself however to employing a smaller number of reeds than of
springs or brushes and discs for if desired there may be a reed for each disc and
brush both at the transmitting and receiving end each alternate reed being
connected through the springs and discs with one battery and the others with the
other battery.
The reeds are therefore arranged in pairs and the reeds of each
pair are tuned to the same pitch. This arrangement enables the line to be cleared
of static charges as before and while it involves the employment of the same
number of reeds as in the first part of my invention it obviates the necessity of
giving each reed a separate pitch from the others so that the apparatus can be
more practically operated, the maximum number of vibrations in the reeds being
much less than in the first part of my invention.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
by the said Henry Harris Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
14th September 1882.
"
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, AN IMPROVED METHOD OF, AND APPARATUS
FOR TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING TELEGRAPHIC MESSAGES OR SIGNALS." A
communication from abroad by A. L. Parcelle, of the United States of America.
$8
This invention relates generally to that class of electrical apparatus, the object
of which is to record at a receiving station the advices transmitted from a sending
station. The first part of the said invention more particularly relates to a
subordinate class of such apparatus, commonly denominated Autographic
Telegraphs," in which the record produced at the receiving station is practically a
fac-simile of the writing upon a transmitting sheet, which is employed at the
sending station, as one of the agents by which the transmission is effected.
To this end the first part of the said invention consists in an improved method
or system of " Autographic Telegraphy" and in the construction of apparatus
therefor which method or system may be described in general as follows:-
The communication which is to be despatched is written, printed or drawn upon
a sheet of suitable non-conducting material, such for example as ordinary writing
paper, the agent employed being a suitable conducting ink or fluid. The sheet is
then drawn by any suitable means beneath a series of metallic pressure springs,
which rest constantly upon its surface by virtue of their own resilience. The
main line is sub-divided at the transmitting station into a number of branches, to

page_text: each of which at least one of the said pressure-springs is so connected as to
constitute a part of the derived or branch circuit. The pressure-springs in making
contact with the lines of conducting ink, during the progressive movement of the
transmitting sheet cause the current from a main battery to be thrown upon the
main line, by way of the particular branch or derived circuit which is thus closed.
In addition to the pressure springs, each of the said branch conductors is provided
with a rheotome or vibrating circuit-closer by means of which the fractional
currents sent to line by the contacts of the pressure springs with the conducting
surfaces are rendered pulsatory. During the entire operation of transmitting a
despatch, these rheotomes are kept, by means of suitable devices, in a state of
continuous vibration.
The undulations or impulses of current which are established upon the main
line by means of the above mentioned devices, will be either simple pulsations,
caused by the closing of a single branch circuit in the manner described or they
will be composite undulations which may be regarded as the resultants of all the
fractional pulsations sent to line when several branches are simultaneously in
operation.
At the receiving station the line is again subdivided into branches corresponding
in number to those at the transmitting station. Each branch includes an electro-
magnet, equipped with a vibratory armature, such for example as a musical reed.
The several reeds are tuned in unison with the rheotomes of the transmitting
station to which they respectively correspond, and will vibrate in response to the
said rheotomes whenever the branch circuits at the transmitting station are closed.
The reeds are each provided with a stylus, and these are arranged in the same
order, with reference to a receiving sheet, as are the transmitting springs with
reference to the transmitting sheet. Each stylus is, moreover, so organized as to
form the receiving impressions only when in vibration, which impressions may be
produced, either by chemical or mechanical appliances.
By the agency of any suitable and well known devices, preferably such as are
controlled by electricity, the progressive movements of the transmitting and
receiving sheets are rendered synchronous, so that the impressions produced at the
receiving station are distributed over the receiving sheet in such manner as to form
practically a fac-simile of the despatch as prepared for transmission with the
exception that the record produced will be broken into dots or minute lines,
corresponding however, in longitudinal dimensions with the continuous lines which
they represent.
The second part of the said invention relates to the automatic transmission of
telegraphic messages or signals and the reproduction at the receiving end of the
line of any particular arrangement of characters or lines in, or upon, the message
strip at the transmitting end; and it comprises first an apparatus composed of a
series of transmitting reeds and corresponding electro-magnets each of which reeds
transmits in a given space of time impulses differing in number from the others in
the series; second, receiving registering reeds each tuned to a pitch at which it will
be put in vibration to cause a registration by one only of the transmitting
instruments and adapted to make contact with chemical paper when put in vibration;
and third, means for closing a circuit through either of the transmitting reeds, the
line, and the corresponding receiving reed. This part of the said invention also
comprises a perforated strip of paper for use in connection with the apparatus above
mentioned, having its perforations arranged in several longitudinal rows or series,
each occupying a separate and distinct longitudinal space or division in the strip
and indicating, by its lateral position on the strip, the value or meaning of each of
the perforations composing it, the arrangement of the perforations in the said strip
being reproduced on a receiving strip at the receiving end of the line.
The third part of the said invention involves the employment of the perforated
message strip, transmitting and receiving reeds, and chemical receiving paper
described with reference to the second part of the said invention, the special
improvement consisting in the transmission of alternating currents of electricity

page_text: whereby the line can be cleared of static charges and the number of reeds at both
ends of the line can be reduced, if desired, so as to simplify and facilitate the
mechanism required for the transmission and reception of messages.
In the accompanying Drawings:
-
Figures 1 to 10 represent the first part of the said invention.
Figure 1 is a theoretical diagram illustrating the method or system and designed
especially to shew the electrical connections.
Figure 2 represents a convenient substitute for the system of transmitting springs
shown in figure 1, and,
Figure 3 is a plan or top view of the same.
Figure 4 shows the transmitting sheet used in connection with the springs shown
in figure 1 and,
Figure 5 shows the transmitting sheet used in connection with the springs shown
in figures 2 and 3.
Figures 6 and 7 respectively show convenient substitutes for the receiving
mechanism illustrated in figure 1, together with the record produced by such
substitutes.
Figures 8, 9, and 10 illustrate the effect produced by twice receiving a given
message upon the same receiving sheet.
Figure 11 represents a side view diagram illustrating the second and third parts
of the said invention.
Figure 12 represents a plan or top view of the same, the back contacts and local
circuits not being shown.
Figure 13 represents a different arrangement of reeds.
Figures 14 and 15 are diagrams showing respectively in elevation and plan
mechanism made according to the said invention.
Figures 16 and 17 show modifications of the transınitting mechanism.
Figure 18 is a detached and enlarged view in section showing the perforated
strip in position.
Figure 19 represents a longitudinal section of one form of the contact wheels or
discs.
Figure 20 represents a portion of a perforated strip of paper made according to
the said invention.
Figure 21 represents a portion of the chemical paper strip at the receiving end of
the line showing the characters produced by the arrangement of perforations in the
transmitting strip shown in figure 20.
Figure 22 represents a portion of a paper strip perforated in accordance with the
said invention.
Figure 23 represents a portion of the receiving strip showing the arrangement of
characters produced by the perforations shown in figure 22.
Figure 24 represents a portion of the receiving strip with characters printed
thereon.
Figures 25 and 26 represent respectively views of a portion of a transmitting
strip with a different arrangement of perforations and of the corresponding portion
of the receiving strip.
Figures 27 and 28 represent respectively n.odifications of the transmitting and
receiving strips.
Figure 29 represents a modification of the said invention.
Referring to figure 1, the main line is subdivided at the transmitting station,
into a series of branches 2, 34, each of which branches includes in its circuit a
pressure spring 5, 6, 7. These springs press upon the surface of the transmitting
sheet 8, on which the message represented in the figure by letters A, b. c has been
previously written with conducting ink. The paper sheet 8 of which an enlarged
view is shown in figure 4 is provided with parallel lines 9, 10, 11, ruled with
conducting ink in the direction of the motion of the sheet, as represented by the
The springs press upon the intervening spaces between these ruled lines.
Each branch 2, 3, 4, also includes a rheotome, for rendering the current pulsatory.
arrow.

page_text: I prefer to use for this purpose the tuning forks seen at 12, 13, 14, 15, which are
kept in continuous vibration by the action of local batteries, of which an example
is shown, together with a convenient system of circuit-wires as applied to the
tuning fork 15. One pole of the main battery 16 is connected by means of the line 17
with the earth at 18; the other pole is connected by means of the line 19, pressure
clip 20, (which serves to secure the paper to its underlying holder) ruled lines 9, 10, 11,
to the characters written upon the transmitting sheet. It will therefore be
understood that, whenever one of the springs 5, 6, 7, comes in contact with any line
of the written message the battery 16 will be put in connection with the main line,
the current traversing the line 19 pressure clip 20, ruled lines 9, 10, 11, the character
to be transmitted the spring in contact therewith, the particular rheotome situated
in the said branch circuit, and the main line. If simultaneously two or more of the
branch circuits are thus closed, the resulting pulsations upon the main line will be
made up of the contributory pulsations of the fractional currents. Further, it will
be understood that the duration of the contact of the springs 5, 6, 7, with the
lines of conducting ink, will depend upon the longitudinal width of the said lines
while the instant of contact will depend upon their situation upon the transmitting
sheet.
The number of springs and ruled lines employed may be varied at will. While,
on the one hand, an increase in the number of springs secures greater conformity
between the despatch as prepared for transmission and the record at the receiving
station, on the other hand the expense of the system will thereby be proportionately
increased. This matter is therefore discretionary.
In Figures 2 and 3 is shown a substitute for the springs shown in Figure 1.
These are arranged in pairs 25 and 26 27, and 28. Each pair is included in some
one of the branch circuits, which circuit will be closed whenever a line of conducting
ink serves to bridge across the space intervening between the pair which it includes.
The battery 16 is connected to these springs by the wire 29 and its subdivisions
30, 31, 32. It is obvious that with such a system the ruled lines employed in the
single-spring system may be dispensed with, and the transmitting sheet may then
be merely ordinary paper as seen in figure 5.
▸ Considering now the apparatus at the receiving station; the main line 1 divides
at the point 40 into branches 41, 42, 43, each branch including an electro-magnet
44, 45, 47, All the branches reunite in the line 47 and pass to ground at 48.
These several branches will convey fractional pulsations having the same composite
character as that traversing the main line 1, but in a manner well understood, these
pulsations will so actuate the reeds 49, 50, 51, that each reed will respond to the
pulsations, caused by its corresponding tuning fork situated at the transmitting
station and tuned to vibrate at the same rate as the said reed. These reeds are
each provided with a stylus 52, 53, 54, which in vibrating impinge upon the
surface of the receiving sheet 55 and produce impressions at each vibration.
By well known devices preferably electrical, not appearing in the Figure, the
receiving sheet 55 is caused to move in unison or synchronism with the trans-
mitting sheet. These relative positions, therefore, of the impressions produced by
each stylus upon the receiving sheet will be governed by the shape and positions of
the lines upon the transmitting sheet with which the corresponding pressure
spring comes in contact.
It will be obvious that it is not necessary that the synchronism between the
movements of the transmitting and receiving sheets should be exact, for if either
moves faster or slower than the other the effect will be merely to compress or
expand the characters produced at the receiving station, in the direction of the
motion. To produce however a perfect fac simile it is necessary to have them
accurately timed.
It is not essential in carrying out the principle of this invention that the
particular receiving devices illustrated in figure 1 should be employed. Equivalents
therefor are shown in figures 6 and 7 together with the records which they
respectively produce.

page_text: In the plan shown in figure 6 each stylus employed when not in vibration
produces a continuous straight line upon the receiving sheet. The actuating
electro-magnets are so arranged that each reed will vibrate under the influence of
the undulatory current transmitted through the corresponding rheotome, in a
plane parallel with the receiving sheet, and the record produced will be in the form
shewn in the Figure.
The plan shown in Figure 7 is similar to that represented in Figure 1 as regards
the arrangement of the magnets, reeds and styluses; but the styluses employed in
this case, produce no impression of themselves but serve with each impact upon the
receiving sheet to close a local circuit through the receiving sheet, which is of
chemically prepared paper, and produce the record by electrolytic action in a
manner well understood.
It is obvious that by employing a device at the transmitting station, by means of
which the polarity of the battery may be charged with semi-vibration reeds may
be employed at the receiving station responding to the octave of the note emitted
by any tuning fork thereby causing greater compactness of impression than when
the plan of receiving described with reference to Figures 1 and 6 is in use; also
by using polarized armatures in connection with such pole-changing devices, the
number of styluses may be doubled.
In Figure 8 is illustrated a receorded message composed of dots closer together
than those shown in figure 1. Such an impression may be obtained by first
receiving the message as shown in figure 1, and then shifting the paper a slight
distance in a direction at right angles to the motion, and causing the message to be
repeated, and again received upon the same sheet.
This invention not only possesses the advantage of simplicity in the construction
of apparatus but it also enables the sender to write the message in any character
which he may deem desirable, with confidence that the message received will be
practically a reproduction thereof.
In the Figures illustrating the second part of the said invention A represents the
transmitting end and B the receiving end of the line. d represents a disc or drum
which rotates in suitable bearings r. Bearing upon the said drum is a series of
metal springs beach preferably composed of several fine strips in the form of a
brush bearing with a yielding pressure upon the drum. g, g, represent a series of
metallic reeds or circuit breakers corresponding in number to the brushes b and
arranged over a series of electro magnets j j
In the operation of this apparatus a strip of paper hereinafter described having
as many longitudinal rows or series of perforations as there are brushes b is passed
between the arm and the brushes, its rows of perforations being so arranged that
each row coincides with one of the brushes, each perforation as it comes under the
point of a brush permitting the said brush to touch the metal surface of the drum
and thereby close the circuit through one of the reeds g. The connection of the
reeds g, to the drum is such that the closing of the circuit through any perforation
in a given row in the paper strip will be through only the reed corresponding with
the said row of perforations, the other reeds remaining inoperative. This result
may be accomplished in different manners. In the construction shewn in Figures 14
15, 18, and 19 the said result is accomplished by making the drum d of a series of
metal discs x, x one for each brush 6, the said discs being insulated from each
other; and providing a series of springs e, one bearing against each disc and each
connected by a wire f with one of the reeds g. In this construction the brushes b
are connected by a wire c with a battery C, having a ground connection.
It will be seen that when either brush touches its disc of the drum, the circuit
will be closed only through the reed g which is connected to the spring e bearing
on the said disc. In the arrangement shown in Figure 14 the same result is
produced by making the drum with a continuous metal surface from end to end
connecting the drum by the wire c to battery C and ground, and connecting each
brush b by an independent wire f to its corresponding reed g so that when a
brush bis in contact with the drum the circuit is closed only through that brush

page_text: and its corresponding reed. Each reed g has a back contact h against which it
normally rests. From the said back contact a wire i extends to and from part of
the electro magnet j and then extends to the line L. Each reed g is adapted to be
vibrated when the circuit is closed through it, and each is tuned to a separate and
distinctive pitch that is to say, each receives a separate and distinctive number of
vibrations per second, and by its action on the electro-magnet j transmits the said
vibrations through the line L to the receiving station B. At the receiving station
the line passes through a series of electro-magnets n, n to ground. The magnets n
correspond in number to the magnets j at the transmitting end, and over the said
magnets n are arranged a series of vibrating reeds or circuit breakers m each of
which is tuned to vibrate synchronously with one, and only one of the reeds g.
So that when any one of the reeds g is vibrated, the impulses caused thereby will
affect only one of the reeds m causing the said reed to be drawn to its magnet.
Each reed m is provided with a stylus .or point m¹ at its free end. The said
points are arranged to project different distances over a metallic table k on which,
when messages are being transmitted I cause a strip of chemically prepared paper
to pass.
When a reed m is attracted by its magnet, its point is brought in contact
with the chemical paper and thus caused to close the local circuit D, the current
causing a mark to appear upon the paper.
The arrangement of the points m¹ is such that the marks made by each upon
the paper will have a different lateral position upon the strip from the others as
shown in Figure 15, the paper being fed longitudinally by any suitable feeding
mechanism so that each point will make its own longitudinal series of marks
which will preferably be composed of dots and dashes like those of the "Morse'
telegraphic alphabet.
"
In transmitting messages with this apparatus by the automatic system I employ
a paper strip having as many longitudinal divisions as there are transmitting
reeds and in these divisions or both in and between them, the message perforations
are formed. To a perforation of a given length or to a given combination of
perforations where more than one are used to indicate a single character I attach a
different meaning in each longitudinal division or upon each line, that is to say,
the lateral position of a given perforation or combination of perforations upon the
paper strip indicated by the division or line on which it is formed, determines the
letter or character of which it is a symbol.
The strip may be divided into any desired number of longitudinal spaces. In
Figure 25 I have shewn longitudinal lines dividing the strip into eight spaces.
A perforation of a given size in the first space indicates a given character say the
letter E a perforation of the same size in the next space the letter H, and so on
across the strip. Then commencing again at the space first mentioned a different
character say a longer dash may indicate the letter D, and so on, the letters most
frequently used being preferably arranged nearest one edge of the strip for con-
venience in Figure 22 a strip is shown having eleven lines and twelve spaces.
A perforation in the first space here indicates one letter, a perforation on the line
dividing the first from the second space indicates another letter and so on.
characters may be distinguished from each other in each longitudinal space by the
number of perforations comprising them, as shown in Figures 20 and 21.
instance E may be indicated by three perforations D by two perforations, and B
by one perforation, all in the same longitudinal space in the transmitting strip a
the said perforations being reproduced in dots on the receiving strip as shown in
Figure 21.
The
For
In all cases the number of longitudinal rows or series of perforations in the
strip a is the same as the number of brushes or electrodes b and connected
transmitting and receiving reeds, the brushes or electrodes b being arranged to
register with the rows of perforations, so that when the strip a is placed between
the drum d and brushes 6 and moved longitudinally the perforations of each row
will coincide with only one of the said brushes and each perforation will allow the
current to be closed as usual in automatic telegraphy. The transmitting reeds are

page_text: thus caused to vibrate each having its particular number of vibrations per second
and each causing the vibrations of its corresponding receiving reed, so that the
lines of marks made by the points m¹ of the receiving reeds on the chemical paper
strip will have the same significance as the rows of perforations in the strip a, the
lateral position of each mark indicating its value or meaning.
It will be seen that, by the arrangement of perforations in the transmitting strip
in several longitudinal rows or series, and the employment of the transmitting and
receiving reeds corresponding in number to the rows of perforations, great rapidity
in the transmission of messages can be attained, the letters or characters being sent
almost simultaneously. The arrangement of perforations in the strip a is such
however, that the letters are not transmitted simultaneously but in very rapid
succession, that each character on the receiving strip will have a different longi-
tudinal position from the characters coming before and after it, as shown in
Figures 25 and 26. The order in which the characters are to be read is indicated
by their longitudinal position.
Both the strip a and the receiving strip are preferably provided with transverse
lines or marks to indicate more clearly the order in which the characters stand and
enable the message to be read easily.
I propose to perforate the strip a by the use of a perforating machine operating
on the principle of the type writer and adapted to form perforations or combinations
of perforations by the depression of a corresponding key, to feed the paper along
after each perforation or combination of perforations is made, and also to feed the
paper after the completion of each word so as to form a space between each word
and the next.
I prefer to print at intervals of a foot, or more or less, upon the said strips, a key
or guide, seen in Figure 22 indicating the letter or character represented by a
perforation in a given longitudinal space of the strip a and a dash or mark in a
given longitudinal space of the receiving strip. Such key or guide is preferably
printed in a pale tint so that it can be seen by the operator without being so
conspicuous as to interfere with the reading of the message.
When a
I do not limit myself in all cases to the employment of a perforated transmitting
strip in connection with the series of transmitting and receiving reeds.
brief message is to be sent the circuit may be closed through a series of levers V,
seen in Figures 16 and 17, equal in number to the transmitting and receiving reeds
and having at their outer ends, knobs a¹ marked with the characters they represent.
Each lever is connected to a battery C. Over the inner end of each lever is a
metallic insulated block n which is connected to one of the reeds g. By pressing
down one of the levers V contact is made with the corresponding block u and the
circuit is closed through the connected reed g the same as when the perforated
strip a is employed.
If desired the receiving reeds may be adapted to make the characters on the
receiving strip in ordinary letters as shown in Figure 24.
It is obvious that, as the arrangement of marks or dashes on the receiving strip
is a fac-simile of the arrangement of perforations in the transmitting strip, it will
be possible to group the perforations in the form of letters in the transmitting strip
and reproduce the letters in dots on the receiving strip as shown in Figures 27
and 28.
The third part of the said invention is shown in Figures 11, 12, and 13 and is
described as follows that is to say:-At the transmitting end A of the line is a
roller G composed of a series of metallic discs d' d' alternately with each other,
and insulating discs interposed between the metallic discs as shewn in Figure 12.
Upon the discs d bear a series of metal brushes or springs b which are connected
with a battery C and upon the discs d' bear a series of similar brushes or springs b¹
which are connected with a battery C¹. The said batteries C₁, C¹ have their poles
reversely arranged, that is to say, the brushes b are connected to one pole (say the
positive) of the battery C, and the brushes b are connected to the opposite pole of
the battery C'.

page_text: Upon the studs d, d' bear springe e, e which are connected in pairs with a series
of musical reeds g as shown in Figure 12 each pair of reeds being connected with
one of the discs & and one of the discs d'and each tuned to a separate pitch. Each
reed g is arranged over the pole of an electro magnet ; but is normally separated
therefrom and pressed against a back contact h which is connected with the
magnet j as shown.
The electro magnets j are all connected to the line L. At the receiving end B
of the line are a series of electro-magnets . The line passes through the said
electro magnets and normally through a resistance R to ground.
Over the poles of the magnets and normally separated therefrom are a series
of musical reeds m corresponding in number to the reeds g and each tuned to
vibrate synchronously with one of the said reeds g as described with reference to
the first part of the said invention. Each reed m is connected to its magnet las
shown. Under the free end of each reed m but not touching it normally is a
contact or block 7, which is connected through an electro-magnet o to ground there
being the same number of magnets o as of magnets 1. Over each electro-magnet o
are two centrally pivotted polarized armatures 8, 8¹ each carrying at its outer end
a stylus s² which is adapted to touch a strip of chemical paper on a table F, when
the outer end of the armature to which it is attached is drawn downwardly by the
action of the magnet o. The poles of the armatures 8. 81. are reversed so that
when the outer end of the armature s¹ with its stylus 8' is depressed the corre-
sponding end of the armatures is elevated as shown in Figure 11 and vice versa.
The table F is composed of a number of parallel metal strips u v. alternating with
each other and insulated by interposed insulating strips. Over the inner ends of
each armature 8 is a back contact r and over the corresponding ends of each
armature s¹ is a back contact the said back contacts are arranged to make
contact respectively with the armatures 8 8¹ whenever the outer ends of the said
armatures are depressed. The back contacts are connected through a local
battery D with the strips u of the table F while the back contacts rare similarly
connected to the strips v each back contact being connected to only one of the
said strips. The armatures 8 81 are of different lengths, and the styluses of
the armatures & are arranged to coincide with the strips v and the styluses of the
armatures 8 with the strips u as shown in Figure 11.
In operating this apparatus I employ at the transmitting end a perforated
message strip like that bereinbefore described. When such a message strip is drawn
between the roller G and the brushes b b¹, the circuit is alternately closed and
broken as usual in automatic telegraphy. It will be observed that each reed g is
connected to one of the discs d, and one of the discs d'hence each of the batteries
C, C', can send a current through the same reed the said currents being of opposite
polarity. The reeds g are caused to vibrate when the circuit is closed and the
vibrations of each reed are transmitted through the line and received by the
corresponding reed at the receiving end as follows, that is say:-An impulse
of either polarity reaching an electro-magnet tends to go to ground through
resistance R, but the core of the said maguet becoming charged attracts its reed m
to the contact thus connecting the magnet l with the magnet o. The resistance
being made less through the magnet o than through R, the current is shunted
through the said magnet o and goes to ground by wire q the magnet o being charged
attracts one of the poles of the polarized arinatures 8 s¹ which are opposite in
polarity to the passing current, thereby drawing down the stylus of one of the
armature say the armature, 8 so that it touches the chemical paper passing under
it on the surface of the table F, thus completing a circuit through one of the
strips v and its local battery and registering a definite character on the said paper.
At the same time the polarized armature s¹ of the same magnet is attracted at its
opposite end and its stylus is raised from the paper. When an opposite current
is sent from the sending station, the above described operation of the armatures 8, 8³,
is reversed, the stylus that was before depressed being raised and vice versa.
It will be seen that the arrangement whereby either positive or negative currents

page_text: can be sent through the reeds at the sending and receiving stations and the
provision of means at the receiving station for enabling a positive current to
operate one stylus and a negative current, another stylus, enables the number of
reeds employed to be reduced by one half, each reed doing the work which two
were required to perform in the first part of the said invention.
employment of alternating currents the line is constantly cleared of static charges,
an opposite current clearing the line of a current previously sent.
By the
I do not limit myself however to employing a smaller number of reeds than of
springs or brushes 6 b¹ and dises d d¹ for, if desired, there may be a reed for each
disc and brush both at the transmitting and receiving end. Each alternate reed
being connected through the springs and discs with the battery C and the others
with the battery C¹. The reeds are therefore arranged in pairs and the reeds of
each pair are tuned to the same pitch. This arrangement enables the line to be
cleared of static charges as before, and while, it involves the employment of the
same number of reeds as in the first part of the said invention it obviates the
necessity for giving each reed a separate pitch from the others, so that the apparatus
can be more practically operated, the maximum number of vibrations in the reeds
being much less than in the first part of the said invention.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign Correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I claim.
First A method or system of autographic telegraphy in which the receiving
mechanism is actuated by harmonic electrical pulsations traversing a single
conductor.
Second. A method or system of automatic telegraphy in which the receiving
mechanism is actuated by harmonic pulsations of a character determined by the
shape and position of the lines upon a transmitting sheet.
Third. The herein described method or system of producing a fac-simile of
written matter through the agency of harmonic electrical pulsations of a character
determined by the specific character of the said written matter.
Fourth. The combination substantially as herein before set forth of a transmitting
sheet, devices for sending undulatory currents of a character dependent upon the
dimensions and positions of the conducting surfaces upon the said transmitting
sheet, devices at the receiving station for analyzing the said currents, and a
receiving sheet upon which the said conducting surfaces are reproduced by the
agency of the said currents.
Fifth. A sheet of transmitting paper substantially such as described having
continuous lines of conducting ink upon its surface for the purpose of conveying
an electric current to the lines constituting a dispatch written thereupon.
Sixth. The combination substantially as herein before set forth of a transmitting
sheet with ruled lines of conducting ink thereupon, and the despatch written
thereupon for transmission.
Seventh. The combination substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a trans-
mitting sheet; characters formed thereupon with conducting ink and resilient
electrodes bearing upon the said sheet and respectively closing electric circuits
when in contact with the lines constituting the said characters.
Eighth. The combination substantially as herein before set forth, of a transmitting
sheet, characters formed thereon with conducting ink, resilient electrodes bearing
upon the said sheet each of which closes an electric circuit when in contact with
any of the said characters, and a series of rheotomes, one included in each of the
said new circuits.
Ninth. The combination substantially as herein before set forth, of a main
battery, one pole of which is connected with the earth, a transmitting sheet having
characters formed upon the surface thereof with conducting ink, in electrical
connection with the other pole of the said battery a main line, a series of branches,
and arranged to connect the said main line, by their contact with the said
characters.

page_text: Tenth. The method of sending telegraphic messages which consist in transmitting
through suitable transmitting and receiving reeds, independent vibrations of
different rates each rate of vibration representing a different letter of the alphabet,
as set forth.
Eleventh. In a telegraph system, the combination of a series of differently toned
vibrating reeds at the transmitting station, representing by their position letters of
the alphabet, a corresponding series of reeds at the receiving station, electrically
connected as described with the transmitting reeds, and means for independently
putting in vibration any of the said reeds, and thereby causing the independent
indication by the receiving reeds of the letters represented by the said transmitting
reeds, as set forth.
Twelfth. In a telegraph system the combination of a main line and its battery
or batteries, a series of differently toned vibrating reeds or circuit breaker. At
the transmitting station, means for independently putting into vibration any of
the said reeds a series of stylus pointed vibrating reeds or circuit breakers at the
receiving station, corresponding in tone to the series of reeds at the transmitting
station. A series of local circuits including the stylus pointed reeds, a conducting
bed and local batteries, and means for moving a chemically prepared receiving strip
between the bed and the stylus pointed reeds so that by successively putting in
vibration the transmitting reeds, marks or points are made on the receiving strip
successively and in longitudinal rows, thus producing a condensed message on a
short receiving strip, substantially as described.
Thirteenth. In an automatic telegraph system, the combination of a main line
and its battery or batteries a series of differently toned vibratory reeds or circuit
breakers at the transmitting station, a transmitting strip having its perforations
arranged successively in longitudinal rows, and having as many longitudinal rows
of perforations as there are transmitting reeds, means for making the circuit
successively through the perforations of the different rows so as to cause the
vibration of the corresponding transmitting reeds a series of stylus pointed
vibrating reeds or circuit breakers at the receiving station corresponding in tone
to the reeds at the transmitting station, a series of local circuits including the
stylus pointed reeds a conducting bed and local batteries and means for moving &
chemically prepared receiving strip between the bed and the stylus pointed reeds,
so that by the operation of the transmitting strip marks or points are recorded
on the receiving strip successively in longitudinal rows corresponding in relative
position to the perforations in the transmitting strip substantially as described.
Fourteenth. In an automatic telegraph, a series of musical transmitting reeds,
a series of receiving reeds, and means for sending currents of one polarity
through every alternate reed of each series and currents of an opposite polarity
through the other reeds as and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof I the said Henry Harris Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Fourteenth day of September in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and eighty two
HENRY H. LAKE. (L.S.)