Improvements in Transmitters for Electric Step-by-Step Telegraphs.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 10th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Transmitters for Electric Step-by-Step Telegraphs.
I GEORGE EDWIN FLETCHER of Cale Green Villa Stockport in the County of
Chester, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object is to provide a simple and efficient transmitter for step by step
telegraphs not having actuating clockwork and with a single wire connection for
transmitting certain signals from one place to another, and especially suitable for
signalling the arrival, departure and destination of trains; for transmitting orders
on board ship; for police station and street use, and like purposes.
Transmitting apparatus under my invention consists essentially of an insulated
annulus, divided at one point, within which are a series of radial insulated pieces
one of which is permanently connected to the annulus. Each radial piece, except
the one preceding the connected one, is provided with a spring contact maker
normally in contact with the succeeding piece and capable of being brought in
contact with the annulus.
There is also an insulated battery connection provided with a spring contact
maker normally in contact with the radial piece immediately succeeding the per-
manently connected piece and capable of being brought into contact with the
annulus. Within the radial pieces is an electro magnet provided with an oscillating
armature which actuates a finger spindle by means of an escapement. The spindle
is connected to earth and by means of a brush to the radial pieces. In front of the
apparatus is a dial divided into as many segments as is provided for by the escape-
ment; each segment being marked with the order or signal to be given, and having
a perforation through which a key is inserted to bring the desired contact maker in
contact with the annulus. When it is desired to send a signal, the key is brought
into operation on the segment bearing the required order or signal and one or more
successive electric currents are transmitted according to the distance it is desired
that the finger should travel around the dial. By the withdrawal of the key the
connections are remade so that the finger travels to zero.
A step by step receiver of any suitable construction is connected to the trans-
mitter by a wire in the usual manner.
Dated the 9th day of March 1891.
Per pro J. T. KING,
W. B. Johnson,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Transmitters for Electric Step-by-Step Telegraphs.
I GEORGE EDWIN FLETCHER of Cale Green Villa Stockport, in the County
of Chester Electrician do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
The object is to provide a simple and efficient transmitter for step by step tele-
graphs not having actuating clockwork and with a single wire connection for trans-
mitting certain signals from one place to another, and especially suitable for
signalling the arrival, departure and destination of trains; for transmitting orders
on board ship; for police station and street use and like purposes.
LD011

page_text: In the accompanying sheet of drawings
Fig. 1 is a front view, Fig. 2 a back view and Fig. 3 a plan the cover being
removed of a transmitter constructed in accordance with my invention. 1 and 1
is an insulated annulus divided or having an opening between 1 and 1*. Within
the circular space enclosed by the annulus are a series of radial insulated pieces 2, 2ª,
and 2. The piece 2ª is permanently connected to the annulus by a strip of metal 3
near the point 1°. Each radial piece 2 is provided with a spring contact maker 4
normally in contact with the succeeding piece 2 in the direction shown by the
arrow. The said contact makers 4 may be moved so as to make contact with studs 5
on the annulus. Within the opening between the points 1 and 1ª of the annulus
is secured an insulated battery connection 6 provided with a spring contact maker 7
normally in contact with the first of the radial contact pieces 2. The said contact
maker may instead be moved into contact with a stud 5" on the annulus 1 and 1ª.
Within the radial pieces, or in any suitable position is an electro magnet 8 provided
with an oscillating armature 9 pivotted at 10. The armature 9 is held away from
the poles of the electro magnet by the spring 11. 12, is a spindle carried in
bearings 13 and having at the front end a finger 14. 15 is a scape wheel secured
on the spindle 12. 16 are the escapement frame and pallets pivotted at 17. 18 is a
pin secured to the armature 9 and fitting freely in a slot in the pallet frame 16.
Any suitable form of step by step escapement may be used but I have found the
one depicted reliable. The pallet frame is provided with a tail spring 19 which
serves to regulate and adjust the beat of the escapement by means of screws 20.
This may be dispensed with if desired. The spindle 12 carries a bar 21 provided
at one end with a brush 22, which bears on an insulated ring 23. The ring is
connected by a wire 24 through the electro-magnet 8 to the line wire. The other
end of the bar 21 is provided with a brush 25, which bears against one or other of
the pieces 2, 2ª and 2b. Instead of the spindle 12 being in contact with the line, it
may be connected to earth in which case the coil wire 24 would be connected to
one end of an operating battery. 26 is a dial divided into as many segments as
there are pieces 2, 2ª. 2. Suitable orders or notices are displayed on the segments
as shown. Each segment except the one corresponding to the piece 2ª is provided
with an aperture 27, through which a key 28 is inserted in order to cause any
desired contact maker 4 or 7 to be in contact with a stud on the annulus 1 and 18.
29 wire connecting a battery to the piece 6.
The action of the apparatus is as follows :-When out of action, the indicating
needle 14 is in a vertical position and points upwards or to whichever segment forms
the zero position, at the same time the brush 25 is in contact with the radial piece 2*
which together with the annulus 1 and 1ª is out of circuit. If now, the key 28 is
inserted in one of the apertures 27,-say that marked 27",-the contact maker
marked 4 will be pressed into contact with the stud 5 on the annulus 1 and 1ª.
The radial piece 2ª will now be in connection by the strip 3, annulus 1, 1ª, contact
maker 4, and radial pieces 2; and contact makers 4 and 7 with the piece 6 and
battery wire 29, a current will then flow from the latter through the above parts,
and the brush 25, bar 21, brush 22 ring 23, wire 24, and electro-magnets 8 to line,
attracting the armature 9, and moving the escapement so as to bring the brush 25
between 2 and 2, thus disconnecting the circuit, the armature is then pulled back
by the spring 11 which drives the escapement on until the brush 25 is in contact
with the radial piece 2, a current again flows and the operation above described is
repeated until the brush 25 rests on the piece 2 from which the contact spring 4*
has been removed by the key 28 where it remains until the key is withdrawn, when
the action above described again takes place until the brush 25 rests on 2ª as before
and the finger points to zero. It will be obvious that an electric current is sent to
line for each piece 2, 2ª, or 2b, over which the brush 25 passes, and that such
currents may be made to act at the end of the line on any suitable step-by-step
receiver. I prefer to use one having an escapement and actuating electro magnet
similar to the one described in my improved transmitter.

page_text: 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 :-
The improvements in transmitters for step-by-step telegraphs substantially as
herein described and illustrated by the drawings.
DL
l1يم
1001
Per pro J. T. KING,
J. Johnson,
Agent.