IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO PNEUMATIC DISPATCH APPARATUS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO PNEUMATIC DISPATCH
APPARATUS" to be as follows:-
This invention has relation to that class of pneumatic despatch tubes wherein
each sub-station is connected to the central station by receiving and delivery tubes,
and has for one of its objects to dispense with the use of separate delivery and
receiving tubes for each sub-station and to substitute therefor a single delivery tube
and a single receiving tube common to all the sub-stations connected to or in
circuit with said tubes, thereby effecting a material reduction in the extent of pipo
used and a saving in cost of plant or equipment.
Another object of the said invention is to control, from the central station, tho
movements of the carriers from the main tube to its branches and sub-divisions of
the latter, whereby the path of travel of the carriers is so directed that each carrier
passes to its destination without interfering with the movement or blocking the
path of other or following carriers.
Another object is to cause each carrier as it passes from a main tube or a branch
thereof and enters a sub-station delivery tube, to automatically close the entrance
of said sub-station tube by moving a switch located thereat, which when so moved
is held in a locked position by electro magnetic devices designed to be operated to
release said switch by the closing of an electric circuit by a moving carrier as it
passes to the last sub-station box on the main or branch delivery tube, whereby
leading carriers passing through said delivery tube successively close the sub-station
tubes to the following carriers but open a passage for the movement of the latter
through said delivery tubes.
Another object is to provide sub-station boxes for receiving and holding the
carriers in a locked position in said boxes, which are furnished with mechanism for
automatically releasing and forcing the carriers out of said boxes, whereby the

page_text: carriers are not ejected from the pneumatic tubes when they reach the sub-station
boxes but are held therein until freighted, and are automatically caused to return
to the receiving tubes leading to the central station, thereby avoiding all handling
of the carriers by an attendant at the sub-station.
My invention accordingly consists in the novel combination, construction and
arrangement of parts comprising a pneumatic dispatch tube system having
reference particularly to the following points.
1st A central station having a delivery and a receiving tube common to all the
sub-stations and switches therefor as hereinafter described 2nd, a central station
having a delivery and a receiving tube common to all the sub-stations, manual and
automatic switches therefor, electro-magnetic appurtenances at the central station
for controlling the movement of said manual switches, and electro magnetic devices
located upon the tubes adjacent to said automatic switches for locking and
unlocking them to permit of their return to their normal positions; and 3rd, a
sub-station box or carrier receptacle provided with locking mechanism for retaining
the carrier therein, electro-magnetic appurtenances for releasing said carrier and
devices for giving to the latter an initial return movement to cause it to pass out
of the sub-station box into the receiving tube leading to the central station.
While my improvements may be supplied with the various terminal constructions
of valves in present use and be applied to all systems of pneumatic dispatch tubes
now or heretofore in use, yet they are hereinafter described as specially adapted for
post office work or for the transmission of mail matter from sub-stations or letter
boxes to the main office or vice versa.
According to the said invention I provide a main delivery tube leading from the
central office, and having any number of branches and sub-branches. At the
junction of each sub-branch and branch, or of the latter and main tube is pivotted
a switch which is positively or manually operated so as to close the path of travel
through one tube and open it through another according as the carriers are to move
through either of such tubes.
The movement of said switch is controlled by the attendant at the central
station and to this end I employ the following means, that is to say:-To the
switch is connected a lever one end of which forms an armature for a polarized
magnet in a closed circuit of a battery located at the central office, the current
passing through a pole changing switch, electro-magnets and fixed and movable
contacts to ground; said movable contacts projecting into the bore of the tubes for
a purpose hereinafter described.
The electro-magnets have an armature which is normally attracted. A pivotted
lever having a finger impinges against the armature when in its normal position.
The upper end of said lever engages with a spring whereby it is held in a fixed
position with its finger abutting against the armature. In line with the pivotted
lever is located a second lever controlling the movements of a register or indicator.
When the carriers are to be directed to a branch tube the lever of the pole
changing switch is turned which causes the current from the said battery to
energize one pole of the said polarized magnet which attracts its armature and
oscillates or moves the lever and switch, or opens the path of travel to the branch
tube and closes it to the main tube.
The carriers fed to the main tube as hereinafter described, follow the curved line
of the pivotted switch and enter a branch tube: As they pass one movable contact
it is depressed thereby, breaking or opening the circuit of battery, whereupon the
electro-magnets are deenergised, the armature retracted by its spring to cause the
pivotted lever to disengage with its spring and strike the second lever of the
register to operate the latter so as to cause it to indicate the passage of a carrier to
a branch tube.
After the carrier passes the said contact it is retracted by a suitable spring or by
its weight to close the circuit of battery whereupon the magnets attract the
armature and the pivotted lever is restored to its normal position by a reacting
spring or by the manipulation of the central office attendant.

page_text: As often as a carrier enters a branch tube and passes the said contact the circuit
of the battery is broken, or opened and closed, and the register operated, so that
the attendant at the central station by consulting said register ascertains the
number of carriers fed into a branch tube. When the requisite number is sent
thereinto, which will depend upon the number of sub-station or local boxes
connected therewith, the switch may then be moved to close the said tube and open
the main tube by reversing the pole changing switch lever. The carriers then fed into
the main tube will pass through the same to the next or destined branch thereof,
and as the carriers travel by the movable contact the circuit of battery is opened
and closed and the armature, pivotted lever and register are operated as above set
forth to indicate the passage of the carriers through the main tube.
The pole changing switch, electro magnets and registering mechanism preferably
constitute the electro magnetic appurtenances at the central station for a manual
switch and for each one of the latter there is one of said appurtenances at the
central station from which each switch is separately controlled or operated.
If desired, however, the register may be dispensed with and the oscillating
movement of the pivotted lever alone be used to indicate the passage of the carriers
through the pipes, or said register, lever and magnets may be dispensed with and
in lieu thereof a bell or alarm or other calling or registering device may be
employed.
So, too, instead of using the polarized magnets and pole changing switch for
operating the switch any other suitable or desired form of electro magnetic or
mechanical appurtenances may be employed therefor.
In a system of pneumatic tubes embodying switches, the latter are placed at the
junctions of the main tube and all its branches, and at such points along the latter
where a sub-branch thereof proceeds to a line or series of sub-stations. But where
such main tube or its branches and sub-branches lead to or connect with a tube or
branch leading but to one sub-station box, then such manual switch is not
employed at the junction of any of said tubes and sub-station branch.
By successively closing or opening as above described the various manual
switches of a system of pneumatic tubes, the carriers can be sent to all the sub-
stations and such result is obtained, however intricate may be the ramifications of
the tubes. Where the system is divided into districts there will be a main tube for
each district and the electro magnetic appurtenances for the switches of each district
will be grouped or suitably arranged at the central station so that they may readily
be operated without confusion.
At any junction of a main tube or its branches leading directly to a sub-station,
except as hereinafter noted, is placed a switch, bereinafter termed automatic switch,
which is automatically controlled in its movements by passing or travelling
carriers; the gravity of each automatic switch normally maintains it in position
to close the passage way through a branch delivery tube and open it through sub-
station tube to boxes.
At the
Each automatic switch has an arm which when in its normal position projects
into the bore of the sub-station tube so as to be in the path of the carrier.
end of the arm is a lip which is designed to engage with a catch on an armature
lever of magnets, enclosed in a coupling or box at said junctions.
As the carriers pass into the sub branch tubes on their way to the sub-station
boxes they strike the arm of the automatic switch, depress the former and elevate
the latter to seal the said sub-station tube and open the branch tube for the passage
of a following carrier to the next sub-station and so on. As the carrier depresses
the arm as above set forth its lip engages with the catch of the armature to lock
the arm and hold the automatic switch in its elevated position thereby keeping the
tube open for the following carriers. Such position of the said automatic switch is
maintained until its lock is released as hereinafter set forth.
The sub-station boxes are constructed as follows, that is to say each box is
provided with an inlet port and an outlet port leading to the receiving tube for
conducting the carriers from the sub-stations to the central office.
-

page_text: The said ports merge into a common duct located within the box. The duct in
each box leads to the top of the latter in which is an opening for the insertion of
packages, and letters to carrier when in position.
Between the ports is pivotted a flap or valve which moves over to the right of
duct or is held in its normal position by a spring. Said valve is moved to the
opposite side or to the left of the duct by the carriers as they pass out of the tube.
When the valve is in the former position the way through duct is open to the
receiving tube and when in the latter position the way through said duct leads to
the branch tube; said valve, therefore, guides the carriers into and out of the box.
The valve has an opening near its lower end which is sealed and unsealed by a
valve pivotted thereto.
The pivotted valve is provided with an integral valve located on the side of the
main valve opposite that upon which the pivotted valve is arranged, and it bears
against the adjacent wall of the duct. The gravity of the integral valve is greater
than that of the pivotted valve so that when the former falls by gravity against
the wall of the duct, the pivotted valve is moved away from the main valve and
unseals its opening to permit the air pressure in the branch tube to pass or escape
into the receiving tube.
The pivotted valve is also provided with an auxiliary pivotted valve which
is located above the pivotted valve and is kept up or in contact with the adjacent
wall of the duct by the upper curved end of a spring. The integral valve and the
auxiliary valve are on opposite sides of the main valve, and they together with the
pivotted valve are moved or operated by their impingement against the walls
of duct as the main valve is moved to and fro therein as hereinafter explained.
The combined action of said valves guides the carriers in and out of the boxes
and cuts off and admits air-pressure to the receiving tubes as follows:-When the
main valve is in its normal position or to the right of a box the integral valve
falling by gravity against the adjacent wall of the duct closes the upper end of the
inlet port and opens the pivotted valve, while the upper curved end of the spring
presses the auxiliary valve against the adjacent walls of the duct to close the upper
part of the outlet port, so that blasts or pressure of air passing to the inlet port are
diverted by the integral valve to an opening and into the outlet port to the
receiving tubes, thereby preventing such air passing to the boxes and escaping
through the top openings. Such air-pressure is then used to return the carriers in
the receiving tubes to the central station. When the main valve is forced over
to the left of a box by the entrance of a carrier from the inlet port or a branch
tube the carrier, in passing the integral valve, moves it to the left or within a
recess formed in the pivotted valve. Such movement of the integral valve
depresses the pivotted valve, or the latter is then moved to seal their opening and
cut off the air pressure to the receiving tubes; consequently the full force of the
pressure is exerted upon the said carrier to drive it to its proper position in a box.
As soon as the carrier reaches such position the main valve is returned to its
normal position by the reaction of its spring, its upper end keeping the auxiliary
valve up and the integral valve dropping by gravity opens the pivotted valve to
unseal the air opening of the main valve to admit air to the receiving tubes as
above set forth.
When the main valve so returns to its normal position its end, which is a
yielding or spring supported end or pin, engages with or passes back of a tail piece
of a pivotted platform and is thereby held firmly or locked in such position that
it cannot be moved out thereof by the pressure of air in the inlet port or branch
pipe.
Said main valve being so locked, it is always out of the way of and forms a
guide for the carrier in the boxes as it is returned through the duct to a receiving
tube.
While the main valve is locked by the tail piece of the platform yet such
engagement does not interfere with the free movement of platform to its horizontal
position when so impelled by its reacting spring. Such movement of the

page_text: platform is only made when the carrier is leaving a box so as to close the top
of the duct.
.
When the platform is in its normal or horizontal position it rests upon the lip
or end of a pivotted lever, to the opposite end of which is secured an armature for
the electro-magnets suitably affixed to the boxes as desired.
Below the top of the latter are placed two strong plate springs having bent ends
which projects into the line or path of the carrier so that as the latter passes to its
position within the boxes it moves the main valve aside, raises the platform to a
vertical position and is forced against the ends of springs until its lower edge
passes above the end of the last mentioned lever. The carrier is thereby held or
locked by the said lever in such position until the latter is released and when said
lever supports said platform or carrier the armature is then not attracted by the
magnets, but when attracted the end of the lever is withdrawn from beneath the
carrier which is then free to pass to the receiving tubes, its initial movement being
produced by the re-action of springs.
At the end of the branch, or at the junction between it and the last sub-station
tube, there is no automatic switch, but in lieu thereof are contact points which are
normally open. From one contact leads a wire to ground and from the second
contact leads a wire to magnets of the box of say station No 3 and from thence
a wire leads to magnets in a box connected with sub-station tube for station No 2;
the remaining magnets of the branch tube and its substations are in circuit with each
other and with a battery and an alarm or signal by means of wires, The battery
is grounded, and it and the alarm are preferably located at the central office.
The normally open position of contacts makes an open circuit for said battery so
that the armatures are not attracted to their respective magnets until the circuit
of the battery is closed, such result being produced when a carrier passes the
contacts.
'As the boxes are made a carrier is inserted in position in each, so that when
connected to the tubes of a pneumatic system a carrier is already in place in each
box. Said boxes are also provided with a pivotted lever whose upper end is so
arranged and is of such weight that it normally tends to move towards and bears
against the main valve when it is in its locked position and to give the latter an
initial movement, or start it to the left when its lock is released.
The main valve in moving to its locked position strikes and oscillates the pivotted
lover projecting its end into the port or in the path of the incoming carrier; and
the gravity movement of the lever, starting the valve to the left, withdraws said
end from the inlet port or out of the path of said carrier. When a carrier is in
position within a box, a tailed piece of the raised platform not only locks the main
valve in its normal position, but also causes it to maintain the lever end in its
projected position in the inlet port and a carrier then coming into the latter is
stopped or checked in its travel as soon as it impinges against the end of lever.
As soon however as the carrier in the box passes to the receiving tube the
platform drops, releases the lock on the main valve and the gravity movement of
lever then starts main valve to the left and withdraws the end from the inlet port,
thereby leaving the checked carrier free to be driven into the box by the air.
pressure in the sub-station tube.
Said sub-station boxes with contained carriers and the pneumatic tubes with
switches being arranged as described, the switches are manipulated to direct the
carriers fed into the main tube at the central office to a branch tube, the leading.
carrier travelling along the same meets the first switch and is diverted thereby to
the tube of sub-station Nº 1.
As said carrier passes through the branch tube it depresses the arm of the switch
to elevate the latter and lock it in such position as above set forth to close the
sub-station tube and open the branch tube for the passage of following carriers.
After locking said switch said carrier travels through sub-station tube until it
meets and is detained by the end of a lever,

page_text: Meanwhile said following carriers have raised and locked the remaining
automatic switches and passed to the inlet ports of the remaining boxes connected to
the branch tube except for the last box or box N° 3. The last carrier proceeding
to the said end box in passing the contacts cause them to impinge and close the
circuit of battery to the electro-magnets which then attract their armatures,
whereby the switches are released and return to their normal positions and the
ends of the levers are withdrawn from beneath the carriers in the boxes: The
springs now give said carriers an initial return movement through duct to the outlet
ports and the platforms are returned to their normal positions, by their re-acting
springs, to unlock the main valves. The return carriers passing down the duct
impinge upon and push down or aside the auxiliary and pivotted valves the latter
is thereby moved to close the air openings in the main valves to cut off the air
pressure in the receiving tubes.
As soon as the lever ends are withdrawn from the ports, the detained carriers
therein are by the pressure of air in the sub-station tubes driven through said ports
and strike against the main valves and the integral valves to move them to the
left of ducts to provide a passage way through them for said carriers. The said
carriers then pass through said ducts, lift the platforms and enter into position in
the boxes whereupon they are locked therein by the levers, the main valves are
returned to their normal position by the springs, and the air openings thereof
unsealed as hereinbefore described to admit air pressure to the receiving tubes to
force the return carriers therein to the central station. The receiving tubes follow
the line of or are a duplication of the main branch and sub-station tubes and at
their junctions they are provided with shunt valves united by a bar to cause them to
move together and prevent blocking of the carriers at such points. The carrier first
reaching the shunt valves moves them aside into the path of the joining tube to stop
or detain the carriers therein until said first named carrier has passed said valves.
If desired said junctions may also be provided with the movable guide pieces or
bars.
When the last carrier for the branch tubes passes the contact and momentarily
closes the circuit of battery, the bell or alarm is rung at the central station, notifying
the attendant thereat that said circuit is in order and that the boxes on said tube
are supplied with carriers, whereupon foeding of carriers in a corresponding manner
may be proceeded with for other parts of the system.
To feed the carriers into the main tubes, I preferably employ the mechanism
which comprises a compressing pump, a reservoir, for the storage of compressed air
or other motive power and a pipe connection leading to the main tube A. The said
pipe connection is provided with a chamber having a number of outlets depending
upon the extent of the system.
The outlets have pistons with flanges for closing said openings and hinged or flap
valves at their lower ends. The valves are normally closed by the pressure of air
in the chamber to prevent the escape of air pressure from the pipe.
The pistons are also provided with suitable operating levers which may be
manually or otherwise operated as desired.
When a carrier is to be introduced into a main tube the piston of an outlet is
raised and the carrier placed therein resting upon the valves. The piston is then
forced down upon the carrier which depresses or opens the valves to prevent the
carrier from falling into the chamber and thence into the tube. The flanges of the
piston prevent the escape of air pressure from the outlets when the valves are
opened.
If desired the boxes may be configured and arranged in any suitable manner and
be provided with pipes or conduits for the electrical or other wires used in con-
nection with the system to cause the opening in the top of the carriers to align
with the openings of the boxes as the carriers reach their position, they are
provided with helical cams which impinge with studs or guides secured to the
boxes.

page_text: To avoid friction between the tubes and the carrier and to permit the latter to
pass through sharp or quick curves it is made smaller in diameter than the bore of
the tubes and provided with a paper or other suitable bead or collar.
While, as stated, I have shown my invention being especially adapted for post
office work, I do not limit myself thereto, as it is obvious that it may be used for
other desired purposes by changing the form of the carriers and of the substation
boxes. So, too, if desired each of the boxes described may be connected with a
central office by a separate receiving and a delivery tube.
Again the circuits for the batteries may be open or closed circuits as desired, in
either case, the electro-magnetic appurtenances both at the central and local
stations will be arranged to produce the results above described.
The outlet of the receiving tube at central station may be open or provided with
valves, any suitable form of the latter being applied thereto.
The course of the receiving tubes follows that of the various delivery tubes,
preferably parallel therewith, but it may be arranged in any desired or suitable
manner.
Any terminal devices or valves may be secured to the ends of the receiving tubes
at the central office, but as they form no part of my invention they need no further
description.
1
་
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake and Co Patent Agents,
Southamptom Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO PNEUMATIC DISPATCH
APPARATUS" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
This invention relates to that class of pneumatic dispatch tubes wherein each
sub-station is connected to tho central station by receiving and delivery tubes, and
has for one of its objects to dispense with the use of separate delivery and receiving
tubes for each sub-station, and to substitute therefor a single delivery tube and a
single receiving tube common to all the sub-stations connected to, or in circuit with,
said tubes, thereby effecting a material reduction in the extent of pipe used and a
saving in cost of plant or equipment.
Another object is to control, from the central station, the movements of the
carriers from the main tube to its branches and sub-divisions of the latter, whereby
the path of travel of the carriers is so directed that each carrier passes to its
destination without interfering with the movement, or blocking the path, of other
or following carriers.
Another object is to cause each carrier, as it passes from a main tube or a branch
thereof and enters a sub-station delivery tube, to automatically close the entrance
of said sub-station tube by moving a switch located thereat which when so moved
is held in a locked position by electro magnetic devices designed to be operated to
release said switch by the closing of an electric circuit by a moving carrier as it
passes to the last sub-station box on the main or branch delivery tube, whereby
leading carriers passing through said delivery tube successively close the sub-station
tubes to the following carriers but open a passage for the movement of the latter
through said delivery tubes.
Another object is to provide sub-station boxes for receiving and holding the
carriers in a locked position in said boxes which are furnished with mechanism for
automatically releasing and forcing the carriers out of said boxes, whereby the
carriers are not ejected from the pneumatic tubes when they reach the sub-station
boxes, but are held therein until freighted and are automatically caused to return
to the receiving tubes leading to the, central station, thereby avoiding all handling
of the carriers by an attendant at the sub-station.
The said invention accordingly consists in the novel construction, combination,
and arrangement of parts comprising a pneumatic dispatch tube system, having
reference particularly to the following points viz:-1 A central station having a
delivery and a receiving tube common to all the sub-stations and switches therefor
as hereinafter described; 2nd a central station having a delivery and a receiving
tube common to all the sub-stations, manual and automatic switches therefor,
electro-magnetic appurtenances at the central station for controlling the movement
of said manual switches and electro magnetic devices located upon the tubes
adjacent to said automatic switches for locking and unlocking them to permit of
their return to their normal positions; and 3rd, a sub-station box or carrier
receptacle provided with locking mechanism for retaining the carrier therein,
electro-magnetic appurtenances for releasing said carrier, and devices for giving to
the latter an initial return movement to cause it to pass out of the sub-station box
into the receiving tubo leading to the central station.

page_text: While my improvements may be supplied with the various terminal constructions
of valves in present use and be applied to all systems of pneumatic dispatch tubes
now or.heretofore in use, yet they are hereinafter described as specially adapted for
post office work or for the transmission of mail matter from sub-stations or letter
boxes to the main office, or vice versa.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a sectional diagram of tubes, sub-station boxes, manual switch and
magnetic or electric appurtenances and forcing devices at a central station.
Figure 2 is a section, partly in elevation, of branch delivery and receiving tubes,
sub-station boxes, and automatic switch mechanism for said tubes.
Figure 3 is a cross section of central station mechanism for introducing the
carriers to the pneumatic tubes.
A represents a main delivery tube leading from the central office A', and having
any number of branches B, B and sub-branches B¹ B¹. At the junction of each
sub-branch B₁ and branch B, or of the latter and main tube A, is a switch C,
pivotted at c, said switch being positively or manually operated so as to close the
path of travel through one tube and open it through another, according as the
carriers are to move through either of such tubes.
The movement of said switch is controlled by the attendant at the central
station, and to this end I employ the following means, that is to say:-To the
switch is connected a lever d, its end d¹ forming an armature for the polarized
imagnet D which is in a closed circuit of battery E located at the central office; the
current passing from the ground f through the polo changing switch, wire 1, the
electro-magnets G, the wire 2, the fixed and movable contacts a a¹ the wires 3 the
fixed and inovable contacts a² a³ to the ground ground 4; said movable contacts
projecting into the bore of the tubes as shown, for a purpose hereinafter described.
The electro-magnets G have an armature g which is normally attracted. A.
pivotted lever H having a finger h'impinges against the armature g when in its
normal position. The upper end h¹ of said lever engages with a spring I whereby
it is held in a fixed position with its finger h abutting against the armature g. In
the path of movement of lever H is located a lever le controlling the movements of
a register or indicator K. When the carriers are to be directed to a branch tube B,
the lever f¹ of the switch F is turned to the position indicated, which causes the
current from the battery E to energize the pole n" of the magnet D which attracts
armature d' and oscillates or moves the lever d and switch C to the position shown,
thereby opening the path of travel to the tube B and closing it to tube A.
The carriers fed to the latter as hereinafter described, follow the curved line of
switch C and enter the tube B. As they pass the movable contact a³ it is
depressed thereby, breaking or opening the circuit of the battery, E. Whereupon
the magnets G are deenergized and the armature g retracted by its spring 7 to
cause the lever H to disengage from spring I and strike the lever k of tho
rigister K to operate the latter so as to cause it to indicate the passage of a carrier
to a tube B.
After the carrier passes the contact a³, the latter is retracted by a suitable
spring, or by its weight, to close the circuit of battery E, whereupon the magnets G
attract the armature g and the lever H is restored to its normal position by a
reacting spring h² or by the manipulation of the central office attendant.
As often as a carrier enters tube B and passes contact a³ the circuit of battery E
is broken, or opened and closed, and the register K operated, so that the attendant
at the central station by consulting said register ascertains the number of carriers
fed into the tube B. When the requisite number is sent thereinto, which will
depend upon the number of substation or local boxes L connected therewith, the
switch C may be moved to close the tube B and open the tube A by reversing the
pole changing switch lever fl or turning it to the position the reverse of that
indicated. The carriers then fed into tube A will pass through the same to the
next or destined branch thereof, and as the carriers travel by the movable
contact a the circuit of battery E is opened and closed, and the ‘armature g;

page_text: lever H and register K are operated as above set forth to indicate the passage of
the carriers through the tube A,
The pole changing switch F, electro magnets G, and registering mechanism K
preferably constitute the electro magnetic appurtenances at the central station for
a manual switch C, and for each one of the latter there is one of said appurtenances
at the central station from which each switch C is separately controlled or
operated.
If desired however, the register K may be dispensed with, and the oscillating
movement of the lever H alone be used to indicate the passage of the carriers
through the pipes, or said register, lever H and magnets G may be dispensed with,
and in lieu thereof a bell or alarm or other calling or registering device may be
employed. So too, instead of using the polarized magnets D and pole changing
switch F for operating the switch C, any other suitable or desired form of electro
magnetic or mechanical appurtenances may be employed therefor.
In a system of pneumatic tubes embodying switches C, the latter are placed at
the junction of the tube A. and all its branches, and at such points along the latter
where a sub-branch thereof proceeds to a line or series of sub-stations. But where
such main tube or its branches and sub branches lead to, or connect with, a tubo
or branch leading but to one sub-station box, then such manual switch is not
employed at the junction of any of said tubes and sub-station branch.
By successively closing or opening as above described the various manual
switches C of a system of pneumatic tubes, the carriers can be sent to all the
sub-stations, and such result is obtained however intricate may be the ramifications
of the tubes. Where the system is divided into districts there will be a main
tube A for each district, and the electro magnetic appurtenances for the switches C
of each district will be grouped or suitably arranged at the central station so that
they may readily be operated without confusion.
At any junction of the tube A or its branches B B¹ leading directly to a sub-
station, except as herein-after noted, is placed a switch M automatically controlled
in its movements by passing or travelling carriers; such switch being plainly
shown in Figure 2, the gravity of each switch M. normally maintains it in the
position indicated by the dotted lines so as to close the passage way through a
delivery tube B and open it through substation tube B¹ to boxes, L, L.
Each switch M has an arm m which, when in its normal position, projects into
the bore of the sub-station tube B₁ so as to be in the path of the carrier, as
indicated by dotted lines y. At the end of arm m is a lip m' which is designed to
engage with a catch n¹ on an armature lever n of the magnets N enclosed in a
coupling or box n³ at said junctions.
As the carriers pass into the tubes B¹ on their way to the sub-station boxes I,
they strike the arm m of switch M, depress the former and elevate the latter to
seal the tube B¹ and open the tube B for the passage of a following carrier to the
next sub-station and so on. As the carrier depresses the arm m, as above set forth,
its lip m¹ engages with the catch n' of the armature n to lock the arm m and hold
the switch M in its elevated position; thereby keeping the tube B open for the
following carriers: Such position of the said switch M is so maintained until its
lock is released as hereinafter set forth.
The sub-station boxes are constructed as follows, that is to say 1 represents the
inlet port and the outlet port leading to the receiving tube P for conducting the
carriers from the sub-stations to the central office.
The ports merge into a common duct L¹ located within the boxes L. The
duct Lin each box L leads to the top of the latter, in which is an opening 2 for
the insertion of packages, letters &c, to carrier L³ when in position as shown in
sub-station box marked N° 1 Figure 2.
Between the ports is pivotted a flap or valve o which moves over to the right
of duct L¹, or is held in its normal position as shown at Station No 1 Figure 2 by
the spring of Said valve is moved to the opposite side or to the left of the duct I
by the carriers as they pass out of the tube B. When the valve o is in the former

page_text: position the way through duct L' is open to the tube P and when in the latter
position the way through said duct leads to the tube B said valve, therefore, guides
the carriers into and out of the box L. The valve o has an opening o¹ near its
lower end which is sealed and unsealed by a valve o pivotted to said valve o.
The valve o' is provided with an integral valve o located on the side of the
valve o opposite that upon which the valve o³ is arranged, and it bears against the
adjacent wall of the duct L' as shown. The gravity of the valvo o³ is greater than
that of the valve o³, so that when the former falls by gravity against the wall of the
duct L¹ the valve o³ is moved away from the valve o and unseals its opening o¹ as
indicated at Station No 1 Figure 2, to permit the air pressure in the tube B to
pass or escape into the tube P.
The valve o is also provided with a pivotted valve of which is located above the
valve o, and is kept up or in contact with the adjacent wall of the duct L' by the
upper curved end of the spring of. The valves o³ and of are on opposite sides of
the valve o, and they, together with the valve o' are moved or operated by their
impingement against the walls of duct L³ as the valve o is moved to and fro therein
as hereinafter explained.
The combined action of said valves guides the carriers in and out of the boxes L
and cuts off, and admits air pressure to the receiving tubes P as follows: When the
valve o is in its normal position or to the right of the boxes L, as shown at station
No 1 Figure 2, the valve o falling by gravity against the adjacent wall of the
duet L' closes the upper end of port and opens the valve os, while the upper
curved end of the spring o° presses the valve o* up against the adjacent walls of
the duct L¹ to close the upper part of the port , so that blasts or pressure of air
passing to the port 7 are diverted by valve o³ to the opening o¹ and into port l' to
tubes P, thereby preventing such air passing to the boxes L and escaping through
the top openings . Such air pressure is then used to return the carriers in the
tubes P to the central station. When the valve o is forced over to the left of boxes L,
as shown at station No 2. by the entrance of a carrier from the port or a tube B
,
the carrier in passing the valve o³ moves it to the left, or within a recess formed in
valve o. Such movement of the valve o³ depresses the valve o³, or the latter is
then moved to seal opening o¹ and cut off the air pressure to tubes P; consequently
the full force of the pressure is exerted upon the said carrier to drive it to its proper
position in boxes L. As soon as the carrier reaches such position the valve o is
returned to its normal position by the reaction of spring o, and the valve os
dropping by gravity opens the valve o' to unseal the opening o² of the valve o to
admit air to the tubes P as above set forth. When valve o so returns to its normal
position its end 06, which is a yielding or spring supported end or pin, engages with
or passes back of the tail piece p¹ of a pivotted platform p, and is thereby held
firmly or locked in such position that it cannot be moved out thereof by the pressure
of air in the port / or pipe B.
Said valve o being so locked, it is always out of the way of, and forms a guide
for, the carrier in the boxes as it is returned through the duct L¹ to tubes P.
While the valve o is locked by the tail piece of the platform p yet such
engagement does not interfere with the free movement of platform p to its
horizontal position when so impelled by its reacting spring p³. Such movement
of the platform is only made when the carrier is leaving the boxes L so as to close
the top of duct L¹.
When the platform p is in its normal or horizontal position, it rests upon the lip
or end of a pivotted lever R, to the opposite end of which is secured an
armature for the electro-magnets R' suitably affixed to the boxes L as desired.
Below the top of the latter are placed two strong plate springs O O having bent
ends O¹ O' which project into the line or path of the carrier, so that as the latter
passes to its position within the boxes L, it moves the valve o aside, raises the
platform p to a vertical position, and is forced against the ends 01 0¹ of springs OO
until its lower edge passes above the ends of lever R. The carrier is thereby held
or locked by the lever R in such position until the latter is released, and when

page_text: said lever supports said platform or carrier the armature is not attracted by the
magnets R', but when attracted the end r of the lever R is withdrawn from
beneath the carrier, which is then free to pass to the receiving tubes P, its initial
movement being produced by the re-action of springs O O.
At the end of the branch B, or at the junction between it and the last sub-station
tube B³, there is no switch M, but in lieu thereof are contact points 8 8³ which are
normally open. From contact a leads a wire 5 to ground 6 and from the contact 8¹
leads a wire 7 to the magnets R¹ of box L, station No 3, and from thence a wire 8
leads to magnets N in the box n³ connected with the tube b¹ for station No 2; the
remaining magnets R¹ N of the tube B and its substations are in circuit with each
other and with a battery T, and an alarm or signal t, Figure 1, by means of wires 9,
such circuit being plainly indicated in Figures 1 and 2. The battery T is grounded,
as illustrated and it and the alarm are preferably located at the central office.
The normally open position of contacts 8 8 makes an open circuit for said
battery T, so that the armatures and n are not attracted to their respective
magnets R and N until the circuit of battery T is closed, such result being
produced when a carrier passes the contacts 8 8¹.
As the boxes L are made a carrier L is inserted in position in each so that when
connected to the tubes B and P of a pneumatic system a carrier is already in place
in each box L. Said boxes are also provided with a pivotted lever whose upper
end is so arranged and is of such weight that it normally tends to move towards
and bears against the valve o when it is in its locked position, and to give the
latter an initial movement or start it to the left when its lock is released.
The valve o in moving to its locked position strikes and oscillates the lever 1³,
projecting its end into the port . or in the path of the incoming carrier; and
the gravity movement of the lever starting the valve o to the left withdraws
said end 14 from the port or out of the path of said carrier. When a carrier is
in position within a box L, the tail piece p¹ of the raised platform p not only locks
the valve o in its normal position, but also causes it to maintain the lever end L*
in its projected position in the port 1, and a carrier then coming into the latter is
stopped or checked in its travel as soon as it impinges against the end l' of lever 1³,
as indicated by dotted lines Station No 1, Figure 2.
As soon however as the carrier in the box L passes to the tube P, the platform
drops and releases the lock on the valve o, the gravity movement of the lever ³
then starts the valve o to the left and withdraws the end 1 from the port 1, thereby
leaving the checked carrier free to be driven into the box L by the air pressure in
the tube B¹.
Said sub-station boxes with contained carriers, and the pneumatic tubes with
switches C and M, being arranged as described, the switches C are manipulated to
direct the carriers fed into the tube A at the central office to a tube B, the leading
carrier travelling along the same meets the first switch M and is diverted thereby
to the tube B¹ of sub-station No 1. As said carrier passes through the tube B¹ it
depresses the arm m of said switch to elevate the latter, and lock it in such
position as above set forth to close the tube B¹ and open tube B for the passage of
following carriers. After locking said switch said carrier travels through the
tube B¹ until it meets and is detained by the end of the lever 13 as shown.
Meanwhile the following carriers have raised and locked the remaining switches M
and passed to the inlet ports of the remaining boxes connected to the tube B,
except the carrier for the last box, or box No 3. The last carrier proceeding to the
said end box in passing the contacts 8 81 causes them to impinge and close the
circuit of battery T to magnets N and R' which then attract their armatures,
whereby the switches M are released and return to their normal positions and the
ends r of the levers R are withdrawn from beneath the carriers L in the boxes L,
whereupon the springs O now give said carriers an initial return movement
through the duct I to the outlet ports 1, and the platforms p are returned to their
normal positions by their re-acting springs p" to unlock the valves o. The return
carriers passing down the duct L₁ impinge upon and push down or aside the

page_text: valves of and o, the latter is thereby moved to close the openings o¹ in the valves o
to cut off the air pressure to the tubes P.
As soon as the lever ends are withdrawn from the ports 1, the detained carriers
therein are, by the pressure of air in the tubes B', driven through said ports and
strike against the valves o and o³ to move them to the left of the ducts L' to
provide a passage way through them for said carriers. The said carriers then pass
through said ducts, lift the platforms p, and enter into position in the boxes L, where-
upon they are locked therein by the levers R, the valves o are returned to their normal
position by the springs o, and the openings of thereof unsealed as hereinbefore
described to admit air pressure to the tubes P to force the return carriers therein to
the central station.
The tubes P follow the line of, or are a duplication of the tubes A, B, B¹ &c, and at
their junctions they are provided with shunt valves P¹ P¹ united by a bar P² to
cause them to move together and prevent blocking of the carriers at such points.
The carrier first reaching the valves P¹ moves them aside into the path of the
joining tube to stop or detain the carriers therein until said first named carrier has
passed said valves, as shown at z¹ Figure 2.
If desired said junctions may also be provided with the movable guide pieces or
bars P³.
•
When the last carrier for the tubes B passes the contact 8 8¹ and momentarily
closes the circuit of battery T, the bell or alarm t is rung at the central station,
notifying the attendant thoreat that said circuit is in order and that the boxes on
said tube are supplied with carriers, whereupon the feeding of carriers in a corre-
ponding manner may be proceeded with for other parts of the system.
To feed the carriers into the main tubes A. I preferably employ the mechanism
shown in Figures 1 and 3, wherein W represents a compressing pump, W₁ a
reservoir for the storage of compressed air or other motive power, and w a pipe
connection leading to the tube A. The pipe w is provided with a chamber all
having a number of outlets a¹s a depending upon the oxtent of the system.
The outlets a have pistons a¹³ with flanges for closing said openings and hinged
or flap valves a¹ at their lower ends. The valves a¹ are normally closed by the
pressure of air in the chamber all to prevent the escape of air pressure from the
pipe w.
The pistons a¹s are also provided with suitable operating levers a which may
be manually or otherwise operated as desired.
When a carrier is to be introduced into the tube A, the piston a¹³ of an outlet a¹
is raised and the carrier placed therein, resting upon the valves a¹. The piston is
then forced down upon the carrier which depresses or opens the valves a" to
prevent the carrier from falling into the chamber all and thence to tube A. The
Hanges of the piston prevent the escape of air pressure from outlets a¹ when the
valves a are opened.
The boxes L may be configured and arranged in any suitable manner, and may,
if desired, be provided with pipes or conduits for the electrical or other wires used
in connection with the system. To cause the opening in the top of the carriers to
align with the openings L' of the boxes L as the carriers reach their positions, they
are provided with helical cams L³ which impinge with studs or guides v secured to
the boxes L as shown in Figure 2.
To avoid friction between the tubes and the carrier and to permit the latter to
pass through sharp or quick curves, it is made smaller in diameter than the bore
of the tubes and provided with a paper or other suitable bead or collar L*.
While I have shown and described the invention as especially adapted for post
office work, I do not limit myself thereto, as it is obvious that it may be used for
other desired purposes by changing the form of the carriers and of the sub-station
boxes L. So, too, if desired each of the boxes L herein shown and described
may be connected with the central office by a separate receiving and a delivery
tube.

page_text: Again the circuits of the batteries E and T may be open or closed circuits as
desired, in either case, the electro-magnetic appurtenances both at the central and
local Stations will be arranged to produce the results above described.
The outlet of the receiving tube P at central Station may be open or unpro-
vided with valves, or if desired, any suitable form of the latter may be applied
thereto.
The course of the tubes P follows that of the various delivery tubes A B and B¹
preferably parallel therewith, but it may be arranged in any desired or suitable
manner.
Any terminal devices or valves may be secured to the ends of the tubes P at
the central office but as they form no part of this invention they need no further
description.
.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. In pneumatic dispatch apparatus a delivery and a receiving tube, having
branches and sub-branches, common to all the stations or local termini connected
to or in circuit therewith, and means for changing the course of the carriers
through said tubes, substantially as shown and described.
Second. In pneumatic dispatch apparatus, the combination of a central office, a
series of sub or local stations, a delivery and a receiving tube common to all of
said substations, and means for changing the course of the carriers through said
tubes, substantially as shown and described.
•
Third. In pneumatic dispatch apparatus the combination of a central office, sub-
stations, connecting delivery-tubes with branches, switches located at the junctions
of said tubes and branches, polarized magnets and armature levers for said switches
and an electric circuit leading from said magnets to electro-magnetic appurtenances
located at the central station, substantially as shown and described.
Fourth. In pneumatic dispatch apparatus, the combination of central and sub-
stations, a connecting delivery tube with branches having at their junctions
switches with polarized magnets and armature levers and circuit connections from
said magnets to a pole changing switch located at the central office, substantially
as shown and described.
Fifth. The combination with the tubes A and B, of a switch C, polarized
magnets Darmature lever d, pole-changing switch F, and an electric circuit for
the latter, and said magnets, substantially as shown and described.
Sixth. The combination with tubes A and B, of a switch C, polarized magnets D,
armature lever d, contact points a, a, a³, a³ pole changing switch F, electro
magnets G with an indicator or register, and an electric circuit for said electro
magnetic devices, substantially as shown and described.
Seventh. The combination with tubes A and B, of a switch C, polarized
magnets D, armature lever d, contact points a, a, a, a³ pole changing switch F
electro-magnets G, lever H, locking mechanism I, register or indicator K. and an
electric circuit for said electro-magnetic devices, substantially as shown and
described.
Eighth. The combination with tubes A and B, of a switch C, polarized
magnets D, armature lever d, contact points a, a¹, a³, a³, pole changing switch F,
electro-magnets G, lever H, locking mechanism I, register or indicator K, battery E,
and circuit connections, substantially as shown and described.
Ninth. The combination of tubes A and B, switch C, electro-magnetic operating
devices therefor, and a register or indicator, substantially as shewn and described.
Tenth. The combination of tubes A and B, switch C, electro-magnetic operating
devices, and circuit connections therefor, and a register or indicator substantially
as shown and described.
Eleventh. In a pneumatic dispatch apparatus, the combination of delivery
tubes A, B &c, and the receiving tubes P having valves P¹ P¹, substantially, as
shown and described.

page_text: Twelfth. In pneumatic dispatch apparatus, the combination of a central office,
sub-stations and interposed receiving tubes joining one to another between said
central office and substations, and having shunts or valves at each junction therein,
substantially as shown and described.
Thirteenth. The combination with sub-station boxes L having delivery tube B,
of the branched or joining pipe P having valves P¹ at their junctions, as, and for
the purposes, set forth.
Fourteenth. In pneumatic dispatch apparatus, a sub-station box having a
delivery and a receiving tube terminating in a common duct or tube within said
box, a valve located within said duct for guiding the carrier into and out of the
box, a lock for holding the carrier in the latter, and means for effecting its
release, substantially as shown and described.
Fifteenth. A pneumatic dispatch tube sub-station box provided with inlet and
outlet ports merging into a common duct within said box, and valve mechanisın
for guiding the carrier into and out of said duct, a lock for the carrier, means for
releasing said lock, and mechanism for imparting to the carrier an initial return
movement, substantially as shown and described.
Sixteenth. A pneumatic dispatch tube sub-station box provided with inlet and
outlet ports merging into a common duct within said box, and valve mechanism
for guiding the carrier into and out of the box and for cutting off or admitting
air pressure from the inlet to the outlet port, substantially as shown and described.
Seventeenth. In combination with a main or branch delivery tube B of pneumatic
dispatch apparatus a series of sub-stations delivery tubes and boxes, switches
located at the junction of the main and sub-station tubes, electro-magnetic locking
mechanism for said switches, and circuit connection for said electro-magnetic
devices which is broken by a moving carrier to release said switches, substantially
as shown and described.
Eighteenth. In combination with the tubes B and B¹, a series of switches M
having arms m projecting into the bore of the tubes B', electro-magnetic appur-
tenances for locking and unlocking said switches, and circuit connections for said
appurtenances, having contact points 8, 8, substantially as shown and described.
Nineteenth. The combination of tubes B, B¹, switch M with locking end m, lever
armature and electro-magnets N, an electric circuit therefor, and contacts 8, 8¹,
substantially as shown and described.
Twentieth. The combination of tubes B B¹, switch M with locking end m,
armature lever and electro-magnet N, contacts 8, 81, and electric circuit and alarm
mechanism included therein, substantially as shown and described.
Twenty first. In combination with the tubo A, chamber a", having outlets a¹³,
valves a¹, and flanged pistons with operating mechanism, substantially as shown
and described.
Twenty second. A carrier for pneumatic dispatch apparatus having a slotted end
and the cam L³, combined with a stationary lug to engage said cam to rotate and
align properly the carrier.
Twenty third. A carrier for pneumatic dispatch tubes of less diameter than the
bore of the latter, and having an anti-friction bead Lª and cam L³, substantially as,
and for the purpose, set forth.
Twenty fourth. A pneumatic tube substation-box L constructed substantially as
shown and described, and provided with a stud or guide in combination with a
carrier provided with inclines, as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Twenty fifth. The sub station L having inlet and outlet ports, and a pivotted
lever or catch the end of which projects into the bore of the inlet port, substantially
as shown and described.
Twenty sixth. The sub-station box L having inlet and outlet ports, a valve o
carrying valves o², o³ and o*, opening o¹, and reacting spring o³, substantially as
shown and described.
Twenty seventh. The substation box L having inlet and outlet ports with valve
mechanism, a movable platform p a movable rest or locking mechanism therefor,
and springs 0 0, substantially as shown and described.

page_text: Twenty eighth. The sub-station box L having springs O. O, for giving an initial
return movement to the carriers in said box, substantially as shown and described.
Twenty ninth. In combination with box L, electro-magnets R¹, armature lever
having catch r and an electric circuit for said magnet, substantially as shown and
described.
Thirtieth. The combination of boxes L having connecting tubes B¹ and P the
former being provided with switches M and electro-magnetic appurtenances, and the
latter with valves P', substantially as shown and described.
Thirty first. In combination with pneumatic tubes A, P and their branches and
sub-branches, switches C and M, lever R, electro magnetic appurtenances for said
switches and lever, electric circuits therefor, and conduits or pipes for the latter,
substantially as shown and described.
Thirty second. Pneumatic dispatch apparatus having electric switches for
changing the course of the carriers through the tubes, electrical conductors or wires
between said switches and the central office, and a pipe or conduit for said wires,
substantially as shown and described.
Thirty third. In combination with pneumatic dispatch apparatus, the chamber a¹¹,
having inlets a¹² gates or valves a¹, flanged pistons a¹³, operating mechanism, and
compressing devices and reservoir, substantially as shown, and for the purpose set
forth.
Thirty fourth. In pneumatic tube apparatus the combination of a central station,
a series of sub-stations, a single delivery tube common to all substations, means
substantially as shown and described for directing the course of the carriers to the
sub-stations, mechanism for locking the carriers in the boxes of the substations,
and devices attached to said boxes for imparting to the carriers an initial return
movement, as set forth.
Thirty fifth. In pneumatic dispatch apparatus, a delivery tube having a series of
sub-station tubes connected therewith, switches located at the junction of said
tubes and moved by a passing carrier, electro-magnetic locking devices, and contact
points in circuit therewith which are moved by a travelling carrier to cause said
appurtenances to operate to release said switches, substantially as shown and
described.
Thirty sixth. In pneumatic dispatch apparatus, the delivery pipe A having
branches and sub-station boxes, the switches C and M the former being operated
from the central station and the latter automatically moved by travelling carriers,
substantially as shown and described.
Thirty seventh. In combination with tubes P, the shunts or valves P' and
guide P³ substantially as shown and described.
Thirty eighth. A sub-station box for pneumatic tubes having valve mechanism
for guiding the carrier into and out of the box, and also. for cutting off and
admitting air pressure to the outlet tube of the box, substantially as shown and
described.
Thirty ninth. In pneumatic dispatch apparatus, a single delivery tube having
branches, sub-branches and sub-station boxes, switches located at the junction of
the main and branch tubes and at the junction of the latter and sub-branches, the
latter being arranged to change automatically the course of the carriers to the
sub-station boxes, substantially as shown and described.
Fortieth. In combination with sub-station box L having opening 12, the movable
platform p with retracting spring p², substantially as shown and described.
A
1
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