IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS
Year: 1884

page_text: I CLAUDE JOSEPH AUGUSTIN MUNIER, of Bois-guillaume (Seine Inférieure) in
the Republic of France do hereby declare the nature of said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to printing telegraph instruments and it consists
essentially in the addition to apparatus of the class known as the Hughes printing
telegraph of certain mechanism hereinafter described which enables these apparatus
to act as multiple or multiplex telegraphs.
I am enabled to utilise the printing and correcting mechanism of the existing
Hughes apparatus for the purposes of my Invention and I employ a mechanical
combination whereby I am enabled to cause the manipulator to work inde-
pendently, that is to say to cause it to deliver a series of currents capable of
supplying a number of type wheels With this object I destroy the synchronism
existing in the Hughes apparatus, between the transmitter and the receiver or type
wheel of individual apparatus-I reestablish the synchronism in an electrical sense
between the transmitter and the receiver by means of a novel device which I term a
compensator and which forms an essential feature of my Invention and I run the
transmitter at say two, three, four or even ten times the speed of the receiver.
This speed is converted into angular speed by means of a distributer hereinafter
described divided into as many sectors as there are type wheels each sector being
divided into as many parts as a type wheel-Under these conditions all the
currents delivered by the transmitter arrive in advance at the receiver but are
collected by the compensator whose function it is to rectify the difference in speed
and to cause the local currents to reach the printing magnet at the exact time
when the type wheel is in the proper position.
The manipulation with regard to each key consists in sending one current at
each revolution of this transmitter. Each key board being in possession of the
line only at the exact moment when the receiver commences its revolution the fact
is notified automatically The line remains in connection with each key board for
a period equal to the time occupied by the transmitter in passing over one sector
of the distributor-The speed of the transmitter being greater than that of the
receiver with which it is connected it follows that all the current transmitted by
any one of the 28 keys usually composing the keyboard except the first will be in
advance on the receiver. to an extent equal to a fraction of the circumference
proportionate to the difference of speed existing between the transmitter and the

page_text: receiver The compensator intervenes to correct this difference at the time when
the transmitter is in connection with other key boards.
The compensator is worked by two spindles or axes arranged end to end and a
Hughes electro magnet-One of the spindles of the compensator is driven from and
at the same speed as the spindle of the type wheel.
The other spindle also receiving motion from the Hughes instrument is caused
to revolve in the opposite direction at a rate one, two, three or more times slower
than the first spindle according to the number of key boards employed.
Upon the extremity of the first spindle adjacent to the second spindle there is
provided an arm carrying a pawl and the adjacent extremity of the second spindle
carries a ratchet-wheel with which the said pawl engages at the proper moment.
This pawl causes the local current working the printing apparatus to be delivered
at the proper time In order to obtain the desired effect the pawl runs to be
capable of remaining stationary in a given position and of working forwards by
partaking of the movement of the first spindle or of working backwards by
partaking of the movement of the second spindle when in gear with the ratchet
wheel.
The arm carrying the pawl is fitted upon the first spindle so as to be capable of
turning thereon but nevertheless fits the said spindle tightly enough to be carried
round regularly with the said spindle being also capable of remaining stationary or
turning backwards upon the first spindle when in gear with the ratchet wheel on
the second spindle.
The local current is controlled by the pawl by means of a contact maker
composed of two springs situated in the path of a pin attached to the pawl-These
two contact springs are insulated from each other and are carried upon a moveable
support so as to be capable of being shifted or adjusted.
One spring is connected to the local battery and is out of reach of the pin on the
pawl the other spring being connected with the printing magnet and situated in
the path of the said pin.
When the pawl returns to its normal position the second spring is bent and
makes contact with the first spring but when the pawl moves so as to bend the
second spring in the opposite direction no contact is made.
In order that the pawl may not engage with the ratchet before the proper time
I employ a ring by which the pawl prevented from engaging with the teeth of
the ratchet wheel by a pin on the pawl bearing against the periphery of the ring.
The ring is withdrawn from and caused to release the pawl by an electro magnet
acting upon a pallet attached to a lever connected to the ring-This lever is
provided with an arm which is acted upon by a cam on the spindle carrying the
pawl or on the type wheel spindle for the purpose of bringing the pallet up to the
poles of the magnet when required This magnet receives the currents from
the key boards the said currents subsequently passing to the ground line.
The formation of objectionable induced currents in the circuit of this magnet is
obviated by means of an automatic contact breaker which breaks the circuit on the
approach of the pallet connected to the lever operating the ring.
In order that every correction made upon the typewheel may be communicated
to the pawl, I employ an inclined surface provided with a notch and arranged at
one extremity of a jointed lever pivotted at its centre; the other extremity of this
lever is situated in the path of a wiper carried by the type wheel.
This wiper operates the lever and controls the release of the pawl which being
thus rendered dependent upon the movement of the type wheel is influenced by all
the corrections to which the latter is subjected.
Taking the case of a quadruplex apparatus for example if the transmitter be
provided with Twenty eight divisions it will describe four revolutions whilst the
type wheel describes one revolution or if the transmitter carry four sectors each
sector having 28 divisions (this being the arrangement which I-prefer) it will
perform the same number of revolutions as the said wheel; in either case the result
will be the same the first spindle of the compensator will rotate with a speed equal

page_text: to the speed of the type wheel the second with a speed three times slower that is to
say as many times slower than the first spindle as the speed of the transmitter is
greater than that of the receiver.
By means of this combination of movements, the number of emissions that can be
obtained with this apparatus in a given time is only limited by the maximum
speed of the transmitter and the minimum duration of the emissions the minimum
of time between each emission corresponding to the maximum speed of the
transmittor.
"
Every difference in speed between transmitter and receiver is immediately
corrected by the compensator.
By means of a special distributing apparatus I am enabled to connect each
keyboard with the line and with the battery successively and to send alternately
positive and negative currents with one battery and to convert a multiple apparatus
into a single acting apparatus when required This distributer is provided with as
many sectors as there are type wheels in connection therewith and each sector is
provided with concentric rows of division or contact makers corresponding with
the divisions on the type wheels. An arm carrying a corresponding number of
contacts is arranged to sweep over these sectors and between each sector there is
an empty space enabling the rubber or contact maker on the arm to complete an
emission on the last contact of one sector before reaching the first division of the
following sector.
When the pawl is operated the distributer arm rapidly traverses all the sectors
sending through each sector a current which affects all the compensators in the
several instruments in the same manner as the one hereinbefore described and when
the distributer returns to the end division after making a complete turn on the
sectors which it has to traverse the compensator will have done its work and be
ready to receive a fresh current.
In a multiple telegraph arranged according to this Invention all the receivers
may be connected by placing them on prolongations of the axis of a principal or
motor apparatus or all the receivers may be independent being regulated to work
synchronously with a principal apparatus termed the distributer apparatus In
either case the principal or distributer apparatus is a Hughes instrument minus all
the usual transmitting devices except the printing spindle with the correcting cam
and which acts as a corrector spindle the correcting wheel and the ratchet friction
wheel. In place of the type wheel a rubber carrier or contact maker is employed.
The distributer carried by the table of the apparatus engages between the
correcting wheel and the rubber carrier in such a manner as to be in proximity to
the latter The corrector shaft the corrector wheel and the ratchet friction wheel
thus perform with regard to the rubber carriers the same functions as with respect
to the type wheel of a single acting Hughes instrument.
The keys of the improved instrument are insulated from each other and connected
with the first series of divisions of one of the sectors of the distributer.
A horizontal bar provided with a series of teeth or projections is arranged
underneath the keys and each key is provided with inclined surfaces which when
the keys are depressed act upon the projection on the horizontal bar and cause the
latter to be shifted longitudinally and close the circuit Thus arranged the key
board may be arranged to work either as a multiple or single acting transmitting
instrument.
When applied to subterranean lines the distributor is provided with sectors
connected with the keys and alternating with sectors connected with earth.
The rate of speed of the second spindle of the compensator being based upon the
number of divisions in the distributer the earth sectors may be made of sufficient
length to restore the line to the neutral condition the compensation being obtained
by driving the said spindle at a speed proportional to the total number of divisions
on the first disc.
In order to convert a multiple apparatus into a single acting apparatus it suffices
to momentarily interrupt the communications with all the contact makers of the

page_text: distributer except one that is to say to annul the effects of the compensator and use
one of the series of divisions in the distributor with the keyboard with which it is
connected. In this case the current delivered passes from the depressed key in the
corresponding sector and thence is taken by the travelling rubber or contact maker
and transmitted to the line.
If desired the result may be produced by simply shifting a commutating device.
The adjustment of the break usually employed in the Hughes instruments is
obtained by trials and its accuracy depends to a considerable extent upon the skill
of the operator I employ in place of the spring arm carrying the rubbers two
blade springs between which works an ivory cam or excentric. The pressure of
the upper spring upon the excentric or cam is regulated by a screw working in a
frame surrounding the cam spindle the amplitude of the vibrations of the said
spring being limited by a second screw in the same frame and a third screw serves
to regulate the action of the lower spring.
تند
J. HENRY JOHNSON,
Agent for the said Joseph Augustin Munier.

page_text: I CLAUDE JOSEPH AUGUSTIN MUNIER of Boisguillaume (Seine-Inférieure) in
the Republic of France do hereby declare the nature of said invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING TELEGRAPHIC 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 has for its object a novel multiple printing telegraph instrument
working on similar principles to the Hughes Apparatus and it consists essentially
in the addition to apparatus of the class referred to, of a mechanical device, herein-
after termed a compensator which enables these apparatus to act as multiple or
multiplex telegraphs.
In order to utilize the existing Hughes apparatus for the purposes of my
Invention I discard all the parts excepting those connected with the printing and
correcting mechanism.
It being desirable to use only one emission per letter to be reproduced, I employ
a mechanical combination whereby I am enabled to cause the manipulator to work
independently, that is to say to cause it to deliver a series of currents capable of
supplying a certain number of type wheels. With this object I employ the
following arrangement namely.
Firstly I destroy the synchronism, existing in the Hughes apparatus, between
the transmitter and the receiver or type wheel of an individual apparatus.
Secondly I reestablish the synchronism, in an electrical sense, between the
transmitter, and the receiver by means of a novel device which I term a
compensator and which forms the essential feature of my Invention.
Thirdly I work the transmitter at two, three, four or even ten times the speed
of the receiver.
Fourthly This speed in place of existing at the axis is converted into angular
speed by means of a distributing apparatus hereinafter described. This distributor
is divided into as many sectors as there are type wheels, each sector being divided
into as many parts as a type wheel.
Under these conditions all the currents delivered by the transmitter arrive in
advance at the receiver, but are collected by the compensator whose function it is
to rectify the difference in speed and prevent currents from reaching the electro
magnet of the printing apparatus except at the time when the receiver is in the
proper position.
The manipulation, with regard to each key consists in sending one current at
each revolution of the transmitter. Each key board being in possession of the line
only at the exact moment when the receiver commences its revolution, the fact is
notified automatically. The line remains in connection with each key board for a
period equal to the time occupied by the transmitter in passing over one sector of
the distributor. The speed of the transmitter being greater than that of the
receiver with which it is connected, it follows that all the current transmitted by
one of the 28 keys composing the keyboard except the first, will be in advance on
the receiver to an extent equal to a fraction of the circumference proportionate to
the difference of speed existing between the transmitter and the receiver. The
compensator intervenes to correct this difference at the time when the transmitter
is in connection with other keyboards.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the

page_text: several figures on the annexed sheet of drawing the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a plan showing the compen sator and
its component parts.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the inverting distributor.
Figure 2 is a plan of the inverting distributor showing its connection with the
Hughes apparatus.
Figure 3 is a detail of the compensating electro magnet.
Figure 4 is a view of the escapement ring hereinafter referred to.
Figure 5 shows the break and the means for adjusting the same.
Figure 6 shows the arrangement of a peculiarly formed bar operated by the key
board when the apparatus is in action as hereinafter described.
The compensator is composed of two spindles or axes A and B-see figure 1
(each axis being from five to six centimetres (about two inches) in length) and a
Hughes electro magnet E. The two axes or spindles A and B receive motion
from the spindles 2 and 3 of a Hughes instrument. The spindle A is driven by
the spindle 3, which is the spindle of the type wheel, by means of a pinion p
gearing with a corresponding pinion p¹ whereby a speed equal to the speed of the
type, wheel is imparted to the axis A. The spindle B is driven by the spindle 2 by
the intervention of a star wheel R and a pinion P I. The number of teeth on the
pinion and on the star wheel is such as to cause the spindle B to revolve at a rate
one, two, three or more times slower than the spindle A. Thus arranged, the two
spindles or arbors of the compensator rotate at different speeds in opposite directions
to each other; they are arranged in a line, end to end, at a short distance apart,
somewhat similarly to the fly wheel arbor and the shaft of the printing wheel in
the Hughes apparatus. Upon the extremity of the spindle A facing the spindle B
there is provided an arm Ċ which fits somewhat tightly but not immovably on
the said spindle A and the adjacent extremity of the spindle B carries a ratchet
wheel R. O. with which a pawl on the arm C engages at the proper moment.
Compensator.
The compensator taken as a whole forms a special combination of mechanism
which may be applied to the Hughes apparatus either on a continuation of the
spindles 2 and 3 as indicated in the drawing, or placed above these spindles in the
frame formed by the pillar plates of the apparatus.
Compensator Pawl.-This pawl performs the functions of a local manipulator
and sends at the proper moment, the current for working the printing apparatus.
In order to obtain the desired effect the pawl must be capable of remaining
stationary in a given position and of working forwards by partaking of the
movement of the spindle upon which it is carried or of working backwards by
partaking of the movement of the spindle B when in gear with the ratchet wheel.-
The movements of this pawl although it is subject to alternations of activity and
inactivity must be synchronous with the movements of the type wheel which are
regular and subjected to corrections; consequently every correction applied to the
type wheel is transmitted to the pawl.
The various movements of the compensator; the starting simultaneously with
the type wheel at each revolution of the wheel, the stoppage on the arrival of the
line current, and return to the point of departure after engaging with the ratchet
wheel, the transmission of the local current, must take place with absolute precision
because upon this precision depends the efficiency of the compensator.
In order to obtain this result I employ the following arrangement, namely. The
arm carrying the pawl is fitted upon the spindle A so as to be capable of turning
thereon but nevertheless fits the said spindle tightly enough to be carried round
regularly with the spindle A when moving in the same direction therewith, being
also capable of turning backwards with the spindle B without presenting an
excessive resistance when the latter is turning in an opposite direction relatively
to the spindle A. The pawl being started automatically from its normal position

page_text: at each revolution of the type wheel it is evident that, at this moment, it is not
required to engage with the ratchet wheel which, would have the effect of bringing
it back to the position of rest, which is not required.
Escapement-ring-In order to prevent the pawl from engaging directly it is
automatically started, I employ a ring C, O, (figures 1 and 4) upon which the pawl
falls on starting and by which it is prevented from engaging with the teeth of the
ratchet wheel by means of a pin G projecting from the pawl bearing against the
periphery of the ring over which it slides. By these means the pawl is retained
out of gear with the teeth of the ratchet wheel but is ready to engage therewith
directly the ring is moved away from the pin on the pawl so as to allow the latter
to fall against the ratchet wheel. The movement of the ring whereby the pawl is
enabled to engage with the ratchet wheel is produced by the action of a current
supplied to an electro magnet in connection with the compensator.
Electro magnet of the compensator, currents, induction coils, interruptor pawl.—
The clectro magnet of the compensator is a Hughes electro magnet arranged
horizontally so as to control the movement of the ring This movement takes
place in precisely the same manner as the movement by which the pallet of the
Hughes electro magnet displaces the escapement lever. The formation of objection-
able induced currents is obviated by means of a cylindrical catch C¹ so arranged as
to break the circuit on the approach of the pallet.
Inclined plane. In order that every correction made upon the typewheel may
be communicated to the pawl I employ an inclined surface I so arranged as to
enable the type wheel itself to start the pawl at every revolution of the wheel.
This incline is arranged at one exremity of a jointed lever L pivotted at its centre;
the other extremity extends to within a short distance of the side of the type
wheel. On the other hand the type wheel carries a wiper Y which causes the
lever L to turn upon its centre. The movement or oscillation thus imparted to the
lever has the effect of controlling the fall of the pawl upon the ring; the starting
of the pawl being thus dependent upon the type wheel is influenced by all the
corrections to which the latter is subjected. The lever L is arranged in a similar
manner to the escapement lever of a Hughes apparatus.
Local transmission.-The local transmission is obtained by arranging a contact
maker composed of two springs K and K' in the path of the pin G or of a special
pin G¹ attached to the pawl. These two contact springs are insulated from each
other and are carried upon a moveable support so as to be capable of being shifted.
The spring K is connected to the local battery and is out of reach of the pin but
the spring K which is very weak is connected with the printing electro magnet
and is situated in the path of the pin G¹.
When the pawl moves onward or returns, the spring K' is bent and the spring K.
is arranged upon the curve described by the spring K₁ when the pawl moves to
the position of rest; but, when the pawl moves so as to bend the spring in the
opposite direction, no effect is produced.
Principle of the compensator.
Having thus explained the details I will now show how the compensator performs
its functions.
Taking the case of a quadruplex apparatus for example, if the transmitter be
provided with only 28 divisions as in the case of the type wheel, it will describe
four revolutions whilst the type wheel describes one revolution, or if the transmitter
carry four sectors, each sector having 28 divisions (this being the arrangement
which I prefer) it will perform the same number of revolutions as the said wheel;
in either case, the result will evidently be the same; the spindles A and B of the
compensator will rotate, with a speed equal to the speed of the type wheel the
second, B with a speed three times slower.
The principle is that the speed of the spindle A of the compensator is equal to
that of the typo wheel and the speed of the spindle B is inferior to that of the type

page_text: wheel by as many times as the speed of the transmitter is greater than that of the
receiver.
By means of this combination of movements the number of emissions that can be
obtained with this apparatus in a given time is only limited by the maximum speed
of the transmitter and the minimum duration of the emissions; the minimum of
time between each emission corresponding to the maximum speed of the transmitter.
Whatever the difference in speed between transmitter and receiver may be, it
will be corrected by the compensator.
In the example in question for instance, the transmitter rotates three times faster
than the type wheel, supposing for the sake of simplicity that the circumferences of
transmitter and receiver are each divided into 28 parts as in the Hughes telegraph
apparatus, the transmitter making 4 revolutions whilst the receiver makes one, we
may readily imagine the type wheel to be divided into 4 times 28 divisions or 112.
Consequently, when the transmitter has travelled to the extent of one of its
divisions or 1/28 of its circumference the type wheel will have only advanced 1/4 of
a division or of its circumference. The loss for each division will be 1/2-1/112=
1/112-1/112=3/11
112° The transmitter will gain on the receiver ³/112 of its circumference
for each division travelled over by the transmitter and this difference augmenting
progressively from the first division to the last, will, after one complete revolution
of the transmitter, amount to 3/112 × 28=84/118 of the circumference.
Now supposing a current is sent by the fifth division, the type wheel will at this
moment be 3/11 × 5=15/112 of a revolution behind the transmitter; that is to say,
in place of having accompanied the transmitter in its movement and presenting to
the printing cylinder the divisions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 it will only have presented an
equal number of subdivisions. The transmitter, the type wheel and the pawl of
the compensator having started simultaneously from the same point but at different
speeds will occupy, at the period of emission, the following positions (to the right or
to the left of the line of departure) namely the transmitter 5/28 or 80/112, receiver 5/112,
compensator ³/112 Whilst the type wheel was bringing the character to be printed
nearer to the printing cylinder by 5/112 the compensator pawl retired to the extent
of the same fraction of a revolution or 5/112 from the local contact. The current
having the effect of withdrawing the pawl from the influence of the retiring axis or
spindle A and causing it to be acted on by the advancing spindle B, it follows that,
in the case in question, the pawl returns to its normal position with a speed three
times slower than that of the type wheel, its loss of 5/112 being thus multiplied by 3
is 15/112 a fraction equal to the loss in the case of the type wheel; the compensation
is thus effected and the local current is delivered by the pawl arriving at the
position of rest at the precise moment when the character to be, printed is in the
proper position.
Reversing distributor.-By means of a distributing apparatus illustrated in
figure 2, I am enabled to send alternately positive and negative currents with one
battery and to convert a multiple apparatus into a single acting apparatus when
required without loss of time.
Between each sector there is an empty space enabling the rubber or contact
maker I to complete an emission on the 28th key of a sector before reaching the
first division of the following sector.
The compensating apparatus hereinbefore described thus serves chiefly to receive
the currents from the key board of the corresponding instrument and to retard the
action of these currents on the printing electro magnet. The delay caused by the
compensator in sending the local current to be employed for the printing is equal to
the amount by which the distributor has gained on the type wheel. In fact, the
spindle rotating at the same rate as the type wheel, carries the pawl with it until
the pallet and consequently the ring are displaced by a current. The act of shifting
the ring enables the pawl to engage with the ratchet wheel. The pawl thus engaged
is brought back to its normal position or position of rest and when in this position!
closes the local circuit; thus the extent to which the distributor is in advance of

page_text: the type wheel is compensated for by the action of the pawl returning to the
position of rest with a speed slower than the speed of the type wheel in the same
proportion as the speed of the distributor is greater than that of the said type
wheel.
When the pawl is operated the distributor rapidly traverses all the sectors,
sending through each sector a current which affects all the compensators in the
several instruments in the same manner as the one herein before described, and
when the distributor returns to one, after making a complete turn on the sectors
which it has to traverse, the compensator will have done its work and be ready to
receive a fresh current.
Parts of a multiple apparatus.
A multiple apparatus or instrument may be constructed according to two different
arrangements.
1. By connecting all the receivers, that is to say, placing them on prolongations
of the axes of a principal or motor apparatus.
2. By making all the receivers independent and regulating them synchronously
with the principal apparatus termed the distributor, apparatus. In either case the
principal apparatus is a Hughes instrument minus all the usual transmitting devices
except 1st the printing spindle on which the correcting cam alone remains and which
acts as a corrector spindle, 2nd the correcting wheel without the reversing plate,
and 3rdly the ratchet friction wheel.
The rubber carrier is substituted for the type wheel.
The distributor carried by the table of the apparatus engages between the correcting
wheel and the rubber carrier in such a manner as to be in proximity to the latter.
The corrector shaft, the corrector wheel, and the ratchet friction wheel, thus
perform with regard to the rubber carriers the same functions as with respect to the
type wheel of a single acting instrument.
Motor. In the former case, the spindle of the fly wheel (spindle 4), the spindle of
the type wheel (spindle 3), and the spindle driving the latter (spindle 2), are
prolonged at the back of the motor apparatus for a sufficient length to enable them
to take all the receiving instruments. The blade or plate in place of being placed
on a prolongation of the fly wheel arbor is placed at right angles thereto.
Receivers. The number of receivers may be raised in either case from 2 to 5 or 6
and even to 10, 15 or 20.
In the former case each receiver is composed, 1st of a compensating mechanism
2ndly of all the receiving devices of a Hughes instrument. The printing spindle is
hollow or tubular so as to contain the fly wheel arbor (spindle 4) Upon a
prolongation of this arbor are carried the ratchet wheels serving to operate the
different printing spindles. Upon the prolongation of the spindle 3 are the type-wheels,
correcting wheels, and ratchet friction wheels as well as the pinions gearing with
the pinion on the axis or spindle A. of each compensator The prolongation of the
spindle 2 carries the toothed wheels gearing with the pinion on the spindle B of each
compensator-The three prolonged axes or spindles are supported at suitable
distances by plates in such a manner as to form with a compensator and the
receiving devices of a Hughes instrument receivers arranged at suitable distances
apart for convenience of working.
In the second case each receiver being independent, that is to say operated by a
separate weight, is composed of an ordinary Hughes instrument combined with
the compensating mechanism-This latter method is preferable as regards the
utilisation of existing Hughes instruments and facility of construction.
Key board (Figure 6)-The keyboard is the keyboard of a Hughes instrument
modified with regard to the case containing the pins or contact makers which is
dispensed with, the keys not being provided with levers for elevating the contact
making pins and being in the first place insulated from each other, they are
afterwards connected with the 28 divisions of the first disc of one of the sectors of

page_text: the distributor The depression of a key has the effect of shifting a horizontal rod
working between two supports 8 8¹, one connected to the battery, the other with
earth Thus arranged, the key board may be arranged to work either as a multiple
or single acting transmitting instrument.
Arrangement for subterranean lines.
The proper working of a multiple (duplex, triplex, and even quadruplex)
instrument appears to be ensured on subterranean lines by employing the
arrangements hereinafter described, whereby the line is enabled to be rendered
neutral after each emission.
The distributor is composed of "transmission sectors" connected with the keys
and alternating with "discharge sectors" connected with earth-The rate of speed
of the spindle B of the compensator being based upon the number of divisions in
the distributor, there is nothing to prevent the discharge sectors from being inade
of sufficient length to restore any line to the neutral condition, the compensation
being obtained by driving the spindle B at a speed proportional to the total number
of divisions on the disc N° 1.
Approximate production of a multiple apparatus.
The apparatus is provided with from one to five or six or ten sets of keys,
according to the amount of work in the line.
As each key board produces one emission at every revolution and one emission
causes one character or letter to be printed, the production of a sextuple apparatus
regulated for example to work at the rate of 130 revolutions per minute is
6 x 130 x 60 46,800 letters, or in the case of a decuple apparatus 10 x 13 x 6
78000 letters When 20 sets of keys are employed it will be 20 × 130 × 60
= 156,000.
=
=
-
Instruments having from fifteen to twenty sets of keys may be employed for
serving either one district with one wire, or several districts by connecting each
wire with the desired number of sets of keys. The duration of the emissions may
be determined and adjusted as found most convenient in practice irrespectively of
the number of keyboards, by making the rubber or contact maker No 1 of
proportionate length.
Instantaneous conversion of a multiple apparatus into a single acting
apparatus. In order to convert a multiple apparatus into a single acting apparatus
it suffices to momentarily interrupt the communications with the first 9 rubbers,
that is to say, to annul the effects of the compensator and establish the tenth disc
with one of the keyboards with which it is connected In this case the current
delivered passes from the depressed key in the corresponding division to the tenth
disc and thence is taken by the rubber N° 10 and transmitted to the base or frame
of the apparatus, which frame is connected with the line.
Suitable preparation being made beforehand, the desired result may be produced
by simply shifting the communicating device.
Break. The adjustment of the break usually employed in the Hughes instruments
is obtained by trials and its accuracy depends to a considerable extent upon the
skill of the operator; this is the consequence of the arrangement of the spring arm
carrying the rubbers. I employ in place of this arm two blade springs R R¹
(figure 5) between which works an ivory cam or excentric-An arm B bent at right
angles carries three screws V V₁y" The two upper screws V₁ Vu are utilised as
follows; the first serves to regulate the pressure of the spring R upon the excentric
or cam, the second serves to limit the amplitude of the vibrations.
The lower screw V co operates with the upper screw V₁ to properly regulate the
forces of attraction and repulsion to which the blade is exposed. This arrangement
enables the power of the springs R R¹ as well as the amplitude of the vibrations
to be regulated with mathematical precision The screw V₁ is substituted for the
drum in which the ordinary break works and revolves with the other parts of the
system; the action is thus rendered very regular and less motive power is
absorbed.

page_text: 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. The multiple printing telegraphic apparatus herein before described and
comprising the following essential parts videlicet, a. A distributing instrument
with which are connected a certain number of receiving instruments with their
keyboards. b. Receiving instruments with keyboards as many in number as
the sectors in the distributor. c. As many compensators as there are separate
receivers. d. All the correcting and printing devices of an ordinary Hughes
apparatus.
Second. I make especial claim to the principle upon which the compensator
forming the essential feature of my Invention is based and consisting essentially in
retarding the effects of line currents on the printing electro magnet by sending
these currents to a special electro magnet whereby they occasion a mechanical
motion which determines the exact moment at which a local printing current acts
upon the printing electro magnet, and I also claim as means for working the
system of compensation in practice the following special arrangements videlicet.
First. The employment of two spindles or axes arranged end to end and rotating
in opposite directions and at different speeds the speed of the first spindle being
equal to that of the type wheel and the speed of the second being as many times
slower than that of the said wheel as there are keyboards or sets of keys in the
instrument.
Second. The two spindles serve to work a pawl whose function is to close a local
circuit in which is situated the printing electro magnet which produces the printing
action; this closing of the circuit is effected by means of a special device consisting
of two springs insulated from each other and arranged in such a manner that the
circuit is not closed until the pawl returns to the position of rest.
Third. The pawl is capable of turning with some friction upon the spindle
which turns with the same speed as the type wheel so as to be capable of either
remaining stationary in a given position or of partaking of the movement of the
spindle upon which it is carried, or again of moving with the other spindle when
engaged with the ratchet wheel carried by the latter.
Fourth. The pawl is maintained in its position of rest by an inclined surface on
the summit of which is provided a recess which engages with a pin attached to the
pawl.
Fifth. The inclined surface placed at one extremity of a moveable lever; the
other extremity of this lever projects towards the type wheel in the path of a wiper
carried by the said wheel, for the purpose of imparting an oscillating motion to the
said lever.
Sixth. An electro magnet specially provided in connection with the compensator
receives the currents from the keys; these currents then pass to earth. I term this
electro magnet the compensating electro magnet.
the
Seventh. Facing the poles of the compensating electro magnet is arranged a
pallet mounted upon a support moveable at its base and carrying two arms;
first arm carries a ring upon which the pawl slides until the time comes for it to
engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel; the second arm serves to bring back
the pallet to the poles under the action of a cam moving with the spindle of the
type wheel or with that spindle of the compensator which revolves at the same
speed.
Eighth. A cylindrical contact pawl carried upon a fixed support in proximity to
the oscillating support of the pallet and serving to obviate the effects of induced
currents.
I claim the novel reversing distributing apparatus hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, whereby on the one hand each key board
is placed in possession of the line and of the battery alternately, and positive and
negative currents are sent to the line successively, with the employment of one

page_text: battery; and this multiple apparatus is enabled to be converted into a single acting
apparatus.
I also claim the arrangement of the break hereinbefore described and illustrated
in the drawing (figure 5).
I claim lastly the several arrangements hereinbefore described for working the
system in practice without binding myself to the precise arrangement indicated
which may be modified according to circumstances without departing from the
principle of the Invention.