IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING SAFES
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Haseltine, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC APPARATUS FOR
PROTECTING SAFES."-A communication from abroad by Calvin Christy
Rowell and William Duncan, both of Lebanon, New Hampshire,
United States of America.
"
"
Sealed the 5th January 1872, and dated the 16th November 1871.
5
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said George Haseltine at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 16th November 1871, pursuant to the 9th
Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
HASELTINE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for
** IMPROVEMENTS
IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING SAFES," and have petitioned

page_text: Her Majesty to grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have made solemn
Declaration that it has been communicated to me from abroad by
Calvin Christy Rowell and William Duncan, both of Lebanon, New
Hampshire, United States of America.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Haseltine, do hereby declare
that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and seal,
fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawing forming
a part of this Specification :-
This Invention relates to an improved method of protecting safes from
burglars by so combining or connecting the safe with an electric circuit
composed of a battery, a magnetic coil, and armatures, and an alarm
apparatus, that the opening of the door or the perforation of any one of
the walls of the safe or the surrounding closet or case when the alarm is
set, will break the circuit and spring the alarm, the armatures of the
magnetic coil being connected with an alarm apparatus, so that the
retraction of the armature by its spring when released from the magnet
will operate the alarm.
The said Invention consists,―
Firstly. In an outer safe or safe enclosing closet so constructed and
connected with an electric circuit and an alarm apparatus that the
opening of the door or the perforating of the outer plate of the door,
or either of the outer plates of the safe, will break the circuit, the
breaking of which operates the alarm apparatus.
Secondly. In combining with the safe or safe enclosing closet an
electric circuit and alarm apparatus, a cable or compound circuit wire,
and a series of magnetic coils and armatures so arranged that the
breaking of the circuit of any one of the coils will set the alarm in
operation, the object in using this assemblage of wires in the cable being
to prevent the circuit from being completed outside of the safe, so that
it would remain closed if the safe were taken out of the circuit by
employing a separate wire, and thus allow the safe to be broken into
without sounding the alarm.
Thirdly. In a novel construction and arrangement of the circuit
closing and breaking mechanism.

page_text: Fourthly. In the combination with a safe an electric circuit and alarm
apparatus, of enclosing walls or plates provided with air spaces between
them, from which the air is exhausted, so that if a break or perforation
is made at any point through the walls or plates, the rush of air into
the
space between the walls or plates will break the circuit and sound
the alarm.
Fifthly. In constructing the enclosing plates or walls for the safe in
sections, and connecting them together by tubes or air channels for
greater convenience in enclosing the safe, transporting, and setting
it up.
Sixthly. In the combination with an electric circuit and clockwork
operated by the same of the double gongs for sounding a continuous
alarm.
Seventhly. In the combination with an electric circuit and clockwork
operated by the same, and the double alarm gongs of a second alarm
gong which operates intermittently to sound an alarm.
Eighthly. In providing the clockwork with two or more driving
springs, so that if one should break the other or others would drive the
workclock.
Ninthly. In constructing the door or other part of the alarm box of a
series of perforated plates, the perforations of which are arranged in
alternate rows or "break joints" to prevent ingress to the clockwork,
while free air communication is retained with the interior of the box to
emit the sound of the alarm.
Tenthly. In constructing the door of the alarm box with a movable
perforated plate and a stud, so arranged that if the said plate be moved
inwards the circuit will be broken and the alarm rung.
Eleventhly. In the combination with an electric circuit and alarm
apparatus of a lock so arranged as to lock the alarm box, connect
and disconnect an armature lever, and control the movement of the
clockwork.
Twelfthly. In an alarm box as a whole composed of the parts and
having the functions herein-after fully described.

page_text: the electric cable or circuit wires; Figure 2 is a vertical section through
the safe, showing the cable as applied directly to the door of a safe;
Figure 3 is a front view of the alarm box, with the door opened to show
the arrangement of the mechanism within the box; Figure 4 is an
enlarged view of the escapement wheel and pallets and the alarm
apparatus connected with and operated by them; Figures 5 and 6 are
top views of the locking bar broken away from the alarm box, and the
locking and setting apparatus connected with it; Figure 7 is a sectional
view through the locking bar at the line x, y, Figure 5, showing the
action of the locking and setting apparatus upon the armature lever L
and its mechanism; Figure 8 is a top view of the electro-magnets and
their armatures, and the armature lever connected to and operated by
them, the circuit wires being shown in dotted lines; Figure 9 is a side
elevation of Figure 8; Figure 10 is an end view of the alarm box, partly
in section, showing it as secured upon the outside of a building, and
operated from the inside of the room or apartment; Figure 11 is a front
view of the door of the alarm box, partly broken away to show its
construction; Figure 12 is a view of a portion of the train of clockwork,
showing the arrangement of the driving springs.
The safe shown in Figure 1 is enclosed within an outer safe or closet,
composed of hollow walls connected together, so that there is free air
communication with all parts between the walls, and a cable composed
of a series of circuit wires is directly connected with the case or closet,
and with an electric battery shown at H. In Figure 2 the circuit cable
is shown as applied directly to or connected with the door of a safe. In
Figure 1, which shows a horizontal section of the enclosing case, the
position of the safe is represented in plan at B', and the case surrounding
it is made with hollow walls or is composed of two plates A', A³, with
an air-tight space a¹ between them. The door of this case is made of
similar plates with a like space between them. A. tube c¹ in the outer
wall A¹ of the case communicating with the air space a³ is connected to
an air pump by means of which the air between the walls of the case
may be more or less exhausted. The inner wall A² of the case is pro-
vided with an expanding and collapsing disc G, which is expanded and
pressed out by the air within the case when the air is exhausted from
the space a¹ between the walls of the case; this position is shown in
Figure 1 of the Drawing. The circuit wires 6', 63, from the poles of
the battery H¹³ pass through the walls or plates A', A³, of the case, and

page_text: are connected, the one 6¹ to the plate or spring E¹, and the other 6° to
the inner end of the cable C². The end of the cable is also connected
with a plate D¹ which touches the upper end (as seen in Figure 1) of
the plate or spring F; this spring Ft presses against the plate E' at
the other end, and when it is in contact with the plate D¹ connected
to the cable the circuit is complete, supposing the cable to be properly
connected with the arrangement of electro-magnets and armatures
(Figures 8 and 9) within the alarm box (Figure 3). This is the position
the parts assume when the safe is enclosed within the case and the air
exhausted from the air chambers. The spring or finger F¹ has a pin or
stud e¹ projecting from it towards the face of the disc G³, and when the
air is exhausted from the front of the disc and it is expanded the end of
this pin or stud is close to the face of the disc, so that any motion of the
disc inwards will press back the pin or stud and separate the ends of
the plate D¹ and the finger F", and thus break the circuit.
If by the operations of any persons attempting to effect an entrance
to the safe a break or perforation is made at any point through either
the outer walls or through the outer door plates the air rushing into
the spaces a¹ will press the disc G₁inwards against the pin or stud e¹,
and separate the end of the finger F¹ and the end of the plate D¹ and
break the circuit. Such break of the circuit of course releases the
· armatures h, h, and allows the springs n', n¹, to draw down the end of
the armature lever L, and trip the escapement of the train of clockwork
in the alarm box A, and thus sound the alarm. The exhaust tube c¹ may
lead from the door chamber or from any part of the wall chamber; and
these chambers may be disconnected and each have an exhaust tube.
To provide for breaking the circuit by opening the door the adjacent or
outer ends of the two springs or fingers E, F, are held in contact when
the door is closed by an insulated knob or projection d secured to the
door, which presses the end of one finger against the other and closes
the circuit; but upon opening the door the knob d¹ is withdrawn from
the springs or fingers, and their ends are allowed to fly apart and break
the circuit. If only the two main circuit wires were employed to make
connection with the alarm box, a skilled burglar might easily complete
the circuit outside the safe, so that it would not be broken, notwith-
standing the circuit plates or wires inside the case might be separated.
I therefore form the connection between the safe and the armature
mechanism by compound or cable circuit wires and an assemblage of

page_text: magnetic coils and armatures, there being to each coil and armature two
circuit wires. These several pairs of wires and their respective coils and
armatures make an equal number of complete circuits, which will be
broken by the perforation of any one of the plates of the case or the
opening of the door; and it will be necessary to complete each separate
circuit outside of the safe in order to prevent the successful operation of
the alarm when the case is perforated or the door opened.
In the Drawing a cable c¹ is shown, having three pairs of main circuit
wires properly insulated or covered, and three coils I', I', I', and arma-
tures h, h, h; the break of any one of the circuits causing the released
armature or armature lever to be operated by a spring and set the alarm
apparatus in motion..
เ
In the modification shown in Figure 2, in which only the door of the
safe is shown as protected, the air chamber a³ of the door B³ has a
collapsible disc G³, from which an insulated pin projects, the end of
this pin having a metal connector that unites two wires m³, m³, that are
connected or in touching contact with the plates i, j, united to the
circuit wires k¹, k³, and to the cable leading to the magnetic coils.
When the air is exhausted from the chamber a² and the door of the safe
closed, the wires m³, m³, are united by the metal connector in the pin 7,
and the ends of the wires are in contact with the plates ¹, . If a
break or hole is made through the outer plate of the door at this time
the disc G¹ will collapse and push the metal connector away from the
wires, bringing the insulated portion of the pin between them, and thus
breaking the circuit and giving the alarm. In like manner, if the door
be opened the circuit will be also broken, because the ends of the
wires m, m, will be drawn away from the plates ¹³, 1. The alarm
apparatus is enclosed within a suitable box or casing A, and is protected
by the door B. The train of clockwork c placed within this box
constitutes the striking mechanism or the means by which the hammers
of the gongs H, I, I, are operated. D is a bar, extending across the
front of the box, and provided with bearings for the sliding bolt F. One
end of the bolt is connected with the lock E, secured upon the bar D,
and the other end engages with the staple m on the door B, and holds it
The lock E is operated by the spindle which projects from the
back of the box and has a suitable knob upon its end. G is a plate
secured within the box, upon which the electro-magnets I¹, I¹, and their
armatures h, h, that are connected with the cable C₁ are arranged.
secure.

page_text: H, I, I, are the alarm gongs, arranged as shewn in Figures 3 and 4, and
operated by the striking mechanism; J, J, are the pallets operated by
the escapement wheel P, and controlled by the rod d secured to them.
The pallets J are provided also with a rod N carrying the hammers i, i,
which strike rapidly upon the gongs I, I, and sound a continuous alarm
as the pallets are vibrated by the escapement wheel P. The wire or
rod d secured to the pallets is held back by the spring catch 9 upon the
bracket n, and the motion of the train of clockwork is arrested and
controlled by it. When the rod d is held back by the catch g in the
position shewn in Figures 3 and 4, the lower end of the rod is imme-
diately over the end of the armature lever L (as shewn in Figures 4 and
7), but as soon as the circuit is broken and the armatures h, h, are
released from their magnets, the springs n³, n', draw down the end of the
armature lever L, and cause its other or upper end to raise the rod d from
the catch and permit the train of clockwork to set in motion the
escapement wheel P and sound the alarm. The hammers i, i, vibrated
by the pallet, strike a continuous alarm upon the gongs I, I, and the
hammer j raised by the clockwork and thrown against the gong H by a
spring sounds an intermittent alarm.
The mechanism for setting and controlling the alarm and for shutting
it off when it is not required to have it operate is constructed and
arranged as follows:-The locking bolt F constructed with and operated
by the combination lock E carries an upright arm c, and also a wedge-
shaped piece e projecting from it at right angles or horizontally within
the box. The arm c has a notch in its end, which moves in the same
plane as the rod d when the bolt F is operated, and the wedge e passes
over the end of the armature lever L, and holds it down. The lock E
is of the kind known as "combination” locks, and can only be operated
by a person having a knowledge of the combination or arrangement of
figures or letters controlling its movements. When the knob O on the
spindle is properly turned and the bolt F thrown forward into the
position shewn in Figure 3, the ȧrm c is moved at the same time into
place immediately behind the rod d, and the wedge e is brought over the
end of the armature lever L, so that the rod d is held forward and pre-
vented from being thrown clear of the catch g, and the armature lever L
cannot be thrown up against the rod d if from any cause the circuit
is broken. The alarm is thus always under control, and can be shut off
whenever it is necessary. The motion forward given to the bolt F to

page_text: operate these devices will not be enough to withdraw the end of the
bolt F from the staple m secured to the door B of the case; a further
movement will be necessary to accomplish this when it is desired to
open the door. By throwing the bolt F back the arm c will be with-
drawn from the rod d, the wedge e moved back from the armature
lever L, and the mechanism is ready to be operated by the breaking of
the circuit. The alarm may be stopped and re-set at any time when it
is sprung by turning the knob O and throwing the bolt F forward, so that
the notch in the arm c engages with the rod d and throws it forward
The
into the spring catch g, and then moving the bolt back again.
door of the box A is constructed of a series of perforated plates, as
shewn in Figure 11, the perforations of which are placed in alternate
rows, or those in one plate between those in the others; so that although
the interior of the box or case A is in communication with the air
outside surrounding it, no access can be had to the inside of the box
through the plates. This permits the sound of the alarm to be heard
more distinctly than it would if the case were constructed of plain plates
without the perforations. The door B is arranged with a moveable
shield a having perforations in the lower part and provided with the
stud K. The plate a is held back by a coil spring around the stud K,
and is supported upon the studs b, b¹, secured to the door B. When in
this position the head of the stud K is immediately over the lower end
of the armature lever L. If from any cause the shield or moveable
plate a is pressed against from the outside, when the door is closed the
stud K will be moved against the end of the lever L, and the opposite
end of the lever will be raised, and the rod d spring from the catch g.
As thus arranged the mechanism within the box cannot be tampered
with from the outside, for any attempts to break in through the door B
or introduce an instrument will cause the plate a to be pressed in and
sound the alarm. The train of clockwork is driven by the springs 1, 1,
arranged as shewn in Figure 12, in place of the signal spring usually
employed. The object of this arrangement is to prevent the derange-
ment of the mechanism by the accidental breaking of the spring, which
would happen if only one was employed; but by using two or more
springs to drive the train this liability is entirely obviated.
It will be obvious that many modifications may be made in the
arrangement of the mechanism I have employed without departing from
the essence of my Invention. The air or vacuum chambers may be

page_text: differently constructed or arranged, and instead of exhausting the air
from such chambers and operating the alarm by the expansion of a disc
or head, the chambers may be expanded by forcing air into them under
pressure and the alarm be operated through the electric circuit by the
collapse of the disc or chamber heads.
Having thus fully. described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents and shewn how the same may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I claim,-
First. In combination with a safe an electric circuit, and an alarm
apparatus, the safe or enclosing case so constructed and connected with
the circuit and the circuit with the alarm that a break or perforation
through the plate or walls of the safe or case or the opening of the door
of such safe or case will break the circuit and sound the alarm.
Second. In combination with a safe and an electric circuit and an
alarm apparatus the compound circuit wires or cable C₁ and series of
magnetic coils and armatures arranged and operated in the manner
herein described.
Third. In combination with a safe and with an electric circuit and
an alarm apparatus the air chambers, air exhaust pipes, and expanding
and collapsing discs arranged and operating, in the manner herein
described.
Fourth. The construction and arrangement of the circuit closing
and breaking mechanism, as herein described and shewn in Figures 1
and 2.
Fifth. The combination with a safe and electric circuit of enclosing
walls or plates provided with air spaces, constructed and operating as
herein described.
Sixth. Constructing the walls or plates for enclosing a safe in sections.
and connecting them together by flexible or air-tight tubes, in the
manner herein described.
Seventh. In combination with an electric circuit and clockwork
operated by the same the double alarm gongs I, I, constructed and
operated in the manner herein described.
Eighth. In combination with an electric circuit and clockwork
operated by the same and double gongs I, I, of the alarm gong H,
constructed and operated in the manner herein described.
:

page_text: Ninth. Constructing the clockwork with two or more driving springs,
so arranged that if one breaks the other or others will drive the clock-
work, as herein described.
Tenth. Constructing the door or other part of the alarm box of a
series of perforated plates, the perforations of which "break joints" to
prevent ingress to the clockwork, while free air communication is
retained with the interior of the box to emit the sound of the alarm,
as herein described.
Eleventh. Constructing the door of the alarm box with a moveable
perforated plate a and stud K, as herein described and for the purpose
specified.
Twelfth. The combination with an electric circuit and an alarm appa-
ratus operated as described of a lock E arranged to lock the alarm box,
connect and disconnect the lever L, and control the movement of the
clockwork, as herein described.
Thirteenth. The alarm box as a whole constructed and operated,
substantially as described and used in connection with an insulated
safe and electric circuit.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Haseltine, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of November, in the
year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
Witness,
EDWARD C. JACKSON.
GEORGE HASELTINE. (L.S.)