IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR GIVING ALARMS OR SIGNALS IN CASE OF FIRE, PARTLY APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Lloyd Wise, of Chandos Chambers, Adelphi, in
the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL
APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR GIVING ALARMS OR SIGNALS IN CASE OF FIRE,
PARTLY APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES." A communication from abroad
by Chester H. Pond and Alvan Tenney, Manufacturers; of New York, in the
United States of America.
ealed the 3rd June 1879, and dated the 21st March 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Lloyd Wise at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st March 1879.
WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of Chandos Chambers, Adelphi, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR GIVING
ALARMS OR SIGNALS IN CASE OF FIRE, PARTLY APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
(A communication from abroad by Chester H. Pond and Alvan Tenney, Manu-:
facturers, of New York, in the United States of America.)
This Invention relates to that type of automatic fire alarm signal boxes, intended.
to be used for the purpose of sending an alarm from any one of a number of boxes
located at different points to any common point or points without the possibility
of interference one with the other in the event of more than one individual
attempting to send an alarm at the same instant of time; and it consists in
mechanism for operating a shunting circuit, and in certain combinations and
arrangements as will be more fully referred to hereinafter.
The importance of constructing signal alarms of this type in such a manner that
an alarm sent from any one of the series of boxes attached to the same line of wire
cannot be interfered with by an alarm attempted to he sent from any other box
simultaneously is well understood and universally admitted, and the object of this
Invention is to provide effective meaus for accomplishing such purpose.
In constructing alarms of this character a box or case of cast iron or other
suitable material is provided, of sufficient dimensions to receive and support the
operating mechanism. This box or case is provided with a door, hanging upon
hinges in any suitable manner, and with a lock or fastening. The door is also
provided with a lever or spindle and knob, which upon being pressed inward will

page_text: cause a lever to press against a sliding bar 1 will call D₁, and thus move the same
so as to liberate the mechanism from its control and allow clockwork to rotate a
circuit wheel, which has upon its periphery a series of projections or teeth separated
from each other by spaces, in order that when in operation separate groups of
signals may be given with less than a full revolution of the said wheel. Upon the
inner surface of the wheel is a flange provided with a space or recess, into which a
pin attached to the sliding bar D₁ may enter and hold the wheel in a state of rest.
Attached to said bar is a crank, to the lower end of which is attached a rod, which
comes in contact with an armature. The upper end of one arm of the crank is
made to operate a switch or shunter, thus allowing the current to pass through
the box when an alarm is being sounded by another without affecting the alarm
mechanism.
The switch consists of a thin piece of metal attached to a plate I will call B
(which carries the clockwork and other parts) by means of some non-conducting
substance, and is provided with a metallic point, which when the fluid (current)
is passing through the switch comes in contact with a similar point of connection
fixed in a stud attached to the plate B.
In turning in an alarm from any one of the boxes, the main line being at rest,
the bar D¹ is raised by pressing upon the lever or knob in the door of the box, or
by causing a weight to fall upon a lever which will have the effect to carry or move
the pin of bar D¹ out of the space or recess in the flange on the circuit wheel, when
the clock work will at once put the circuit wheel in motion and the alarm will be
sent to the desired point, the armature at such time being supposed to rest against
suitable magnets.
Should the bar D¹ be raised and the clockwork permitted to operate while the
circuit is open by reason of any other box being in the act of sending an alarm, the
armature being raised by means of a spring (if not being attracted by the magnets
at such time) would lift the rod before mentioned, thus tilting the upper end of the
crank under the switch and closing or bringing into contact the points and so as
to allow the current to pass through them, and as the bar D¹ cannot fall down to
its original position until the circuit wheel has made an entire revolution; the
brakes or teeth on said wheel could not make any signal nor interfere with the
line or an alarm previously started from another box, because the closing of the
points, shunts, circuits, or cuts out the box, or rather the circuit wheel, the magnets,
and the key or knob. The course of the circuit under the conditions last indicated
would be such as to escape all the signal producing mechanism of the box; should
the sliding bar D¹ be raised when the line is closed and the armature drawn to the
magnets the mechanism would be operated so as to assume positions in which the
current would cease to flow in the direction last assumed. If now the circuit
wheel is allowed to revolve, as would be the case, its teeth will close and break the
main line circuit.
Attempting to sound an alarm from one box has no effect upon any other one,
as there can be no interference on account of the fact that the act of starting the
clockwork at once cuts out from the line the box from which the person may bo
attempting to send an alarm and keeps it in its isolated condition so long as it
remains in motion.
.
By thus cutting out the signal sounding mechanism of a box the signal bell is.
silenced, and the party attempting to give an alarm will be made to understand
that none was given, but by waiting a moment and then repeating his efforts the
bell will by its ringing indicate to him that his signal has been received.
A spring is provided to keep clear the circuit wheel. A modification of the
apparatus is so arranged to be capable of being automatically put in motion by
combining with it an alarm sounding mechanism, a thermostat or thermostats
placed in any one or more of the rooms of any building and at any desired distance
from the alarm mechanism, but connected therewith by suitable conducting wires
and an intervening battery. For the purpose of accomplishing this result there
is placed in the box which encloses a fire alarm mechanism, or in a separate
.

page_text: compartment thereof, an automatically operating mechanism, which may consist of a
magnet and armature, circuit closer, circuit conducting wires, spring, drop weight,
rod, arm, and lever. The arrangement of these parts with reference to each other, to
an open battery, and to a thermostat, is such that when in a certain position they will
not affect the position of the parts of the alarm mechanism but will leave it free to
be operated by its own circuit and clock work, which are at such times independent
of the automatically operating device now under notice; but when a fire occurs in
any building or in any room in which a thermostat is placed, and the temperature
of the said building or room has been raised sufficiently high to cause the mercury
in said thermostat to expand, it will rise therein to such an extent as to cause it to
surround the wire which connects it to the open battery, and the circuit will be
closed and the fluid (current) will then pass through another conducting wire to a
magnet whose armature will withdraw a detent from beneath a weight, and
thereby allow it to slide down and cause the mechanism to be put in motion and
the alarm turned in as effectually as it would have been done by manipulating the
lever or knob before described.
The battery which is used for liberating the suspended weight is entirely separate
and distinct from that which operates the alarm mechanism, and the circuit is only
closed at the thermostat when the same is heated.
When the weight drops, the connection between it and the circuit breaker is
severed and the current passes through the switch which leaves the armature at
liberty to be brought into position by the spring and cause its detent to receive and
hold the weight in its elevated position, to which it may be raised at any time
after the mercury in the thermostat has become so far cooled as to make a break in
the circuit, and provision is made for allowing the sliding bar of the aların box to
return to its normal position after one set of signals has been given, and thus prevent
a continuance of such signals.
Another part of the Invention relates to and is designed to provide practical
means for applying to fire alarm boxes the principle or method of closing an electric
circuit by solid platinum points such as are used in a Morse key.
By this part of the Invention, although the circuit is closed at intervals the
closings are so nearly instantaneous that practically no other signal box can be
started while the circuit is closed, and if started between the closings no interference
is caused.
For the purpose of furnishing a practical means of controlling the number of
revolutions that it is desired to give the cam or key-operating wheel in any signalling
mechanism an oscillating arm arrangement is employed.
Another part of the Invention relates to the construction and arrangement of
locks designed to be used upon fire alarm boxes and for other purposes. The improved
lock has its parts so constructed and arranged that when desirable a current of
electricity is caused to pass through it, which current may be broken or discontinued
at pleasure, it being allowed to pass through said lock unbroken when the locking
bolt is thrown outward or in a position to lock the door, but will be 'broken when
the bolt is thrown inward, and will remain thus until the locking bolt is again
thrown into a position to lock the door.
The principal features of novelty in the Invention may be summarised as having
reference to, 1st, a sliding bar carrying a stud or pin for holding it in elevation and
also for arresting the movement of a lever (circuit wheel) in a fire alarm box;
2nd, the combination of a sliding bar, a stud or pin for holding it in elevation, and
a circuit wheel; 3rd, a sliding bar, rod, crank, and armature (or their equivalents)
in combination with a shunting switch of a fire alarm box, whereby the alarm
mechanism of such box is separated from the main circuit and prevented from
sounding an alarm; 4th, the combination of a sliding bar, rod, crank, and circuit
wheel with the clockwork or equivalent driving mechanism of a fire alarm box;
5th, a spring in combination with a circuit breaker and circuit wheel; 6th, in a
device for automatically putting in motion the mechanism of a fire alarm box,
the combination of a magnet conducting wires, a circuit closer, an armature carrying

page_text: '
a detent, a drop weight, and a spring for returning said armature to its normal
position after it has fallen; 7th, in a device for automatically putting in motion
the mechanism of a fire alarm box, the combination of a drop weight, an arm, and a
lever or equivalent mechanism, whereby the falling of the weight is made to put in
motion the mechanism of the alarm box; 8th, in a device for automatically sounding
an alarm of fire, the combination of alarm mechanism, an automatically operating
device, an arm, and a lever for communicating the action of the falling weight to
the alarm mechanism; 9th, in an automatic fire alarm box a circuit breaking key
consisting of a spring of some conducting substance, a non-conducting portion and
an attached metal point for resting upon the periphery of the cam or wheel which
operates it when used in combination with such wheel or cam, the parts so arranged
that when the circuit breaking parts are in contact the contact of the wheel or cam
with the key is broken and so retained; 10th, a double armed tilting lever, whereby
one arm is brought into contact with a pin or pins in one of the wheels of a train
of clockwork, while the other arm is made to serve as a rest for a projection formed
upon a sliding bar, from the support of which it is removed when it is desired to
arrest the movement of the train of wheels; 11th, the combination of a tilting
lever and a sliding bar having upon it a projection or projections whereby the bar
is held in its elevated position when the train of wheels is in motion, and is allowed to
fall when it is necessary to arrest such motion; 12th, in a signal box the com-
bination of a circuit breaking key, operating wheel or cam, tilting lever, and a
sliding bar having upon it a projection; 13th, in combination with a lock for
various purposes, electrical connections and a locking bolt having upon one of its ends
a non-conducting substance, it being so arranged with reference to the electrical
. circuit so that it is made to break said circuit when thrown back or into its unlocked
position 14th, a trap tumbler or lever which is pivoted to the lock plate in such a
manner that its free end may be raised by a key and is forced downwards by means
of a spring, and upon the under surface of which tumbler is formed a projection,
which when the locking bolt and tumblers are thrown backwards, as when the door
is unlocked, falls into a notch in their upper edges, and thus holds the bolt in its
unlocked position and renders it impossible to force the bolt forward until the key
is inserted and the trap tumbler lifted out of the notch, thus rendering it impossible
for any one person to unlock and again lock any door or device to which such lock
is attached unless possessing both of the keys.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Lloyd Wise in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th
September 1879.
WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of 7, Whitehall Place, in the City of Westminster, late of
Chandos Chambers, Adelphi, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ELECTRICAL APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR GIVING ALARMS OR SIGNALS IN CASE OF
FIRE, PARTLY Applicable for OTHER PURPOSES." (A communication from abroad
by Chester H. Pond and Alvan Tenney, Manufacturers, of New York, in the United
States of America.)
This Invention has for its object improvements in electrical apparatus or means
for giving alarms or signals in case of fire, partly applicable for other purposes.
Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of the mechanism of a fire alarm signal box
according to this Invention, a portion of the circuit wheel being broken away.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation shewing in addition to the parts shewn in Figure 1,
the clockwork which drives the circuit wheel, the box or case in which the
mechanism is placed, and a lever or knob with which to liberate the circuit wheel
and allow it to rotate. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the circuit wheel, shewing
the teeth or cogs upon its periphery, and a recess in a flange formed upon its inner
face..
This Invention relates to that type of automatic fire-alarm signal-boxes which
are intended to be used for the purpose of sending an alarm from any one of a
number of boxes located at different points, to any common point or points without
the possibility of interference one with the other, in the event of more than one
individual attempting to send an alarm at the same instant of time; and.it consists
in mechanism for operating a shunting circuit, and in certain combinations and
arrangements, as will be more fully described hereinafter.
The importance of constructing signal alarms of this type in such a manner that
an alarm sent from any one of the series of boxes attached to the same line of wire
cannot be interfered with by an alarm attenipted to be sent from any other box
simultaneously, is well understood and universally admitted, and the object of this
Invention is to provide effectual means for accomplishing such purpose.
In constructing alarms of this character, a box or case A of cast-iron or other
suitable material is provided, of sufficient dimensions to receive and support the
operating mechanism. This box or case is provided with a door A¹ hanging upon
hinges in any suitable manner, and with a lock which will secure such door in its
closed position. This door is also provided with a lever or spindle and knob A², A³,
which upon being pressed inward will cause a lever A to press against a sliding
bar, and thus move the same into such a position as to liberate the mechanism
from its control, and allow the clockwork to rotate the circuit wheel, as will be
more fully described hereinafter.
For supporting the operating parts in position within the box A, and maintaining
them in their proper relative positions, a plate B is provided which is firmly
secured to the box A, its form being substantially such as is shewn in Fig. 2, or
any other form may be given to it that will allow the clockwork and other parts to
be secured to it. To the back or inner surface of the plate B there is secured any
suitable mechanism Bi which is capable of being driven by a spring or weight, and
imparting to a spindle or shaft B² a rotary movement. Upon the outer end of this
shaft there is placed a circuit wheel C, which has upon its periphery a series of
projections or teeth, separated from each other by spaces, as shewn in the Drawings,
in order that when in operation, separate groups of signals may be given with less
than a full revolution of said wheel. Upon the inner surface of wheel C there is
formed a flange C₁ which extends entirely around the wheel, with the exception
that there is formed in it a space or recess C², into which a pin D which is secured
in, and moves with a sliding bar. D. enters when the mechanism is to be held in a

page_text: state of rest. The sliding bar D' just alluded to is placed upon the plate B in such
a position, that a slot formed in it will allow it to span the shaft B2, and thus bring
it directly behind the circuit wheel C, and allow it to move vertically with reference
thereto. This sliding bar is held in position upon the plate B by means of suitable
screws or bolts passing through slots formed therein and secured in said plate, its
lower end being turned at a right-angle in order that it may be pressed upon by a
lever or knob when the mechanism is to be put in motion. Attached to and carried
with the sliding bar D', there is a crank D2, to the lower end of which a rod D³
is attached, the lower end of which comes in contact with an armature hereinafter
described. The upper end of the opposite arm of crank D2 is made to operate a
communicator switch or shunter D, and thus allow the current to pass through the
box when an alarm is being sounded by another, without affecting the alarm
mechanism. The switch above alluded to consists of a thin piece of metal D*,
which is attached to the plate B by means of some non-conducting substance, and
is provided with a metallic point D³, which, when the fluid is passing through the
.switch, comes in contact with a similar point of connection D6, fixed in a stud D?,
. attached to plate B.
In turning in an alarm from any one of the boxes, the main line being at rest,
the bar D' is raised by pressing upon the lever or knob A³ in the door of the box A,
or by causing the weight 4, shewn in Fig. 4, to fall upon a lever, as there shewn,
which will have the effect to carry the pin D out of the recess C² in the wheel C
when the clock work will at once put the circuit wheel in motion, which will send
the alarm to the desired point, the armature E at such time being supposed to rest
against the magnets F, F. Should the sliding bar D¹ be raised and the clockwork
permitted to operate while the circuit is open, by reason of any other box being in
the act of sending an alarm, the armature being raised by the spring G, it not
being attracted by the magnets at such time, would lift rod D³ and thus tilt the
upper end of crank D2 under the plate D1 of the switch, and close or bring into
contact the points D and Do, and thus allow the current to pass through them;
and as the sliding bar cannot fall down to its original position until the circuit
wheel has made an entire revolution the brakes or teeth on said wheel could not
make any signal nor interfere with the line or an alarm previously started from
another box, because the closing of the points D5 and Do shunts, circuits, or cuts out
the box, or rather the circuit wheel C, the magnets F, F', and the key or knob.
The course of the circuit under the conditions last described would be as follows:-
It being supposed to enter at H follows wires H and H2 to and across the points
D and Do along the switch plate D4 to wire H³, thence to H, thus escaping all of
the signal producing mechanism of the box. Should the sliding bar D₁ be raised
when the line is closed and the armature drawn to the magnets the rod D³ would
by its weight operate upon the crank D³, and thus carry its upper end out from
under the switch plate and allow the points D5 and DⓇ to be separated, and the
current would cease to flow in that direction,
If now the circuit wheel is allowed to revolve, as would be the case, its
teeth will close and break the main line circuit, which in the last named
case will be as follows:-It will enter, as before, at H, follow the wire H'
to the circuit breaker I across the circuit wheel C, when its teeth come in
contact therewith to the plate B, to the magnet F', through the magnet F to H
It will be seen that attempting to sound an alarm from one box has no effect
upon any other one, as there can be no interference on account of the fact that the
act of starting the clockwork at once cuts out from the line the box from which the
person may be attempting to send an alarm, and keeps it in its isolated condition
so long as it remains in motion. By thus cutting out the signal sounding mechanism
of a box the bell K is silenced, and the party attempting to give an alarm will be
made to understand that none was given; but by waiting a moment and then
repeating his efforts the bell will by its ringing indicate to him that his signal has
been received. In order that the teeth of a circuit wheel may be kept free from
dust or any other substance that would be likely to effect the breaking of the

page_text: circuit, there is placed upon the circuit breaker I a spring I' which is so constructed
and arranged as to rest upon the circuit wheel and thus scrape off any substance
that may adhere to its teeth or to any part of its periphery, and not allow it to
pass under the bearing point of the breaker, when, if allowed to go, it would under
some circumstances prevent the proper operation of the same. Figures 4, 5, and 6
shew a modification of the apparatus intended to cause it to be capable of being
automatically put in motion, which is effected by combining with it an alarm
sounding mechanism, a thermostat or thermostats, to be placed in any one or more
of the rooms of any building, and at any desired distance from the alarm mechanism,
but connected therewith by suitable conducting wires and an intervening battery.
The alarm mechanism here shewn is substantially the same as that shewn in Figs. 1.
and 2, the cleaning spring I being omitted and some changes made in the location
of the conducting wires.
For the purpose of accomplishing the above named result there is placed in the
box which encloses a fire-alarm mechanism, or in a separate compartment thereof,
an automatically operating mechanism, which in the present instance consists of a
magnet C, C, an armature D, circuit closer E, circuit conducting wires 1 and 2,
spring 3, drop weight 4, rod 4', arm F, and lever G. The arrangement of these
parts with reference to each other, to an open battery, and to a thermostat, is such
that when the parts are all in the positions shewn in Fig. 5 they will not affect the
position of the parts of the alarm mechanism, but will leave it free to be operated
by its own circuit and clockwork, which are at such times independent of the
automatically operating apparatus now being described, but when a fire occurs in
any building or in any room of a building in which a thermostat H is placed, as
shewn in Fig. 6, or in any other position, and the temperature of such room or
building has been raised sufficiently high to cause the mercury in the said thermo-
stat to expand, it will rise therein to such an extent as to cause it to surround the
wire which connects it to the open battery I*, and thus the circuit will be closed,
and the fluid will pass through the conducting wire 1 to the magnet C, C', which will
attract the arinature Dand withdraw from beneath the weight 4 a detent D¹, which
is attached to the said armature. This will allow the weight 4 to slide down upon
the rod 4, in doing which it will come in contact with the end of the arm F,
which rests upon the lever G, or (which is preferable) the arm may be dispensed
with, and the weight allowed to fall upon the end of the said lever, the effect of
which will be to carry down that end thereof which passes into the compartment
of the box in which the automatically operating mechanism is located, while it's
opposite end will be carried up and be brought into contact with the liberating
mechanism of the aların box, which in the example here shewn consists of a sliding
bar K, and the entire mechanism will be put in motion, and the alarm turned in as
effectually as it would have been had a person gone to such box and manipulated
the bar or knob A2, shown in Fig. 2, for such purpose. It will be understood that
the battery which is used for liberating the suspended weight 4 is entirely separate.
and distinct from that which operates the alarm mechanism, and that the circuit is
only closed at the thermostat when the same is heated. It will also be observed
that when the weight 4 drops the connection between it and the circuit breaker E
is severed, and the current passes through the commutator, switch, or shunter,
which leaves the armature at liberty to be brought into position by the spring 3
to cause its detent to receive and hold the weight in its elevated position, to which
it may be raised at any time after the mercury in the thermostat has become so
far cooled as to make a break in the circuit at that point. In order that the
sliding bar K of the alarm box may be at liberty to return to its normal position
after one set of signals has been given, and thus prevent a continuance of such.
signals, a spring L is provided, which is secured to the end of the lever G, and to a
plate placed above or outside of the magnet C, C¹, or to any other fixed point, the
arrangement being such that the recoil of the spring after the weight has fallen
upon the arm F or upon the end of the lever G will raise the said weight and the
end of the lever upon which it rests to such an extent as by the lowering of the

page_text: opposite end thereof to permit the sliding bar K to fall down, and thus allow a pin
placed therein to fall into a notch in the circuit breaking wheel of the alarm
mechanism, and arrest its movements after one full set of signals has been
given.
In Figs. 7, 8, and 9 there is shewn a modified arrangement of mechanism for
closing and breaking the circuit, which is the one it is preferred to use generally,
because it is free from some of the objections which have been urged against that
previously described.
In order to secure non-interference between the different boxes connected in a
system effectively it is necessary that the box first commencing an alarm should
control the circuit by practically holding it open during the entire time such signal
is being given. Of course it is necessary to restore or close the circuit at
intervals in order to make the signal, but the greater relative time the circuit is
held open, as compared with the time it is closed, the more efficient is the principle
of non-interference, as the mechanism is such that if another box is started while
the first one has the circuit open the second will give no alarm, and hence it will
not cause any interference.
The circuit wheel hereinbefore described is one upon the several teeth of which
the electric circuit has been closed, but that plan is somewhat less perfect, owing
to the fact that some of the teeth become oxidized or covered with dust or other
foreign substances, they being constantly exposed to such accumulation.
Another objection is that a sliding connection or a connection made by causing
'one surface to move in contact with another is undesirable, because in such cases
the contact is maintained for a considerable period of time, which operates to
decrease the efficiency of the instrument as a non-interfering one, for the reason
that it is possible for an operator at another box to get possession of the line before
the first box has completed its signal.
The method of closing an electric circuit by solid platinum points, such as aro
used in a Morse key, is acknowledged to be the best known, and one part of this
Invention relates to and is designed to provide practical means for applying this
principle to fire-aların boxes, in doing which a circuit breaking key A is provided
(shewn in Fig. 7) which consists of a block of rubber B, which is secured to the
plate of the instrument, and has attached to and extending from it a spring C, to
the outer end of which there is secured another rubber block B¹, and to the same a
steel foot or point C¹.
The spring C has projecting from it a platinum point D, which, when the
mechanism of the box is at rest, comes in contact with another similar point D¹
placed in an insulated stud D² secured in the plate of the instrument.
For operating the key A there is placed upon the shaft C² of the driving
mechanism a wheel C³ which may be of the form shewn in Fig. 10, or it may be
concentric to its axis as shewn in Fig. 7. This wheel is made to revolve under the
point C¹ of the key A by means of some suitable driving mechanism, such as a train
of wheels driven by a spring or weight or in any other manner.
When the parts of the mechanism are in their normal positions, as shewn in
Fig. 7, the point C is within one of the notches of the cam or wheel C³, it being
supported in its position by the points D and D'.
When the cam or wheel is put in motion by the driving mechanism by raising the
slide E (shewn in Fig. 7) so as to carry the stud E2 out of the slot in a flange
formed on the said wheel, the point C' will instantly be raised by the sharp angles
of the notches in the periphery of the said wheel, and the circuit will be broken at
the points D, D¹, and will be kept open by the projecting parts of the cam or
wheel C³, until another notch or depression comes under the point C¹ when the
spring C will force the points D, D₁, firmly together, thereby closing the circuit,
the notches or depressions in the cam or wheel being so formed that they permit
the points to remain in contact for an instant only, the number and arrangement of
the notches or depressions being such as to control the character of the signal to be
-given...

page_text: Although the circuit is closed at intervals the closings are so nearly instantaneous
that practically no other signal box can be started while the circuit is thus
closed, and if started between the closings no interference is caused.
This method of closing and breaking the circuit differs from that hereinbefore
described, in which the circuit is closed upon moving teeth, and as in this case a
contact of long duration is unnecessary, as however short the contact may be the
magnets will be sufficiently charged.
Another advantage growing out of this method of constructing the parts is that
no dust can gather upon the connecting points, nor any corrosion take place there
as they are constantly in contact when the mechanism is at rest.
This method also prevents the current conductors from entering the general
mechanism of the box, and confines it to properly insulated wires, as will be scen
by referring to Fig. 7.
For the purpose of furnishing a practical means of controlling the number of
revolutions it is desired to give the cam or key operating wheel in any signaling
mechanism, there is provided an oscillating arm F, substantially of the form
shewn in Figs. 8 and 9. This arm is pivoted to some fixed part of the instrument,
and is held in its proper position to be operated upon by a spring F. It is also
provided with projections F3 and F, the last named of which projects through the
plate to which the mechanism is attached, it being placed in such a position that a
projection E on the sliding bar E may rest upon it when the alarm imechanism is in
inotion, but so, that it may be removed from under the same when desired, or when
the alarm has been completed. The arrangement of this arm with reference to the
sliding bar E is such that when said bar is raised for the purpose of releasing the
alarm mechanism, and thus sending an alarm, the arm is carried into the position
shewn in Fig. 9 in order that the beveled end of its projecting arm F3 may be in a
position to be operated upon by a pin or pins placed in one of the wheels of
the train, as shewn in Fig. 9, the movements of which will carry the said arm
outward, and thus remove the projection F* from under the point on the sliding
bar E, which will allow it to drop of its own weight, and thus carry the pro-
jecting pin E2 upon its outer surface into a recess formed in a flange upon the
wheel or cam C3, which will have the effect to arrest the movements thereof, and so
to stop the alarm.
It is obvious that the number of revolutions the cam or wheel C³ will make
depends upon the length of time that the sliding bar E is held in its raised position,
and that this will depend upon the distance the pins in the wheel of the train
are apart, they being arranged in this respect to suit the requirements of the
constructor.
Figs. 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 shew a lock designed to be used upon fire alarm
boxes, the following being a description of its construction and operation:-
The construction and arrangenient of the parts of which this lock is composed is
such that when desirable a current of electricity is caused to pass through it, which
current may be broken or discontinued at pleasure, it being allowed to pass through
the lock unbroken when the locking bolt is thrown outward, or in a position to
lock the door, but will be broken when the bolt is thrown inward, and will remain
thus until the locking bolt is again thrown into a position to lock the door.
Fig. 11 is a plan view of the improved lock with the inside plate removed, and
showing the wires for the conduction of the electric current, the arrangement of
the springs employed inclosing and breaking the circuit, the sliding bolt with the
non-conducting material on its end, the tumblers which are pivoted thereto, the
springs for holding them in position, the dog which holds the bolt in its unlocked
position, and the position of the keys used with the lock. The parts in this Figure
are shewn in the positions they assume when the door or other device upon which
they are placed is locked; Fig. 12 is also a plan view but shews the parts above
alluded to in the positions which they assume when unlocked; Fig. 13 is a trans-
verse section showing the position of the keys with reference to the lock; Fig. 14
is a perspective view of the sliding or locking bolt and the form which is given

page_text: thereto, and Fig. 15 is an elevation of one of the tumblers and a portion of its
spring.
In constructing this type of locks there is used any suitable sized plate A of the
usual or any required material, it having upon one of its surfaces flanges A' which
serve to enclose the operating parts of the lock. To the edges of these flanges or
to some projections from the plate A another plate A² is secured, the last-named
plate completing the enclosure of the mechanism operated by the keys, and also of
the circuit breaker. To the plate A or to the flanges A¹ there are secured by
screws or otherwise blocks B, B, of any material which is a non-conductor of
electricity, and to these metal springs B', B', are secured in such a manner that
their outer or free ends shall come in contact or nearly so when they are in their
normal positions, or when not separated by the sliding bolt hereinafter to be
described. These springs sustain such a relation to the sliding or locking bolt, that
when said bolt is in its locked position, as shewn in Fig. 11 of the Drawing, their
outer or free ends will be allowed to come in contact, and thus permit the current
of electricity to flow through the structure, it being brought thereto and taken
therefrom by means of conducting wires D and D¹, but so that when the locking
bolt is thrown back into its unlocking position, as shewn in Fig. 12, it shall
separate their outer or free ends to such an extent as to make a break in
the circuit, and thus for the time being prevent any flow of electricity through
the structure. The wires above alluded to may be connected to any line leading
from a battery used for other purposes, or they may be connected with a local
battery expressly for operating the lock. The sliding or locking bolt C above
alluded to is shewn in Figs. 11, 12, and 14, and consists of a bar of metal
the outer end of which is of sufficient thickness and width to give it the required
strength, that portion whereof, which is within the plates of the lock being reduced
in thickness, as shewn in Fig. 14, in order that the tumblers which serve to retain
it in position may be pivoted thereto, for which purpose a pin C¹ is inserted into
it, as shewn. The end of this bolt, which is opposite to the one described, is pro-
vided with a block C² of non-conducting material, so that when it is thrown back
and comes in contact with the springs the current shall not be diffused through the
material of which the lock is made. At a suitable point between the two ends of
the bolt C there is formed in its under surface a peculiarly shaped recess C³, as
shewn in Fig. 14, the object being to provide a space into which a nib formed on
the key shall enter, and thus as the key is turned force the bolt outward or inward
as occasion may require. This bolt is also provided with a slot C4 the length of
which is sufficient to permit the bolt to move the required distance; it also has
formed in its upper edge a recess E³ into which a dog falls to hold it in its unlocked
position. The tumblers referred to are lettered E and E', and consist of plates of
metal which are pivoted to the locking bolt C, and move horizontally with it.
Near their free ends these tumblers are provided with a slot E³ which corresponds
with C in bolt C, except that from its upper surface there is projecting downward
a pin or portion of the plate lettered E, the purpose of which is to engage with a
stud A3 which is fast upon the inner surface of the plate A of the lock, and thus
prevent the retraction of the bolt C without the use of the key. These tumblers
are forced downward at their free ends so as to cause them to engage with the
stud A3 by means of springs F, F, which are attached to them and bear against the
projection on the bolt C, as shewn. For aiding in the outward or locking move-
ment of bolt C a spring G is attached to the plate A, one end of which bears against
the projection of the said bolt, which causes it to be pressed upon as the bolt is
retracted, and consequently to aid in throwing the bolt outward. To provide for
holding the locking-bolt in its unlocked position and to prevent it from being
moved from that position by the key which unlocks it until such time as a second
key is brought into requisition there is placed by the side of the locking bolt a trap-
tumbler H which is pivoted to the lock plate in such a manner that its free end
may be raised by a key, it being forced downward by means of a spring H¹. Upon
the under surface of this tumbler there is formed a projection which when the

page_text: locking-bolt C and the tumblers E and E¹ are thrown backward or into the position
in which they are placed when the door is unlocked falls into a notch E³ formed in
their upper edges and thus holds the bolt in its unlocked position and renders it
impossible to force the bolt C forward until the key I is inserted and the trap
tumbler lifted out of the notch E³. It will be seen that this arrangement of parts
renders it impossible for any one person to unlock and again lock any door or device
to which this lock is attached unless in possession of both of the keys.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and explained the
manner of carrying the same into practical effect, as communicated to me as afore-
said, I would have it understood that what I claim is,-
As respects those portions of the Invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the
Drawings,
1st. The sliding bar D₁ carrying a stud or pin D for holding it in elevation, and
also for arresting the movement of a circuit wheel in a fire alarm box, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
2nd. I claim the combination of the sliding bar D¹, the stud or pin D for holding
it in elevation, and the circuit wheel C, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
3rd. I claim the sliding bar D', rod D³, crank D², and armature E, in combination
with a shunting switch of a fire alarm box, whereby the alarm mechanisın. of such
box is separated from the main circuit and prevented from sounding an alarm,
substantially as set forth.
4th. I claim the combination of the sliding bar D¹, rod D³, crank D2, and circuit
wheel C, with the clockwork or equivalent driving mechanism of a fire alarm box,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5th. I claim the spring I', in combination with the circuit breaker I and circuit
wheel C, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
As respects those portions of the Invention illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, and 6,
6th. In a device for automatically putting in motion the mechanism of a fire
alarm box, the combination of a magnet, conducting wires, a circuit closer, an
armature carrying a detent, a drop weight, and a spring for returning said armature
to its norinal position after it has fallen, the parts being arranged substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
7th. In a device for automatically putting in motion the mechanism of a firo
alarm box, the combination of the drop weight 4, the arm F, and lever G, or equi-
valent mechanism, whereby the falling of the weight is made to put in motion the
mechanism of the alarm box, substantially as set forth.
8th. In a device for automatically sounding an alarm of fire, the combination of
alarm mechanism, an automatically operating device constructed substantially as
herein set forth, an arm, and a lever for communicating the action of the falling
weight to the alarm mechanisin, as described.
As respects those portions of the Invention illustrated in Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10,—
9th. In an automatic fire alarm box, the circuit breaking key A, consisting of a
spring C of some conducting substance, a non-conducting portion B', and an attached
metal point for resting upon the periphery of the cam or wheel which operates it
when used in combination with such wheel or cam, the parts being arranged with
reference to each other substantially as shewn, whereby when the circuit breaking
parts are in contact the contact of the wheel or cam with the key is broken, and
so retained for the purpose specified.
10th. The double armed tilting lever F, constructed and arranged substantially
as shewn and described, whereby the arm F3 is brought into contact with a pin or
pins in one of the wheels of the train, while the arm F4 is made to serve as a rest
for the projection E¹ formed upon the sliding bar E, from the support of which it is
removed when it is desired to have the bar E fall to arrest the movements of the
train of wheels.
11th. The combination of the tilting lever F and a sliding bar E having upon
it a projection or projections E' whereby the bar E is held in its elevated position

page_text: when the train of wheels is in motion, and is allowed to fall when it is necessary to
arrest such motion, all as described.
"
12th. In a signal box the combination of the circuit breaking key C, operating
wheel or cam C³, tilting lever F, and a sliding bar E having upon it a projection E¹,
the parts being constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
As respects those portions of the Invention illustrated in Figs. 11, 12, 13, 14,
and 15,-
13th. In combination with a lock for various purposes electrical connections,
substantially as described, and a locking bolt having upon one of its ends a non-
conducting substance, it being arranged with reference to the electrical circuit, sub-
stantially, as described, whereby it is made to break the said circuit when thrown
back or into its unlocked position; for the purpose set forth.
14th. The trap tumbler H, when constructed and arranged substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
15th. The combination of the locking bolt C, tumblers E, E', trap tumbler H,
and stud As, the parts being arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Lloyd Wise, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
TTP
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