IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan Brown, of the Firm of Brandon
and Morgan Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, South-
ampton Buildings, London, and 13, Rue Gaillon, Paris, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS."-
A communication from abroad by Robert H. Gallaher, of New
York, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgan Brown
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 10th July 1872.
I, WILLIAM MORGAN BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan
Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
London, and 13, Rue Gaillon, Paris, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in printing telegraph
instruments, and consists in producing the motions for revolving the

page_text: type wheel, and for making the impressions of the types upon the paper
by the direct action of the armatures of the electro-magnets employed
for the purpose, and in placing the said armatures under the downwardly
pointing poles of the said magnets, so that the gravity of the said
armatures effects the reverse movements thereof without the use of
springs, counterweights, levers, or other intermediate means for applying
such auxilliary devices. Also in the employment of tubular magnet cores
in which the armature arms or rods for moving the type wheel and for
printing are located, and have their longitudinal vibratory movement.
The electro-magnet is suspended so that its poles point vertically
downward, and the armature is located underneath the same.
The cores
of the magnet are hollow or tubular, having longitudinal holes in the
centre of each to admit armature arms or rods which extend upward
through the said cores, and are secured at their upper ends above the
magnet to a cross bar which connects the two arms, and is adjustable
up and down upon the same by nuts and screws, so that the distance
which the armature descends from the poles of the magnet may be
adjusted. The cross bar or its connections rest on the magnet to sustain
the armature at its lowest descent. From the cross bar a rod extends
upwards, and is connected with one arm of a pallet lever, the vibrations
turning an escapement wheel, the action of the escapement being the
reverse of that of a clock escapement; or any equivalent device producing
the effect of this escapement may be employed. The escapement wheel
is secured to the shaft of the type wheel, and it is so arranged in relation
to the said type wheel that the descent of the magnet armature, as well
as its ascent acting on the same, moves the type wheel the distance of
one type thereon, so that each breaking as well as each closing of the
electrical current moves the type wheel. Thus double speed is obtained
in operating the instrument with a given number of letters, figures,
fractions, monograms, and other characters on the type wheel, compared
with ordinary printing instruments.
The construction and arrangement of the printing electro-magnet, its
armature beneath, and armature arms extending up through the tubular
cores of the magnet, and the adjustable cross bar above the magnet are
the same as described for the type wheel revolving electro-magnet above
described.

page_text: armatures, as above described, may be employed for repeating the
motions in relays and local circuits.
In order to ensure the most rapid and certain action of the magnets,
and prevent the clinging of the armatures to the plates thereof when the
circuit is broken, I electro-plate or otherwise plate the upper surface of
the armatures or the lower surfaces of the magnet poles with copper or
some other metal not magnetically affected. This plating may be only of
a very slight thickness.
Some other substances sufficiently durable and not otherwise objection-
able may be sustituted for the metal plating.
Another form of construction produces the motions of the type wheel.
in a more direct manner. A single rigid arm is secured to and projects
upward from the cross head of the armature rods, which extend upward
through the cores of the magnet, or it may project upward directly from
the armature itself. This arm bends around a ratchet wheel on the shaft
of the type wheel, and has pawls in diametrically opposite positions in
relation to the said ratchet wheel, or forming simple rigid projections or
dogs on the same, so that the upward motion of the arm as the magnet-
armature is raised moves the ratchet wheel a notch by a pawl, and the
return downward motion of the arm also moves the ratchet wheel one
notch by means of another pawl.
Another feature of this device consists in sharp projections on the
inner curve or edge of the bent arm, one being nearly over the centre of
the ratchet wheel, and the other being nearly under the same, so that
when the arm descends the upper projection takes into one of the notches
of the ratchet wheel and holds it from turning around, and the lower
projection takes into a notch of the ratchet wheel when the arm ascends.
Thus both act as sure detents to hold the ratchet wheel in position.
Centrally under the type wheel a transverse wire or wires is fixedly
secured, being bent or formed double like a loop or bow, the two arms
being separated far enough to allow the printing hammer to ascend
between them and move the paper up to the-type wheel, thus furnishing
an open guide to keep the paper strip away from the type wheel, and at
the same time offering little or no obstruction to the movement of the
paper or to the view.
The type wheel magnet and printing magnet are connected by different

page_text: of a battery to operate its magnet. The type wheel magnet is or may
be actuated by means of an ordinary transmitting index and dial, on which
the various letters, figures, fractions, monograms, and other characters
are arranged in proper order, corresponding with the arrangement of
like characters on the type wheel.
The printing key or circuit closer is either one with the index or key
of the type wheel or it is mounted upon or in the same. The printing
circuit is through an index or key and a metallic ring or its equivalent,
one part of the circuit wire being connected with the pivot of the index,
and the other part with the said ring, which is insulated from the index
pivot. Ordinarily the index keeps itself raised above and out of contact
with the ring by its own rigidity, or by a lifting spring, but when a
letter or character is to be printed the index itself is depressed and
brought in contact with the ring and thus closes the circuit.
By means of this union of the type wheel and printing keys I am also
enabled to join the forces of the two batteries, or part of a battery, into
one circuit for printing, so that not so many separate cups may be
|· required for the printing.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Morgan Brown in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 9th January 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
MORGAN BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 13, Rue
Gaillon, Paris, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Morgan Brown, Her special
license that I, the said William Morgan Brown, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Morgan
Brown, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed should and lawfully might make, use,

page_text: exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for “IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PRINTING TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS," a communication to me from
abroad by Robert H. Gallaher, of New York, United States of America,
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Morgan
Brown, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Morgan Brown, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the
accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon,
that is to say :-
Figure 1 being a side view of a printing telegraph instrument con-
structed with my improvements; Figure 2, the opposite side view of the
same; Figure 3, an elevation of the same, the view being at right angles.
to the views in Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4, a transverse central vertical section of one of the electro-
magnets employed on the instrument.
Figure 5, a side view shewing a modified construction of the instrument
with my improvements.
Figure 6 being a vertical section of a telegraphic printing instrument
constructed in an improved manner.
Figure 7, a view of a part of the instrument detached.
Figure 8, a top view of the telegraphic transmitter as improved by
me; Figure 9, a central vertical section of the same; and Figure 10, a
view shewing a modification of a part of the transmitter.
The nature of my Invention consists in producing the motions for
revolving the type wheel, and for making the impressions of the types.
upon the paper by the direct action of the armatures of the electro-
magnets employed for the purpose, and in placing the said armatures
under the downwardly pointing poles of the said magnets, so that the
gravity of the said armatures effects the reverse movements thereof

page_text: without the use of springs, or counterweights, or of levers, or other inter-
mediate means of applying such auxiliary devices; also in the employ-
ment of tubular magnet cores in which the armature, arms, or rods for
moving the type wheel and for printing are located, and have their
longitudinal vibratory movement.
The Drawing, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, shew so much of a printing tele-
graph instrument as is necessary to represent this feature of my In-
vention. Let A designate the frame of the instrument or machine
having any suitable and convenient form and construction; B, the type
wheel; C, an electro-magnet for revolving the type wheel; and D, an
electro-magnet for making the impressions in printing.
First. In Figure 1 is most clearly shewn my Invention as applied to
the type wheel revolving device. The electro-magnet C is suspended so
that its poles point vertically downward, and the armature E is located
underneath the same. The cores a, a, of the magnet are hollow or
tubular, having longitudinal holes in the centre of each to admit arma-
ture arms or rods b, b, which extend upward through the said cores, and
are secured at their upper ends above the magnet to a cross bar c, which
connects the two arms, and is adjustable up and down upon the same by
nuts and screws d, d, so that the distance which the armature descends
from the poles of the magnet may be adjusted. The cross bar or its
connections rest on the magnet to sustain the armature at its lowest
descent. From the cross bar c a rod fextends upward, and is connected
with one arm of a pallet lever g, whose vibrations turn an escapement
wheel G, the action of the escapement being the reverse of that of a
clock escapement, or any equivalent device producing the effect of this
escapement may be employed. The escapement wheel is secured to the
shaft of the type wheel B, and it is so arranged in relation to the said
type wheel that the descent of the magnet armature, as well as its ascent,
acting on the same, moves the type wheel the distance of one type
thereon, so that each breaking, as well as each closing, of the electrical
circuit moves the type wheel. Thus, double speed is obtained in
operating the instrument with a given number of letters, figures, frac-
tions, monograms, and other characters on the type wheel compared
with ordinary printing instruments. To correspond with this con-
struction and arrangement of the printing instrument, the transmitting
instrument should have a letter, figure, fraction, monogram, or other
character on its indicator alternately opposite to a circuit closing and
.

page_text: circuit breaking point, following the same order as in the printing
instrument.
Instead of the armature arms b, b, extending upward through the
cores of the electro-magnet they may be located outside of the legs of
the magnet, particularly a single arm might extend upward between
the legs of the magnet; but no arrangement is so simple, compact, and
convenient as the one represented and above described, which has
another advantage when the armature arms are made of soft iron, in
increasing the force of the magnet by its axle action thereon, for lifting
the armature, or the type wheel might be below the magnet, and the
armature lift from below to operate it; also the armature might vibrate
on a centre at one end instead of moving straight up and down.
Second. In Figure 2 the Invention is shewn as adapted to printing
upon the paper strip H. The construction and arrangement of the
printing electro-magnet D, its armature I beneath, and armature
arms h, h, extending up through the tubular cores i, i, of the magnet,
and the adjustable cross bar K above the magnet are the same as
described for the type wheel revolving electro-magnet above described.
To the middle of the cross bar K is attached the printing pad or
hammer 1, which, when the electric circuit is broken and the armature I
drops, allows room for the paper strip H to rest thereon out of contact
with the type wheel; but when the circuit is closed and the armature
drawn upward by its magnet, the said hammer presses the paper upward
against the type which is then in position at the lowest part of the type
wheel. The types are inked by an inking roller Figure 3, or other
suitable means. The descent of the armature I after each impression
moves the paper strip H along a proper distance, the armature being
made heavy enough to produce the mechanical movement necessary for
the purpose. The device shewn for producing the movement consists
of a pawl or claw m attached to the armature I, and acting upon a
ratchet wheel n on the shaft of one of the two feed rollers o, p, between
which the paper passes, the ratchet wheel being prevented from a back-
ward motion by an ordinary detent: The upper feed roller p may be
mounted in bearings r, r, pivoted to the frame, so as to cause the weight
of the roller to rest upon the paper and compress it upon the lower
driving roller o with sufficient force to move the paper along.
This
In Figure 5 is represented a modification of the instrument.
consists in two type wheels or drums B, L, on different shafts. parallel

page_text: with each other, both wheels being in line with the paper strip. Each
type wheel shaft is turned by a separate electro-magnet, which may in
turn be brought into the single electric circuit by any suitable circuit
changer or switch. Each type wheel or drum may have one, two, or
more peripheral rows of letters, figures, fractions, monograms, or other
characters composing its types, two rows being represented in Figure 3.
Instead of the usual notation of fractions in stock quotations, any
other arbitrary or monogrammic representation may be employed to
indicate the same. For instance instead of the fractions,,,,,,,
the numerator numerals may be used, but the denominators may be
expressed by the initial letters of the words meaning the same, thus,
1
3 1
5
3 7
E, Q, E, H, E, Q, E.
The same construction and arrangement of electro-magnets and
armatures, as above described, may be employed for repeating the
motions in relays and local circuits.
In order to ensure the most rapid and certain action of the magnets
and prevent the clinging of the armatures to the poles thereof when the
circuit is broken, I electro-plate or otherwise plate the upper surface
of the armatures or the lower surfaces of the magnet poles with copper,
or some other metal, not magnetically affected. This plating may be
only of a very slight thickness.
Some other substances sufficiently durable and not otherwise objec-
tionable, may be substituted for the metal plating.
By another device I produce the motions of the type wheel in a more
direct and certain manner.
In Figure 6, a single rigid arm A is secured to and projects upward
from the cross head B of the armature rods, which extend upward
through the cores of the magnet C, or it may project upward directly
from the armature itself. This arm bends around the ratchet wheel D
on the shaft of the type wheel, and has pawls c, d, in diametrically
opposite positions in relation to the said ratchet wheel, as represented,
or forming simple rigid projections or dogs on the same, so that the
upward motion of the arm as the magnet armature is raised, moves the
ratchet wheel a notch by the pawl c, and the return downward motion
of the arm also moves the ratchet wheel one notch by means of the
pawl d. This device is the simplest possible in construction, sure in
áction, and has no liability to become disarranged.

page_text: Another feature of this device consists in the sharp projections f, g,
on the inner curve or edge of the bent arm A, one f being nearly over
the centre of the ratchet wheel, and the other g being nearly under the
same, so that when the arm descends the upper projections f takes into
one of the notches of the ratchet wheel and holds it from turning around,
and the lower projection g takes into a notch of the ratchet wheel when,
the arm ascends. Thus both act as sure detents to hold the ratchet.
wheel in position. Centrally under the type wheel E a transverse wire
or wires e is fixedly secured, being bent or formed double like a loop or
bow, as shewn, the two arms being separated far enough to allow the
printing hammer to ascend between them and move the paper up to the
type wheel. This wire or equivalent piece of similar form holds the strip
of paper down away from contact with all types of the type wheel except
the one at the lowest point, which produces the impression. This wire
also assists to keep the paper strip in place.
I am aware that movable paper holders have been used, and that loops
through which the paper strip passes have been attached to a fixed paper
guide, but my Invention differs from both in furnishing an open guide
to keep the paper strip away from the type wheel, and at the same time
offering little or no obstruction to the movement of the paper or to the
view.
.
The type wheel magnet and printing magnet are connected by
different wires from the transmitter, and each wire has a galvanic battery
or part of a battery to operate its magnet. The type wheel magnet is or
may be actuated by means of an ordinary transmitting index G and
dial H, Figures 9 and 10, on which the various letters, figures, fractions,
monograms, and other characters are arranged in proper order, corre-
sponding with the arrangement of like characters on the type wheel.
The printing key or circuit closer I is either one with the index or
key G of the type wheel, as shewn in Figures 8 and 9, or it is mounted
upon or in the same, as shewn in Figure 10. As in Figures 8 and 9, the
printing circuit is through the index or key G, and the metallic ring h
or its equivalent, one part of the circuit wire m being connected with the
pivot of the index, and the other part with the said ring, which is
insulated from the index pivot. Ordinarily the index keeps itself raised
above and out of contact with the ring by its own rigidity or by a lifting
spring, but when a letter or character is to be printed the index itself is

page_text: depressed and brought into contact with the ring, and thus closes the
circuit.
In the modification represented in Figure 10 the index itself is kept
insulated from or always out of contact with the ring, and the printing
key I mounted upon or in it is kept raised from the ring / by a spring /
or its equivalent. On depressing the key it is brought into contact with
the ring, and closes the circuit.
In either case the manipulation of both magnets is very easy, requiring
no change in the position of the hand to go from one to the other. By
means of this union of the type wheel and printing keys, I am also
enabled to join the forces of the two batteries or part of a battery into
one circuit for printing, so that not so many separate cups may be
required for the printing.
The circuit closing and breaking wheel of the transmitter serves to
disconnect the type wheel battery or part of a battery from its own
magnet wire, and bring it into the printing circuit with the other
battery. Thus, as indicated in Figure 8, let the cup p of the battery L
be connected with the ground wire, the middle cup r be connected by a
wire with the transmitting wheel or its equivalent for breaking and
closing the type wheel circuit, and the cup s at the other end of the
battery be connected with the printing key I, all as indicated in the
Drawing. Hence when the printing key is disconnected from the ring h
and the printing circuit broken, only that part of the battery extending
from the cup p to the cup r inclusive is in action, but when the printing
circuit is closed by the printing key the whole battery being in the 2
circuit is brought into action, and if at the time while the type wheel
circuit is broken the whole force of the battery is concentrated on the
printing circuit, or if the type wheel circuit is closed, then, with equal
length a conducting power in the two circuits, the printing circuit gets
the force of half the cups from p to r inclusive, and all of the remainder 3
of the battery; or if the printing circuit is shorter or better than the
other, it gets the greater part of the current of the part from p to r of
the battery.
.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have 3
it understood that what I claim is,―
1st. In a printing telegraph instrument the method of operating the
type wheel and the printing pad by means of an armature placed.

page_text: beneath the poles of an electro-magnet, and of a connecting rod or rods
moved upward thereby in line parallel or nearly parallel with the axes of
the magnet, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
2nd. The arrangement within tubular electro-magnet cores of longi-
tudinally vibrating armature arms or connecting rods, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
3rd. In Figure 6, the arm A attached to and moving directly with the
magnet armature or its cross head B, and provided with the pawls or
dogs c, d, for operating the ratchet wheel D on the type wheel shaft,
substantially as described.
4th. In combination with the above 3rd claim, the detent pro-
jections f, g, on the inner curve or bend of the arm A, substantially as
and for the purpose herein specified.
5th. The stationary paper holder e, Figure 7, formed of a bent wire or
as an open bow arranged in combination with the type wheel E and the
printing hammer, substantially as specified.
6th. The mode of bringing the type wheel battery into the printing
magnet circuit in conjunction with the printing battery or part of
battery by means of the printing key, substantially as herein specified.
7th. The arrangement of the printing key or circuit closer upon the
type wheel index or key of the transmitter, or the union of the two in
one, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgan Brown, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of January, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.
WILLIAM MORGAN BROWN. (L.S.)