Improvements in Signalling, Indicating, or Communicating between Police or others in Cities or other Places, and in Means or Apparatus employed therein.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1891
COMI MIN DI PULTI
Improvements in Signalling, Indicating, or Communicating between
Police or others in Cities or other Places, and in Means or
Apparatus employed therein.
A communication from abroad by GEORGE W. GREGORY, of 34, School Street,
Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, one of the United States of America,
Solicitor.
I, ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES, of 55 & 56, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object to provide a signal system particularly adapted
for municipalities, whereby a light signal located at any signal station at a distant
point, may be operated electrically, and a return signal given which makes known
to the attendant at the central office that the light signal has been operated; also
whereby a series of signal boxes may be connected with a central office, and all
arranged to operate a single register. Means are provided whereby any one of
the boxes may be disconnected from the register and connected to a telephonic
apparatus at the central office, whereby telephonic communication may be
carried on.
My invention therefore consists in a signalling apparatus for municipalities and
the like, consisting of a series of signal boxes and a central station, a separate
signalling circuit for each signal box, a signal receiving circuit at the central
station, containing suitable signal receiving apparatus and electric connections
whereby said separate signalling circuits are connected with the signal receiving
circuit in series, and a telephonic circuit also at the central station which may be
electrically connected with any one of the signalling circuits at will, substantially as
will be described.
Also in a signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like, consisting of a
series of signal boxes, and a central station, a separate signalling circuit for each
signal box, a signal receiving circuit at the central station containing suitable signal
receiving apparatus, a switch plug for each signalling circuit, and switch contacts
in the signal receiving circuit for each switch plug, and a telephonic circuit also at
the central station containing telephonic transmitting and receiving instruments,
and also containing switch contacts which may co-operate with any one of the
switch plugs at will, substantially as will be described.
Also in a signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like consisting of a series
of signal boxes, each containing a signal transmitter and also an electrically operated
light signal, a separate loop circuit for each signal box, a signal receiving circuit
at the central station containing suitable signal receiving apparatus, and electric
connections whereby the several loop circuits are connected with the signal receiving
circuit, a lighting circuit with which any one of the said loop circuits may be
connected at will, and means for operating said lighting circuit, substantially as will
be described.
Also in a signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like consisting of a
series of signal boxes, each containing an electrically operated light signal, a loop
circuit for each signal box, a lighting circuit at the central station with which any
one of the said loop circuits may be electrically connected, and means for operating
said lighting circuit, substantially as will be described.
Also in a signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like consisting of a
series of signal boxes, each containing an electrically operated light signal, and a

page_text: lighting circuit at the central station containing a strong battery, a spark coil, and
a circuit closing key, substantially as will be described.
Also in a signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like consisting of a
series of signal boxes each containing an electrically operated light signal, and
a lighting circuit at the central station containing an audible return signal receiver, 5
substantially as will be described.
Also in a signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like, consisting of a
series of signal boxes, it containing a light signal, an electro-magnet for operating
it, and circuit making and breaking contacts operated by said electro-magnet, and a
lighting circuit at the central station containing an audible return signal receiver
responsive to the interruptions of the circuit by the said circuit making and breaking
mechanism, substantially as will be described.
Also in a signalling apparatus for municipalities, and the like, consisting of a
series of signal boxes each containing an electrically operated light signal, and
a lighting circuit at the central station containing an audible return signal receiver
consisting of an electro-magnet, enclosing case therefor, and a vibratory diaphragm
secured to said case adjacent to the poles of said electro-magnet, substantially as
will be described.
Also in a signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like, consisting of a
series of signal boxes, each containing a signal transmitter, and a light signal, and
separate loop circuit for each signal box, a signal receiving circuit at the central
station containing suitable signal receiving apparatus with which said loop circuits
are electrically connected in series, a lighting circuit, also at the central station with
which any one of the loop circuits may be connected at will, said lighting circuit
containing a battery stronger than the battery in the signal receiving circuit, and
means for operating said lighting circuit, substantially as will be described.
Also in a signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like, consisting of a
series of stations each containing an electrically operated light signal, and circuit
making and breaking contacts, and a shunt for said circuit making and breaking
contacts, a lighting circuit, and means for operating it, substantially as will be
described.
Also in the combination with the electrically operated light signal, and lighting
circuit, and an audible return signal receiver, substantially as will be described.
Also in the combination with the electrically operated light signal, and circuit,
and circuit making and breaking contacts, and an audible return signal receiver,
the operating magnet of which is operated by said circuit making and breaking
contacts, substantially as will be described.
Fig. 1 shows in diagram a police signalling apparatus embodying this
invention.
Fig. 2, a sectional detail of the return signal receiver by which the lighting of the
gas may be made known.
Figs. 3 and 4, details of the electric gas lighting device employed, and
Fig. 5, a modification to be referred to.
A separate loop circuit a extends from the central office to each signal box, or it
may be only a light signal station, as represented in Fig. 1.
Each signal box or light signal station contains a signal transmitter, herein
represented as a break wheel a', and a contact pen a², and also a light, such for
instance, as a gas jet to represented in full view Figs. 3 and 4.
The ends of the wires of each loop a terminate at the central office in a switch
plug, as a³.
At the central office a signal receiving circuit is located, it containing a battery b¹,
a receiving relay 6, and in this circuit pairs of switch contacts at are arranged in
series, each pair being designed to receive a switch plug a³.
The armature of the receiving relay & controls the local circuit c containing an
electo-magnet c' which controls the operation of a register R of any well known
or suitable construction.
As herein represented, the register has a mechanical creeper mechanism consisting

page_text: of a sector adapted to engage a serrated wheel c³, and by it to be raised
to close a circuit contact c' in a local circuit containing a local battery c and an
annunciator magnet c', the drop of which controls the local circuit c, containing a
bell c³.
be
Normally the switch plugs a³ of each loop a are in operative engagement or
contact with the switch contacts a, a, so that signals from any box
may
received on the register R, the loops a being connected with the signal receiving
circuit b, in series.
When one of the switch plugs a³ is withdrawn from its switch contacts a', a', the
latter close together to maintain the continuity of the signal receiving circuit b,
that signals from the remaining boxes may be received.
At the central office a telephonic receiving and transmitting apparatus is located,
as in the telephonic loop circuit d, said apparatus comprising a transmitter 2,
receiver 3, and gravity switch 4, upon which the receiver 3 is hung, and suitable
electric connections, and local battery 5 for the transmitter 2.
The telephone circuit d has also switch contacts dd, which are designed to
receive between them any one of the switch plugs a³."
To connect any one of the signalling circuits a with the telephonic loop circuit d,
its switch plug is withdrawn from electric connection with the signal receiving
circuit, and placed in electric connection with the telephonic circuit d, as repre-
sented in Fig. 1, and when thus connected telephonic communication may be carried
on with the person at the box, it being understood that suitable telephonic apparatus
is included in the circuit at the box.
The electric gas lighting device, represented in Fig. 2, consists of the gas jet w,
the stationary contact n, and movable contact n', which by separating produces a
spark to light the gas.
The movable contact n' has at its lower end a projection n², and is encircled by
a spiral spring n².
A. rod n' having
on it a projection n' is notched to receive the armature n of the
electro-magnet n', thereby connecting the armature with the rod'n'.
It is designed that the armature in attracting shall turn on the gas and move the
rod n several times sufficiently to separate the contacts successively and draw a
succession of sparks by which to light the gas, and thereafter in attracting to turn
off the gas and not move the rod sufficiently to separate the contacts and draw
a spark.
This is accomplished by the following mechanism :-
A V-shaped projection, see dotted lines Fig. 2, is secured to the rod n' at a
point below its connection with the armature.
A platen is secured to the gas cock, which when turned in one direction opens
the said cock and when restored to its normal position closes it.
This plate n is formed at its upper edge with two V-shaped recesses 6, 7, the
adjacent sides of which terminate in an intermediate projection.
When the armature is attracted, the V-shaped projection 8 will strike one or
the other side of the projection on the plate 10 entering one or the other V-shaped
recesses 6 or 7, and by such movement will turn said plate n in one or the other
direction.
The V-shaped projection »³ is loosely pivoted to its supporting rod and is held
in a central position by two springs, one bearing upon it at each side.
The plate is pivoted to the rod at one side of the centre of the plate so that
said plate may be turned in one direction more than in its other direction.
This is for the purpose of allowing the armature to move the contact n' sufficiently
when the V-shaped projection n is in the recess 6 to open the circuit for the
contacts n, n', but not to move it sufficiently to open the circuit when said pro-
jection 8 is in the recess 7.
When the projection 8 is moved into the recess 6 and the contact n¹ opened, the
circuit will be opened, causing the said armature to immediately retract and on

page_text: retracting as soon as the said contacts n, n', close again the circuit will be closed
and the armature again attracted, and as the armature will not retract sufficiently
to enable the projection n to pass over the projection between the two recesses 6, 7,
it will be seen that the armature will vibrate very rapidly causing a succession
of sparks at n, n', as long as the circuit is held closed by a key as k, to be
described.
As soon as the key is opened the armature will completely retract, and when
next attracted the projection n³ will enter the recess 7 and will turn the plate n
sufficiently to turn off the gas, and owing to one side of said plate striking a fixed
point, the rod n is not allowed to descend sufficiently to separate the contacts n, n'.
The electro-magnet is not sufficiently sensitive to respond to the normal
battery current of the closed signalling circuit, hence when said circuit is closed or
employed for the transmission of signals, it will not respond.
At the central office, I have provided a battery circuit as o, especially for this
purpose, it containing switch contacts o', o', which may receive between them any
one of the switch plugs a³, and also containing a key by which the circuit is
closed when desired; and also containing a strong battery ², a spark coil, and an
audible receiver, as o³, see Figs. 1 and 2.
:
This audible receiver consists of a magnet of adjacent to the poles of which is a
diaphragm of adapted to respond to the attractive influence of the magnet, and as
the circuit is opened and closed rapidly by the contacts », n', the magnet o¹ will be
influenced and the diaphragm vibrated, which gives forth an audible sound.
The magnet of is placed in a suitable case o to which the diaphragm of is
secured.
Thus it will be seen that when it is desired to light one of the gas jets, the
switch plug a of that particular circuit is electrically connected with the lighting
circuit o at o¹, o', and the key k pressed, and as long as said key is held pressed, the
contact n' will vibrate and the audible receiver o³ will respond, thereby giving
notice to the attendant that the gas is being lighted.
When it is desired to turn off the gas, the key & will be again pressed and the
plate no turned in the opposite direction, and the contacts n, n' will not be
separated.
I preferably provide the gas lighting device with a shunt switch, see Fig. 4,
represented as a contact pen 20 secured to the armature plate nº, which co-operates
with a contact pen 21 secured to the frame, and said pens 20, 21, when in contact
form a shunt for the contacts n, n'.
In lieu of the gas lighting apparatus shown in Figs. 3 and 4, an incandescent
lamp may be located at each box which may be cut into and out of circuit by a
switch, such as shown in Fig. 5, wherein it will be seen that an electro-magnet n'
is shown having an armature n engaging a rod n on which is a projection n
arranged to turn a notched plate 10 which is secured to a shaft carrying a switch
armadapted to move over segmental contact pieces n¹³, which are connected
in the circuit in any suitable way.
In order to make and break the circuit to operate the receiver o³, a contact
penis attached to the armature which co-operates with a pen n, and as the
armature is attracted and the projection n enters the notch 6 the said armature
will vibrate.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like consisting of a series of
signal boxes, and a central station, a separate signalling circuit for cach signal box,
a signal receiving circuit at the central station, containing suitable signal receiving
apparatus and electric connections whereby said separate signalling circuits are
connected with the signal receiving circuit in series, and a telephonic circuit also at

page_text: the central station which may be electrically connected with any one of the
signalling circuits at will, substantially as described.
2. A signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like, consisting of a series of
signal boxes, and a central station, a separate signalling circuit for each signal box,
a signal receiving circuit at the central station containing suitable signal receiving
apparatus, a switch plug, as a³ for each signalling circuit, and switch contacts as a
in the signal receiving circuit for each switch plug, and a telephonic circuit also at
the central station containing telephonic transmitting and receiving instruments,
and also containing switch contacts which may co-operate with any one of the
switch plugs a at will, substantially as described.
3. A signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like consisting of a series of
signal boxes, each containing a signal transmitter and also an electrically operated
light signal a separate loop circuit for each signal box, a signal receiving circuit at
the central station containing suitable signal receiving apparatus, and electric con-
nections whereby the several loop circuits are connected with the signal receiving
circuit, a lighting circuit, as o, with which any one of the said loop circuits may be
connected at will, and means for operating said lighting circuit, substantially as
described.
4. A signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like consisting of a series of
signal boxes, each containing an electrically operated light signal, a loop circuit
for each signal box, a lighting circuit at the central station with which any one of
the said loop circuits may be electrically connected, and means for operating said
lighting circuit, substantially as described.
5. A signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like consisting of a series of
signal boxes, each containing an electrically operated light signal, and lighting
circuit at the central station containing a strong battery, a spark coil, and a circuit
closing key, substantially as described.
6. A signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like consisting of a series of
signal boxes each containing an electrically operated light signal, and a lighting
circuit at the central station containing an audible return signal receiver,
substantially as described.
7. A signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like, consisting of a series of
signal boxes, it containing a light signal, an electro-magnet for operating it, and
circuit making and breaking contacts operated by said electro-magnet, and a
lighting circuit at the central station containing an audible return signal receiver
responsive to the interruptions of the circuit by the said circuit making and
breaking mechanism, substantially as described.
8. A signalling apparatus for municipalities, and the like, consisting of a series
of signal boxes each containing an electrically operated light signal, and a lighting
circuit at the central station containing an audible return signal receiver consisting
of an electro-magnet, enclosing case therefor, and a vibratory diaphragm secured to
said case adjacent to the poles of said electro-magnet, substantially as described.
9. A signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like, consisting of a series of
signal boxes, each containing a signal transmitter, and a light signal, and separate
loop circuit for each signal box, a signal receiving circuit at the central station
containing suitable signal receiving apparatus with which said loop circuits are
electrically connected in series, a lighting circuit, as o, also at the central station
with which any one of the loop circuits may be connected at will, said lighting
circuit containing a battery stronger than the battery in the signal receiving
circuit, and means for operating said lighting circuit, substantially as described.
10. A signalling apparatus for municipalities and the like, consisting of a series
of stations each containing an electrically operated light signal, and circuit making
and breaking contacts, and a shunt for said circuit making and breaking contacts, a
lighting circuit, as o, and means for operating it, substantially as described.
11. The electrically operated light signal, and lighting circuit, and an audible
return signal receiver, substantially as described.

page_text: 12. The electrically operated light signal, and circuit, and circuit making and
breaking contacts, and an audible return signal receiver, the operating magnet of
which is operated by said circuit making and breaking contacts, substantially as
described.
Dated the 14th day of January 1891
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.