IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING TELEGRAPHS AND AN INSTRUMENT OR APPARATUS FOR SUCH PURPOSE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George May Phelps, of Brooklyn, in the State of New
York, United States of America, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PRINTING TELEGRAPHS AND AN INSTRUMENT OR APPARATUS FOR SUCH
PURPOSE."
Sealed the 28th October 1876, and dated the 14th August 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George May Phelps at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th August 1876.
GEORGE MAY PHELPS, of Brooklyn, in the State of New York, United States of
America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING TELEGRAPHS AND AN INSTRUMENT OR
APPARATUS FOR SUCH PURPOSE."
This Invention relates to an instrument for printing upon a strip of paper. The
telegraph operator at one end of the line controls the printing instrument at the
other end of the line. To effect this it is necessary that the instruments run
accurately at the same speed.
My improvements are enumerated under the following heads:-
First. The electro-motor that is employed to drive the machines in perfect
synchronisin at the two ends of the line. This is accomplished by a circular range
of stationary electro-magnets and a range of revolving armatures. The commu-
tators are springs against a central revolving roller carried by the armature shinft;
a governor on the same shaft acts to regulate the electrical current in the magnets.
Second. The means for giving to the type wheels a rotary movement, and at the
proper time arresting the revolution of the type wheel and giving an impression
upon the paper, and liberating the type wheel so that it continues to revolve.
The type wheel is revolved by friction, so also is a star pin wheel; a magnet acts
to liberate the latter. The type wheel is stopped, the paper fed along, the impression
taken, the type wheel again started, and the star pin wheel stopped in a period
equal to one quarter revolution of the type wheel.
Third. The means for transmitting by a range of finger keys electric pulsations
in harmony with the revolving type wheels, so that the message at the distant
instruments will be printed in the same order as the finger keys are depressed at
the sending station.
When one finger key is depressed a corresponding slide is operated; the slides
form a circular range around a shaft revolving synchronously with the type wheels,

page_text: and the keys and their connected slides are in the same order as the letters on the
type wheel.
A circuit closing pin in the revolving shaft is operated upon by an
anchor and lever as soon as the anchor arrives at the slide that is raised, and tho
electric pulsations sent to the distant station operates in the magnet to liberate the
star wheel and effect the printing.
The movements aforesaid take place during a quarter revolution of the shaft, and
its harmony with the type wheel is maintained.
The circuits are arranged so that the transmitting part of one instrument can act
upon its own printer and upon the printing portion of the distant instrument, but
generally messages will be sent by the duplex circuits in both directions, so that
the transmitter of one instrument operates the receiver of the other instrument.
Fourth. The means for preparing a strip of paper with holes punched in it at
such relative distances apart that they will represent the relative distances apart
of the various letters and characters upon the type wheel that follow each other
successively in spelling out or composing the message. This is done by a punch,
and there are finger keys acting upon slides to stop a type wheel at the letter to
be printed for convenience on the saine strip that is perforated. The paper moves
a distance between one letter aud the next in proportion to the distance between
one letter on the type wheel and the next priuted from, and an additional move-
ment is given to the paper corresponding to the time the type wheel may be 1
stopped for the operation of printing the letters.
Fifth. The instrument employed with the strip of perforated paper last nained,
which instrument closes the clectric circuits at such proper relative periods of time
that the printing instrument at the distant station prints the message exactly
as it had been spelled out on the perforated strip of paper used at the sending
station.
The paper passes through this machine at a uniform speed proportioned to the
movement of the type wheel, and the same continue in harmony because the
additional distance between ono perforation and the next corresponds to the time
the type wheel pauses.
The circuit connections and signal devices are arranged so that signals for
repeating and other purposes can be easily made.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said George May Phelps in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th
February 1877.
GEORGE MAY PHELPS, of Brooklyn, in the State of New York, United States
of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING TELEGRAPHS AND AN INSTRUMENT OR
APPARATUS FOR SUCH PURPOSE."
This Invention relates to an instrument for printing upon a strip of paper. The
telegraph operator at one end of the line controls the printing instrument at the
other end of the line. To effect this it is necessary that the two instruments run
accurately at the same speed.
My improvements will be described under the following heads :-
:-
1st. The electro-motor that is employed to drive the machines in perfect
synchronism at the two ends of the linc.
2nd. The means for giving to the type wheels a rotary movement, and at the
proper time arresting the revolution of the type wheel, and giving an impression
upon the paper, and liberating the type wheel so that it continues to revolve.
3rd. The means for transmitting by a range of finger keys electric pulsations in
harmony with the revolving type wheels, so that the message at the distant instru-
ment will be printed in the saine order as the finger keys are depressed at tho
sending station.

page_text: 4th. The means for preparing a strip of paper with holes punched in it at such
relative distances apart that they will represent the relative distances apart of the
various letters and characters upon the type wheel that follow each other suc-
cessively in spelling out or composing the message.
5th. The instrument employed with the strip of perforated paper last named,
which instrument closes the electric circuits at such proper relative periods of
time that the printing instruments at the distant station prints the message exactly
as it had been spelled out on the perforated strip of paper used at the sending
station.
In the Drawing Fig. 1 is a general plan of the machine; Fig. 2 is a section;
and Fig. 3 is a plan in larger size of the electro-motor portion of the machine.
Fig. 4 is a plan of the type wheel and its actuating mechanism.
Fig. 5 is an elevation of the type wheel mechanism and section of the mechanism
that intervenes between the finger keys and circuit changing mechanism, which by
electricity acts at the distant station to cause the type wheel to pause at the
proper point for printing and remain stationary a period equal to a quarter of the
revolution of the type wheel and then move on again; Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, represent
detailed portions of the same mechanism.
Fig. 11 is a section of the type wheel shaft; Fig. 12 is a plan of the stop motion
for the said type wheel.
Fig. 13 is an inverted plan of the finger key levers.
Fig. 14 is a plan of the instrument for perforating the strip of paper to be used
in transmitting the message; Fig. 15 is an elevation partially in section of the
said perforating instrument; Fig. 16 is a detached view of a portion thereof.
Fig. 17 shows part of the strip of perforated paper; Fig. 18 is an elevation;
Fig. 19 is a plan; and Fig. 20, a partial detached view of the instrument through
which the strip of perforated paper is drawn, and by which the circuits are closed
at the distant printing instrument to operate the same.
Fig. 21 is a diagram representing the circuit connections, so as to show
the manner in which the instruments are connected to the battery and line
respectively.
By the following description the construction and operation of these instruments
will be apparent :-
1st. The Electro-motor.-In this portion of the instrument special provisions are
made to prevent injury by the electric spark, and for keeping the contact surfaces
of the commutator clear and free from dust, and for obtaining an uniform speed under
varying conditions of battery. The circular range of electro-magnets a, a, surrounds
the armatures b that are upon the vertical shaft c, supported at the lower end in the
bearing d, and at the upper end in the top plate e. The battery is connected with
the insulated spring lever f that is pressed upon by the spring f³ and insulated
adjusting screw 3 to regulate the speed with accuracy. The weight 4 is attached
by a spring to an arm on the shaft c, and there is an arm from said weight 4 to the
bottom of the pin e² that acts upon the insulated pin 5.
The platinum or platinum faced wheel his revolved gradually by a worm 15,
wheel 6, and gearing 7 and 8 from the shaft c, and this wheel h is placed in a box k
containing oil or similar material. The platinuin edge of this wheel h and platinum
block on the lever fare in contact when the circuit is closed, and the turning motion
of the wheel keeps the surfaces clean, and there is but little friction on account of
the oil.
When the speed of the instrument becomes too great the weight 4 flying out-
wardly by the centrifugal force as its attaching spring bends causes the inner end
of the arm to rise and lift the center pin 5 and lever f, and lessen or break contact
with the roller h, and lessen the battery force.
The charge passing through the lever fand frame of the machine to the commu-
tator next described goes through the electro-magnets successively, and leaves them
by the common battery wire l.
The commutator springs should equal in number that of the magnets multiplied

page_text: by the armatures; thus, with eight electro-magnets and five armatures, there should
be forty commutator springs, so that each electro-magnet may be energized as the
armatures approach successively. To effect this I connect each magnet with one of
the ring segments m, and to each ring segment five of the commutator springs a are
connected hy studs passing through the frame t, and insulated, the studs being con-
nocted each fifth one to the same ring segment. The frame t has a circular opening
in it, within which the circuit closing wheel n runs, and the shaft c is crank shaped
to allow of the introduction of a large wheel n; this wheel n is at the end of a
link that is hinged to the arm p upon the shaft c, and the wheel n is pressed to the
frame t by a spring q, so that the frictional contact is always sufficient to turn the
said wheel n, and it is preferable that the wheel be grooved, and the frame have a
rib to keep the parts exactly in position The wheel n runs in contact with the
ends of the circuit closing springs 8, and said springs yield sufficiently to bring one
into contact before the other is out of contact, thereby preventing sparks, and tho
portion of the wheel n that is in contact with the springs s is of a different diameter
to the portion in contact with the circular rib on the frame.
It is to be understood that the wheel n closes the contact between the frame and
the commutator springs in succession, so as to charge the magnets in succession,
each magnet being charged five times in the revolution of the armatures to attract
the armature at the proper time.
By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the clectricity from the battery or other
source passes by the wire through the insulated lever f, roller h, and frame to the
roller, thence by the insulated circuit springs & successively to the electro-magnets,
and from them by the insulated wires and rings s¹ to the battery wire . If this
was the only path for the electric current there would be risk of sparks between the
lever fand wheel . I lessen this risk by placing an insulated resistance coil 2¹² in
the attaching block for the lever f, one end of this being connected with a spring
ring that bears against the insulated lever block f12, and the other end connects
with the frame e, so that there will be a portion of the current passing to the
magnets constantly by this route, and only the portion of the current passing by f
and is regulated so as to determine the speed of the motor.
In Fig. I it will be seen that the switch v is in the circuit to the battery, so that
the clectro-motor can be stopped by turning this switch.
2nd. The Type Wheel and Impression Devices.-The wheel 8 gears into the
wheel & within the vertical standard s, and in this is a central shaft 8³ carrying the
said wheel 8, and also a second wheel 8, and there is an intermediate wheels" to the
gear wheels on the type wheel shaft a¹. The wheels s' and 8" are the same size,
so that the central shaft and type wheel c' revolve at the same speed. The
spring around the type wheel shaft causes sufficient friction between the wheel &
and a disk b² on the shaft al, see Fig. 11, to revolve the type wheel c¹, but it allows
the type wheel and shaft to be stopped while the wheels continues to revolve;
this wheel & gears into another wheel 87 on a shaft (, so as to revolve the same,
and there is also a frictional disk and spring that applies sufficient friction to revolve
the parts, but allows the shaft to be stopped, and the wheel 87 to continue to
revolve.
When a pulsation of electricity is sent from the distant station, as hereafter
described, it operates by the relay in the line circuit the local circuit magnet e³, the
armature of which is attracted and draws back the hook h¹, Figs. 4 & 12, liberating
one of the teeth 10 of the wheel, allowing its revolving shaft to turn it by
friction the distance between one tooth 10 and the next. As soon as the wheel
commences to turn the pin 11 acts against the inclined end of the stop lever 12,
throwing the anchor 12 into the ratchet wheel n¹ on the type wheel shaft, and
stopping the same and the type wheel c. The edge of the lever is curved, so that
the pin 11 holds the anchor 12 to the ratchet wheel n¹ until the next pin 11
approaches the end of said lever 1, when a reverse incline 13 formed upon a
downward arm at the end of the lever 12 is acted upon by one of the studs 14
the wheel, and the anchor 12 is thrown out of the teeth of the wheel n¹, at
upon

page_text: the same moment, the hook h¹ arrest the further revolution of the wheel k¹.
During the partial rotation of k¹ from one tooth 10 to the next the paper feed takes
place and the impression is given.
Upon the shaft d¹ there is a wheel o¹ with pins 10, and a wheel p¹ is upon the
shaft 18, that has upon it the paper-feeding roller q¹ that is roughened, and serves
to draw along the paper 19 in the trough shaped guide 7, see Figs. 1, 4, & 5.
In the edge of the wheel p¹ are concave recesses and notches, and the pins 16
taking successively into these notches cause the paper to be fed along, but the
distance between the notches in p' is less than the distance between the pins 16,
hence one pin moves out of its notch and ceases to move the paper before the next
pin enters the notch; during this pause in the paper feed, and as the last operation
before the shaft d' stops, one of the pins 16 runs against the incline 20 at the end
of the printing-lever * and moves it, so that the other end gives the impression of
the paper against the type, and it is again liberated, and the parts stop in the
position shown in Figs. 4 and 12 ready for the next movement, when the magnet
e³ is again energized, and the type wheel being liberated starts instantly to revolve.
The parts are so timed that the type wheel stops for a period of time equal to
that consumed in turning a quarter of a revolution; this point is to be borne in
mind because the same period is consumed at the transmitting portion of the
apparatus, hence the instruments continue to revolve in perfect harmony notwith-
standing the pause. A lever t¹ with a lug 21 serves to stop the wheel ¹ by hand
whenever desired. This is usually employed when sending a message, because the
operator does not generally require to print his own message.
It is important also to stop the revolution of the type wheel at a given point,
called the "unison" point, whenever an interval occurs in sending, so that the type
wheel may start off in unison with the transmitting mechanism. To secure this
end I use what is known as a "unison-stop" that is self-acting, when the type
wheel continues to revolve several times without being printed from.
Upon the type wheel shaft a¹ there is a pinion 22 gearing into a wheel u³, see
Fig. 4, and dotted linos Fig. 12, that is pivoted with a friction arbor acting upon
the metal spring arc-piece 23, that is provided at one end to the lever v¹, so that by
the continued revolution of the type wheel the. are 23 and lever v¹ will be
moved so that a stop 24 upon the lever v¹ will be brought into the path of the pin
25 upon the wheel n', and stop the type wheel always in a given positon. One of
the pins 11 on the wheel acts against the end 30 of this lever v¹, and moves it
back every time the printing operation is performed, so that the unison will only be
moved far enough to catch the type wheel after said type wheel has revolved five
or six times without the printing mechanism being operated. By this construction
the two machines are brought to unison by a slight pause of the operator that is
sending the message, and when he starts again he depresses the dash or space key,
and the receiving type wheels start in unison with the transmitting portion of the
machine.
I remark that the paper is by preference placed upon a reel w¹ in a metal case x²,
see Fig. 1, having a movable cover, in the center of which is a glass so that the
operator can see when the roll of paper is nearly exhausted. This case keeps the
paper free from dust.
3rd. The means for transmitting, by a range of finger keys, electric pulsations
in harmony with the revolving type wheels, so that the message at the distant in-
strument will be printed in the same order as the keys are depressed at the sending
station.
As before stated 'the type wheel shaft a¹ and central shaft * are geared together
and revolve in the same time, and the period of time occupied in giving the
impression is represented by a quarter revolution of the type wheel, hence if the
central shaft & is provided with a revolving circuit closing device for sending a
pulsation to the distant instrument at the exact moment the proper letters of the
type wheels are in positon to be printed from, and that circuit closing device is

page_text: automatic, so as to be thrown out of action after the shaft 8³ has revolved a quarter
turn, the unison in the revolutions of the parts will be maintained.
To effect these operations I provide a range of finger keys b², see Fig. 1, and cach
key has on the under side of the bed plate a lever g³, and these are arranged as
shown in Fig. 13, so as to connect with a circular range of slide bars that sur-
round the central shaft 83.
At the upper end of these bars are radial arms c',
see Fig. 6, within the fixed column S, and at the ends of these arms e' are upward
projections with inclines at their outer edges. These arins are guided in slots in
a circular ring bearing f³, Fig. 5.
The wheels is hollow, and has within it a disk h², seen in plan, Fig. 7, carrying
the bearings 96 for a rock shaft , upon which is an arm running into a slot in
the shafts, and upon which the circuit changer pin 31 rests; this pin is central in
the shaft 83, and projects above it; and upon the arm is a downward projection 13
passing through the disk and resting upon the top of the cam wheel u, see Fig. 10.
that has a tubular shaft surrounding the shaft s", and turning freely thereon. Upon the
upper edge of this wheel u are four cam projections 33, sec Figs. 5 and 10. Now
it will be evident that if these parts all revolve freely together, the circuit pin 31
will not be pushed up, but if the wheel u is stopped, then the wheel and lever
arın continuing to move will cause the end 13 of the arm to run up one of the
incliues 33 upon the wheel ² and move this circuit pin endwise.
In order to stop at the proper time relatively with the type wheel I mount
upon the wheel ua lever o² with an anchor 35, and this projects below the lower
edge of the wheel u², and this lower edge is directly over the ends e³ of the arms c'
aforesaid, and it is made cam shaped, so that when the operator depresses the
given finger key the corresponding arm e is raised against the under side of 35,
and the incline being inside the anchor 35 throws it outwardly, when 35 moves
against it, and the outer edge of 35 catches into one of the concentric circular rows
of stationary teeth 36, see Fig. 8, within the column S. This instantly stops the
revolution of the wheel u, but the wheel 82 continues to move, and the arm 13
running over the incline 33 on top of u² raises the circuit pin 31 to give the
electric pulsation to the distant instrument as before mentioned.
Upon the under side of the disk are four cams 38 standing in the normal
position to the anchor 35, as seen in Fig. 9, hence when the anchor is stopped it
Swings outwardly just clear of one can, and when the next cam comes around it
presses the anchor hack away from the teeth 36, so that the wheel u² is liberated
and again moves with the shaft 3, the pause of said wheel u being a quarter
rotation of the shaft and of the type wheel as aforesaid, so as to maintain unison
in the revolutions.
A spring roller 3, Fig. 9, rests against the end of the tail of the anchor o³, so
that the tail moves back and forth over the spring roller, causing a full movement
of the anchor each way, and also preventing fluttering from the rapid movement of
the parts, and there is a lever arm t on the disk 2 acted upon by the spring us, and
one end of the arm passes down outside the wlieel u² and catches one of its four
notches to hold it in place, but the faces of the arm are beveled, so that the arm is
forced back out of the notch when the wheel 2 is stopped and it springs into the
next notch simultaneously with the liberation of the anchor 35 from the stationary
teeth 36.
The end movement of the circuit pin 31 rocks the lever u and operates the
circuit changer v', that consists of a rocking block with four contact points 40, 41,
42, 43. There are shown in Figs. 4 and 5, but by reference to the diagram, Fig. 21,
the connections of the wires and circuits will be more apparent.
The main battery M, B, is connected by 50, 51, to the bar 40, 41, and the
spring 45 is connected by the wire GG to earth, and the spring 44 is connected to
the line 56 and distant instrument, and there is a switch with contact points
B, T, S; 42, 43, are connected to B, S; 45 is connected to T, and zinc of main
battery is connected to 53, 54. If the switch stands at S, 53, the current from the
battery M, B, passes by 50, 51, 40, 44, 56, to line, returning by carth 66, 45, 43,

page_text: B, S, 3, 55, to z, and when the block is rocked by raising the circuit pin 31 the
current is reversed upon the line, the same passing by 50,51, 41, 45, 66, to carth,
and returning by line 56, 44, 42, B, S, 63, 53, 55, to z, and main battery.
The preferable manner to work this instrument is by reversal of the circuits as
aforesaid, the battery being always connected to the line and earth. Now it will
bo evident that if the printing magnet e³ was a polarized magnet it would respond
to the reversal of the circuit, and if the magnets at both the sending and
receiving stations were included in the circuit aforesaid, the message would be
printed at both instruments. As this is seldom desirable, I vary the circuit
connections to give additional facilities.
I prefer to use a local battery for the printing magnet e³, and to do this I use a
separate instrument of ordinary construction containing a relay magnet c³, and a
polarized magnet d³. The line wire 50 goes through and d³ at the receiving
inagnet, hence the armature of d responds to the change of polarity in the circuit,
and opens and closes the local circuit from the local battery L, B, through 61, ³, 64,
switch o, and printing magnet e³, therefore whenever the circuit pin 31 at the
sending instrument is moved to reverse the polarity of the current on the line, the
printing magnet e³ at the receiving instrument is energized in the local circuit and
effects the printing. The operator at the receiving instrument turns his switch b³
to T in order that the line circuit connection inay pass from line 56 through d², c³, 56,
to b³, T, and direct to earth by 66. In this way the main battery M, B, at the
receiving station is not upon the line. If the receiving operator sees that the
message is not coming correctly he turns his switch 6 momentarily to B, 54; tho
effect of that is to put his main battery M, B, on the line through 50, 51, 40, 44,
and line 56, returning through ground 66, 45, 43, B, 6, 54, to 2. The object of
this is to signal the transmitter to pause and repeat; this increased battery power is
effective at the sending instrument, for the transmitting operator adjusts the spring
of his relay magnet c³ so that it will not respond by the force of his own battery
current passing through it on transmitting, but so soon as the additional current
from the distant station comes on the line, c³ responds, closes the local circuit
from L, B, through, 61, 62, ƒ³, and causes this magnet to respond, and this
magnet f being on the message board of the instrument in front of the sending
operator, he hears it click and stops, the receiver's instrument instantly runs to.
unison, the type wheel stops, and the sending operator goes back in his message,
starts with the space key, and thereby liberates the type wheel of the instru-
ment, and he proceeds with the message.
When the switch is turned to B54 the end of the switch moves the bent lover
switch o, breaking the local circuit of L, B, at the receiving station, hence the
receiving instrument instantly is thrown out of action, the type wheel runs to
unison, and the receiving operator in a moment turns the switch back to T, and
the instrument is ready in adjustment for the receiving, hence scarcely any time
is lost.
If the electric connections are made so that the transmission is effected by the
one current, break and close system, one relay is to be used to operate the printing
inagnet by the local battery. If desired the circuits are arranged in the well-
known manner for duplex transmission, so that the sending portion of ono
instrument operates the receiving portion of the other instrument and both are
worked simultaneously.
4th. I have devised a mode of using the instrument before described with a
perforated strip of paper, and now describe the means of perforating the paper, and
then the means of transmitting from the same and receiving by the type wheel and
its accompanying mechanism aforesaid. This greatly increases the capacity of tho
telegraph line, for my instrument has a capacity far greater than the ability of any
operator to finger the keys.
The instrument for perforating the strip of paper is represented in Figs. 13, 14,
15, &16, and the printed and perforated strip is shown in Fig. 17. The type
wheel aº is upon a vertical shaft a sustained at the upper end by a bracket 60.

page_text: upon the plate 68, and at the lower end by the base plate c, and this shaft is
provided with a pulley do to which a continuous revolving motion is applied from
competent power, and do is a friction that allows the pulley to continue to revolve
when the shaft is stopped. Upon the shaft a¹0 is an arm e permanently attached,
and around the base plate of there is a circular range of vertical pins corres-
ponding in number to the keys b" of the key board and to the divisions of the type
wheel, and these keys are connected to the respective pins by the system of con-
verging levers g (seen in the inverted plan, Fig. 13), and the letters upon the keys
and their respective pins are so arranged that when a key is depressed and its
corresponding pin raised the shaft a will be stopped by the arm e coming in
contact with said pin, and the letter of the type wheel corresponding to the letter
of the key will be opposite the impression pad 63, so that the pad may be brought
up and impress the lotter at the same time that the paper is perforated, as hereafter
described.
It is to be understood that the operator depresses one key before he releases the
next, so that the type wheel only turns from letter to letter as they are required by
the operator in transferring the message to the strip of paper, perforating a hole to
represent a letter, and also printing the letter opposite the perforation, the object
being to space the distances of the perforations to give the same proportional
intervals of time as would occur if the message were sent by the before-described
finger transmitter. This object is effected in my composing machine by a feeding
roller that is driven by the shaft a through a gear wheel 10 on said shaft
meshing with the wheel 64 of the roller 1, and this wheel 64 and roller 1º are
connected by a ratchet 65 and pawl 66, so that the roller 7° will be moved forward
by the wheel 64, but the pawl 66 will allow of an additional forward movement
being given to the roller for a purpose hereafter named.
•
The contact roller 68 is upon a lever 69 with a spring, so that it presses the
paper firmly to the paper feed roller to feed the paper along reliably, and said paper
is led through the guide 70, and in the slot between the punch 8 and die to (shown
sectionally in Fig. 15), and this punch is brought up and and perforates the paper
when the type wheel is stopped and simultaneously with an impression taken from
the type upon the paper.
The punch and pressure pad are connected and move together. The perforated
and printed strip is shown in Fig. 17.
The means employed for moving the punch and pressure pad are as follows:-
The lever arm m³ is connected with the punch and also with one end of the link n°
to the crank upon the vertical shaft 10, to which a friction pulley o" is applied,
and a belt from suitable power tends to rotate this shaft 10, and gives a partial
revolution whenever the arm 75 is liberated from the anchor escapoment 76, and in
that revolution the crank v moves the punch and gives the impression. The
escapement is upon a vertical shaft with an arm 18, the end of which is pressed
toward the ratchet wheel 19 by a spring 80, and when the type wheel is revolving
the arm 78 cannot fall into the ratchet teeth far enough for the arm 75 to be
liberated from 76, but when the type wheel is stopped the arm 75 is freed and the
shaft is instantly revolved until the end of the arm 75 strikes against the end 81
of the escapement, and as the type wheel starts again this arm passes from 81 to 76,
and is held as before.
In the revolution of the crank pin the punch and impression pad are first
brought up and then carried back out of the way. During the first part of this
movement the pin 84 and lever 85 have drawn back the spring pawl 86 upon the
ratchet teeth 87 around the head of the feed roller 1, and after the punch is clear
of the paper the pin 84 by its further movement gives to the roller about a
quarter revolution while the type wheel is still stationary, the object of this being
to space the distances between the perforations, so that while the said strip of paper
is being drawn along through the transmitting machine at a uniform continuous
rate, corresponding with the revolutions of the type wheel at the receiving station,
this increased length of paper between each perforation will allow of the paper

page_text: continuing to move while the type wheel pauses to perform the printing, which
pauso takes place while the paper is moving through the transmitting instrument,
so that the type wheel in the printing telegraph will be in unison with the paper
strip at the sending station, and the letters will be printed in succession in the
order in which the keys have been depressed in this present instrument, and the
paper strip when used for transmitting produces the same intervals between the
electrical pulsations as would occur if the message were sent by the finger-key
transmitter. The paper moving with the rotation of the type wheel gives the
relative distances of the letters on the type, wheel selected for transmission. The
additional length of paper that is supplied by the movement of the ratchet and
pawl represents the time of the detention of the receiving type wheel.
5th. The machine into which this strip of paper is introduced in sending the
message is shown in Figs. 18, 19, and 20.
The roller a is run by the motor of the before-described telegraph instrument
acting upon the shaft b, and the speed of the roller harmonizes with the speed of
the type wheel that prints the message at the distant station, so that it will draw
along a strip of paper of a length to contain perforations representing all the
characters on the type wheel successively during the time that the type wheel at
the receiving station would take to print those same characters in succession. The
arbor of a lever c7 carries an arm and small roller d' lying between the two traction
rollers e' that apply pressure to cause the roller a to move the paper along regularly,
and this roller d' is of a size to fall into the perforation of the paper, and allow the
lever c to be moved as each perforation passes.
There is a hook 85 upon the same fulcrum as the lever c², and said hook
catches the revolving finger f', the same being upon a shaft 86 with a pinion g
that is revolved rapidly, and provided with a friction to turn the shaft completely
the moment the hook 85 noves back from f.
The shaft of f' has a crank pin 87 that operates the circuit, closing rocker
40, 41, 42, 43, that corresponds with and performs the same duties as those in the
rocker, Fig. 5, and diagram, Fig. 21; and these circuit connections are arranged,
as shown in said Fig. 21, so that every time a perforation in the strip of paper
passes under the roller that drops enough to release the hook 85, and allow
the finger f' and crank 87 to revolve, and thereby change the polarity of the current
momentarily, so that the relay d³ responding causes the proper letter of the type
wheel to be printed from.
It will now be understood that the distance between one perforation and tho
next in the paper corresponds to the distance between the same letters of the type
wheel with an additional length representing the pause of the wheel in printing,
that although the strip of paper keeps on moving, and the type wheel stops while
it is printed from, still one does not gain upon the other; but the paper at the
sending station moves in harmony with the type wheel at the receiving station,
and the printing is done with such rapidity that all the letters of the type wheel
could be printed successively in one rotation of the type wheel, and one or more
letters or spaces will be printed each revolution of said type wheel, thus obtaining
the greatest rapidity possible in a printing telegraph.
Provision is made for bringing the sending and receiving motors to synchronism
as follows:-The wheel with three notches is mounted upon a lever 7, and driven
by the gearing 17; the roller and the lever k are raised by the arms and pin,
so that when there is no paper on the roller a' n7 will rest upon the wheel i, and
will hold the hook 85 up in the path of the revolving finger ft; but when the three
notches in the wheel 7 pass under the roller n' said roller will drop in said notches
respectively, and the finger f' will revolve three times, and affects the circuit in the
order of printing the same letter successively three times; nine revolutions of the
type wheel take place before the three notches will again repeat the three same
letters, provided the motors are running synchronously.
If the same letters do not appear the receiving operator adjusts the speed of his

page_text: motor until the same letters appear at each successive repeating by the three notches
when the receiving operator puts his switch at B for a moment, thereby stopping
the operation at the sending instrument by the local magnet and rocking lever c.
The sending operator then inserts the end of the perforated paper under the rollers,
noves back the rocking lever, when the operation of sending automatically by the i
perforated paper commences.
If the receiving operator wishes to stop or "break" the sender he again repents
the operation of putting his switch at B for a moment, when, by the operation of
the local magnet and rocking lever at the sending instrument, the rollers are raised
from the paper, thus stopping the paper, indicating "repeat."
This is
The sending operator draws the paper back until he finds a perforation indicating
the space or
dash" key, which he places just out from under the rollers; then he
moves back the rocking lever c', when the sending again commences.
generally done on commencing work. The lover and roller are moved back
out of the way, and the instruments are ready. The sending operator introduces 1
his strip of paper; the dash perforation is always to be the first one on the strip,
hence that liberates the type wheel at the distant station, and the type wheel runs
in harmony with the strip, as aforesaid.
In order to stop the transmission of electric pulsations the rocking lever o is
employed to hold the hook 85 in the path of the finger f?. This rocking lever has
a button head, so that it may be turned either way by hand; and I also use an
armature, lever s7, and electro-magnets t to move this same rocking lever o' by
the local magnet so that the distant receiving operator can energize the electro-
magnet by throwing his battery on the line, as aforesaid, and by its armature 17
and lever move the rocking lever o7, and hold the finger f' from revolving, so that
the sending operator may thereby have a signal that indicates lack of adjustment
and necessity for the message to be repeated, which is done as aforesaid.
What I claim as my Invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-
First. The wheel revolved in oil or similar material, and forming one of the
circuit closing contacts in combination with the lever f, forming the other part of
the circuit closer, and a governor for opening or closing the circuit according to the
speed, substantially as set forth.
Second. A commutator composed of a range of springs a and a circuit closing
wheel running in contact with a circular bearing, when the said wheel is of
different diameters at the two points of contact, for the purposes set forth.
Third. The ring segments m connected by insulated studs with the circuit closing
springs s and with the electro-magnets a in combination with a circuit closer
revolving in contact with the commutator springs a, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The combination with a type wheel revolved by friction of a pin wheel
revolved by friction, an electro-magnet to control the same, and mechanism that
stops the type wheel, feeds the paper, gives the impression, and again liberates the
type wheel, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. The combination in a printing telegraph of an electro-motor, a type wheel
driven by friction, and a wheel driven by friction that actuates the impression lever
or printing mechanism.
Sixth. The circular range of slide bars, the loose wheel u², the anchor o², 35,
and the stationary teeth 36 in combination with the range of finger keys and the
circuit closing devices that control the electric pulsations to the distant type wheel
of the printing telegraph, substantially as set forth.
Seventh. The arrangement of relay and polarized magnets and the main and
local circuits in combination with the printing telegraph instruments, substantially
as set forth.
Eighth. The combination of a paper feeding mechanism, punching mechanism,
and mechanism for stopping the movement of the feed at distances proportionate to.
the relative distances between the successive types to be printed, so as to compose
in a strip of paper a message that can be used in transmitting for a printing telegraph.

page_text: Ninth. The combination of a type wheel and punch in a telegraphic composing
instrument, so that the letter represented by the perforation is printed simultaneously
with the perforations, as set forth.
Tenth. The range of pins operated by keys, the revolving type wheel a³, shaft
a10, and arm e in combination with the paper feeding mechanism, punch, and
punch actuating devices brought into operation when the type wheel is stopped,
substantially as set forth.
Eleventh. The combination with a type wheel and punching, feeding, and stop-
ping mechanism of an additional paper feed actuated independently of the motion
of the type wheel, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Twelfth. A telegraphic transmitting strip of paper perforated with lioles at dis-
tances apart proportionate to the relative distances of the characters required on a
type wheel, and with additional length between the perforations to allow for the
time during which the type wheel is detained in printing, substantially as set
forth.
Thirteenth. The combination with the rollers and d and lever c³ of the hook
85, revolving finger f7, crank 87, circuit rocker 40, 41, 42, 43, and connections to
the distant printing telegraph instrument, substantially as set forth.
Fourteenth. The signal wheel and roller n' in combination with the rollers a
and d, lever c, hook 85, revolving finger f", and circuit rocker 40, 41, 42, 43, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Fifteenth. The combination with the rollers a and d, lever c, hook 85, and
revolving finger f7, of the bent lever o, armature lever 8%, electro-magnet t, and
connections to the distant receiving instrument, for the purposes set forth.
Sixteenth. The combination in a printing telegraph of a transmitting roller and
circuit closing mechanism operated by perforated paper and an electro-magnet
controlled from the receiving station, and acting to lock the transmitting mechanism,
substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George May Phelps, have hereunto set my
hand and seal this 5 day of January ÅD 1877
Witnesses,
GEO. M. PHELPS. (L.S.)
CHA. H. SMITH, 76, Chambers St., New York, N.Y.
GEO. T. PINCKNEY
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