IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC PRINTING AND OTHER TELEGRAPHS
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JACOB BRETT, of Hanover Square, in the County of Middlesex, Gentle-
man, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria,
by Her Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster,
the Eighth day of February, One thousand eight hundred and forty-
eight, in the eleventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs
and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Jacob Brett, my
exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full power, sole privi-
lege and authority, that I, the said Jacob Brett, my exors, adñiors, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Jacob Brett, my exors, adññiors,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed,"
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in the
Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all
Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC PRINTING AND OTHER TELEGRAPHS," in which,
said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said Jacob

page_text: Brett, should cause a particular description of the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and scal, to be inrolled in Her
Majesty's High Court of Chancery, within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent,
as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully
and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the
said Jacob Brett, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully
loscribed and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof,
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say:
My Invention consists, firstly, in certain improvements on the Inven-
tion which I described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to
me on the Thirteenth day of November, One thousand eight hundred
and forty-five, for an Invention of "Improvements in Printing Com-
munications made by Electric Telegraphs," and which Specification
was duly inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery on the '
Thirteenth day of May, One thousand eight hundred and forty-six.
Secondly, my Invention consists in an arrangement of apparatus, which
I denominate my writing telegraph, in which by clectro-inagnetic
agency I am enabled to produce certain marks or characters (in imita-
tion of writing or otherwise) 'by the passage of electricity through
chemically prepared paper or fabrics. Thirdly, my Invention consists
in throwing one or more stations out of the circuit when it is desired
to make communications direct to one or more particular station or
stations only, and which apparatus I term my "Electric Circuit Regu-
lator for telegraphs and other uses. Fourthly, my Invention consists
in a mode of indicating the position of a locomotive engine or railway
train upon a line of railway at any part of its journey by means of levers
at fixed distances, which are acted on by the engine in its
and.
communicated by electric agency with the next station. Fifthly, my
Invention consists in a certain mode of combining permanent magnets
with electro-magnets for the purpose of increasing the. action of the
passago,

page_text: former. Sixthly, my Invention consists in certain arrangements of
apparatus for making and breaking the connection between a "principal"
voltaic battery and a "secondary" battery which is brought into use,
and when increased power is required for working a signal apparatus
at a distant station. Seventhly, my Invention consists in the use of
metal types, as hereafter described, for composing sentences or commu-
nications which are to be transmitted either by my printing or writing
telegraph. Eighthly, my Invention consists in modes of combining and
applying permanent magnets within hollow coils of wire (and sometimes.
in connection with electro-magnets) for obtaining an increase of power
at a distant point from the main battery or batteries employed when
transmitting intelligence by electricity. Ninthly, my Invention con-
sists in a mode of increasing the power or action upon a permanent
magnet of the electricity transmitted through coils of wire surrounding
the same. Tenthly, my Invention consists in a modo of suspending
bar magnets or magnetic needles to facilitate the action of a current. of
magneto-electricity upon the same in order by the deficction or
horizontal movement of the magnet or needle to give audible or other
signals.
The apparatus described in my former Specification consists of two
parts: First, of that part which is stationed at the place from which
intelligence is to be transmitted, and which for convenience of distinc-
tion is denominated the "composing machine.". Secondly, of that
part which is to be stationed at the place to which intelligence is
to be communicated, and which is denominated the "printing ma-
chine." These two parts are to be connected by electric or galvanic
conductors, or wires are to be connected with any known generator
of electricity, and from which, when connected, a current of electricity
will pass.
These two parts of the said machinery are chiefly propelled by the
ower of weights, the electric or galvanic force being applied or used
to regulate the motion of the printing machine by means of an escape-
ment or of escapements which it moves or causes to move, and which
equires much less power than is necessary to propel the machinery,
nd thus both the advantage of the instantaneous action of the electric
a

page_text: or galvanic force and the greater power of the weights are combined
to accomplish the work for which this machine is intended.
I will now proceed to describe in detail the first part of my present
Invention, namely, the improvements on the Invention described in the
Specification of my former Patent above alluded to. In my former
electric printing machine I describe a portion of the apparatus for
regulating the motion of the type wheel, which I called the "escape-
ment." Now part of my present improvements consists in certain new
"escapements" designed to act upon type or on a type wheel of any
given number of letters or signs by a determinate action over any
given portion of the letters or signs, say one fourth, one eighth, or
any other fixed division of the whole number.
Another improvement relates to the construction of the type wheel
or type wheels, and the means of giving motion thereto.
A further improvement consists in certain arrangements of apparatus
for sounding the bell or bells of the printing machine,
"
I have also invented an improved mode of arranging the letters upon
type wheels, and upon the disc or dial of my electric printing machines,
according to their value or the frequency of their use, and I arrange
the pins upon the barrel of the "composing machine" or "key board
the same plan (instead of fixing the same in one regular helical
coil around the barrel) without altering the position of the letters upon
the keys. This improved mode of arranging the letters I also carry
into effect in the several other ways herein-after described.
upon
COVERING THE WIRE.
In my former Patent I described a modo which I had invented of
protecting the wires employed for transmitting electricity for the
purposes of my Invention. I have since discovered that it would be
bighly advantageous to coat the wires with an insulating material or
varnish formed by dissolving caoutchouc, or caoutchouc and gutta percha,
in the spirituous matter or liquid called benzole, or a similar substance
named alliole, or these may be combined with copal, wax, or shellac, or
other similar matter. In some cases I would use either the materials
alled anuala alliale
toleal as calvant for and to combine

page_text: the various gums for covering and coating the telegraphic wires, and
thereby protecting them from water, and also from metallic contact
with other wires or metal, and to form thus a good non-conducting
surface upon said wires, whether the same be laid in the carth
through the water or suspended in the air. In some cases I have used
and purpose to use list or woollen fabric under that denomination, on
account of cheapness; this said list or tape, cotton or linen cloth, when
used, I purpose to well saturate the fibres of such as would be effected
by capillary attraction with boiled linsced or other oils, or a combination
of the same with wax, stearine, asphalte, or oil varnishes, tar, or resin,
with or without the aforesaid solvents.
One of my improvements consists in adapting type wheels (or a
type wheel) to a hollow axis 2, which hollow axis carries the type
wheel forward or backwards; this hollow axis is carried forward by
the train of wheels in connection with the pinion A², on the arbor 1;
and that the hollow axis should have very little friction I prefer that it
have its bearings at the two extreme ends, and also at the middle of
the same or near where the type wheels are fixed, the object of tho
centre bearing being to sustain the axis of of said type wheel or wheels
when receiving a blow from the paper cylinder 27, or in some cases
from a piston hammer, as shown in one of the Drawings at Figure 1.
The difference between this type wheel and the one described in my
former Specification consists partly in the type wheel not being perma-
nenfly fixed to the arbor of the pinion A, A, and in being held in its
temporary position by means of a combination of ratchet whools,
clicks, and discs which might be applied in various ways to the same;
but the arrangement I prefer is that shown in Sheets 1, and 2, which
I will now describe. The arbor or axis 1, and pinion A, A, in connection
with a train of wheels, receives motion by the operation of a weight or
other power; and on the other end of the said arbor i, there is firmly
fixed a disc 4, and against this disc towards the end of the arbor
is fitted a ratchet wheel 5, which is mounted loosely on the arbor
between fixed washers; but this said ratchet wheel is so adjusted that it
can only work or be moved a short distance, which is effected by having
a small slot cut in the same, and so fixing a pin in the adjoining disc

page_text: as to traverse the said slot. 37, is a lever with a moveable beak on
end, which turns on a pivot carried by the lever, and is brought back
again by means of a spring, the object being to permit the beak or
end to move over the inclined portions of the ratchet wheel 5, in the
return motion of the lever after it has moved the ratcheet wheel for-
ward one or more teeth. Upon the disc 4, is fixed a click and
spring 4, which acts upon and carries round with it another ratchet
wheel 6. The click turns upon a pivot carried by the disc, and its
hind end is provided with a pin, which extends through a slot in the
disc, and also through a slot in the ratchet wheel 5. The latter slot is so
formed as (after the operation of printing cach letter or character) to de-
press the hind end of the click, and thus withdraw its point or beak from
the teeth of the ratclict wheel 6. This ratchet wheel 6, is firmly fixed to
the hollow axis of the type wheel or wheels, and therefore carries forward
with it both the hollow axis and type wheels when motion is given to the
pinion A, A, upon the axis 1; and when the type wheel has been carried
forward to print the desired letter or character, the lever 37 is acted
upon at the moment the letter or sign is printed, and in moving the
ratchet wheel 5, causes the click of the ratchet wheel 6, to be released,
and thereby sets the type wheel at liberty to be brought into its former
position by means of a pulley and weight (sce letter L), or by means of
a spiral spring, either of them attached to the hollow arbor of the type
wheels, or attached to the quadrant 8, which plays in a toothed wheel 7,
fixed on the hollow axis, and therefore rotating with it. The quadrant
which works in this toothed wheel 7, may be applied to the ringing of
signal bells, as shown in the Drawings at Figures
I give motion to the escapement which I employ to release and check
the type wheels by means of a second train of wheels A', B, C, D
quite distinct from the train of wheels E, F, G, connected with the
pinion A, A. The train of wheels A, B, C, D, acts as a subsidiary
power, combined with which is a small letent escapement lever 25
upon which is a stud 26, on one side of the same, which checks and
releases the pallets on the two escapement arms 27, and 27, which
escapement arms are fixed upon the arbor of the excentric 24, ond
arm being shorter than the other, so that the pallets at the extremity o

page_text: each of them act thus: the detent lover 25, being put in connection
with either an armature of an electric magnet, or in connection with a
permanent coil magnet, and the lever having connection with the same
(or the support of the armature of the electric magnet), a slight balance
or spring will bring said lover upwards against a banking pin 29; and
when the magnet or the 'armaturo of the maguet is acted upon by tho
electric power, the detent lever 25 is drawn downwards, and the pallet
of the longest arm (of the arms 27, and 27,) is checked against the
stnd 26; and when the magnetic or electric power is withdrawn, then
the detent lever is drawn upwards, and therefore releases the pallet of
the arm 27, and so on alternately; therefore a feeble electric or mag-
netic power acting through the medium of this detent lever 25, admits
of more force being exorted upon the suspended lover 28, by the ex-
centric 24, which lover is furnished with pallets M, to act on the pin
escapement 22, of the pin wheel 3, and admit of the rotation of this
wheel with, the axis 1, which carries forward the disc 4, and the com-
bination of ratchet wheels and type wheels, together with the toothed
wheel 7, and quadrant 8, to print the required letter.or sign. At the same
time the quadrant carries with it a hand or pointer, which points to the
letters or characters upon an arc of metal divided and engraved accord-
ing to the arrangement of the letters on the type wheel. The type wheel
may be formed with any desired number of points or letters and charac-
ters; those shown in Figures 3, and 4, are formed with forty letters and
characters, amongst which are the signs for two signal bells; and the
apparatus is so arranged (as herein-after described) that when either of
these signs is printed a bell corresponding thereto will be sounded, to
attract the attention of the attendant, the two bells having different
tones. To facilitate the use of my apparatus I adopt a new arrange-
ment of the letters of the alphabet, according to their value or the
frequency of their use, as set forth in the Drawings; for instance,
beginning with the blank or space used to divide words or sentences, it
would probably occur five thousand times, while the lotter E (the most
valuable in the English language) would occur but three thousand
times, and the letter Z only about seventy times. This great dispro-
, portion suggested to me a series of investigations,
which have led to

page_text: the adoption of such an arrangement of the letters of thic alphabet
as I have shown. The signal bells in the above machine are adjusted
to ring at given points of the are of letters and signs. The mode of
actuating them is as follows:-Upon a portion of the quadrant 8, which
these
is moved by the toothed wheel 7, two pins 11, and 12, are fixed;
are so placed that upon the motion of the quadrant forwards they
strike against the moveable ends or beaks of the suspended levers,
which moveable ends are constructed and act in a similar manner to
the moveable end of the lever 37, before described, so that they will
yield and permit the pins to pass them when the quadrant moves for-
ward; but on the return of the quadrant they offer a firm resistance to
the pins, and aro necessarily carried back by them; and as the levers
13, and 14, are connected by rods 15, 16, with the stems of the hammer
18, and 19, they will draw the hammers away from the bells 17 and
17, until the pins 11, and 12, release the ends of the lovers, and then
the hammers recoil again and strike the said bells.
I have shown other modes of ringing the signal bells at Figures 7,
8, 8, and 9. In Figure 7, I have placed the bells behind the frame
of the machine, and have suspended the hammers with their heads
downwards (see letters A, 1). These hammers play upon an axis
C, D, and have levers e, f, nearly at right angles with the hammer
handles; these levers e, f, play in gear of two pins which are fixed
in a circular disc, this disc being connected with a tooth wheel g,
which has a catch or click which works into a notch in its peri-
phery; this click is lifted by means of the forked shaped lever h, in
connection with the S shaped lover i, and work a. ratchet wheel
gradually forward with a pinion on its arbor, gearing into said
wheel; this wheel 9. has another pinion on its arbor which works
quadrant with teeth j, and has an axis with a small circular slot, with a
pin playing into the same, the object of which is to carry forward said
teeth of the quadrant; and a cam wheel on the centre of the disc drawn
at, catches one of the levers h, when one of the pins in wheel' l, carry
it forwards, and thereby release the hammer and rings the bell, the
pins in the wheel m, being intended to wind up the disc when it has
run down, and thereby keep it in readiness to act on the hammers of

page_text: the bells. The axis of this disc k, will be supposed to have a weight
and cord or a spring adjusted to it, to keep the same ready to work
upon the hammer levers by means of the pins in the disc.
The other mode of ringing the signal bell in connection with the print-
ing apparatus, sec Figures 8, and 8, which represent a tripping piece
or crooked lever a, fixed on axis b, and which said lever falls into rest at
pin c. This lever is made to play on one side of the type wheel e, freely,
and to be so adjusted that a pin d, fixed in the type wheel Z, shall in its
revolution forward carry the lever a, upwards; when this is done its
being kept in this position, the cam wheel f, in its revolution with the
excentric on its axis when in motion in the act of printing, will cause
the pin g, fixel on its periphery to come in contact with the end of the
said lever marked h, and press it downwards, by which means a bell
hammer is acted upon by a detent upon the same axis, and thereby
causes the signal bell to ring; this apparatus is supported by a small
frame or cock k.
Figure 9, represents another simple mode of ringing the signal
bell of the printing machine, Figure 11, which is acted upon by the
pin b, fixed upon the type wheel a, striking against the lever or
tripping piece a, which moves on an axis c, on which axis is fixed a
hammer stem carrying the hammer head d, which strikes the bell e;
and a banking pin f, keeps the said tripping piece or lever a, in an
adjusted position to meet the pin b, to which it returns after being
recoiled from the bell. The lever or tripping piece 37, is intended to
act upon the ratchet wheel 5; it is lifted by means of the excentric 24,
acting upon the lever B, which has a pin g, to lift the same; (thus
when the other excentric 25, carries forward this lever, and also the
framework C, with the small cylinders h, and i, over which the paper to
be printed is moveil step by step to give place to other lettors and signs
in their proper order); then on completion of this movement there the
excentric 24, being arranged to act as a lever contrary to the direction
of the other, pulls the lever B downwards, and thereby presses the
beak-shaped end of lever 37, upwards against the ratchet wheel 5,
causing it to revolve on its axis on the arbor 1, and to release the click.
from the ratchet 6, and thereby allow of the type wheel being brought
to its former position by means of a cord and weight upon a pulley I.,

page_text: Figure 10, when the pin e, in the type wheel strikes against a tripping
piece f, g, which acts upon h,. and thereby releases the lever 37, with
the beak-shaped end, there being a pin i, in the same, which serves as a
rest or banking pin to cause it to be held off the tecth of the ratchet 6,
while the type wheel returns to its first or resting position. The type
whcel is supposed to be moved by a train of wheels and weights, and
acted upon by an escapement similar to the one shewn at Figure 10,
which works by a step by step motion; this escapement, with one tooth
intersecting the other, both wheels being on the same shaft, so that tho
half-moon picces, or pallet, by first turning on its axis to the left, then
to the right, locks into first one tooth and then the other, and therefore
for cach movement carries the type wheel forward a letter at a time.
There is also a mode of effecting an escapement of the type wheel by
moving through a space of one fourth or one eighth at a time, instead
of the progressive movement of a letter at a time, or of moving any
number, or the whole of these sections or parts, (shown at q', ', ')
being a piston or rod, which works freely through a hole in the end
of the pivot and axis 1, and having a pin connected with it at q³, which
pin works through a slot at ', and is connected with the hollow axis
of the pin wheel 8, and puts. said pin wheel out of gear with the end
of the lever 37, and also pushes forward the portion of the locking
racket . Thus the locking ratchet q³, and pin wheel 8, being free, tho
type wheel revolves one entire division of such locking racket 2.
whether it be arranged in four parts or more; if in four parts, there
are banking pins corresponding on the disc or surface of said ratchet,
which prevents its going moro than one division at a time; and the
spring, always pressing against the hollow axis of the pin wheel and
ratchet, will serve to keep the teeth in goar with each other, so that
so soon as the inclined plane of the teeth are forced beyond the point
of the other end, the pushing piston or rod is withdrawn, the spring
will bring thom again into gear, and they will travel, as before, firmly
locked, and forming a boss which moves forward with the escapement
wheel 22, and becoming part with the axis of the same. I effect this
jumping action by means of an electric magnet q, acting upon an
armature q, which depresses the other end or lover of the same against
the said jumping rod or piston q', so often. as it might be desired to

page_text: move the type wheel an entire quarter or half at one rotation. The
pulley L, has a weight and cord attached to the same, which is so
adjusted as to rovolve the type wheel upon its hollow axis, when the
click 4", is released from the ratchet 6. The tooth wheels 7, are fixed
upon the hollow axis of the type wheel, and goès into the toothed
wheel 8, with tho samo number of tooth; this whool rotates at the
saine time and in the same manner as that on the axis of the type
wheel, and therefore carries a hand or pointer 40, fixed upon the arbor
of said wheel 8, in the same direction. I make use of this hand 40,
to indicate the letters or signs being printed. The ratchet wheels 5,
and 6, and the disc 4, act in the same manner as before described in
Drawings, Figures 1, and 2. The pinion is connected with a cord and
weight 0, which runs over a pulley p, to keep off the pressure of the.
inking roller upon
the type of the type wheel; and the cord attached to
the weight o, and which runs over pulley p³, is connected with pulley
L, of the hollow axis of the type wheel. The pin a, in the type wheol
acts upon a beak pointed lover 60, which has also a shifting end, and is
made to play freoly on its axis 6°; it carries on its arbor a hammer b',.
which strikes the bell 68, which is done by the pin in the typo wheel in
its motion forwards passing lever 60, and returning against the said
lever carries the hammer from the bell, when the hammer afterwards
falls with its own weight, or with the assistance of a spring, and strikes
the bell.
Figure 8, represents a similar arrangement for ringing the signal
bells of the printing machine. d, is a pin in the type wheel; a, is a
crooked lever playing freely on its axis; c, is a banking pin; and g, is
another pin firmly fixed upon the cam wheel f, which I use for the
action of rinting or bringing the paper to the type of the type wheel.
This crooked lever a, is lifted from its rest or banking pin c, by the
type wheel pin d, when it rotates to that position, and therefore
depresses the tail k, and of said lever within reach of the pin g, so
that as soon as the cam and excentric wheel rotates in the act of
printing, this pin is made to strike down the tail of this lever a, until
it frees itself, and from the tail of the lever a, there being auother pin
on the arbor of this lever a, shewn in the edge view Figure 8", which

page_text: is made to strike the tail of a hammer, and therefore rings a bell at
such times as the printing operation is being performed, provided the
fixed point of the type wheel determined on for the ringing of the
signal bell stands, or is brought to its proper place; but if the type
wheel passes this point to another sign or letter, then tho bell will not
.ring.
For the regulating the certainty of the operation of printing the
letters or signs in my printing machine, I use, in some cases, a pneuma-
tic piston or pneumatic apparatus, which revolves to admit of air and
eject the same according to the adjustment of valves, so adjusted as to
expand easily like unto the bellows of an accordian; and I would use
this in connection with the rod which is attached to the lover 33, which
rests upon the pins of the escapement wheel 3; and in some cases I
also adjust a balance or adjusting weight, which is adjusted on a lever
with a screw, and connected with the lever 33, or with the arbor of this
lever, for the purpose of preventing too much pressure upon the pins
of the pin wheel 3, and also to aid in the operation of printing by
allowing of said lever 33%, to drop, and thereby release the cam
wheel 31, which admits of the excentric revolving, and carries by
means of the rod 30, which is connected with the frame 26, carrying
the paper to the type wheel for being printed, as explained in my
Patent of One thousand eight hundred and forty-five.
"ELECTRIC CIRCUIT REGULATOR."
The next part of my Invention consists of an arrangement or
"Electric Circuit Regu-
arrangements of apparatus which I term my
lator," as by means of the same I am enabled to unite two or more
signal stations in the same circuit, and at the same time throw out of
the circuit those stations with which I am at the time communicating.
The Electric Circuit Regulator "gives a controlling power over the
various stations on' any given line of electric telegraph, (whether the
mode of communicating intelligence be upon my plan or plans, or
according to any other method,) by the aid of. voltaic electricity, or by
magnetic clectricity, or by a combination of these powers, so that
electric or telegraphic communications may be either made or printed

page_text: at one or more or even intermediate stations, on any given line or lines
of telegraph, without the possibility of such coninmunications being
made known at the other stations or termini which are put out of
circuit with the main wire. The above object I effect by means of a
single main wire A, using the earth to form the other part of the circuit,
as is well understood, and by the aid of a battery or batteries or genera-
tors of electricity at one or more stations, according to the number of
stations on the line of telegraph communication. In some cases I
would use the iron rails on any line of railway (instead of a continuous
main wire) in connection with batteries or other generators of electricity
or magnetism, to be put into communication with the regulating appa-
ratus as a means of making electric signs or signals or ringing bells.
Figure 14, shews five "Electric Circuit Regulators," A, B, C, D, E,
suitably arranged for five different stations. The regulator A, is shown
complete, with the exception of the dial belonging thereto, which is
represented separately at F; the principal parts only of the other regu
lators B, C, D, E, are exhibited: G, shews an edge view of the regu-
lator A; II, is another edge view thereof, as seen from above; and I,
and J, are detached views of some of the parts. In these Figures a, is
a pin escapement wheel, having teeth cut upon its periphery so as to
forin at the same time a star wheel (shewn detached in front and edge
view at I). This wheel a, is moved forward by means of a pushing
pallet b', formed at the end of a lever b², which turns on a pivot at the
other end. Motion is given to the said pallet by an armature ³, fixed
on the lever, being acted upon by means of an electro-magnet C', which
draws the lever towards the pins of the wheel a, and the lever is rc-.
.turned to its resting position against a banking pin 4, by means of tho
pins . Upon the teeth of the said star wheel a roller d', bears,
attached to a spring or balance lever c', for keeping the wheel at a
given point when at rest, and used as an auxiliary to carry the wheel
forward in combination with the pushing pallet; thus, on the pallet being
brought into action by means of the clectro-magnetic arrangement, it
pushes forward, by the aid of its inclined end, one of the escapement pins,
so that the star wheel moves onward until the points of one of the teeth
have passed the centre of the roller d, which roller is acted upon by its

page_text: spring or balance lever c', pressing it toward the centre of the said wheel,
and carries the pins a, free of the pallet b', which, upon the electric
magnet ceasing to act, is returned to its former position by the electro-
magnet, when the above movements will be repeated. I move this escape-
ment by means of an electro-magnet or a permanent coil magnet or a
combination of both. Upon the axis of this whocl a, I fix a pair of
metal circuit wheels H, 10, and 11, (one of which is shewn detached
at I,) or one wheel made of conducting or non-conducting materials
so arranged that the conducting materials are separated by non-con-
ducting materials, for the purpose of making and breaking an electric
circuit. The wheels 10, and 11, having projections and indentures on
their circumferences corresponding to the various stations required to
be placed in and out of circuit with the main wire, so that one of these
wheels, say 10, for instance, will have its six metal points and six
indentations, and will have six metal points and six indentations so
formed and adjusted as to stand opposite and exactly cover the inden-
tations in the wheel 10. This wheel being mado a good conductor of
electricity, a current of electricity or galvanism will pass through it in
the following manner:-I will suppose a line of wire connected with
one of the batterics of a telegraphic station, and fastened to a binding
scrow, as shown in Figure 1b; then from that binding screw a metal
conductor is to be put into connection with the circuit wheel, as shewn
in Figure II, 14, so that the said conductor verges into two distinct
points of contact, as at 14, bearing one on cach of the said circuit
wheels, and it will be easily understood that when the said wheels
rotate by means of the lever escapement pallet, that the current of
electricity will change from one wheel to the other alternately, accord-
ing to the desired points upon such circuit wheels, and in doing so will
send a current of electricity to one terminal or the other, according to
the arrangement made, which is effected by means of a boss or pair
of bosses (sce H, 12, 13,) attached to the circuit wheels, both to be in
metallic connection with a small band or strap of metal. Or, instead
of the said bosses, small wheels or tircles of metal might be fitted on
tlic arbors of the circuit wheels to run in two separate divisions of a
mercury pot, thereby keeping up a perpetual metallic contact, and

page_text: avoiding extra friction. One or both of these circuit wheels must be
completely insulated from the arbor if the said arbor be a conductor
of electricity, but one wheel should be completely insulated from the
other circuit wheel. I then connect the wire of the main line thus:-
Suppose the main line of wire divided at the station where the desired
effect is to be produced, or at so many of them as may be required,
and that one end of the wire is put in connection with the binding
screw, Figure H, 1, and that the said binding screw has in inetallic
contact with it a band, Figure H, 14, or piece of metal broad enough
to embrace both wheels or to friction against the edges of the same as
the said circuit wheels revolve; or this band of metal may branch into
two points, as a V or fork, so that the circuit wheels will, while
revolving, be alternately in contact with the fork, first on one branch
and then on the other branch, or first on one side and then on
the other side of the band which serves as a conductor of the
electric current. When in connection with a battery or generator of
electricity the one end of the wire is connected with the said
wheels, which I perform in the manner following:-Say the other
end of the wire is also put in connection with binding screw C
Figure 2, and H, 2, and is connected with the main line, and
terminates with a binding screw 1, which has another band or
piece of piece of metal 14b, in connection with wheel D, these bands
of metal 15, and 16, in connection with binding screws 2d, and 3*, rest
upon the bosses or circular ferules attached to the two circuit wheel
and 11, and fixed to the same (and also of metal). By this
current of dectricity would be carried through the circuit
wheel to the binding screw and line wire, when the metal band 14, at
binding screw 1", letter A, is in connection with the metal wheel
Figure C', and band 15; but to carry the current of electricity to the
coils of the telegraphic apparatus at the station under consideration it.
is necessary to have another binding screw and metallic connection, as
at D, 1, and. 14. to which is another metal band 16b, which is put in
contact with the front circuit wheel Figure D, 10, either by means of a
metal ferule or circular disc, or by means of a small vessel of mercury,
into which circular disk of metal might be revolved upon the axis of and
...
1

page_text: in metallic connection with those circuit wheels. The object of this con-
nection with the binding screw 3", letter C, is to carry the current from
the circuit wheel C, 10, to the apparatus D, at the station, and from
thence again to the main wire on the other side of the circuit wheels,
either up or down the line, as required. This end of the line wire might
be united either with the binding screw 2", or beyond it, being brought
from the end of the coils of wire or other connections opposite to its
first connection with the same, allowing of the current to pass through
the said apparatus. Thus the description of one machine connected with
another machine called the "Electric Circuit Regulator" might be
applied to the others in a line, as the one will act in accordance with
the other, or as arranged to suit convenience, and fix a disc to the
several "Electric Circuit Regulators," on which will be placed in their
respective points the names of the stations required; and I set a hand
or pointer, Figure F, 20, on the axis of the circuit wheels of said
apparatus, to indicate the different stations, which will revolve with the
circuit wheels, until the same points out the desired place to be com-
municated with; and as a further safeguard from inattention, in some
instances I combine a bell 9, with a hanımer 82, suspended delicately,
so that the lever U, of the escapic wheel pallet-might give motion to the
same by means of a small nob poised on the same, and therefore cause
the bell to strike at every division of the said circuit wheel. An assistant
is, by the striking of the bell alone, informed which station is put into
circuit; for example, say London, Windsor, Devizes, Bath, and Bristol,
are the stations in connection; the circuit wheels woukl be so divided
that one division would indicate Windsor in connection with London;
two divisions for London and Devizes, three divisions London and
Bath, four divisions London and Bristol, five divisions Bristol and Bath,
six divisions Bristol and Devizes, eight divisions Devizes and Windsor,
nine divisions Bath and Devizes, ten divisions Bath and Windsor,
eleven divisions London, Bath, and Bristol. The twelfth division would
be one universal connection with the five stations; for example, see
the arrangement of the discs shown in Figure 14, Letters A, B, C, D,
E. The red lines in the Drawing represent the main line wire in
connection with the telegraphs at the various stations; the connections

page_text: made at the binding screws 1", 1", will carry an electric current through
the main wire at the different stations, wlien the discs are so arranged
that the circuit wheels stand in the position shown at Figures A, B, C,
D, and E, so that in that position the circuit enters by the front wheel
at the binding screws 1", &c. &c, and passes through to the strap of
metal in connection with the binding screw 2", and thus onwards from
station to station; but in the other, varied in connection with the band
of metal and binding screw 3, the electric circuit would be passed into
onc station and not another, the points varying according to the
positions, as set forth by the order of the stations marked upon the
dial of disc at Figure F. The blue lines represent the wire in con-
nection with the batteries and the apparatus for working the magnets
and escapement wheels, which rotate on the discs or circuit wheels. This.
apparatus may be worked either with the same batteries employed for
the other telegraphic operations, or a separate battery power might be
employed. I propose to suspend the wires by means of forks A, of
wood, metal, or other material, fastened to posts or uprights by means of
a bolt and pin B, which is capable of turning freely, and keeping them
distended by means of a catch or ratchet C, upon the bolt or pin. The
wire is made to pass between the fork A, and is distended by the said
fork being turned on its axis to the required extent, the fork being re-
tained in the position which it might be placed in by means of the
ratchet wheel and click shown; when the fork is made of metal or other
conducting material the instrument must be insulated from the post or
support.
Figure 21, represents a beam 1%, for carrying permanent magnets
2, in connection with coils or bobbins of wire 3ª, by which arrange-
nent I combine the application of a short circuit in connection
vith a battery or batteries at the distant station or place where the
cam and magnets are operated upon by the main or line wire, in con-
ection with coils of wiro which surround these magnets 2ª. I use
his arrangement as an auxiliary when I require more power at a
istant station than is convenient to use for long circuits, as described
the Specification of my Patent of One thousand eight hundred and
orty-five.
As I obtain more power with less weight of metal. I use hollow

page_text: ermanent magnets 2", Figure 21; and by nattening ess
orming them of thin steel A, Figure 22, I bring into contact with the
oils of wire more surface than is presented by any other methods. In
ome cases 1 employ soft iron formed in a similar manner for producing
similar result; also I combine the permanent magnets with soft iron 5
n the coils or hobbins of wire beneath the poles of the permanent
magnets C, Figure 22, for assisting the power of the said permanent
magnets; the current being made to pass through the upper, and
lower set of coils at the same time, and both sets of coils being united
as one wire. This beam D, D, Figure 22, is divided in the centre, 1
and cach arm D, acts independent of the other arm; they are fixed
upon pivots at c, c, and are so formed that. they cannot move upwards
beyond a given position, but cach of the arms will deflect downwards;
therefore by passing a current of clectricity in one direction, and the
other remains stationary, but the other magnet A, becomes clevated
from its position, being suspended upon a. delicate spring or lever g, 50
that the arms D, become a rest for said magnets A, when at repose,
and is carried downwards by them when they are so drawn by a current
of electricity, and so on alternately; and in this operation the said arms
D, D, press upon two or four nicely adjusted metal connecting bands,
with platinum or other metal connecting points. These connecting bands
or contact pieces are connected with a printing or other telegraph, and
may thus work one of the double escapement arrangements of the
printing telegraph, or where any similar application might be necessary.
Figure 28, represents a permanent thin plate magnet a, inserted
in the oval coil of wire b; and a soft iron bar c, is inserted, which
becomes an assistant power to the permanent magnet. This Figure 23
represents another form of the apparatus I use to assist in closing a
second circnit of electricity with a battery. Figure 24, represent
another apparatus for the same object; it has upon the frame an ivory
box G, or. vessel, to contain mercury; and revolving in the same is
small disc of metal II, for conducting the electricity from the batter
wire which is inserted in the merenry box, and thence by the arbor ]
to the small disc of nietal, which is formed as a circle with two side
cut flat, so that it acts alternately upon a strap: or band of metal
facing it, and when in contact it conducts the circuit through it to th

page_text: 5
binding scrow K; this same arbor having an escapement disc L, with
four pins in the same, two of them being shorter than the other two, so
that they cach alternately rotate the wheel according to the deflection
of the magnet, which might be put into connection with it.
Figure 25, represents a bar magnet A4, with an ivory ball B, upon
each of the ends, and poised in the middle by a rod of non-conducting
metal C, with soft iron D, on its extremity, pointed so that it might sus-
pend and turn freely upon a pivot, while supported by one of the poles
of another permanent magnet E. This is acted upon thus:-It is to be
poised with its poles pointing as would an ordinary compass, and a bell
so adjusted that one or both of the balls might sound a bell E, when a
current of clectricity is projected towards cither of the poles of the
needle or bar magnet either by means of a magneto-electric current
or otherwise. I prefer a boss of soft iron being placed as a pointer to
direct the magnetic current to this needle or bar magnet.
Figure 26, is another form for the bar magnet, to be applied in a
similar manner, with an iron ball both top and bottom of the rod sup
port for poising the same.
Figure 27, represents two magnets, each with two similar poles, one
with two north and one with two south poles.
Figures 12, and 13, represent a keyboard, which improvements upon
my Patent of One thousand eight hundred and forty-five. These u
provements consist in a new mode of arranging the keys in connection
with the barrel or key shaft A, and circuit wheel 7, that the same might
be applicable to the new adaptation of printing apparatus; and to effect
this I have adopted a moveable friction wheel I, to the mechanical
pocer or train of wheels, which wheel 1, is poised upon a lever E, by
means of axis I, upon which is the toothed wheel I, in connection
with and gearing into another wheel of the same size, forming a part of
the train. C, is a barrel, which moves the train by means of a weight.
The letters F, &c., represent the usual wheels of a train. I, represents
a fly, which is fixed with a click and ratchet. E, represents the plate of
the frame. ., represents a puley with a cord and weight N. k, repre-
sents a circuit whcet with half the number of points as there are to be
letters and signs, and half the number. of spaces. The other ratchet M,
is connected with the barrel or key shaft, and has a similar action to

page_text: the ratchet of the type wheel, the one marked beig
the other ratelet is released, and admits of the key shaft revolving back
to the starting point. When I want to start the key shaft or barrel
one of the koys are depressed, when the levers s, s, in connection with
the bars o, o, are depressed also, and lifts by means of the end T, a 5
lever in connection with axis T, which has the wheel T, and friction
wheel I, upon its arbor. This friction wheel gears into the other friction
wheel H; and immediately carries it round; but when the key is again
released for the pins of the barrel, when the weight N, attached to the
pulley J, brings back the key shaft, and leaves the circuit wheel in a
stationary position; the click ', fixed on axis P, gearing into the
ratchet K, and therefore prevents its progress backwards by again depres
sing one of the keys. The key shaft and circuit wheel 1, and ratchet k,
is again carried forward by the friction wheel H, and so on alternately. At
7', is a banking pin, which clicks the barrel or circuit shaft on its return
when released from the key, and keeps it at a given point, from which
it always starts again, as before described.
Figure 14, represents a scale from which the key board circuit shaft,
Figures 12, and 13, is pinned, or has the metal points for being checked
or released by means of the keys. The object of this arrangement
being different to the progression of the letters of the alphabet is to
suit the value of the letters, and thereby save much time in making
the communications.
Figure 15, represents a communication to be used in connection with
the printing or any other telegraph. This is a simple apparatus forme
with an axis A, and is fastened to a ratelict B, upon which is fastened
*disc or circuit wheel C, with teeth and spaces cut on its periphery, a
shewn in Figure 16, on the face of which is another ratchet wheel I
fastened to it, and which carries the same by means of the click F, whic
works on the lever E. This lever carries a pointer G, by which t
letters or signs are indicated and pointed out. K, is a click to t
ratchet sheet B. C, C, are two bands or straps of metal for maki
and breaking contact; these are put in connection with two bindi
screws c³, c, over the circuit wheel in a plate or disc of metal J, w
the letters and signs engraved on the same, in one of the mo
arranged for the printing machine, on the lever E is a landle H, wh

page_text: is used to move the hand or pointer to the required letter or sign; the
click F, frees itself from the teeth of the ratchet D, and carries it for-
ward with the circuit wheel, when the lever is returned again, and thus
sends a series of shocks through the wire in connection with the bind-
ing screws.
Figure 17, represents another communicator with four rows of
letters and signs, which is suitable for the printing apparatus, Figures
9. and 10. The action of this communicator is similar to the one
described at Figure 15, with the exception of the train of wheels
which carries the hand or pointer A, back to the rest point by means
of the weight g, over pulley f. The click c, releases the ratches, while
the other click e, hold the same in one direction, and vice versa. The
metal stud I, is for the purpose of sending a shock for the means of
shifting by means of an escapement of the type wheel, which shifts the
same one-fourth at a time.
Figures 31, and 32, represent a mode of suspending telegraphic
wires. Figure 33, represents the apparatus for making signals by
the locomotive of a train. Figure 34, represents a plan for three
or four bevelled wheels to work a type wheel. Figures 36, and 37,
represent a key shaft for a writing telegraph. Figure 88, represents
wheels with escapements for a type wheel. Figure 39, represents two
views of a circuit regulator for working a series of clectro-magnets at a
distant station. Figure 41, represents another mode of effecting the
same, by means of an ivory or non-conducting material with a spiral A,
of metal points, to be put into connection with the row of metal points
in the bar B. Figure 40, represents a type wheel with divisions of
parts, as described in the escapements.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner
of carrying the same into practical effect, I declare that what I claim
is, firstly, the improvements above described in the electric printing
machine, particularly the improved arrangements of the "escape-
ments;" also the modes of constructing the type wheels and giving
motion thereto, and the mode of applying and working the governing
apparatus above described for ensuring accuracy in the operation of
printing the letters or signs, for regulating the action of apparatus con-
nected with the electric printing telegraphs, and likewise the arrange-

page_text: nent of parts for sounding the bell or bells of the clectric prinung ma-
chines. I also claim the now mode of arranging the letters upon the
ype wheel, and upon the disc or dial of the printing machine, according
to their value or the frequency of their use, and the new mode of
arranging the pins upon the barrel of the "composing" machine or
key board for the same purpose; and, further, the arrangement of the
letters with the same object on the disc or thre quadrant of the "com-
municators above described. I also claim the modes of constructing
communicators" above described.
"
Secondly, I claim the arrangement of apparatus herein-before de-
scribed called the "Writing Telegraph," in which, by electro-magnetic
agency, certain marks or characters are produced on paper or other-
wise similar material by means of a pen or other marker. I also
claim the modification of the said apparatus for producing marks or
characters (in imitation of writing or otherwise) by the passage of clec-
tricity through chemically prepared paper or fabrics. And likewise with
regard to this last mode of producing marks or characters, I claim the
use of paper prepared with plumbago, as above described, or having its
surface rendered conducting in any suitable manner, on which the com-
munication or intelligence to be transmitted is written or marked with
a non-conducting material. I also claim the use of metal plates or
metalized surfaces for the same purpose.
Thirdly, I claim the apparatus above described called the "Electric
Circuit Regulator," or any modification thereof, for throwing one or
more stations out of the circuit when it is desired to make communica-
tions direct to one or more particular station or stations only.
Fourthly, I claim the mode of indicating the position of a locomotive
engine or railway train during its progress, as above described.
Fifthly, I claim the mole, as above described, of combining perma
nent magnets with electro-magnets for the purpose of encreasing the
action of the permanent magnets.
Sixthly, I claim the improved arrangements or apparatus above
described for making and breaking the connection between a "prin
cipal voltaic battery and a "secondary" battery when increase
power is required for working a signal apparatus at a distant station.
Seventhly, I claim the use of metal types, as above described,.fo

page_text: composing sentences or communications which are to be transmitted by
the electric printing or writing telegraphs.
Eighthly, I claim modes combining and applying permanent magnets
within hollow coils of wire (sometimes in connection with electro-mag-
nets) for obtaining an increase of power at a distant point from the
main battery or batteries employed when transmitting intelligence by
means of electricity.
Ninthly, I claim the mode above described of increasing the power
or action upon a permanent magnet of the electricity transmitted
through coils of wire surrounding the same.
Tenthly, I claim the mode above described of suspending bar mag-
nets or magnetized needles to facilitate the action of a current of
electricity upon the same, in order, by the deflection or horizontal
movement of the magnet or needle, to give andible or other signals.
Eleventhly, I claim (for electro-telegraphic purposes) the use of
magnets, cach having either two north poles or two south poles, as
above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jacob Brett, havo hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
JACOB (L.S.) BRETT.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Eighth day of August,
in the year of our Lord 1848, the aforesaid Jacob Brett came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the
Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and
specified, in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid
was stamped encont