Electric Signalling Systems.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Nov., 189.1-Accepted, 5th Jan., 1895
Electric Signalling Systems.
I, HORACE EVERETT WALTER, of Number 415 Broadway in the City of New
York, County of New York and State of New York, United States of America,
Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention has for its object to improve and simplify the construction of
electric signaling systems, being especially useful for fire alarm signaling in small
cities, towns and villages, being installed and thereafter maintained at a small
outlay.
In accordance with this invention a series of signal boxes are located at desirable
points, and are each connected by an independent wire with a central office, and at
said central office automatic receiving mechanism is provided adapted to respond
to the operation of the boxes, and also to re-transmit the signal to the fire engine
houses, tower strikers, and to any other electro-magnetically controlled indicating
apparatus which may be employed.
The signal boxes are so constructed and arranged that instead of transmitting a
predetermined group of impulses, indicating the box number as is now commonly
done, a single impulse is transmitted, that is to say, the normal condition of the
circuit is merely changed, and such change in the condition of the circuit sets in
operation the central office apparatus.
The signal boxes when "pulled" are set to continuously produce the change in
the condition of the circuit required to set in motion the central office apparatus,
and remains so set until restored by means controlled from the central office, so
that when once operated the signal so set will be transmitted, even though several
boxes are pulled at or about the same time.
Herein a special form of signal box is provided by which this abnormal change
in the condition of the circuit may be affected, but this part of my invention may
be carried out in divers ways.
The signal box shown comprises a manually operated circuit closing device or
switch which is adapted to close a short circuit around a high resistance coil which
may be contained in the box, so that the abnormal change in the condition of the
circuit is produced by decreasing the normal resistance of the line. and a restoring
electro-magnet is provided for each box which is operated from the central office.
At the central office a motor-driven box selecting device is provided, which is
released by an electro-magnet controlled by any one of the signal boxes, and when
so released operates to select the particular box that has been pulled, and as soon
as said box has been properly selected, the actuating motor of said selecting device
is stopped, another electro-magnet being preferably employed for this purpose.
But if two or more boxes have been pulled at or about the same time, or if a
box is pulled during the time a signal is being transmitted from another box, the
said receiving apparatus is so constructed and arranged that the signals will all be
received separately and successively, although not necessarily in the order that the
boxes have been pulled.
The receiving apparatus herein shown comprises a series of terminals connected
with the several independent wires, and a notor-driven trailing arm or switch
which when operating, successively engages said terminals, and when said switch
arm engages that terminal connected to an independent wire, the normal condition
of which has been changed, the stopping mechanism is brought into action.

page_text: If however several boxes have been pulled, the trailing arm will be stopped
upon the first terminal that it arrives, that is connected with one of the independent
wires, the condition of which has been changed and after that signal has been
received, it will be immediately again set in motion.
Rewinding and restoring devices are provided for the box-selecting device
which are herein represented as operated by the re-transmitting device.
The re-transmitting device comprises a series of contact pens, and a series of
break wheels, one for each signal box, and an actuating motor adapted to rotate
said wheels any pre-determined number of revolutions, as for instance it may be
arranged to transmit three rounds, and said motor is controlled by the stopping
mechanism of the selecting device, or simultaneously with the stopping of said
motor, so as to release said motor as soon as the selecting device has properly
selected the box; and the contact pens which co-operate with said break wheels
to make and break the circuit controlled by the re-transmitting device are connected
by branch wires with the selecting device in such a manner that any one of said
pens will be electrically connected or included in the circuit, that its break wheel
may transmit a signal depending upon the position of the co-operating parts of
said selecting device.
The re-transmitting device controls an electric circuit which includes any electro-
magnetically controlled indicators, tap bells, tower strikers, or whistle blowers,
and the signal which is transmitted is therefore regularly indicated upon these
various indicating instruments.
The break wheels will be notched to indicate the different boxes.
Figure 1, shows in front elevation the operating parts of a signal box, embodying
this invention.
Figure 2, a side view of the same.
Figure 3, a front elevation of the same on a smaller scale and placed in a case.
Figure 4, a front elevation of the operating parts of the central office apparatus,
and Figure 5, a diagramatical view showing the circuit connections.
The signal box which I prefer to employ in connection with my fire alarm system
is designed to close a short circuit around a high resistance coil, to thereby decrease
the normal resistance of the line, and when once operated will hold the circuit in
its abnormal condition for a certain length of time or until such time as the parts
have been restored by an electro-magnet which is included in or otherwise operated
by the circuit and controlled from the central office.
One form of such a signal box is shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, wherein a base
plate a of any suitable size and shape to support the operating parts has secured
to it a stand a¹ which receives a shouldered screw a².
Upon the shoulder of said screw a², two independent hubs a³, a', are loosely
mounted, one of which as a is connected by a spring a with the screw a', and is
provided with a radially projecting hand lever or pull as, by means of which it may
be turned, and also with a radially projecting arm a', the end of which is offset or
turned at right angles to the arm; and another of which as a³ has an arm a
projecting radially beneath the offset end of the arm a', and has also a short
radially projecting arm a' which bears upon a flat spring a secured to the base
plate, and has also a short radially projecting stud "a" which occupies a position
beneath but normally free from contact with a flat contact pen a secured to a
block a of insulating material, secured to the base plate a.
An insulated stud a rises from the stand a', upon which the free end of said
contact pen a³ normally rests.
A plate a, cut away for a portion of its length and at two different points is
erected upon suitable pillars a, secured to the base plate a, and the hand lever aª
works in one of said cut away portions of said plate the upper ends of which cut
away portion serve as limiting stops for said lever, and the arm a works in the
other cut away portion of said plate, the upper end of which cut away portion
serves as a limiting stop for said arm, or in lieu of this plate any other form of
limiting stops may be provided for said lever and arın.

page_text: The operation of the box is as follows:-The hand lever a, having been pulled
or depressed, the offset end of arm a bears upon and depresses the arm a³, turning
its hub a³, and bringing the short arm or stud a", which is properly disposed
thereon, up into engagement or contact with the flat contact pen a¹³.
A latch a formed on the pivoted armature lever of an electro-magnet a", is so
positioned as to engage and hold the arm a³ when depressed, until such time as
said latch is withdrawn by the attraction of the armature.
The circuit wire 2 is connected with the contact pen as, and the circuit wire 3
with the frame, said we including the electro-magnet a2, and when the stud a¹
is brought into engagement with the contact pen a³ the circuit will be closed.
The wire 2 terminates at the ground plate 4, and the wire 3 extends to the
central office.
A high resistance coil b is connected between the wires 2, 3, say of 1000 ohms,
for the purpose of keeping the line closed for testing purposes, this resistance
being so high that although there is a current at all times passing over the line
still it is not sufficient to operate the receiving relays (to be described).
When the circuit is open at a", a¹³, as it normally is, the current passes through
the high resistance coil b, but when the circuit is closed at a, a, the current
takes the path of least resistance, short circuiting said high resistance coil .
Hence a single change in the normal condition of the circuit is thus produced
by the operation of the signal box, and said change is one of decreased resistance.
This circuit controlling device is designed to be placed in an ordinary iron
case c, having a door c¹, provided with a glass face c², as shown in Figure 3.
At the central office a box-selecting device is provided which is so constructed
and arranged as to be set in operation by a change in the normal condition of the
circuit at any one of the boxes and to be stopped when the movable member of
said selecting device arrives at the proper position to indicate the box at which
the condition of the circuit has thus been changed.
This box-selecting device, see Figure 4 consists of a series of segments or
terminals n, arranged in a circle and secured to a hard rubber disk, and a
continuous solid ring arranged concentrically with relation to said terminals n,
and a trailing arm n having upon it trailing fingers n³, nt, one of which as n³
co-operates with the terminals n, and the other of which co-operates with the solid
ring *.
The trailing or selecting arm n² is secured to a shaft n' carrying a ratchet wheel
and also a pinion which latter is engaged by a sector on the end of a sector-
carrying arm n' pivoted at n³.
The sector is made quite heavy and is normally
actuator for the trailing or selecting arm.
elevated and serves as the
A toothed wheel m is also connected to the shaft n which engages a pinion m'
secured to a shaft carrying a toothed wheel m³, which engages a pinion secured to
a shaft carrying a toothed wheel me, which engages a pinion m' secured to a shaft
carrying an escape wheel m³, with which co-operates a suitable pallet mº, bearing
an upright projection 30.
Two independent stopping or retaining devices are provided for this train of
gearing, consisting of the horizontal arms o, o', extended in opposite ways, and
loosely mounted upon the same pivot of, each arm having a depending leg o³, o³,
adapted to co-operate with the projection 30 of the pallet.
The arm o is held up in its elevated position by a shoulder or projection upon
the armature o of an electro-magnet o, and when in such position its depending
leg engages and holds the projection 30 of the pallet so as to restrain the
movement of the train.
The arm o' is likewise held up in its elevated position by a shoulder or projection
upon the armature o, of an electro-magnet o, and when in such position its
depending leg o³ is normally out of engagement with said projection 30.
The armatures of said electro-magnets o, o, are both nor nally retracted, but
when the armature of the electro-maguet of is attracted the arm o is released,

page_text: which in turn releases the train, and when the armature of the electro-magnet oⓇ is
attracted, the arm o¹ is released, which in turn throws its depending leg o³ into
engagement with the projection 30, and thereby stops the train, hence the electro-
magnet o, serves as the releasing electro-magnet, and electro-magnet o³ as the
stopping electro-magnet.
When said arms o, ol are released, they fall onto stops or projections 8, 8, rising
from an arm s', pivoted at s³ to a stud within an outer case not shown but of any
ordinary form which may contain the operating parts of the central office
apparatus.
The free end of the arm & rests upon a cam s pivoted at s³, and by turning said
cam, said arm & is raised sufficiently to restore the levers o, and o¹ and as said
levers are restored to the leg o³ will be removed from its engagement with the
projection 30 of the pallet, and the leg of will be brought into engagement with
said projection 30.
The re-transmitting device herein shown consists of a series of break wheels d,
secured to a shaft which is driven by a normally wound motor mechanism of any
suitable construction, the shafts or arbors of which have their bearing in the
frame d', and a series of contact pens are provided, one for each break wheel,
and secured to a block d³ of insulating material.
There will be one break wheel and contact pen for each box which is connected
with the central office, and each break wheel will be notched differently in order
that the different box numbers may be re-transmitted over the circuit which is
operated by said re-transmitting device.
A projection d' on the pallet or pallet shaft d of the said motor mechanism,
enters the path of movement of a projection d secured to or connected with the
aim o', and the parts are so disposed with relation to each other that when the
aim o¹ is released by the attraction of the electro-magnet o8, and thereby operates
to stop the train of the box-selecting device the said projection de will operate to
release the motor-mechanism of the re-transmitting device.
An arm d' is secured to one of the shafts of the motor-mechanism of the re-
transmitting device which is designed to make one complete revolution each time
the said motor is released, and during the latter part of such revolution it engages
a pin d on a vertical bar d' sliding in suitable guide-ways provided for it, not
shown, and lifts said bar a short distance or until said arm passes out of
engagement or by the said pin.
Another pin do is secured to the vertical sliding bar d' at a point beneath the
sector-carrying arm n', and as said bar is raised, engages and lifts said sector-
carrying arm, thereby restoring it to its normal elevated position, and rewinding
the motor-mechanism of the box-selecting device.
Another pin d projects from the vertical sliding bar dat a point beneath a
projection of the cams, and as said bar d' is raised by the arm d to rewind the
motor of the box-selecting device, said pin d strikes the projections, and in
passing by said portion turns the cam in one direction a short distance, but such
movement of the cam does not operate the arms but as soon as the arm d'
disengages the pin d³ and the bac de falls by gravity, the pin 12 will strike the
upper edge of the projections of the cam, and in passing by said projection will
turn the cams in the opposite direction, thereby raising the arms and restoring
the levers o, o', and furthermore will move the projection d into engagement with
the projection d, and thereby stopping the operation of the motor-mechanism of the
re-transmitting device.
Thus it will be seen that each time the box-selecting device operates, the re-
transmitting device is set in operation just as the selecting device ceases to operate,
aid that said re-transmitting device in addition to transmitting the box-number
sigual, restores the parts of the box-selecting device to their normal position, and
In so doing automatically stops itself.
By referring to Figure 5, wherein a diagramatical view of the circuits is shown,
the apparatus is constructed for ten signal boxes, and hence there are ten

page_text: 5
lependent wires as 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, leading to the central station, all
eing connected to a single wire 13, which is connected with the ground plate G,
nd contains the main battery B and also a circuit breaker, one member of which
s 14 is carried by the arm o, and the other member of which as 15, is adapted to
-operate therewith.
When any signal is sent in from a box, and the arm o released, as will be
pereinafter described, the wire 13 is opened at 14, 15, until such time as said arm
s restored.
Each independent wire 3 to 12 inclusive, contains a relay 16, the armatures of
which are arranged as represented in Figure 5, to close a normally open circuit 17,
containing a local battery 18, and also the electro-magnet o³, and the circuit closers
operated by said relay 16 are arranged in multiple arc.
When the resistance is removed from any signal box as by short circuiting it,
the relays 16 will attract their armatures and thereby close the local circuit 17 and
operate the releasing magnet o*.
Branch wires 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, are connected with the
wires 3 to 12, outside the relay 16, and also with the terminals of the box-
selecting device, and a single wire 29 connects the continuous ring n' with the
grund plate G, said wire 29 including the electro-magnet o³, the circuit
breaker 30, 31, one member of which as 31 is borne by the arm o', and also the
auxiliary battery B' which may be open circuit battery.
As the box-selecting device is released, the switch or trailing arm n² successively
connects the branch wires 19 to 28 inclusive with the wire 29, thereby successively
shunting the relays 16, but as soon as the arm n' arrives at that terminal which is
connected with an independent wire wherein the resistance has been short circuited,
then the battery B' will operate the electro-magnet ob, and simultaneously there with
the restoring electro-magnet contained in the box.
The relays 16, are wound so as to offer a high resistance, say from 75 to 100 ohms,
to prevent the box-selecting device from establishing a circuit with the first line
that it connects with, after it has been started, and causing the stopping electro-
magnet oª to operate and stop the box-selecting device in connection with the
wrong line.
-
For illustration suppose the relays 16 to be wound so as to offer but little
resistance, and with the parts in the position shown in Figure 5, the box on line 4
should be operated, the box-selecting device would start up, and as soon as the
arm n² closed on the first segment the circuit would be established as follows:-
From battery B¹, over wire 29, circuit closer 30, 31, stopping electro-magnet o³,
wire 29ª, ring ³, commutator segment, wire 28, wire 3 to its point of attachment
with wire 4, then wire 4 to ground at box, and by reason of the strength of the
battery B', the stopping electro-magnet o8 would be operated, and the box-selecting
device stopped in connection with line 3. Whereas, if said relays were wound so
as to offer high resistances, or if separate resistance coils should be provided as a
substitute therefor, when the arm n² closed on the first segment as, above referred
to, a closed path for the current would be established, but the resistance of the
relays 16 of two lines would have to be overcome in order that the stopping
electro-magnet 08 could operate, and the battery B' is too feeble to overcome these
combined resistances, and at the same time operate said electro-magnet o¹, but
when the commutator arm n² comes in contact with the commutator segment
leading to the box line that has been operated, then the relay 16 of said box line
is shunted and the battery B¹, having no resistance to overcome, except the normal
resistance of the line, operates the stopping electro-magnet 08.
Thus it will be seen that while the commutator arm successively establishes
closed paths for the current, the stopping electro-magnet 08 will not operate until a
path is established having no resistance.
If two box lines with low resistances at the central station should be pulled
simultaneously, the same result as above set forth would follow, whereas if

page_text: resistances were supplied, the box-selecting device could stop until its movable
member made proper connection with the right line.
Branch wires 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, are connected respectively to
the terminals n of the box-selecting device which are connected with the branch
wires 19 to 28, inclusive, and said branch wires 32 to 41 are connected respectively
with the contact pens which co-operate with the break wheels d of the re-trans-
mitting device, and a wire 42 leads from or is electrically connected with the break
wheel shaft which contains a battery B', and also any suitable indicating
instruments B³, such for instance as tower strikers, whistle blowers, electric
indicators, tap bells, etc., and said wire is connected to the wire 29, and includes a
circuit closer 43, 44, 44, the member 43 of which is borne by the arm o¹, so that
when the arm o' is operated to stop the train of the box-selecting device, the circuit
containing the indicating devices and which is operated by the re-transmitting
device will be closed.
The re-transmitting circuit is therefore normally open. Thus it will be seen that
each time any box is pulled, the box-selecting device will be set in motion, and stop
upon arriving at the proper terminal, and thereupon the re-transmitting apparatus is
set in motion, and the box-number signal transmitted to the different points desired,
and thereafter the box-selecting device is re-wound, and its releasing and stopping
levers re-set, just as the re-transmitting apparatus ceases to operate.
66
If more than one box has been "pulled the signals of such other boxes remain
""
set until the arm o is restored to its normal position and the common wire 13
closed at 14, 15, and then the box-selecting device will be at once again set in
motion, and the above described operation repeated.
Therefore any number of boxes may be pulled at any time, and all the signals
will ultimately be received.
As a re-setting device I may use a series of contact pens 100, arranged upon a
board 101, and connected respectively with the wires 3 to 12 inclusive by branch
wires 102, and a manually operated switch arm 104, pivoted to said board which is
connected with the line wire 13 at a point near the battery B.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :
1. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of signal boxes,
independent wires connecting them with a central station, a box-selecting device at
said central station set in motion by the operation of any one of the signal boxes
and stopped when the particular box operated has been selected, a re-transmitting
apparatus set in motion upon the stopping of the box-selecting device, comprising
a series of circuit controllers, one for each signal box, a circuit operated by said
re-transmitting apparatus, and indicating apparatus operated by said circuit,
substantially as described.
2. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of signal boxes,
independent wires connecting them with a central station, a box-selecting device at
said central station, and its actuating motor, and an electro-magnet operated by any
one of said signal boxes for releasing said motor, and stopping electro-magnet
controlled by said selecting device, operating to stop said motor when the selecting
evice has selected the box which has been operated to start the box-selecting
device, a motor-driven re-transmitting device at said central office controlled by
said box-selecting device, comprising a series of circuit controllers, one for each
gnal box, and a circuit operated by said re-transmitting apparatus, and indicating
apparatus operated by said circuit, substantially as describe l.
"
5
3. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of signal boxes
cach adapted to effect a single change in the condition of the circuit by "pulling
the box, independent wires connecting them with a central office, a box-selecting
device set in motion by the operation of any one of the signal boxes and stopped
when the particular box operated has been selected, and a re-transmitting apparatus 5

page_text: set in motion upon the stopping of said box-selecting device, comprising a series
of box-number wheels and contact pens, and a motor, a circuit operated by the said
re-transmitting apparatus, and indicating apparatus contained in and operated by
said circuit, substantially as described.
"
4. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of signal boxes,
each adapted to effect a single change in the condition of the circuit by "pulling
the box, independent wires connecting them with a central office, a box-selecting
device at said central office, its actuating motor, a releasing electro-magnet for said
motor operated by any one of the signal boxes, and a stopping electro-magnet for said
motor in electrical connection with and controlled by said box-selecting device,
operating to stop the motor when the box which has been operated is selected, a
re-transmitting device, a motor for operating it, released by the stopping electro-
magnet of said box-selecting device, a circuit operated by said re-transmitting
device, and indicating devices operated thereby, substantially as described.
5. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of signal boxes,
independent wires connecting them with a central station, a box-selecting device at
said central station, set in motion by the operation of any one of the signal boxes
and stopped when the particular box operated has been selected, a re-transmitting
apparatus set in motion upon the stopping of the box-selecting device, a circuit
operated thereby, and indicating apparatus contained in and operated by said
circuit and restoring devices for the co-operating parts of said box-selecting device
operated by the motor or said re-transmitting apparatus, substantially as described.
6. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of signal boxes
each adapted to be set in its abnormal position to effect a single change in the con-
dition of the circuit by "pulling" the box, a latch for holding the parts thereof in
their abnormal position, independent wires connecting said signal boxes with the
central office, a box-selecting device at the central office set in motion by the
operation of any one of the signal boxes, and stopped when the particular box
operated has been selected, and an electro-magnet in each box operated when the
box-selecting device has stopped, to release the latch and thereby permit the parts
to resume their normal position, substantially as described.
"
7. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of signal boxes,
each adapted to effect a single change in the condition of the circuit by "pulling
the box, independent wires connecting them with a central office, a box selecting
device at said central office, its actuating motor, a releasing electro-magnet
for said motor, operated by any one of the signal boxes, and a stopping electro-
magnet for said motor in electrical connection with and controlled by said
box-selecting device, operating to stop the motor when the box which has been
operated is selected, and a restoring electro-magnet in each box, operating
simultaneously with said stopping electro-magnet that the parts of the box may
resume its normal position, substantially as described.
8. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of several signal boxes,
independent wires connecting them with a central office, a box-selecting device at
said central office comprising a series of terminals for said independent wires, a
switch arm contacting successively with said terminals, a motor for rotating it, a
releasing electro-magnet for said motor operated by any one of the boxes, a stopping
electro-magnet for said motor, electrically connected with and controlled by said
box-selecting device, and an automatically operated re-transmitting apparatus com-
prising a series of box-number wheels, and contact pens electrically connected
with the terminals of said box-selecting device, a circuit operated thereby, and
indicating devices operated by said circuit, substantially as described.
9. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of several signal boxes,
independent wires connecting them with a central office, a relay included in each
wire at said central office, wound to offer a high resistance, said independent wires
being joined at a common point beyond said relays, a box-selecting device at said
central office, its actuating motor, a releasing electro-maguet for said motor, the
circuit of which is operated by any one of the aforesaid relays, an electro-magnet

page_text: for stopping said box-selecting device, included in a branch wire shunting the high|
resistance relays, substantially as described.
10. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of signal
boxes, each adapted to be set to produce a change in the normal condition of the
circuit by "pulling" the box and to remain set until the parts thereof have been
restored by means controlled from the central office, indepe ident wires connecting
them with the central office, a box-selecting device at said central office, the
actuating motor of which is set in motion by the change in the condition of the
circuit produced by any one of said signal boxes, an electro-magnetically operated
stopping device for said box-selecting device, which is connected successively with
said independent wires as the box-selecting device operates, and operating to stop
said box-selecting device upon connecting it with one of the independent wires
wherein its normal condition has been changed, and a restoring electro-maguet in
each box for the parts thereof, and means for operating them when their circuits
are connected with the box-selecting device, substantially as described.
11. In an electric signaling apparatus, a circuit controlling device consisting of
a circuit closer comprising a contact pen a¹³, a stud a" projecting from a rotatable
hub, which is adapted to be brought into engagement with said contact pen, a hand
lever independent of but adapted to turn said hub, a latch for holding the hub with
its stud a¹ in engagement with said contact pen and an electro-magnet for releasing
said latch which is controlled from the central office, substantially as described.
12. In an electric signaling apparatus, a circuit controlling device consisting of
a circuit closer comprising the contact pen a", and stud a¹, projecting from a
rotatable hub as, the latter being adapted to be brought into engagement with the
former to close the circuit, the spring pressed hand lever a secured to a hub a*,
the arm a projecting from said hub a', and having an offset end adapted to engage
a projection on the hub a³, to turn said hub as, when the lever is pulled, but
returning independently thereof, a latch for holding the hub as, with its stud a in
engagement with said contact pen, and an electro-magnet for releasing said latch
which is controlled from the central office, substantially as described.
13. In an electric signaling apparatus, a circuit controlling device consisting of
a circuit closer, comprising the contact pen a", and stud a", projecting from a
rotatable hub a', the latter being adapted to be brought into engagement with the
former to close the circuit, the spring pressed hand lever a, secured to a hub a',
the arm a projecting from said hub a', and having an offset end adapted to engage
a projection on the hub a³, to turn said hub a³, when the lever is pulled, but
returning independently thereof, a latch for holding the hub a³ with its stud a" in
engagement with said contact pen, and an electro-magnet for releasing said latch
which is controlled from the central office, a high resistance coil, and short circuit
around it closed by said circuit closer a¹³, a¹³, substantially as described.
14. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of signal
boxes, each adapted to be set to produce a change in the normal condition of the
circuit by "pulling" the box and to remain set until the parts thereof have been
restored by means controlled from the central office, independent wires connecting
them with the central office, a box-selecting device at said central office, a releasing
electro-magnet therefor common to all said independent wires, a circuit breaker
also common to all said independent wires operated by said releasing electro-
magnet, means for stopping said box-selecting device upon electrically connecting
it with one of the independent wires wherein its normal condition has been changed,
a restoring electro-magnet in each box. and means for operating said restoring
electro-magnets, when their circuits have been electrically connected with the box-
selecting device, and a restoring device for said common circuit breaker whereby
the box-selecting device 13 again placed in electrical connection with the inde-
pendent wires to be operated by a change in the normal condition of any one of
them, substantially as described.
15. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of independent
wires, a box-selecting device successively making operative electric connection

page_text: with said wires, starting mechanism for said box-selecting device operated by a
change in the normal condition of any wire, a stopping mechanism therefor operated
when one of the wires having its normal condition changed becomes operatively
connected with said box-selecting device, a signal box connected in each wire,
having a circuit controlling device with a pull for setting it in its abnormal position,
to effect a change in the condition of the circuit, a latch for holding it so set, and
an electro-magnet for releasing said latch when its wire becomes operatively
connected with the box-selecting device, substantially as described.
16. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of independent
wires, a box-selecting device successively making operative electric connection
with said wires, starting mechanism for said box-selecting device operated by a
change in the normal condition of any wire, a stopping mechanism therefor
operated when one of the wires having its normal condition changed becomes
operatively connected with said box-selecting device, a signal box connected in
each wire, having a circuit controlling device, with means for operating it, and
also an electro-magnet for retaining the circuit controlling device in its abnormal
condition with the signal set, until its wire becomes operatively connected with the
box-selecting device, a normally wound re-transmitting device set in motion by the
box-selecting device when one of the independent wires becomes operatively
connected therewith a circuit operated by it and indicating devices operated by
said circuit, substantially as described.
17. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of independent
wires, a box-selecting device snccessively making operative electric connection
with said wires, starting mechanism for said box-selecting device operated by a
change in the normal condition of any wire, a stopping mechanism therefor
operated when one of the wires having its normal condition changed becomes
operatively connected with said box-selecting device, a signal box connected in
each wire, having a circuit controlling device, with means for operating it, and also
an electro-magnet for retaining the circuit controlling device in its abnormal
condition with the signal set, until its wire becomes operatively connected with the
box-selecting device, a circuit breaker common to all said independent wires
operated in conjunction with the starting mechanism of said box-selecting device,
and a restoring device therefor, substantially as described.
18. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of independent
wires, a box-selecting device successively making operative electric connection
with said wires, starting mechanism for said box-selecting device operated by a
change in the normal condition of any wire, a stopping mechanism therefor
operated when one of the wires having its normal condition changed becomes
operatively connected with said box-selecting device, a signal box connected in
each wire, having a circuit controlling device, with means for operating it, and
also an electro-magnet for retaining the circuit controlling device in its abnormal
condition with the signal set, until its wire becomes operatively connected with the
box-selecting device, a circuit breaker common to all said independent wires,
operated in conjunction with the starting mechanism of said box-selecting device,
and a restoring device therefor, a normally wound motor for operating it, set in
motion by the box-selecting device when one of the independent wires becomes
operatively connected therewith, box-number circuit controllers operated by said
motor, a circuit operated by them, and indicating devices operated by said circuit,
substantially as described.
19. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of independent
wires, a box-selecting device successively making operative electric connection
with said wires, starting mechanism for said box-selecting device operated by a
change in the normal condition of any wire, a stopping mechanism therefor
operated when one of the wires having its normal condition changed becomes
operatively connected with said box-selecting device, a signal box connected in
each wire, having a circuit controlling device, with means for operating it, and
also an electro-magnet for retaining the circuit controlling device in its abnormal
B

page_text: condition with the signal set, until its wire becomes operatively connected with the
box-selecting device, a norinally wound re-transmitting device set in motion by the
box-selecting device when one of the independent wires becomes operatively
connected therewith, a circuit operated by it and indicating devices operated by
Baid circuit, a winding device for said box-selecting device operated by said
re-transmitting motor, substantially as described.
20. In an electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a series of terminals at
a central office and independent wires leading therefrom, a motor-driven switch
arm for successively engaging said terminals, an electro-magnetically operated
stopping mechanism for said switch arm, adapted to be electrically connected with
said terminals by said switch arm, a releasing magnet for said motor, and a circuit
breaker, both common to all the independent wires, and restoring device therefor,
operating after a signal has been received, a series of signal boxes, one for each
independent wire, a circuit controlling device in each box, means for operating it
to set the signal, and an electro-magnet in each box for retaining the circuit
controlling device in its abnormal position until operated from the central office,
substantially as described.
Dated this 27th day of November 1894.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.