US2216528A - Telephone system - Google Patents

Description

Oct 1, 1940- B. D. WILLIS 2,215,528

TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed July 8, 1937 INVENTOR. BERNARD DARWIN WILL/S Bu/@m7, MMM

ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. i, 1940 UNI-TED ls'rajrla-s m'rslvr oFFlcE sclaims. ',(ci. :17a- 7.1)

The present invention relates tosignalling apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for indicating the time during which two' telephone lines are connected together for comm" thereover. Y

As is well known, the conventionalmethod by which a telephone toll charge is computed is that of measuring the elapsed time during which the toll connection is established and ,computing the ication charge therefor on the basis of the elapsed time,

and the distance between the` calling and called subscribers substations as determined generally.

by the zones in which the two substations are located. The type of connection noted-namely, a toll connection, is. invariablyestablished through the medium of an operator located in the exchange terminating the calling subscribers line who rst causes the connection to the called subscribers substation to be setup by way of the proper interexchange toll trunk lines and then interconnects the calling subscribers line with the outgoing trunk line to complete the desiredl connection. Various methods 'of computing the elapsed time during which the connection is established are employed. All such methods, however, involve operations requiring strict attention onthe part of the operator with a consequent likelihood of error in accurately computing the charges to be assessed for the call.v

It is an 'object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a new and improved mechanism which automatically operates accurately to measure the elapsed time during which a pair of signailing lines, and more particularly a pair of telephone lines, are connected for communication,

thereover. y

It is another object of the invention to provide a device of the above character for permanently recording the elapsed time during which two telephone lines are connected for conversation thereover, which device is operative independently of the operator who sets up the desired connection.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to providey apparatus for performing the functions described in the two immediately preceding paragraphs which is of simple construction and is thoroughly reliable in operation.

In brief, the objects as set forth above are attained in accordance with the present invention by providing a mechanism of the character noted which comprises an indicating element movable at substantially constant speed to indicate elapsed time, means automatically operable when the connection between the two subscribers substations is established for initiating the movement of the indicating element, and means automatically operable to interrupt the movement oi' the indicating element when the connection is broken. More specifically, the mechanism comprises a marking element mounted on supporting means 5 in the form of an endless belt which extends over idler rollers, which element is normally retained in a home position and is movable with said belt in one direction over a card bearing indicia evenly spaced to provide a measure of time. Movement 10 of the: .belt to cause movement of the marking element away from or to the home position thereof i's accomplished by providing driving means comprising a pair of driving shafts adapted to be driven in opposite directions at substantially con- 15 stant speeds. For the purpose of operatively associating'the belt with either of the two driving shafts, a pair of electromagnets are provided which are individually associated with the shafts and which, when energized, move the belt to a 20 position to be drivenl by the associated shaft. Circuits are included in the apparatus for energizing. each of the.two magnets, that for the magnet which causes the marking element to be moved away from its home position being com- 25 pleted by a supervisory relay included in the operators apparatus, which relay operates in response to the completion of the connection between the calling subscribers line and the called subscribers line.- In order to transmit to the 30 parties conversing over the connection a signal indicating the near completion of a minimum charge time period, there is provided a switch, controlled by the'movement of the marking element, which is operated in response to a prede- 35 termined movementof the marking element, and means responsive to the operation of this switch for impressing a warning signal voltage on the established connection. At the termination of the conversation over the established connection, 4o when the connection is broken and the abovenoted supervisory relay restores, the operating circuit for the energized one of the two magnets is broken to interrupt the movement of the marking element. A manually operated switch is pro- 45 vided for interrupting the energizing circuit for this magnet independently Aof the supervisory relay, thereby to permit the operator to cut in on the connection without recording the time during which the intrusion interferes with the ensuing conversation over the established connection. A second manually operable switch is provided for completing the circuit for energizing the second of the two magnets, thereby to cause the marking element to be returned to its home ss position. A further feature of the invention relates to the provision of a second switch operative in response to a predetermined movement of the marking element to interrupt the circuit of the magnet causing movement of this element away from its home position and to complete the circuit of a signal device to indicate to the operator that the connection has been established for a predetermined length of time. The arrangement is such that only a momentary operation oi' the manually operable switch controlling the homing magnet isrequired, this magnet, upon operating, completing a holding circuit for itself which is interrupted only when the marking element is returned to its home position. In accordance with a further feature of the invention, an arrangement is provided whereby two or more timing mechanisms may be actuated from the same pair of driving shafts, thereby eliminating duplication in respect to the elements included in the apparatus.

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth with particulaa'ity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 illustrates a cord circuit of conventional form adapted to be used by a toll operator in setting up toll connections, and Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the details of a plurality of timing mechanisms, each constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawing, there is illustrated, as noted above, an operators cord circuit of conventional form which may be utilized by a toll operator in setting up connections between two subscribers lines. In brief, the circuit comprises an answer plug I0, a ringing key I I, a repeater I2, an answer key I3, a ringing key I4, and a call plug I5, together with control relays 20, 25, 30, and 35, and signal lamps I5 and II. The answer plug I5, which is adapted to be inserted in the jacks terminating lines incoming to the toll operators board at the exchange in which the apparatus shown is located, includes a tip contact I5 connected to a line conductor 12 of the cord, a ring contact 24 connected to the other line conductor 13 of the cord, and a sleeve contact I9 connected to a conductor II included in the circuit for energizing the relay 20. Similarly, the call plug I5 comprises a tip contact 25 connected to one line conductor 29 of the cord, a ring contact 21 connected to the other line conductor 34, and a sleeve contact 38 connected to a conductor 33 included in the circuit for energizing the relay 35. The ringing key II, includes contact springs 14, 15, 15, TI, 18, and I9 for selectively connecting the line conductors 'I2 and 'I3 by way of line conductors 40 and 4I to the primary windings 42 and 43 of the repeater I2 or to the terminals of the alternating current ringing generator, as indicated. The windings noted are bridged across the line conductors 40 and 4I by means of a condenser 44 shunted by the windings of the supervisory relay 25. Similarly, the ringing key I4 includes contact springs 45, 46, 41, 45, 43 and 50 for selectively connecting the line conductors 23 and 34 to the ringing generator, or connecting these line conductors by way oi conductors 5I and 52 to the secondary windings 53 and 54 of the repeater I2. The last-mentioned windings are bridged in series with a condenser 55 across the conductors 5I and 52, and the condenser 55 is shunted by the windings of the supervisory relay 35 in series with the exchange battery. The answer key I3 includes contact springs 55, 51, 55, 55, 55 and 5I, the springs 5`I and 55 being connected to the line conductors 5I and 52, and the springs 55 and 55 being connected to the operators telephone, not shown.

In the operation of the cord circuit es described above, and when the operator is informed by a signal lamp on her board that an incoming call awaits attention, she may insert the answer plug III in the jack terminating the line on which the call is initiated, thereby operatively to associate her telephone with the line leading to the calling subscriber's telephone. When this operation is performed, a loop is completed, in a well-known manner, for energizing the relay 25 and battery from the cut-off relay associated with the incoming line is extended by way of the sleeve contact I8 and the conductor II to energize the relay 25. This latter relay does not operate until the relay 25 operates its armature 25 to open the obvious circuit short-circuiting the winding of the relay 20, but upon operating, completes, at its armature 2l, an obvious circuit for energizing the signal lamp I5. At its armature 22 the relay 20 opens a further point in the path for short-circuiting its winding. The operator, upon witnessing the lighted condition of the lamp I6, may operate the answer key I3 to its off-normal position thereby to complete a loop, extending by way of the repeater I2, between her telephone and the calling subscribers telephone. Upon operating the answer key I3 to its off-normal position, a path is completed, at the springs 50 and 5I, for again short-circuiting the winding of the relay 25, this path extending from ground at the spring 5I by way of the spring 55, the conductor 55, the winding of relay 25, and back to ground. 'Ihe relay 25 now restores to interrupt, at its armature 2l, the circuit for energizing the signal lamp I5.

Upon conversing with the calling party and obtaining the information as to the substation desired by this party, the operator may proceed to set up a connection ultimately to be extended to the called partys telephone by inserting th'e call plug I5 in the jack terminating an idle outgoing trunk line leading to the desired exchange. This operation completes a circuit for energizing the relay 35, this circuit extending from battery at the sleeve contact of the jack in which the plug I 5 is inserted, by way of the sleeve contact 35, the conductor 33 and the winding of the relay 35 to ground. The relay 35, upon operating, completes at its armature 35 a circuit for energizing the signal lamp I'I and prepares at its armature 31a circuit, traced hereinafter for initiating the operation of the mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing. It is pointed out that if the telephone desired by the calling party is connected to a line terminating at the exchange in which the equipment illustrated is located, this telephone may be rung directly by manipulation of the ringing key I4. The ringing key I I is used only in those instances wherein the operator instructs the calling party to hang up and recalls the calling party when the connection to the called party is ultmately established. If, on the other hand, the call must necessarily be extended through a number of exchanges in tandem, the operator in the last exchange will ring the desired party and, if this party is located. complete a. connection extending by way of the cord circuit shown between the calling party's4 telephone and.

the desired called telephone.

It is pointed out that during the preliminary operations of extending the toll line connection to the exchange terminating the called subscribers line, the supervisory relay 3l remains deenergized, the battery potential applied to its upper winding being in opposition to that impressed thereon through the windings of a supervisory relay included in the cord circuit terminating the trunk line outgoing from the exchange including the apparatus shown and extended to the windings of the relay 30 over the loop including the trunk line noted. When, however, the called substation answers and is connected to the last-mentioned trunk line, battery is reversed over the conductors of this line, in a well-known manner, and the supervisory relay 30 is caused to operate. When the relay 30 operates, it interrupts, at its armature 3| the energizing circuit for the lamp |1 and completes, at its armature 32, the above-mentioned circuit for initiating the operation of the timing apparatus illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing. When the established `circuit is broken at the called partys substation, battery is again reversed over the trunk line extending to the call plug I5 and the relay 30 is de-energized. This relay, upon restoring, interrupts, at its armature 32, the operating circuit leading to the timing mechanism described below and at its armature 3| completes the energizing circuit for the signal lamp |1.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2

and 3 of the drawing, the timing mechanism there shown is adapted to be mounted beneath the shelf of the toll operators board directly adjacent the operator's position. Such a shelf is fragmentarily indicated at 80 and is provided with an enlarged opening for accommodating a member 8| for supporting the timing apparatus. This supporting member 8| is slotted at spaced intervals to accommodate indice-bearing cards, one of which isI shown at 82. Projecting downwardly from the top portion of the member 8| are guide mmbers 33 and 84 which have mounted along the lower edges thereof a card-support plate 88. As indicated, the supporting member 3| is flxedly mounted on the shelf 80 by means of screws 88.

Arranged to cooperate with a card inserted in the slot in the manner il1ustrated,is an indicating or marking element 81 carried by supporting means comprising an endless belt 88 and movable therewith relative to the surface of the. card 82. This element 81 is provided at its upper end y with a stylus 81' for inscriblng a. line on the card 82 in the manner described hereinafter. The belt 88 extends around idler rollers 89' and 90 mounted on rotatable shafts 89 and 90 supported between a pair of bracket members 9| mounted on the supporting member 8| by screws 8| For the purpose of driving the belt 80, there are provided a pair of driving rollers 92 and 83 arranged to be driven in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows, at substantially constant speeds by smalll synchronous motors, not shown. Preferably, the outer surface of each of the rollers 92 and 93 is constructed of comparatively soft rubber or other similar material to enhance the frictional engagement thereof with the belt 88.

The two rollers 92 and 33 are normally continuously driven by their respective driving motors and the belt 88 occupies a position out of driving engagement with either thereof. In order to associate the belt with either of the two rollers noted, there are provided electromagnetic means comprising a pair of clutching magnets 84 and 0l arranged selectively to be energized, in the manner described hereinafter, to rotate a. rocker arm 88 in one direction or the other and bring one of two rollers 81 and 08 carried by the arm 04 into engagement with the belt 88, thereby operatively to associate the belt with one of the driving rollers 92 or 88. As indicated,`the magnets 94 and Il are supported on bracket pieces 99 and |00 mounted on a shelf portion |0| extending between the two brackets 9|. A cut out and upwardly bent portion |02 of the shelf |0| carries pivotally mounted at its upper end the rocker arm 83 in the manner shown, this rocker arm normally being biased to the position shown by springs 91' and 88'.

The control means for the two magnets 94 and comprises, in addition to the usual circuit conductors, a. pair of manually operable switches |03 and |04 including, respectively, springs |05, |09 and |01, |08. Also included in the control means for the two magnets noted are four offnormal switches |09. Ill, and ||2, each of which includes two or more springs mounted on various portions of the supporting structure, as described above. Thus. the switch |09 includes three springs ||3, ||4, and IIB, and insulating pieces for insulating the springs one from the other mounted on the guide member 83 by means of a screw |I9. This switch includes a control element ||1 arranged to cooperate with the marker element 81 to control the positions of the springs ||3' and lil. The switch ||0 is mounted on the opposite guide member 04 by means of a screw ||8 and includes insulating pieces interposed between the various springs ||9, |20, |2|, and |22, and making up the switch spring assembly. The control element |23 for the last-mentioned switch which is also adapted to be' operated by the marker element 81, is arranged to control the position of the springs ||9 and I2|. 'Ihe switch is mounted on a bracket |24 extending from the member 9|. 'I'his latter switch comprises springs |25, |26, |21 and |28 interspaced with insulating pieces in the manner shown and secured to the supporting bracket |24 by screws |28. Of these springs, the springs |26 and |21 are arranged to be actuated by the rocker arm 86 from their respective normal positions to their off-normal positions upon energization of the magnet 85. The switch ||2, which comprises only two springs |36 and |31, is arranged to be actuated during movement of the marker element 81 across the card 82 by the engagemnt of a cap |32, attached to the lower end of the element 81, with a control element |33 carried by the spring |38. The springs |39 and |31 of this switch and insulating pieces interposed between the springs are supported on a guide member |34 for the belt 88 by screws |35, as shown. This guide member |34 may be supported on the member 8| in any desired manner.

As pointed out in detail hereinafter, the switch I2 forms a part of means for applying a warning signal voltage to an established connection a predetermined time interval after the connection is set up. This means includes, in addition to the switch I2, a tone or warning signal generator |38 connected to a transformer |39 having its secondary winding |40 connected by a conductor |4| across two series-connected tertiary windings |42 and |43' included in the repeater i2 shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The apparatus also includes means operable to signal the operator at a predetermined time interval following the establishing of the connection. I'his means includes the bell |44 and the indicating lamp |45, connected and arranged in the manner described hereinafter.

Since the toll operator may be required to handle a number of toll calls at the same time, it is desirable to provide a number of mechanisms of the character briefly described above, to assist her in determining the time intervals during which the various connections are maintained. Considerable duplication in the matter of the apparatus involved is avoided by utilizing the arrangement illustrated more particularly in Fig. 3, wherein the two driving rollers $2 and 93 extend transversely with respect to a plurality of belts 88 for driving any one thereof in either direction when the selected belt is operatively associated therewith. These belts extend over the oppositely disposed idler rollers 89' and 90. It will be understood that a card slot is provided in association with each of the belts 88 and, further, that all of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 2, with the exception of the independent driving rollers 92 and 93 and rollers 89' and 90 is embodied in each unit mechanism. It will further be understood that, by this arrangement, a duplication of rollers as well as the motors for driving the rollers 92 and 93 is obviated.

As pointed out above, each of the cards 82 is marked with indices suitably spaced to provide a measure of time when the marker element 81 is moved thereacross to inscribe a line along the bottom edge thereof intersecting the indices. Thus, the card 82 illustrated in Fig. 3 has inscribed along each longitudinal edge indices |48 evenly spaced apart with the spacing therebetween so related to the speed at which the marking element 81 is moved relative to the card that the distance between adjacent indices represents an elapsed time interval of one minute. 'I'he indices indicated on the card 82 along each edge are limited to a total elapsed time of forty-five i minutes so that, when the card is completely marked along one edge and is then reversed, a total measured time of one hour and a halt may be recorded. This card may also bear suitable spaces for logging the data concerning the calling party, the telephone number of the calling party, the called party, the time of the call, the date when the call is made and the charges to be rendered. As an alternative, zone cards may be used, these cards bearing indices graduated in dollars and cents to indicate directly and without computation the charges to be made for the call. In this latter instance, the spacing of the indices will be different for different cards representing calls between telephones located in different zones, these spacings being calculated on a time basis, taking into account the zone from which the call originates and the zone in which the called subscribers substation is located.

As pointed out above, the operation of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2 is initiated upon energzation and operation of the relay 33. Thus, with the elements of the mechanism occupying the positions shown in Fig. 3 and when the relay 30 operates in response to the completion of the desired connection, a circuit is completed for energizing the magnet 94, this circuit extendng from ground at the armature 31 by way of the armature 32, the conductor |49, the springs |2t and |20, the conductor |50, the springs |01 and |08, the conductor |5|, the

springs |25 and |24, the conductor |52 and through the winding of the magnetl 94 to battery. Upon being energized over the abovetraced'circuit, the magnet I4 rotates the rocker arm 93 in a counterclockwise'direction to bring the roller 0I into engagement with the belt Il, thereby operatively to associate this belt with the driving roller 93. Movement of the belt Il is thus initiated to move the marking element 81 to the right away from its home position, thereby to inscribe a line along the lower edge of the card 82, which line intersects the indices extending along this edge. During the initial movement oi' the marking element 31, the control element ||1 of the switch |09 is moved to its normal position, thereby to prepare, at the springs |4 and H5, a circuit, traced hereinafter, for energizing the magnet 95.

At the end of a predetermined time interval corresponding to the period of minimum time charge, the cap |32 carried by the marking element B1 moves into engagement with the control element |33 of the switch ||2 to make contact between the springs |33 and |31. When this occurs, a circuit is completed for impressing a warning signal voltage across the established connection between the calling and called substations, thereby to indicate to the calling and called parties that a further charge will be assessed unless they release the connection almost immediately. Thus, with the springs |36 and |31 in their contact make position, a circuit is completed for the flow of warning signal current through the tertiary windings |42 and |43 of the repeater 2, this circuit extending from ground at the lower terminal of the secondary winding |40 by way of this winding, the conductor |4|, the springs |31 and |36, the conductor |53, the repeater windings |43 and |42 in series, back to ground at the upper terminal of the last-mentioned winding. The current flowing through the two windings |42 and |43 causes an induced voltage to be developed in the inductively coupled windings 42, 43 and 53, 54, which causes warning signal current to flow through the receivers of the substations by way of which the calling and called parties are conversing. The interval required for actuation of the switch ||2 to its off-normal position may be of any length. although preferably is slightly less than the usual three-minute period upon the basis of which minimum toll charges are conventionally computed. If the conversation persists for a period of time greater than this minimum period of three minutes, the capped end |32 of the marking element I1, during its continued movement, rides from engagement with the control element |33, permitting the switch ||2 to assume its normal position, thereby to interrupt the above-traced circuit for impressing a warning signal voltage across the established connection.

In the event the connection is released before the marking element l1 has completely traversed the card 82, the supervisory relay 30 is caused to restore, in the manner described above, thereby to interrupt, at the armature 32, the above-traced circuit holding the magnet 34 energized. Upon de-energization of this magnet, the rocker arm 36 assumes its normal position, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, thereby to disassociate the belt 88 from the driving roller 33 and cause an interruption oi' the movement of the marking element l1 with respect to the card 32. The operator may thereupon remove the card from its slot and,

from the length oi' the inscribed line intersecting the indices |48 along the lower edge thereof, compute the charges to be assessed against either the calling or the called party. She may also cause the mechanism to be restored to its normal position in the manner described more particularly hereinafter.

If the operator desires. for any reason, to cut in on a connection without charging the time oi' the cut-in against the calling or the called party, she may do so by operating the switch |04 to its off-normal position, thereby to interrupt a point in the above-traced circuit over which the magnet 94 was initially energized and cause the de-energization of this magnet with the consequent stopping of the marking element 81. If she thereafter disconnects her telephone from the connection and the conversation between the calling and called parties is resumed, continued timing oi the conversation may be had by restoring the switch |04 to again complete the circuit for energizing the magnet 94.

If the connection is held for a predetermined time interval of considerable length, which in the present assumed case is forty-tive minutes, the marking element 81, as it approaches the right end of the card 82, comes into engagement with the control element |28 and actuates the switch to its olf-normal position. 'I'here results the breaking oi the above-traced circuit for energizing the magnet 94 at the springs |20 and |2|, thereby to stop the movement of the marking element 81. Simultaneously, a circuit is completed at the switch springs |2| and |22 for energizing the signal devices |44 and |45, this circuit extending from ground at the armature 31 by way oi' the armature 32, the conductor |49, the springs |2| and |22, the conductor |54 and through the lamp |45 and the operating magnet of the bell |44 in series to battery. Operation oi the two signal devices noted indicates to the operator that the predetermined time interval required for completely inscribing one edge of the card 82 has elapsed, that the conversation over the established connection still persists, and that the card should be reversed in order to record the additional time during which the connection is utilized. She may then remove the card from its slot and operatethe switch |03 to its off-normal position to complete a circuit for energizing the magnet 95. This circuit extends irom ground at the spring 4 by way of the springs ||4, 5, |05 and |05, the conductor |58 and through the winding oi the magnet 95 to battery. The last-mentioned magnet, upon being energized, attracts the right arm oi the rocker arm 96 to move the roller 91 into engagement with the belt 88, thereby operatively to associate this belt with the driving roller 92. Since the roller 92 rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the roller 95, the marking element 81 is caused to be returned to its normal or home position. Immediately upon the energization4 of the magnet 95 to attract the arm 96, the switch is operated to its ofinormal position to complete a holding circuit, independently of the switch |08 i'or maintaining the magnet 95 energized. this circuit extending from ground at the spring ||4 by way of the spring H5, the conductor |55, the springs |21 and |28,` the conductor |51 and through the winding of the magnet 95 to battery. This holding circuit is maintained until the marking element 81 is returned to its home position. During the initial movement of the marker element 81 toward its home position, the switch ||0 is restored to its normal position, thereby to interrupt the previously traced circuit for energizing the signal devices |44 and |45 and to reprepare the circuit, traced above, for reenergizing the mag'net 94.

When the marker 'element 81 is restored to its home position, the above-traced holding circuit for the magnet 95 is interrupted at the switch springs ||5 and ||4. The resulting de-energization oi' the magnet 95 and restoration of the rocker arm 95 to its normal position, causes the restoration of the switch to its normal position to again complete, at its springs |25 and |25, the circuit for energizing the magnet 94. At this time the card 82 is re-inserted in its slot in a position reversed from that shownin Fig. 3 so that the upper set of indices, as shown in the drawing, are disposed in the path of movement of the marking element 81. The marking element 81 again moves away from its home position to inscribe on the other set of indices the additional time during which the established connection is maintained in use.

In the event the connection is released before the marking element 81 moves into engagement with the control element |28 of the switch |0, movement oi the element 81- is stopped, in the exact manner described above in response to the restoration of the relay 80. In order to restore the mechanism to normal, it is only necessary that the operator actuate the switch |03 to its off-normal position to complete a circuit for energizing the magnet 95 whereupon the sequence of operations described immediately above is caused to occur. It is pointed out that the operator need only momentarily operate the switch |03 to its off-normal position since once the magnet 95 is energized it is held energized over the above-traced holding circuit until the marking element 81 is fully restored to its home position.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it Will be understood that various modications may be made therein, and it is contemplated to cover in the appended claims all 'such modifications as iallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A mechanism for recording the time during which two telephone lines are connected for conversation thereover' comprising, in combination, a card bearing indicia evenly spaced to provide a measure of time,.a member for supporting said card, a marker element having a home position, movable means for supporting said element, said last-named means being arranged to move said element away from said home position, driving means for moving said element supporting means in a direction to move said element away from said home position and over the indicia of said card at asubstantially constant speed to indicate elapsed time, electromagnetic means for operatively associating said driving means with said supporting means, la circuit for energizing said electromagnetic means, means responsive tothe completion of said connection for completing said circuit, means responsive to the breaking of saidY connection for -interrupting said circuit, and means for restoring said element to its home position.

- 2. A mechanism for recording the time during which two telephone lines are connected for conversation thereover comprising, in combination, a card bearing indicia evenly spaced to provide a measureof time, a member for supporting said card, a marker element having a home position, movable means for supporting said element, said last-named means being arranged to move said element away from said home position, driving means for moving said element supporting means in a direction to move said element away from said home position and over the indicia of said card at a substantially constant speed to indicate elapsed time, electromagnetic means i'or operatively associating said driving means with said supporting means, a circuit for energizing said electromagnetic means, means responsive to the completion of said connection for completing said circuit, means responsive to the breaking oi said connection for interrupting said circuit, driving means for moving said element supporting means in a direction to return said element to its home position, electromagnetic means for operatively associating said last-mentioned driving means with said element supporting means, a circuit for energizing said last-mentioned electromagnetic means, and means for completing said last-mentioned circuit.

3. A mechanism for recording the time during which two telephone lines are connected for conversation thereover comprising, in combination, a card bearing indicia evenly spaced to provide a measure of time, a member for supporting said card, a marker element having a home position, movable means for suporting said element, said last-named means being arranged to move said element away from said home position, driving means for moving said element supporting means in a direction to move said element away from said home position and over the indicia of said card at a substantially constant speed to indicate elapsed time, electromagnetic means for operatively associating said driving means with said supporting means, a circuit for energizing said electromagnetic means, means responsive to the completion of said connection for completing said circuit, means responsive to the breaking of said connection for interrupting said circuit, driving means for moving said element supporting means in a direction to return said element to its home position, electromagnetic means for operatively associating said last-mentioned driving means with said element supporting means, a circuit for energizing said last-mentioned electromagnetic means, a manually operable switch for completing said last-mentioned circuit, a holding circuit for said last-mentioned electromagnetic means, means responsive to a momentary energization of said last-mentioned electromagnetic means for completing said holding circuit, and means operative when said element returns to its home position for interrupting said holding circuit.

4. A mechanism for recording the time during which two telephone lines are connected for conversation thereover comprising, in combination, a card bearing indicia evenly spaced to provide a measure of time, a member having a slot therein for accommodating said card, a pair of rollers, an endless belt extending over said rollers, a marking element mounted on said belt, said element having a home position and being movable in one direction over said indicia, a pair of driving shafts adapted to be driven in opposite directions at substantially constant speeds, means including an operating magnet associated with each of said shafts for moving said belt to a position to be driven by the associated shaft, a circuit for energizing each of said magnets, a relay operative in response to the establishing of said connection for completing the circuit oi! one oi said magnets to cause said marking element to be moved over said indicia, a switch controlled by the movement of said marking element for preparing the circuit for the second ot said magnets alter said marker has moved a predetermined distance, a second switch operative in response to a predetermined movement of said marker, means responsive to the operation of said second switch for impressing a warning signal voltage on said connection, said relay being operative in response to the breaking of said connection to interrupt the circuit for said one magnet, a manually operable switch for interrupting the circuit of said one magnet independently of said relay, a signal device, a circuit for energizing said signal device, a third switch operative in response to a predetermined movement of said marker element for closing the circuit of said signal device andvfor interrupting the circuit for said one of said magnets, a second manually operable switch for wmpleting the circuit for energizing the second of said magnets, thereby to cause said marker to be returned toward its home position, a holding circuit for said second magnet, a fourth switch operative to complete said holding circuit in response`to the operation of said second magnet, and means including said first switch for interrupting said holding circuit when said marker is returned to its home position.

5. Apparatus including two mechanisms each adapted to record the time during which two telephone lines are connected for communication thereover comprising, in combination, a pair of cards each bearing indicia evenly spaced to provide a measure of time, a member for supporting said cards, a pair of marker elements respectively associated with said cards and each having a home position, movable means individual to each of said elements for supporting the corresponding element, each of said last-named means being arranged to move the element supported thereby away from its home position, driving means common to the two mechanisms for moving independently each of said element supporting means in a direction to move the element respectively supported thereby away from its home position and over the indicia of the card associated therewith at a substantially constant speed to indicate elapsed time, means responsive to the completion oi a rst connection between two telephone lines for operatively associating one of said element supporting means with said driving means, means responsive to the breaking of said first connection for stopping the movement of said one element supporting means, means responsive to the completion of a second connection between two telephone lines for operatively associating the other of said element supporting means with said driving means, and means responsive to the break- .ring o! said second connection for stopping the movement of said other element supporting means.

6. Apparatus including two mechanisms each adapted to record the time during which two telephone lines are connected for communication thereover comprising, in combination, a pair of cards each bearing indicia evenly spaced to provide a measure of time, a member for supporting said cards, a pair of marker elements respectively associated with said cards and each having a home position, movable means individual to each of said elements for supporting the corresponding element, each oi' said last-named means being arranged to move the element supported thereby 1s away from its home position, driving means common to the two mechanisms for moving independently each of said element supporting means in a direction to move the element respectively supported thereby away from its home position and over the indicia of the card associated therewith at a substantially constant speed to indicate elapsed time, means responsive to the completion of a first connection between two telephone lines for operatively associating one of said element supporting means with said driving means, means responsive to the breaking of said first connection for stopping the movement of said one element supporting means, means responsive to the completion of a second connection between two telephone lines for operatively associating the other of said element supporting means with said driving means, means responsive to the breaking of said second connection for stopping the movement of said other element supporting means, driving means common to the two mechanisms for moving independently each of said element supporting means in a direction to return the element respectively supported thereby to its home position, and means individual to each mechanism for operatively associating the element supporting means thereof with said lastmentioned driving means.

BERNARD DARWIN WILLIS.

Images