US461371A - Fire-alarm apparatus - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. C. SHAFFER.

PIRE ALARM APPARATUS. No. 461,371. Patented Oct. 13,1891.

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AUNrrnn STATES APATENT @Erica IVILLIAM CASS SHAFFER, OF MILVAUKE, VISCONSIN.

FlRE-ALARM APPARATUS.l

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 461,371, dated October 13, 1891.k Application led December 14, 1888.. Serial No. 293,639. (No model.)

.To LZZ whom, it may concern:

Beit known that I, WILLIAM Cass SHAF- FER, of Milwaukee, in the count-y of Milwaukee and Stat-e of Xlliscoiisin, have invented certain -new and useful Improvements in Automatic Fire-Alarm Apparatus; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and'eXact description ot the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. A The objects of my invention are in au automatic fire-alarm apparatus to operate the break-wheels by an electric current, to operate a number of break-wheels connected system by a single battery, to actuate the break-wheel by a regular constant power, to automatically ground the Wire and close the circuit, operating any one of the break-wheels while it sends in a complete signal, &c.

In the accompanying drawings like letters designate the same parts in both figures.

Figure l represents, partly in diagram, a view of my improved apparatus, and Fig. 2 is a like View ot a modiiied form and arrangement of the apparatus.

Referring to Fig. l, j j represents a normally-closed circuit; J, the main central b attery connected therewith, andL a relay-inagnet placed in said circuit, and Z its armature arranged to close a circuiti', operated by an independent battery, and work a gong or other suitable alarm Z2. Between the battery J and magnet L a ground connection jg is made. The main battery and alarm are located in some convenient central station, and with the main circuit .7' j are connected any desired number of automatic signaling devices -X Y, arranged to be battery J. Each signaling device consists of a circuit-breaker K, with which the Wiresjj of the main circuit are connected, a breakwheel A and actuating mechanism operated byan electromagnctE, the windings of which are connected with the circuit-breaker and by a wire e with a circuit-closing thermostat or through an annunciator G with a number of such thermostats F F, located at various points in the same or different buildings and constituting' au operated by the central grounded on one side, as at ff. Each circuit-breaker K is Acomposed of two insulated terminals or binding-posts 7c lo', to which the wiresjj, leading to the battery .I on the one hand and to the magnet L on the other hand, are attached, a contact-point or screw k2 in connection with the binding-post 71:,and a metallic spring 7c3 in connection with the binding-post lo and resting normally against the screw k2. Each break-wheel A is provided with a circularseries of pinsgrouped in numbers to designate the station to which it belongs and arranged to engage the spring 7c3 Ot' the circuit breaker and intermittingly movethe same ont of contact with the screw k2. Two ratchet-wheels B and C, with teeth inclined in opposite directions, are mounted on each break-Wheel shatt c. lever D, provided with a pawl d, Working with the ratchet-wheel B, and a tooth orprojection cl2, working with the ratchet-wheel C to prevent the passage ot' more than one tooth to each vibration of said lever, is fulcrumed at one end to a suitableinsulated support and is connected at the other end with a fixed support by a spring d of sufficient strength to actuate the break-wheel A. To this lever is attached the armature e of the magnet E and a spring c', which bears normally when said lever is at rest constantly against a contactscrew c2, connected through its insulated support c3 by a wire 104 with the binding-post /n of the circuit-breaker. A wire. c2 connects the magnet E with the lever. The ratchet- Wheel C is provided with a pin c, which engages thefree end of spring` c and forces the same out of contact with the screw c2 at the end of each complete revolution of the breakwheel, thereby breaking th-e circuit by which the actuating-magnet E is energized and arresting the further movement ot' the breakwheel.

To reset the device in readiness to send in another alarm, the pin c is moved out of engagement with said spring c by turning the A vibrating' break-.wheel and the associated ratchet-wheels B C into the position in which theyare shown at the left of Fig. 1 in the device designated X. y

I may provide the apparatus with switches, as f, by which the circuit may be manually closed through the magnet E of either signaling device and an alarm sent in independently of the thermostats F F. To insure the completion of a single signal by abreak-wheel A, Whenever the saine is started by a momenttary closing of the circuit through the magnet E,I provide a device by which a ground connection through said magnet will be made when the break-wheel is' turned slightly and will be maintained when bnce made till a coinplete signal has been sent in. 'lhis device consists of a disk H, secured on the breakwheel shaft a and having notches or breaks in its periphery adjacent to and corresponding with the spaces between the groups of pins a a. It has an insulated connection e3 with the windings of the magnet E, and a spring h, having a ground connection h', bears on the periphery of said disk H between the breaks therein and maintains 4a closed circuit through said magnet, while one group of pins a a passes the spring k3, whether a closed circuit is maintained through a thermostat or not. Vhen this device is employed, I may dispense with the stop-pin c, in which case the break-wheel will continue to rotate as long as connection is maintained through the thermostat, the circuit th rough the spring h being broken while it passes the breaks in the periphery of the disk H.

The foregoing apparatus operates as follows: Suppose, for example, a ground connection to be made through one of the thermostats 'F in connection with the device at station Y. The current will then pass lfrom the main battery J to the left through the wire j, through the circuit-breaker K of station X, through wires j kt, screw c2, lever D, wire c2, through the windings Aof magnet E, thence through wire e and the closed thermostat to the ground. The magnet E thus energized attracts its armature, swings lever D to the left, temporarily breaks the circuit between the spring c and screw c2, and

strains the spring d', which recoil when the current is broken, swings lever D to the right, and by means of pawl d turns the ratchetwheel B one tooth and the break-wheel A correspondingly. In this manner, so long as the circuit is closed through the thermostat., the lever D is rapidly vibrated, thereby turning the break-wheel A in thel direction indicated by the arrow. As the pins a a engage and pass the spring 7c3, the circuit through magnet L is intermittingly broken between saidy spring and the screw k2, the circuit Z correspondingly closed, and a signal given by the alarm l2, corresponding to the number of pins a a in each group, being in this case 42. As the break-wheel A completes a revolution, the pin c engages the spring c and breaks the circuit through magnet E and arrests the further movement of the signaling mechan- V ism, which requires to be reset by hand before itwill be again set in motion by the closing of the thermostat. As` the several groups of pins a a pass the spring 7c3 of the circuit-breaker K, the disk H engages the spring 7L and establishes an independent ground connection through the windings of the actuating-magnet E and insures the sending in of a complete signal. The relay-magnet L is made long, so as not .to be affected by the temporary interruptions of its exciting current, due to the rapid vibrations of the lever D.

Referring to Fig. 2, illustrating a modification of the apparatus in which the breakwheels are geared up so as to vmake a number of revolutions to'each revolution of the ratchet-wheels and in which the operation of any signaling device automatically cuts out those of the'stations beyond it, WV and Z represent signaling devices at different stations connected with the main normallyclosed circuit j j', and arranged to be operated by a single central battery J. The wires jj of the mainr circuit are connected with the parts 0 `o of circuit-breakers O O of the several signaling devices. A A are breakwheels provided on their peripheries with teeth arranged in groups corresponding with the numbers of the stations to which they severally belong. Upon the break wheel shafts are mounted pinions n n, which mesh with and are driven by the larger gears N N on thel ratchet-wheel shafts. Two ratchetwheels, like those hereinbefore described, are fixed side by`side upon the same shaft and are arranged to be intermittingly rotated by the vibration of the lever D. The levers D, like those previously described, .are swung in one direction by the action of electro-.magnets E and in the reverse direction by springs d. The windings of the magnets E are connected through wires e with thermostats having`ground connections,in the manner previousl y described,and by wires e2 with springs c4, which normally bear against contact-pieces c5, connected by wires o3 with the lnain circuit. To the levers D are attached springs cl3, which, when said levers are drawn toward the magnets E, bear against screws e4, connected with the wires e', and temporarily shunt the current passing through the wires e through the levers D around the magnets E.` The said magnets, being thus demagnetized, permit the levers D to be swung away from them bythe recoil of the springs d. The wiresv 03 are connected with the coils of electro-m aguets M M, the spring-actuated armatures of which rest normally against the contact-pieces m', connected by wires 02 with the main circuit.

The modified form of my apparatus shown in Fig. 2 operates as follows: Suppose, forexample,a ground connection tobe made through one of the thermostats at station W. The cur- IOO IIO

rent will ass through wi-re e magnet E C 7 b i the left, and carries the spring d3 into contact with the screw e4, and thereby diverts the current from and demagnetizes said magnet.

The spring d then moves lever D to the right,`

` current, passing through the magnet M, energlzes the same and attracts the armature m, moving it away from the contact-piece m. The circuit through magnet L is thereby opened as soon as the signaling mechanism is started. The gear N, meshing 'with the pinion n, turns the break-wheel A', the teeth of which, passing the spring o, move the same against the contact-piece 0 of the circuitbreaker and temporarily close the circuit through the magnet L, by which the alarm is given. In this arrangement of the apparatus the alarm is given by first opening a normallyclosed circuit and then temporarily closing the same by means of the break wheel. Vhile the signaling' mechanism at station lV is in operation the other stations beyond or farther trom the battery will be cutout of the main circuit by the magnet M, thereby avoiding t-he Yconfusion which would arise from the simultaneous operation o t the signaling mechanism of two or more stations. Itwill be observed that the circuit by which the breakwheel is operated passes alternately through the magnet E and lever D as the latter vibrates, but is continuons through the wire o3 and magnet M. I employ with this modified arrangement of my apparatus a device like that previously described for maintaining' a ground connection with magnets E independently of the thermostats by which the initial movement ot' the signaling mechanism is produced. This device consists of a disk H', iiXed on the break-wheel shaft and having raised `portions of its 'periphery corresponding with and adjacent to the groups of teeth on the break\'heel and notches orl breaks between said raised portions corresponding with the spaces between said groups of teeth; a spring h4, connected by a wire h2 with the ground and arranged to bear against the raised portions of disk H when the latter is rotated, and a wire connecting' said disk with the ground-terminal ofthe windings of magnet E. 'lhe signaling mechanism may be arranged, it' preferred, to be operated in open circuit.

I claiml. In automatic electric signaling apparatus, the combination ot a main circuit supplied with current from a. single source or battery which has a ground connection on one side, a branch circuit having a ground connection and a connection with the main circuit which supplies it with current, said branch being provided with suitable circuitcontrolling devices, and signal-transmitting mechanism comprising a break-wheel, a contact-piece by which the circuit is alternately broken and closed when the break-wheel is trolling Iturned, an electro-magnet havingl its wind-` ings in said branch, and mechanism connecting the armature of said magnet with the break-wheel and arranged to actuate the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In automatic electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a main circuit supplied with current from a single source or battery and grounded on one side of said battery, a number of signaling devices located at different points in said circuit and each comprising a break-wheel, an electro-magnet the armature ot which is connected with and arranged to operate said break-wheel by suitable mechanism, and a branch circuit connected with the main circuity and having a ground connection and a suitable circuit-condevice K or devices, independent ground connections for each of said magnets, and switches operated by the signal-transmitting mechanism to close the circuit through said independentgroundconneclions and the windings of the magnets associated therewith.

substantially as and for forth.

In automatic electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a main circuit supthe purposes set plied with current from a single source or battery and having a ground connection on one side ofthe battery, one or more branch circuits connected-at one end with said main circuit, from which-it is supplied with current, and havingaground connection, signaltransmitting mechanism in connection with each branch circuit, comprising a breakwheel, a contact-piece for opening and closing the main circuit when the break-wheel is turned, and an electro-magnet having its windings in the branch circuit and its armature connected with and arranged to operate said break-wheehand a circuit-breaker arranged to be operated by the signal-transmitting mechanism and arrest the breakwheel at a certain point in its movement, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

' 4. In automatic electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a break-wheel, a contact-piece .working therewith to alternately open and close the circuit, a ratchet-wheel connected with the break-wheel, a spring-actuated pawl engaging with said. ratchet-wheel, and an electro-magnet, the armature of which is connected with said pawl, so as to strain the spring when the magnet is energized, said spring acting in the opposite direction through the pawl to turn the break-wheel,substan-r tially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. ln automatic electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a main circuit supplied with current'from a single source or battery and having a ground connection on one side of the battery, signal-transmitting mechanism comprising a break-Wheel, a contact-piece working therewith to open and close the circuit for the transmission of predetermined signals, an electro-magnet, the

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armature of which is connected with and arranged to turn said break-wheel through suitable mechanism, the windings of said magnet being in a branch connected with the main circuit and with the ground, circuit-controlling devices, such as thermostats, in said branch, a wheel movable with the breakwheel and having electrical contact-surfaces corresponding with the groups of teeth on the break-wheel, and a fixed contact-piece working with said wheel and having a ground con-- nection, whereby the circuit is maintained through the actuating-magnet while a group of teeth on the break-wheel passes the contact-piece, with which thev work to break and close the circuit, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In automatic electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a break-wheel, a contact-piece working therewith to open and close the circuit, an electro-magnet, the armature of which is connected with and arranged to turn said break-wheel through suitable mechanism, a spring acting on said armature in opposition to the magnet, a shunt around the windings of said magnet, and a contact-piece movable synchronously with the vibrating armature and operating to switch the current alternately through the windings of the magnet .and said shunt, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

'7. ln automatic electric signaling apparatus, the combination of a main circuit supplied with current from a single source vor battery, a number of branch circuits connected therewith and provided with circuit.- controlling devices, and signal-transmitting mechanism, the signal-transmitting mechanism comprisinga break-wheel, acontact-piece working therewith to open and close the'main circuit for the transmission of `a predetermined signal, and an electro-magnet in the associated branch circuit, having a vibrating armature connected with and arranged to turn said break-wheel through suitable mechanism, a switch in the main circuit, and an associated magnet in each branch circuit arranged to operate said switch to cutout from the main line the signal-transmitting mechanism of stations beyond. substantially as and for-the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VILLAM CASS SHAFFER.

W itnesses:

E. H. BOTTUM, F. C. VINKLER.

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