US1105344A

US1105344A - Telephone system.

Info

Publication number: US1105344A
Application number: US7204?012A
Authority: US
Inventors: Elmer R Corwin
Original assignee: COOK FRANK B CO
Current assignee: FRANK B COOK Co; COOK FRANK B CO
Publication date: 1914-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 1931-07-28

Description

TELEPHONE. SYSTEM. Y 1

APPLICATION FILED 311111121, 1909. EBEEWBD SEPT. 14. 1912.

1,105,344. mente@ July 28, 1914.

` E.. R. CORWIN.

A I TBLEY'HONE SYSTEM. APPLI'CATIoljt FILED J'U1 mz1,19os. BENBWED SEPT. 14, 1912. 1,1 05, 344, Patented July 28,1914

' u swims-SHEET 2.

RR. CoRWN.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM. APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 2l, 1909. EBNEWED SEPT. 14, 1912.'

Patenta July 28, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

, in other Words, that murs srn'rnsrnrnnr OFFICE. C

rimane n. convvIN, or CHICAGC, ILLINoIs, AssIeNoR, :er MESNE AssIGNMENTso- FRANK ie. 000K. COMPANY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION or ILLINoIs TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Application sled June 21, 1909, serial No. sucses.

To cl3 'wko/mf it may concern:

Be it known that ELMER l. Conn-'11s, a citizen y of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county Vof Cook and State 'o f Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Telephone Systems, of Which the following is a. full, clear, ooncise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyin drawings, kformingle part ofthis specification.

My' invention relates to' telephone ex# change systems, and has for one of its objects the provision of s'telephone exchange systemfwhereby calling lines nre :automa-ticelly connected 'with responsive apparatus belonging to operators that are not busy, or, nre4 at liberty to vzittend to the Wants of the calling subscribers.v

My invention, in its usual or most common embodiment, muy generally be described as being e 'telephone exchange system including lines extending from Itelcphone stations to an exchange, s plurality of groups of operators link connectorsat the exchange, responsive devicesfor said group o link connectors, :and selecting mechanism governed by calling lines adapt-- ed to select responsive devices free for selection, ssid'link connectors. being adapted to their telephone'- line joining function independently of the aforesaid selecting mechanism. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the responsive devices control the association of conductors leading to the operators telephones und there is preferably but one responsive device to each group of link connectors, though l'. do not Wish to be limited to this chziracteristic.A l have also provided operator Acontrolled means for freeing the responsive devices so that they may be subject. to further selection.

I use the term groups of link connectors in the sense ot sets of link conneet-ors' and with no regard to any segregation of the link connectors into physically distinct collections. y c

Myinvention-,Would beuse'ful in ,a very i small exchange since by means of it signals` individual to the lines leading to the eX- chnnge :1re not required. A preferred form of telephone exchange system accomplishing this feature 'of my invention may generally be described :is including lines extending Specification of Letters Potent.`

with the 'groups vto the lines are in the form of phonographs Patenteduulyee; i914;

-Renewed September 14, 1912. Serial No. 'll

from telephone stations to an exchange, a piurulity of groups of operators link connectors .at the exchange for uniting lines in conversation'= a' responsive device for each group of link connectors and desirbly common to the link connectors of' suchgroup, u

mechanism governed by vcalling linsfor operating the responsive devices associated of link connectors, vand means for rendering such responsive devices .incapable ,of response whenthe 'operator in charge of" the group of link-*connectors is not at liberty to attend tothe. Went-s of calling subscribers. The rmeinsthat Sere eni-v ployed for thus rendering the responsive de-v vices unresponsive a're furnished tofthe o `rator, to be used independently of the connectors and are furnished tothe o er-i ator to be used inl connection with 'the connectors, making a connection orfis about tomke a connection, preferabl'yelso employ lmeans for renderingy the -responsive devices unresponsive, that are governed by the mechanism that has selected a" responsive device, sb thatother selecting mechanism will pass by the selected responsive device until it nds a responsive device lthat is free for selection.

s My invention also has for its; objecttli so that .while thef'operator is' she will not be interrupted. I 75 provision of a signaling system including a plurzilityA of signaling lines, such `ssteleh phone lines, signal receivers, 1 selector switches for selecting signal receivers that are free for selection andassociating the same with signaling lines, vidual to the lines and which differ 'from each other forv causing said signal receivers to give characteristic signals peculiarto the lines; .Inthe preferred embodiment of the invention the ineens which are indivi/"iidnel,gA

capable of speaking the numbers offthe lines to which' they are individual, -in Whchidve'nt the signal receivers nrc in the form o-foperfe ators head telephones to `announce to operator the numbers of the lines; f

I will explain my inventibn, in its-.vsn

aspects, more fully by reference ,to"tlxetir-A compnnying drawings, showing oney eJnbdd'l Figure l'is a general diagrammatic illustrating s system constructed in accordl ance with my invention. Figs. 2 and?) repi being illustrated with this apparatus.v The' telephone lines, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, each terminate 'at the exchange in multiple jacks 6. I have illustrated 1n the drawings, link connectors, each including, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, an answering plug 7 and a connecting plug 8, these plugs having tip,`

sleeve, and thimbley or heel contact parts lunited by 'corresponding strands. I do not wish to 4be limited, however, in all embodiments of my invention to link connectors employing answering plugs as well asconnecting plugs nor lto the use of connecting plugs. The circuits of the link connectors are immaterialto the preferred embodiment of my invention. They may be of any well known or suit-able type, and I will describe 'none of the apparatus peculiar to the link.

connectors, exceptin to state that each ot the link connectors shown is adapted, when connected at its ends with calling and called lines, to unite such lines in` conversation. For like reasons, I have omitted the illustration of parts commonly found in association with link connectors, such, for example, as supervisory signals and signaling current generating apparatus.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, I have illustra-ted, at A, but one link connector of a group belonging to one operators position and, at B, I have illustrated one link connector of a group belonging to another operators position. A

In Fig. 2, I have shown, at A, a link connector of a group belonging to one operators position van at B, I have shown a link connector of a group belonging to another operators position. At each operators position, I have shown a responsive device 8 common to the group of link connectors at such operators position, this responsive device preferably constituting a signal-actuating device, the responsive device at position A governing the circuit of a small lamp 9, while the responsive device at station B governs the position of a mechanical display element 10. Y

'I interpose apparatus between the :responsive devices and the telephone lines whereby a calling telephone line may operate a responsive' devicey thatis free for operation,

instrumentalities being employed to prevent the responsive devices from operating when the operator at the position having such responsive devices is not free to perform work.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, I employ selecting mechanism individual to l-the telephone lines and set into operation by a calling line for the purpose of operating a responsive device, such as an 'foperators head telephone or a signal device 1n response vto whose signal the operator may', in any preferred way, be brought into telephonie connection with the calling subscriber, either automatically or by a listening key, the responsive device being tree for operation, thereby calling the attention of the operator having such responsive device,

so that such operator may effect connection between the calling and called lines.

I will first give a description of the selecting mechanism associated with each line, andV will thereafterdescribe its inter-relation .with the line and with the responsive devices.

The selecting mechanism illustrated includes a ratchet wheel 11, upon whose shalt Aa single group of wipers 12 121 122 are carried',` these wipers 12 121 122being adapted to contact with waiting contacts 13 131 132 associated with the responsive 'devices 8. Each responsive device has a plurality ofgroups of waiting contacts', each group containing three contact-s 13 131 132. Similarly related waiting contacts associated with va given responsive device are in multiple connection.- The groups of waiting contacts belonging to each responsive device are distributed among ioo the selecting devices, so that'the wipers| of the selecting devices in their travel will engage one group of waiting contacts belonging vto one vresponsive device or another group of waiting contacts belonging to another responsive device, or another group of waiting contacts belonging to still another responsive device, and so on. A magnet 14 is provided with an armature -15 pivoted at' 16, said armature, when attracted, causing the actuating pawl 17 carried thereby to rotate the ratchet wheel 11 one tooth, the pawl escaping the tooth when the armature isrestored, as will be seen by the illustration. The winding of the magnet.14 is included in circuit with an interrupter 18 common to the selectors, and a source of current 19, which may be the grounded common battery of the exchange. The magnets 14 are individual to the telephone lines, and in addition to their circuits including the interrupter 18 that is common to all ofthe magnets 14, said circuits also include the lowermost normal contact'20 of the locking relay 21, the lowermost normal contact 22 of the cut-olf relay 23, one side of the calling subscribers line,t the calling subscriber-s transmitter 3, receiver 2, switch-hook 1, the remaining side ofthe calling subscribers line, to the grounded im- 13o are brought to pedance 24. During a part of the time that the selecting mechanism is in association' with a selected' responsive device, the locking relay 21 and the cut-off relay 23' remain inert.

,It will thus be seen that as soon as a calling subscriber has lremoved his receiver from its switch-hook,` theselecting mechanism individual to the calling subscribers -line is set into operation, and immediately after the selecting mechanism has been set into operation a circuit including the bat.-

tery 1'9, is Iclosed at the contacts 25, which gether as a consequence of the initial operation of the selecting mechanism, whereby battery 19 is connected with the testthimbles 2G of the jacks belonging to the calling line, so that no operator, eX- cepting theone that is to be selected, will connect with a calling line. The wipers of the selecting devices are desirablynormally out of contact with the contacts .13 131 '132 and pass over these contacts in the process free to be operated. Thus responsive devices are free for selection when the circuits governing the responsive devices are in their normal or idle conditions. Each responsive device has a governing circuit that may be traced from the ground 27, the manually controlled switch 28 (designed for operation by the operator to render responsive devices unresponsive), the armature switch of magn-et-29, the armature switch 30 of the responsive device 8, the engaged waiting con- Y tact 13, a wiper 12 resting in engagement therewith, the

follow-up contact 31, the armature switch spring engaging the same,

-the locking relay 21, to the grounded battery The ground 27 is present as a part of such controlling circuit when the responsive device associated therewith is to be actuated,

butwhen the responsive Adevice is not to be selected, this ground 27 is to be removed, which removal may be accomplished in several' ways, as will appear. Assuming the ground 27 to be present in the circuit controlling the associate responsive device 8, the

selecting mechanism of the calling subscriber will cease operation as soon as its wiper 12 engages the waiting contact 13 connected with such ground 27, to maintain said wiper and contact in engagement and also to maintain the wipers 121 122 in engagement with the waiting contacts 131 132 of the selected group of waiting contacts, in order that circuit changes may be effected which remove the ground 27 from a selected responsive dei/ice and willv prevent the further operation of the selecting mechanism, and also preferably to enable the operator to have telephonie connection with a calling subscriber independently of the link connecting apparatus. As a consequence of the circuit closed by way of. the elements 12 1.3,

the armature switch spring engaging the normal contact 31 is moved to engage its grounded alternate contact, whereby circuit.

locking relay 21,the wiper 122 is connected twith one side of the calling line and the wiper 121 is connected with the other side of the calling line, and inasmuch as the contacts 131 132 engaged by the wipers 121 1.22 are preferably connected with the operators telephone equipment 32 or conductors leading thereto, such operatorls telephone equipment or the set of conductors leading thereto is selectively brought into circuit relation with the calling line preferably independently of the link connecting apparatus 7 8.

The operators telephone thus constitutes a responsive device common to its group of link eonectors and which is not necessarily operated as a consequence ofits selection but is permitted to be operated by the calling party when speakinginto his transmitter.

In order to prevent another selecting mechanism belonging to another calling linev from picking out a selected responsive device, in the lorm of an operators telephone or relay 8 that has become associated with a calling line, line 120, for example, the ground 27 is removed, the circuit that effects the removal of the ground 27 lbeing traceable froni the grounded battery 19 to the responsive device 8, the waiting contact 131, the engaging wiper 121, the alternate contact 88, the normal contact 22, one side of the subscribers line,through the subscribers station, the other side of the subscribers line, to the grounded impedance device 24. The magnet of the responsive device 8 is thus energized to cause its armature switch 30 to leave its contact, and thereby separate the ground V27 from the normal contacts 13, whereby the wiper 12 of any other selecting mechanism will pass by said waiting contacts 13, inasmuch as no circuit is establishable-for the locking relay 21 of the calling line belonging to the other selecting mechanism. In order that the operator may have control over the responsive devices 8, to determine whether or not they are to be selected, she is not only provided with the manually operated switch 28 for her responsive device, but her link connectors are also provided with mechanism that 'governs 'the association, of the ground 27 with the waiting contacts 13.

' In the preferred embodiment of the invenioo los

tion, each end of the link circuit has an i electro-magnet 341, 34:8, the armature switch of each of which having a single normalcontact and two alternateeontaets, the, 11p- 180 per one of which enters into the preferred embodiment of my invention. Each magnet 3&3 has a localcircuit which is established when theplug associated therewith is inserted in a-jack, the circuit for each electromagnet 343 then being traceable from the, grounded battery 19 through the winding' of -magnet 343, the heel contact 3&1 of the associate plug, the thimble of the jack receiving such plug, to the grounded cut-oft' relay 23. The normal contacts of both magnets of aolink connector or cord Circuit normally coperate to establish a dead circuit. Then one of the plugs only is in engagenient with a jack, this dead circuit is broken and a live circuit for the magnet 29 is established, which' may be traced from the grounded terminal of the magnet 29, through the listening key-operating magnet 35, the normal contact of the inert mate to the operated-magnet 343, the upper alternate contacto the energized electro-magnet 34:3,

to the grounded battery 19, whereby the magnet 29 is-energized, its armature switch is attracted, and the ground 27 is removed from the waiting contacts 13, so that a selecting mechanism of a calling subscriber is.

bound to pass by the waiting contacts 13 associated'with the responsive device 8 from whose governing circuit the groundf27 has thus been removed. Thus the operator, in using one plug of a link connector employing two plugs, will prevent the selection of 4vthe responsive device common to the group of link connectors that includes such link connector which l as been takenfor use. As

soon as the operator has inserted the connecting plug of the link circuit taken'for use, the right hand relay 343 is energized,

thereby breaking the vcircuitA for the

magnets

29 and 35 causing the operators telephone to be disconnected from the employed link circuit and causing Aa restoration of the ground-*21m the circuit thatgoverns the device to an operators position, though .I do not wish to be limited to this characteristic.

Vhen the answering end of a link connector circuit has been connected with a calling line, the wipers of the selecting mechanism of Such calling line are desirably shifted out of engagement with the waiting contacts, releasing` the responsive device so far as the selecting mechanism is concerned. To thisend, I employ a releasing electrolmagnet 36, a circuit for which is established when the connecting. end of the'link circuit selected by the operator has been connected with the calling line, and which circuit may be traced rom'the grounded battery 19` through the operated 'switch 25, the releas- 'ing magnet- 36, and the closed armature switch 37. When the circuit of the releasing magnet 36 is-Hthus closed, it withdraws. the actuating pawl l17 from the ratchet wheel 11, permitting lsaid ratchet -wheel to be moved to a'position in which Vthe wipers 12 121'122 are out of engagement with waiting contacts. As soon as the wipers are placed out of contact with waiting contacts, the switch 25 is opened and the circuit of thereleasing magnet 36 is consequently broken,

whereby said magnet permits the rengagei ment of the holding and actuating pawls 17 with the ratchet wheel 11. The switch 25, whenopen'ed, also breaks the circuit for the locking-magnet 21 and-also removes Vthe batteryv 19 from connectionwith the test thinibles 26 by wayof the switch 25, substitute connections with the thimbles 26 be'- i'ng established for testing purposes by the cord circuits, in accordancewith common practice. When the subscribers are through conversation, the operatoi` will take down the link connector employed tounite the subscribers lines, whereupon the apparatus will be completely restored to the normal condition illustrated'.`

ltwill be apparent from what has been described, that each responsive device which. is common to a group -or link connectors has a'plurality of groups of waiting contacts, similarly vrelated waiting contacts of the different groups being in multiple connection, the di'iferent groups of waiting contacts being distributed among lthe selectingdevices, each selecting device thus having one group of waiting contacts belonging tov one responsive device, another group .of

waiting contacts belonging to another re-V sov sponsive device, a third group of waiting c contacts belonging to a third responsive device, and so on, the wiping contacts engaging one group of waiting contacts and resting in engagement therewith if the circuit governing the responsive device associated with said waiting contacts has its normal groundconnection 27, but 'passing out of connection with such waiting contacts if such ground 27 is removed, the wipers continuing to move until they haveencountered a group of contacts one ot.A which has the ground 27 connected therewith. Thus a calling subscriber or Vother calling party, by setting his selecting mechanism into operation, will associate himself with an operator who is -in position to answer his call. The system of my invention, therefore, is of great importance, in

Work that she is to perform.

Each operator desirably has an ample number/ of cord circuits assigned to her rvhichfare preferably equal to or slightly in 'excess 4of the number-that she can handle (f when she is operating-'at her fullest eililciency. If she has used all of the cord circuits that have been assigned to her, she lf will temporarily shift the switch 28 until some of her cord circuits arev released and y1g; taken down, whereupon she will restore the switch 28 to its closed position. If it is desired .to take operators off of duty, the switches. 28 of such operators are opened. In this Way the business of the exchange may be assigned to the number of operators that are capable of handling it, a lesser number of operators being required during the lighter periods of the day and more operators being required during the heavier g5 periods ofthe day, -all as will be apparent.

It is further obvious that With the system of'iny invention 'main and intermediate distributing boards may be dispensed with, line, signals, in fixed association with the linesg -30 may be discarded, as well-as the answering jacks of such lines When the invention is employed in connection with multiple switch boards. l

In the preferred embodiment of the inven' g5 tion, I do not use manually operated listen-` ing keys, .but cause the magnets to op erate'listening keys 351, these magnets 35 causing the operators telephone equipment `32 to be included incircuit when the link,l

40 connectors are connected ,with calling lines,`

so that the-operator mayfconverse with thel calling subscriber. These results are accom-` plished in connectionfivith responsive devices, one herein shown as being provided for each operator andcommon to her group 'pf connectors, but I do not Wish to be limited to responsive devices that are thus common ,to groups of link connector Initially, as has been explained, the operators Itelephone equipment is connected with a calling line by means of the selecting mechanism of the calling line, and inasmuch as there may be no line signals in fixed association with the lines. the operator Will not have the facilities aiforded'by such line signals for informing her as to the numbers of thecalling lines. She may ascertain the number of the calling line by conversing with the calling subscriber through the tele- 'phonic circuit established by the selecting mechanism, or if it is desired to relieve the calling subscriber of the burden of inform- A,ing the operator of his number, aphono- 'graph 38, one' per line, and preferably-con- 435 stantly operating, maybe employed. to speak pression l mean that the responsive devices are associated with the link connectors.` I do not limit myself to any circuit association between Vthe link connectors and the rsponsive devices.

lVliile I have herein shown and particularly described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not Wish to be limited to the precise details of construction and circuit arrangement shown, but,

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following l. A telephone. exchange system including lines extending from telephonestations to an exchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange for uniting lines in conversation, an operators telephone outfit for each group of link connectors and common to the link connectors of such group, selecting mechanismA governed. by calling lines adapted to select and permit the operation of the operators telephone outfit free to be operated, means made effective by the link connectors of each gro-up that are taken for use to prevent the responsive device associated with such group Irom being selected ior operation, and mechanism governed by the connecting ends oit the link connectors and serving, When taken for use, to release the operators tele- `phone outfits, again to render them free for selection by the calling lines.

A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange for uniting lines in conversation, a responsive device for each group o't' link connectors and common to the link connectors of such group, selecting mechanism governed by calling lines `adapted to select and permit the operation ofthe responsive device free to be operated, means made efl'ective'by the link'connectors of each group that are taken for use` to prevent the responsive device associated with such group from being selected for operation, operators telephones for the groups of link connectors, switching means governed by the selecting mechanism and actuated by operated selecting mechanism to bring the operators 'telephones asfor uniting lines in conversation, an operators telephone outfit for each group of link connectors and common to the link connectors of such group, selecting devices individual to the telephone lines and operated by lcalling lines to select andgpermit the operation of the responsive device free to be operated, means made eective by the link connectors of each group that are taken for use to prevent the operators telephone outi'it associated with such group from being selected for Operation, and mechanism governed by the connecting ends of the link coniiectors and serving, when taken for use,' to release the operators telephone outiits, again to render them free for selection by the calling lines.

4. A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of groups of .operators link-connectors at tlie`exchange for uniting lines in conversation, a responsive lected responsive devices into telephonic'as-- `isis device for. each group of link connectors and common to the link connectors of such group, selecting devices individual to| the telephone lines and operated by calling liiies to select and permit the operation of the responsive device free to be operated,-nieans made eii'ective by the link connectors of each group that are taken for use to prevent the responsive, device associated with such group from being selected for operation, operators telephones for the groups of link connectors, switching means governed by the selecting mechanism and actuated byv operated selectingvmechanism'to bring the operatorstelephones associated With the sesociation with the calling lines, and mechanism governed by the connecting ends of the link connectors and serving, when taken for use, to release the responsive devices, again to render them free for selection by the calling lines.

5. A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange for uniting lines in conversation, an operators telephone outfit for each roup oflink connectors and common to tie link connectors of such group, selecting mechanism governed byncalling lines adapted to select and permit the `operation ot the operators telephone outfit free to be operated, and means made effective lby actuated selecting mechanism to prevent operators telephone outfits from being again selected While in operated conditions. Y

6. A telephone exchange systemincluding f, lines extending from telephone stationsto an exchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange fory uniting lines in conversation, an operators telephone outfit for each group of link connectors and common to the link connectors of such group, selecting devices individual to the telephone lines and operated by calling lines to selectand permit ,the operation'of the operators telephone outfit free to be operated, and means made eiiective by ac- 'tuated selectingdevices to prevent operators telephone outfits from being again selected While in operated conditions.

7. A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange for uniting lines ink conversation, a responsive device for each group of link connectors and common to the link connectors of such calling lines adapted to select and permit the operation of the responsive device free to be i operated, means made eiiective by the link connectors of each group that are taken for use to prevent the responsive deviceA associated With such group from being selected for operation, and mechanism governed by the connecting ends of the link connectors and serving, ivhen taken for use, to release the responsive devieesLagain to render them responsive to the mechanism governed byy the calling lines, the selecting mechanism having contacts and said responsive devices having contacts adapted for engagement With the aforesaid contacts, said responsive devices having the circuits controlling the Asame altered when the contacts of responsive devices free to be selected are engaged by the selector contacts and said means being in the forni of switching devices serving to render ineifective the controlling circuits of responsive devices that are not tobe free /to be selected.

8. A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a pluralit)Y of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange for uniting lines in conversation*` a responsive device for each group of link connectors and eonnnon to the link connectors of such group, selecting ineehanisni governed by calling lines adapted to select and permit the ope 'ation o'f the responsive 4device free to be loperated, means made ellective b v the link connectors of each group `that are taken for use to prevent the responsive device associated with such group from being selected governed by the selecting mechanism anding lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of groups of op *eratorsl link connectors at the exchange for group,'s"electing devices individual to the telephone lines and operated by calling lines for operation, operators telephones for jthc! groups of link connectors, switching means actuated by operatedselecting niechanism'to bring the operators telephones associated with the selective responsive devices into telephonie association-'With the calling lines, and mechanism governed by the connecting.o ends of the link 'connectors and serving, when taken foruse, to release the responsive devices, againto'render them responsive to the mechanism governedA by the calling'lines, the selecting mechanism having contacts and' said responsive devices having contacts adapted for engagement with the aforesaid contacts, said responsive devices having the circuits controlling the same altered when the contacts of responsivedevices free to be selected are engaged by the selector contacts and ysaid means being in the form of switclr ing devices serving to render ineffective thel controlling circuits of responsive devices that are not to be free to be selected.

9. A telephone exchange system including lines extendingy :from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange for` uniting lines in conversation, a responsive device for each group of link, connectors and common to the link connectors of Such group, selecting devices individual tov the telephone lines and operated by calling lines to select and permit the operation of the responsive device free to be operated, means made effective by the link connectorsof each group that are taken' for use to prevent the responsive device associated with such group from'being selected for operation, and mechanism governed by the connecting ends of the link connectors and serving, when taken for use, to release the responsive devices, again to render them responsive tothe mechanism governed by the calling lines, the selecting devices having lcontacts and said responsive devices having contacts adapted for engagement with vthe aforesaid contacts, said responsive devices having the circuits controlling the same altered When the contacts of responsive devices free to be selected are engaged by the selector contacts and said means being in the form of switching devices serving to render ineffective the conL trolling circuits of responsive devices that are not to be free to be selected.

l0. A 'telephone exchange' system includuniting lines in conversation, a responsive device for each group of link connectors and common to the link connectors of such .l

to select and permit the operation of the responsive device .free to be operated, vineens fronibeing-' selected/l. for operation, operaltors telephones-for the groups of link connectors,"- switching4 means governed by the selecting-zi'n'echanism and actuated by opermade eiectivefby thiejlink connectors of each .group.ji'liajt are` taken for use'lto ,prevent the responsivefdevice, associated. with such group.

ated selecting mechanism to bring the operators-telephones associated with the 'selected irespon's'ive: devices 'into telephonie associaf v tionl ,with `fthe calling" lines, and mechanism 'governed by the connecting ends fof the link ccnnect'ors and serving, when taken for-use,

torelease the responsive devices, again' to vrender them responsive to the mechanism governed bythejcalling lines, the selecting devices having contacts-'and said-responsive devices-having contacts 'adaptedfor engagement Withlthe aforesaid contacts, said responsive devices havingthe circuits controllingv the-same altered when the contacts of vresponsive devices free to beselected are engagedl the selector contacts and said.

means being i-n the' form of switching devices serving to render ineffective the controlling .circuits of@ responsive devices that are-not tofbelfree tobe selected.. A

1L A;telephone"exchange system includ ing linesiextending. from ltelephone stations to an''xciiange, a plurality of groups of operators link vconnectors at the exchange for uniting lines in conversation,v a responsive device for each group of link vconnectors and common to the link connectors of such group, selecting mechanism governed -by calling lines adapted Hto select and permit the operation of the responsive device free to be operated, and means governed by the operators to prevent responsive devices from being selected for operatiomlthe selecting mechanism having contacts and said responsive devices having contacts adapted for engagement with the aforesaid contacts, said responsive devices having theicircuits controlling the same altered when the contacts of responsivedev'ices free to be selected are en# gaged by the selector cont-acts and said means being in the form of switching devices serving to render ineffective the controlling circuits of` responsive devices that are not to be'free to be selected. j

12. A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of groups of operators lilik connectors at the exchange for uniting lines in conversation, a responsive device for each group of link connectors and common to the link connectors of such icc group, selecting devices-individual tothe s* "telephone linesand operated by callinili'nes to select and permit the operation of there-- sponsive device free to -b'e '.operated, and means governed bytheoper'ators to prevent responsive devipcs. from being selected for operation, the selecting devices` having conisc i vtacts and said responsive devices having -contacts adapted for engagement with the laforesaid cont-acts,"said responsivedevices' having vthecircuits` controlling the same altered-when the contacts of'responsive devicestreetobe selected are engagedby the selector contacts and said means being in the form of switching deviccs serving to render inelective the controlling circuits of responsive-,devices that are not` to be free to be t selected.

13.. A telephone exchange system includ inglines extending from telephone stations t'o'an exchange," a plurality of groups of opcraters link connectors at the exchange for uniting lines in conversation, aresponsive deviceforeach group of linkI connectors and ``common to the link connectors of such group, (selecting mechanism governed by calling lines adapted to select and permit the operation of the responsive device rree to be operated, and means made eective by actu- I ated selecting mechanism to preventthe reof responsive devices free to vbe. selected are engaged by the. selector contacts arid said means being in the form of switching devices serving to render ineffective the controlling circuits of responsive devices that vare not to bc free to be selected,

1455A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephone stations Vto an exchange, a pluralityo'f groups of operators link 'connectors vat the exchange for uniting lines in conversation, a responsive device kfor each group of link connectors and common to the link connectors of such group, selecting devices individual to the telephone lines and operated by calling-lines to `select and permit the operation of the responsive device free to' be operated, and means made effective by actuated selecting devices to prevent responsive devices from being again selected While in 'operated conditions, the selecting devices having contacts and said responsive devices lhaving .contacts adapted for engagement with the aforesaid contacts, said responsive devices .having the circuits controlling the same altered .when the contacts of responsive devicesfree to be selected are engaged by the vselector'contacts and s aid means being in the forml of switching devices serving -to render ineffective the controlling circuits of responsive devices `that are not to be free to be selected'.

l5. A telephone exchange" system including lines extending from telephone stations to an` exchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange -for uniting lines in -conversatioman operators telephone outiit Jfor each group of link vconnectors and common-to the link 'connectors of such group, mechanismgoverned by calling lines adapted to permit the operation of the operators telephone outfit free to be operated, means made e'ectiveby the link connectors of each group that are taken tor use to prevent the operators. telephone outfit associated With such group from being operated, and mechanism governed by the connecting ends of' the link connectors and serving, When taken for use, to release the operator-s telephone outfits, again to render them responsive to the mechanism governed by' the calling lines.

16A A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the' exchange for uniting lines in conversation, a responsive device for each group of link connectors and common to the link connectors of such group, mechanism governed by calling lines adapted to permit the operation' of the responsive device free to be operated, means .made eiiective by the link connectors of each group that are taken for use to prevent the responsive device associated with such group from being operated, operators ,telephones for the groups of link connectors, switching means governed by the mechanism and actuated by operated mechanism. to bring the operators telephones associated with the responsive devices into telephonie association with the calling lines, and mechanism governed by the connecting ends of the link connectors and serving, when. takenI for use, to `release the responsive devices, again' to render them responsive, to the mechanism governed by the calling lines. i

17 A telephone exchange system includi'ng lines" extending fromv telephone stations it'o an exchange,l va plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange for uniting lines in conversation, a responsive device for each group of link connectors and common-to the link connectors of such groupmechanism governed by calling linesadapted to permit the operation of the responsive device free to be operated, means made eiective by the link connectors of each lgroup that are taken for use to prevent the responsive device associated with such group vfrom 'bei-ng operated, and mechanism governed by the connecting ends of the link connectors andserVing, when taken for use, to release the' responsiveI devices, again to render them responsive to the mechanism governed by the calling' lines,the rst aforesaid mechanism having contacts and said responsive devices having contacts adapted for engagement with the aforesaid contacts,

said responsive devices having the circuits 1adapted to permit controlling the samealtered when the conL tactsof responsive .devices free to be operated are engaged by the contacts and said 'eratorslink connectors at the exchange for uniting lines in conversation, a responsive device for common to .the link connectors of .such gqoup, mechanism governed by. calling lines the operation of the responsive device free to be operated, means made'eiiiective'by the link connectors of each group that are taken for use to prevent the responsive device associated with such group from being operated, operators telephones for the groups of link connectors, switching means governed by the mechanism kand actuated operated mechanism to bring the operators telephones associated with the ie' sponsive devices into telephonie association with the calling lines, and mechanism governed by the connecting ends of the link f connectors and serving,

`to release the responsi ywhen taken for use, ve devices, again to renderthem responsive to the mechanism governed by the calling lines, the first aforesaid mechanism having contacts and said i. responsive devices rhaving contacts adapted device for each oxfor engagement Witlitheaforesaid contacts,

Said responsive devices having the. circuits controlling the saine altered when the contacts of responsive devices free to be operated are engaged by the contacts and said means being in the form of switching devices serving to render ineffective the controlling circuits of responsive devices that are not to'be free to be operated.

19. A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange,

a plurality of groups of operators. link connectors at the exchange for 4unit-ing lines .in conversation, a responsive group of link connectors and common to the link connectors of such group, mechanism governed by calling lines yadapted to permit theoperation of the responsive device free to be operated, and means governed bysthe operators to prevent responsive devices from being operated, the aforesaidmechanism. having' 'contacts and said responsive. vdevices having. contacts adapted. .for engagement witlirthexapforesaid contacts, `responsive devicesghaving-the circuits'. controlling thesaime altered when the contacts of .responsiicydevices freetobe operated. are/.engaged by `the contactsand saidmeans being in the` formof sit',itching devicesseiving to render ineifectivetheponf n adapted each group of link connectors and trolling circuits of responsive devices that are not to be free to be operated.

20. A telephone exchange system including lines extending -from telephone stations to an exchange, a'plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange for uniting lines in conversation, a responsive device for each group of link connectors and common to thev link connectors of such group, mechanism governed by calling lines to permit the operation of the responsive device free to be operated, and means made effective by actuated mechanism to prevent responsive devices from being again taken for operation while in operated conditions. the aforesaid mechanism having contacts and said responsive devices'. having contacts adapted for engagement With the aforesaid contacts, said responsive devices having the circuits tered when the contacts of responsive devices freev tobe operated are engaged by the contacts and said means being in theform of switchinff devices serving 'to render ineffective'the controlling circuits' of .responsive device'sthat are not to be free to be operated.

21. A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the v'exchange for uniting linesin conversation, a respon-` sive device for each group of link connectors and common to the link connectors of such group, switching mechanism governed by calling lines adapted to permit the operation of the responsive device free to be operated, and means made effective by actuated switching mechanism to prevent responsive devices from being again taken for operationwhile in operated conditions, the aforesaid mechanism having contacts and said responsive devices havingcontacts adapted for engagement vwith the aforesaid contacts,

said responsive devices having the circuits controlling the same altered when the contacts ofresponsive devices free to be opercontrolling the same alated are engaged by the contacts and said means being in the form of switching devices serving to .render ineffective lthe controllingr circuits of responsive devices that are not to be free to'be operated.

22. A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephonestations 4 a pluralityof groups of to an exchange,

at the exchange operators?. link connectors for uniting? .lines -in conversation, a responsive-device foreach.. V oup of link connectors andcommon to ge link connectors vof such roup,.selectjngmechanism governed by .reallng lines. tedio. .selfst andi per-f.-

mitthex operation/ o reSponSiYeyice 'tre to. be operated andT ineens.: :for nre- .venting responsiveA .d vices [-.froiii i being. selected for. operation,

nism having contacts and said responsive devices having contacts adapted for engagement with the aforesaid contacts, said responsive devices having the circuits controlling the same altered when the cont-acts of responsive devices free to be selected are engaged by the selector contacts and said means being inthe form of switching devices serving to render ineffective the controlling circuits of responsive devices that are not to be free to be selected.

23. A telephonel exchange system including'lines extending from telephone stations to an uexchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at lthe exchange for uniting lines in conversation, a respon` sive device for each .group of link connectors and common to the link connectors of such group, selecting devices individual to the telephone lines and operated by calling lines to select and permit the operation of the responsive device free to be operated, and means for preventing responsive devices :trom being selected for operation, the selecting devices having contacts and said responsive devices having contacts adapted for engagement withthe aforesaid contacts, said responsive devices having the circuits controlling the same altered Whenth'e contacts ci' responsive devices tree to be selected are engagedv by Lthe selector contacts and said means being in the form of switching devices serving to render ineffective thereontrolling circuits of responsive devices that are not to be tree to be selected.

Q4. A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange tor uniting lines in conversation, a responsive device for each group of link connectors and common to the link connectors of' such- 4 group, 4adapted to permit mechanism governed by calling lines the operation of the responsive device free to be operated, and means for preventing responsive devices from being operated, the aforesaidmechanism having contacts and said responsive devices having contacts adapted for engagement with the aforesaid contacts, said responsive devices having the circuits controlling the same altered when the contacts of responsive devices vifree to be operated are engaged bythe contacts and said means being in the form of switching devices serving to render inettective the controlling circuits of responsive devices that are notl to be free to be operated p A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange for uniting lines in conversation, a responsive device for each group of linkconnectors and common Vto the link connectors of such erated responsive device Y lines adapted group, selecting mechanism governed by calling lines adapted to vselect and permit the operation of the responsive device free to be operated, means for preventing responsivev devices from being selected for operation, the selecting mechanism having contacts and said responsive devices having contacts adapted for engagement with the aforesaid contacts, said responsive devices having the circuits controlling the same altered 'when the contacts of responsive devices'free to be selected are engaged by the selector contacts and said meansmbeing in the form 'ot switching devices serving to render ineffective the'controlling circuits of responsive devices that are not to befree to be selected, and means Jfor restoring the opdition.

26. A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange for uniting lines in conversation, a respon-` sive device tor each group 'of link connectors and common to the link connectors of such group, mechanism governed by calling to permit the operation of the responsive device freeto be operated, means foi-preventing responsive devices from being operated, theaforesaid mechanism having contacts and p said responsive devices having contacts adapted forv engagement with the aforesaidl contacts, said responsive devices having the circuits controlling the same altered when the contacts of responsive the contacts and said means being in the form of switching devices serving to render ineffective the controlling circuits of responsive devices that are not te be free to be operated, 'and means for restoring the operated responsive device to its normal condition.

27. A telephone exchange system includ-l ing lines extending from telephone stations to anexchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors-at the exchange, responsive devices'for said groups of link connectors, and by calling lines adapted to select responsive devices free 'for selection, said link connectors having operator controlled means to adapt them to their telephone line joining function independently ot the aforesaid selecting mechanism.

28. A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality Aof groups otopto its normal conf devices i'ree. to be operated are engaged by selecting mechanism governed erators link connectors at the exchange, re-

sponsive devices for said groups of link connectors onecommon to connectors of leach A craters link connectors at maltese adapt them 'to their telephone line joining function independently of the' aforesaid Selecting mechanism. I

29. Af telephoneexchange system including lines extending from telephonestations to an exchange, a Vplurality of groups of -opthe exchange, conductorsassociated With each group of connectors for connecting operators telephones with calling lines, and selectingmechanism governed by calling lines adapted to select connectors free for selection, said link conductors having operator controlled means toA adaptthem to their telephone line joining function 'independentlyof the aforesaid se-v lecting mechanism.

30. A telephone exchange system including lines extending exchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange, responsive devices for said groups of link connectors, selecting mechanism governed by calling lines adapted to select` responsive devices free for selection, said link connectors having operator controlled means to adaptthem to their telephone line joining function independently of the aforesaid selecting mechanism, and operator controlled means for freeing said.responsive devices so that they may be subject to further selection.

3l. A telephone exchange system 'including lines extending from telephone stat-ions to an exchange, a plurality of groups'of opmechanism, and` erators -link erators. link connectors at the exchange, re. sponsive devices for sald groups of link connectors one common to connectors of each group, selecting mechanismy governed by calling lines `adapted to select responsive devices free for selection, said link connectors having operator controlled means to adapt them to their telephone'line joining function independently of the aforesaid selecting operator controlled Imeans for freeing said responsiaze devices sov that they may be subject to further selection.

32. A telephone exchange system includtelephone stations Ito an exchange, a plurality of oups of operators link connectors at t e exchange,

conductors associated with each group of' tele'-l conn'ectors. for connectingoperators phones With calling lines, selectinl mechanism governed seleetconductors free for selection, said link connectors having means to adaptthein to their .telephone pendently ofthe` aforesaid selectingme'chamsm, `and operator controlled means for' restoring-sani conductors .69 i' tion. l n 33. A.- telephone exchange systeni includmgilines extendmg tolan exchange, a plurality sponsive vdevices lfor said groups-of link con#l meansto adapt them to their telephone line joining function independently of the aforesaid selecting mechanism.

ing lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of groups of op'- erators link connectors at the exchange, responsive devices. for said groups of link confrom telephone' stations to an lby calling lines a apted toA liner joining function indes.l

to'selectable condif from telephone stations` connectors' at the exchange, lre-V -nectors, one common to connectors of each group, selecting-.mechanism governed by callfree forselection, and automatic means for guarding responsive devices when in selected conditions from vfurther selection, said link connectors having means to adapt them to their telephone line joining function independently of the aforesaid selecting mechanism. Y'

35. A telephone exchange system including lines extending from telephone stations toan exchange, a plurality of groups of operators liresponsive devices for said groups of link by calling .lines adapted .to select "responsive devices free for selection, automatic means lected conditions from further selection, said means to adapt them to their Itelephone line joining function independently of the afore- .ed 'con itions from further selection, ysaid said responsive to theirv telephone'line joining function inr.dependentlv of the aforesaid selecting mech'- reeing said -responsiye devices so that they .may be subject Ato further selection.

, .3751A telephone exchange system includ- -ing lines extendingfrom telephone stations toen exchange, a pluralityof groups of operators? link connectors at the exchange, conductorsassociate'dwith each group for connecting operators telephones with callgoverned by.

further selection, said 'hnk connectors having operator controlled 34. A telephone exchange system includ-- lng lines adapted to select responsive devices connectors, selecting mechanism governed link connectors having operator controlled sald selecting mechanism, and operator conbe subject .to

link connectors havingl means to adapt themv anism, and. operator controlled -means for ing lines, Selecting mechanism governed byv r, connectors at the exchange,

for guarding responsive devices when in se- "isc v free for selection,

are

afore- 'ing lines extending from telephone stations to -an exchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange, conductors associated with each group for connecting operators telephones with calling lines, one common to connectors of each group, 'selecting mechanism. governed by calling lines ,adapted to select conductors automatic means for guarding such conductors when in selected conditions from further selection, said link connectors having means to adapt them lto their telephone line joining function inde-` pendently of the aforesaid selecting mecha-- nism, and operator controlled .means for restoring said conductorsl to selectable condition.

39. A telephone exchange system includinglines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of linlr connectors at the exchange adapted to the use of operators in making connections 1oetWeen lines, operators responsive devices, and selecting mechanism adapted to select responsive devices free for selection, said linlr connectors having operator controlled means to adapt them to their line joining function independently of the aforesaid selecting mechanism.'

40. A telephone exchange system including lines extendingy from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of linlr connectors at the exchange adapted to the use of operators in making connections betweenv lines, operators telephones, and selecting mechanism for selecting operators telephones free. for selection and associating them with calling lines, said link connectors having operator controlled means to adapt them to their line joining function' independentlyot the aforesaid selecting mechanism.

41. A telephone exchange s'ys'tern including .lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of groups of operators link connectors at the exchange for uniting lines in conversation, a responsive device for each group oi link connectors and common to the link connectors ot such group, selecting devices individual to the telephone lines' and operated byfcalling lines to select and permit' the operation of the responsive device free to be operated. means fior preventing responsive devices from being selecte ed. for operation, the selecting devices having contacts and said responsive devices having their telephone line incase@ aforesaid contacts, said having the circuits controlling the same altered when the contacts ot responsive devices free to be selected are engaged by the selector contacts and said means being in the form of switching devices serving to render ine'ective .the controlling circuits'of responsive devices that are not to be free to be selooted, and means for restoring the operated responsive device to its normal condition. j l

a2. A telephone exchange system including lines extending :trom telephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of link connectors at the exchange adapted to the use-of operators in making connections between lines, operators responsive devic:v and automatically operating electro-magnetic switching mechanism for associating free responsive devices with calling lines, said link connectors having operator controlled means to adapt them to their 'line joining functions independently oi' said switching mechanism.

'43. A tele-phone system including lines extending rom telephone stations to an exchange, responsive devices c governingv the connection of operators telephones with telephone lines at the exchange, and means for selecting an idle responsive device.

ai. A signaling system including 'a plurality ot signaling lines, signal receivers. selector switches for selecting einmall receivers that are tree for select-ion and associating the same with signaling lines, and means'individual to the lines and which differ from. each other for causing said signal receivers to give characteristic signals peculiar to the lines. l

45. A signaling system including a plurality oi signaling lines` telephone receivers, selectorsivitches for selectingA telephone receivers that are free for selection and associating the same with calling lines, and phonographs individual to the lines and each capableof speaking the designation of the line to which it is individual, said phonocontacts adapted for engagement with 'the l responsive' devices loo ros

graphs serving to` operate the telephone repeivers to announce the designations ofthe mes. i I A telephone system including a plurality 'of telephone lines extending to an exchange, signal receivers at different operators positions, selector switches operated by calling'telephone lines for selecting signal receivers that are free for select-ion and as-` sociating the same with calling telephone lines` and means individual to ,the lines and which diier from each other for causing signals peculiar to the lines.

47. A telephone system including a. piu- 1 rality of i change, telephone receivers at diierent op,av craters positions, selector switches operatedby calling telephone said signal receivers to give characteristic telephone lines extending to an er' lines for selecting 12012.* 1u

and phono phone receivers that and associating the same with calling` lines each capab e of 'speakinothe designation of the line to which 1t is individual, said phonographs serving to operate the telephone receivers to announce the designations ofthe lines.

48. A telephone system including a plu-.

rality of telephone lines extending to an exchange, signal receivers at different operators positions, Vselector switches for selecting signal receivers that are free for selection and associatingvthe same with calling telephone lines, and means individual to the lines and Which differ from each .other for causingsaid signal receivers to give characteristic signals peculiar to the lines.

49. A telephone system-including-a plurality of telephone lines. extending to an exchange, y'telephone receivers at different operators positions,. selector switches for selecting telephone receivers that are free for selection and associating the same with calling lines, and phonographs individual to the lines andeach capable of speaking the designation of the lline to which it is individual, said phonographs serving to operate the telephone receivers to announce the designations of the lines.

50,--A telephone lsystem having lines, a plurality of link connectors for making connections between lines, operators telephone outfits, mechanism for selecting an idle, operators telephone putit, and means to adapt the link connectors to their line joining function independently mechanism.l

51. A telephone exchange system including lines extending fromQtelephone stations to an exchange, a plurality of link connectors at the exchange adapted to the use of operators in making connections between lines, operators telephones, and automaticopie: of this patent may be Aobtained for ilve cents each, by addressing Vthe are free for; selectin aphs .individual to thevlines andKL of the aforesaid .ioperating electromagnetic switching msmf' for associating free operators lelelihone's with calling lines, said link con- '.x'iec'tors having o lerator controlled means to vadapt them'to t eir line joining functions independently'of said switching mechanism. 52. A ltelephone system having lines, a .plurality of link connectors for making connections between lines, responsive devices, mechanism for selecting an idle responsive device, and means to adapt the link connectors to their line joining function independently of the aforesaid mechanism.

53. Atelephone exchange system includ.- ing -lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange, link connectors at the exchange .for uniting lines in conversation, operators telephone outfits associated With different operators positions, selecting mechanism governed by calling lines for selecting idle operators telephone outfits, and means operating independently of link connectors for preventing selection of operators telephone outfits that are in selected condition. f

54.' A telephone exchange system includg lines extending from telephone stations to an exchange,-l1nk connectors at the exchange for uniting lines in conversation, operators responsive devices associated With different operatorspositions, selecting mechanism governed by 'calling lines for my name this 14th day of June, A. D., 1909.

ELMER R. CORWIN.

Witnesses t L. Gr. STRoH,

G. L. Cruce.

Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C.

selecting-:idle operators responsive devices,

In Witness -whereof, I hereunto subscribeA