US1109381A - Signal system. - Google Patents

Description

P. H. WEBSTER; SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.17, 1913.

1 109,381 Patented Sept. 1, 1914 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTOR Fay nwebd r 7% A TTORNE Y 8 WITNESSES 1?. H.- WEBSTER.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

L PPLIOATION FILED $1111.17, 1913.

Patented Sept. 1, 1914.

2 SHEETSSHBET 2.

nvmron a y H. We b sie K BY I nnonwsrs FAY I-I. WEBSTER, OF MARVELL, ARKANSAS.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Eatented Sept. 1, 1914.

Application filed January 17, 1913. Serial No. 742599.

.zo all whomit may concern:

Be it known that I, FAY H. 'Wnesrnn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Marvell, in the county of Phillips and State of Arkansas, have invented a new and Improved Signal System, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates generally to a visual signal, and is more particularly directed to an electricallyactuated mechanism adapted for cooperation with a telephone circuit.

The purpose of the invention is to provide avisual signal in connection with a telephone circuit, whereby the central office may throw into exposed position a semaphore arm, or may light a lamp located at any suitable point, the signal-actuating mechanism being controlled by the calling current through the telephone.

The signal is primarily intended for use in public places, as in connection with police service, allowing headquarters to set a visual signal at any police booth, thus notifying ollicers on beat to call up headquarters for instructions.

The construction illustrated and described makes use of a semaphore arm and a lamp as signal elements; the construction de scribed contemplates a means for preventing constant burning of the lampwhen the sumaphore arm is exposed, as during the day time when such lamp is not needed.

litany objects and advantages following the use of the invention will appear as the description proceeds, the inventive idea being comprehended in the scope of the appended claims. v

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part oi this specification, in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views, and in which Figure 1 discloses diagrammatically the arrangement of the signal on. a pole; Big. 2 is a similar view showing the semaphore in exposed position; Fig. 3 1s a similar view disclosing the relative positions of the parts when the semaphoreis returning to un'ex-' posed position. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating a slightly modified form.

The invention is described in connection with a pole 1, having a telephone 2 thereon, usually contained within a housing 3, the wires l serving to connect the telephone with the central oflice; these parts are chosen merely in order to show the utility of the invention, it being obvious that many different arrangements may be used.

Pivotally mounted on the pole in any suitable manner, as by means of a pin 5, is a semaphore arm 6, having a short arm 7 at one end to which is connected a rope or chain 8, terminating in a ring 9 extending adjacent the telephone 2, the said ring and.

chain serving as a means of returning the semaphore arm from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 1. Extending laterally from one side or the semaphore arm 6 are a hooked arm 10 and an ofi'set l0.

Adjacent the semaphore, and carried on the pole l, is a lamp 11, one of the wires 12 thereto communicating with one side of a battery 13, or other source of electrical en ergy; the other wire llextending from the lamp is connected to one end of the electromagnet 15, the other wire 16 from the electro-magnet extending downwardly, and preferably into the housing 3 which carries the telephone; the wire 17 extending from the other side of the battery 13 also extends into the housing 3.

Adjacent the electro-magnet 15 is an armature 18, pivotally mounted in position at 19, the armature being in electrical contact with the wire 17 through a conductor 2-0; the outer end of the armature is hooked, as at 21, and in the normal position oi the parts as shown in Fig. l the engagement of the hooked end of the armature with the hooked end 10 of the semaphore arm serves to retain the parts in the position shown. Carried on the pole 1 is a resilient element having a contacting finger 23 adapted to be engaged by a contact 2% on the armature 18 when the same comes into the position shown in Fig. 2; this finger 23 is connected with the wire 16 leading from the electromagnet 15 by means of a conductor 25. As noted particularly in Figs. 1 and :2, a buffer 26 of any suitable form, preferably a resilient arm, is carried by the pole'l and serves to take up the shock of the falling semaphore arm.

Vvithin the housing 3 is a relay made up of the electro-inagnet 27, the pivoted armature 28, the fixed contact 29, the stop. 30, and the spring 31. The Wire 17 leading from one side of the battery 13 is connected to the fixed contact 29, while the wire 16 leading from one end of the electro-magnet 15 is connected to the armature 28; the stop 30 determines the normal position of the 27' (if the-switch 83 is open), the armature 28 being thereby drawn to the pole face of the electro-magnet and the circuit through the wires 16 and 17 being closed; the battery 13, or other source of electrical energy, will then energize the electro-magnet 15 adjacent the semaphore arm, drawing the armature 18 out of engagement with the hooked arm 10 of the semaphore, and permitting the said arm to drop into the full line position of Fig. 2. The movement of the armature 18 as described will bring the contact 24: thereon into engagement with the finger 23, thereby placing the electro-magnet 15, the battery 13 and the lamp 11 in circuit, the lamp remaining "lighted. The electro-magnet 27 is actuated only during the time that calling current flows through the telephone 2.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the downward movement of the chain or rope 8 will bring the semaphore arm upwardly into the position shown in that figure, the curved oil-set 10' on the semaphore engaging the top corner of the armature 18, thereby bringing the contact 24 thereon out of engagement with the contact finger 23, opening the circuit through the electro-magnet and the lamp, the lamp being thereby extinguished. Further downward movement of the chain or rope 8 will bring the-hooked arm 10 on the semaphore into engagement with the hooked end 21 of the armature 18, the parts being then in normal position, as shown in Fig. 1. If so desired, the lamp 11 may be rendered ino Jerative by means of the switch 34 in multiple with the lamp, the closed position of the switch short-circuiting the lamp; this switch may be used through the day in order to prevent the lamp burning such switch, however, not preventing the continuous flow of current from the battery 13 through the electro-magnct 15, a modified construction being availed of to prevent this continuous fiow of current when so desired.

Referring particularly to the modified formshown in Fig. 4, it will be noted that extending outwardly from the end of the hooked arm 10 is an offset 35, which offset engages the resilient finger or support 22 ing 'the circuit through the lamp, batteryand electro-magnet, and preventing the continual burning of the lamp or continuous flow of current which would otherwise happen until the semaphore arm is returned to normal position. WVhen the ofi'set 35 is used and when the arm 6 is in signal position, a

second flow of current through the relay will of course operate the electro-magnet 15 and light the lamp. 35 is optional.

The structure set forth is simple, and

'while making use of elements which are now in use, the relation of the elementsamong themselves is such that a visual signal, particularly useful in connection with a telephone system, is provided, and one WhlCll lS inexpensive in make-upand maintenance.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a signal system, a relay including a visual signal, a source of current, and" an 'electro-magnet, connected in'series, a semaphore arm engaged and held in'inop'erative .position by the armature of the electromagnet, and contacts for bridging the relay circuit, one of which contacts is carried and movable with the armature of the electromagnet to engage the other contact and form a continuous circuit through the signal, source of current and electro-magnet when the relay circuit is completed to release the semaphore arm'.

2. In a signal system, a relay circuit including a visual signal, a source of current and an electro-magnet connected in series,

' and the latter of which is energized when the relay is completed, a semaphore arm engaged and held in inoperative position by the armature of the electro-magnet, said armature being connected to oneside of the relay circuit andprovided with a. contact member, and a contact member connected'to the opposite side of the relay circuit, and with which the armature carried contact engages when the armature is moved toward the electro-magnet to release the semaphore The use of the offset arm, and the electro-magnet is energized by completion of the relay circuit.

3. A visual signal comprising a. circuit made up of a relay actuated device for closing the circuit, a source of current, a lamp and an clectro-magnet, the said elements being connected in series, the armature of the electro-magnct being connected to one side of the said circuit, a contact finger with which the armature is adapted to engage and connected to the other side of the circuit, a semaphore arm engaged by the said armature and maintained in one position,"

movement of the armature when the electromagnet is energized permitting the somaphore arm to come to a second position, the armature engaging the said contact finger, whereby a circuit is closed through the source of current, the lamp and the electromegnet, the semephore erin being provided with ineens for moving the said contact iinger away from the armature when the seine-- phore fails, thereby opening the circuit through the said eiectro-inagnet, iamp and source of current.

i. A signal system comprising a circuit made up of a circuit closing device, it source of current, a lamp and en eiectro-insgnet, e semaphore arm, the armature oi the electromegnet engaging the semaphore arm and maintaining it in one position, ciosing of the circuit through the eiectro-msgnet disengaging the armature from. the arm and permitting the arm to come to a second position, the said armature being connected to one sid'e of the circuit between. the source of current and the circuit closing device, a contact finger with which the armature is adepted to engage and connected to the other side of the circuit between the electro-magnet and the said circuit closing device, movement of the armature when the electro-magnet is energized bringing the armature into engagement with the contact finger, Wherefby a circuit is closed through the electro-

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