US111408A - Improvement in telegraphic prfttefitions, for safes, vaults, and buildings - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet, 1.

w. B. WATKINS. TELEGRAPHIO BURGLAR DETECTOR AND POLICE ALARM.

No. 111,408. Patented Jan. 31, 1871.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' W. B. WATKINS. TELEGRAPHIG BURGLAR DETECTOR AND POLICE ALARM.

No. 111,408. w j Patented Jan. 31, 1871.

PoZdz 1.92%.

Police mm.

v M tnes'ses M 2; [7206/2371]? UN TED $TATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM B. WATKINS, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN TELEGRAPHIC PBQIEETIDNSJOR SAFES.--VAULTS;IAND BUILDINGS. I

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No.1 1 1,408, dated January 31, 1371.

To all whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. WATKINS, ,of-Jersey City, county of Hudson and State of New Jersey,-have invent-ed certain Improvements in Means of Telegraphic Protection for Buildings, Vaults, and Safes, and in Police-Alarm Systems, of which the following is a specification:

The object of the first part of my invention is to provide a more perfect means for detect ing the operations ot' burglars in buildings than has been heretofore employed; and consists in constructin g an outer casin g for safes and vaults, and in shielding or lining the inside of such easing, or the inside of the safe on vault itself, and also the inside ofdoors,

shutters, skylights, or other exposed portions,

of buildings where valuables are kept, with a series of metallic strips -or springs, each over lapping the other in such a manner as to form an uninterrupted course, the beginning and ending of the course to be connected with the poles of a battery, and-the electric circuit to embrace suitable alarm mechanism, so that when a burglar or other person penetrates or removes any portion of the part so shielded the strips or springs will be-separated from each other, the electric circuit will be broken, the alarm sounded, and the operations of the burglar detected.

The object of the second part of my invention is to provide for public use a telegraphic burglar-detective and police-alarm systemmore perfect than has heretofore been employed; and consists in constructing a main telegraph-line which shall embrace-within the circuit police-stations in different parts of a townoncitxatheliue Lobe-provided with suit-- able battery-powerand apparatus for protecting and testing the line, and each police-station to have alarm-bells within the circuit, and

in the street, or any desired signal, will be immediately sounded or struck at all the policestations, thus bringing the proper oificers to the spot forthe capture of the burglar. I further provide the buildings so connected with telegraphic apparatus for communicating with. the policestations when desired.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, Sheet -N 0. 1, represents a convenient form of springs or strips, a, fa-stened to a section of wood, a. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a section of non-conducting material with several strips, a, fastened to it, and shows the effect of a toolwhen driven into the section. Fig. 3-is a View of a horizontal section of an outer casing, A, with the strips applied to it, and inclosing asafe-or-w'aula-Br Fig. 4 is a view of the inside of a door, 0, shielded with the strips or springs a. Fig. 5 is a view of a skylight, D, showing one way in which the strips a may be applied. Fig. 6, Sheet N o. 2, is a view of the connections of the casing A, door 0, and skylight D with an alarm mechanism, 'F, for sounding the number of the street and building, a magnet, Gr, local alarm mechanism H, magnet J, switch-board K, 10- cal battery L, and their connections with the line. Fig. 6 also represents a main line, M,

connecting with police-stations N O P Q, and with banks R S '1 and several buildings, 1 2 3 L5 6,and in the bank It the main-line connections with the alarm mechanism F, switchboard U, and telegraph-instrument V, and in the police-station N the connections with the main line of the battery W, alarm-bell X, and telegraph-instrument Y. Fig. 7 is a view of the break-plate w, for opening and closing the main lineafor sounding the number of the street and building.

In carrying out the first part of my invention, I do not confine myself to any particular shape or size of spring, nor to any particular arrangement of the order of the series.

The springs may be made of thin sheetbra-ss, or other metal or conductor of electricity, and each spring should be secured to the part to be protected, so as not to turn or slide edgewise on the spring which it overlaps. They should be fastened in such manner as to press against each other, so as to insure the free passage of the electric current through each strip, and the whole should be-so arranged that each row of the series shall'be separate from the row adjoining, so that the electric current may be completed through each spring in the series. They should bemade sufliciently thin and pliable, so that if a tool should be driveuthrough the part shielded and then withdrawn, the strip with which the tool comes in contact would remain separated from the one which follows, as shown .by thedotted lines, Fig. 2.

order-of the series or rows should be so close to each other that the finest drills or tools used by burglars in penetrating between any two rows would come in contact with the edges of the springs or strips, and press them back from the springs with which they connect.

"The manner in which the strips may be fastened to the parts and connected with each other will be readily understood by reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Sheet No. 1. The points b and b iuFig. 3 show where the local line connects with the springs onthe inside of the casing A. 1 They follow and connect with each other in any convenient order on all sides, and on the top and bottom of the casing, connecting at the corners, as [shown at n a a, connecting with the door, as shown at p, the circuit passing through the metallic hinge p, with which the springs connect on each side. The local line connects with the door 0, Fig. 4, through-the hin'ge d with thesprin'gu, and the current will pass, in the'directiou of the arrows, through each spring of the series, forward and backward across the door, the connection" being completed from the door to the local line by the strips c e.

Bnrglars frequently enter buildings through skylights. I propose to shield these places in the same manner; but for this purpose I use. longer and narrower springs or strips, fastened to light bars or supports f f Fig. 5. At Fig. 5 the 'fastenings and connections of the strips, and with the local line, are plainly seen.

In the manner in which the door 0, Fig. 4,.

is lined, the whole floor or interior ot' a room may be covered or lined, so as to present a shield which could-not be penetrated without giving an alarm; nor could any portion of a door or casing, or other part so shielded, be split apart or cut out without separating some one strip or spring from another, thus breaking thelocal circuit-and causing the-desired alarm.

Another advantage in the use of the strips or springs is, the facility with which all parts of the circuit may be tested when the connect ms have been disturbed.

' Any suitable covering may be used to prev nt accidental separation of the, spi'ingsand ,tc' shield them from the dust.

In Fig. 6, Sheet No. 2, the bank-building R is shown as connected with the main line M, and also as having the local-line connections. From one pole "of the local battery L the wire b runs and connects with the casing A of the safe or vault, the electric current passing the magnet.

through thestrip's or springs upon the inside, as described, "and leaving by the wire 0 in the direction of the arrows, passes through the switch d, and through the wire a to the door G, where it connects with and passes through the strips or springs,'as described, and thence by the wire f to the skylight D, through the springs attached to the, same, as seen "at Fig. 5; then through the wire 9 to and through the switch h; thence by thewirc i toand through Do-insure the most perfect protection the:

-the coils ot" the magnet G, and by the wire j to the switch k, and thence through the wire it to the other pole of the battery. A branch, I (shown by the dotted lines,) connects with the magnetJ and the button m, and also with the button Another branch, 0, passes to the button p, and extends to the button q. An-

other branch, 11, connects with the switch 8.

The mainline M, commencing at the policestation N, runs from one pole of thebattery W, in the direction of the arrow, to the station'O; is then connected with a row of buildings, l 2 3 4 5 6, and bank T, running thence to the station P; thence to thebank S, with which it is connected; thence through the station Q; thence to the bank It, connecting with the mechanism, as hereinafter described; thence returning to the station N through the switch t and coils of the magnet z to the other pole of the battery. The armature 11 carries a clapper for striking the bell X when the armature is released and again attracted by The telegraph-instrument Y, by means of the switch t, may be brought into the circuit and used for telegraphin g when desired.

In the bank R the line is connected with a mechanism for striking the number of the street and the number of the building, or the latter only. In the example shown the street is supposed to be-glhird street, and the number of the building 32. The mechanism for causing these numbers to be struck at the police-stations may be of any suitable construction-such, for instance, as a wound-up train of wheels, one of which may hnve. pins secured to it at intervals, and arranged so as to come opposite to, and open and close a key of, the main line at intervals, so as to sound the desired number; or the main line may be connected with a revolving metallic wheel attached to one of the shafts of the train, and

having breaks out in it, or non-conductors inserted on its side or edge at the proper interyals, so as to open and close the mainline to produce the desired signal at the police-station.

In the example shown I use a wound-up train of wheels, which need not be here further described than to state that it may be constructed so as to be carried by the force of a spring, or weight, and the speed of the train, when released, be governed by a fan attached to the last shaft in a well-known manner. The

train should be inclosed in a box for its protection, as shown at F.

Upon thefram'e of the trainis securedacircnlar metallic plate, an, insulated from the train around the plate :12.

-and frame. Through the center of the plate one of the shafts of the train extends, soas not to touch the plate .72. One end of a metallic arm, 3 is secured to this shaft, and insulated fromit, and the other end of the arm is in con-' tact with the'edge of the plate, and is made to press lightly against it, so that when the train is released the arm y will revolve around the plate. A metallic spring or standard, 31 connected with the line M, is fastened at the lower endto the frame, and the other end presses against the revolving arm at the point where the arm is fastened to the shaft, so that the standard and the arm will be in contact with each other when the latter revolves. Non-con ductors or breaks are inserted, or notches cut, in the-edge of the plate in groups, the first group, 11 12 13, "Fig. 7, being arranged to produce three strokes at short intervals for the street number. There is then a metallic interval,-14, and then a group of breaks, 1'5 16 17, at longer intervals; then a metallic interval, 18, then a group, 19 20. The last two groups, at longer intervals, produce strokes so as to distinguish the number of the building from that of the street. There is then a metallic interval, 21. Between the intervals 21 and 23 there is a series of breaks at exceedingly short intervals, as seen at 22, so as to" produce a series of rapid vibrations or strokes upon the bells at the police-stations. The ob ject of this arrangement is to distinguish an alarm caused by a burglar from auaiarm pro-' duced from any other cause, and emanating from the same building, so as to strike the number of the street and .the number of the building. The line enters the bank'R, passes to the switch and key-board U through the switch ml, and key 20, and switch 2 to the metallic standard ar which is in metallic connection with the plate so. The electric current passes through the plate, and revolving arm 3 and standard g, which is connected with the line. The circuit of the main line is thus completed within the bank through the mechan- 1sm.

The electric current of the local line passes, as described, through the coils of the magnet (3r, which attractsthe-armature a, to which an arm, 0 is attached, and which may be arranged in any suitable manner, so as to lock and release the train when the local circuit is closed and broken. In the example shown'it catches the fly-c whcn the armature 031's attracted by the magnet, and locks the train and, by means of a spring, the arm is pulled away when the circuit is broken, and the train is thus released, causing the arm 3 to revolve The detents 1L2 and k are for locking the flyc and c 011 each train, when desired; but they should be turned in the direction shown by the dotted lines at all othertimes. Now, when the train in the box E is wound up, and the local circuit isclosed and completed through the shielded parts of the door, safe, or vault, skylight, and switch-counections, as shown and described, and the main line is also closed, it will be evident that if a burglar attempts to break through any of the parts shielded with the strips or springs,-

and comes in contact with any of them, as described, the local circuit will be broken, the

armature a will be released and pulledback, the train of wheels set in motion, and the arm y will revolve around the break-plate m, which -'will open and close the main line M, so as to shown at V. But the switch a. should remain' in the position shown at all times, so that the full strength of the current may pass through the magnets at the police-stations which workv the alarm-bells, except when emergencies arise during the dayat banks and other buildings connected with the line requiring communication with or assistance from the police-stations. 'When' the switch 2 is turned on the button 24 the current will pass through the branch 35, (shown by the dotted lines,) and the train of wheels or break-platewmay be removed for repairs withoutbreakiug the main line, thus preserving all other connections. Auy' suit-able alarm mechanism may be placed'at H for local alarm purposes. A' wound up train of wheels may used for the purpose, which, when released, will carry or revolve awheel, g, with pins fastened toit, so as to trip a hammer, g, for striking the bell g. When the switch It is turned on the button m, the current of the local circuit will pass through the branch I and coils of the magnet J, which may be made to operate an armature and lever, 1 so as to catch thefly c and thus lock and release the train when the local circuit is closed and broken. ment both a local and police alarm may be sounded by the operations of the burglar. The advantage of combining the two alarms within the local circuit is, that if burglars should attack a bank in such numbers as to disregard a local alarm and overpower a watchman, as has frequently been the case, an alarm would still be sounded at the policestations through the main line, and their designs be thus frustrated. 1

When the switch (1 is turned on the button 19, and the switch his turned on the button m, as shown by the dotted lines, the connections of the local line will be 'witlr the safe only, and both a local and police alarm will be sounded when the safe is interfered with. When the switch 70 is turned "on the button a, and the switch d is turned on the button p, the safe and local alarm only will be embraced within the local circuit, and no police-alarm By this arrange 'this arrangementis to prevent unnecessary alarms during the day.

The alarm mechanism 13 should be kept in a secret place where burglars would not be likely to find it, The switch-boards K and U ma-y be kept in any convenient secret place for office use. The main line M may be either ametallic circuit, or, with proper ground connections, may be part metallic and part ground circuit, and may be carried and supported, in the usual manner, above ground, or be carried under ground through pipes.

In large cities, for the purpose of affording means of protection to buildings at remote points, separate lines, all centering at one point, and there provided with suitable battery-power, and connected with alarm-bells in police-stations, may extend over difi'erent sections of a city; or branches or loops may be carried from any point of the main line for this purpose. M represents such an extra line, and M represents a loop or branch, which may connect with and extend from the mainline.

As it is necessary to keep up the power of the battery, the advantage of the closed local circuit will be evident, for the battery could not run down without releasing the train of Wheels and giving the alarm and ii a galvanometer or other instrument for indicating the condition of thecurrent be embraced within the circuit, this cause of an alarm could be readily detected.

It is the principal design of one branch of this invention to afford means which shall alarm the police, and direct them to the very spot when burglars attack banks or-other vbuildings that are protected, so as to secure their capture at the very outset. To insure this end with the greatest certainty, the pofor the purpose described.

lice-alarm mechanism at F; only should be embraced in the local circuit, for, if the local alarinat H should also be set in motion, the burglars would become alarmedv and their capture defeated.

I claim- 1. "A shield or lining for vaults, safes, doors, or other parts of buildings, consisting of a series of strips or springs, through which the electric circuit of a line provided with bat- ,terypower is completed, combined with mechanism for sounding an alarm when any strip or spring of the series is pressed apart or separated from another strip or spring.

2. A burglar-detective and police-alarm system, consisting of a main-telegraph-line or lines, provided with suitable battery-power, embracing police-stations and having alarmbells in the circuit, combined or connected with mechanism embraced within a closed circuit in banks or other-buildings, which mechanism, when set in motion by the operations of burglars upon the protected parts of such banks or other buildings, will open and close the main line, so as to sound the number of the street and the number of the building, or the latter only, or any desired signal, at the police-stations.

3. The combination and arrangement of the switches d, h, k, and s' with the local line,

4. The combination of a local and police alarm mechanism, arranged as and for th: purpose described.

5. The combination of the following elements, viz: first, a main line constructed to enter banks or other buildings; second, a local line Within such buildings, embracing wit-hin'its circuit a series of springs or strips, arranged as and for the purpose described; third, mechanism combined with said local line-for opening and closing the main line, so as to sound the number of the street and that of the building, or the latter only, when the strips or springs are separated from each other, as described. I

WILLIAM B. WATKINS,

Witnesses:

THOMAS C. (JoNNoLLY, Tnos. S. MERGER.

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