US1124105A - Impulse-transmitter. - Google Patents

Description

W. M. BRUCE, JR. IMPULSE TRANSMITTER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 7, 1911:

1,1 24, 1 05, Patented Jan.5, 1915.

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W. M. BRUCE, J n. IMPULSE TRANSMITTER.

APPLICATION FILED no.7, 1911.

1 12 4 10 Patented Jan.5,1915.

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WILLIAM M. BRUCE, JR., OF URBANA, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

IMPULsE-TRANsMITTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

Application filed December 7, 1911. Serial No. 664,410.

J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at Urbana, in the county of Champaign and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements -in Impulse-Transmitters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in impulse transmitters for electrical circuits, the devices shown and described particularly relating to calling devices for antomatic telephone systems, although they are not necessarily limited to such use; the inventionimore particularly relating to improvements upon the calling device described in the pending application of William F. Hoflman, Serial No. 629,581, filed May 26th, 1911.

One of the objects of theinvention is to provide a locking device for the keys, so that when one of the keys has been depressed and the mechanism operated, so soon as the depressed key has returned to its normal position, the other keys will be locked until the mechanism has reached its normal position.

A further object of the invention is to improve the manner of transmitting the movement of the operating keys to the operating mechanism, so as to make the operation of said keys more uniform.

A further ob'ect of the invention is to provide means or preventing overthrow of the operating mechanism by the action of the operating keys.

A further object of the invention is to provide for making more effective the operation of that part of the mechanism which acts directly upon the circuit breakers by slowing the speed and thus increasing the power thereof, this construction also permitting the mechanism to be kept in better control by the governor.

A further object of the invention is to simplify and cheapen the construction and make more effective the operation thereof in devices of the character referred to.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is the top plan view with a portion of the frame broken away to illustrate the interior construction. Fig. 2 is the bottom plan view Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation. Fig.

5 is a top plan view in detail of the main operating plate anddisk. Fig. 6 is a top plan View of the locking plate for the keys. F 1g. is a section on the line 77 of Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a vertical sectionon the. line 8-8 of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a perspective view indetail of one of the operating keys.

Like parts are represented by similar characters of reference in the several views. As in the previous pending application referred to, there is provided a frame consisting of an upper and a bottom plate 1 and 2 and an intermediate plate 3, these plates being circular in form and connected together by the posts 4, 5 and 6. Centrally journaled in the frame plates 2 and 8, is a main driving shaft 7, having connected thereto just beneath the frame plate 2, one

end of a coil spring 8, the other end of said spring being secured to the housing 9, which housing is secured to the under side of the plate 2' and incloses said spring. Secured to the shaft 7 by the pin 11, is a ratchet wheel 10. Journaled-loosely on said shaft 7 1s a gear wheel 12, of larger diameter than, and lying closely adjacent to, said ratchet wheeL' This gear wheel 12 carries a spring pressed pawl 13 (Fig. 7 adapted to engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 10 so as to cause the gear 12 to revolve in one direction therewith but permit said ratchet wheel to move freely in the opposite direction.

Journaled loosely in the frame plates 2 and 3, is a shaft 14 having secured thereto a pinion 15 which meshes with the large gear 12. This shaft 14 has secured to its lower end just beneath the frame plate 2 a disk 16, having about its periphery a series of equally spaced projections or teeth 17, 14 in number in the present instance. The proportion of the gearing is such that a movement of the large gear 12 a distance of one notch of the ratchet wheel 10 will impart a movement to the disk 16 equal to one tooth or projection thereon. As the disk 16 revolves, the projections 17 are adapted to strike the inturned end of the spring strip 18, which forms one member of the circuit breaker, 19 representing the other stationary member. These circuit breaking members are secured to the under side of the frame plate 2, being spaced apart and from the plate by insulating blocks 20 and having contact points 21,-

being held in its normal inoperative upright position by a spring 25, on a pin 26, which projects from a block 27, secured to the key stem; said blocks 27 also serving as stops for the keys by contacting the lower side of the top plate 1, and the upper side of the plate 3, so as to limit the upward and downward movement of the keys. As the respective keys are depressed, they are adapted to impart varying movements to the operating disk 22 and hence to the operating mechanism. Located upon the outer edge of the disk 22 is a series of ten inclined projecting fingers, a a a (1*, a a, a, a a", and a", all arranged at substantially the same distance from the center of rotation of, said disk; adapted to cooperate with the respective keys, one project-ion being provided for each key. Secured to each of the blocks 27 is a cam plate 29 formed with an inclined surface 30. The faces 30 gradually vary in inclination; said faces being gradually decreased in inclination from the key a to the key a", so that the depressing of the keys will impart varying movements to the, disk 22, this movement gradually increasing from the key marked 1 to the key marked 0;

e The inclination of the fingers a (1 etc., is

preferably such that the friction rollers 28, thereon project at substantlally rlght angles to the longitudinal planes of the inclinedsurfaces 30 in the normal position of the mechanism.

The upper end of each of the plates 29 is providedwith a hook-shaped portion 31,

adapted, as the depressed key reaches the number of impulses over the circuit intended as determined by the depressed key. After a key has been depressed and the mechanism operated, the key when released is returned quickly to its normal posltlon by its spring. The mechanlsm, however, returns more slowly to its normal pos1t1on and it would be possible forthe operator to depress a second key before the mechanism had reached itsnormal position and thus cause an improper operation of the device. To prevent this, there is provided a locking device by which all of the keys are locked against depression after the operated key has reached its normal position, until the mechanism has been restored to its normal position. This locking device is in the nature of a plate 32, journaled loosely'upon the shaft 7, just beneath the frame plate 3 and held in position by headed'screws 32 which project through slotted openings 32 in said locking plate, thus permitting a limited movement of said locking plate with respect to the frame part 3. It has been previously stated that the key stems 23 are is provided with a series of circular recesses 35, ten in number, which normally coincide with the openings 33, in the frame plate 3. Projecting upwardly from the locking plate 32 is a pin 36 which extends through an enlarged opening 37 in the frame plate 1 3, thence through a slotted opening 38 in the operating disk 22, and thence between the free ends of a pair of levers 39 and 40, the inner ends of which are pivoted to the oper ating disk 22, as at 41. Projecting upwardly from the operating disk 22 is a pin 42. The free ends of these levers are normally held against the pins 36 and 42 by the coil spring 43, connecting the respective levers near their pivoted ends. The construction is such that in the normal condition of the device, the freeends of the levers, acting upon the pin 36, will hold the looking plate 32 in position to cause the recesses 35 to coincide with the openings 33, in which 22 moves from normal position under the influence of an operated key, the pin 42 thereon will swing the lever 39 against the tension of the spring 43. The other lever 40 bears against the pin 36 of the locking plate and so soon as the operated key has returned to normal position, so that its stem 23 is removed from the path of the locking plate, said lever 40 will, due to the influence of the spring 43, rotate said locking plate until the solid portion thereof comes beneath each of the openings 33 to 7 form a bar or look for each of the key stems;

the movement of the plate to locking posi-" tion being limited by the headed screws 32*, contacting the ends of the slots 32*.

As the operating mechanism nears the end of its return movement to normal position, it will cause the lever 39 and pin 42 to contact respectively the lever 40 and pin 36, and thus restore these parts to normal position, thus unlocking the keys, in the ordinary operation of the device. In some cases, however, it may happen that an inexperienced operator will attempt to depress a second key after the locking plate has moved to locking position and cause the end of the stem of this key to bear against the locking plate with sufficient pressure to prevent the lever 39 from restoring the locking plate back to normal position. In such an event, it will be seen that the pin 42 on the main operating disk 22 is still free to move to normal position, thus insuring the operating mechanism being restored to normal position; the lever 39 and pin 36 simply remaining in the locking position of the plate 32 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1; the normal position of the lever 40 and the pin 42 being likewise shown in dotted lines in this figure) until such time as the pressure on the key is removed, as it must be before. it can be fully depressed, whereupon the lever 39 will restore the pin 36 and the locking plate to normal'position to unlock the keys.

The governor for regulating the speed of the mechanism is located on the shaft. 44, 'journaled loosely in the frame parts 2 and 3, this governor consisting of a pair of'pivoted shoes 45 (shown in dotted lines in Fig.

4') which are thrown out by centrifugal force against the inner wall of the casing 16 so that the frictional contact will act as a brake in a manner well known. The shaft a4 is driven from the shaft 14 through the medium of the pinion 47, gear 48 on the intermediate shaft 49, pinion 50 on said shaft 49 and gear on the shaft 14:; the proportion of the gearing being. such that the shaft 44 will be driven at a much greater speed than the shaft 14.

The mechanism is held in check by a projection 61 on the governor shaft 44: which forms a stop for the arm 62 secured to the main shaft 7; the end of the arm 62 being provided with an adjustable screw 63 which contacts directly with. the projection 61. This adjustable screw 63 is provided so that the parts may be correctly timed to give the correct throw to the ratchet wheel 10; it being understood that the key marked l will move said ratchet wheel a distance of one notch therein, the key marked 2 a distance of two notches, etc.- Each of the -levers 39 and 4:0 is also provided with adjusting screws. 64 and 65 so that the movement of the locking plate may be accurately timed to cause the recesses 35 therein to register properly with the openings 33.

In the operation of this device it might happen, if the operator, after depressing a key should retard the return movement thereof by failing to completely remove the pressure thereon, the mechanism wouldfail to return to its normal position at normal speed, which would result in the impulses failing to operate the switch mechanism in the exchange properly. In order to obviate this, I have provided means whereby the operating mechanism is prevented from starting to return to normal position until after 65 the depressed key has been fully returned to its normal position. This is accomplished by providing a detent 66 connected with the locking plate 32 which normally stands in the path of a pin 67, on the shaft 44 of the governor (see Fig. 4). It will be remembered that it is necessary for the operated key to return fully to normal position before the locking plate may move to looking position, so that when the locking plate does move to locking position, the detent 66 is removed from the path of the pin 67 and thus unlocks the operating mechanism and permits it to return to its normal position, thus operating the circuit terminals in the manner heretofore described.

In the following claims, where I have used the term operating device I have referred to the impulsesending mechanism or its mechanical equivalent, and wherever I have used the term actuating devices I have referred to the push-button keys or their mechanical equivalents. 7

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with the circuit terminals, an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, a series of actuating devices to cause said operating mechanism to open and close said terminals a varying number of times determined by the actuating device operated, and means, operable after the complete operation of any one of said actuating devices, for looking all of said actuating devices against operation until after the complete operation of said operating mechanism,

2. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with the circuit terminals, of an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, a series of actuating devices for setting said operating mechanism at varying positions, means for returning said operating mechanism to normal position to cause said mechanism to open and close said terminals a number of times'determi'ned by the operated actuating device, a lock for said actuating devices, means for throwing said look into locking position after a complete operation of the operated actuating device, and means for restoring said lock to normal unlocking position by said operating mechanism at the end of its return movement to normal position.

.3. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with the circuit terminals, of an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, a series of actuating devices for setting said operating mechanism at varying positions, means for returning said operating mechanism to normal position to cause said mechanism to open and close said terminals a number of times determined by the operated actuating device, and means after the complete operation of any one of said actuating devices to prevent the operation of all of said actuating devices until after said operating mechanism has returned to normal position.

4. In an impulse transmitter, the combi- I plete operation of any one of said actuating devices, for preventing the operation of all of said actuating devices until after said operating mechanismhas been returned to normal position.

5. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, of circuit terminals, an operating .2 v

mechanismfa series of actuating devices, said operating mechanism comprising a motor adapted to be energized by the operation of any one of said actuating devices for returning said operating mechanism to normal position, means for restoring said actuating devices to normal position independent of said actuating mechanism, and

'means operable after the complete operation of the operated actuating device for preventing the operation of any actuating device until after said operating mechanism has been restored to normal position.

6. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with circuit terminals, an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, a series of keys cooperating with said operating mechanism to move the same varying distances, means for returning said operating mechanism to normal position, means for returning each of said actuating devices to normal position independent of the operating mechanism and its restoring means, and devicesoperable after the complete operation of the actuated key for preventing the operation of any of said keys until after said operating mechanism has been restored to normal position.

7. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with circuit terminals, of an operat-I ated, and a lock for said actuating devices operable after the complete operation of the operated actuating device and controlled by said, actuating mechanism.

.8 In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with circuit terminals, of an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, a series of actuating devices to cause said operating mechanism to open and close said terminals a varying number of times determined by the actuating device operated,

means for returning said operating mechanism to normal position, means for returning each of said actuating devices to normal position, and a locking device for said actuating devices, means for throwing said looking device into locking position after the operated actuating device has been restored to normal position, and means for returning said locking device to normal position at the end of the return movement of said operating mechanism.

' 9. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with circuit terminals, of an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, a series of depressible keys cooperating with said operating mechanism to move the same varying distances to cause it to open and close said terminals a varying number of times determined by the actuating device operated, means for returning said operating mechanism to normal position, springs for returning said actuating devices to normal position, a lock for said keys, a spring operated device for moving said lock to locking position after the complete operation of the actuated key, and

means for returning said lock to normal po sition at the end of the operation of said operating mechanism.

10. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with circuit terminals, of an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, a series of depressible keys cooperating with said operating mechanism to move the same varying distances to cause it to open and close said terminals a varying number of times determined by the actuating device operated, means for returning saidoperat ing mechanism to normal position, springs for returning said actuating devices to normal position, a lock for said keys, a spring actuated device for moving said lock to locking position at one point in the operation of said actuating mechanism, and a yieldable device for returning said lock to normal position at the end of the operation of said operating mechanism.

11. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with circuit terminals, of an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, a series of depressible keys cooperating with said operating mechanism to move the same varying distances to cause it to open and close said terminals a varying number of times determined by the key operated, means for returning said operating mechanism'to normal position, springs for returning said keys to normal position, a lock for said keys, means for throwing saidlock to locking position at one point in the operation of said operating mechanism, and-a yieldable device for returning said lock to normal position at the end of the operation of said operating mechanism.

12. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with circuit terminals, of an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, a series of depressible keys cooperating with said operating mechanism to move the same varying distances to cause it to open and close said terminals a varying number of times determined by the actuating device operated, means for returning said operating mechanism to normal position, springs for returning said actuating devices to normal position, a lock for said keys, said lock consisting of a movable plate arranged adjacent to said keys, said plate having cutaway portions normally in line with said keys, means formoving the solid portion of said plate in the path of said keys after the operated key has been returned to'normal position, and means for restoring said plate to normal position at the end of the operation of said operating mechanism.

13. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with circuit terminals, of an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, a series of depressible keys cooperating with said operating mechanism to move the same varying distances to cause it to open and close said terminals a varying number of times determined by the actuating device operated, means for returning said operating mechanism to normal position, springs for returning said actuating devices to normal position. a lock for said keys. said lock consisting of a. plate arranged adjacent to said keys and having cut-away portions normally in line with said keys, a yieldable lever on said actuating mechanism, a pin on said plate projecting into the path of movement of said lever whereby said plate will be thrown to locking position after the operated key has been restored to normal position, and means for returning said plate to normal position at the end of the operation of said operating mechanism.

14. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with circuit terminals, of an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, a series of depressible keys cooperating with said operating mechanism to move the same varying'distances to cause it to open and close said terminals a varying number of times determined bythe actuating device operated, means for returning said operating mechanism to normal position, springs for returning said actuating devices to normal position, a lock for said keys, said lock consisting of a plate arranged adjacent to said keys and having cut-away portions normally in line with said keys, a yieldable lever on said actuating mechanism, a pinv on said plate projecting into the path of movement of said lever whereby said plate will be thrown to locking position after the operated key has been restored to normal position, and a second yieldable lever connected with said operating mechanism for returning said plate to normal position at the end said keys having cut-away portions normally in line withsaid keys, a pair of yieldable levers pivotally connected with said operating mechanism, a pin on said operating mechanism projecting between said levers, a pin on said plate projecting between said levers so that upon the operation of any of said keys, one of said yieldable levers will move with the operating mechanism and so soon as said key has been restored to normal position, the other lever will move said locking plate to locking position and upon return movement of said operating mechanism, said first mentioned yieldable lever will restore said locking plate to locking position.

16. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with the circuit terminals,of an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, actuating devices to cause said operating mechanism to open and close said terminals a varying number of times, and means for locking said operating mechanism against further movement when an ac- 1075 tuating device is fully operated to prevent overthrow.

17. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with the circuit terminals, of an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, a series of actuating devices to cause said operating mechanism to open and close said terminals a varying number of times determined by the actuating device, operated, and means associated with said actuating devices to lock said operating mechanism against ,further movement in one direction to prevent overthrow of the same.

18. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with the circuit terminals, of an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, said operating mechanism com prising a rotatable device having projec-" tions, a series of actuating devices cooperating with said projections to cause said operating mechanism to open and close said terminals a varying number of times determined by the actuating device operated, and means on said actuating devices cooperating with said projections for the purpose of locking said actuating mechanism against further movement in the direction impelled by said actuating devlces to prevent voverthrow of said actuating mechanism.

19. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with the circuit terminals, of an operating mechanism cocperating'with said terminals, said operating mechanism comprising a rotatable device having a series of projections. a series of actuating devices cocperating with said rojections for moving said operating mec anism varying distances in one direction, means for returning said operating mechanism to normal position, and hook-shaped portions on said actuating devices for engagement with said.

projections at the end of the movement of said operating mechanism as impelled by the operated actuating device to lock said mechanism against further movement -to prevent overthrow thereof.

20. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with the circuit terminals, of an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, said operatin mechanism comprising a rotatable disk aving a series of projections, a series of depressible keys having inclined surfaces thereon cocperating with said projections to move said actuating mechanism in one direction varying distances, a hook-sha ed portion on each of said keys at the en of the inclined surface thereon adapted to engage the projection on said operating mechanism corresponding with said key to lock said operating mecha-.

nism against further movement in the direction impelled by said key, and means for returning said operating mechanism to normal position when released by said key.

21. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with the circuit terminals, of an operating mechanism cocperating with said terminals, said operating mechanism comprising a revoluble disk and a series of projections arranged about the periphery of said disk at substantially the same distance from the center of revolution thereof, and a series of actuating devices having graduated inclined surfaces cooperating with said pro jections.

22. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with the circuit terminals, of an o erating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, said operating mechanism comprising a revoluble disk having a series of projections arranged about the periphery thereof, a friction roller on each of said projections, and a series of actuating devices having graduated inclined surfaces adapted to cocperate'with said friction rollers.

23. In an impulse transmitter, the combination with a pair of parallel plates, of a series of button plungers distributed in the circumference of a circle and each reciprocatively mounted in alined openings in sald plates, a rotatable device cooperating with said plungers, and circuit-changing mechanism controlled by said rotatable device and adapted to be operated in various characteristic manners depending upon which of the button plungers is reciprocated.

24. In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with the circuit terminals,'of an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, a series of actuating devices for setting said operating mechanism at varying positions, means for returning the operated actuating device to normal position, means for returning said operating mechanism to normal position to cause it to operate said terminals, and means for preventing said operating mechanism from startin to return'to normal position until after sai actuating device has been restored to normal position. v 25. In an impulse transmitter, the combi nation, with the circuit terminals, of an operating mechanism cooperating with said terminals, a series of actuating devices cooperating with said operating mechanism, means for returning said operating mechanism to normal position and means for also returning said actuating devices to normal position, a spring-actuated device controlled by said actuating devices adapted to be released at the end of the return movement to normal position of any of said actuating devices,.a detent for said operating mechanism to hold the same in its operated position and means for causing the movementof said spring actuated device to release said detent. I

26; In an impulse transmitter, the combination, with the circuit terminals, of. an operating mechanism cocperating with said terminals, a series of actuating devices cooperating with said operating mechanism, means for returning said operating mechanism to normal position and means for also returning said actuating devices to normal position, a locking device for said actuating devices together with means for throwing the same into locking position at the end of the return movement of the operated actuating device to normal position, a detent for preventing said operating mechanism from returning to normal position, and means for releasing said detent by the operation of Zaid locking device, as substantially speci- 27. In an impulse transmitter, a plurality of actuating buttons, an impulse operating device set by the depression of any of said buttons, and means to prevent the depression of any button during the impulse sending movement of said operating device.

98. In an impulse transmitter, a plurality of actuating buttons, an impulse operating device set by the depression of any of said of actuating buttons, a common operating buttons, and means to prevent the depresdevice variously set thereby, and means to sion of any button during the return moveprevent the return movement of said operatment of said operating device. ing device While any button is out of normal 15 5 29. In an impulse transmitter, a plurality position.

of actuating buttons, :1 common operating In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set device variously set thereby, and means to my hand this 10th day of October 1911.

prevent the impulse sending movement of WILLIAM M. BRUCE, JR. said operating device While any button is Witnesses: 10 out of normal position. CHAS. I. WELOH,

30. In an impulse transmitter, a plurality OLIVER T. CLARKE.

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