US1204466A - Switch-actuating mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

J. L. McOUARRlE.

SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM. APPLICATlON FILED MAR.10.1915.

1 04,466. Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

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J. L. McQUARRIE.

SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10. 1915.

1,204,466. Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

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J. L. McQUARRIE. SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I0, ms.

Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

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J L. McQUARRIE.

SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, I915.

Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

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J. L. McQUARRlE. SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10. 1915.

Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

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SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1915.

1,204,466. Patented Nov. 14,1916.

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@MML/ I AM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES I4. MOQUARRIE, 0F MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SWITCH-ACTUATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented N 14, 1916.

Application filed March 10, 1915. Serial No. 13,453.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES L. MoQUem RIE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Montclair, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch- Actuating Mechanism, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to operating mechanism for switching apparatus used in automatic telephone systems, and is particularly designed for use with power driven switches of the panel type. c

The principal object of the invention resides in the provision of common actuating mechanism arranged to serve a number or group of individual switches. In this invention there is a single set'of control magnets for a plurality of switches, and means are provided whereby they may be associated with any switch taken for use in order to control the operation thereof.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of my invention in which all the actuating magnets and associated parts are mounted in a single frame and is associated with a switch whenever it is driven to set position and again when it is returned to normal; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the contacts at the bottom of the switch structure through which the circuits for the operating magnets extend; Fig. 3 is a perspective View of an embodiment of my invention in which different sets of magnets are provided, one being associated with a switch to control selection and the second being associated with the switch to return it to its normal position; Fig. is a side elevation of a portion of a multiple brush panel switch; Fig. 5 is a side view of the interrupter at the upper end of said switch; Fig. 6 represents an enlarged crosssection on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the brush sets with parts taken away; Figs. 8 and 9 taken together, with Fig. 8 at the left illustrate a circuit arrangement adapted to control the tion of the modification of the switch shown in Fig. 3.

Heretofore, switches of the panel type have required a set of operating magnets individual to each switch. By this invention the individual operating mechanisms are dispensed with, and a single set of operating magnets and associated parts are provided to control the operation of a plurality or group of switches. These magnets, which control the up and down-drive of the switch carriage and also the tripping of the desired set of brushes, are, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, mounted in a single frame. By means of an endless worm or spiral this frame may be shifted into a position to control the operation of any desired switch.

The switch structure, aside from the operating mechanism forming the subject of this invention, may be substantially such as described in Patent No. 1,123,696 and will, therefore, be only briefly described herein.

Referring to Fig. 4, the switch comprises a longitudinally movable shaft 1 having a plurality of sets 2 of brushes fixed thereto. These sets of brushes will ordinarily be five in number, but only three are shown in the drawing. Each set of brushes 2 is arranged to traverse a section 3 of the line terminals. A rotatable power drum 4, when the bar 5 of the switch is forced into engagement therewith through the movement of an idler pulley forming part of this invention, causes the brush shaft to be driven downward to normal. In a similar manner, the rotatable shaft 6 (Figs. 1 and 3) is arranged to cause the switch to be moved upward to its set position. Carried by the shaft 1 are a plurality of interrupter brushes 7 8 and 9, which in the movement of the switch shaft, are caused to traverse their respective commutators or interrupters shown in Fig. 5 to control the operation of the. switch mechanism, as will later appear. The brushes of each of the sets 2 are normally held in a position, so they will not engage the trunk terminal contacts, by means of an arm on a bell crank trip lever 10 being positioned between the two innermost brushes of the set. A trip rod 11 is provided. This rod carries a plurality of flexible fingers 12 (see Fig. 7 which Cir are positioned at progressively increasing distances from the normal position of the horizontal arms 13 of the trip levers 10. Secured to a bracket fixed to the support below the lowermost set of brushes is a link 15. Secured to the trip rod 11, near the lower end thereof is a finger 16 which is secured to the link 15 by means of the strap 17. The trip rod 11 when displaced, is returned to its normal position by means of a spring 18, one end of which is secured to a portion of the arm 16, the other end being secured to a pin 19 projecting from the switch frame. If the rod 11 is rotated in a clockwise direction during the pre liminary upward movement of the switch shaft, one of the fingers 12 will engage its trip lever 13, while the remaining trip fin gers will pass through the line of travel of their trip levers to the other side. Thus it will be seen that the set of brushes to be tripped or released depends on the distance the shaft travels prior to the rotation of the trip rod 11.

I will now describe the modification of the invention shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. Mounted on each side of the elevator bars 5 of a group of switches is supporting member 20, only one being shown in the drawings. In this supporting member the power rolls 4 and 0 are journaled. Journaled in the frame members 20, parallel to the rolls 4 and 6 but on the opposite side of the elevator bars 5, is a shaft or drum 21 formed with an endless spiral groove 22. Slidably mounted on the shaft 21 is a sleeve 23 to which is rigidly secured the frame members 24 which support the common actuating mechanism of this device. At the right end of the sleeve is a bracket 25, through which extends the plunger 26. Secured to the lower end of the plunger 26 is the follower 27 constantly maintained in engagement with the endless groove by means of a spring 28. The frame members 24 are provided at the top and bottom respectively with the rollers 29 and 30, which maintain the frame in a vertical position by engagement with the guide strips 31 and 32 respectively secured to the f 'ame members 20. Secured between the outwardly extending portions 33 of the supporting members 24 are the bars which form the cores of the trip magnet 34 and the dmvn-drive clutch magnet 35. Pivotally mounted between the upwardly extending ends of the members 33 is the armature 36 of the trip magnet 34, which armature is normally held in its retracted position in engagement with the pin 37 by means of a spring 38. Pivotally supported between the members 24, adjacent the lower end of the clutch magnet 35, is an armature 39 and the operating lever 40 normally maintained in spaced relation by means of the adjustable stop 41 and the spring 42, one end of which is secured to the bracket member 43 carried by the armature 39, and the other end of which is secured to a pin 44 which extends through the armature 39 and is socured to the lever 40. Lever 40, adjacent the elevating bars, is provided with a pair of upwardly extending fingers between which is rotatably mounted the idler pulley 45. Integral with the armature 39 is an upwardly projecting finger (33, which upon the energization of the down-drive clutch magnet 35, engages the outwardly extending arm of the pawl 60 and causes the pawl to disengage the perforation in the bar 5. On account of the spring connection between the armature 39 and the lever 40, the pawl 60 will be re tracted slightly before the idler pulley 45 operatively engages the bar 5. The pawl is secured to the bracket 59, carried by the switch frame, and normally held in position to engage the openings 61 in the elevator bars 5 by means of the spring 62. The purpose of this pawl is to maintain the switch in its elevated position while it is in use, and the structure thereof is more clearly described in Patent No. 1,122,642. A clutch structure similar to that above described is clearly disclosed in Patent No. 1,103,623. The members 24 are also provided with the projecting portions 46 between which are secured the cores 47 of the up-drive clutch magnet 48. This magnet is provided with an armature structure and an idler pulley similar to that described in connection with the down-drive magnet 35. Insulatively secured to the lower end of the members 24 is a set of wipers 49 which, upon lateral move ment of the common actuating mechanism, are arranged to traverse the contacts in the bank 50 for a purpose which will appear upon describing the system with which this device may be used. The power rolls 4 and 6 are constantly driven from an external source of power in a manner which is well understood. Rigidly secured to the shaft of the roll 4 is the friction drum 51, and rigidly secured to the end of the worm shaft 21 is a friction roller 52. Mounted on the member 20, adjacent to the rollers 51 and 52, is the common actuating drive clutch magnet 53 provided with a pivotally supported armature 54 which is normally maintained in inoperative position by means of the spring 55, one end of which is secured to the rear end of the armature 54, the other end being secured in any desired manner to the member 20. Pivotally secured to the free end of the armature 54 is a bracket member 56 provided with a pair of lugs 57 between which is rotatably mounted the friction disk 58. The relative positions of the friction rollers 51, 52 and 58 are such that when roller 58 is drawn downward by the energization of the magnet 53, it is wedged between or engages the friction drums 51 and 52, and

thereby transmits motion from the constantly rotating drum 51 to the worm shaft 21. The rotation of the shaft 21 causes, by means of the endless spiral 22 and follower 27, the common actuating mechanism to move backward and forward past the face of the operating bars 5, so that it may be associated with the bar 5 of any desired switch. The manner in which a switch is selected will appear later.

The modification of the invention shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings will now be described. The device herein disclosed. is similar to that shown in Fig. 1, except that a second comm on actuating mechanism is provided for releasing and returning the switch to its normal position. This common actuating mechanism is mounted on an independent worm shaft, and is only associated with the switch when it is to be returned to its normal position. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the up-drive drum 6 is at the top and the down-drive drum 4: is at the bottom. Each elevator bar 5 is provided at a point slightly above the drum t with a holding pawl 83. These pawls are not shown in Fig. 3 as they would occupy positions back of the worm 78. They are, however, of a construction similar to the structure shown in Fig. L and their position and operation are indicated in Fig. 10. Extending parallel to the shaft 6 is a worm 6% upon which travels the sleeve 65. This collar carries the trip magnet 34; and the up-drive magnet 18. It also carries at the lower end thereof a set of brushes 66 which, in the movement of the switch, traverse the contacts in the bank 67. The armature 68 of the clutch magnet 69 is normally maintained in inoperative position by means of the spring 70. Pivotally secured between the ears 71 of the armature 68 is a bracket member 72 provided with fingers 73 between which is rotatably mounted the friction roller 74. A spring 7 5 holds the roller 74: out of engagement with the friction roller 76 on the power shaft 6, and into engagement with the friction disk 7 7 on the worm shaft 6% when the armature is in its retracted position. Rotatably mounted in the members 20, adjacent to the shaft 1, is a worm shaft 78 on which is slidably mounted the sleeve 79 which carries the bracket or frame members 80 to which is secured the down-drive clutch magnet 81. The sleeve 79 is provided with a follower which traverses the spiral groove of the worm shaft 7 8 in the same manner as the follower 27 operates in the structure disclosed in Fig. 1. The frame members 80 are provided at the top and bottom respectively with rollers 86 and 87, which are arranged to travel on the strips 88 and 89 to prevent rotary movement of the actuating mechanism about the worm 78. Secured to the end of the power shaft 4 is a friction disk 90, and secured to the worm shaft 78 is a friction disk 91. Power is transmitted from the disk 90 to the disk 91 through the medium of the friction disk 02,.carried by the armature 93 of the downdrive clutch magnet 94, in a manner which is now well understood. As the individual clutch magnet structures of the device shown in Fig. 3 are substantially identical with those shown in Fig. 2, they will not be again described. The contact bank 67, shown in Fig. 3, is provided with two groups of contacts, one projecting upward in a position to be engaged by the brushes 66 carried by the sleeve 65, and the other set projecting dmvnward in a position to be engaged by the brushes 14:1 carried by the sleeve 79. The function of these contacts in the modification shown in Fig. 3 is the same as the similar contacts shown in Fig. 1, that is, to control the circuits of the various magnets of the common actuating mechanism.

Referring now to the circuit shown in Figs. 8 and 9 which illustrate the use of the device shown in Fig. 1 as a line finder. This switch, as previously described, is a multiple brush structure. In. practice five sets of brushes are usually provided, each adapted to traverse a section of the fixed terminals in the panel bank. Each section in the bank may be provided with as many fixed terminals as desired, one hundred being a common number, but in a line finder a smaller number may be employed. Each section of the contacts on the panel representmultiple terminals of a group of subscribers lines.

Referring to Fig. 8, the subscribers station shown at the right represents one of the 0 group of subscribers whose lines terminate on the lowermost section of the panel. The subscriber at the left represents one of the subscribers in the 1 group which subscribers lines terminate at the second section from the bottom of the panel bank. WVhile only two groups are indicated in Fig. 8, it is to be understood that in the embodiment of the invention herein disclosed there will be five groups of lines. A pair of relays 100 and 101 which may be termed counting relays will be provided for each group of lines. That is, for each group of subscribers lines, which we may assume as 100, there will be a pair of relays 100 and 101 common to all the lines of the group. As the circuit connections of the succeeding pairs of relays are the same as those shown, only two pairs are illustrated in the drawing. Associated with the five pairs of relays 0f the said groups is a double wound relay 102 and a relay 103, those relays being common to all the lines which terminate in the fixed contacts of the finder switch. A sequence switch such as specification the numeral in brackets which follows a reference character used to designate a sequence switch contact, indicates the position of the sequence switch at which the circuit being traced is completed. 011 the drawings the numeral or numerals adjacent to a sequence switch contact indicates the position or positions in which the contact is closed, except contacts A (Fig. 9) and (Fig. 10), which are open at the positions indicated. Assuming now that the subscriber at substation S (Fig. 8), initiates a a call by removing his receiver from the hook, a circuit will be completed from grounded battery through line relay 10 1, contact of cut-off relay 105, the substation apparatus and back to ground through the left armature of cut-off relay 105. Belay 101 will be energized and complete a circuit from ground through its armature and inner contact, conductor 100, armature and back cont-act of relay 100, conductor 107, sequence switch contact J (2), conductor 102 and left winding of relay 109 to grounded battery.

Before continuing the description, it may be noted that the switch next to be used in finding a calling line is preselected and that the common operating mechanism is in asso ciation therewith. It should also be noted that the sequence switch of this preselected line finder stands in position 2. The manner in which this is accomplished will hereinafter appear. When relay 109 is operated it completes a circuit from ground through its right armature and front contact, sequence switch contact- B (2), conductor 110, sequence switch motor magnet 111 to battery and ground. The sequence switch then moves from position to position 3; This interrupts the energizing circuit for relay 109 which falls back, completing through its right armature a circuit from ground, sequence switch contact B and sequence switch magnet 111 to battery and ground. This moves the sequence switch to position at. In position 1 a circuit is completed from grounded battery through the left winding of relay 109, sequence switch contact J (4:), conductor 112, relay 103, back contact of relay 102, conductor 113, sequence switch contact G (1) to ground. ( Conductors 107, 112 and 113 are multipled to corresponding sequence switch contacts of all the line finders of a group.) Relays 103 and 109 are energized. Relay 103 completes a circuit from grounded battery through relay 101, back contact of relay 100 to ground. Relay 101 pulls up and completes a circuit for itself in series with relay 100 through conductors 113 to ground at contact G (1). Relay 100 does not pull up, however, due to its being short circuited by the armature of relay 103. Relay 109 completes, through its right armature and sequence switch contact B (4:) a circuit for sequence switch motor magnet 111 and the sequence switch goes to position In position 5 a locking circuit is established for relays 109, 103, which extends from grounded battery through the left winding of relay 109, front contact and left armature, sequence switch contact J (5), conductor 112, winding of relay 103, back contact of relay 102, conductor 113, sequence switch contact G (5) to ground.

Under the assumption that the common actuating mechanism is associated with the set of contacts in the bank 50, which are individual to the preselected switch to be operated, in position 5 a circuit will extend from grounded battery through conducting strip 1.15 (Fig. 9), the innermost brush of the set 19, the up-drive clutch magnet 18, the second from the bottom brush of set 19, sequence switch contact C and front contact and ri 'ht armature .of relay 109 to ground. The clutch magnet is energized and the brush shaft moves upward. Just prior to reaching the first brush selecting position, the interrupter brush 8 engages the lowermost conducting segment of the interrupter 116. This causes the relay 103 (Fig. 8) to be short circuited by a circuit extending from ground, through interrupter brush 8 and the interrupter sequence switch contact H (5) to sequence switch contact J (5), where it joins the series circuit through the left winding of relay 109 and relay 103. The deenergization of relay 103 removes the short circuit from relay 100. Relay 101 is thus energized and in pulling up completes a holding circuit for itself and relay 100 in series, through its front contact and armature, and conductor 113 to ground, through sequence switch contact G (5). lVhen the interrupter brush 8 engages the next insulated se ment of the interrupter, relay 103 again retracts its armature and completes a circuit from ground, through the inner contact of relay 100, back contact of relay 100 to ground, through counting relay 101. Relay 101 attracts its armature and completes a locking circuit for itself in series with relay 100, which circuit extends through its contact and armature and over conductor 113 to ground through sequence switch contact, as before. Relay 100 being short circuited does not pull up until relay 103 deenergizes, when the interrupter brush 8 engages the second conducting segment of the interrupter 116, which occurs the next instant.

As we assumed that subscriber S has removed his receiver from the hook and that line relay 10-1 is in its energized condition, upon the energization of relay 100 a circuit will be completed from ground, through .armature and front contact of relay 104:,

conductor 106, armature and front contact of relay 100', conductor 11S and left winding of relay 102, to grounded battery. Re-

' magnet lay 102 is energized and interrupts the circuit through left winding of relay 109 and relay 103. Now, when the interrupter brush 8 IIIO"S on to the next insulating segment of interrupter 116, relay 109 falls off and completes through sequence switch contact B (5) a circuit for sequence switch motor magnet 111, and the sequence switch moves to position 6. In positionfi a circuit for the trip magnet 34 is completed from battery, through conducting strip 115, upper brush of set 49, winding of magnet 34, brush 119, and the contact engaged thereby to ground through sequence switch contact D (6). The 3% attracts its armature which engages the end of link 15, causing-it to rock outwardly, and through the medium of strap 17 to rotate the trip rod 11. This causes the finger 12, associated with the second brush set from the bottom, to engage its respectii'e trip lever 13 and release the corresponding set of brushes. In position 6 a circuit is completed from grounded battery through the left winding of relay 109 to ground, through sequence switch contact Gr (6). Relay 109 through its right armature, completes a circuit for motor magnet 111 which moves the switch into position 7. In position 7, the previously described circuit for up-drive clutch magnet 48 is again completed, and the shaft 1 moves upward causing the brushes thereof to traverse the line terminal contacts of its respective section of the panel bank. During the travel of the switch from its brush tripping position until the brushes engage the first set of contacts in the bank, a holding circuit is provided from battery through left winding of relay 109, contact and left armature of 109, contact E (6 to 7 conducting segment 142, to ground through brush 9. In position 7 a test circuit is provided from grounded battery, through the left winding of relay 109, left contact and armature, sequence switch contact H (7), the left brush of the switch to the contact engaged thereby. Unless the line which terminates at a set of contacts engaged by the brush is a seeking line, the contact engaged by the left brush will be grounded. If the line is idle, the guarding potential will be supplied through the back contact of the line relay of the respective line, and if the line is busy, through the test brush in engagement therewith, to ground through sequence switch contact H of said switch, as will presently appear. Relay 109 is therefore maintained energized until the switch brushes engage the contacts of the calling line. Ground potential will not be found upon the test contact of a calling line as the line relay will be energized. Relay 109 will be deenergized, interrupting the circuit of the clutch magnet 48 and completing at its back contact and right armature a circuit through sequence switch contact B (7 and sequence switch motor magnet 111 to grounded battery. The sequence switch then moves into position 8.

Should the callingsubscriber place his receiver on the hook before the brushes have reached the terminals of his line, 01' for any other reason, should the test of the calling line fail to take place, the switch shaft will continue to be moved upwardly until the brush 8 engages the conducting segment 82, when a circuit will be completed through sequence switch contact K (7) for the motor magnet 111, which will move the sequence switch into position 8. In position 8 the power circuit will be interrupted at contact C (7) and a circuit will be completed from grounded battery, tell tale signal 83 contact K (8), segment 82 and brush 8 to ground. The operation of signal 83 will indicate the position of the switch to the operator. Re-

turning now to the point where the switch has stopped on the contacts of the calling line, in position 8 a circuit is completed from ground, through sequence switch contact F (8) to battery through the signal light 122 associated with the jack at the outgoing end of the trunk which terminates in the actuated line finder. While a plug and jack switch is shown at the outgoing end of this trunk, it is to be understood that any other form ofa line connecting device may be equally as well employed. The sequence switch remains in position 8 until the plug 124 is inserted in jack 123 when a circuit is completed from ground, through the right winding of relay 109, sleeve contacts of the plug and jack, to grounded battery. Relay 109 is energized and completed through its front contact and contact B (8) an energiz ing circuit for sequence switch motor magnet 111, which moves the sequence switch into position 9. In position 9 the talking strands of the trunk are completed from the line finder brushes to the outgoing end by means of the sequence switch contacts E and F (9). I

At the time the sequence switch passed into position 8, a circuit was completed from grounded battery, through the winding of clutch magnet relay 125, brush 126, the contact engaged thereby to ground, through sequence switch contact D (8 to 17) to ground. Relay 125 is energized and completes a circuit from ground, through its armature and front contact, clutch magnet 53 to grounded battery. Magnet 53 is energized, and by attracting its armature operatively engages the friction disk 58 with the power roller 51 and the friction disk 52 at the end of the worm 21. All switches which are not being operated to establish a connecting circuit will be in position 1 if the switch is in its normal position, or will be in position 18 if it is awaiting return to normal. No sequence switch, except the one with which the common mechanism is associated, can be in positions 2 to 7. As the worm 21 rotates, it moves the common mechanism away from association with the switch just actuated and into association with the next switch, the brush set 49 being caused to engage the next set of contacts in the bank 50. This may be the next set, either at the right or at the left, depending upon in which half of the spiral the follower 27 is located. We will now assume that the next switch is an idle switch, in which case the sequence switch thereof will be in position 1 and sequence switch contact D thereof will be open. Relay, 125 however, will be maintained energized until the brushes of set 19 are centrally positioned on the contacts in the bank 50 by means of the engagement of brush 127 with one of the grounded contacts 128. )Vhen the common mechanism is centrally positioned before the idle switch, the circuit of relay 125 will be interrupted. Relay 125 in retracting its armature will open the circuit for clutch magnet 53, stopping the actuating mechanism in association with this switch. Relay 125 in retracting its armature will also complete a circuit from grounded battery, through the sequence switch motor magnet (corresponding to 111) of the selector switch with which the common mechanism is now associated. This circuit may be traced from battery through said motor magnet, sequence switch contact B (1), the lowermost contact and brush of the common release mechanism to ground through the back contact and armature of relay 125. The sequence switch of the se' lected line finder will then move into position 2, in which position we find it when a call is initiated by a subscriber. Now, assuming that the next switch with which the common mechanism is associated, is a switch which has been used but has not been returned to normal position. The sequence switch associated with this line finder will be in position 18 in which position the contact D will be disconnected from the test contact in bank 50, and when the common mechanism is centrally positioned before the switch bar 5, the circuit of relay 125 will be opened as before to stop the mechanism in association with the switch. The sequence switch of this switch being in position 18, a circuit will be completed from battery, through conducting segment 115, the brush in engagement therewith, the down-drive and release magnet 35, the middle brush of the set and contact engaged thereby to ground, through sequence switch contact D (18). Shaft 1 will then be moved downward in a manner well understood, until the interrupter brush 7 engages the conducting segment 130, when a circuit will be completed for the sequence switch through contact B (18) of said switch, which will drive I will now describe the circuits shown in Figs. 8 and 10, which are arranged to control the operation of the embodiment of my invention, in which a separate common actuating mechanism is provided to release the actuated switch and return it to normal. As the process of making connection to a line upon which a call has been initiated is exactly the same with this structure as in the one just described, that part of the description will not be repeated but may be followed in Fig. 10 of the drawings, as similar parts in Figs. 9 and 10 to that extent are represented by the same reference characters. The difference in the operation of the two systems begins at the point when the operator removes the plug 124 from jack 123, with the exception that the upper left contact sequence switch contact D is closed from position 8 to 18 in the circuit shown in Fig. 10, instead of from position '8 to 17 as disclosed in Fig. 9. Therefore, when the common updrive mechanism is moved away from an actuated switch, it will not stop in association with a line finder switch, the sequence switch of which is in position 18, in which position the switch is awaiting return to its normal position. The sequence switch at the time of removal of plug 12-1 is in position 9 or in talking position. The retraction of the right armature of relay 109 completes a circuit through contact B (9) for sequence switch motor magnet 111, which causes it to move from position 9 directly to position 18. In position 18 sequence switch contact L is closed. This grounds the common conductor 131. The common return mechanism, except when in active service, will be associated with a line finder, the sequence switch of which is in positions 1 to 17. That is, it will never remain inactive in association with a switch, the sequence switch of which is in position 18 which is the return to normal position. Assuming that the common mechanism is now associated with the switch corresponding to the sequence switch having contact L The sequence switch of this switch will be somewhere from positions 1 to 17, and a circuit will be completed from ground through sequence switch contact L (18), common conductor 131 sequence switch contact L (1 to 17), contact and brush 132 in engagement therewith, clutch magnet relay 133, to grounded battery. Relay 133 will operate and complete a circuit for magnet 94, which in pulling up will force the friction disk 92 into operative engagement with the power drum 90, and the friction disk 91 at the end of worm 78. The worm 78 will revolve, causing the common return mechanism to be shifted from switch to switch, but as ground potential will be maintained upon the contacts engaged by brush 132 through contacts L, L, etc., of all switches, except the one awaiting return to normal, magnet 9 1. will be maintained energized, and the worm 78 will continue to rotate until the brush 132 engages the contact connected to sequence switch contact L which will be open. When the "mechanism has been centrally positioned before this switch, relay 133 will fall ofi'and open the circuit of magnet 95L to stop the mechanism in association with the desired switch. The sequence switch of this line finder being in position 18, a circuit will be completed from ground, through sequence switch contact D (18), contact and brush 134, back contact of relay 133, release and down-drive magnet 81, through the upper brush and conducting segment 135, to grounded battery. The holding pawl 83 will be retracted and the switch will be lowered by the action of the drum 4 on the bar 5. As the switch approaches its lowermost position, the interrupter brush 7 will engage the conducting segment 130, completing a circuit through sequence switch contact (18) for the sequence switch motor magnet 111, which will drive it from position 18 to position 1. It is now in a position to be again selected by the common up -drive mechanism.

The circuits herein disclosed form no part of the present invention .and have been shown and described merely in order that the operation of the switch may be better tively engaging a selected shaft with said power device.

3. In a telephone exchange, a group of longitudinally movable switch shafts, a 1'0- tatable power device adjacent said shafts for moving any one of them, a clutch magnet common to said shafts for operatively engaging a selected shaft with said power device, and means for associating said clutch magnet with said selected switch.

4. In a telephone exchange, a group of switches, an operating magnet common to said switches, and means for moving said magnet into position to operate any one of said switches when taken for use.

5. In a telephone exchange, a group of longitudinally movable brush shafts, a rotatable power device common to said shafts for moving them, a clutch magnet for associating'said shafts with said power device, and means for placing said magnet in association with any one of said switches.

6. In a telephone exchange system, a group of switches, a set of operating magnets common to said switches, and means for moving said magnets into position to operate any one of said switches.

7. In a telephone exchange, a group of longitudinally movable brush shafts, a 1'0- tatable power device common to said shafts, and a forward drive clutch magnet common to said switches for operatively associating a selected one of said shafts with said power device.

8. In a telephone exchange system, a group of longitudinally movable brush shafts, a rotatable power device common to said shafts, a forward drive clutch magnet common to said switches for operatively associating any one of said shafts with said power device, and means for associating said clutch magnet with a switch taken for use.

9. In a telephone exchange system, a group of switches, a clutch magnet common to said switches for causing their return to normal, and means for associating said clutch magnet with any one of said switches.

10. In a telephone exchange system, a group of longitudinally movable brush. shafts, a rotatable power device for causing the return of said switches to their normal positions, a return drive clutch magnet and means for operatively associating said clutch magnet with any one of said switches.

11. In a telephone exchange system, a-

group of switches, a plurality of brush sets on each switch, means for normally maintaining the brushes of said sets in their inoperative position, a brush tripping device for each switch common to the brush sets thereof and a magnet .common to said switches for operating the tripping device of any one of said switches.

12. In a telephone exchange system, a group of switches, an operating magnet common to said switches, and a worm for operatively associating said magnet with any one of said switches when taken for use.

13. In a telephone exchange system, a group of switches, a power device for moving said switches, means common to said switches for operatively engaging a selected switch with said power device and a worm for associating said means with said switch.

14:. In a telephone exchange, a group of longitudinally movable switch shafts, a rotatable power device adjacent said shafts for moving any one of them, a clutch magnet common to said shafts for operatively engaging a selected shaft with said power device, and an endless worm for associating said clutch magnet with said selected switch.

15. In a telephone exchange, a group of longitudinally movable brush shafts, a rotatable power device common to said shafts for moving them, a clutch magnet for associating said shafts with said power device, a worm for placing said magnet in association with any one of said switches, and electro-magnetic means for controlling the operation of said worm.

16. In a telephone exchange system, a group of longitudinally movable brush shafts, a rotatable power device for causing the return of said switches to their normal positions, a return dive clutch magnet, and a worm for operatively associating said clutch magnet with any one of said switches.

17. In a telephone exchange system, a group of multiple brush switches, means for normally maintaining the brushes of said switches in their inoperative position, a brush tripping device for each switch, a. magnet common to said switches for operating the tripping device of any one of said switches, and a worm and follower for operatively associating said magnet with a selected one of said switches.

18. In a telephone exchange system, a group of longitudinally movable brush shafts, a power device, a forward drive clutch magnet, a worm on which said magnet is mounted, and means for rotating said worm to associate said magnet with any one of said shafts.

1.9. In a telephone exchange system, a group of switches a forward drive power device, a magnet for operatively engaging any of said switches with said forward drive device, a return drive power device and a 21. In a telephone exchange system, a group of switches, a forward drive power device, a magnet for operatively engaging any of said switches with said forward drive device, means for associating said magnet with a selected switch, a return drive power device, a magnet for operatively engaging any one of said switches with said return drive power device, and independent means for associating said s cond mentioned magnet with any switch.

In a telephone exchange system, a group of switches, a forward drive power device, an endless worm, a magnet mounted on said worm, for independently operatlvely engaging said switches with said forward drive device, means for rotating said worm to associate said magnet with a selector switch, a return drive power device, a second worm, a magnet for independently operatively engaging said switches with said return device mounted on said second worm and means for rotating said second worm to associate said second magnet with any switch.

In a telephone exchange system, a group of longitudinally movable brush shafts, a power device, a forward drive clutch magnet, a worm on which said magnet is mounted, means for rotating said worm to associate said magnet with any one of said shafts, a second power device, a. return drive clutch magnet a second worm on which said return drive magnet is mounted, and means for causing the rotation of said second worm to associate said return drive clutch magnet with any one of said shafts.

24:. In a telephone exchange system, a group of longitudinally movable brush shafts, a power device, a forward drive clutch magnet, an endless worm on which said magnet is mounted, means for rotating said worm to associate said magnet with any one of said shafts, a second power device, a return drive clutch magnet, a second endless worm on which said return drive magnet is mounted and means for causing the rotation of said second worm to associate said return drive clutch magnet with any one of said shafts.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 9th day of March A. 1)., 1915.

J AMES L. MCQUARRIE.

Witnesses.

ANNA BAY Can, E. EDLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington; I). G.

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