US1223369A - Telephone system. - Google Patents

Description

.E. E. CLEMENT. TELEPHONE SYSTEM. APPLiCAT'GN FILED AUG- !8, 1905.

)- 1,223,3'69, Patented Apr. 24, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET1- E.' E. CLEMENT.

I TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

- I APPLICATION FILED AUG. 33, 1905 1,223,369 Patented Apr. 24,191?

' 2 SHEETS-*SHEH 2.

ingi. i 10 y invention relates to STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD E, CEEIENIQF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBTA, ASSIGN'OB, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, '{OSJQAMES GARFIELD, TRUSTEE, F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that LEDWABD E. CLEMENT, a citizen of the United States, residing at WVashington, in'the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone Systems, of which the following is a specification, reference be ing had therein to the accompanying drawtelephone systems andparticularly to exchange systems employing common battery. It has for its object the simplification of the exchange switchboard and its method of operation. The salient features of my invention are: A switchboard without answering jacks, and having what are known as single cord terminals, instead of pairs of plugs and cords. Each cord circuit terminates at one end in a plug and at the other end in an automatic switch containing line terminals correspond- I ing to the answerimg jack terminals on an ordinary switchboard. When a line calls its answering terminal in each of the automade switches to which it is multipled becomes busy, and the switch thereupon turns its arm to the contacts of the. calling line, where they stop, thereby connecting the said calling linewith the cord circuit and its terminal plug. A signal is associated with the :cordand'is displayed when the subscriber .connects therewith. It will be obvious that I may have allthe subscribers? lines in a particular group multipled to all the cord circuits associated with that group, or I may split up the subscribers among widely sepa-- .rated cord switches, in such fashion that calls will be more or less uniformly distributed among the cords and among the 40 operators.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying ,drawings in which Figure 1 is a diagram. showing two subscribers stations and the cord circuit apparatus at the'central station for connecting them: and Fig. 2 is a supplemental diagram showing subscribers lines multipled into a plurality of switches and thereby gaining access to a plurality of link circuits. Fig. 2 also shows the wipers of different switches set angularly apart around the spindle, so'that no two switches will, test the same line at the same time.

In the drawing A and A are two sub- Specification of Letters Patent.

the switch hook.

Patented Apr. 24, 1917.

Application filed August 18,1905. Serial No. 274,765.

scribers stations each provided with theusual talking and signaling apparatus, which of itself forms no part of the present invention. At each station whenthe talking apparatus is in use the circuit of the line is completed through the switch hook, and when not in use the circuit for ringing current is completed through a condenser and As both lines 12 and 3- 1 are identical I will describe only the first. The wires 1 and 2 terminate at the central oflice upon contacts n, n of the cutoif relay N which normally connects them to branches 9, 10 leading respectively to the; line relay M and thence by wire 12 to the main, battery B, for the former, and by wire 10 to round for the latter. The relay M through its armature m controls the connection of battery through wire 12 to branch 11 and the test terminals 9'' of the switch P.

\Vhen the cut-oif relay N is energized, it divorces the line wires from the calling branches 9 and 10 and puts them onto the talking branches 5 and 6, leading respectively tothe sleeve and spring contacts j and 7" of the multiple jacks J and to corresponding contacts 7' 7' in the switch P. I have indicated the contactsof the switch collectively by the letter J, because these contacts correspond to the answering iacks of the ordinary switchboard.

The switch P comprises a spindle 7; car-- rying the contact wipers 79 2), p which as the spindle is rotated sweep over 'the circular periods of contacts J, thus making contact successively with the set belonging to each line on that switch. The

spindle is arranged to be constantly rotated by means of a driving shaft and pulley 79' shown'as receiving their motion from a belt.= To theffdriving 'shaft'the spindle p is normally connected by the coupling 19 p, which comprises the part 39 fixed on the driving shaft and the complementary part 72 'splined on the spindle. It is intended that when the coupling is disengaged the spindle shall be stopped instantly, and for this purpose a fixed stop 7) is provided,

against which the lower roughened face of the clutch disk impinges as its upper roughened face leaves the part 77 The coupling and uncoupling is accomplished through the medium. of a magnet. 19 controlling an ar- 2? ,.aas of the calling line.

and thence for talking purposes by conductor 17 to the tip of the calling plug P. The spring 72 goes to wire 16, by condenser C to if wire 18 and to the sleeve of the calling plug P. Spring 7). goes to the wire 20 thence to the normally closed back contacts of the.

20 cord-circuit relay S thence by Wire 21 to the normally closed back contact of relay S thence by wire 19 to magnet 79 and also to lamp .9 and ground through wire 31. The relays S and S are in a bridge 23, 24 across 25 the answering end 15, 16 of the cord circuit, with a main battery B between them; while -'the relays S and S are in a similar bridge 27,-. 28 ac 'rossthe calling end 17, 18 of the cord circuit, and also with the battery be- 80 tween them.

- ing' statement of operations.

"Suppose subscriber A'desires to be confii nected with subscriber A. He removes his receiver'from the hook, thereby closing his line circuit, and causing current to flow through the following path: B, 12, M, 9, n, '1, substation, 2, n, 10, and ground to B. 'Relay M thereupon pulls up and puts the battery on contacts j through wires 12, 11. The switches P are constantly driven, and are preferably driven oil the same shaft, so that they are not only all moving at the'same rate of speed, but the wiper arms are set in 5 successive angular positions, so that no two switch arms willcome on the same contac't fat the same instant. The first switch arm g arriving at a contact y' 'of the callin fne completes the circuit as follows: E, 12, i.'-'11, j*, p272, 20, 21, 19, p and ground; also from 21 through the armature of S to a,

'31, and, through the armature of S to,

ground. The magnet 72 instantly pulls up fi gind the lamp .9 lights.

When the magnet ip'ulls up it disengages the clutch p from 5am. revolving part 7) and engages it with i -the stop 72*, the spindle and its contacts then remaining stationary resting upon the con The lamp 8 lights and continues to burn until the operator completes the connection by inserting the calling plug P in the jack J in the line 3, 4. ,]The operator has a listening and ringing of the ordinary type, and by means lamp 8 also takes current "ground. Pulling up its armature, The circuit connections remaining unmentinned will best be understood by the follow-' thereofascertains from the calling subscriber the number wanted. She their tests the jack J, and inserts the plug P ringing the wanted subscriber A in the usual manner. As soon as the spindle stopped a circuit was completed for the relay S as follows: B, 26, S 2 1, 16, 72 32 j N, and ground. This circuit at once energizes the cut-off relay N, which pulling up disconnects (the line relay M, and puts the line 75 wires 1, 32 on the talking wires 5, 6. The metallic circuit being then completed the relay S takes current instantly over the following path: B, 26, S 24, 16, 72 71*" , j 6, 72, 2, substation, 1, 12 5, 7' 72 p, 15, 23, S, ground at 25. This pulls up the armature of S, and completes the local circuit for the magnet 72 as follows: B, 26, armature of S 22, armatureof S, 19, p and ground. The

from the same 35 source and remains lighted, but it will be observed that having thus connected with the line the switch has taken control thereof,

.and except forthe cut-otf relay the line is clear in to the cordcircuit.- Now, when the .90 plug P is finally inserted in the wanted line jack, the relay S takes current 'from the battery through cord conductor 18 and the line conductor 8 to cut-oft 'relay N and the relay S disconnects'the wire 20, puts battery on wire 29 for the supervisory signal s and takes the ground ofl the wire 31 from the lamp 8. In other words, the calling lamp signal is extinguished and retired by the act of the operator in completing the connection.

When the subscribers have finished and hang up, the two relays S and S lose current and let go their armatures. This on the part of the former breaks the-battery circuit to the magnet 72, which thereupon lets go its armature, throws back the clutch and-starts the spindle p ,to rotating again with constant rapidity. The instant the wipers pass 110 ofi the line contacts j j, the relay N loses current, and the line conditions shown in the drawing are restored, subscriber A being then free to make' another call. On the other hand, relay S when it releases completes the circuit of the supervisory lamp 8 as" follows: B 26, 29, 30, s and ground. Thesubscriber Acannot be hung up therefore because if the operator carelessly leaves the plug in the jack he can call her'attention by flashing the lamp. i

It is to be understood that each switch P contains the terminals of a large number of lines, as for instance 100. contemplate connecting these lines so that the same group will not appear together in more than one switch, that is if each line has 10 multiples, the first 100 lines may havetheir number one multiple terminals grouped together in the same switch P, but all their other multiple terminals would be divided up among nine other switches,'.or more according to.

1. In a telephone exchange systennthe' combination with a group of telephone lines extending from sub-stations to an exchange, of a plurality of. cord connectors at the exchange, each including a manually operated'terminal plug at one end of the cord circuit and having a traveling switch at the sweeping over fixed line contacts, means for driving said switches simultaneously with cord circuit with the telephone line of a calling subscriber.

2. In a telephone exchange system, thecombination with a group of telephone lines. extending from sub-stations to an exchange,,

of a plurality of cord connectors at the exchange, each including a manually operated In telephone exchange system, the combination with a group of telephone hnes extending from sub-stations to an exchange,

of a plurality of-link connectors at the exchange,- each including'a manually operated terminal at one. end of thelink circuit and having a traveling switch at the other end of the link circuit with its Wiper sweeping over fixed line contacts, means for driving said switches simultaneously with their Wipers angularly displaced in sequence, whereby no two wipers will touch contacts of the same line simultaneously, means serving to arrest the operation of a traveling switch and cause it to connect a link circuit with the telephone line of a calling subscriber, and'a signal at the exchange controlled by said suhscribers apparatus touindicate the fact other end of the cord circuit with its wiper OfzlllS connection with a link circuit.

5. A telephone exchange system whose telephone lines have connecting jacks and their wipers angularly. displaced in sequence, whereby no two wipers will touch. contacts of the same line simultaneously, and. means serving to arrest the operation of a traveling switch and cause it to connect a wipers angularly displaced in sequence,

whereby no two Wipers will touch contacts of the same line simultaneously, and means serving to arrest the operation of a travel ing switch-and cause it to connect a cord circuit with the telephone line of a calling sub criber, and a signal at the exchange con trolled by said subscribers apparatusto indicate the fact of his connection with a cord circuit. 7

3. In a telephone exchange system, the combination with a group of telephone lines extending from sub-stations to an exchange, ofa pluralitybf link connectors at the exchange, each including a manually operated terminal atone end of the link circuit and having a traveling switch at the other end have cord circuits provided with connecting plugs for insertion within said ja'cks,-selective switching mechanism in circuit relation with the lines for uniting calling telephone lines with idle cord circuits'and including traveling answering terminals of the cord circuits and {multipled telephone line terminal contacts engaged by said answering ter minals, means for driving a plurality of said answering terminals simultaneously but in sequence with respect to their path of travel, and calling subscribers superv1s-,

ory signaling apparatus connected with the cord circuits, substantially as described.

6. A telephone exchange system whose telephone lines have connecting jacks and have cord circuits-provided with connecting plugs, selective switching mechanism in circuit relation with thelines for uniting calling telephone lines with idle cord circuits and including traveling answering terminals of the cord circuits and multipledtelephone line terminal contacts engaged by said answering terminals, means for driving a plurality of said answering terminals simultaneously but in sequence with respect to their path of travel, and -relay mechanism connected with each cord circuit and govern of the link circuit, with its wiper ssweeping over "fixed line contacts, means for driving said switches simultaneously with their wipers angularly displaced in sequence, whereby no two wipers will touch contacts of the same line simultaneously, and'means serving to arrest the operationof a traveling switch and cause it to connect a linkcircuit with the telephone line of a calling subscriber.

ing the selective switching mechanism to release .the same, substantially as described.

7. In a telephone exchange system, the

combination with a plurality of telephone lines extending from substations to an exchange, of cord connectors at the exchange for uniting telephone lines in telephonic con nection, each connector having a manually.

operated terminal plug, while each line has a switch for receiving said plug, traveling switches also constituting terminals of said cord connectors, multipled terminals of said lines arranged in cotiperative relation with said switches, means .for driving a plurality of said'swi'tches simultaneously but out of line with each other, so. that no two switches will come upon multiple terminals of the same line simiiltaneously, and means for arresting said switches when connected with the terminals of a calling line, substantially described.

8. In a signaling system, the combination with a plurality of subscribers stations, of cord circuits to which said stations are adapted to be connected, the number of said cord circuits being less than the number of the said subscribers stations, selective means corresponding in number to that of the said cord circuits for connecting any of said stations with any of said cord circuits and continuously driven means for actuating said selective. means in common, with connecting means for each selective means, arranged to produce sequential travel, whereby no two stations can be connected to the same cord circuit. I

9. In a signaling system, the combinatigi with a subscribers station, of signaling conductors and a set of movable contacts fixed with relation to each other, a signal whereby a subscriber indicates a desire for coinmunication, and means for controlling said movable contacts, said set of movable contacts comprising contacts for connecting said signaling conductors with said subscribers station and a contact adapted to close a circuit through said means for controlling the said set of contacts and through said signal simultaneously with the connection of the subscribers station with the signaling conductor and means actuated by current in the signaling circuit for closing a local circuit through said signal and means for controlling said movable contacts-but not passing through any of the contacts of said set.

10. Ina signaling system, the combination with a subscribers station, of signaling conductors, a signal for indicating the desire-of the subscriber for connection, a set ofmovable contacts fixed. with relation to each other, a common batteryadapted tosupply signaling current to. connected stations, and means for controlling said movable contacts, said set of movable contacts comprising contacts for connecting said signal conductors with said subscribers station and a contact adapted to closecircuits through said common battery, said signal and said means for controllingsaid movable contacts simultaneously with the connection 7 of' the subscribers station with the signal con ductor and means actuated by current in the signaling circuit for closing a local circuit through said common battery, said signal and said means for controlling the movable contact but not passing through any of the contacts of said set. j

11. In a signaling system, the combination with a subscribers station, of signaling conductors and a set of movable contacts.

fixed with relation to each other, a signal.

whereby a subscriber indicates a desire for communication, and means for controlling said movable contacts, said set of movable contacts comprising contacts for connecting saidsignaling conductors with said subscribers station and a contact adapted to close it circuit through said means for con trolling the said set of contacts and through said signal simultaneously with the conncction of the subscribefs station with the signaling conductors and contacts at the subscribers station for controlling the circuit through the means for controlling the said set of movable contacts.

' 12. In a signaling system, the combination with a subscribers station, of signaling conductors and a set of lovable con tacts fixed with relation to eachothcr, a signal whereby a subscriber indicates a desire for communication, and means for controlling said movable contacts, said set of movable contacts comprising contacts [or connecting said signaling conductors with said subscribers statidn and a contact adapted to .close a circuit through said means for" controlling the said set of contacts and through said signal simultaneously with the connection of'the subscribers station with the signaling conductors, the said signal and the said means for controlling the said set of contacts being connected in parallel and contacts at'the subscribers station for controlling the circuit through the means for controlling the said set of movable contacts.

13. In a signaling system, the combination with a subscribers station having a receiver hook, of signalingiconductors and a set of movable contacts fixed with relation to each other, a signal whereby a subscriber indicates a desire for communication. and means for controlling said movable contacts, said set of movable contacts comprising contacts for connecting said signaling conductors with said subscribers station and a contact adapted ;to close a circuit through said means for controlling the said set of contacts and through said signal simultaneously with the connection of the subscribers an, tion with the signaling conductors and corn tacts at the subscribers station actuated by the receiver hook for controlling the said means for controlling the said set of movable contacts.

14, In a signaling system the combination with a subscribers station having a receiver hook, of signalingconductors and a set of movable contacts fixedgwitla relation to each other, a signal whereby a subscriber indicates a desire for communication, and means for controlling said movable contacts, said set of movable contacts compris ing contacts for connecting said s' naling conductors with said subscribers station and a contact adapted to close a circuit through said means for controlling the .said set of contacts and through said signal simultaneously with the connection of the subscrlb ers station with the signaling conductors and contacts at the subscr bers station actuated by the receiver hook for controlhng the said means for controlling the said set of movable contacts.

15. In a signaling system, the combination with a plurality oi'subscribers stations, of signaling conductors extending from each of said stations, selective conductors corresponding to each subscribers station, other sets of signaling conductors selective devices for connecting the conductors extendmg from the subscribers stations with the.

said other sets of signaling conductors, the signaling and selective conductors corresponding to each station being connected with each of the said selective devices, a circuit for each of the selective devices adapt-' ed to control its movement, the circuits for controlling the movement of the selective devices being adapted to be initially closed through one of said selective conductors and means for breaking the circuit through the last mentioned conductor upon the establishment of the signaling circuit throuh a selective device.

16. In a telephone exchange system, the combination with a. plurality. of lines, ofa lesser plurality of link circuits, traveling switches, one for eachlink circuit, a terminal of each line in the path of each of said switches, means for causing all idle answering switches to pass in succession over the terminals of any given line, means made active in initiating a call in any one of said lines for automatically causing the first arriving one of said answering switches to stop and make connection therewith, means for preventing any other switch from establishing a connection with the terminals of a line already engaged, means for subsequently releasing a connected switch, and means for making it available "for the common use of the other lines only after it has resumed its proper sequential position among the other idle answering switches in their relationto the terminals of any given line.

.17. In-a telephone system the combination with a plurality of lines, of connecting circuits, less in number than the lines, a plurality of calling line finders, one for each connecting circuit, means for simultaneously moving them, means for always maintaining them in fixed relation out of line with each other during their movemen terminals of all the lines positioned so as to be engaged in succession by all of the moving calling-line finders, means for causing a single calling line finder to stop in engagement with the terminal of a calling line, and means for so changing the condition of an engaged terminal as to prevent any other calling .line fihdfir from stopping in engagement therewit 18% In a telephone exchange system, a plurality of telephone line terminals, a lesser plurality of idle link circuit brushes, means for simultaneously moving all of said link.

circuit brushes so that each brush always approaches the terminals of a plurality of lines from which the preceding brush is receding,

whereby the terminal of any line will be engaged by one of said traveling brushes in arelatively. small movement thereof, and means for stopping any one or more of said traveling brushes independently of the others.

19. In a telephone exchange system, the

combination with a plurality of cooperating movable switches, of means for moving them, a greater plurality of relatively stationary circuit contacts with any of which any of said movable switches may connect, means for maintaining a sequential relation. between the positions of all moving switches such that each moving switch. next approaches the terminal of a. different circuit, and means for permitting any one of said movable switches to remain in engagement with a stationary contact independent of the movement of the others and later to continue its movement in its proper sequential relation thereto.

20. In a telephone-exchange system, a plurality of line contacts, a plurality of idle link I circuits, atraveling contact for each link

Images