US1239887A - Fire-alarm signal-box. - Google Patents

Description

F. W. COLE.

FIRE ALARM SIGNAL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 19. me.

Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

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FREDERICK W. COLE, 0F NEWTON HIGHLANDS, MASSACHUSETTS.

FIRE-ALARM SIGNAL-BO Application filed April 19, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

lie it known that I, FREDERICK W. COLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newton Highlands, in the county of Middlesex and State. of Massachusetts, have in vented an Improvement in Fire-Alarm Signal-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in fire alarm signal-boXes and particularly to accessory means associated with the signaltransmitter designed for testing and for protecting the transmitter and other costly components of the box. In signal-boxes of this description, of the more advanced type, it is desirable to provide switching-means adapted to be operated by an inspector when the door is open, to electrically connect the circuit-wires at both sides of the transmitter, thereby to shunt the transmitter, to enable it to be tested without interrupting th signal-circuit, and also admit of its removal and replacement; also to electrically connect a ground branch circuit with the signaL circuit at either side of the signal-transmitter, which connection may be made when the signal-circuit is broken to enable the signal-transmitter to transmit its signal over a ground-circuit while the broken line is being repaired; also to provide protectivemeans commonly known as a lightning arrester, which is associated with the leadingin wires, thereby to protect the transmitter and other costly components of the box from injury in case a heavy current should pass over the signal-circuit.

Heretofore various means have been provided. for accomplishing these results. Sometimes several independent switches aranged on an insulating base have been employed; sometimes switches involving the employment of a switch-plug have been employed; but these various means are open to certain objections, as for instance, one or more of the switches may be left in wrong positions by the inspector with the result that the box is cut out or otherwise prevented from transmitting its signal over the signal-circuit, or the switch-plug may be left in engaging position in the'box, or the inspector may not have a switch-plug with him, or the switch-plug may be placed in a wrong engaging-position by an unskilled inspector.

The present invention has for its object the provision of a switchingdevice of a ro- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented eept. ill, 191W.

Serial No. 92,292.

tary character adapted to be operated when the door is open, to make a multiplicity of electrical connections, to accomplish the several results above referred to, as, for instance, in one position it electrically connects the circuit-wires at both sides of the signaltransmitter, thereby to shunt the transmittor, for testing purposes or for the removal and replacement of the tnnsniitter; and when in another position it electrically connects a ground branch circuit with the signal-circuit at one side of the signal-transmitter, and when in other positions it disengages the aforesaid electrical connections, these latter positions being termed the neutral positions of the switching-device.

The present invention also involves the provision of three switch terminals, two for the leading-in wires of the signal-circuit, and one for a ground branch circuit, and all of which are widely separated and equally spaced around a common center, and around which the movable switch device revolves, and heavily insulated holding buttons arranged in the spaces between the switch terminals; and also the provision of cylindrical carbon jacketed lightning arrester posts connected with the leading-in wires and the ground branch terminals. Said posts, by their 7 construction and close association, serve as a protecting-means for the signaL transmitter in case a heavy current should pass over the signal-circuit, as those posts which are connected to the line are widely separated from each other, but lie very close to the grounded post which is arranged between them.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a switching-means involving this invention, associated with a signal-box, which latter is shown in diagram.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the switchingmeans.

F ig. 3 is the bottom plan view of the switching-means.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the rotating snitch-member.

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are fragmentary views of the elements of the switchingdevice in di-Jferent positions.

The signal-box illustrated in diagram, Fig. 1, comprises essentially a signal-wheel 1, a pivoted key-lever 2, a signal-key 3,

composed of two resilient contact-members adapted to be operated by the key-lever, a non-interterence magnet 4:, a shunt-circuit closer 5 adapted to be operated by the keylever, and also to be controlled by some component part of the box-mechanism, and a shunt circuit-closer 6 adapted to be controlled by the box door.

The component parts of the box thus briefly described are common in that type of fire-alarm signal-box known as the Gamewell box. Electrically connected with said component parts and with the signal-circuit is my newly invented switching-means and lightning-arrester. The rotary element of. the switching-means consists of a rotatable spindle 10, extended through an insulated base having a shouldered shank or knob 12 above said base for turning it, and a spring-acting disk-member 13 below said base tending to hold said spindle frictionally in any position it may be set.

A two-armed member, here shown as a plate, the arms 15 and 16 of which are angularly related to each other, is fixed on the spindle, to be turned by it., The arms of said plate occupy substantially the same plane, and they extend radially from the spindle but in different directions, being spaced approximately 120 apart.

Arranged in circular formation about said spindle or concentric of the axis thereof are three stationarily supported contact- plates 20, 30, and 40, forming the stationary'elements of the switching-means. The plate 20 has an attaching-portion 21 with laterally projecting ears 22, which are bent upward and inward, in circular formation, within the upper one of which a circuit wire 24 is soldered, which connects to the signal contacts of the transmitter, and said plate isfixed to the base-plate by the bindingpost 23, ,to which one ofthe leading-in wires of' the signalcircuit is connected. The plate has an attaching-portion 31 with laterally projecting ears 32, which are bent upward and inward in circular formation, in the upper one of which a circuit wire 3 1 is soldered which leads to the non-interference magnet of the transmitter, and said plate fixed to the base-plate by a bindingpost 33,.to which one of the leading-in wires of the signal-circuit is connected. The lower car 22 of plate 20 is connected by a conductor 25, with a carbon post 50, which is positioned in close proximity to a like carbon post 55, on groundplate 4:0. The lower car 32 of the plate 30 is connected by a conductor 35, with the carbon post 51, which is postioned in close proximity to a like carbon post- 54, mounted onground plate a0. The plates20,30, and i0 are equidistantly disposed, being spaced apart about 120, corresponding to the spacing of the arms 15 and 16, of the rotatable twoarmed member, and the spaces between said plates are of greater width than that of the arms. Said plates 20, 30, and 40 occupy substantially the same plane, and enter the path of movement of the arms 15 and 16, sufficiently to engage said. arms as they are moved over them. hen the spindle 10 is turned into one of its numerous positions, said arms 15 and 16 will engage plates 30 and 20, see Fig. 6, and thus electrically connect the circuitwires at both sides of the signal-transmitter, shunting the transmitter, and admitting of its operation without transmitting its signal over the signal-circuit, and also providing for its removal and replacement without opening the circuit. The plate d0 has an attaching-portion 11, and is secured to the base-plate by a binding-post 52, and a leading-in wire from a ground branch circuit is connected with said binding post.

lVhen the spindle bearing the twoarmed plate is turned into another of its numerous positions, one of the arms thereof, as 16, will engage the plate 40, and the other arm, as 15, will engage the plate 30, see Fig. 7, thus electrically connecting the ground branch circuit with the signal-circuit at one side of the signal-transmitter, and when said spindle is turned into still another of its numerous positions, said two-armed plate is turned, and one of its arms,.as 16, will engage the plate 40, and'the other arm, as 15,

will engage the plate 20, see Fig. 5, thus electrically connecting the ground branch circuit with the signal-circuitat the other side of the signal-transmitter.

The switching-means thus described has provision for three sepa ate circuit-closing positions asdescribed for the accomplishment of the results above set forth, but it also has positions intermediate the aforesaid positions, in which intermediate positions the two-armed member disengages the stationary plates, and in Fig. 1, one of such intermediate positions is shown. It is dessigned and intended that the switching means shall be normally disposed in one of these intermediate or neutral positions, and arranged on the base-plate between the several positions adapted to be occupied by the rotatable switching-member, are several studs which serve to assist in correctly locating the arms of the rotatable member with respect to the stationary-plates and also with respect to their neutral positions.

As a reminder to call attention to an inspector, that the rotatable switch-member has been left in the position shown in Fig. 6, in which positionv the signal-transmit ter is prevented from sending its signal over the signal-circuit, means are here in provided for preventing the closing of the door,.if said. switch-member is left in such position, which, as here shown, consists in a blade 60, arranged on the inside of the door 70, which blade is adapted to enter a transverse slot 61, formed in the head of the knob 12, on the spindle 10. Unless the knob is insuch position as to register with the blade on the door, said blade will strike the head of the knob, and the door cannot be closed. Whenever the blade occupies a position in this slot, the rotatable switch-member is in one of its intermediate or neutral positions, as represented in Fig. 1, except as hereinafter set forth. When the rotatable switch-member is turned to coact with the switclrplates 20 and 4:0, see Fig. 5, or 30, and 40, ,see Fig. 7, thus to connect the ground branch circuit with the signal-circuit at one or the other side of the signal-transmitter, it is important that the rotatable switch-menu ber shall remain in these respective positions when the door is closed, so that the box will be left connected with the ground branch circuit and in condition for sending its signal over the grounded circuit in case the signal-circuit is broken, and until such break is repaired. Therefore, the head of the knob 12 has another slot 65, which is adapted to receive the blade 60. Upon reference to Fig. 5, it will be observed that the slot 65 is in position to receive the blade 60, when the door is closed; but when the switch-member is moved into the position shown in Fig. 7, which is its other ground connected position, it will be observed that the slot 61 is again utilized to receive the lug 60, when the door is closed.

It is obvious that slight changes may be made .in the structure of the switchingmeans here shown and described, and also of the protecting-means, without departing from the scope of my invention.

I claim 1. A signal-box having a signal-transmitter adapted for connection with an electric circuit, switching-means for electrically con necting the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter to form a shunt, said'switchingmeans consisting of a pair of spaced contactmembers adapted for electrical connection with the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter, a rotatable two-armed contactmember adapted for movement into and out of engagement with said contact-plates, the arms of said contact-member being spaced apart, and means arranged on the inside of the door coacting with said rotatable member to permit closing of the door when member is in disengaged position and to prevent contact-plate, and a pair of stationary contact-plates arranged concentrically to the axis of rotation of the two-armed plate, said stationary plates being connected with the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter, and widely spaced apart, and the arms of said twoarmed plate being spaced apart, and insulated studs arranged in the spaces adjacent the stationary contact plates for engagement with the arms of the rotatable contact plate, tending to maintain said arms in disengaged positions.

3. A signal-box having a signal transmitter adapted for connection with an electric circuit, switchingmeans for electrically connecting the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter to form a shunt, said means consisting of a rotatable two-armed contact-plate having a turning knob, a pair of stationary contact-plates having attaching-portions with binding-posts thereon for connection with the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter, said stationary plates being arranged concentric to the axis of rotation of the two-armed plate, and spaced apart, and the arms of the two-armed plate being angularly related, and insulated studs arranged in the spaces adjacent the stationary contact plates for engagement with the arms of the rotatable contact plate, tending to maintain said arms in disengaged positions.

4. A signal-box having a signal-transmitter adapted for connection with an electric circuit, switching-means for electrically connecting the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter to form a shunt, said means cons'isting of a pair of contact-members adapted for electrical connection with the circuitwires at each side of the transmitter, and a rotatable two-armed member adapted for movement into and out of engagement with said contact plates, a spindle bearing said two-armed member having a turning knob with a transverse slot, and an abutment arranged on the inside of the door adapted to enter said slot when the knob is in a prede termined position, thus permitting closing of the door, and when said knob is in another position to form an obstruction to prevent closing said door.

5. A signal-box having a signal-transmitter adapted for connection with an electric circuit, switching-means for electrically connecting the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter to form a shunt, said means consisting of a rotatable two-armed contactplate, a pair of widely separated stationary contact-plates adapted for connection with thecircuit-wires at each side of the transmitter with which said two-armed plate coacts, a pair of carbon jacketed posts, and conductors connecting said jacketed posts with the stationary contact-plates, and a ground branch terminal connected to simi lar carbon jacketed posts arranged between and in close relation to the circuit wire terminals.

6. A signal-box having a signal-transmitter adapted for connection with a signal circuit, switchingmeans for electrically connecting the-circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter to form a shunt, said means comprising a movable. member and a pair of stationary contact-plates, spaced apart and adapted for connection with thecircuitwires at each side of thetransmitter with which said movable member is-adapted tocoact, a pair of carbon jacketed posts for the leading-in wires of the signal-circuit, and conductors connecting said bindingposts to the stationary contact-plates.

7. A signal-box having a signal-transmitter adaptedfor connection with a signal circuit, switching-means for electrically connecting the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter to form a shunt, said means comprising a movable member and a pair of stationary contact-plates spaced apart and adapted for connection with the circuitwires at each side of the transmitter with which said movable member is adapted to coact, a pair of carbon jacketed posts for the leading-in wires of the signal-circuit, conductors connecting said jacketed posts to the stationary contact plates, and a ground branch terminal carbon jacketed post arranged between said binding-posts and in close proximity thereto;

8. A signal-box having a signal-transmitter adapted for connection with a signalcircuit, switching-means for electrically connecting the circuit-wires at each side'of the transmitter to form a shunt, said means comprising a movable member and a pair of stationary contact-plates spaced apart and adapted for connection with the circuitwires at each side of the transmitter with which said movable member is adapted to coact,- a pair of carbon jacketed posts for the leading-in wires of the signal-circuit, conductors connecting said binding-poststo the stationary contact-plates, and a stationary plate with a binding-post thereon adapted to be connected with a ground branch circuit and carbon jacketed posts arranged thereon and in close proximity to and between the aforesaid posts connected to the terminals for the circuit wires.

9; A signal-box having a signal-transmitter adapted for connection with a signalcircuit, switching-meansfor electrically connecting the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter to form a shunt, and for con-i necting a ground branch circuit with either of said circuit-wlres, said switchlng-means comprising a rotatable bridging-member, a

pair of stationary contact-plates electrically connected-with the circuit-wires at eaclrside of the transmitter, a stationary contact-plate adapted for electrical connection with a ground branch circuit, said stationary con-- tact-plates being arranged about the axis of rotation of the bridging member and spaced equally apart, said bridging member being adapted for coaction with any two adjacent contact-plates only.

10. A signal-box having a signal-transmitter adapted for connection with an electric circuit, switching-means for electrically connecting the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter to form a shunt, and for connecting a ground branch circuit with either of said circuit-wires, said switchingmeans comprising a rotatable two-armed contact-member, a pair of stationary contact-members electrically connected with the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter, and a stationary contact-member adapted for connection with a ground branch circuit, said stationary contact-members being arranged concentrically to the axis of rotation of the two-armed member, and equidistantly separated, and the armsof said twoarmed member, being angularly related to each other. 1

11. A signal-box having a signal-transmitter adapted for connectionwith an electric circuit, switching-means for electrically connecting the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter to form a shunt and for connecting a ground branch circuit witheither of said circuit-wires, said switchingsmeans comprising a rotatable two-armed contactplate, a pair of stationary contact-plates electrically connected with the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter, and a stationary contact-plate adapted for connection with a ground branch circuit, said stationary contact-plates being arranged concentrically to the axis of rotation of the twoarmed plate and equidistantly separated, the spaces between said stationary plates being wider than the arms of the two-armed plate.

12. A signal-box having a signal-transmitter adapted for connection with an electric circuit, switching-means for electrically connecting the circuit-wires at eachside of the transmitter to form a shunt and'for connecting a ground branch circuit with either of said circuit-wires, said switching-means comprising a rotatable two-armed contactplate, a pair of stationary contact-plates electrically connected with the circuit wires at each side of the transmitter, and a stationary contact-plate adapted for connectionwith a ground branch circuit, said stamitter adapted for connection with a signaLcircuit, switching-means for electrically connecting the circuit-Wires at each side of the transmitter to form a shunt, and for connecting a ground branch circuit with either of said circuit-Wires, said switchingmeans comprising a rotatable bridgingmember, a pair of stationary contact-plates electricallyiconnected with the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter, a stationary contact-plate adapted for electrical connection with the ground branch circuit, said stationary contact-plates being arranged about the axis of rotation of the bridgingmember and spaced apart, said bridgingmember being adapted for coaction with any tWo adjacent contact-plates, and having a turning member With slots, and an abutment on the inside of the door adapted-to enter either of said slots and thereby permit closing of the door when the turning member is in predetermined positions, and in other positions, to form an obstruction to prevent closing of the door.

14. A signal-box having a signal-transmitter adapted for connection with a signalcircuit, switching-means for electrically connecting the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter to form a shunt, and for connecting a ground branch circuit with either of said circuit-Wires, said switchingmeans comprising a rotatable bridgingmember, a pair of stationary contact-plates electrically connected with the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter, a stationary contact-plate adapted for electrical connection with the ground branch circuit, said stationary contact-plates being arranged about the axis of rotationof the bridgingmember and spaced apart, said bridgingmember being adapted for coaction with any two adjacent contact-plates, and having a turning-member, and means arranged on the inside of the door coacting with said turning-member to permit closing of the door when said turning-member is in certain positions to prevent closing of the door when in other positions.

15. A signal-box having a signal-transmitter adapted for connection with a signal-circuit, switching-means for electrically connecting the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter to form a shunt, and for connecting a ground branch circuit with either of said circuit-wires, said switchingmeans comprising a rotatable bridgingmember, a pair of stationary contact-plates electrically connected With the circuit-wires at each side of the transmitter, a stationary contact-plate adapted for electrical connection with the ground branch circuit, said stationary contact-plates being arranged about the axis of rotation of the bridging member and spaced apart, said bridgingmember being adapted for coaction with any two adjacent contact-plates, Widely separated binding-posts to which the leading-in wires of the signal-circuit are connected, carbon jacketed posts electrically connected with said stationary plates and to which the circuit-wires are connected, a binding-post on the stationary plate to which the leading-in Wire connected With the ground branch circuit is connected, and a carbon jacketed post on said last-named plate arranged in the spaces between the aforesaid jacketed posts and in close proximity thereto.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in'the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK l/V. COLE.

Witnesses:

CLYDE B. MORGAN, STANLEY S. KNOWLEs.

(iopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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