US1285264A - Registering device. - Google Patents

Description

G. A. LONG.

REGISTERING DEVICE.

APPLICATlON FILED FEB. 24, 1915.

Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1- I rlvemur G. A. LONG.

REGISTERING DEVICE.

APPLICATION HLED FEB. 24. I916- Patented Nov. 19, 1918;;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G A. LONG.

REGISTERING DEVI'CE.

APPLICATION man FEB. 24, me.

Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

nvEnfar 1 LA] UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. LONG, F HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE GRAY TELEPHONE PAY STATION COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CON- NECTICUT.

REGISTERHN'G DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

. Application filed February 24. 1916. Serial No. 89.169.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonon A. Lo'1-ic, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Registering Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to registering devices. While a registering device involving the invention is probably susceptible of general use, it is of especial utility when employed in conjunction with a telephone, being used in this particular field for register- I ing the calls transmitted from a subscribers station. The primary purpose of the invention is the provision of an article of the character set forth by which accurate and precise registration of calls is insured, by a simple and effective construction.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of. the present specification I have shown in detail one convenient form of embodiment of the invention which will be set forth fully in the following description. I do not restrict myself to th1s particular disclosure; I may depart therefrom in several respects within the scope of the invention defined by the claims following said description.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 1s a vertical sectional view on the line 11 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, and as will be evident as viewed from the front and toward the rear of the appliance.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, also looking in the direction of the arrows or toward the left in said Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional top plan view, taken approximately on the line 38 of Fig. 2.

Fig. l is a top plan view, and

Fig. 5 a side elevation of the plunger, counter, trip device and certain adjunctive devices hereinafter more particularly described and arranged in cooperative relation with each other.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the magnet, its armature, a part of the counter and certain adjunctive elements.

Fig. 7 is a front view of the line switch, the trip and lever and certain other parts.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the controlling member for the counter, a part of the operating device for the counter, said part being shown in several positions by dot-ted lines.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the trip and lever, the latter in section, a controlling cam and lifting device for the trip device, the lifting device being partly shown and in several of its positions by full and dotted lines respectively.

Like characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, Figs. l to 9 inclusive being on a much larger scale than Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive.

Certain of the parts are suitably housed, and for this purpose a casing such as that denoted in a general way by 2 may be provided. As represented the casing consists of a back or base plate 3 (Figs. 1,2 and 3) and a cover as l suitably associated with each other, the cover after the fashion common in registers being normally closed under lock and key. This, however, is a detail.

The appliance preferably comprises in its make-up a magnet by which certain of the parts are operated as will hereinafter more particularly appear, and the electromagnet 5 of polarized type answers satisfactorily in this connection, being as shown sustained by hearing means in the form of a bracket 6, for instance projecting from the back or base plate 3. The armature for the magnet is denoted in a general way by 7, being held in its neutral position by springs as S or otherwise when the magnet is deenergized. By sending current of different polarities through the magnet, the armature T can be tilted or swung oppositely from its neutral position practically in the manner shown in Letters Patent No. 9lT,Tl2 granted to me April 6. 1909 for telephone pay stations. and to which reference may be had.

To count the calls of a subscriber a suitable register or counter is provided. that dcnoted in a general way by 9 (Figs. 1. Q and 3 for example) answering satisfactorily in this connection, the register being supported by an arm as 10 projecting forward from the back or base 3 and the cover 4 having a sight opening 11 by which the subscriber can read the numbers of the register. lVhile the actual operation of the register is accomplished by the subscriber, the action of the former is under the control of central oiiicc as will heroin-after more particularly appear.

so that the registeris not necessaril ope ated on each advance 01 manually operable member of whatever nature it may be. manually operable member such as the plan-- ger 12 answers satisfactorily in this particu lar. said plunger having: at its forward end a button 13 projecting through a perforation in the front of cover o as to be accessible at all times to the subscriber.

=On the advance of the plunger by a subscriber. the register as will hereinafter ap pear, is actuated one step. prorided cond tions be such as to warrant such procedure. The frame member ll rises from the bracket 6 and it is perforated at its head or upper end to receive the shank portion or the plunger 12. is illustrated the frame member 1% has an inwardly ertending' portion 15 provided with a pendant piece 16 also perilorated to slidingly receive the shanlr of the plunger. Surrounding said shank is a coiled spring 17 (see Figs. l and 5 for instance), one end of which bears against the pendant portion 16 and the other end or which is connected with the plunger, the spring normally yieldingly holding the plunger in its retracted position as shown in Fig.2 and by full lines for illustration in Figs. l and @n the advance ofthe plunger by the subscriber, the spring 17 will be compressed, and when the plunger is freed. the spring will return the plunger to its initial position. This plunger it might be noted causes in addition to the action or the register 9 the operation or a line switch by which as will be clear central office is apprised of the fact that the subscriber desires a telephonic connection. The line switch (see ig. 7 for example) is denoted in a general way by 18 and it is controlled in the present case by a lever as 19 of practically elbow forin pivoted at its angle upon the frame of the magnet. This lever 19 as shown by full lines in said Fig. 'i' normally holds the line switch 18 in open position. this relation being maintained by a trip (as it is known) or latch 20 also pivoted between its ends on the frame or the magnet. in the present case by lifting the inner or short arm of the trip or latch 20 the long and weighted arm of the elbow or angle lever 19 is permitted to drop so that the contacts or the line switch 18 can engage to indicate to central otlice that the subscriber wishes to make a call. This is a construction that in itself is somewhat common in the art of telephon and it is one of many that answers in requirements. Being itseli not new with me but quite familiar. it has been but bllEfi) described. the present case the trip or latch 20 is opera ed to efiect the release of the lever 19 through the action of the plunger 12 when adranced the subscriber. and when the plunger made the requisite forward or adrino'i'enient, the line switch will be closed.

tnus flashing a lamp on the board of the telephone operator.

The plunger 12 has at its rear end the rearward projecting part 21 preferably resilient as will hereinafter more particu larly appear and which projects beyond the pendant portion 16 to which l have already alluded, (Figs. -land 5). The rear end of this resilient part 21 has the lateral projections 22 and 2-5. the structure being practically of T-forni in plan. The lateral projection in the present case constitutes an operating means for the trip or latch 20. being adapted to lift the tail portion of the said trip or latch to tree the same from the lever 19." so that the long arm of the latter can drop to permit the closing of the line switch 18 in the manner already described. The pendant portion 16 is provided with a rearward extension 24: practically of bowed form and which terminates in the lined carn part 25 (Figs. l. 5 and 9 -for instance) and which fixed cain part presents a mechanical switch for insuring the requisite movement of the plunger 12 and for also prerentingwrongful backward or unintentional retractive movement thereof. This cani piece or switch member 25 stands in the present case at an upward inclination, having on its upper beveled surface 26 the companion teeth 27. the function of which will be hereinafter explained. The under or inner surface of the care or switchingelement 25 is of cam shape as denoted by 28. the front or forward ends of the straight or tooth face 26 and cam face 28 being joined by the straight face 29 as shown best in Fig. 9. When the plunger is in its retracted position. the resilient rear end thereof will be separated from the cam or switch element 25 which it should be observed. is in the path of the projection 22. As the plunger 12- is advanced by the sub scriber theprojection 22 will engage and will then ride up and alongthe inclined face 26 or the coin or switch element 25. thus correspondingly elevating the projecwhich is normally under but is separated from the tail portion or the trip or latch 20. As the advance inotion continues he projection 22 and hence the projection 23 will be further elevated, so that the tail he trip or latch 20 is gradually lifted. the trip or latch being wholly tripped by rising projection just about the time e projection 22 gets to the crown or high c o1 the cam or switch element at ich point the register 9 will, it retuiired. have been operated. As the projection 22 is elevated in the manner described on the ance of the plunger 12. it successirel teeth 2?. engaging and passingtooth before the register is of which it is imperaadvance of the plunger 12 be made before it can be drawn back. Vhen the projection 22 passes from off the apex of the cam or switch element 25, the spring 17 becomes effective for retracting the plunger 12-at which point the projection 22 is caused to traverse the cam or guide surface 28 of the cam and to finally assume its initial position. In Fig. 9 I have illustrated on a comparatively large scale by full and dotted lines the action just described.

The latch or trip 20 when operated to release the switch controlling lever 19 remains in such tripped relation until it is restored by the central office operator, and this is accomplished by sending current of either polarity through the electromagnet 5. Upon the tilting of the armature and the release of the arm 19, the latch 20 will be returned by gravity to its normal position, as shown by full lines in Fig; 9, it having for this purpose a preponderance of weight in its longer arm. As the trip returns to itsprimary position it engages and then lifts the long or weighted arms of the lever 19 upholding said arm when said trip is in its normal position. This condition is maintained until the trip or latch 20 is swung from under the long or weighted arm of the lever. It will be clear that when the lever 19 is returned to its initial position as shown by full lines in Fig. 7, the resilient contacts of the line switch 18 will automatically separate so as to open the hue.

The register or counter 9 has connected with it the ratchetwheel 30. On the first step of its ratchet wheel 30 constituting a convenient means for operating the register, the units wheel of the register is advanced. one step, etc., as is common in articles of this nature. The plunger 12 in the casing or housing 2 is shown equipped with 2. lateral extension 31 provided at or near its free end with an inwardly projecting resilient arm 32, the extension 31 between the plunger and the arm 32 being furnished with a guide pin 33 (Fig. 4) extending through a perforation in. the upper portion of the frame member 14. The free end of the resilient arm is shown furnished with a stud or pawl 34 cooperative with the ratchet wheel 30 as will hereinafter more particularly appear. The resilient arm 32 with its ratchet operating stud or pawl 34 constitutes a. suitable actuator for the register or counter 9. The resilient arm 32 is shown (Fig. 5 for example) with a depending projection 35, the function of which will be hereinafter explained. The inwardly extending portion of the frame member 15 is provided with a short rearward extension 36 from which the support 37 projects sidewise (see for instance Figs. 6 and 8). This support has at its outer end the downturned flange 38 parallel to the portion or flange 36.

On the upper surface of the support or carrier 37 a suitable register controlling memher is mounted for back and forth movement the block 39 answering satisfactorily in this particular. The block 39 has a depending stud 40 from which the shaft 41 extends shown in Figs. 6 and 8. The block .39 in I the present case fits flatwise against the upper flat surface of the support or carrier 37.-

Extending from the stud 40 is a detent 43 which is adapted to prevent accidental movement of the ratchet 30 when the block 39 is in a position to prevent the awl 34 from operating said ratchet. The lock 39 has the faces 44 and 45 in parallelism with each other and the connecting faces 46 and 47 also in parallelism with each other. The faces 44 and 45 are approximately in parallelism with the line of motion of the plunger 12, the faces 46 and 47 however, being at an angle to said line. As a matter of fact the block 39 which presents a second meclllianical switch is practically of diamond s ape.

Initially the block 39 will be in the position it is shown as occupying in full lines in Fig. 8. It will be assumed that the plunger 12 is in its primary or retracted position as shown for example in full lines in Figs. 4 and 5 and that the subscriber desires a call. In this event he will push the plunger in, the resilient arm 32 being of course moved therewith and the depending projection or tooth, which normally occupies the full line position in Fig. 8 being carried therewith. When the projection or tooth 35 strikes the guide face 46 it rides therealong, thus defleeting the projection or tooth 35 laterally and causing the resilient arm 32 to swing outward carrying the pawl 34 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 30, this occurring just about the time the projection 35 passes from the face 46 and enters the face 45. The plunger is continued farther inwardly or rearwardly, the projection or tooth 35 riding along the face 45, and the pawl 34 engaging the ratchet wheel as the pro ection 35 enters the face 45 the pawl will turn the ratchet wheel one step or a distance agreeing with the length of one tooth of the ratchet wheel, the step rotation of the ratchet wheel being concluded just about the time the projection 35 passes from off the face 45, the lever 19 in the meantime having been released. As a matter of fact the release of the lever 19 by the tripping of the trip or latch 20 occurs practically when a registration is efiected. 'hen a count is thus made the projection 35 engages the entering end of the face 47 at which point the. projection 22 will have entered the cam l cc :28 indicating virtually the completion of the advance movement of the plunger. lit the plunger. therefore, be freed, the spring 11' will return the plunger to its initial position in the manner alreadv described. As the plunger is thus moved backward. th 1 the bevel surface l? vvill impart an outward movement bodily to the block 39, "thus moving said block from the full line position F S to the dotted line position thereof. it will be noted that when the block occupies said dotted line position, it is in the path movement of the projection 35. so that, on the next forward or advance movement of the plunger. said projection will not strilre the block 39, and in this event the register or counter 9 will not be operated. The rectangular dotted lines in Fig. 8 indicate the orbital or circuitous movement of the projection lt vrill be clear that it the block 39 he in the path of the projection 35 the latter will be deflected outwardly so as to cause the pawl 3% to efiectthe feed of the ratchet wheel 30 in the manner already de scribed. This block 39 is under the control of the central oilice operator, the magnet 5 being provided with means by which the block 39 can be operated. As represented the armature Z is provided with means such a? the pin -8 for moving the block 39 from a position WllQIB it Will block or prevent the paivl 3i from operating the ratchet Wheel as shown by dotted lines in S to a position Where it Will permit said pawl to operate said ratchet as illustrated by full lines in said view. in the present case the pin l8 cooperates with the stud l0. While either coil of the magnet 5 might be utilized for effecting the action of the armature '7 and therefore of the block 39 that on the rightin Fig. 6 is utilized for this purpose. ll hen current of the proper polarity is sent through the coil in question, the armature 7 is moved from the full line position in said l ig. 6 to the dotted line position, the pin--l8 at the loft of the center of oscillation oi the armature engaging the depending stud and thereby sliding said block 39 to the right in said Fig. 6 or from the dotted line position of ig. 8 to the full line position ther mat Wlllle as already observed. the counter 9 is actually operated by the subcriber. this particular action is controlled from the central ofiice.

The block 39 or its equivalent has. as ma;

' be interred. operative and inoperative positions. being adapted when in the operative position shown for instance by dotted lines in 8.. to prevent positivel the action of the register. and when in the inoperative position 1 shown "o full l vieiv, permit the operation of p.'ojection by riding along .s occupying their initial positions by full lines, and this applies as will be understood to the block 39 in Fig. 8, because When the register is installed the block is actually in the full line position. (in the return movement of the plunger 12 in the manner indicated, the projection 35 vvill move the block from the full line to the dotted line position, so that on the next advance of the plunger, the block 39 will be outof the path of the projection. It will be assumed that the plunger has been advanced a second time, and that the line switch 18 has been closed in the manner settorth. This will indicate to the central ofice operator that the subscriber desires a call. If he gets. his party she will send current of the necessary polarity through the magnet 5 to etl'ect the movement of the armature '7 from the dotted line position in Fig. 6 to the full line position in said view to thus cause the movement of the block 39 in the manner alread described from the dotted line position to the full line position in said Fig. 8, so that on the third advance of the plunger 12, the plunger will effect the action of the counter 9. It the central ollice operator fails to get the part}; called for bythe subscriber. she will leave the block 39 in the dotted line position, so that as the plunger 12 is advanced, it avill not efiect the action of the register.

While it is believed that the construction and action of the appurtenance and the motives and ends in view are perfectly obvious, still it is probably desirable to call attention to certain matters. While the subscriber actually effects the operation ofthe re uster or as it is known in the art counter this is under the control of the central oilice operator. It will, of course. be understood that when tae blocking member 39 is in the full line position in Fig. 8, the detent i3 is not in engagement with the ratchet Wheel 30, so that ii at. this time the plunger 12 be advanced from the full line position in Fig. l. to the dotted line position in said view, the projection 35 on the spring arm 32 which moves with the plunger will after the plunger has moved a short distance, engage the face l3 or" the blocking device 39, thus moving the spring arm laterallj as shown by dotted lines in Fig. i so that the pawl 31: vcill be moved between two adjacent teeth of the ratchet Wheel 30 and as the final part of the advance movement of the plunger is concluded. result in turning the ratchet Wheel one step. it on the contrary said blocking device 39 he in the dotted line position in said Fig. 8. the projection 35 as the plunger 12 is advanced in the manner just described, will pass free of said blocking device and as a consequence the register \vt ll not be operated. lnitially or When the appliance is first installed the blocking device 39 occupies tie dotted line position in Fig.

S. It will be assumed that after installation the subscriber desires a call. In this event the plunger is advanced and the register as a consequence is operated. 'hen the plunger has completed its advance movement. the line switchlS is closed as already described. This apprises central that the subscriber desires a call. If. however. the subscriber gets his party. the operator .will through the magnet 5 open the line switch 18 and at the same time cause the movement of the blocking device 39 to move from the dotted line to the full line position in Fig. 8, so that on the second advance of the plunger the register will be operated. If on the contrary the subscriber fails to get his party. current is sent through the magnet in such way as merely to open the line switch but not to shift the blocking device from the dotted line to the full line position. so that in the latter event when the plunger is moved forward a second time no registration is ob tained. The register is. therefore, one count ahead of the subscriber, and this can be deducted when a statement is given the subscriber. Tbile as I have observed the action of the register is actually accomplished by the subscriber. this is a permissive action under the control of the central oifice.

\That I claim is:

.1. The combination of a register. a manually operable member, a blocking member, the manually operable member being provided with means for operating the register and also provided with means for moving the blocking member into position where it will prevent the action of the register by said register operating means, and means operative independently of the manually operable member, for moving the blocking member to position where it will cause the operation of the register.

2. The combination of a register, a manually operable member, a blocking member, the manually operable member being provided with means for operating the register and also provided with means for moving the blocking member into position where it will prevent the action of the register by said register operating means. a magnet. and means operative by said magnet for moving said blocking member to position where it will cause the operation of the register.

3. The combination of a register. a manuallv advanceable member. a blocking member. the manually advanceable member being provided with means for operating the legister on its advance movement and also provided with means operative on the retractive movement of said manually operable member for moving said blocking member into position where it will prevent the action of the register by said manually operable means on the advance thereof. and means operative independently of the manually mg member to position to permit operation of the register on the advance of the manually advanceable member.

I. The combination of a register. a reciprocable plunger. register operating means actuated by the plunger on one stroke thereof, a register blocking device. means actuated by the plunger on the other stroke thereof for moving said register blocking device to position to block the action of the register, and means independent of the plunger for moving the register blocking device t position to permit action of the register.

'5. The combination of a register. a manually dvanceable plunger. automatic means forretracting the plunger. means actuated by the plunger for efiecting the operation of the register on the advance of the plunger. a blocking device, means operative by the plunger for moving the blocking device into position where it will prevent the operation of the register on the advance of the plunger. and means independentof the plunger for moving the blocking device to position to permit operation of the register.

6. The combination of a register provided with a ratchet wheel. a manually advanceable plunger. automatically operative means for retracting the plunger. a resilient member provided with a pawl for said ratchet. a blocking device provided with means when said blocking device is in inoperative position for operating said resilient member to carry the pawl into engagement with and to effeet the turning of the ratchet wheel. said resilient member on the backward movement of the plunger being adapted to act against said blocking device to move the latter toward operative position, and means independent of the plunger for moving said blocking device to a predetermined position.

7. The combination of a register. a manually advanceable and spring retractable plunger, means actuated by the plunger for effecting the operation of the register on the advance of the plunger. a blocking device for preventing action of the register on the advance of the plunger when said blocking device is in operative position. means actuated by the plunger on the re tractive movement thereof for moving the blocking device to inoperative position. independent means for moving the blocking device to operative position. a. line switch. and means set in action by the plunger at -a predetermined point in the movement thereof for causing the closing operation of the line switch.

8. The combination of a manually advanceable. spring retractable plunger. a register provided with aratchet wheel. a spring arm provided with a pa l cooperative with the ratchet wheel and connected with said y en member auiematic means for rehen in inopel said manually ucivauceable memring erm'io ins switch means actuated by the the rat vaneeable member for causing 11% plunger, alas?- the ulocklng ward opem'iwe 00 the line switch at a predetere advance 0f the manually 1e member, a magnet means actuhe magnet for causing the opening e line switch, a register a mucking demeans mumble with file plunger for e epem'tien of the register on A (mes 0% said manually mh'anceable melzfiser file blinking deYiee when in Qpeme positinn being aeup'ted i0 prevent the aefiion of the register and said nmnuall v :10- ?uneeable member hm'ing means adapie l 0n the refimeti-Gn fthereef 5:0 mme said blocking u *ice 0 iuopera'zhie position, and means magnet "for moving the mperative posifien.

ii, 111 mold

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