US1285969A - Telephone system. - Google Patents

Description

F. L. FISHER.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-24.19lfi.

1,285,969. Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

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F. L. FiSHER.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-24.1916.

1 ,285,969 Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Frank L.

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TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-24.1916.

Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

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(It map UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRAII K L. FISHER, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM NAY BOG-GESS, 0F DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Specification of Iietters Patent.

Patented Nov. 26,1918.

Application filed January 24, 1916. Serial No. 73,955.

1 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK L. FISHER, a resident of Decatur, county of Macon, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in a telephone system and particularly to prepay boxes designed for use in automatic systems, that is systems wherein automatic signaling means at subscribers stations and selective mechanism is used at a central station, instead of operators.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of a prepay box in which signaling impulses can not be transmitted over the line previous to the deposit of the proper coin and having means and connections whereby the coin is deposited in the safe when the receiver is removed from the receiver hook at the called station, and, whereby the coin is deposited in the return tray if the receiver at the calling station is replaced on its receiver hook before the removal of that of the called station and also if a call is attempted in a party line that is busy, the coin is deposited in the return tray when the receivers at both the called and calling stations of the established connection are replaced on the hooks.

A further object is the provision of such a mechanism in an automatic telephone system whereby the control of the coin is entirely automatic and effective under all working conditions without the necessity of nice and minute adjustment.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a prepay box including a pair of oppositely polarized elcctromagnets operating an armature to move it in two directions. one to deposit the coin in the safe and the other in the return tray, and a condenser, all wired to an automatic telephone set so that the condenser shunts one of the magnets for talking purposes until the called station answers when the current reversed by the connector relays at the central station energizes the magnet sufliciently to operate the armature to deposit the coin in the safe.

-The connections are also so arranged that the selecting dial is shunted by one of the magnets until the proper coin is dropped into the slot. the coin resting on a comparatively long lever arm and thereby breaking one contact and making another to establish a circuit whereby the impulses may be sent out over the line. The connections are also so arranged that when the called station does not answer and the receiver at the calling station is replaced on its book, the other magnet will be energized to move the armature to cause the coin to be deposited in the return tray, this also being true when a station attempts ,to call on a party line that is already busy.

A further object is the provision of a prepay box wherein the coin is supported until the called station answers or the calling station hangs up, when the proper magnet is energized and the coin positively moved in one direction or the other depending upon the conditions of the circuits for deposit in the safe or the return tray.

Further objects include the simplification of details of construction, mechanism and wiring necessary to havecomplete and efiective automatic control over the coin and the provision of a mechanism which requires the deposit of the coin before the calling circuit is established.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and then sought to be defined in the appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and which show for the purpose of illustrative disclosure a. preferred embodiment of my invention, it

' being understood that various changes may be made in practice within the scope of the claims without digressing from my inventive idea.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a prepay box constructed according to my invention, the cover being removed and parts broken away to facilitate disclosure.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the right hand side of the same showing the coin ways.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3--3 of Fig. 1 looking in direction of the arrow.

Fig. l is a horizontal section taken on line of Fig. 3, the coils of the magnets being shown in elevation.

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on line of Fig. 3.

Fig. (3 is a longitudinal section taken on line 66 of Fig. 1 showing the spring contacts and operatinglever arm.

Fig. 7 is aside elevation of the left hand side of the box as a whole.-

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of the telephone set and prepay box at a subscribers station, showing the condition of the circuits with the receiver removed from its hook and the coin placed in the slot and supported on the lever arm.

I have not illustrated in detail the set at a station, as that is of the standard construction used in automatic systems at present installed, however the coin or prepay box with its contained mechanism and wiring is shown fully and completely. However in Fig. 8, I show a diagram of the wiring of the set at astation to which reference is first made, it being recalled that in automatic systems lifting the receiver from the hook breaks a contact and makes another contact, and that signaling impulses are controlled by a selecting mechanism including a dial and various spring contacts. The numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 designate binding posts or terminals in the telephone instrument itself, and 8 the transmitter, 9 the receiver and 10 the receiver hook, making connection alternately with contacts 11 and 12. The selecting mechanism is merely indicated by contacts 13, 14 and 15. The receiver hook 10 is connected to terminal 1 by conductor a. Conductor 72 connects terminal 2 to contact 14 of the selecting mechanism, c connects terminal 3 to contact 15, 65 connects terminal 4 to contact 12, e connects terminal 6 to the receiver 9, f connecting the other side of the receiver with terminal 7, the transmitter 8 also being connected thereto by conductor 9. Conductor h connects contact 11 with terminal 6, conductor 71 placing both terminal 6 and contact 11 in connection with contact 13 of the selecting mechanism. The other side of the transmitter is "connected to contact 14. by conductor k.

The prepay or coin box has a similar series of five terminals or binding posts designated O, 1*, 2 3 and 4*, terminals 1, 2 and 3 being connected with the correspondingly designated terminals 1, 2 and tors 1', 2 and 3 To complete the description of the wiring and circuits, I merely mention some of the merhanism in the prepay box, still referring to Fig. 8. Mounted therein are the polarized magnets A and B, the condenser C and the contacts 16, 17, and 18, the latter being a double spring contact normally in contact with 16, which contact is broken when spring contact 16 is raised. Then 18 contacts with 17. The wiring connections of the parts are. as follows: Z connects one side of the condenser C to terminal 0, m connecting the other side of the condenser to one side of 3 by conducmagnet A, which side of magnet A is also connected to terminal 3 by conductor n. Conductor p connects the other side of mag:

net A to contact 16 which is also connected to terminal 0 by conductor 9. Terminal 2 magnets have the single armature 20 pivoted therebetween and have the usual spring controlling members permittlng its movement in either direction when the proper magnet is energized and causing the return of the armature to lts normal position.

On the side of the box adjacent the armature ismounted the coin run way 21, which begins atthe coin receiving slot 22 and has two termlni, one the return tray 23 and the other the delivery chute 24 into the safe 25. The

coin is directed positively into one or the other according to the circuits as will be described in detail hereinafter.

Mounted beneath the magnets A and B is the long operating lever arm 26 which is pivoted as at 27 and has its coin supporting end portion 28 positioned in the coin runway so that a coin deposited in the slot 22 will drop thereon and be supported thereby. The pair of horizontally extending fingers 29 assist in holding the coin in position on the lever arm. These fingers extend outwardly from the plate supporting member 30 which is adjustably secured to the arm 31 depending from the armature, so that when the armature is moved the fingers 29 are moved forcin the coin one way or the other to its desire place of discharge. The fingers normally act as stops or abutments, but when they are moved one pushes or forces the coin and the other is withdrawn out of the way, due to the pivotal mounting of the armature.

This lever arm 26 controls the position of contacts 16, 17 and 18, the spring arm 32 carrying the contact 16 being the longest and having the insulated bearing member on its end which is engaged by the right angled extension 33 of the lever arm 26. The lowest arm 34 is a spring member having contacts 18 thereon and adapted to contact with. either upper arm 32 or immediate arm 35 which has contact 17 The normal tendency spring arm 34 to move upwardly to cause contacts 17 and 18 to engage. From a consideration particularly of Fig. 6, it is seen that the lever arm is pivoted near its operating end so that the end on which the coin rests is the longer arm of the lever whereby positive and quick movement of the lever occurs on deposit of the coin. The wiring of these parts has been described hereinbefore in connection with the description of Fig. 8.

The various circuits under different operating conditions will now be considered. When the receiver at the calling station is removed from its hook and before the coin is dropped into the slot the dial is shunted out by coil A, the circuit being as follows line terminal 1, connector 1', terminal 1,

-conductor a, hook 10, contact 11, conductor h, terminal 6, conductor 6, receiver 9, conductor 7", terminal 7, conductor 9, transmitter 8. conductor k, conductor b, terminal 2, connector 2, terminal 2*, conductor '2', contact 18, contact 16, conductor 9, and line terminal 0, so that no impulses Will be sent out over the line to the central selective mechanism.

When the coin is dropped into the slot 22 and rests on the end of lever arm 26, contacts 16 and 18 will be separated and 17 and 18 connected, the circuit for the selective impulses being as follows :terminal 1*, connector 1", terminal 1, conductor a, hook 10, contact 11, conductor it, terminal 6, con" ductor 6, receiver 9, conductor 7", terminal 7, conductor g, transmitter 8, conductor 70, contacts 14, 15, conductor 0, terminal 3, connector 3", terminal 3, conductor n, coil (magnet) A, conductor p, conductor (1 and line terminal 0. The coil or magnet A is in series with the transmitter and receiver but the current is flowing therethrough in the wrong direction to energize the same. When the receiver at the called station is removed from its hook the direction of the current is reversed by means of the connector relays at the central station and the magnet A energized so that the armature is moved tomove the fingers 29 to the right in Fig. 2 to cause the coin to drop into the safe.

If however the receiver at the calling station is replaced on its hook before the called station answers the following circuit is established :line terminal 1*, conductor t, coil B, conductor 8, contact 17, contact 18, conductor 1", terminal 2*, connector 2", terminal 2, conductor 6, contacts 14 and 15, conductor 0, terminal 3, connector 3", terminal 3 conductor a, coil A, conductor p, conductor (1, line terminal 0. Coil B is therefore energized and the armature moved in the opposite direction so that the fingers 29 are also moved to deposit the coin in the return tray 23. The current flowing through coil A is in the wrong direction to energize it.

If a call on a party line should be established and a second party without first listening should deposit a coin in coin box and attempt to call, it would in no way interfere with the call previously established. Upon the return of the second parties receiver to the hook and breaking of connection previously established, the coin deposited by the second party will be returned to the tray, the circuit being the same as above described.

It is to be noted that condenser C shunts out coil A for transmission purposes only and thereby improves transmission when a connection is established with central station telephones and on non-paying calls. Also if contacts 16 and 18 fail to connect properly, condenser C still permits efi'ective transmission.

What I claim is:

1. In a telephone system, the combination of talking and listening instrumentalities, signaling mechanism, a prepay box, a lever arm for supporting a coin, electro-magnets for controlling the disposition of the coin, an interconnection controlled by the lever arm for the purpose of shunting the signaling mechanism until the lever arm is moved by the weight of a coin thereon; one of the electro-magnets being in the shunt circuit, and interconnections controlled by the lever arm whereby the talking and listening instrumentalities are placed in series with said electro-magnet while a coin is supported on the lever arm.

2. In a telephone system, the combination of talking and listening instrumentalities, signaling mechanism adapted to deliver pulsations of current to a selector mechanism, a prepay box, a lever arm pivotally mounted in the prepay box and adapted to receive and be moved by a coin, a polarized electro-mag net, having an armature, means connected with said armature for positively moving the coin in either direction to return or dc posit the same, movable contacts operated by said lever arm, interconnections between said contacts, saidelectro-magnet and said signaling mechanism for the purpose of rendering the latter ineffective to deliver pulsations of current to the selector mechanism .until a coin moves the lever arm, interconsignaling mechanism, a prepay box, a lever arm pivotally mounted therein and adapted to receive and be depressed by the weight of a coin, a pair of oppositely polarized electromagnets having a common armature pivotally mounted, means connected to said armature for holding the coin on the lever arm when the armature is in its normal position and for moving the coin in either direction positively according to the movement of the armature, one of the electro-magnets being energized when a connection with the called station is established so that the coin is moved to bev deposited, the other electromagnet being energized when the receiver 7 of the calling station is replaced on its hook before the connection is established with a. called station so as to move the coin forreturn.

5. In a telephone system, the combination of talking and listening instrumentalities, signaling mechanism, a prepay box, a lever arm pivotally mounted therein and adapted to receive and be depressed by the weight of a coin, a pair of oppositely polarized electromagnets having a common armature pivotally mounted, means connected to said armature for holding the coin on the lever arm when the armature is in itsnormal position, and for moving the coin in either direction positively according to the movement of the armature, one of the electro-magnets being energized when a connection with the called station is established so that the coin is moved to be deposited, the other electromagnet being energized when the receiver of the calling station is replaced on its hook before the connection is established with a called station-so as to move the coin for return, movable contacts actuated by said lever arm, and interconnections between said talking and listening instrumentalities, signaling mechanism, and electro-magnets, and movable contacts, whereby the signaling mechanism is shunted out until the lever arm is moved by the coin and whereby the talking and listening instrumentalities and the .first mentioned electro-magnet are placed in series when the lever arm 1s moved by the deposit-of the coin.

6. In a telephone system, the comblnatlon of talking and listening instrumentalities,

signaling mechanism, a prepay box, a lever naaaeea arm pivotally mounted therein and adapted to receive and be moved by a coin for closing a circuit including the signaling mechanism,

a polarized electro-magnet included in the circuit and having a pivoted armature, means connected to said armature for positively moving said coin so that it will drop off said lever arm, and means for energizing said electro-magnet when the connection is established so that the armature actuates the coin moving means to move the coin off the lever arm, said coin moving means including fingers spaced apart to receive a com therebetween and permit the same to move the lever arm, sald fingers serving as abutments. to hold the coin in place while the arm-aw ture is stationary and serving to push the coin positively in either direction according to the movement of the armature, the finger in front of the moving coin being withdrawn from its path of movement so as to permit its deposlt or return.

7. In a telephone system, the combination of talking and listening instrumentalities, signaling mechanism, a prepay box, a lever arm pivotally mounted therein and adapted to receive and be depressed by the weight of a coin, a pair'of oppositely polarized electro-magnets having a common armature pivotally mounted, means connected to said armature for holding the coin on the lever arm wvhen the armature is in its normal position and for moving the coin in either direction positively according to the movement of the armature, one of the electro-magnets being energized when a connection with the called station is established so that the coin is moved to be deposited, the other electromagnet being energized when the receiver of the calling station is replaced on its hook before connection is established with a called station so as to move the coin for return, said coin moving means including fingers spaced apart to receive a coin therebetween and permit the same to move the lever arm, said fingers servin as abutments to hold the coin in place whi e the armature is stationary and-serving to push the coin positively in either direction according to the movement of the armature, the finger in front of the moving coin being withdrawn from its ath of movement so as to permit its deposit or return.

8. In a telephonesystem, the combination of talking and listening instrumentalities and a signaling mechanism, a pro-pay box,

means therein for supporting a coin, elecv or positively 9. In a telephone system, the combination energizing said electrically controlled means of talking and listening instrumentalities when the connection with the called station and signaling mechanism, a pre-pay box, is established, so that the coin is moved to 10 means mounted therein for supporting a be deposited, other electrically controlled 5 coin, electrically controlled means for movmeans operable under certain conditions so ing said coin in-one direction so that it will as to move the coin for return. drop ofi of said lever arm, and means for FRANK L. FISHER.

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