US1338497A

US1338497A - Telegraph instrument

Info

Publication number: US1338497A
Application number: US156616A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas J Dunn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1917-03-22
Filing date: 1917-03-22
Publication date: 1920-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 1937-04-27

Description

T. J. DUNN.

TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR,22| 1911.

Patented Apr. 27, 1920.

. operation. I

THOMAS J. DUNN, 0F JERSEY 'CITY, -1\TEW TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Lttersfllatent.

Patented Apr. 27, 1920.

Application filed March .22, 1917. Serial No. 158,616.

To all 207mm it may concern:

Be it known'that I, THOMAS J. DUNN, a citizen of United States, residing at Jersey City, county of Hudson, and State of 'New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Telegraph Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to telegraphic instruments, and particularly to sending devices for transmitting messages according to the Morse code wherein the contacts for sending dots are accomplished by a vibratory element controlled by the operator.

The main object of the invention is to provide a compact instrument occupying a small amount of space, but'wherein'the vibrator shall have'certain and persistent In the so called wig-wag instruments wherein the vibration-of the vibratory element is produced by whipping it about a stop, the length of'the element must be such as to occupy considerable space. Moreover, nearly all of the vibratory elements have been'horizontal so that a'considerable lateral space is required. In those instruments wherein a pendulum 'formsthe oscillating element, the superstructure necessary to support the pendulum, occupies a considerable space; and furthermore'thependulum must-be of considerablelength in order to'have the amplitude necessarytogive positive operation and, as thexfrequency of oscillation of the pendulum dependsupon its length, high frequency of operation and positiveness of'operation are mutually antagonistic. V

According to the present invention, the vibratory element .is vertically upstanding from the base and vvibrates'about'one end as acenter as distinguished from'vibra'tion about a whipping stop as a center,.the latter being the case with the twig-wag type of instrument. Preferably the'end of the vibrator is securedto the base so that it vibrates from the base as a center. The vi.- brator is thrown laterally by springs so that it is unnecessary for the vibrator itself to have any vibratory spring action although it is desirablelthat the vibrator comprise spring material as well as flexibility for centering the device when it rests or for aiding the action of the extraneous lateral springs. This arrangement by proper adjustment, not only gives the desired frequency, butpermits of the use of a considerable weight i-norder to'give persistentf and positive action, and also restricts the amplitude of vibration within compact limits.

Another object of, .the'invention is to cushion the parts actuatedby the operator so that the shock and jarattendant thereupon, are soreducedas to relieve thenerves of the operator from the nervous strain which may finally develop intotelegraphers cramp, and in any event the comfort of the operator is greatly promoted thereby.

Other and ancillary objects of the invention will appear-hereinafter.

WVhile the invention is realized to its fullest advantage-in structures other than those of the wig-wag type as above ex plained, it may be embodied in structures of the type mentioned with improved results.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention Figure 1..is atop plan view of a. telegra h sender embodying'the invention;

ig. 2. is a front elevation;

Fig. 3. is a section on the line 8 3 of Fig.1.

Fig. 4.-.is a bottom plan view;

Fig. '5. is a side elevation;

Fig.6. is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of certainparts; and

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 6. in a plane renioved90 from the view ofFig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, the instrument comprises a hollow metal base 1 supported on the rubber buttons 2 and carrying the binding posts 3 and 4 to which the line wires 5'and 6 are connected. The post 3 is insulated from the base while the post 4; r

is not. The post 3 is connected by an insulated wire 6 with the switch arm 7 which is pivotedon but insulated from the base and adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with a stud 8 mounted on, and in electrical contact with the base. When, therefore, the switch arm is in contact with the stud, a connection is formed directly between the posts 3 and 4 through the base, and when the arm is out of contact with the stud this connection is broken.

The post 3 is also connected by an insulatedconductor 9 with the frame of the transmitter mechanism comprising the U 'tude of the vibration within restricted shaped member 10 supported on the

posts

11, 12 and 13 which are insulated from the base. I

The vibrator for sending the dots, comprises a weight 14 supported at the upper end of a flat steel spring 15 to which it is fixed, the lower end of the spring being fixed to the base. The length of the spring between thev base and the weight which is available for fiexure may be varied and therefore the period of vibration may be varied by means of a member 16 which engages with the sides of the spring and may be slid'along the same, being fixed to the weight 14 in any desired position of adjustment by means of a screw 17 passing through a slot 18 into the weight 14. The member 16' engages in a slot 19 in the weight 14 so that it is properly guided during adjustment and held immovable when the screw 17 is tightened.

The vibrator carries a contact 20 mounted on a flat spring 21 and adapted to move into and out of engagement with the adjustable contact 22 on the member 10, to send dots, as the vibrator moves to and fro.

On the side of the weight 14 opposite the contact 20 is secured a fiat spring 23 adapted to come against the adjustable stop 24 on the member 10. This stop has an end 25 of insulation to prevent electrical connection being made between the base and the member 10 through the spring 23. As the vibrator moves toward the stop 24 from its central position, power is stored in the spring 23 which, at the end of the stroke, gives the vibrator an impetus in the opposite direction. Similarly, the spring 21 cushions the vibrator at the end of its stroke at the other end of its swing and gives it a return impetus. By this arrangement the p ositiveness and persistence of a vibrator having a considerable weight may be employed and the desired frequency obtained while at the same time holding the amplilimits.

Normally the vibrator is held at one side ofits central position by means of a finger 25 fixed to the vibrator and carrying an adjustable screw 26 bearing against the arm 1 2'7 pivoted at 28 on a lug 29 fixed to the base.

The upper end of the arm against which the screw 26 bears isnormally pressed against the screw by a flat spring 29 which secured to the arm and bears against the insulated end of an adjustable screw 30 mounted in the post 11. The arm is turned on its pivot by having its lower end extending through an opening in the base and within a yoke 31 formed in a key lever 32 on the under side of'the base and pivoted thereto at 33'. The

key lever extends through a slot in the front of the base and terminates in a finger piece 34. By'pushin g the finger piece to the right (Figs. 1 and 2) the bottom end of the arm 27 is drawn in the same direction, throwing the rubber buffer 35 fixed to the upper end of the arm,against the adjustable stop screw j The dash contacts are made by the contact 7 37 coming against the adjustables'crew 38 supported in the post 13. This contact 57 is flexible so as to give when it comes against the screw 38, and is backed by a rubber buffer 39'. The contact 37 and the buffer are mounted on the upper end of an arm 4t) pivoted to thelug 29 at 41 and having its lower end extending through the'base and within the yoke 31. The arm is normally held in the position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 by a flat spring 42 secured thereto and bearing against the insulated end of an adjustable screw 4-3 mounted in the post 13. Then the finger piece is moved to the left.

(Figs. land 2), the lower end of the arm 40' is drawn in the same direction and the contact 37 is thrown against the contact 38, this contact being maintained so long as the finger piece is pressed to the left.

WVhile the invention has been'illustrated in what is considered itsbest application, it may have other embodiments without departing from its spirit and so is not limited to the structures shown in the drawings.

What I claim is V r j 1. In a telegraph sender, the combination with a base, of a vibratory member secured to the base andextending upwardly therefrom,rcontacts controlled by said vibrator and .a finger lever movable parallel to said base and operatively related to saidvibrator.

2. In a' telegraph sender, the combination with a base, of a spring secured to said base at one end and extending upwardly therefrom, a weight carried by said spring, contacts controlled by the vibratory movement of said weight and a finger lever movable parallel to said baseand operatively related to saidvibrator.

3. In a telegraphsender, the combination with abase, of a vibratory member extending upwardly therefrom, said vibrator vibrating aboutone of its ends as a center, contacts controlled by said vibrator anda finger lever movable parallel to said base and o eratively related to said vibrator.

4. n a telegraph sender, the combination with abase, of a vibrator secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom, said vibrator. vibrating about its junction with said base as a center, contacts controlled by said vibrator and a finger lever movable parallel to said base and'operatively related to said vibrator.

5. In a telegraph sender, the combination with a base, of a vibratory member comprising a spring secured at one end to the base and a weight carried by said spring, said vibrator vibrating about the junction of said spring and said base as a center, a spring at each side of said weight cushioning said vibrator at the ends of its strokes and imparting return impetus thereto, dot sending contacts controlled by said vibrator, a lever extending substantially parallel to said vibrator and controlling the same, dash contacts supported by said base, a lever substantially parallel to the aforesaid lever controlling said dash contacts, and a finger lever substantially parallel to said base and operating the aforesaid levers.

6. In a telegraph sender, the combination with a vibrator, of contacts controlled thereby for sending dots, contacts for sending dashes, a key lever controlling the said vibrator and the said dash contacts and resilient means for receiving the impact upon the operation of said key lever when sending either dots or dashes, whereby the jar upon the hand of the operator is lessened.

7. In a telegraph sender, the combination with a base, of a vibratory member thereon, springs on each side of said member, one of said springs acting as a cushion between said member and said base but making insulated engagement therewith, electrical connection a being alternately made and broken through the other of said springs as said member vibrates.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification this QOthday of March, 1917.

THOMAS J. DUNN.