US146812A - Improvement in telegraph-signal boxes - Google Patents

Description

` t' and brake-wheels d and e.

d lvrrnn lScrn'rns THOMAS A. EDISON, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN DISTRICT TELEGRAPH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN TELEGRAPH-SIGNAL BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 146,812., dated January 27, 1874 application tiled December 3, 1872.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that` I, TrioMAs A. EDISON, of Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented an Improvement in Telegraphic Alarm and Signal Apparatus, of which the following is a specification:

Before my invention, an alarm apparatus and local telegraph had been invented for communicating from several houses or buildings in a telegraphic circuit with the central station, for calling police, messenger, or other service, as seen in Letters Patent No. 127,844, granted to E. A. Calahan. My invention is an improvement upon the same, and a modification of Letters Patent No. 129,526; and consists iu an adjustment to the springs that close the circuit, whereby the V- shaped ends are properly positioned, and the powerA of the springs regulated. Also, in arranging the magnet, armature, and adjustable stops in relation to the clock-work sol that the parts are easy of access, and the sound from the moving armature will be unconiiued.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is an elevation with the bed in section; and Fig. 2 is a plan with the clock-work or train of gearing removed.

The base al is made circular, and adapted to receiving a glass shade to protect the machine from dust; and the base is sustained by a bracket, b, that can be screwed to a window or door frame, or other convenient support.

` The plates c c are connected to the base a, and carry the spring-barrel and train of gearing, of any usual character, to rotatethe shaft There is a stoppin, 2, upon the wheel d that is arrested by the lever f, which lever f is mounted upon the insulated cross-shaft 3, and provided with a linger-key, f', ouside the base, so that, by

depressing the said key f the lever f is Y moved, the pin 2 liberated, and the train of gearing allowed to move, and revolve the wheels d and e. The saine movement breaks the'electric circuit that ordinarily passes from the binder 4, through the insulated switch 5 and wire, to the lever j'; thence, through the j pin 2 and clock-work and bed, to the binder 6.

In the brake-wheels d c are notches, positioned `to give indications upon a suitable instrument at the central receiving-stationsuch as a bell-magnet, armature, and hammer-to designate, by the strokes on the bell, the number allotted to the wheel d, or to the wheel e, and, in so doing, indicate the station at which the instrument is placed containing such numbers and, also, what is wanted--such as police or messenger.

The switch k is employed to direct the cirs s cuit through either the wheel d or the wheel e, according to what is to be indicated at the receiving-station. I remark that the contactblocks 10 and 1l of the switch are sufficiently near each other for the circuit not to be broken in the act of moving the switch froi'n` one contact-block to the other. s The circuit-closing springs l n are upon in-- sulated blocks, and connected by clampingscrews passing through slots, so that the V- proper length of pause between the pulsations. s

The electro-magnet m is in an opening in the base a below the clock-work, and it is provided with an armature, p, and levert, having a limited motion between the adjustingscrews 13 14, and the `retractile `spring 15 is adjusted by the shaft 1 6, that passes through the frames c. This arrangement renders the parts very compact, gives access to the magn et from below, and brings the ,moving end of the armature-lever where it can be` seen, and the sound thereof against the screws 13 14 will not be confined. y

The connection from thegbinder 4, through the insulated switch 5 to the lever f, ordinarily remains closed, and forms a shunt tothe main line, cutting out the electro-magnet; but, when broken at `5, the current is compelled to go s through the electro-magnet m, producing a motion of the armature, and` sound. This switch 5 is, therefore, only employed by an operator PATENT OFFICE..

There are insulated to ascertain whether or not the line is in use by any other instrument, by compelling any pulsation to pass through his magnet, and if the electro-magnet is not vibrated the line is clear, and his own instrument een be started, and, by the electro-magnet responding, it will become apparent that the line is in proper oondition.

I claim as my inventionn 1. The oireuitsprings In, attached by slots and screws, so as to be adjustable in their length and power, as set forth, in Combination with the wheels d e, as speoied.

2. The combination of the elect-romagna?. m beneath the clock-Work, the adjusting armature-lever, screws 13 14 outside the clock-work, and the shaft 167 for adjusting the spring, 15 above the lever and through the clock-plates c c, all arranged as and for the purposes set forth.

Signed by me this 26th dey of November,

THOMAS A. EDISON. Witnesses GEO. T. PINGKNEY, (3i-IAS. H. SMITH.

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