US1560226A

US1560226A - Automatic responding and recording device for telephones

Info

Publication number: US1560226A
Application number: US497587A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fisher Sydney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1921-09-01
Filing date: 1921-09-01
Publication date: 1925-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 1942-11-03

Description

Nov. 3, 1925:Y i,

' s. FISHER AUTOMATIC RESPONDING AND RECORDING DEVICE FOR TELPHONES Filed Sept. l, 1921 5 sheets-'shed 1 Ell Hlm l 1,560,226 s. FISHER AUTOMATIC RESPONDING AND RECORDING DEVICE FOR TELEPHONES Nov. 3l 1925- Fled Sept. l, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 3, 1925. 1,560,226

s. FHSHER AUTOMATIC RESPONDING AND RECORDING DEVICE FOR TELEPHONES Filed sept. 1, 1921 3 s11ets-sheet :s

Patented Nov. V3, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,s6o,zz6 `PATENT OFFICE.

SYDNEY FISHER, OF WESTPORT, CONNECTICUT.

AUTOMATIC BESFPONDING AND RECORDING DEVICE FOR TELEPHONES.

Application led September 1, 1821. Serial No. 497,587. l

- phones, of which the following is a' speci- Cil lication.

My invention is an improved automatic device for use with telephones and phonographic recording instruments of Standard type to notify the calling party of the-absence of the party called and to receive and record the message which the calling party may dictate.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of the class specified which is adapted for use particularly as an attachment to the telephone instrument, being operated independently of the telephone circuit and capable of being entirely disconnected from the-telephone and the recording instrument to allow the use of either in the customary way.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which when connected to the telephone will be automatically set in operation by an incoming call to signal to the calling party that the party called is absent, while indicating that the apparatus is connected to receive and record a message.

y Another object of the invention is to adaptv the device to remain in active connection with the telephone for a predetermmed period previous to or during interruptions 1n the dictation, and to remind theparty calling that the connection will be broken unless dictation is commenced or resumed as the case may be.

Another object of the invention is to adapt the device to be automatically reset to first position after vhaving received and recorded aA message, or after a predetermined period of waiting for the dictation of the message, whereby it is left 'ready for the next call.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred embodiment of the apparatus as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

F ig. 1 is a general plan view of my im-- proved dev-ice, showing the dictaphone with which it cooperates and illustrating the method of connecting the apparatus with thc telephone instrument;

`dictaphone B, sec also Fig. 5.

Fig. 2, a longitudinalview taken in a vertical plane through the mainhousing of the apparatus and illustrating the mechanical connection between its electrical-control devices and the telephone instrument;

' Fig. 3, an enlar edsectional view of the absent-signalling evice or Ibuzzelggshowing the manner in which thesame is attached to the telephone transmitter; l

Fig. 4, an enlarged sectional view Showing the variable-contact device employed. in connection with the dictaphone stylus to opcrate the absent-signalling device;

' Fig. 5, a detail view` ofthe means for holding the telephone receiver in communi-` cation with the dictaphone 4transmitter or mouthpiecev l v Fig. 6, a vdetail view showing the variablecontact device and dictaphone reproducer in contact with the record- Fig. V7', a more or less diagrammatic view o f the Vcomplete apparatus shown in connection with the telephone instrument and the dictaphone, and illustrating the various electrical circuits for controlling the opera tion of the device;

Fig. 8, a detail View similar tov Fig. 4 illustrating a modified form of the variablecontact device;

Fig. 9, a detail view showing a modified form of the detent-means for the solenoid which operates the receiver-hook of the telephone;l and Referring first to Fig. 1 of the drawings, A designates a telephone instrument of usual type which, for cooperation with my im proved apparatus, is placed upon a bracket or shelf 30 secured to .the stand or table 31 of any lapproved form of phonographic relcording instru-ment which, for conveniencer of descriptiomwill hereinafter be referred to 'as a dictaphone B. The stand 3l is also provided with a bracket 32 adapted to sup- 'port the telephone receiver A to connect the latter with the mouthpiece B of the Attached to the recorder B2 of the dictaphone B, and movable therewith longitudinally of the record cylinder B3, is an arm 33 shown in Fig. 1. The arm 33 extends transversely of the record cylinder B3v and carries at its outer end a variable-contact device C constructed in the manner and for the purpose as later ex lained.

Iounted on the shelf o r bracket 30 which supports t-he telephone instrument A is a elements of the device enclosed within thehousing 34 comprise a main solenoid E having' a vertically slidable coie E. The core E carries a cross-head E2 at its lower end provided with contact points 1*", G and V at one side and formed on `its opposite slde with an inclined cam-face E2 terminating in a point E4, the purpose of which is later explained. Surrounding the core E between its cross-head E2 and the bottom of the solenoid E is a spring E2 which serves to normally maintain the core in its lowermost position. At the upper end-of the core E is a cross-arm E adapted to be hooked across the receiver-hook A3 of the telephone instrument A to hold the hook in its normal or depressed position when the receiver A is removed therefrom. u

Adjacent the lower end of the solenoid E is pivotally mounted a detent-lever H whlch is formed atits upper end with detentionpoint H adapted to coact with the inclined cam-face E2 and point E4l of the cross-head E2 carried by the core E. Connected to the detent-lever H above and below its plvot point, respectively, are springs K and L, the spring K at its upper. end being)` anchored at any convenient point on the ousing 34. o rlhe spring Lbelow the pivot of the lever H is connected yby a link M2 to the sliding core M of a solenoid M, the purpose of which is to increase or decrease the tension of the spring in the manner and for the purpose as later explained. The extreme lowe-r end H2 of the detent-lever H is connected by a link N2 to the sliding core N of a solenoid N, said core N being connected at its opposite end with the piston O of a dashpot- O which acts as a damping-device to control the period of activity of the complete apparatus in the manner as later explained. a

Within the casing 34 is a polarlzed relay R comprising suitable magnet-coils provided with a vibrating armature R adapted to close certain circuits having contacts at R2 and R3, the purpose of which is later setforth. The polarized relay R is energized by current from a primary battery t of any suitable type shown diagrammatically in Fig.- 7 of the drawings. A small solenoid P located within the casing' 34 is adapted to be energized by the ringing of the telephone `of a spring P3 acting upon the sliding solecall-bell A4, see Fig; 7, and is designed to control the circuit of the main solenoid E through the medium of a switch contact P2 which' is normally held open by the tension noid core Within the casing 34 is an interrupter S comprising magnet-coils S', a vibrating armature S2, and a contact S3 connected in circuit as later described.

Fig. 3 illustrates the absent-signalling device consisting of a buzzer D comprising a casing provided with binding posts D and having mounted therein magnet-coil D2 adapted to vibrate a resilient disk or diaphragm D3. The buzzer D is provided with l .clamps D5 by which it may be attached to the telephone transmitter A2 when the complete apparatus is to be connected therewith.

'lhevariable-contact device C as illustrated in F ig. 4 consists of'a casing C provided with binding-posts C2 and having mounted therein a diaphragm C3 carrying a sensitive needle-point or stylus C4 adapted to travel over the face of the record-cylinder B3. Projecting from the inner face' of said dia-y phragm C3 isa spindle-like contact-member C5 vadapted to make variable contact at its lower end with a carbon disk C. One of the binding-posts C2 is connected to the diaphragm Cs and the other to the carbon disk C6 so thatcurrent passing therebetween will be of varying intensity due to the variable movement communicated to the contactmember C*ls by the yrecord cylinder B3 through the medium of the sensitive contact- 100 point C* and the diaphragm C3.

` An alternative form vof this device is shown in Fig. 8 in which a compound system of levers 'C7' is substituted for the construction just described.- The purpose of 105 the levers C7 is to amplify the movement of the contact-point C5 to increase the degree of variation in intensity of the current. l

Fig. 9 illustrates an alternative detent-l means for retaining the core E of the main 110 solenoid la' in its raised position. In this modified form' of device a small solenoid 40 and a slidable spring detent-latch 41 are `substituted for the pivotedv detent-lever H.

This form of control is intended for use in 115 with which it is in shunt circuit, whereupon 120 the latch .41 Awill beretracted and the core E allowed to take up its normal position.

The operation of my improvedapparatus is accomplished by means of a system of electrical circuits comprising four maior cir- 125 cuits whose energizing current is ordinarily drawn fromany convenient lighting system; and threel minor clrcuits, two of winch are energized by the primary batterv t and one by means of a shunt from the telephone call- 180 bell circuit. These several circuits are shown graphically in Fig. 7 and are a r ranged as next described. Connected In .shunt with the call-bell A* is a minor controlling-circuit comprising wires 1 leading to and from the solenoid P. The major controlling-circuit for initiating and maintaining the operation ot' the complete apparatus is illustrated by heavier lines in Fig. 7 and comprises the following conductors. As before stated, the operating current 1s taken t'roln the lighting circuit. indicated at 'l in Fig. T. b v plugging in at 35. whence a wire Q in the plug-cord or cable leads directly to the elect ric motor lV ot' the dictaphone l. Leading from the motor lV is another branch v22 ot' this circuit which is connected to the contact (l operated Yfrom the main solenoid E. A third wire 21 in this circuit leads from the contact (lr to contact V. (Jonuected with the major circuit conductor 2 of the plug-cord is a branch I leading to the Contact lz operated from the solenoid P which is controlled through the call-bell shunt circuit 1. From the opposite side of the contact P2 this branch circuit extends through a wire 4 to the main solenoid l, and thence through a. wire 5 back to the main line T at the plug 35. Cut into the major circuit wire 2 is abranch 6 leading through the detent-control solenoid M and connected to the contact V. From the opposite side of the contact V this circuit is extended through wires 7 and 8 to the return wire 5 from the solenoid E, and thence back to the plug The minor circuit from the primary bat tery t is illustrated by lighter lines in Fig. 7 and comprises on one side a wire 9 leading to the relay R. From the opposite pole of the battery t a wire 16 leads to contact F operated from solenoid E, and this circuit is continued through wire 13 to the variablecontact device C and thence through wire 17 back to the relay R. From the battery circuit line 9 a wire 10, represented by dotted lines, leads to the armature side of contactpoint R3 and from the opposite side of the contact a wire 11 leads to the contact S3 of the interrupter S. This circuit is continued through wire 12 leading from the coils S' of the interrupter to the Wire 13 which connects the variable-contact device C with contact-point F.

The absent-signalling device or buzzer D is connected in circuit with the primary battery #through a branch 15 leading from wire 16, and a- Wire 14 leading to contact F.

The circuit for the .damping-device' or dashpot solenoid N comprises a branch 18 leading ont from the major operating-circuit wire 2 to the armature R of the relay It, a wire 19 leading from the contact-point R2 to the solenoid N, and a return wire 20 connecting through wire 8 to return wire 5.

Having now set forth the structure and arrangement of the complete apparatus in detail its method of functioning will next be ex lained.

Re erring to Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the apparatus is connected to the telephone and prepared for automatic operation in the manner as follows: The telephone instrument A is first set upon the shelf or bracket 30 and its receiver A removed and placed in the holder 32. As the receiver A is removed from its hook A3 the latter is locked in its normal or depressed position by placing the cross-bar E on the solenoid core E across its top. The buzzer l) is next clamped on over the mouthpiece of the transmitter A2 and the attachingplug screwed into any convenient socket in the lighting circuit. The device is set in operation by the ringing of the call-bell A4, coincident with which current impulses will liow along the shunt circuit 1 leading to the solenoid P to energize the latter to draw in its core P. This action operates the switch contacts P2 to close the normally-open major circuit extending through wires 2, 3, 4 and 5 to the solenoid E. The main solenoid E is thus energized with current from the lighting or line circuit T iowing along the wires 2, 3 and 4 to the solenoid E, and along the Wire 5 back to the line T. As the solenoid E becomes energized it draws its core E upwardly into the position shown by dotted lines' 111 Figs. 2 and 7, breaking contact at V and making contact at F and G in the manner and for the purpose as later explained.

The upward movement of the core E of the solenoid E allows the receiver-hook A of the telephone instrument A to assume its raised position, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 7, where it must be retained as long as it is desiredto hold the telephone in readiness to receive the incoming message. It is to be observed that the contact P2' remains closed only as long as the call-bell A4 continues to ring, since it is only for such a period of time that the shunt circuit 1 is alive and the solenoid P energized. When the call-bell A* ceases to ring the solenoid P is deenergized and the contact P2 will be opened by the action of the spring P3 onl the core P. This action opens the circuit leading to the solenoid E so that the latter becomes deenergized and releases the core E. Under tension of the spring Fr" the core E would normally return to its original or dropped position and lower the receiver-hook A3 to break the connections and prematurely close the telephone against the expected message. To support the core E' in its raised position, however, and prevent this premature dropping of the receiver-hook A3 the pivoted detent-lever H is provided, the detention-point H of which is normall held in the path of the cross-head E2 at the calling be notified that the person called is absent. This is accomplished by means of the buzzer D suspended over the telephone transmitter A2, thc buzzer being actuated by current from the primary battery t liowing along

primary circuit wires

9 and 10 to contact-point R3, thence along wire 11 and through the interrupter S. From the interrupter S the current flows through wires 12 and 13 to the two-point contact F which, at this period of operation, is closed by contact-point F of the cross-head E2 carried by the core E', as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7 From this point the primary current travels along the wire 14, represented by dotted lines in Fig. 7, to the buzzer D, and thence by way of Wires 15 and 16 to the opposite pole of primary battery t.

It will be apparent that the interruptor S is now energized and the resulting vibrations ofv its armature S2 are transmitted to the buzzer D and will there set up a corresponding vibration of the armature disk D3, see Fig. 3, the sound `of which will be caughtup by the telephone transmitter A2.

and relayed to the receiver held by the person"calling.` In this manner notification is given of the absence of the party called and of the proper connection of the message-- recording device in accordance with the prearranged understanding. 'In order to have a message properly recorded the party calling must now begin dictation within a predetermined period of time which, for convenience of this explanation, will be called a five minute period. Failure to dictate- Within this prescribed limit of time will result in disconnection of the telephone through the dropping of the receiver-hook A, which action is brought about by subsequent release of the detent-lever H as next explained. -The movements `-of the detentV leverH are controlled by thepsprings K and L and the solenoid N, the core N of which is pivotally connected to the lower end H2 of the lever. During normal or inactive periods the different units of the device remain in position as shown by full lines in the-diagram, Fig. 7. Throughout these inactive periods the solenoid M is continuously venergized by reason of its circuit being closed at contact-point V and the consequent lflow of current from the line T along the wire 2 through the coil, then along the wire 6 to the contact-point V,v and thence back to line T by way of wires 7, 8 and 5. While thus energized the solenoid M exerts a pull on the spring L tending to balance the tension exerted by the spring K whereb the detent-lever H is held in the position sliown by full lines in the drawings to adapt it to latch the crosshead E2 of the core E of the solenoid E as the latter moves to raised position. When, however, the core E moves upwardly the contact V is immediately broken and the solenoid M is therefore deenergized, whereupon the tension of the spring L' is released and the spring K tends to pull the lever H into the oi' position so that the core E would normally be allowed to drop under the tension of its spring E5. 'lhe pulling action of the spring K and consequent movement of the lever H, however, is retarded by the functioning of the dashpot O which, through the connection of its piston O with the lower end H2 of the lever H, permits only a slow movement thereof. The period of this retardation is determined by previous adjustment of the dashpot O to properly time its action to the Iequire' ments of any particular individual service. Assuming that the dashpot is adjusted for a tive minute period, it is apparent that at the expiration of this time the spring K will have overcome its opposition to permit it to pull the lever H into the olf position, whereupon the core E will drop and the receiver-hook A3 be lowered to open the telephone circuit. The method of operation of the means vfor preventing the above described action during dictation of the message will next be explained.

Assuming that dictation of the message to be recorded is begun within the prescribed five minute period, thenthe retention of the detent-lever H in position to support the core E of the solenoid E is accomplished through a combination of units whose relative action is as follows: The receiver A of the telephone andthe mouthpiece, B of the dictaphone being secured together, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7, it is ,apparent that the wave impulses of the incoming message will be carried directly to the recorder Bt of the dictaphone B. The operating motor W of the dictaphone, having had its circuit closed at the contact-point G upon the upwardmovement of the core E of the solenoid E, is now actuated by current from the line T flowing along the Wire 2 to the motor, thence along the wire 2 to the contact-point G, whence it follows the wire 2b to the wire 7, along said wire 7 to wire 8, and from wire 8 to and along wire 5 back to the line T. In this manner the motor W is connected for operation to start the dictaphone B and as the record B3 rotates and the recorder B2 travels thereover impressions are traced in a spiral path corresponding in depth to the intensity ofv thel wave impulses? delivered'l through the'telcphone-receiverA. The im'.- pressions thus produced upon the record 1 3 serve to actuatc the sensitive ,operatingepoint' C" of what is herein termed the vari-ablecontact device C. rlhis variable-conta(t-device is ofthe construction shown in Fig Ll, and previously described` and comprises the sensitive contact point C* carried by theV diaphragm and adapted to follow the"l path of the recorder B2 upon the record to he actuated bythe impressions produced thereon. l'pon its under -t'ace the diaphragm C carries the spimlle-contact member C5'. whichyat its lower end, makes la loose orto control the degree oi pressure exerted. by

contact. member C5 upon the carbon diskC The diaphragm C and carbon disk C?,y are connectedrin series inA the minor circuit ex' tending from the primaiy battery t through wire 9 to polarized relay Pdtrom relay R through wire 17 to `variable-contact.'device C. thence through y wire vl?) to contact F which` when elosedi'completes the circuit back to the battery through wire 16. 'It

will therefore be apparentthat the intensity and duration ot current throughout this cir" cuit is determinedby the character of the contact set up in thevariable-contact device C through the medium of the impressions on the record B3. y

As long as contact F remains closed the current from primary battery t which en.- ergizes the` polarized relay R is controlled and varied by the incoming message which, through the medium ot the variable-contact device C and the impressions being produced on record B3, rapidly varies the resistance ot' the circuit so that the current going through the coils of the polarizedl relay R is at times uniform and at other times varied in its intensity. During periods ot' interrulition in the dictation ofthe message being recorded there are nov impressions produced upon the record B3 due to the cessation ot the wave impulses which actuate the recorder B2. It will therefore he seen-that at this point in the spiral path being traced upon the record B3 a smooth `space will be encountered by' thc sensitive peint or tractor C4 of the variable-contact device C. This results in a steady c ontact between the spindle C*5 and carbon :disk C, causing a uniform flow of current through' the polarized relay R and the. consequent inaction of its armature R which, during this period. remains in the neutral position shown in Fig. 7 with the contact R3 closed. As long as the armature R remains in this position with the contact R3 closed the buznf scaring; asse periods-f effi tendsif-tslowly draw the dtnt-lever FE'y into" it s ott' position; thus tending to" release-A Athe core E" of? solenoid Eg'. whiclr is equivalent tof hangin-g up' the receiver.l Should "the'i'ni i, usted then'the springl would succeedA in" descrlbed.

completing the actionjust ll hen. however, the dlctation of vthe message is resumed within .the prescribed period then the path of the recorder B2 on the recordr B`nl agam becomes lrregular, the

jcontact at the device C correspondingly varied. and the current passing through the frelay R of fluctuating intensity. Vibration of thej armature R isnow 'set up causing a break at --the contact R and thus stoppmg the'buzzer D and etfectmg an' intermittent .contact at R2; T his intermittent contact at R2permits a flow-of current from-the line 'l along wires 2 vand 18 to the armature R',

`through cont'actvltz, and along the Wire 19.

tothe solenoid N, whence it returns to the line T by way of the wires 20, 8 and 5. The solenoid N is now energized and through the connections of its core N with the detent-leverI-I tends to hold said lever in position to support the core E' of solenoidfl) and maintain the entire apparatus in prolwr adjustment' to receive and record the messaf'fe. f

'Fronrt 1e foregoigg description it will be seen that I provide a device to .automatically operate a telephone instrument in conjunction with anyv suitable phonographic recording instrument to automatically record messages transmitted over the telephone. Fur# thermore, said device is designed so as not that provided for in thev adjustment of the device then the operating-mechanism will automatically reset itself, .making it neces sary to ring the telephone call-bell a second time beforethe message can be continued. Otherwise thedevice is reset to place the telephone in normal condition awalting any other call vwhich may come over the lme.

It is noted that while the telephonel` instruto impair the utility of either the telephone ment herein shown and described is of standemployed with equal ei'ect on other types of -telephones; and likewise it is to be under'- stood that the term dictaphone as used in the s ecification and claims is to be construed1 broadly covering any suitable phonographic recording instrument.

It is also to be understood that While I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of my improved apparatus I do not lizmit myself solely to this form and construction of the invention. Various modifications may be made in the struct-ure and arrangement of the elements of the device without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention; therefore, without limiting myself in thls respect, I claim:

l. An apparatus for attachment to a telephone instrument comprising a dictaphone,

means for connecting the dictaphone to adapt the latter to record messages dictated over the telephone, means operated from the call-signal of the telephone to yrender the dictaphone` operative, absent-signalling means operated from said call-signal to notify the calling party that the party called is absent, positively-acting electro-mechanical means for continuing the operation of the dictaphone during dictation and for a predetermined Waiting-period `previous to and during interruptions in the dictation, and means for causing automatic operation of the absent-signaling means during the waiting-periods to signal the calling party that the a paratus is connected and awaiting the dictation of the message.

2. In a device of the typespecified, the combination with a telephone and a. dictaphone, of means for connecting the dictaphone to adapt it to record messages dictated over the telephone, means operated from the telephone signalling-circuit to render the dictaphone operative, positively-acting electromechanical means to continue the operation o the dictaphone during dictation and for a predetermined waiting-period previous to and during pauses in the dictation, and means for'signalling back to the calling party during the periods when no dictation 1s being received.

3. In a device of the type specified, the

combination with a telephone and a dictaphone, offmeans to connect the dictaphone to adapt it to record messages dictated over the telephone, means operated from a call on the telephone to close the line circuit,

jmeans to start the operation of the `dictaphone, meanscontrolled bythe record belng made for continuing the operation of i the dictaphone during dictation, and means for effecting a predetermined Waiting-period in the operation thereof previous to and during pauses in the dictation.

4. Ina device of the type specified, the

05 combination with a telephone and a dictaphone, of means to connect the dictaphone to ada t itl to record messages dictated over the teephone, means operated from a call on the telephone IIto close the line-circuit, means to startthe operation of the dictaphone, means operated from the record being made for continuin the operation of the dictaphone during dlctation, means for effecting apredetermined ,waiting-period during the operation of the dictaphone pre vious to and during pauses in the dictation, and means for opening the' telephone linecircuit and stopping the dictaphone at the termination of the Waiting-period. 1 5.' In a device of the 'type specied, the combination with a telephone and a motordriven dictaphone, of means for connecting the dictaphone to record messages dictated over the ltelephone, a source of current outside the telephone circuit for operating the 85 dictaphone, a circuit including said source of current and the dictaphone-motor, means operated from the signalling-circuit of 'the telephone to close the motor-circuit, means operating concurrently therewith to close the telephone line-circuit, means controlled by the record being made for maintaining said last-named circuits closed during continuous dictation over the telephone, and means for delaying the opening of said circuits a predetermined wa1tingperiod previous to and during pauses in the dictation,

6. In a device of the type specified, the combination with a telephone and a motordriven dictaphone, of a normally open circuit for connecting the dictaphone-motor with a source of current outside of the telephone circuit, means operated from the telephone signalling-circuit to close the motorcircuit, means controlled by the record be- 1052 ing made for maintaining said motor-circuit closed during continuous dictation of the message, and means for effecting a predetermined Waiting-period previous to and during pauses in the dictation.

v7.y In a device of the type specified, the combination with a telephone and a motordriven dictaphone, of a normally open circuit for connecting the dictaphone-motor Witha source of current outside of the telephone circuit, means operated .from the telephone signalling-circuit to close thc motorcircuit, and positively-acting mechanical dctent-means for maintaining said motor-circut closed during dictation and for a prcdetcrmined waiting-period previous to and during pauses in the dictation.

8. In a device-0f the type specified, the combination with a telephone and a motordriven dictaphone, of a normally open circuit :for connecting the dictaphone-motor with a source of current outside of the telephone circuit, means operated rom the telephone signallin -circuit to close the motorcircuit, positive y-acting illehancal detent- 13o period. Y p p 9. In a device of the type specified, the

means for` maintaining the motor-circuit closed, means tov release the deteIit-meansv when no dictation is received overthe telephone or when dicta-tion'ceases, `and a dampingfdevice for delayin yrelease of the ,de-` tent-n'ieans` for a combinationwith a telephone and a dicta phone, of means operated from the call-signalV of the telephone to start the operation of the dictaphone, positively-acting mechani- :cal detent-means for maintaining the dicta'f ing pauses in the dictation.

phone operative, means to release the detent-means `when no dictation is received or when dictation ceases, and means for delay ing the release of the detent-means lfor a" predetermined .Waiting-period; l,previous vto and during pauses in the dictation.

l0. In a device of the type specified, the

combination with a telephone' and ya dictaphone, of means for connecting the dictaphone to record messages dictated over the telephone, means controlled from the telephonel signal-circuit to start the operation of the dictaphone, meansA controlled by the action of the stylus in recording the message to maintain the dictaphone operativc,'and automaticallyfoperated means for maintaining thc dictaphone operative for a predetermined waitiiig-period previous to and durl1. In a device of the type specied, the combination with a telephone and a dictaphone, of means for connecting the dicta-l phone to record lnessages dictated over the telephone, means controlled from the telephone signal-circuit to start the operation ofl thev dictaphone, positively-acting mechanical detent-means for maintaining the operation of the dictaphone, means for releasing the detent-mea-ns, land means energized from the impressions of' the message on the record to prevent the operation of the detent-releasing means.

12. In a device of the type speciiied, the combination with a telephone and a dictaphone, of means for connecting the dicta-v phone to record messages dictated over the telephone, means operated from the call-'signal of the telephone to start the operation of the dictaphone, means for maintaining said dictaphone operative during a prodetermined waiting-period previous to and during vpauses in thc dictation, stoppingineans for arresting, the operation of the dictaphone'at the end of the Waiting-period,

and means controlled by the impressions of the messagebeing recorded to prevent the action 'of the stoppiiig-iiieans.' c

13. In a device of vthe type specified, the combination with a telephone and a dictaphone, of -means for connecting the dictab phone to record messages dictated over the telephone, means operated from the call-sigof vthe dictaphone, 'la conta'ctrde-vice.fiori-fol pre etlermined wating-A j `inessageis--received. p v A. .l I

combination with -atelephone, of, a dictai' 'i I over thel telephone, means'opei'atedfron'i the nal thertelepli'oiie-to-starttlie -o er ion lowing the impressions of themessagetlaced uponvthe record, and,meansfcontrolledfrom'l saidf` contact-device to.' stop the.; 1dictaphone-` after a predetermined.

record.

1i... in a imicc if nii vpcpspaiiiid,tiie combination with atelephone, ofmeansffo'r lrecording a 'inesslge transmittedjover\,the""'1 telephone, a reproducing ineclianifsmfcoo l starting t-lie operation. 'of vthe farecor"'ding-)'""` means, means Voperated fdirectly-ffrom the i .reproducing-niechanisni o'fv the vr'ecordingt; means to lcontinue the operationaof'the re-` cordingmeans While the' messageA "is, being received, andmeans for,arresting'the opera-vv tion of the recording-.means after afprede-4 erating therewith, means for .automatical periodotnfait-ing I, lwhen noL impressions are beingtraccdpn-the terii'iined"awaiting-period during which fno phone adapted tojrccord messages .received callsignal ofthe telephone to start the operation ofl the dictaphone, means operated direetly from the record beingmad'e to 'continue the voperation `ofthe. dictaphone, and auxiliary means acting automatically Ito arrest 'the` operation of ,the dictaphone after a predetermined 'awaiting-.period `during which no 4reproduction .is being made.v 7'

16. In a' device ofv theztype` specified,A the combination with a .telephone,"of a dicta# phone adapted. to record messages received over the telephone, means operated fronithe call-signaljof thel telephone to start the 'operation ofthe:dictaphonepmeans for sig? phoneis operative, means operated directly cally-operated means for arresting :they op 10o v f A nailingthe calling partfy that the`dicta-.

vfrom therecord being made to continue the..v

operation of the dictaphone, and automati-l .A A i eration ofthe-dictaphone .after a predeterlf mined waiti'ng-period duringivhich noi'nes-v f sage is received or upon 'cessation .otr fthe recording of themessage; c

17.` In an apparatus for attachmentto tele phones, thecombination with a dictaphone i having a i'epi'oducer cooperating therewith, of means for connecting the dictaphone to record messages transn'iitted over the telephone, means. operated from 4the telephone 'all-signal to vstart the operation of' the dicthe dictaphone While the message'i'sbeing received, and means for arresting the opera' tion of the dictaphone aftera predetermined waiting-period during which no vmessage is eing transmitted oraftery the .cessation of the transmission of the message.-v

18. In an apparatus for attachment t 'taphone, means operated directly from the reproducei' for continuing the operation'of telephones, the combination with a dictaphone having a reproducer cooperating therewith, of means for connecting the Ydictaphone to record messages transmitted over the telephone, means operated from the telephone call-signal tostart the operation of the dictaphone, means for signalling to the calling party that the dictaphone is connccted for operation, moans operated directly from the reproducer for continuing the operation ot' the dictaphone while the message is being received, and means for arresting thev operation of the dictaphone after a predetermined Waiting-period during which no message is. being transmitted or after the cessation of the transmission of the messa e.

19. In an ap )a-ratus for use with telephones, the com ination with a dictaphone having a reproducer cooperating therewith, of means for .connecting the dictaphone to `record messages transmitted over the telev phone, means operated from the telephone call-signal to start the operation of the dictaphone, a waiting-signal for notifying the calling party that the dictaphone is connected, means operated from the reproducerfor continuingr the operation of the dictaphone while the message is being received, means for operating the waiting-signal during periods when no message is being received, and means for discontinuing the opt eration of the apparatus after a predetermined waiting-period during whichno message is received or after the completion of the message.

20. In an apparatus for direct attachment to telephone instruments, thel combination with a. dictaphone, of means for connecting the telephone receiver with the recorder of dicta-phone to record messages transmitted over the telephone, eleetro-n'iechanicall means operated from the signalling-circuit of the telephone to close the line-circuit and the motor-circuit, positively-acting mechanical detent-means for maintaining said circuits' closed, means operated automatically from the dicta-phone to release the detent-means, and means for delaying the release of the detent-ineans for a predetermined waitingperiod.

22. In an apparatus for use with telephones, the combination with a', dictaphone, of electro-magnetic means for starting the operation of the dictaphone, positively-acting mechanical detent-means for holding said starting-means operative, electro-magnetic means for etectmg the release of the detent-means, and a damping-device for retarding the action of saidlastnamed means.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

; SYDNEY FISHER.