US1685848A

US1685848A - Signal system and device

Info

Publication number: US1685848A
Application number: US697773A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jackson George Alfred
Original assignee: Gamewell Corp
Current assignee: Gamewell Corp
Priority date: 1924-03-08
Filing date: 1924-03-08
Publication date: 1928-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 1945-10-02

Description

(51. A. JACKSON SIGNAL SYSTEM AND DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheei Filed March 8, 192,4,

W 70 Cz'fy fire .Deparimeni flNVIENTGW e filfwd Jamsm BY mmwwm G. JCKSON SIGNAL SYSTEM AND DEVICE Filed March 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVIEN'ITDIR ATTORNEY GEORGE ALFRED JACKSON, 0]? WALTHAIM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB, IB'Y MESNE A SIGNMJENTS, TO THE GAMEWIELL COMPANY, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A COR- PORATION 01F MASSAGHUSETTS.

SIGNAL SYSTEM AND DEVICE.

iltppl'icaticm filed March 13, 1924:. Serial No. tl97,773.

This invention relates to signal devices, and is particularly suited for use where the transmission of certain code signals over a given signal circuit should cause a signal in another circuit, but where accidental breaks or the .t'ormulation of certain. other signals in such first named circuit will not cause any signal in such other circuit. For example,alarm systems are required by an increasing number of State and municipal authorities for warning the occupants of buildings in the event of tire, so that they may make timely use of available exittacilities; and it is generally recognized as important that the public fire department or private brigade should. be notified with least possible delay after fire is discovered in any building, and that, to this end, the actuation of an alarm device for warning the occupants of a building threatened by fire should also summon the fire department or brigade whose'duty it is to extinguish such a Alarm systems have heretofore been devised which comprise duplicate systems" of. wiring throughout the protected premises,-

each communicating with all of the various initiating stations or so-called local fire alarm boxes,one of which circuits controls sounding devices for warning the occupants, and the other of which circuits is employed for causing an alarm to be given to the fire department or brigade.

Such systems have, of necessity, been complicatedb v the provision of means whereby so-called daily test signals comprising one or two signaling impulses could be given over the circuit which controls local sounding devices, without thereby calling the fire department or brigade; such test signals being required, almost without exception, by the an thoritics \vho reqnire local signaling or alarm systems of this character; It has also been found to be objectionablefor various reasons which will be readily understood by those skilled in this art, to lead circuits of public fire alarm systems around private premises to be so protected; and the cost of installing and maintaining independent circuits for connecting such premises with the desired fire departments is, in most instances, considered prohibitively great.

The local fire alarmzboxes of such systems are usually arranged so that, when any box is acting, it will formulate a series of impulses in the associated signaling circuit of such number and arrangement as to constitute a code signal previously selected to characterize the locality where such box is installed. However, notwithstanding the diversity thus entailed, all such code signals have some characteristics of arrangement in common. For example,pursuant to the requirements enforced in some localities, the code signals 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 would be employed to represent the respective floors of a five story building; hence, the code signals of all local alarm boxes in such buildings would have in common the initial numeral 2, which numeral is represented by two signaling impulses separated by a comparatively short interval of time, as is well understood by those skilled in this art. On the other hand, the daily test signals employed in such systems most frequently consist of but one signaling impulse; and, even when such test signals comprise more than one impulse, the interval of time which is allowed to elapse between succeeding impulses thereof should be dill'crent (usually much greater) than that between any two im pulses of the code signals of the local alarm boxes.

The occupancy of some classes of buildings is such that it is not deemed necessary to provide a local alarm system tor giving warning of tire to the con'iparatively small number of occupants (as, for example, storage warehouses) but the property values involved are so great that it is deemed highly desirable to provide conveniently accessible stations throughout the premises. actuation of any one of which will cause. transmission of a signal in a public alarm system; as by the actuation of a so-callcd auxiliarized tire alarm box. It is generally recognized that dependability of service is distinctly promoted by the use of normally closed circuits for the tripping of such auxiliarized boxes, so that warning may be promptly given in the event of the disablement of such circuits; but it has also beenfound that such local circuits are sometimes subjected to accidental interruption which will cause the transmission of a false signal over the public alarm system unless undesirable circuit arrangements or complicated mechanism is employed for the purpose of enabling differentiation to be made between acltd till

cidental breaks and the actuation of local si naling stations, in the response of the auxi iarized box.

For want of a better term, the phrase functional signaling impulses is herein used to define those portions of signaling impulses which cause intended manifestations thereof,as, for example, the striking of a bell by its hammer (in contradistinction to the movement of a hammer away from the bell) or the change in the condition of a signal circuit which causes a visible or audible manifestation, as either the breaking or clos ing of the circuit, (as the case may be) of which the manifesting mechanism should should give visible or audible manifestation.

It is an important general object of this invention to provide a device for causing response of signaling mechanism to functional signaling impulses only when the time interval between some two of such impulses which have a predetermined characteristic of situation within the signal falls Within the maximum and minimum limits of the time intervals between some two of the functional signaling impulses of every signal to which response of said signaling mechanism is desired.

A further general object is to provide such a signal device which will cause the desired signal when subjected to the impulses of a diversity of code signals having in common characteristics of arrangement of signaling impulses thereof which fall between certain predetermined limits, but which device will not act to cause the signal controlled thereby when subjected to a single impulse or to any group of impulses whose arrangement does not fall within such predetermined limits.

It is a specific object of this invention to provide-a signal system having signaling mechanism and signal initiating stations, all of which stations are arranged for formulating respectively distinctive multi-impulse code signals each having impulses which have a predetermined characteristic of situation within the signal and are separated by time intervals the duration of which falls within predetermined maximum and minimum limits; together with a signal device responsive to impulses such as those formulated by said stations and arranged to cause actuation of said signaling mechanism only when subjected to impulses which have such characteristic of situation and are separated by time intervals the duration of which falls within such limits.

A still further object is to provide signaling mechanism of the character described which shall be effective, reliable, and composed of a small number of parts severally characterized by strength, durability and facility of assemblage as well as amenable to low cost of manufacture.

Still further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

For the attainment of the foregoing generalobjects, this invention resides in features of combination and arrangement whereby a signal device is arranged for response to functional signaling impulses having a predetermined characteristic of situation within the signal and separated by time intervals the duration of which falls within predetermined maximum and minimum limits, the range between which limits is sufiicient to embrace the differences between the intervals between those impulses of a'diversity of code signals in response to which it is desired to cause functional act-nation of signaling mechanism,without causing functional actuation of such signaling mechanism in response to impulses separated by any interval the duration of which does not fall within such limits, whatever the character of such signaling impulses or of such signaling mechanism may be, but more particularly when such impulses consist of changes of a predetermined character in the condition of a signal circuit and when such signaling mechanism is a signal transmitter suited for inclusion in a signal circuit.

For the purpose of exemplifying the more general features of this invention and for the further purpose of disclosing the more specific aspects thereof, reference is bad to the following detailed description and to the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts throughout,'and in which Figure l is a diagram schematically disclosing a typical signal system arranged to exemplify this invention,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, and with one of the frame plates removed, of the signal device E of Fig. 1, showing in detail the arrangement of the mechanism thereof. and

Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary views of certain parts of the mechanism of Fig. 2, illustrating the relation ships assumed thereby at different stages in the operation thereof.

The signal system diagramatically shown by Fig. 1 comprises initiating stations A, sig nal manifesting mechanism comprising the bells B, a current source C, a signal transmitter D, and a signal device E having elect-romagnet-ic controlling means comprising the electromagnet 21 and signaling mechanism comprising the contacts 22.

As diagramatically indicated, each of the stations A comprises multi-impulse code signal initiating mechanism arranged for manual operation; said stations being arranged for so-called normally closed circuit operation and comprising mechanism which may be of any of the well-known types ordinarily employed in such signaling stations.

The stat-ions A are serially connected with teeters one another, with the manifesting mechanism 18, the current source G, and the electromagnet 21 of the signal device E; so that'actuation of any one of said stations will cause response of all of the bells B and of the mechanism responsive to the electromagnet 21 ot' the signal device E, as hereinafter more fully-explained. The stations A and bells B maybe distributed around premises to be protected; said stations being preferably located at all points from which it may be desirable to send signals, and the bells B correspondingly distributed so as to be audible at all points at which signalsshould be heard.

The relative arrangement of the stations A, the bells B and the current source C, as shown, is intended to be merely illustrative of a signal circuit having multidmpulse code sig nal initiating stations; as this invention is equally well suited tor use with such circuits whether of the so-called open circuit or socallcd closed circult' type, and irrespective of the other illustrated features of construc-' tion and arrangement of said stations, bells, source and circuit.

The signal transmitter l) is an illustrative diagrammatic representation of any well known or conventional form of so-called auxiliarized lire alarm boa or other code signal transmitter arranged for remote control.- As shown, this transmitter comprises a controlling magnet 23, the energization of which may cause the tripping of clock-work mechanism. as by movement of the lever 24 which "s shown as normally engaging the notched disc '25 to prevent rotation of the code wheel 26. which cooperates with the signaling contacts 27. The

conductors

28 and 29 are represented as -lio'rmi-ng parts of a circuit to a city fire department; such circuit being assumed to be of the normally closed type, for

reasons well understood by those skilled in this art. The conductors 30 and 31 connect the terminals of the magnet 23 with the contacts 22 oil the signal device it).

More specifically, the current paths through the signal transmitter D are as follows: The

conductors 29 and Ell are interconnected by the conductor 32, and also connected through conductor 33 to-one terminal of themagnet 23'; the other terminal of said magnet is connected {through conductor 3t to conductor 30,

and said'conductors 3t and 30' are connected through conductor 35 to one of the members ot'the signaling contacts 27, the other oil which contact members is connected through conductor 36 to conductor 28. The terminals of magnet 23 are also connected through conductors 37 to-the normally open contacts 38 which cooperate with the disc 39 for a purpose which will be hereinafter more fully described.

lit should be understood that this invention is not limited to use in connection with signal transmitters embodying the features and characteristics shown and hereinbcfore just described in greater detail, as any other form of transmitter may be substituted for that shown, provided that such transmitter is suited for control by either normally opened or normally closed contacts corresponding to the contacts 22, or to be rendered active by any other suitable mechanism or device arranged itor actuation in a manner analogous to that in which the contacts 22 are arranged for response-to abnormal conditioning of the clectromagnet 21, as hereinafter more fully explained. Considered in its broader aspects, this invention is not limited to the use of a signal transmitter such as the transmitter D, as signal responsive devices may be directly controlled, in any suitable manner, by the controlling means provided for the contacts 22, as hereinafter more fully explained.

lln such broad sense, the contacts 22 (as well as any other instrumentality provided in lieu thereof, for corresponding actuation by the mechanism of the device E) may be considered as constituting signaling mechanism.

As best shown in Fig.2, the signal device E comprises signaling mechanism, exemplified by the contacts 22 as just pointed out in greater detail; means arranged for response to a source of signaling impulses, exemplifiedby the electromagnet 21, its armature 4d, the lever 42 and the arm 43 moving with said armature; and a retarded operative device exemplified by the cam lO and the train of gearing associated therewith, together with the arm at which is subject to'actuation by the cam and is arranged in cooperative relationship to the lever 4-2, as hereinafter more fully explained.

The retractilc spring 45 is so applied to the lever 42 as to tend to swing same around its pivot 41-6 in such direction as will carry the armature 41 away from the magnet 21; and the insulating pin 47 is carried at the free end of the arm 43 in such position that movement of said lever 4-2 in response to said spring 4-5 will tend to carry said pin 47 into engagement with the contacts 22, to abnormally condition said contacts.

Thecam 40 is driven in clockwise direction, (as viewed in Fig. 2 and as indicated by the arrow shown thereon) by the train of gears 'hereinbetore referred to, which train terminates in the escape wheel 48, the opera tion of which is retarded by engagement of its teeth with the pallet 49. Suitable driving means is provided torthe train of gearing such, for example, as a main spring (not shown) which may be wound by the rotation of shaft 50, carrying the ratchet wheel 51 which cooperates with the dog 52; which dog is pivoted to the frame plate 54 and is held in engagement with said ratchet wheel 51 by means of the spring 53; which spring is also secured to said frame plate 5t.

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The detent pins 55 and 56 are carried by the lever 42 and escape Wheel 48, respectively, and said pins are so relatively positioned that, when the armature 41 is in fully attracted position, the pin 55 will be disposed in the path of the pin 56, so that when said pin 56 is carried into engagement with said pin 55 it will serve to arrest the rotation of the escape wheel 48 at a time when said wheel is so-positioned that the cam and the projection 57 are situated as shown in Fig. 2, relative to the portion 'of the arm 44 arranged for engagement by said cam and projection; and said .pins 55 and 56 are further so relatively positioned that said pin 55 will be carried out of the path of the said pin 56 by movement of the lever 42 in response to the pull of spring before such movement of said lever has proceeded to a point which will cause the arm 43 to carry the insulating pin 47 into operative engagement with the contacts 22.

The pin 58 is carried by the arm 44 and is positioned for such cooperation with the lever 42 as to permit movement of said lever such as to cause functional actuation of the signaling contacts 22 only when said lever has been subjected to the influence of the magnet 21 responsive to functional signaling impulses separated by time intervals the duration of which falls within certain predetermined limits, as will now be more fully explained.

The portion of the lever 42 adjacent the pin 58 has .a shoulder 59 formed therein, said shoulder being so positioned with relation to said pin 58- that, when the arm 44 has been raised, either by the cam 40 or the projection 57, to the position shown in Fig. 4, movement of said lever 42 in response to the spring 45 will carry said shoulder 59 into the path of said pin 58 and thereby prevent the falling of said arm 44 so long thereafter as the magnet 21 remains deenergized. The portion of the lever 42 situated immediately below the shoulder 59. is so formed that, when said pin 58 is in the position which it occupies when the arm 44 is resting upon the cam 40 and said cam is in the position it occupies when the running of the train has been arrested-by the engagement of the pin 56 with the pin 55, said lever 42 will be permitted to move in response to the spring 45 oiily to a position which, while withdrawing the pin from the path of the pin 56, will not cause the arm 43 to carry the insulating pin 47 into engagement with the contacts 22.

The periphery of the cam 40 includes a deression of such depth that. during positionings of such cam which present this depression in operative relationship with the arm 44, said arm will be permitted to move to a position where the pin 58 carried thereby will permit the lever 42 to so move as to cause the arm 43 to carry the insulating pin 47 into engagement with and to functionally actuate the contacts 22. For want of a better designation, such depression is herein referred to by the term cutaway portion, which term would apply, in the case of a cam such as that shown by the annexed drawings, to that portion of such cam which is presented to the arm 44 during clockwise rotation of said cam between that point at which the highest portion of said cam is first withdrawn from the path of said arm and that point at which the projee-' tion 57 is first brought into the path of said arm. The angular length of such cut-away portion is so related to the speed of rotation established therefor by the cooperation of the pallet 49 with the teeth of the escape wheel 48, that the cut-away portion of said cam will be presented to the arm 44 at the expiration of a time measured from the disengagement of the detent pins 55 and 56, the duration of which time is no greater than the shortest interval between the initial functional impulse (i. e., first circuit break) of the signal of any one of the stations A and that succeeding functional impulse of the signal of such station to which responsive action of the signaling contacts 22 is desired; and so that such cut-away portion will thereafter continue to be presented to said arm for a time the duration of which is not less than the difference between such shortest interval and the longest of the intervals between corresponding functional impulses of the signals of the other of said stations A. Because of the possibility of the development of irregularities in the speed of operation of such signaling stations and signaling devices, it is prudent to shorten said first named time and to lengthen said sccond named time so as to provide a suitable factor of safety.

Practical experience has demonstrated that, in order to provide for such variations, the period throughout which the cut-away portion of the cam 40 is presented to the arm 44 should be not less than one-half of the intended interval between successive functional signaling impulses within individual digits of code signals; such period should preferably be increased beyond such one-half impulse interval, so as to afford a greater factor of safety; and such period must. in any event, be as great as the maximum difference bet ween the functional signaling impulses of such diversity of code signals as are relied upon for causing actuation of signaling mechanism such as that exemplified by the contacts 2;.

For example,if the signaling stations A are all so arranged that the time interval between successive functional impulses (circuit breaks) within a digit of a signal shall be substantially 1 second, and the intervals between the last impulse of one digit and first iii till

intervals between the first and second impulses of signals whose first digit is 1 will be 2% seconds; those between the first and third impulses of signals whose first digit is two will be 3% seconds; and those between the first and third impulses of signals whose first digit is three or more will be 2 seconds. Hence, when employed with such initiating stations, the cut-away portion of the cam should be presented to the/arm 44 for a period commencing not more than 2 seconds after the initial impulse (so as to provide for signals whose initial digit comprises 3 impulses) and such presentation should continue throughout a period ending not less than 3% seconds from the initial impulse, so as to provide for signals whose initial digit comprises two signaling impulses.

The operation of the embodiment of this invention shown by the accompanying drawings and hereinbefore described in detail is as follows.

The various parts are normally positioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the current path from the source C being closed, and the electromagnet 21 of the signal device B being therefore effectively energized. The current path from the city fire department circuit is from conductor 28, through conductor 36,

-30 and 31 remains closed, the current flow through the winding of magnet 23 will be insullicient to cause effective energization thereof.

Because of the energization of magnet 21, armature 41 will occupy its attracted position, as shown in Fig. 2; and therefore the shoulder 59 will be withdrawn from the path of the pin 58, the arm 44 will rest uponthe cam 40, and the detent pin 55 will be in the path of the pin 56 andthereby prevent rotation of the escape" wheel 48.

If, noun-one of the initiating stations A is actuated, upon the first functional signaling impulse resulting therefrom, as exemplified by interruption of its circuit, the local signal manifesting mechanism 18 will act to manifest such impulse, and the electromagnet 21 of the signal device E will be deenergized, thus permitting the armature 41 to be carried away from the magnet 21 by movement imparted to the lever 42 by the pull of the spring 45..

Upon such deenergization of the magnet 21, the lever 42 will be moved by the spring 45 so as to carry the pin out of the path of the pin 56; whereupon such movement of the lever 42 will be arrested by the pin 58 before I rotation of the escape wheel 48 such as will cause the cam 40 to raise the arm 44 to a position which will carry the pin 58 above the shoulder 59, whereupon the rise of said cam 40 will be withdrawn from the path of said arm. 44. The parts will now occupy the rela tive positions indicated by Fig. 4.

As hereinbefore more fully explained, the stations A are so constructed and arranged that the code signal formulated incident to the operation of any one of said stations will be characterized by the occurrence, following the first functional signaling impulse thereof, of a supplemental functional signaling impulse spaced from such first impulse by an interval the duration of which is such that if the operation of the device E is initiated by the first of such impulses, as just described, the closure preceding such supplemental impulse will occur at a time when the cut-away port-ion of the cam 40 is disposed in the path of the arm 44, and the break of such supplemental impulse will thereafter cause deenergization of the magnet 21 before the projection 57 is moved into engagement with said arm. Because of the construction and arrangement of such stations A, as just referred to, the circuit from the current source will again be closed after the conclusion of a suitable interval following the first functional signaling impulse incident to the operation of the active initiating station A, and the electromagnet 21 will then be again energized; thereby causing the armature 41 and parts moving therewithto be restored to their normal or attracted position. Such movement of the armature 41 will cause the lever 42 to carry the shoulder 59 out of the path of the pin 58, and the arm 44 will thereupon drop to its lowest position, as indicated by Fig. 5. After the arm 44'has assumed the position just described, the continued operation of the active initiating station A will cause a second functional signaling impulse or interruption of the circuit from the current source C; thus not only causing response of the manifesting mechanism B, but also causing deenergization of the magnet 21 of the signal device lE. Upon such deenergization of said magnet, the spring 45 will swing the lever 42 to a position which will cause the arm 43 to move the insulating pin 47 into engagement with the contacts 22 and thereby abnormally condition said contacts.

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\Vhen the contacts 22 are thus abnormally conditioned, the low resistance current path around the magnet 23 of the signal transmitter D will be interrupted, so tlrat the entire current of the city fire department circuit will be caused to flow through the windings of magnet 23 of said transmitter, whereupon the lever 24 of said transmitter will be so moved as to withdraw same from engagement with the disc 25, thereby permittingthecode wheel 26 to rotate so as to formulate the desired signal in the city fire department circuit. Such rotation of the code wheel 26 will also cause the disc 39 to abnormally condition the contacts 38, so as to short-circuit the winding of the electromagnet 23, for a purpose which will be well understood by those skilled in this art.

After the second deenergization of the magnet 21 of the signal device E, just referred to, should said magnet he again energized before the completion of the first revolution of the escape wheel 48, the armature41 will swingthe lever 42 so as to bring the pin 55 into the path of the pin 56 to thereby arrest the rotation of said wheel; or, should said magnet-21 remain deenergized until the end of such revolution of the escape wheel 48, said lever 42 will nevertheless be moved to a position which will carry the pin 55 into the path of the pin 56, because the projection 57 will raise the arm 44 to a position which will carry the pin 58 above the shoulder 59, thereby positioning the lever 42 so that, the movement of the escape wheel 48 will be arrested, and the parts will thereupon piccupy the respective posit-ions shown in lifter the rotation of the escapewheel 48 has been arrested while the electromagnet 21 is deenergized, as just described, subsequent energization of said magnet will cause the shoulder 59 to be withdrawn from the path of the pin 58, so that the arm 44 will be allowed to fall into engagement with the cam 40. The parts will then be restored to their respective normal positions, as would also have been the case had the rotation of said escape wheel been interrupted at a time when the magnet 21 was energized.

Subsequent signaling impulses of the active initiating station A will cause repetitions of the operation already described, as far as the signal device E is concerned but any supplemental abnormal conditioning of the contacts 22 will not affect the electromagnet 23, as such magnet is short-circuited by the contacts38 at the commencement of the signal of the transmitter D, as already pointed out.

Assuming, more specifically, that the formation and the speed of rotation of the cam 40 is such that the cut-away portion thereof will be presented to the arm 44 throughout a period commencing two seconds after the withdrawal of the pin 55 from the path of the pin 56, and ending three and one-half seconds after such withdrawal, and that the active initiating station A is so arranged that the time interval between successive functional impulses within a digit is substantially one second and the interval between the last impulse of one digit and the first impulse of the next digit is substantially two and one-half seconds; if such active station is arranged to formulate a code signal starting with the digit 1, the first functional impulse from such station will cause withdrawal of pin 55 from the path of the pin 56, thereby initiating a cycle of movement of the cam 40, and the second functional impulse from such station will occur two and one-half seconds after such withdrawal of the pin 55, at which time the cutaway portion of the cam 40 is presented to the arm 4-4, whereupon the contacts 22 will be functionally actuated as hereinbefore more fully explained.

If, however, such active initiating station A is arranged for the formulation of a code signal starting with the digit 2, instead of 1, the second functional impulse from said station will occur one second after the withdrawal of the pin 55 from the path of the pin 56, in response to the first of such impulses, at which time the rise of the cam 40 is still in the path of the arm 44 thereby preventing said arm from moving to a position which'will permit the lever 42 to so move in response to the spring 45 as to cause functional actuation of the contacts 22. However, the third functional impulse from such station will occur, under these circumstances, three and one-half seconds after the with drawal of the pin 55, at which time the out way portion of the cam 40 will be presented to the arm 44, whereupon the contacts 22 will be functionally actuated as hereinbeforc more fully explained.

If such active initiating station A is arranged for the formulation of a code signal starting with a digit consisting of 23. lor more signaling impulses, the action of the signaling device E incident to the first, second and third functional impulses from such station will be the same as when acting in response to a station arranged for the formulation of a code signal starting with the digit 2, and hereinhefore more fully explained, except that the break in the circuit incident to the third of such impulses will occur two seconds after the withdrawal of the pin 55 instead of three and one-half seconds, but the cutaway portion of said cam 40 will nevertheless. be presented/to the arm 44 and the contacts 22 will therefore be functionally actuated as hereinbefore described.

Should the circuit of the current source C he accidentally interrupted, as by the rupture of a conductor, the magnet 21 of the signal device E will be deenergized, and the escape wheel 48 will be released as hereinbefore described; the lever 42 and the parts associated ltl tltl

till

tltll matinee therewith thereupon assuming the respective positions shown in Fig. 3, and, after the rise of the cam 4-0 has been withdrawn from engagement with the arm all, the lever 4-2 will be held, as shown by Fig. at, by engagement therewith of the pin 58, from assuming such position as would cause the arm 43 to carry the pin 47 into engagement with the contacts 22. While said lever 4-9; is being; held by the pin 58, as just described, the pin 55 will be positioned in the path of the pin 56, so that the rotation of the wheel 18 will be arrested after it has completed a revolution; whereupon the lever an, arm at and cam to will be positioned as shown in Fig. ti, to so remain until the magnet 21 is again energized. lllpon recnergization of said magnet, the lever 42 will he so moved as to permitthe arm 4A: to move into engagement with the cam 4C0, but will not thereby withdraw the pin 55 from the path of the pin Fit). The wheel 48 will therefore he held against rotation and will, together with the lever 42 and associated parts, be positioned as shown in Fig. 2.

From theforegoing it will he evident that tests or other signals may be formulated in the circuit of the current source tl, without causing functional actuation oi the contacts 22, provided that the signaling impulses of such tests or other signals are so timed that there will be no two functional impulses (either in direct sequence or separated by intewening impulses) which. are separated by time intervals such that, it the wheel 48 was at rest upon the occurrence oi the first ot such impulses, either both the closure and the hrealr oit'the second of such impulses would occur prior to the time required for the espape wheel ltl to more from its normal.

position to the position at which the rise ot the cam ll) is withdrawn from the path oi the arm 44. or else the circuit interruption oil such second impulse would not occur until after the expiration of a time at least as long as that required tor the wheel 48 to rotate, atter releasethereot, to a position where the projection 5'? lvould raise the arm ll: high enough to prevent such movement at the lever 42 as would cause the arm all to carry the insulating: pin all into engagement with the contacts 522.

l or example, it the lorn'iation and the speed of rotation of the cam, l-(l is such that the cut-away portion oi" said cam is presented to the arm at throughout a period coinincncinp two seconds after withdrawal of the pin 55 from the path of the pin 56 and endingtour seconds utter such withdrawal of the pin 55,then in the event ot'the formulation of a series of functional iin 'iulses, the first tour of which are each separated by one-hall second and the titth of which is separated from the fourth hy three seconds, none ot' such impulses will occur, alter the :lirst or initial one of such series of impulses, at a time when the cut-away portion of the cam 40 is presented to the arm all, and such series of impulses will therefore not cause functional actuation of the contacts 22.

It should he noted that, the only requirement to be met, to cause functional actuation of the signaling contacts 22, is that, after the pin has been withdrawn from the path of the pin 56 in response to the initial one of the functional impulses incident to formulation of a code signal in the signal circuit, some succeeding functional impulse shall occur therein at a time when the cutaway portion of the cam 40 is presented to the arm 4-4; irrespective of the number of such impulses which may occur either preceding or following such succeeding impulse, and irrespective of the duration of any such impulses.

lt should further be noted that this device is not accumulative in the sense of storin; up the effect of impulses received irrespective of the intervals between their arrival in that no impulses effect the ultimate function other than when occurring in the timed relation just detinedl It should be still further noted that the functional iGSpOYlSlVQDQSi-E of this device is not limited to any one predetermined code, but instead, this device may be relied upon to functionally respond to each and every one of a plurality ofindividually ditl erent code signals.

lt should he still. further noted that the selection of code signals may be such and the arrangement of this device hear such relation thereto that the functional actuation of the signaling contacts 22 will occur during a cycle of the operation of the device initiated by other than the first impulse of a signal, For example. it will be readily understood that, suitable increase in the time interval between groups of impulses such, for example, as represent the digits of a signal, would give opportunity for this device to come to rest during" the interval between groups, and that it would not then be necessary that the number of strokes in the first digit shall he sutlicient to cause functional actuation of the sin-- nailing contacts of this device durin the cycle of its operation initiated by the first stroke of a signal, hut such functional actuation may be accomplished as well duringa cycle initiated by the first signaling impulse ot' some succeedint digit group of impulses. lt may therefore be properly said that there is what is herein termed, for want of a better expression, a predetermined characteristic oi situation ot in'ipulses within any signal, which, it the duration oil the interval het ween them falls within predetermined maximum and minimum limits, will cause ell'ective actuation of thisdevice.

lt will be obvious that the generic ideas, as well as many of the specific ideas of this tlfi too

invention, may be'practiced with other forms, combination and arrangements of mechanism than those herein shown and described in detail, and it should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited thereto, other than as may be indicated by the claims.

It should also be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letarated by a time interval the duration of which falls within predetern'iined maximum and minimum limits; in combination with a signal transmitter and an actuating device therefor responsive to such impulses and involving means for causing functional actuation of said transmitter only when said device is subjected to a plurality of impulses some two of which have such predetermined characteristic of situation within the signal and are separated by a time interval the duration of which falls within the limits which do not exceed said maximum or fall short of said minimum limits, in more than predetermined degrees.

2. In a signal system,-a signal circuit comprising signal initiating stations having means thereat for formulating respectively distinctive multi-impulse code signals, each of which signals comprisesin'ipulses, some two of which have a predetermined characteristic of situation within the signal and are separated by a time interval the duration of which falls within predetermined maximum and minimum limits; in combination with signaling mechanism, and an actuating device responsive to a plurality of diverse arrangements of such signaling impulses and involving means for causing functional actuation of said mechanism dependent upon the occurrence of a time interval between some such two impulses, irrespective of their-consecutiveness, the duration of which falls within the aforesaid limits or exceeds said maximum or falls short of said minimum limits to not more than a predetermined extent.

3. In a signal system,a signal circuit comprising signal initiating stations having means thereat for formulating code signals comprising a plurality of impulses with such diversity of characteristics as to render such signals respectively distinctive, in combina-- tion with signaling mechanism and an actuating device responsive to signaling impulses for causing actuation of said mechanism and including means to render such actuation dependent upon the occurrence of two signaling impulses having a predetermined characteristic of situation within the signal and in timed relationship approximating to a predetermined extent some characteristic of situation and the time relationship of some two impulses of each of said signals, irrespective of the consecutiveness of such impulses.

4. In asignal system,--a signal circuit comprising signal initiating stations having means thereat for formulating multi-impulse signals,-in combination with signaling mechanism and a device including means to cause actuation of said mechanism upon occurrence of two signaling impulses having a predetermined characteristic of situation within the signal, dependent upon the time relationship of such impulses and independent of their consecutiveness.

5. In a signal system, a signal circuit comprising means for formulating a plurality of multi-impulse signals having such diversity of characteristics as to render such signals respectively distinctive, in combination with signaling mechanism and a device including means to cause actuation of said mechanism upon occurrence of two signaling impulses having a predetermined characteristic of situation within the signal, dependent upon the time relationship of such impulses and independent of their consecutiveness.

6. In a signal device,an electromagnetically operable mechanism comprising a detent and contact operating means, a normally wound time train having a predetermined operative cycle and involving means for effecting restraint thereof by said detent at the end of said cycle when said mechanism has been operated in one direction, signaling contacts arranged for effective actuation by said contact operating means when said ,mechanism has been operated in the opposite direction, means operable by said train for actuating said mechanism to render said detent effective and to permit disengagement of said detent only following predetermincd conditioning of said mechanism, and means controlled by said train and so controlling .said first means as to prevent eli'ectim actuation of said contacts by said mechanism other than during a predetermined portion of the operative cycle of said train.

7. In a signal device,-an electromagnetically operable mechanism comprising a dctent and contact operating means. a retarded operative device having a predetermined operative cycle and involving means for effecting restraint thereof by said detent at the end of said cycle when said mechanism llltl till tenants has been operated in one direction, signaling contacts arranged for efiective actuation by said contact operating meansv when said mechanism has been operated in the opposite direction, means operable by said device to actuating said ,mechanisn'i to render said detent efl'ective and to permit disengagement of said detent only following predetermined conditioning of said mechanism, and means controlled by said device and so controlling said first means as to prevent effective actuation of said contacts by said mechanism other than during a predetermined portion of the operative cycle of said device.

8. In a signal devicc,-an electromagnetically operable mechanism comprising a detent and contact operating means, a normally wound time train having a predetermined operat1ve cycle and involving means for effecting restraint thereof by said detent at the end of said cycle when said mechanism has been operated in one direction, signaling: contacts arranged for functional actuation by said contact operatinp means when said mechanism has been operated in the opposite direction, means controlled by said train for rendering: said mechanism unetl'ective for causing functional actuation of said contacts at all times other than during a period having a predetermined duration and timed relationship to the commencement of said operative cycle. and means operable by the running of said train and so controlling" said r first means as to render said detent etlective after such period during" each cycle of said train and to permit disengagement of said detent only following predetermined conditioning of said mechanism.

9. in a signal de'vice,-an electromagnetically" operable mechanism comprising: a detent and contact operating means, a normally wound time train having a predetermined operative cycle and involving means for el tectingrestraint thereot by said detent at the end of said cycle when said mechanism has been operated in one direction, sigmaling contacts arranged tor effective actuation by said contact operating ,means when said mechanism has been operated in the opposite direction, and means comprising, a cam associated with said train and an arm arranged to so cooperate witi'i said cam and said mechanism as to render said detent effective lollowing each oil said operative cycles and to permit disoi "'*grement of said detent only tollowin5 predetermined conditioning" of said mechanism 10. in a signal device,an electromagneticalljv operable mechanism comprisinga detent and contact rq'ieratinn means. a normally wound time train havinga predetermined operative cycle and involving" means For et- 't'ectino" rest 'iint thereof by said detent at the end or said cycle when said mechanism has been operated in one direction. signailing}, con" tacts arranged for eiltective actuation by said contact operating means when said mechanism has been operated in the opposite direction, and means comprising a cam associated with said train and an arm arranged to so cooperate with said cam and said mechanism as to render said. detent etleetive and to permit disengagement of said detent only following predetermined conditioning of said mechanism, said cam being of such formation and so controlled by said train as to cause said arm to prevent eztl'ective actuation of said contacts by said mechanism other than during" a predetermined portion of the operative cycle of said train.

11. ltn a signal device,--an electromagnetically operable mechanism comprising a detent lever and contact operating'means, a detent provided on said lever a member having a timed operative cycle and provided with a projection for engaging said detent at the end of said cycle when said detent has been positioned by movement of said lever in one direction, signaling contacts arranged i" or effective actuation by said contact operatin; means when said lever has been operated in the opposite direction, and means comprising a cam associated with said member and an arm arranged to cooperate therewith and having a projection adapted to engage said lever for rendering said detent effective and to prevent disengagement oi said detent only following predetermined conditioning 0t said mechanism.

12. In a signal device,--an electromagneth cally operable mechanism comprising a de tent and contact operating means, a normally wound time train having a predetermined operative cycle and incolvingr means for ett'ectin c restraint thereo't by said detent at the end of said cycle when said mechanism has been operated in one direction, signaling contacts arranged for effective actuation by said contact operating means when said mechanism has been. operated in the opposite direction, and means comprising; a cam associated with said train and an arm arranged to so cooperate with said cam and said mechanism as to render said detent eilective and to permit disengagement of said detent only following predetermined conditioning of said mechanism" 13. in a signal devicesari electromagnetically operable mechanism comprising; a detent and contact operating means, a normally wound time train having; a predetermined operative eycle and involving means tor eli ectingr restraint thereof by said detent at the end of said cycle when said mechanism has been operated in one direction, sip;- nalineg contacts arranged "for effective actua tion by said contact operating means when said mechanism has been operated in the op posite direction, and meansoperable by said train for actuating" said mechanism to render "ill till

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iltii lldtl said detent effective and to permit disengage ment of said detent only following predetermined conditioning of said mechanism.

14. In a signal device,an electromagnetically operable mechanism comprising a detent and contact operating means, a retarded operative device having a predetermined operative cycle and involving means for ef- .and arranged for movement from and to said position in response to signaling impulses, a detent carried by said member, said detent so associated With said train as to es tablish a predetermined operative cycle therefor and to cause initiation of such cycle upon movement of said member from the normal position thereof, means comprising a cam moved by said train and an arm so governed by said cam as to prevent attainment by said member of a certain predetermined position other than upon movement of said member from normal position during a predetermined portion of an operative cycle of said train, signaling mechanism, and means responsive to said electromagnetically operable 'mechanism for causing functional actuation of said signaling mechanism only upon attainment by said member of said predetermined position.

16. In a signal device,a retarded operative device, electromagetically operable mechanism comprising a controlling member having a predetermined normal position and arranged for movement from and to said position in response to signaling impulses, said mechanism so associated with said device as to cause initiation of a predetermined operative cycle therefor upon movement of said member from the normal position thereof, means jointly governed by said device and said mechanism to prevent attainment by said member of a certain predetermined position other than upon movement of said member from normal position during a predetermined portion of an operative cycle of said device, signaling mechanism, and means responsive to said electromagnetieally operable mechanism for causing functional actuation of said signaling mechanism only upon attainment py said member of said predetermined posiion.

. 17. In a signal device,a normally wound time train comprising means for establishing a predetermined operative cycle therefor and for causing initiation of such cycle, said means including a member arranged for movement from and to a predetermined normal position inresponse to signaling impulses, means comprising a cam moved by said train and an arm so governed by said cam as to prevent attainment by said member of a certain predetermined abnormal position other than upon movement of said member from normal position during a predetermined portion of an operative cycle of said train, signaling mechanism, and means responsive to said member for causing functional actuation of said signaling mechanism only upon attainment by said member of said predetermined position.

18. In a signal device,a retarded operative device comprising means for causing initiation of a predetermined operative cycle thereof, said means including a member having a predetermined normal position and arranged for movement from and to said position in response to signaling impulses, means jointly controlled by said retarded device and said member to prevent attainment by said member of a certain predetermined abnormal position other than upon movement of said member from normal position during a predetermined portion of an operative cycle of said retarded device, signaling mechanism. and means responsive to said member for causing functional actuation of said signaling mechanism only upon attainment by said member of said predetermined position.

19. In a signal device,a retarded opera.- tive device. controlling mechanisinfor said retarded device comprising a member arranged for movement in one direction and the other responsive to signaling impulses, said mechanism so associated with said retarded device as to cause initiation of a predetermined operative cycle of said retarded device upon certain movement of said member. means jointly governed by said retarded device and said member to prevent attainment by said member of a certain predetermined position other than incident to movement of said member toward such position at a time occurring Within an interval measured by the action of said retarded device and starting subsequent to the commencement of such action and of duration at least approximately as great as one-half of the minimum interval between movements imparted to said member in a given direction by impulses oi signals for response to which said device is intended. signaling mechanism, and means responsive to said member for causing functional actuation of said signaling mechanism only upon attainment by said member of said predetermined position.

Ill

r aaaaaa 20. In a signal device,a retarded operative device,'controlling mechanism for said retarded device comprising a member having a predetermined normal position and arranged for movement from and to said position in response to signaling impulses, said mechanism so associated with said retarded device as to cause initiation of a predetermined operative cycle of said retarded device upon movement ofsaid member from the normal position thereof, means jointly governed by said retarded device and said member to render attainment by said member of a certain predetermined abnormal position dependent upon movement of said member to normal position after the expiration of a certain minimum time followed by movement of said member away from normal position before the expiration of a certain maximum time measured by the activity of said retarded device from the initiation thereof, signaling mechanism, and means responsive to said member for causing functional actuation of said signaling mechanism only upon attainment by said member of said predetermined abnormal position.

21. In a signal device, a controlling member arranged for movement in one direction and the other in response to signalin impulses, signaling mechanism arrange for functional actuation by movement of said member in a certain direction to a predetermined positioma retarded operative device for restraining movement of said member to such predetermined position and involving means for rendering such movement dependentupon the occurrence of preceding movements of said member in said certain one and the other directions and upon the tervention of an interval between such movements of said member in said certain direction, the duration of which interval is established within certain limits by the action of said retarded device.

In witness whereof ll hereunto subscribe my name this 4th day of March, 192a.

GEORGE ALFRED JACKSON