US1794354A

US1794354A - Telephone recording and reproducing device

Info

Publication number: US1794354A
Application number: US279331A
Authority: US
Inventors: Santo E Aversa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1928-05-21
Filing date: 1928-05-21
Publication date: 1931-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 1948-03-03

Description

March 3, 1931. s E AVERSA 1,794,354

TELEPHONE RECORDING AND REPRODUCING DEVICE March 3, 1931. S 5E. AVERSA 1,794,354

TELEPHONE RECORDING AND REPRODUCING DEVICE Filed May 2l, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 me/nto@ ,Sa/WE. livers@ March 3, 1931.

S. E. AVERSA TELEPHONE RECORDINGAND REPRODUCING DEVICE l@ lllll" l7/` Filed May 2l, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 atto: ne t1 March 3, w31. s. E. AVERSA `'l'EHJEPPIONIE. RECORDING AND REPRODUCING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 2l, 1928 www..

Patented Mar., 3, 193i SANTO E. AVERSA, F BALTXMORE, MARYLAND TELEPHONE RECORDING AND REPROD'UCING DEVICE l Application led May 21,

This invention relates to sound recording and reproducing apparatus and more particularly to a device for recording telephone messages during the absence of the subscriber.

An object of the invention is to provide av device which can be installed for use with a standard telephone set without Vmaking changes in the set or in the central ofhce equipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism whereby a recorded message can be delivered to an authorized person over a telephone circuit; or refused to an unauthorized person at the will of the central operator.

Another. object of the invention is to provide locking means for the device, including a variable combination setting structure under the control of the subscriber, whereby the combination may be changed from time to time as desired.

A further object'of the invention is to provide means for preventing reproduction of a recorded message until the correct combination number is given and at the same time to record the conversation between the operator and the calling party.

Other object-s and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, y

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the com 1928. Serial No. 279,331.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of one form of n recorder that may be used in connection with' the present invention,

Figure 8 is a sectional view of one form of reproducer that may be used,

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the track assembly for raising and lowering the recorder and reproducer at times.

Figure is an enlarged view of the selecting switch for setting in motion the contact closing disks of the combination locking device,

Figure 11 is a development of the cylindrical contact carrying surface of the selecting switch showing the arrangement of contacts,

Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional view through one of the contact closing disks, and

Figure 13 is a circuit diagram of the complete invention.

ln the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a casing having a cover 2 hinged to the casing 1 as at 3.

The cover 2 carries upright standards L and 5 into which various parts are mounted for rotation, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

A hollow extension 6 is formed integral with the standard 5 and the cover 2.

Secured to the lower side ofthe cover 2 is a motor 7 having an armature shaft 8 on which is mounted a pulley wheel 9.

A driven shaft 1() is mounted for rotation in the standard 5 and the extension 6, and carries on one end a pulley wheel 11.

lA driving belt 12 is passed around the

pulley wheels

9 and 11, thus causing the driven shaft 10 to rotate when the motor 7 is energized. gp

The driven shaft 10'carries a spindle 13 on its end opposite the pulley Wheel 11 and on this spindle 13 a wax message receivingv cylinder 14 of the usual type is slipped. Av latch 15 is secured to the spindle 13 and is adapted to hold the Wax cylinder 14 against displacement during the operation of the devlce. A

Feeding screws

16 and 17 are mounted for rotation in the

standards

4 and 5 and receive rotation from the driven shaft 10 through the medium of gear trains 18 journaled Within the standard 5. The

feeding screws

16 and 17 rotate within

cylindrical sleeves

19 and 20 which are provided with

slots

21 and 22, respectively.

A recording device is indicated generally byv the numeral 23 and includes a loud speaker unit 24 which throws a volume of sound against a diaphragm 25 which in turn impresses its vibrations on the wax cylinder 14 by means of a stylus 26 secured. to thc diaphragm 25.

It is to be linden-stood that any form of recorder may be substituted for the one shown at 23, this one being shown merely for the purpose of illustration. p

The recording device 23 carries an arm 27 which is provided with an o-pening 28 of a size to slide freely on the cylindrical sleeve 19.

A reproducing device 29 is shown and it is to be understood that this form also may be changed if desired. As here illustrated, a

' that when the magnets 43 are energized thediaphragm 30 is actuated by a needle 31 running in the phonic grooves cut by the stylus 26 and having `its vibrations caught and transmitted by the microphone 32 which is electrically connected to the telephone circuit, as will be explained hereinafter.

rllhe reproducing device 29 carries an arm 33 similar to the arm 27 of the recording device 23. An opening 34 in the armI 27 receives the cylindrical sleeve 20 slidably and permits the reproducing device to move back- Wardly or forwardly, as desired.

As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 9, an elevat- -ing mechanism 35 controls the position of the recorder 23 and the reproducer 29 relative to the wax cylinder 14.

The recorder 23 and the reproducer 29 are provided with arms 36 which in turn carry rollers 37 for engagement with track-like members 38 of the elevating mechanism 35. Legs 39 extend downwardly from the elevating mechanism and are held for vertical movement in apertures in projections 40 which extend from the

standards

4 and 5.

Secured to each end of the elevating mechanism are armatures 41 which are located directly beneath magnets 42. It will be clearly seen upon reference to Figure 5 of the drawings that when the magnets 42 are vde-energized the elevating mechanism 35 is in its lowermost position with the stylus 26 of the recording device 23 resting on the wax cylinder 14 ready to record a message. It will also be seen upon reference to Figure 6 elevating mechanism 35 isin its uppermost position with the recording device 23 lifted out of Contact with the wax cylinder 14, while are not only adapted to be slid on the

cylindrical sleeves

19 and 20, but also have a pivotal movement thereon when they are raised and lowered by the elevating mechanism 35.

It is desirable, in order to effect economy in the use of the cylinder 14, to prevent the forward feeding of the recording and reproducing mechanisms except When a message is being delivered or transmitted. To accomplish this result the hereinafter described clntches have been devised.

The arm 27 'of the recording device`23 is slotted as at 43 to receive a pivoted lever 44 which is provided with a screw-threaded nut 45 for engagement with the threaded feeding screw 16 at times.

A pin 46 is carried by a projection 47 on the arm 27 and extends through the lever 44. Coiled around the pin 46 is a spring -18 which normally exerts a pressure to force the lever 44 and the screwthreaded nut 45 away from the threaded feeding screw 16. A rod 49 extends parallel to the feeding screw 16 and has its ends secured in the

standards

4 and 5. This rod is mounted above the pivoted lever 44 and receives the thrust of the spring 48 to limit the movement' of the lever 44.

When the recording device 23 is in the posi- 'tion shown in Figure 5 the free end of the lever 44 is held down by the rod 49 against the tension of the spring 48, thus holding the screw-threaded nut 45 in working contact with the feeding screw 16. The recording device 23 moves in an arc whose center coincides with the center of the feeding screw 16' when it is moved to its inoperative position as shown in Figure 6. The lever 44 is then forced away from the projection 47 by the spring 48 and while the lever 44 remains in contact' with thel rod 49 the screw-threaded nut 45 carried by the lever is moved out of contact with the feeding screw 16 and further feeding of the recorder is prevented.

A similar arrangement is provided for the reproducer 29 and includes a pivot lever 50 working in a slotl 51in the arm 33. A projection 52 carrying a pin 53 and spring 54 cooperate with the lever to normally urge the lever against a rod 55 which is also supported by the

standards

4 and 5 parallel to provided with

shafts

59 and 60 respectively mounted in bearings Gland 62. The disk 57 carries a pulley 63 over which a. belt 64 is passed from a motor 65 which is secured to the casing 1 near the disk 57 and operated from the central olice as will be explained.

A contact arm 66 is secured to a hollow shaft 7 and insulated therefrom. Holes 68 are formed in the disk 57 in radial alignment with a similarly-sized holo in the free `end of the contact arm 66. A contact screw 69 is screw-tln'eaded through the contact arm 66 and inserted into any one of the holes 68 in the disk 57.

The hollow shaft 67 extends through the front wall of the casing 1 and carries an operating knob 70 which has an indicating pointer 7l secured thereon for cooperation with graduations 72 on the outside of the casing 1. A spring 73 surrounds the hollow shaft 67 vand abuts against an enlargement 74 whereby the hollow shaft 67 and the contact arm 66 are normally urged toward the disk 57 to hold the contact screw 69 into the selected hole 68. One end of the shaft 59 eX- tends into the hollow shaft 67 but is not secured therein. Connection between the operating parts is accomplished entirely by the pin 69 resting in one of the holes 68 at which time disk 57, contact arm 66, the hollow shaft 67 and the knob 70 will all turn together.

When it is desired to change the combina tion the subscriber grasps the knob and pulls outwardly until the contact screw 69 is out of the hole 68. The knob 70 is then turned to the desired position and released whereupon the contact screw 69 will enter the new hole 68 and remain there due to the Pressure of the spring 7 3.

The disk 57 is provided with a counter weight 75 in its periphery whereby the disk 57 normally rests with the zero position at the lll. ratchet wheel 76 is secured to the shaft 59 and is provided with a tooth opposite each position so that as the disk 57 is rotated a pawl 77 engages the ratchet wheel 76 to prevent retrograde movement. thereof.

Pins 78 are secured to the periphery of the disk 57 near each hole 68 and are adapted to engage a spring actuated knocker 79 for 2' ringing a bell 80 to indicate to the central operator the position of the disk 5 7 and the contact arm 66. The cover 2 of the casing 1 is provided with openings 250 to permit the sound of the

bells

80 and 99 to reach the microphone 82 of the reproducing device 29 and be transmitted through the telephone circuit to the central otiice operator.

A contact spring 81 is secured to an insulated bar 82 within the casing 1 and in the path of the contact screw 69 to close a circuit as will be described later.

rlhe disk 58is constructed exactly like the disk 57 and is operated in the same way eX- cept that its contacts close dierentcircuits.

rllhe disk 58 is provided with a pulley 83, a belt 8l, a motor 85, a contact arm 86, a hollow shaft 87 holes 88, a Contact screw 89 for engagement in the holes 88, a knob 90 for rotating the contact arm 86, a pointer 91 on the knob, graduations 92 on the casing 19. spring casing 1 and controls the operation of the

disks

57 and 58.

The operation of the circuit is as follows:

The central oice circuit is indicated at A, the line L and L2, and the subscribers bell box at B.

ln the following description the term operator will always mean the central oliice operator. 'lhe term subscriber will mean the person 1n whose oflice or home the present invention is installed and the term caller will mean one who is calling the subscriber.

The receiver and transmitter have been left oft the subscribers telephone set for the sake of clarity as the position of the switch hook does not affect the operation of the present invention, nor does the operation of the present invention depend on the position of the switch hook.

It might be stated at this point that the terminals R, T and Gr on the bell boX B are the terminals to which the usual transmitter and receiver are connected.

If the subscriber wishes to have any messages recorded in his absence he first sets the

contact arms

66 and 86 at any combination he desires, for example 3 and 8 on the graduations 72 and 92.- He next throws the switch 102 at the `bell box B and the device is ready for use.

Should a caller wish'to converse with the subscriber his call would come into the central oflice at the answering jack 103 and the operator wouldl answer by plugging in with her back plug 104. rllhe operator then plugs in at the multiple jack 105 with her front plug 106 and rings the .subscriber in the usual way with her ringing key 107.

1f the subscriber does not answer the operator inquires if the caller wishes to leave a message. The caller proceeds with his message and the following circuits are used.

When the operator inserted the plug 106 in the ack 105 and rang the subscriber, the circuit operated in the usual way due to the retarded relay 108 which held the present invention 0H the line to allow for preliminary conversations. After the predetermined time has lapsed and the retarded' relay attracts its armatures the following circuits are energized. f

rlhe central otlice battery 109, the coil 110, the conductor 111, the relay R, the conductor 112, the operators key K, the conductor 113, the ring contact of plug 106, the ring contact of jack-105, the conductor L', the bell box circuits, the conductor 114, the switch 102, the conductor 115, the conductor 116, the relay 108, the Vconductor 117, the

conductor 118, the switch 102, the conductor 119, back through the bell box, the conductor L2, the tip contact of jack 105, the tip contact of plug 106, the conductor 120, back through the other side of the operators key K, the conductor 121, the coii 122, the conductor 123, and back to battery 109.

Central otlice battery also flows rom the conductor 115 through the conductor 124, the contact 125, the armature 126, the conductor 127, the relay 128, the conductor 129, the armature 130, the contact 131, the conductor 132, the conductor 118, the switch 102, the conductor 119, the bell box circuits, the line L2, the tip Contact of jack 105, the tip contact of the plug 106, the conductor 120 and back to the battery 109.

This circuit energizes the relay 128 and causes it to attract its armature 134 which carries a contact 135 for engagement with the contact 136. The

contacts

135 and 136 are in circuit with a suitable house current the source of which is not shown in the drawings. This energy then Hows through the conductor 137, the contact 135, the Contact 136, the conductor 138, the motor 7 the conductor 139 and back to the source.

The closing of this circuit starts the motor 7 which rotates the wax cylinder 14 and as the stylus 26 of the recorder 23 is in contact with the wax cylinder 14, as previously described, all conversations on the line are recorded.

Conversation from the caller comes to the central oiice in the usual way from the answering jack103 to the back plug 104 and thence to the operators cord circuit A and leaves in the usual way from the operators key K. The circuit then is as follows:

The conductor 113, the ring contact of plug 106, the ring contact of jack 105, the line L', the bell box circuits, the conductor 114, the switch 102, the conductor 115, the conductor 124, the Contact 125, the armature 126, the

.. conductor 127, thel conductor 140, the conductor 141, the audio amplifier 142, the conductor 143, the recorder 23, the conductor 144, back through the amplifier 142, the conductor 145, the conductor 129, the armature 130, the contact 131, the conductor 132, the

conductor 118, the switch 102, the conductor 119, the bell box circuits, the line L2, tip contact of jack 105, the tip contact of plug 106, the clgnductor 120 and back to the operators key The filament supply for theampliier 142 is obtained from the house current by tapping the

wires

146 and 147 onto the wires 138 and 139. Any suitable form of transformer may be included Within the ampliier 142 to obtain the proper voltage reduction.

A detail description of the audio amplifier is deemed unnecessary as those skilled in the art are entirely familiar with it. It might be stated at this time that the amplifier is included to insure the proper volume of sound at the recorder under all circuit conditions.

When the conversation is concluded and the caller hangs up his receiver the operatorl takes down her plugs and the subscribers set returns to normal position due to the de-energization of the relay 108.

It the subscriber isat a distance from his otlice and wishes to know if a message has been left he calls the operator in the usual way and inquires from her. A buzzer is supplied to give this signal and is indicated by the numeral 148. A switch 149 is attached to the cylindrical sleeve 19 adjacent to the starting point of the recorder 23 `fand is normally held closed by the insulated bar 15% carried by the recorder 23.

It no message has been left the recorder 23 has not moved from its initial position and4 consequently the buzzer will sound, transmitting its vibrations over the line to the inquirer.

The circuit for this buzzer includes the line L', the bell box circuits, the conductor 114, the switch 102, the conductor 115, the conductor 151, the buzzer 148, the conductor 152, the switch 149, the conductor 153, tbe conductor 118, the switch 102, the conductor 119, back through the bell box and to the line L2.

This signal also notiies the operator that the subscriber has left his set in recording position.

It is of course obvious that the buzzer will cease as soon as the retarded relay functions and sets the motor 7 in operation to feed the recorder away from the switch 150.

If the subscriber or any authorized person wishes to hear a message which has been left, he may call from another line 'and if he ives the correct combination number he can ear the recorded message. v

In the present illustration the correct number is 33, that is number 3 on the

contact carrying disks

57 and 58, assuming that the

pointers

71 and 91 on'the knobs 70 and. 90 respectively, have been set to number 3 of their corresponding graduations, `and the caller is so informed.

With this information in hand the operator plugs in as usual and when the buzzer 148 ceases to vibrate she knows that the retarded relay 108 has functioned and the circuit is closed to the selecting switch 101. The operator then closes the contacts 154 and 155 of her key K which introduces acurrent of high er voltage on the line from the

conductors

156 and 157.

The relay 158 ofthe selecting switch 101 is not responsive to the lower voltage used in the circuits already described, hence it remained inactive.

The circuit. to the relay 158 is as follows:

The conductor 156 from thesource of hi h er voltage, the contact 155, the operators ey K, the conductor 113, the ring contact of the plug 106, the ring contact of the jack 105, the line L', the bell box circuit, the conductor 114, the switch 102, the conductor 115, the conductor 124, the contact 125, the armature 126, the conductor 127, the conductor 140, the relay 158, the conductor 159, the armature 160, the contact 161, the conductor 162, the switch 102, the conductor 163, the bell box circuits, the line L2, the tip contact of the jack 105, the tip contact of the plug 106, the conductor 120, the key K, the contact 154,the conductor 157 and back to the source of hi her Voltage.

The selecting switch 101 inc udes an armature 164 pivoted at 165 and having an extension 166 terminating in a pawl 167. The pawl 167 engages a ratchet wheel 168 on a shaft 169 whlch carries a cylindrical circuit closing member 170. Y

r1`wo sets of contacts are shown on the circuit closing member 170 in order to accommodate the limited movement of the pawl and ratchet 167 and 168 and it is to be understood that these contacts are in duplicate for this reason.

lThe first impulse of higher voltage current sent out on the line by the operator as just described causes the relay 158 to be energized, thus attracting its armature 164 and rocking it on its pivot 165 to step the ratchet 168 one step and bring the contact 171 in engagement with the contact springs 172. This circuit energizes the motor 65 through the following circuit. The battery 173, the conductor 174, the contact springs 172 and the contact 171, the conductor 175, the motor' 65, the conductor 176 and back to the battery 173.

The rotation of the motor 65 causes the contact carryin disk 57 to rotate by means of the belt 64, t ius bringing the pins 78 into engagement, one at a time with the knockers 79, causing them to strike the bell 80 once for each position passed.

When the operator hears the bell 80 sounded three times she immediately closes the contacts 154 and 155 a second time, causing the relay 158 to be again energized to step the ratchet 168 up one more tooth. This movement rotates the cylindrical circuit closing member 170 one step and breaks the circult to contact springs 172. The motor 65 is deenergized but the contact carrylng disk 1s held in its selected position by the pawl 77 l engaging the teeth on the ratchet wheel 76.

When the Contact carrying disk 57 is stopped by the operator the .contact66 and its Contact screw 69 are in engagement with the contact spring 81 and remain in that posltion until the end ofthe call.

The second step of the circuit closing member 170 also closes another circuit through its contact 177 which then contacts with the. contact springs 178, closing the following circuit. Thebattery 173, the conductor 179, the contact springs 178 and the contact 177, the

conductor 180, the motor 85, the conductor 181, the contact 182, the armature 183, the conductor 184 and back to the battery 1 3. f

The rotation of the motor 85 causes rotation of the contact carrying disk 58 bringing its pins 97 into contact with the knocker 98 which sounds the bell 99 each time a pin 97 passes and notifies the operator of the position of disk 58.

The contact carrying disk 58 is held in its selected position by the engagement of the pawl 96 in a tooth of the ratchet wheel 95 in the same manner that disk 57 is held.

1n order to be sure that the contact carrying disk 58 does not run past its selected point of contact a relay 185 is provided and is adapted to break the circuit to the motor 85.

When the selected position of the contact carrying disk 58 is reached, contact is made through the contact arm 86 and contact screw 89 and thel contact spring 100 similar to the operation of the disk 57.

The .circuit which is vnow completed raises the recorder off of the wax cylinder 14 and places the needle 31 of the reproducer on the cylinder and is as follows:

rlhe battery 186, the conductor 187, the contact spring 81, the contact screw 69, the contact arm 66, the conductor 188, the magnet 42, the conductor 189, the Contact arm 86, the contact screw 89, the contact spring 100, the conductor 190, the relay 185 and back to the battery 186.

The recorded message is now reproduced over the line. The battery 191 is placed in the reproducer circuit to augment the central olice battery.

The circuit from the operators key K is as follows:

The conductor 113, the ring contact of the plug 106, the ring contact of the jack 105, the line L', the bell box circuits, the conductor 114, the switch 102, the conductor 115, the conductor 124, the contact 125, the armature 126, the conductor 127,-the conductor 140, the conductor 192, the battery 191, the conductor 193, the reproducer 29, the conductor 194, the conductor 159, the armature 160, the contact 161, the conductor 162, the switch 102, the conductor 163, back through the bell box circuits, the line L2, the tip contact of the jack 105, the tip contact of the plug 106, the conductor 120 and back to the operators key K. l

When the selecting switch 101 is stepped the third time by the operator and the contact broken between the springs 17 8 and contact 177 another circuit is closed between the contact 195, and the contact springs 196. This is the restoring circuit and is energized before the operator takes down her plug and the retarded relay is de-energized. The circuit includes the battery 197, the conductor` 198, the magnet 199, the conductor 200, the

magnet 201, the conductor 202, the contact springs 196, the contact 195, the conductor 203, the contact 204, the armature 205, the conductor 206 and back to the battery 197.

Thiscircuit energizes the magnets 199 and 201 which attract their armatures and release the

pawls

96 and 77 from their respective ratchet Wheels 95 and 76, thus permitting the contact carrying disks to return to their normal positions due to the influence of their counterweights.

If desiredl a phone may be inserted in the reproducing circuit and a recorded message may be heard without taking the cylinder from the recording machine.

In order to hear the message the

contact arms

66 and 86 are moved to zero position by the

knobs

70 and 90. This closes the circuit from the battery 186 toy the magnet 42 and brings the needle of the reproducer into engagement with the cylinder 14. Ear phones 207 are inserted into thecircuit by the plug 208 and jack 209 which is connected with the reproducer circuit by the conductors 210 and 211. The subscriber then closes the switch 210 which connects the house current to the motor 7 which operates as before described toreproduce the message in the ear phones 207.`

It is believed that a further description of the operation is unnecessary.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A recording and reproducing device including a telephone circuit; a retarded relay in the telephone circuit; an armature and a contact under the inuence of the retarded i relay; a sound record; a recorder normally in contact with the sound record; a motor for rotating thesound record; a power circuit including the motor; a motor circuit relay electrically connected to the armature and contact of the retarded relay and constituting means for closing the power circuit to the motor when the retarded relay is energized; a feeding screw for moving the recorded over he sound record; and a switch and an audible signal device in the telephone circuit, said switch being held closed by the recorder while at its starting point, said audible signal device being sounded by central oiiice battery through the operators cord circuit and the line to inform the operator that no message is recorded.

2. A recording and reproducing device including a telephone circuit; a central oiiice battery electrically connected therewith; a source of current of higher voltage than the central oliice battery; a key at the central operators position -for introducing to the telephone circuit the current of higher voltage; a retarded relay at the subscribers station; a selecting switch relay, a circuit there- I for; an armature and contact under the inuence of the retarded relay foreclosing the circuit to the' selecting switch relay when .the operator depresses the said key; a selecting switch operated by the selectmg switch relay; a contact carrying disk; a motor for circuit for introducing the recorded mes-- sage into the telephone circuit when the retarded relay is energized.

3. In a device of -the class described, a telephone circuit, a sound recorder and a sound reproducer insaid circuit, a sound record cooperating with the recorder and with the reproducer, a key at the central operators position for introducing a current of higher voltage than the telephone current into the telephone circuit, a retarded relay at the subscribers station, an armature and Contact under the influence of the retarded relay, a selecting switch relay electrically connected to the armature and Contact of the retarded relay and responsive to the higher voltage current after the retarded relay has responded to the central otlice battery current, a selecting switch operated by the selecting switch relay, a contact carrying disk, a motor for rotating `the contact carrying disk, a circuit including a source of power between the selecting switch and the said motor, a magnet for shifting the recorder out of contact with the sound record and placing the reproducer into contact therewith simultaneously, means carried by the contact disk for closing a circuit to the magnet, and a circuit connected t0 the reproducer and the telephone circuit for introducing the recorded message into thel telephone circuit when the retarded relay is cnergized.

4. In a phone circuit including a common battery, a recorder and a reproducer, a sound record cooperating with the recorder and `with the reproducer, a retarded relay, an armature and contact for the retarded relay, a selecting switch relay electrically connected to the ar-' mature and contact of the retarded relay, said selecting switch relay being nonresponsive to the common battery voltage of the telephone circuit, a source of current of higher voltage than the common battery, a key at the central operators position for introducing the higher voltage current to the lselecting switch relay through the armature and contact of the retarded relay when the retarded relay4 is energized, a Contact carrying disk, a motor,

device of the class described, a tcleiso meeste y ducer for simultaneous movement thereof and electrically connected to the contact carrying disk for energizing the said magnet when the contact carrying disk has been stepped to a predetermined position, and means for restoring the contact carrying disk to zero position after the recorded message has been reproduced.

5. ln a device of the class described, a telephone circuit including a common battery, a recorder and a reproducer, a Vsound record cooperating with the recorder and with the reproducer, a retarded relay, an armature and contact for the retarded relay, a selecting switch relay electrically connected to the armature and contact of the retarded relay, said selecting switchfrelay being nonresponsive to the common batteryvoltage of the telephone circuit, a source of current of higher voltage than the common battery, a key at the central operators position for introducing the higher voltage current to the selecting switch relay through the armature and contact of the retarded relay when the retarded relay is energized, a contact carrying disk, a motor, including a source of power, for rotating the contact carrying disk, a selecting switch operated by the selecting switch relay and in circuit with the motor and source of power, means for holding the contact carrying disk in its selected position, a magnet mechanically connected to the recorder and the reproducer for simultaneous movement thereof and electrically connected to the contact carrying disk for energizing the said magnet when the Contact carrying disk has been stepped t0 a` predetermined position, and means for breaking the circuit tothe motor when the iinal step of the ,contact carrying disk is completed.

6. lln a device of the class described, a telephone circuit including a. common battery, a recorder and a reproducer, a sound record cooperating with the recorder and with the reproducer, a retarded relay, an armature and contact for the retarded relay, a selecting switch relay electricall connected to the armature and contact of t e retarded relay, said selecting switch relay being nonresponsive to the common battery voltage of the telephone circuit, a source of current of higher voltage than the common battery, a key at the central operators position for introducing the higher voltage current to the selecting switch relay through the armature and contact of the retarded relay when the retarded relayis energized, a- Contact carrying disk, a motor, including a source of power, for rotating the contact carrying disk,

a selecting switch operated by the selecting switch reay and in circuit with the motor and source of power, means for holding the contact carrying disk in its selectedl position, a magnet mechanically connected to the recorder and the reproducer for simultaneous movement thereof and electrically connected to the contact carrying disk for energizing the said magnet when the contact carrying disk has been stepped to a predetermined position, an audible signal device, a trip carried thereby, projections on the contact carrying disk for engagement with the trip to sound the audible signal device, a microphone in the reproducer, Vand electrical connections between the microphone and the telephone circuit whereby sounds from the audible signal device are transmitted to the central operators telephone set.

7. In a device of the class described, a telephone circuit including a common battery, a recorder and a reproducer, a sound record cooperating with the recorder and with the reproducer, a'retarded relay, an armature and contact for the retarded relay, a selecting switch relay electrically connected to the armature and contact of the retarded' relay, said selecting switch relay being nonresponsive to the common battery voltage of the telephone circuit, a source of currentl of higher voltage than the common battery, a key at the central operators position for introducing the higher voltage vcurrent to the selecting switch relay through the armature and contact of the retarded relay when the retarded relay is energized, a selecting switch stepped by the selecting switch relay, contacts on the selecting switch, a first contact carrying disk, a lirst motor and a battery therefor, said motor being controlled by certain of the contacts on the selecting switch, an adjustable contact on the irst contact carrying disk, a fixed contact in the path'of the adjustable contact, a first audible signal device, a trip carried thereby, projections on the first contact carrying disk for engagement with the trip, a second contact carrying disk, a second motor and a batter therefor, contacts on the said selecting switch for connection with the second motor, an adjustable contact on the second contacty carrying disk, a ixed contact in the path of the adjustable contact, a second audible signal device, a trip carried thereby, proections on the second contact carrying isk for engagement with the trip, means for stopping the second Contact carryingdiskat a predetermined position, a magnet connected to the recorder and the reproducer for disengaging the recorder and engaging the reproducer with the sound record simultaneously, and electrical conductors connected to the adjustable contacts on the contact carrying disks and to the said magnet.

rac

8. In a recording and reproducing device, a motor-driven sound record, a recorder, a stylus on the recordervnormally in engagement with the sound record,`means for operating the recorder to impress a message on the record, a motor circuit including the motor.J a manually-operated switch in the motor circuit, means for reproducing a recorded message, said means including a first movable Contact, a first fixed contact in the path of the first movable Contact, a second movable contact, a second fixed contact in the path of the second movable contact, a battery and electrical conductors connected to the first fixed Contact and the second fixed Contact, a reproducer adjacent to the recorder, a magnet connected to the recorder andthe reproducer for shifting the recorder out of enga-gement with the sound record and placing the reproducer into engagement therewith simultaneously, electrical conductors .connecting the magnet and the movable contacts, and a telephone circuit including a battery and a receiver connected to the reproducer.

In testimony whereof I affix my si nature.

SANTO E. AV SA.