US1810323A - Trapped key signal transmitter and valve control means - Google Patents

Description

Jllme 16, 1931. j. Q NOLEN 1,810,323

` TRAPPED KEY SIGNAI; TRANSMITTER AND VLVE CONTROL MEANS INVENTOR Jl-1ne 16, 1931.

J. G. NOLEN TRAPPED KEY SIGNAL TRANSMITTER AND VALVE CONTROL MEANS Filed Nov. 11I 19g-5 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 NNN WS INVENTOR Jme JVoZen,

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M AN @NN Nm em 9. @MA/m7 NNN J. G. NOLEN June 16, 1931,

TRAPPED KEY SIGNAL TRANSMITTER AAND VALVE CONTROL MEANS 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. ll

APatented v.lime 1.6, 1,931`r JAMES G. MOLEN, .on

Yeast, :it-Y., assigner.. To manier-VL, ifi-annecy; on i "cnnntorrssvrtnn, vrnemia PATENT? TRAPPED KEY SEGNALQTRANSMETTER ANB ULVEik CONTROL MEANS Application lec'femher This invention relates 'to key-controlled electrical signal .transmitters "and keycon-4 trolled Without any conduct-ing Wires or other material' connection between the two@y v Gther objects of the invention areteprol vide an improvedkey=centrolled and keycontrolling signaltransmitter and toprovide ai key-controlled device adapted Vfor trapping ttbekey therein Vunder predetermined known circumstances. t 'i j y .Y f l Other objects of 'the invention are to' im- Vprove 'generally the simplicity, and eiiiciency "ofjsnchA devices land to kprovide devicesor apparatuses ci' this `kind whichV are reliable, dnrabie and economical to manufacture. y Still other objects cf the invention will appear as the descriptio-n'proceeds; and While herein 'detailsof the inventioniare described, the invention is not limited ytoV these since many andvaricusfchanges may be madevvithont departing fromy the scope'of the invention asclaimed.V t

The .inventive ieatures'for the accomplish-l mentor"v these and 'other objectsare shown herein inconnection with an improved control apparatns which, briefiystated, includes a sprinkler system rhaving a# normally;` open main valve or Water gate havingv a key-con trolled lock for 1iockinglthe valve in `normally open position, said lock releasing the key When said valve is locked in said normallyk open position and trappingth'e kevy inthe lock when said valve V*is not in sai normal position; and a transmitter for send1ngs1gnalsto a supervisoryl station or oiiice and' adapted to receive said key for trappingthe key in the transmitter andi sending Vone kind otk-signal showing ythat they keyis trapped, and with means'for releasing the key and send- Vinganother kind of signaly as thekey is 're'- leased. .Y y

i' vertical sect-ion showing i1, ieee. semi no. eaes.

Thus when a signal has been received shovvf .ing that the key has been 'trapped in the trans-y mitter, but no signal has yet been received showing kthat the'key has been released, itis `known at kthe otce thatthe key' is trapped'in the transmitter and, therefore, thatthe valve YVis locked open, since thekey cannot be released from the lock except when the valve is lockedfopen. Y j Y e ,f

" When for any reasen, as for instance, after a iire, it is necessary to'close the valve, the keyk cannot be removed from'the transmitter With'-y ent vsending a signal that it vis being released.

Thus the ofiice is advised' Whenever the key is remcved to close the valve, rand againwhen the valvey has been locked openandthekey reriaced Vin the transmittt-nV nthe accompanying drawings, showing by tvay of example, two oi many'possiblejenr bodiments of the invention, f' Bv 1 1 4:

v igi 1s a fragmentai sine elevation showing a sprinklerjsystem with thekeycon-y troiied lock applied thereto;

Fig. 2 isa'centra'l vertical sectionalrvievv,

partly in elevation, sh'cwingthe valve rod and Wieel andthe locktherefor;`l

fFig. 3 is sideeievatiompartly in central `one form offth'e transmitter; f f ig. i4 gis a.' `fragmental front "elevaticn, .partly inV section on the' line {if-ifo 'Figi-3, shcwing` the transmitter ,c control ineansg" fig; is ka A'trent'elevation, parti y in se" t' showing thekev transmitter; 4 1

Fig. 6 .is an4 exterior rontelevationfofithe reiismtffr; and, A

- 'I is a front elevatienshowing another form of transmitter control means.,y j e My transmitter and;1 valve VcontroiV means -receiving 'means ot the on' on the line' ,5i-5' of Eig. i3, e

connection withk a-sprinkler syst'eminclndjing a. supplymain 10, a risen-l1,service/pipes 12 having Vsprinkler headsjlland a main `ivater valve ergate having aA seat'l von which Ais mounted a bracket Y17 'l having a'flinb i8 (Fig-4:2) having a boss 19 onfivhich is received 'a "valve Wheely 2O having `a-hnbi22 The 'valve control means Said threaded rod is provided with a recess 31 alined with a radial bore 32 of the bracket, when the rod 30 is in normal open position.

A ylock housing 35 secured fast on said bracket by means of an extension 36 and Screws 37 carries a bolt 38 slidable through said housing and radial bore 32 and into said recess 31 and having an intermediate lug 39 engageable in a notch 40 of said plate 27.

A pin 45 fast across the housing is received in a longitudinal slot 46 oit' the bolt; and tumblers 47 pivotally mounted on the bolt and downwardly pressed by springs 48 have usual locking slots 49 receiving said pin.

Said housing is provided with an upwardlyy inclined key hole 50 positioned 'to receive a key 51 in position to engage in an inverted V-shaped notch 51 in the lower edge of the bolt to unlock the bolt and raise the tumblers to permit the key and bolt to move the key to unlocking position with the key out of register with the keyhole.

` The keyhole is too near to the adjacent walls 52 and 53 of the housing to permit a complete rotation of the key, whereby when the key is in unlocking position in the lock and said screw rod 30 is moved to carry the recess 31 out of register with the bolt 32, said bolt and key are held in unlocking position and the key is trapped in the lock.

Iniview of the above, it will be seen that onlywhen therod 30 is in open position may the key be removed to Wind up and be trapped in the transmitter to permit sending a signal to the central station to show that said main valve is locked in open position.

T he transmitter They transmitter of Figs. 3 to 6 is mounted on a porcelain base 60 (Fig. 3) and includes a clockwork 61 similar to that shown in my U. S. Patent No. 1,082,606, issued Dec. 30, 1913, for a'supervisory alarm system. As

vherein shown this clockwork comprises a Von the arbor and an escapement wheel 69 engaging a pallet 70 are connected by intermediate gears 71 on an intermediate shaft 7 2.

The clockwork as above described is almost identical with that of the patent except that the spring is secured to the post and a pawl and ratchet mechanism 73, 74 is bracket 82 on the clockwork and having a pen engaging said transmitting wheel are also the same vas in said patent, and operate in the same Way for sending a signal to a. central supervisory station.

A transmitter housing 85 is mounted on said base over said clockwork and is provided in its outer wall 86 with a downwardly pointing keyhole 87 receiving the extended end 87 of the Winding arbor 66; and inner and outerfspaced plates 88 and 89 between and spaced from said clockwork and outer wall provide an inner transmitter control compartment 90 and a key control compartment 91.

The key receiving means A key receiving disk in the key control compartment fast on the arbor adjacent to said outer plate 89 carries a movable ward 96 adapted to receive a cut 97 in the key bit 98 of the key 51, and a recess 99 outside of the ward adapted to receive a projection 100 near the end of the bit, whereby the disk and arbor may be rotated and the spring wound up. A fixed Ward 101 on said outer wall 86 is ada ted to be received in an outer edge cut 102 o the bit. f The wards 96 and 101 may be omitted if desired.

Apivot pin 105 (Fig. 5) mounted on said outer plate near the periphery of said disk and the path of the end of the key bit carries a plurality oftumblers 106 intermediately fulcrumed on said pin and provided at the forward ends with Vforwardly opening slots 107 and engageable at the rear ends 108 by the key bit to aline said slots just before the limit of movement yof the key bit about 180 degrees from the keyhole, whereby said slots may receive a projection 110 thereby to permit said key to reach said limit and to prevent the key and disk from reaching said limit when the slots are not thus alined. l An upstanding bracket plate 111 mounted on said outer plate carries flat springs 112 pressing upon said tumblers respectively for pressing said rear ends 108 into the path of said bit and into engagement with said movable ward, thereby yieldably holding said slots 107 normally out of alinement.

tionally pivotally mounted on a lbase Washer 120 andfprovidedvvith a motive arm 121 disposed, over Vthe edge of a control ldisk 122 -fast'ponsaid'arbor and carrying `a releasing pin 123 on the margin of said disk adapted v to engage said motive arm 121 when they key moves to the position 985 about 180 degrees from the y'keyhole position 98athereby to remove said active arm-118 from the path of f said Weightfto release the clockwork to rcause the key to move back toward the lkeyhole and tojcausethe s'endingof'ttvo signals 'by the signal Wheel 80.5 n

n ,Theta/.trapping means --Ayieldable lever 125 'pivoted'as l(1t-126 on said inner plate is'provided `with a stop arm 1,27 adapted -to move into the path of said 'Weight 117 and AWithafcam arm 128 having a `V cam end 129 Vpressed by the `spring 180 against the periphery of the control disk 122,V

thereby to hold said stopy arm 127 from said path. Said end 129 isadapted to move, under the action of the spring 127, into a peripheral l1'ioteh`181a`ofthe disk 122 lafter the key alV has moved about A120 degrees and twosignals have'been sent, thereby to movefsaid stop arm 127 into said path-and stop the clockwork p Lio,

With the key held trapped at the position 98eV about degreesfromithe keyhole, said two signals indicating at thercentral oihce that the key is thus trapped.

. Y The key releasing means 'A' releasingarm 133 Jfast on said yieldable :lever with its out-er 'end 134' projecting through thehousing may be manipulated to l'removesaid-stop arm 127 fromfsaid pathto permit the keybit" to move to register'ivith the keyhole, Where it mayL be removed, and

to Vpermit the clockwork to send another ksignal-to shovt7V that the key has been released. Y Afstop pin 135 onsaid'control disk about l180 degrees 'from the releasing pin 123 is 'adapted to engage said motive arm 121 to shiftsaid active arm 118 into said path toV stop the clockwork when the key bit reaches releasring position 98av invregistrationV WithI the keyhole.

Transmitter control means of Fig. Y

" VIn Fig.'7 is shown form of inventiony adapted for use Withthe transmitterof the Vabove named patent 'with very slight change,

Work and a signal transmitter are similar to that of Fig. 3 except'that the plates 88 and 89 and fthe parts vcarried thereby arefomitted and' the'winding andunwinding arbor 166 -hasfasquared end 167 and the clockwork has `a vibrating member 168 on thepall'et staff in v171Ja1linedwith said ,squared end 167 and' adapted to receive a key having a squared rhole Y 172 adapted to be kreceived on saidmsquared end. f i Y u A.' pivoted dog 175 pivotally mounted `direct on the pillar plate 63 provided with an active arm 17 (Shaving bifurcations 177 one of which Visnormally inthe path of a doyvnturned end 178 of Vsaid -member 168, and a motive arm 180 adaptedy to be engagedby said bit 98'When the key reaches its inner limitof rotation 9811, .thereby to remove said kbifurcations of the. active arm from said pathto permit the transmitter to send asignal. rTumblers 183 pivoted on said motive arm 180v are provided with .slots 18stV and ,are engageable. by thev bit `to .position said slots in position to receive a pin 185 fixed on said to pivot.

Key trapping ami releasing means A yieldable lever 185 intermediately pivclockvvorkfto permit the dog f Y oted asiat 186 hasastop arm 187 adapted to move into Athepathsof said-,end i178 and :a

spring 189 having 1a cam end 190A adapted i tobe engaged by` the bit 98 after said signal has been sent, therebyto movesaid stop arm 187 against the actionot the Weakspring'lQl into saidzpath. and stop the clockwork YWith the key held trapped at the position 98e (Fig. f7) out oit registrationjivith the keyhole 171. A releasing pin 193 .fslidable in a vblock 194:

mounted on thecasingwall is adapted to press upon .the lever 185to remove the stop arm 187 from said path to permit the key to move the clockwork to send another signal and to move the key toxreleasing position iii-registration Operation ofthe system Normally the valve is locked open andthe key istrappedf in the transmitter.; `llVhen the key is removed fromthe transmitter-to .close the gate,. aV signal` 1s vautomatically sent to thel oilice advisingo thiszfact,aand when the key: is vreturned -to .the transmitter, a signal is againsent.v 1 'K Operation of theoalve @0f/tro?` A,

The valve is normally open Withtheparts as shown in Fig. 2"eXcept that the keyvis removed4 Vand-'locked .in `'the transmitter. Vhen kcuts 97 the valve must be closed, the key is ltaken from the transmitter, as will be explained, inserted in the keyhole (Fig. 2), and turned back about 90 degrees, thus raising the tumblers, carrying the bolts and tumblers back and leaving the key in the lock, as'the key cannot make a complete rotation.

This movement withdraws the bolt 32 from the recess 31, and the lug 39 from the notch 40, permitting the wheel to be rotated and the recess 31 to move out of alinement with the bolt thus preventing forward movement of the bolt and key and preventing removal of the key. Thus when the valve is in closed position, the key must be in the lock and cannot be in the transmitter.

lVhen the valve may again be opened, the wheel is rotated to raise the rod 30 and to bring the recess 31 and notch 40 into registration with the bolt 32 and lug 39 respectively, permitting the key and boltv to be moved forward to lock the rod and wheel and to permit the key to be removed and replaced in the transmitter.

Operation of the transmitter controllerl means of Figs. 3 to 6 As stated, the main valve of the sprinkler is normally open and all parts of the valve operating means are as shown in Fig. 2, except that the key has been removed, and is trapped in the transmitter in the position of 98o of Figs. 4 and 5.

In this position of the key, the notch 131, the cam end 121, the stop arm 127 and the activey arm 118 have the positions of the dotted lines of Fig. 4, whereby the weight 117 is heldfrom vibration by the stop arm 127, but is not interfered with by the arm 118.

Releasing the key If for any reason, as for instance, ust after a fire, it is necessary to close the valve, the supervisory station or otlice must be informed, and the attendant is compelled to inform the oiice before he closes the valve, since it is not possible to remove the key from the transmitter Without sending a signal.

When it is necessary to remove the key from the transmitter, the attendant merely presses upon the projecting end 134 (Fig. 4) of the releasing arm, thus moving the stop arm 127 from the portion of the dotted lines in path of the weight 117 to the position of the full lines outside of said path, thus releasing the clockwork and permitting the arbor and key to move from the position 98o to 98a, the signal transmittingwheel 8() makingV one rotation, since it has six times the speed of the arbor, and sending one signal to the office showing that the key has moved to the position 98a and may be removed for closing the valve.

When the key reaches the position 98a, the pin 135 engages the motive arm 121 and moves the arms 118fand 121 from the position of the dotted lines to the position of the solid lines, thus stopping the clockwork with the key in the position of 98a.

. The key may now be removed for closing the valve asfwill be explained.y The .attendant is required to reopen the valve as soon as possible, and as soon as the valve has been reopened, he will wish to advise the oiice of this fact, which he does by reinserting and trapping the key.

I nsertz'n g and trapping the key The key is inserted in the keyhole, with the projection 100 (Fig. 3) engaging in the recess99. The key is then moved from the position 98a to the position 98?), thus moving the notch from the position 131a past the position 131e to the position 1311 whereby 'the stop arm 127 is heldin the osition of the solid lines, while the pin 123 Fig. 4) moves into engagement with the motive arm 121, thus moving the active arm 118 to the position of the dotted lines, releasing the clockwork, permitting the movement of the key to the position 98o, the notch to the position 1310 and the stop arm 127 to the position of the dotted lines under the act-ion of the spring 130, thus trapping the key. During thisk movement the signal transmitting wheel rotates twice sending two signals, thus showing that the key is trapped, and that the valve is locked open.

Operation of the tumblers As the key moves to the position of 98?), the key bit engages the ends 108 (Fig. 5) of the tumblers, and if the right key is used, the slots y107 become alined for they reception of the projection 110. If a false key is used, the slots 107 will not be alined for the reception of the projection 110 and the pin 123 (Fig. 4) cannot move far enough to cause the arm 118 to release the clockwork. As the arbor and key will then be held against backward rotation by the pawl and ratchet 73, 74 (Fig. 3, the false key will be trapped and no signal vwill be sent.V As it will be noticed at the olice that no signal has been received, investigation will be made and the attempt to use a false key will be disclosed.

Obviously either the wards or the tumblers or both may be omitted if desired.

Operation of the control means of Fig. 7

yThe key is normally trapped in the transmitter in the position of 98o (Fig. 7) with the cam end 190 andthe stop arm 187 in the position of the dotted lines. To release the key, they attendant presses inwardly the pin 193, thus moving the lever 185 and the arm 187 against the action of the spring 189 to the position of the solid lines, the cam end 19() remaining substantially in the position of the dotted lines. The pin 193 is thus held in untillthe clockwork, whichis thus released, 1 moves the key bit ypast the cam-end 190 until it comes into registration kwith the keyhole and Vagainst the restoringy arm `197,'thiis moving one of the prongs 177 into the path of the downtiirned end '17 8 to stop the clockwork after `the latter has caused the sending of one signal to show' that the key has been moved to' releasing `position to be removed.

After'th'e key Vhas been used, it is reinserted in the keyhole171 and the bit moved past the position 980 to near thevsposition 98?) where it encounters theitumblers 183 and positions vthe vslots 183 to'receive the pin'v185 as thekey bit engages the motive arm 180 to positionthel prongs 177 out of turned end 178.

' This releases the. clockwork and permits thev sending of two signals as the rbit moves to the position 9,80 and engages the camy end 190 the path of the downto move ysaid-,stopy arm 187 into saidv path to with the key` trapped in means is locked in one position and trapping the key kwhen said means is not in said position; and signal means controlled by the key for trapping the key and giving one kind of signal when the key is trapped and another` kind of signal when the key'is released.

2. In combination, a sprinkler system; a mainvalve for said system; a key-controlled lock for locking said valve in one position;

said lock including means releasing the key` when said valve is locked in said position and trapping the keyinthe lock'when said valve is not in said position; and means for giving a ysignal adapted to receive said key and adapted to trap the key inthe signal means andto send a signal when thekey is trapped,

and adapted to release the key and send -another signal when the keyis released.

3. In combination, a valve; a key-controlled lock for locking said valve in one position; said lock including lmeans releasing the key whensaid valve is locked insaid position and trappingthe key in the lock when said means is not in said f position; and signal means for givingfa signal adapted to receive said key and adapted to trap the key in the signal means and to give a signal when the key is trapped, and adapted to release the key and give another signal when the key is released. v

e. In comblnatwn; a central means; a key.

controlled lock for'locking said means'in; oneposition; said lock including means releasing the key 4when said means is locked in saidposition and trapping the key iny thel lock- When said means is not in said position; and signal means for giving a signal adapted to l receive said key vand adapted totrap the key in the signal means and to vsendione kind of message when the key is trapped, and adapt-v ed to release the key and send'vanother vkind of Vmessage whenthe key isreleased.Y

45.In combination, .a :sprinkler system having a valve; Aa key;,a key-controlled lock forlocking the valve in normally'open position; said lock including means releasing the key when,- said `valve is locked insaid'norf mally openpositionand trapping the key in thelock when saidvalve is not lin said nor-k mal position; and a transmitter for sending a messageand adapted to receive-said key; said transmitter being provided with means for .trapping the key in the-transmitter andsending one kind of signal when the key L,is

trapped,` and with means fory leasing the key and sending another kind of signal whenthe key is released.V

. 6. In combination, asignal transmitter comprising a main winding arborfa spring having its inner end secured tothe arbor and havingofixedl. anchorageat the outer-end; a

mainfdrive gear loose on the-arbor, avi-v brating member and .aV pawl and f ratchet mechanism between the arbor anddrive gear; av housing, over rksaid transmitter provided V with a keyhole; a .key-receiving fast on.,

the arbor providedwith a'recess toy receivea projection 4on the key; ytumblers yprovided withslots, and engageable by the bit l`'to posi-oY tion said slots; a projection on said disk f adapted to enter saidslots to permit said keyr to reach its sai-d limit of movement; and controlj means engageablef'withfsaid vibrating member. y s l. ,n 7 In, combinationp a signal transmitter, comprising :a windingand unwinding arbor,

and a vibrating member; a housing for said transmitter'provided with a keyhole in itsl outer wall; a key receiving disk control compartment fasten.y the arborlprovided withal o movableward adapted` to receive a cut inthe key bit,`and .a key receiving recess outside of.V

the ward adapted to receive a projection near theend ofthe bit, whereby the arbor may 1be,V

wound np; arfiXed wardfon'saidlouter wall adapted to bey received .in anputer edge out ofthe bit; and means actuated by the arbor adapted whenthe keyy reaches. its inner limit to cause said transmitter to signalfand to stop,

thetransmitter when the key reaches releasing position.,

.8. In combination, ja.A signal transmitterVVV c omprising a windingand nnwinding arborp,

and a vibratingmember;a housing y:torfsaid ktransmitter provided with yakeyhole; a key-v iaeires; 'riet fast @e the arteria-eist said arbor provided withl a notch; a pivoted dog normally in the path of said member; a releasing pin on the disk adapted to engage said dog when the key reaches its inner limit of rotation, thereby to remove said dog from saidpath; a lever pressing on the disk to hold said lever from said path, and adapted to move into said notch, after a signal has been sent, thereby to move said lever into said path and trap the key; releasing means to remove said lever from said path to permit the key to move and the clockwork to send another signal; and a stop pinV on said control disk to engage said dog to stop the clockwork when the key reaches releasing position.

9. In combination, av signal transmitter comprising 'a winding and unwinding arbor and a movable member; a control disk on said arbor rovided with a notch; a pivoted dog providled with a motive arm and with an active -arm normally in the path of said member; a releasing pin on the control disk to engage said motive arm when the key reaches said limit, thereby to remove said active arm from said path; a yieldable lever having a stop arm adapted to move into said path and a cam pressing on the control disk, thereby toV hold said Vstop arm from said path, and adapted vto move into said notch, after signals have been sent, thereby to move said stop arm into rsaid path and stop the clockwork with the key held trapped; releasing Vmeans to re'-V move the lstop arm from said path to permit the key lto lmove the clockwork to send an,

other signal; and a stop pin on said control disk to engage said motive varm to stop the clockwork when the key reaches releasing position.

10. In combination, a valve; a key-controlled lock for locking said valve and Vfory releasi'nor the key of the lock when said valve is lockeda in one position and trapping the key when said valve is not in said position; and signal meansadapted to trap said key and controlled by said key only, for giving a signal whenever the key is untrapped from said means. f

11. yIn combination, al key-controlled lock adapted for releasing the key of saidV lock when the bolt of lock is locked in one position and trapping the key when said bolt is not in said position; and signal means adapted to trap said keyv and controlled by said key only, for giving a signal when the key is untrapped from said means. f Y

12. In combination, a key-controlled lock adapted for releasing vthe key of the lock when the bolt 'of'said lock is locked in one position and trapping the key when said bolt is not in said position, and signal means adapted'to trap said key and controlled by the key only, for givinga signal when the key is being trapped in said means.

13. In combination, a key-controlled means for releasing" the key of sai-d (means, when said means is locked in a certain position and trapping said key when said means is not in said certain position; and a signal means controlled by said key for trapping and releasing-the key and giving one kind of signal when the key is trapped and another kind of signal whenever the key becomes released; the occurrence of the trapping signal and the failure of the occurrence of the releasing signal to occur positively indicating that said key-controlled means is locked in said certain osition. v

14. In com ination, a key-controlled means for releasing the key of said means, when said means is locked in a certain position and trapping said key when said means is not in said certain position; and an intermittentcurrent code-signal means controlled by said key for trapping and releasing the key and positively indicating that said key-controlled meansis locked in said certain position.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this 10th day of November A'. D. 1925.

- JAMES G. NOLEN.

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