US1884735A - Signaling mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 25, 1932. G. E. KING SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed May 29, 1929 INVENTOR George E. King ATTORNEY in the Patented Oct. 25, 1932 GEORGE ERNEST KING, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS,

PATENT OFFICE ASSIGNOR TO THE GAMEWELL COMPANY, OF NEWTON UPPER FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAS- SACHUSETTS SIGNALING MECHANISM Application filed May 29, 1929. Serial No. 367,017.

This invention relates to signaling mechanism, and more particularly to the so-called key break mechanism Wh-ereby'code signals are formulated in signaling circuits, a-sfor example-An the commonly used types of municipal fire alarm boxes.

A very large proportion of the municipal fire alarm boxes now in use have clockwork mechanism of types .such as that shown oatent to F. lV. Cole, No. 1,244,587, issued (Bctober th, 1917, and in Fig. 1 of the drawing of patent to J. W. Johnson, No. 621,093, issued March 14th, 1899.

The key break levers of such mechanisms are adapted, without modification, to cooperate with signal wheels representing widely varying signal numbers; and such mechanisms are arranged to act very quickly in breaking the'circuits controlled thereby, such action being frequently termed instantaneous break. On the other hand, such key break mechanisms act at a comparatively slow rate to close the circuit, especially when the signal is. being formulated for so-called slow time systems, such as are usually provided when the responsive instruments include whistle blowing machines and tower bell strikers.

The slowness of closing action just referred to arises from the fact that the key break levers are raised by the slanting faces of the teeth of the associated signal wheels to eifect closing of the key break contacts; the movement of the signal wheel being, in

turn, governed by a pallet and escape wheel,

as is well understood in this art. Because of the use of such pallet governors, the movementof such signal wheels is intermittent in character, and thereis more or less reverse movement of the signal wheel following each step of forward movement thereof, resultant from the backing up of the escape wheel caused by the momentum of the pallet and its pendulum the various teeth of the Wheel engage first with one and thenthe other of the faces of the pallet. When adjusted for signals in which the strokes within numerals are separated by time intervals of say E $3 to 3 seconds, extra heavy pendulums are used, and the backing up action is particularly pronounced, so that it is found to be difficult to adjust the parts in a manner which will surely avoid the formulation of false signaling strokes in the signaling circuit. As is best understood by those who have had occasion to assemble and adjust such mechanisms, these false strokes result from unintended breaks in the signaling circuit which occur (due to the pendulum actin through the pallet and escape wheel as just described) when the signal wheel turns backward far enough for the key break lever to permit the contacts to separate, following closure of these contacts resultant from the immediately preceding forward rotation of the signal wheel.

In patent to H. W. Doughty et al., No. 949,699, dated February 15th, 1910, and patout to C. E. Beach, No. 1,078,984, dated November 18th, 1913, arrangements are'shown whereby quick closure as well as quick break of signaling contacts may be obtained (such as will be hereinafter referred to as instan taneous make and break) but the arrangements of both of these patents involve the use of types of signal wheels and arrangements of signaling contacts incapable of readyinterchange with those of more than a very small proportion of the municipal fire alarm boxes now in use.

It is important that interchangeability of signal wheels be maintained, so far as otherwisepracticable, between the various boxes of given municipal fire alarm systems, for reasons well understood by those in charge of such systems; an important one of such reasons being that when any box of such a system is disabled (as when struck by a street vehicle) it is customary to install a reserve box in place of such disabled box orif no reserve box is then availableto temporarily transfer a boXfrom some location considered less hazardous, until permanent replacement or repair can be made. In either event, the replacement box should be arranged to transmit the same code signal number as the one which it is to replace, so that the fire department can be summoned to the desired location without danger of confusion such as would result from assignment or transfer thereto of a new or different number. To this end, it is customary to, if possible, apply the code signal wheel of the disabled box to that used for its replacement. Obviously, this can be done only if a given type of wheel can be interchangeably applied. to both of the boxes concerned. As the types of instantaneous make and break mechanisms heretofore known are not suited for interchangeable use therewith of the code wheels of the types of boxesin' most general use, that fact has militated against the general adoption of such prior art instantaneous make key break mechanisms.

The mechanisms of municipal fire alarm boxes. of the so-called perfect non-interfer ence and succession types in most general use, provide an interlocking relationship be? tween what is known as the non-interference armature and the'key break lever so that, as more fully explained in the aforesaid Cole Johnson patents, the non-interference armature willbe mechanically held against retractive movement at all times when the key break lever is positioned for opening the. signaling circuit, andmoveme ntof the key breaklever to the closed circuit position will release such armature, which will thereupon move to a position where it prevents subsequent act on of suchlever to break the signaling circuit unless then prevented by energization of the non-interference magnet. In practice it has been found to be essential,

when using ordinary types of electromagnets, that the signaling contacts. shall be closed for an appreciable time before retraction of the non-interference armature is permitted by the key break lever, in order to assure thatu nder-the most adverse condi tionsfthere will be opportunity forthe noninterference magnet to become effectively energized before its armature is mechanically released by the key break lever, To this end,

, it is customary to so fit the parts'that, during the movement of the key break lever toward closed circuit position, there will be an elapse of time, measured by several beats of the escapement pallet, betweenthe point in the movement of the key break lever at which the contacts first reach closed condition and that at which the armature is released. Prior art instantaneous make? key break mechanisms do not afford facilities for readily assuring such an interval between circuit closure and armature release other than through theme of a type of signal wheel which is inconvenient and expensive to produce, which requires special fitting of the keybreak mechanism, and which does not provide for interchangeability of signal wheels, which vary beyond an extremely limited range of diversity in signal numhere. These facts have further militated against the general adoption of such prior break lever by teeth of the signal wheel, at

times when the clock work'movement is at rest, for reasons well understood by those skilled in this art. Obviously, the closing of the key break contacts which results from the engagement by such pins of the extension of the key break lever projecting in the path thereof, is even slower than that which results from the action of the signal wheel upon the key break lever, so that a point is reached during the closure ofthe contacts at which the separation therebetween is and remains, for an appreciable time, very minute in extent, so, that vibration, of the contacts (such as is likely to result from the jarring whicha member moving with the armature is i arranged in interlocking relationship with the key break lever, the signaling contacts will assuredly be closed throughout an inter val of suitable duration, prior to such move ment. of the key break lever as will unlock the non-interference armature,

It is a further object of this invention to provide such key break mechanismof a type operable by code signal wheels of the types now in most generaluse in fire alarm boxes to act instantaneously in effecting closure as Well as opening of the key break contacts.

It is a'further object of this invention to provide a type of such key break mechanism which can be produced in forms capable of ready application to. existing forms of municipal fire alarm boxes, without, necessitating the replacement of either the code signal wheels or the signaling contacts of; such boxes, s

It is a further object to provide a type of such keybreak mechanism-which, when employed in municipal fire alarm. boxes of the types now in most general use, will, without alterations or readjustments, cooperate with code signal wheels representing awide diversity of signal numbers.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide such an instantaneous make and break mechanism? which is more simple, re-

liable, durable and economical of manufacture than those heretofore used.

With the aforesaid objects in view, this invention consists of the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated in the annexed drawing, wherein corresponding parts are designated by similar reference characters throughout the several Views, of which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a fire alarm box of the general type illustrated in the Johnson patent hereinbefore referred to, embodying a form of key break mechanism cons noted in accordance with this invention, the parts being shown in normal position;

Fig. 2 shows certain of the parts of Fig. 1 in the positions assumed thereby just after a tooth of the signal wheel has permitted the key break mechanism to act to effect separation of the contacts;

Fig. 3 shows the parts of Fig. 2 in the positions assumed when the key break lever has been partially restored to raised position by a tooth of the signal wheel;

t shows the parts of Fig. 3 as positioned when the key break lever has been restored to a position beyond that shown by Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of certain of the parts of the preceding figures;

Fig. 6 shows a simplified arrangement of key break mechanism corresponding to that of Figs. 2, 3 and l; and

Fig. 7 is an elevation of mechanism similar to that of Figs. 1 to 5, and suited for application to tire alarm boxes of the general type indicated by the Cole Patent No. 1,244,587, hereinbefore referred to.

Referring to Fig. 1, the main gear 21, carried by the shaft 23, acts through the usual gearing to drive the signal wheel shaft 25 and through itthe escapement shaft 27 which carries the escape wheel 29. In the interests of clearness of illustration, certain parts of such gearing are omitted from the accompanying drawing and are not herein described in detail it being considered sufficient to state that the code signal wheel 31 is fixed upon the shaft 25, so that, when said shaft is driven by the main gear 21, the periphery speed of said wheel will be suitably regulated by the governor mechanism comprising the pallet 83 and the escape wheel 29, in the usual manner.

The key break lever i1 is journaled on the pivot 4.2, and carries a projection 43 for cooperation with the teeth of the code signal wheel 31 in a well known manner. The free end 44.- of the lever 41 is arranged for cooperation with the pin 45 for a purpose which will be presently explained in greater detail.

A lever 46, carrying the pin 45 and pivoted its shaft 47 in such direction as to move such 7 armature as may be carried by said lever away from its associated magnet, and such spring will therefore, for convenience, be hereinafter referred to as the armature retractile spring.

The signaling contacts 51 and 52 are positioned relative to the code signal wheel 31, key break lever pivot 42 and o her parts of the mechanism, in a relationship corresponding to that occupied by the cod signaling contacts and similar prior art form of key break mechanism parts of fire alarm boxes of the general type herein indicated and shown in greater detail by the Johnson patent hereinbefore referred to.

A pin 22 is carried by the main 21 to engage the lug 24 (see Fig. 5) carried by the free end of the tail 26 of the lever 41, for positioning said lever to effect closure of the contacts 51 and 52 when the gear 21 is in normal. position; as is usual practice i' alarm boxes in the genera type indicated.

The arm 53 is journaled on the pivot 4.2 by the side of the lever 41, for movement indepcndently thereof, adjacent surfaces of said arm and lever being spaced apart, as best shown in Fig. 5, for receiving a spring 55.

The lever 41 carries a pin 57 which of;- tends in the direction of the arm 53, and said arm carries a corresponding pin 58 which is so situated with relation to the pin 5. as to suitably limit clockwise movement of the arm 53 relative to the lever il, as hereinafter more fully explained. The spring 55 is of suiiicient tension for actuating the contacts 51 and 52, as hereinafter more fully explained, and is so applied between the lever 41 and the arm that one end of said spring so engages the pin 57 as to tend to rotate the lever tlin a counter'clockwise direction, and the other end of said spring so the pin 58 as to tend to rotate said arm in a clockwise direction relatively to said lever.

An insulating spacer 60, carried by the arm 53, is so positioned and of such length that when any tooth of the signal wheel 31 is raising the lever 11, if the arm 53 moves with said lever (the pin 58 remaining in enga e ment with the pin 57) said spacer will effectclosnre of the contacts 51 and 52 before the conclusion of the movement imparted to said lever by such tooth, for a reason which will e hereinafter more fully explained.

The latch 61 is'journaled'on thepivot 62, and carries the projection 63 which is'positioned for engaging the free end of the arm 53 for delaying actuation of'the. contacts 51 and 52 during a portion of the upward movement of the lever 41. A spring 64 is so applied to said latch as to urge movement thereof in the direction of the arm 53, and the free end of said latch is so associated with a'pin 65, carried by the lever 41, that said latch will be so moved as to effect release of the arm 53 whenever the lever 41 has been sufficiently raised to store the required energy in the spring 55, and, furthermore, sufliciently to lift the pin 57 far enough above the pin 58 so that, upon disengagement of said latch 61 from said arm 53, the latter will effect closure of the contacts 51 and 52in a substantially instantaneous manner; the functional relationship of said parts being further such that said latch 61 will be disengaged from said arm 53, when the lever is being raised as by a tooth of the signal wheel 31, before the free end 44 of said lever has reached a position such as would permit the pin 45 to be swung by the lever 46 in response to the armature retractile spring 48; this adjustment being preferably such that, during the operation of the clockwork train, several beats of the escapement pallet will be required to permitsuch movement of the signal wheel 31 as will lift the lever 41 from the position at which the pin causes the latch 61 to release the arm 53 to the position where the end 44 of said lever 41 will permit the pin 45 to pass under said free end 44, when moving with the armature lever 46 in response to the armature retractile spring 48.

In adjusting key break mechanism, such as that just described, for cooperation with the mechanism of a so-called perfect noninterference and succession box mechanism, of the general type indicated by Figs. .1 to 5 of the drawing, the various parts should be so proportioned and relatively situated that the number of beats of the escapement pallet 33 necessary to permit movement of the signal wheel 31 from the position where any tooth thereof has raised the key break lever 41 to a position which effects closure of'the contacts 51 and 52 and the position of said wheel where said lever 41 is raised high enough to withdraw the free end 44 thereof from the path of the pin 45, will be such as will occupy an interval of t me of such duration as to assure enective energization of such non-interference magnet as may be employed, with a suitable factor of safety.

The operation of the embodiment of this invention which is indicated by Figs. 1 to 5, is as follows:

\Vhen the parts are in normal condition, they are positioned as indicated by Fig. 1, the pin 22 engaging the lug and thereby acting through the. tail 2.6 to support: the lever 41 in therefore been moved, by the spring 55, to a position where the spacer maintains the contact 51 in engagement with the contact 52. Furthermore, the free end 44 of the lever 41 is withdrawn from the path of the pin 45. so

as to permit said pin to be swung below said end by movement of the non-interference armature lever 46 in response to its retractile spring 48, unless such movement is otherwise restrained. In firealarm boxes of the generalgtype indicated, the non-interference armature lever is held, while the train is at rest, by mechanical cooperation between said lever and the clockwork, or otherwise, as well understood by those skilled in the art.

f, now, the clockwork is set in vmotion, the pin 22 will be slowly carried, by the main wheel 21, out of the path of the tail 26, the form and relative positioning of parts being such that disengagement between said pin and tail will be thus effected when the first teeth of the signal number of the code signal wheel 31 has moved into the path of the projection 43, so that said tooth will temporarily continue to support the lever 41 after the pin 22 has been withdrawn from the path of the lug 24; whereupon, further rotation of the code wheel will withdraw the first tooth of the signal number thereof from the path of said projection 43.

If, up to this point in the operation of the mechanism, the armature lever 46 has been held against movement in response to the retractile spring 48 (as it will have been by continued energization of the non-interference magnet, unless some other signal is then in course of transmission) the hey break mechanism parts will move, with a practically instantaneous action, so as to be relatively positi oned as shown in Fig. 2; the projection 43 having dropped into the depression between the first'an-d second teeth of the signal wheel 31, in response to the thrust applied to said lever through the bias of contact spring 51 acting through the insulating spacer 60,. the arm 53 and thespring 55; said spring holding tl e pin 57 in engagement with the pin 58 during such movement of the'arm 53 and lever 41, so that said arm and lever will move as a unitary structure. The electrical connection between the springs 51 ant 52 will thus be broken, and the free end 44 of said lever 41 will be brought into the path of the pin 45, thus preventing retractile movement of the lever 46 in response to the spring 48 upon deenergization of the nonsinterference magnet, as should result from interruption of the current path therethrough upon separation of the contact 51 from the contact 52. Such downward movement of the lever 41, will also carry'the pin to a position which permits the latch 61 to move, in response to its spring 64, and where the projection 63 will be disposed in the path of the free end of the arm 53, for the purpose of delaying actuation of the contact during subsequent raising of the lever 4.1 by the next tooth of the signal wheel.

In the course of succeeding rotation of the signal wheel 31, the next tooth thereof will engage the projection 43 and thereby lift the lever 41, but the pin 57 will move upwardly away from the pin 58 and the arm 53 will not accompany the lever 41 during such movement, because the upward movement of said arm will be temporarily restrained by the latch 61; the-relative position of said parts during such upward movement being indicated in Fig. 3.

When the rotation of the signal wheel 31 has proceeded far enough so that, through the lifting of the lever 41, suflicient energy has been stored in the spring 55 to effect movement of the contact 51 into engagement with the contact 52, and the pin 57 is far enough above the pin 58 so that, when the arm 53 is released, it will move upwardly to a point which will effect closure of the signaling contacts, the pin 65, acting upon the slanting surface near the free end of the latch 61, will so move said latch as to withdraw the projection 63 from the path of the free end of the arm 53, whereupon said arm will move, with a substantially instantaneous action, to the position shown in Fig. 4, where the contact 51 engages the contact 52.

The operation of the parts described in response to subsequent movement of the lever 41, as various teeth of the signal wheel 31 alternately engage and are withdrawn from the path of the projection 43, will be mere repetitions of the action already described.

After the completion of the intended alarm, a pin 22 moving with the main gear 21 will engage the lug 24, at a time when the key break lever 41 is in a depressed position (such as indicated in Fig. 2) at a time when the signal wheel 31 is so situated that the tooth thereof which represents the last stroke of its signal number was the one most recently disengaged from the projection 43; whereupon the key break lever 41 will be slowly elevated, but the arm 53 will be held against acting to move the contact 51 into engagement with the contact 52 until the lever 41 has been sufficiently elevated to assure rapid and effective closure of such contacts, whereupon the latch 61 will be swung so as to carry its projection 63 out of the path of the free end of the arm 53, and the contacts will thereupon be closed as previously explained.

Referring next to the simplified arrangement of key break mechanism indicated by Fig. 6, it will be observed that certain parts here shown differ from the corresponding parts of Figs. 1 to 5 in respects which will now be more fully explained.

The signaling contact 51 is biased for movement toward the signaling contact 52, the key break lever 41 acts upon the contact 51 through the insulating member 60 to move said contact away from the contact 52, the spring 40 being applied to the key break lever in such manner as to tend to so move it as to cause it to act as just described. The latch 61 is swung on the pivot 62 and has the spring 64 so applied to it as to tend to swing the free end of said lever toward the contact 51, an insulating pin 66 being mounted in the free end of the latch 61' for at times restraining movement of the contact 51 in the direction of the contact 52. A slanting wall 67 of a part moving with the key break lever 41 is so positioned with relation to the pin 66 that, as said key break lever is raised (as by theengagement of any tooth of the signal wheel 31 with the projection 43 carried by said lever 41' the pin 66 will be so moved as to permit movement of the contact 51 in responseto its bias, toward the contact 52, only when the lever 41 has been raised to a point where the member 60 is far enough above the contact 51 to permit said contact to move into engagement with the contact 52; whereupon, further rise of the lever 41' will cause the pin 66 to be swung out of the path of the contact 51, and permit said contact to quickly move into closed relationship with contact 52.

Inasmuch as the remaining parts shown by Fig. 6 are substantially identical with those indicated in Figs. 1 to 5, and the further operation of the mechanism there shown corresponds with that hereinbefore described in greater detail, the operation of the arrangement of Fig. 6 will not be further described.

Referring, finally, to the arrangement of key break mechanism indicated by Fig. 7, it will be observed that the parts here shown correspond very closely with those indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; the armature lever 46 being of a form somewhat different from that of the armature lever 46 of the preceding figures, so as to better illustrate the arrangement of parts which may be utilized in applying this invention to fire alarm boxes of the general type indicated by the Cole Patent No. 1,244,587 hereinbefore referred to. The retractile spring 48, the non-interference armature 49, and non-interference magnet 50 being shown in a relationship to said lever 46 corresponding to that of similar parts of the. box illustrated in the Cole patent. Inasmuch as the description of the parts of Fig. 7, and their operation, corresponds so nearly to that already given in detail relative to the preceding figures, it is deemed unnecessary to repeat same at this point.

Guided by the illustrated embodiments int shown by the accompanying drawing and hereinbefore described in detail, those skilled in the art should have no difliculty in applying this invention to other types of fire alarm boxes.

, Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America, is:

1. A signal box having a toothed code signal wheel, non-interference mechanism including a non-interference armature, and signaling contact mechanism involving a member resiliently biased to assume a position characteristic of a predeterminedfunctional relationship, in combination with a member movable in one direction by respective ones of said teeth; resilient means acted upon for storage of energy therein by said second memher during movement thereof responsive to the teeth of said signal wheel, involving means including said second member for applying energy stored in said resilient means for moving said first named member against its bias; a latch cooperating with said first named member for at times restraining movement thereof, and means for withdrawing said latch to permit rapid actuation of said contacts during the latter portion of each cycle of such operation of said mechanism; and means whereby said armature will be locked against retractive movement throughout those portions of the movement of said code signal wheel from each point where the resultant functional actuation of said contacts causes separation thereof to a point appreciably subsequent to that at 'which reengagement of said contacts is next efleeted, whereby release of said armature to permit retractive movement thereof will not be effected'until said wheel has rotated appreciably beyond each point at which closure of said contacts is effected.

2. Code signal formulating mechanism comprising,a toothed code signal wheel, a key break lever pivoted adjacent to said wheel for movement in one direction by the teeth thereof, electromagnetically controlled non-interference mechanism associated in interlocking relationship with said key break lever for release therefrom during and just prior to termination of movement vof said lever by any tooth of said wheel, an arm pivoted adjacent to and so inter-related with said lever as to permit movement of said lever by teeth of said code wheel without corresponding movement of said arm and so as to limit movement of said arm relatively to said lever in direction corresponding to lever movement imparted by signal wheel ment of said. lever, said latch inter-related with said lever to effect disengagement thereof from said arm during that portion of the movement imparted to said lever by any tooth of said wheel which immediately but appreciably precedes that at which such release of non-interference mechanism is effected, and signal contacts operable by said arm.

8. Code signal formulating mechanism comprising,a toothed code signal wheel, a key break lever pivoted adjacent to said wheel for. movement in one direction by the teeth thereof, electromagnetically controlled noninterference mechanism associated in interlocking relationship with said key break lever for release therefrom during and just prior to termination of movement of said lever by any tooth of said wheel, signaling contacts associated with said lever and hav ing tendency imparted thereto to assume a certain predetermined relationship subject to signal wheel-tooth imparted movement of said lever, and a latch for at times delaying movement of said contacts, said latch interrelated with said lever to etfect termination of its delaying influence upon the movement of said contacts during that portion of the movement imparted to said lever which immediately but appreciably precedes that at which such release of non-interference mechanism is effected.

, In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, this 27th day of May, 1929.

GEORGE E. KING.

teeth, resilient means urging movement of said arm corresponding to the wheel-tooth imparted movement of said lever, a latch b1ased for movement to a position for engaging said arm to restrain movement thereof during signal wheel-tooth imparted move-

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