US2189102A - Printing telegraph apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 6, 1940.

D. F. DE wou- E .PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed May s, 1938 /NVEA/TOR DE DE WOLF E A TTORNEV Patented Feb. 6, 1940 y PAT .r TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Donald Fraser no Wolfe, New York, N. Y., as-

signor to American Telephone and Telegraph Company,ra corporation voi New York Application May 3,1938,` Serial No. 205,822

" 20 Claims. (Cl. 178-25) This invention relates to improvements in communication transmission apparatus and more particularly to mechanism forindicating at the sending end of a communication circuit the number of line-feed signaling operations in a message transmitted with a telegraph printer. V

An object of the present invention is to keep at the sending end of a communication circuit an accurate count of the number of lines in a mes" sage that is beingtransmitted. More specifically istated, this object is to` keep at the transmitting end an accurate count of the lines on ferm sheets 'employed in receiving `one or more orders, in-

voices or the like on a single sheet or` attached sheets wherein it may be desired to skip, or leave blank a predetermined number of lines` in each `order or the like. f y

` In printing telegraph practice there `have come` to' be used two general types of devices,`one in which the record is printed'on a continuous strip "of material and 'where the printing element is stationary with respect to the platemsuch as is exemplified by United States Patent No.1,745,633

, granted to S. Morton et al.` on February 4,1930

and another in which the record is printed transversely b-y amovableor floating printing element upon a full Widthpage or bulletin as is disclosed United States Patent No. 1,904,164` granted to S. Morton et al. on April 18, 1933. These two general classes of devices, different structurally, asi-nay be seen from the references.arefnever theless` controllable by and capable of transr` mitting the same class of signal impulses, so that devicesof either class may be connected with 4those of the other and operated associatively. Since, however, the former class ofdevice, which. fior convenience will be referred to hereinafter as tape printers, are adapted to print consecutively `without interruption for purposes of carriage# lreturn, or line-feed operation and since in -contradistinction therewith the latter class of device, which for convenience will be referred to as page printers, may not be thus continuously operated,

.but must of necessity receive line-feed and/or carriage-return signals, this sole vdistinction makes it impracticable commerciallyto use the two classes of devices together; thatis, in communication with each other without some means of indicating inconnection with the transmitter `associated with `the tape printer the approach of the end of a line of page printing.` `r-iccordingv ly. when it is desired to vuse the two classes of printers together a character counter maybe attached to a tape printer which will record the` vfcharacter operations individually and indicate by `ceived. v

Printingftelegraph apparatuses of the classes referred to comprise complete unitarystructures ployed for ysuch purposes. that while the present invention will be described in connection with the particular object of coordia special signal when a predetermined number of characters have been transmitted and/or re- ENTl OFFICE including transmitting mechanism controlled by a keyboard, or keyboard and tape or a perforated tape which serves to issue permutation codefsignals over a line and receiving mechanism` con.- ,m

nectedv tothe same linewhich is responsive to signals of a line characterissuing from a `distant transmitter. The printing mechanism of `each unit is responsive to both the incoming signals which are transmitted 1 `from the remotey station :and the outgoing signals transmitted from the :local keyboard, or keyboard and tape or the perf- 'forated tape, and transmitting apparatus-r so that the printed record at each station includes a y complete entry ofthe whole intercommunication.

Since the diiculty of coordinating the two classes oi?v devices presents a problem only to thetrans# mitting operator employing the tape printer, tle

application `of 'the present invention also is requisite only upon this type of apparatus, particularly that employing a perforated tape for the trans- 'rnitting medium. Where, however, `if for any other purposes it' is desired tolmaintain a visual n indication of` a cumulative record` for, a transmitting operator, thepresent invention as well as the character counter may also be (readily `em- It is noted, therefore,

natingthe two classes of `devices that are at present in `commercial use, that its ntility is by no means limited thereby, but that it is intended as an improvement having general application as a counter for electrical impulses.

The'character counter comprises an electrically controlled device having two types of indicators, one of which is a recording indicator and displays progressively the sum total number of sig` ,nals that are transmittedsubsequent to` itsprevious resetting, while the other is analarm signal in the `form of an incandescent ,electric lamp which indicates the recordation of a predetermined number of the aforementioned signals;

Both of the indicators coact in response `to the same signals as may be made to record either the received signal, the transmitted signal, orboth, although as stated above, the recordation of the l transmitted signals is the general commercial practice. The character counter makes useof a dial or `other class 4of index that lis capable of V"recording and indicating successive `signals which counter is provided for ordinarily keeping at the sending end of a communication circuit, during transmission, an accurate count of the number of lines of a transmitted message, or blank lines, that is skipped lines, received at the receiving end onkform sheets that are usually employed for recording orders, invoices, bills of goods, ,bills vof lading, etc., that may be transmitted between stations of an intercommunication system. Such stations may be'ofces, plants, warehouses and the like connected with the general headquarters. In transmitting information that must be recorded on a form sheet at a receiving station it is, in most cases, necessary to skip lines and spaces in order to reach a line or space wherein information must be furnished in answer to some stock question contained on the forni. The

counter of the present invention'is concerned .leaving `'particularly with the skipping of lines, that is, lank a predetermined number of lines in., the kmessage that is being transmitted. Whether or not the transmitting or perforating operator is working blind, that is, when no printed record of the message on a printed form is before the sending operator, the orderor invoicewould be correctly received on the particular form sheet at a distant point should the transmitting or perforating operator have at all times an accurate count of the line on which the oper-` atorV is Working. f

A feature of the invention is the automatic restoration of the operating mechanism and dial indicator whenever some predetermined number of lines of a message have been transmitted.

Other objects and'features will be noted in the following detailed description taken. in connection with theattachedndrawing and appended claims of which: v

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of the operative structure of the line feed indicator ,with certain parts broken away; and

` Fig. 2 is a front elevation perspective view of the line-feed counter as it appears when attached to a telegraph printer.

The operating mechanism of the present invention issubstantially the sameas that employed in the character counter disclosed in United States Patent 2,018,368, supra, except for the following: no alarm signal in the form of an 'incandescent electric lamp is provided, there is provided a special set of normally open contac s to operate thev counter magnet only when the linefeed key lever is depressed, and the contacts ordinarily closed by the operation of the carriage-return are now arranged to close automatically-whena predetermined number of line-feed vsignals are transmitted to close a circuit for oper- 1 ating the release magnetsthe operation of whiii effectsithe restoration to normal of they operating mechanism and dial indicator automatically. A detailed description ofthe operation of the operating mechanisnimay be had be referring tov United States Patent 2,018,368, supra, and the reference characters. shown in the drawing of the on tubular shaft mi.

are impressed upon a stepping magnet electrically present application are identical with those for the corresponding parts, or elements, shown in the patent.

fn' Figs. l and 2 of the drawing, the counter comprises two indicator fingers I8 and s. In Fig. 2 the indicator fingers lare shown associated with their respective graduated scales shown on dial I5` enclosed in housing id. The indicator, or index fingerl it denotes progressively the number of line-feed signals transmitted or received and the indicator, or index nger s shows a position to which'the counter may be predeterminedly set. When the operating mechanism is operating in vresponse to line-feed signals and indicator finger ii: is stepping around to the point as predeterminedly set, the indicating finger s is stepping a corresponding number of steps back to its zero position. fl The indicator finger i3 will be resto-red to normal when the predetermined number of line feed signals corresponding to the previous setting ofiindex nnger s have been transmitted or received.l

- Mounted inthe center of the device and xedly .supporting the index-finger s is shaft 00.

The indes; fingers is arranged to rotate as shown in l'iig` 2, in a counter-clockwise direction around the'i'nner graduated scale shown on dial l5, and the'indeir finger E8 is arranged to rotate in a :clockwise direction around the outer graduated scale on dial l5. The l shaft ISDE? xedly supports at' its `end opposite to -that supporting index er s, a cam member li. Shaft member IDU is frictionally mounted in tubular shaft IUI and when index fingers is set before transmission begips at a predetermined point, the projection on rearn meinizerll is in a corresponding position,

although the two positions may not be identical as shown inl'ig. '1. Tubular shaft i0! is rotatably ymppcrted, from the base' (not shown) of the device andv serves to support shaft N3D as africtional sleeve. A ratchet wheel 22 is iixedly mounte`d Tubular shaft lill has secured to its outer surface one end of an involute coil spring 2d, the other end of which is fastened .ingsome suitable manner to the framework (not shown) -of the device. When shaft l!!! is rotated in the direction of the arrow on ratchet wheel coil spring 2t, istightened around tubular shaft mi and therebyA stores a potential energy for urgingthe ratchet wheel back to normal posi- "l" tion, as will be evident from the following description.

Fixedly mountedon inner shaft H10 is a steadyingwheel M22 to aid iii-holding ratchet wheel 22 in of its stepped positions during the stepping operations. 'Below and at eachy side of fratchet wheel 22 are pairs of magnets, the left side pair gli being referred to hereinafter as the operating, or stepping, magnets for the reason Vthat they act to advance index finger IB and ratchet wheel 22 eachtimethe line-feed key l yis operated, and the right side pair :it being reed to hereinafter as the restoring, or releasing,

ts for the reason'that they operate to re- .index finger 53 and ratchet wheel 22 in eration for a new sheet or order.

rlhe normal condition of the device is to have pairs of Vmagnets 2 and 28' deenergized the armatures of these pairs of magnets areneId in operated position bv a mechanical vlocking arrangement which will be hereinafter describedx `Magnets 2B have an armature 29 `pivoted at and having fastened to it a lever vgage' a `cooperating arm .35 of a release pawl 34l One 33 of the lever 3! is adapted to enland when not locked remains suniciently `clear therefrom so as topermit the latter by its teeth v36 to engage teeth 31 of ratchet wheel 22. An-

other armature 38 pivotedat 33 isl adapted to be vacted upon by magnets 21 and pivotally carries an operating pawl 4| which is aiioating member pivoted at 4,2: and spring-urged by coil spring 44 to engage teeth 31 of ratchet wheel `22 with its i engaging teeth 43. l v

During` an interval in which the magnets 21 are rst energized and then 4deenergized pursuant to the transmission'of' each line-feed signal, the stepping pawl 4| is moved le'ftwardly to engage` a new tooth. 31 `of the ratchet wheel 22l and then'to be moved `rightwa'rdly by spring 44 concurrently advancing wheel ,22 one tooth distance and `bringing into registration with the teeth of release, or

` holding, fpawl' 34 `the next consecutive tootli'31 of ratchet wheel 22.` l

Abell crank 45 is pivoted 'at 46 and is urged, by

a coil spring 41 whichis connected to one arm of crank 45 in a clockwise direction while the other Iarm of crank 45 is provided with-a notch 48.

One ,armv 4Q of `lever 3| extends -over the extremity 5| of operating pawl 4| and engages, with a portion 52Iangularly disposed therefrom, the foremost extremityfl of pawl 4|.

. Upon the energization of magnets 28 the arrnaa` ture 29 andits associated lever 3|, are' attracted to rotate'counter-clockwise'andin so doing arm4 33 through an adjustable engagement screw 53 carried'by it, is `adapted to move release pawl'34 against theztendency of its spring 54 out of` en` gagement with the teeth 31 of ratchetzwheel 22, while at the same time the angular portion 52 of armA 49 engagingthe extremity 5|- of floating pawl 4| withdraws the latter from engagement `'with `teeth 31 permitting the ratchet wheel `2`2"in re- `sponselto 'the torque-'of Aspring 24Std resume its normal position asindicated.` i

*Aften the energization of magnets `28 and the j consequent operation of lever 3| l'the angularpor-A tion 52 of Varm 40 is adapted to be engaged 'by the notch 48` of'bell crank 45`which` ylatter thereby operates to restrain lever 3| `against returning to i,

normal position. The bell crank 45 serves therefore'to 4hold lever g3| inthe restoring positioneven though the energizing circuit for magnets 28 be opened The last-mentioned circuit -may be opened at the end of the daysr'un'by manually turning knob |05 a slight distance inthe direc# tionof the arrow on cam member `1I soI as 4to open contacts 61. i j f For purposesof releasingilever `3|-following a restoring signal, operating pawl4| is provided while at the same time allowing pawl I4lleto ,en-v

gage `the `next tooth of l ratchet` wheel k22 and thereby effect the recordation of the line-feed signal as well. Thusfthe restoring mechanismis actuated and the rst operation is recorded upon the indicator under controlof an initial line-feed signal. The extra line-feed signal' that is transl mitted for effecting the unlatching of bell "crank 45 vmay be `compensated for,` if l desired; in any` suitable manner.y `The number of teeth 31 upon the ratchet wheel 22 will correspondto the maximum number of linesthatmay be furnished on asheet. i i i' -2 w vThe releaseof ratchet'wheel `22 in response t'o t -the energization of magnetsx28 causes'the' wheel to be restoredwith.considerable Velocity and in order to minimize thev shock uponthe sudden stop, a dash-pot (designated `5 6 in Fig.` 24 of United States Patent 2;018,368 supra) may be provided, which has a cylindrical air chamber in whichis adapted to move a close-fitting piston,` A rod 59 secured to the piston is provided with a coil spring, and a shouldered portion 62, at the `extremity thereof engagedwith said'coil spring,

is -adaptedto urge for maintaining said piston and rod in its'foremostposition, shown irr'dashy y lines in Fig.7 2` of the patent. For a detailedde-y l 'scription of the dash-pot referencemay be made to vUnited States Patent` 2,018,368, supra.`

fw a

Upon the release of ratchet wheel 22 from any` l 'of its ,advanced positions a :cammed i shoulder portion '65 formed integrally therewith is adapted :first tov encounterY the shouldered." portion 62 or foremost portion of rod 159'which through the,

shock absorbing action ofthezfdash-pot aids `in settling wheel 22 into itsnormal position.

l A pair of contacts 61 controls the operating cir` cuit` `for the release magnets 28 andare adapted :tobe closed bythe projection on cam memberh11| l fwhen the ratchet wheel steps around to the posi` f tion predetermined by the setting of indexnger 1 s. 'Ihe setting of indicator s in a predetermined position` is accomplished by'. turning knob |05 xedly attached to index linger s andshaft |00.

`,Shaft `|00 may be manually `rotated-against the,` friction of tubular shaft |0| andthereby knurled l wheel |02 v-andcam wheel,1.| arerotated a 'dis-` Itancecorresponding to the setting of index linger S.` Thereis sufiicient `tensile, `resistance in `coil spring 24 l.to prevent the rotation of tubular shaft |0| and ratchet wheel 22 when the setting index linger s is rotated to a predetermined position. Index finger sy is shown in Fig. l as being set at `point `45- shown on the inner scale of dial` i5,

Fig. 2. Cam wheel 1| isin the position shown in Fig. `1v when the indexnngers` is at point 45 `on the innerv scale of dial |5. `When ratchet` wheel 224 begins to step inA response to the operationjfof line-feed keyv 31, the index nger s, the knurled Wheel 02 and cam wheel 1| also step in the same diretrztion as the ratchet `wheel 22;` Index linger |-8in lstepping `keeps theoperator informed as to .the total number of line-feed signals that have been transmitted,` `whereas `the index finger; s `in stepping keeps -the operator informed as to `how lmany steps are required to reach the predeterminedlyfsetposition, `Theknurled wheel |02 -by .means of its vassociated spring pawls |03 assists Kin steadying the ratchet vwheel 22ineach` of `its around to its zero position wherein the projection Yon vcam wheel 1| effects the closingof contacts" l(il to operate therelease magnets 28.1 By pro- Lvidinga dial having two graduated scales numbered in opposite directions,` as shown in Fig. 2,y

successive steps andthe cam wheel 1|Wsteps soy i -furnishes the operator with an indication of the" .number of 'operationsof line-feed` key .81 and at rl'lhesame timewith an indication of thenurnber .ci `steps yet to be taken before the `pred-:terrnined `position is reached. i Y l i GeneralA operation In the construction illustrated 1 `contact sets 61 and 14 are normally open as shown.- Up-` yon transmission of' a line-feedy signalby the" @operation of key 81, alcircuit is closed from "grounded positive battery/70|, through` the closed contacts of spring members `89 f andI 19,` through lthe windings, in series, of counterl magnets 21 .to'grounded negative'battery'gl'. `Counter mag- ,nets 21 operate, pulling up armature 38 and advancing pawl 4l into engagement with a next "consecutive tooth .of teeth 3'? of-ratchet Wheel 22. This performanceis repeated'with each operation of the line-feed .key 81 until a suflicient number of such 'operations cause the indicator arm to reach a predetermined position on the outer scale of dial l5 (Fig. 2). At this time indeXnger s'has .concurrently returned to Zero.

Also,- at this time theprojection on cam. wheel 7| has been stepped. around to engage the lower i '1s fspring member of contact set 6l to close a circuit from grounded positive battery |04, through fthe windings, in series, of release magnets 28 to grounded negative'. battery 9|. Release magnets 28 operatecausingthe latching of lever 3i Abybell crank 45 and should it be desired to release lever `3| andthe pawls controlled by it, another operation ofline-feed key 87 is necessary which will lcause the voperation of counter magnets v2 in the usual manner which will in addition to advancing pawl 4l into engagement with the vnext consecutive ratchet tooth of teeth '31,' also dislodge bell `crank i5 from engagement with levers 18| and 52 thereby restoring normalcyv to the armatures of the magnets and their associatedelements While the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to a parinvention.v

' lowing claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a printing telegraph system', a tape print- I 1er, a source of signal potential connected to said tape printer, a page printer, a signaltransmission medium interconnecting said printers, a line-feed signal key forming a part of said tape printer for causing a line feed signal to be sent from said source to said page-printer and a counting device connected to said tape printer and electrically controlled by saidr line-feed signal key for counting' and indicating the line-feedy signals transmitted to said page printer.

42. In a printing telegraph system, a tape printer, a source of signal potential connected to said tape printer, a page printer, a signal transmission medium interconnecting said printers, a line-feed signalkey forming a 'part' of said tape printer for causing a line-feed signal to be sent from Asaid source to` said page printer, and a counting device connected to said tape printer and electrically controlled by said line v feed signal key for counting the line-feed signals transmitted to said page printer, said counting device including means for setting `said device in a predetermined release position and'other Vmeans electrically controlled for automatically restoring said counting device to normal when said device is operated to its predetermined released position.

' 3. In a printing telegraph system, a tape printer, a source of signal potentialv connected to said tape printer, a page printer, a signal transmission medium interconnecting said printers,` a line-feedsignal key forming a part of saidy tape printer -for causing la line-feed signal to be ysent kfromsaid source to said page printer,

anda counting device electrically controlled by -said lineifeed'signal key for counting the linelfeed signals transmitted to4 said page printen 4. In a printing telegraph system, a tape printer, a source of signal potential connected to said knals perforated in said tape for subsequent transmission to said page printer.

5. In a printing telegraph system, a tape printer having a movable tape, a source of signal poltential connected to said tape printer, a page printer having a movablepage, a transmission `circuit interconnecting said printer, a tape periorator including a moving tape and forminga part oi said tape printer, a line-feed signal key forming a part of said tape printer for causing in conjunction withy said source Aof signal potential a line-feed signal combination to be perforated in said tape, a tape transmitter for subsequently transmitting signals corresponding to said line-feed signal combination over said transmission circuit, means in said page printer lfor moving said movable page in response to each of said line-feed signals received from said transmission circuit, and a device for counting and indicating during perforation the total number of line-feed signal combinations perforated `in said perforator tape, and electrical means controlled by said line-feed signal key for operating .said device.

6. In aprinting telegraph system, a local tape printer, a page printer at a distant point, a circuit interconnecting said printers, a source lof signal potential connected to said page printer, atape perforating device, a movable tape perforated in said device with signal combinations corresponding to those received from said signal source of potential, a transmitter controlled by said perforated tape and adapted to impress upon said interconnecting circuit electrical impulses determined by the perforations in said tape, and means enabling the operator of the tape perforating device to prepare tape records suitable for controlling said page printer at the distant point comprising a line-feed signal key for performing a line-feed signal perforating operation in said tape, said enabling means including an indicator electrically controlled by said line-feed signal key whereby the operator is apprised of the position of a page which is being printed at said page printer at the distant point.

7. In a transmission system, a code combination recording and storing instrumentality, a transmission channel, means controlled by said instrumentality to impress upon said channel signals representing the stored combinations,r a mechanism for recording line-by-line characters lrepresented 'by the code combinations impressed upon said channel and under control thereof, a line-feed element operable to storecombinations representing line-feed functions in said instrumentality to cause 'a line-'feed"combinationi'to be sent over said channel, "and a 'counting device connected to said instrumentality and controlled by successive operations ofsaid line-feed' ele-i,

ment to count and 'indicate the line-reed com'- binations passingtosaidinstrumentality. `8. In a'transmission system, a code combination recording and storinginstrumentality, a` transmission channel, means controlled by lsaid pressed upon said channel and `under control thereof, a line-feed element Operable tostore combinations representing line-feed functions in said instrumentality' to cause'ajline-ieedjcombination to be sent` over said/channel,l and acounting device connected to said instrumen- 20' tality and controlled by successive operationsoi said line-feed elementto count andindicate the line-feed combinations passingffto said instrumentality i f 1 9. `In a printing telegraphsystem, a tape print-` er, a source of signal potential connected to said tape printer, a page printenafsignal transmission medium interconnecting said printers, a linefeed signal key forming a part of said tapei printer l for causing a line-feed signal tolb'e sent from said source to said page printer, and a counting devicecontrolled by said line-feed signal key for counting the line-feed signals transmitted` to said page printer.

10. Ina keyboard transmitter, aqcounting device comprising a scale,` an index finger and spring return means therefor, a series of keys, mechanism including stepping means to move said index finger With respect to said scale in accordance with the operation of said counting device as determined by a certain keyoi said series, and electromagnetically operated means automatically operable When said' index ringer is in any predetermined operated position to render'said stepping means nefectivetol move saidv index finger and to enable said return means to automatically restoresaid mechanism and said index nger to normal positions. ll. In a keyboard transmitter, a counting device comprising a scale, an index finger and spring return `means therefor, a'second scale, an index iinger for said second scale, `a seriesof keys, means for manually operating 'said index 'iinger for said second scale to a predetermined position, mechanism including :stepping means to move saidindex lingers with respect to their respective scales in accordance With the operation of said counting device as determined by a certain key of said series, and electromagnetically operated means automatically operable when said index nger for the first-mentioned scale is in `any predetermined operated position to render said stepping means ineffective to move i said index fingers and to enable said return means to automatically restore the index finger for the first-mentioned scale and said mechanism` means, a second stepping member, rst, manually` rotatable to any predetermined position and thenY responsive to the operations of said electromagnetic means, a second electromagnetic means automatically responsive to said second stepping member when said second stepping memberfis stepped .to its normal position, and means responsive to the operation of said second electromagnetic ymeans for rotating said rst stepping member tov normal. v `113; A countingdevice comprising an operating key, electromagnetic means responsive to the operations of said key, a stepping member ,re-

sponsive to theoperation of said electromagnetic means, a second stepping member, first, manuallyv rotatable independently of thel first-mentioned stepping i member lto any predetermined position and 4then responsive to the stepping operations of ,the first-mentioned stepping member, a second electromagnetic means responsive to said second stepping` member when said second stepping member is steppedto `its normal position, an element controlled by said second electromagnetic means for releasing the first-mentioned stepping memberina stepped position, a spring controlled elementfor locking said element in an operated position, and means operative in response to the stepping-operation or the rst-mentioned stepping member and capable of restoring the nist-mentioned steppingmember to normal when said spring controlled element locks the rst meritionedelement in an operated position.

. 14. In combination` with a telegraph transmitter, a line connected tosaid transmittena source of potential whereby said transmitter iS arranged to send andreceive signals over said vline circuit,fa line-ieeddndicator and counter comprising ay dial having a graduated sca1e,-a movable .indicator for saidscale, a key forming apart of. said transmitter for sending signals over said circuit, and electromagnetic means responsive to the operation of said key, a rotatable member responsive to the operations of said `electromagneticmeans for moving said indicator along said scale, a second rotatable member arranged: to be arbitrarily set in any predetermined position and` responsive to the operationof said keycontact means responsive to saidsecond rotatable member when said second member is' operated to its normal position, a` second `signal page receiving means, a circuit interconnecting said stations, an operating key for sending line-feed signals to said page receiving means, a mechanism responsive to the operations of said key, visual means at the first-mentioned station responsive to said mechanism for indicating to an operator thereat the number of linei'eed signals transmitted, and means automatically operative when a predetermined number `of line feed signals are transmitted to restore said mechanism to normal.

16. In a printing telegraph set, a transmitting mechanism, a receiving mechanism, a line-feed mechanism, means for actuating saidline-feed mechanism, and a counter for recording the number of line-feed signals transmitted and/or received, including a stepping magnet under control of said line-feed actuating means, and a release magnet for restoring said counter, means col operative when said line-feed mechanism is operated a predetermined number of times for automatically operating said release magnet, and means responsive to the operation of said stepping magnet for automatically restoring said counter to normal position when said release magnet is operated.

17. In a printing telegraph communication system including a station having a signal transmitting means and signal receiving means, an operating key for sending line-feed signals, a mechanism responsive to the operation of said key, operative means for setting said mechanism to automatically restore itself to normal when it is in a predetermined position, visual means for indicating said predetermined position, other visual means for indicating the number of linefeed signals transmitted at any time during transmission, said first-mentioned visual means being arranged to indicate during transmission the number of operations of said key that may be had before the predetermined position of said mechanism is reached and means automatically operative when the predetermined number of line-feed signals are transmitted to restore said mechanism to normal.

18. A counting device comprising a dial, an outer and an inner graduated scale on said dial, indicator ngers concentrically arranged on said dial for respectively counting in opposite directions the graduations on said scales, a rotatable shaft having at one end one yof said indicator ngers xedly attached thereto, at the other end a cam member xedly attached thereto, and intermediate said one of said indicator fingers and said cam member, a steadying Wheel xedly attached to said shaft, a tubular shaft frictionally mounted on the first-mentioned shaft, the other of said indicator fingers being xedly mounted on the end of said tubular shaft, a ratchet Wheel xedly mounted on the other end of said tubular shaft, an involute spring member xedly mounted at one end to said tubular shaft, means for manually rotating the first-mentioned shaft independently of said tubular shaft so that said one of said indicator ngers and said cam member are set in a predetermined position, an operating key, a counter magnet for operating said ratchet wheel one step for each operation of said key, a release magnet arranged to automatically operate when said ratchet wheel is stepped to the position corresponding to that to which said one of said indicator iingers and said cam member were predeterminedly set, the stepping of said ratchet wheel toits release position being also iective to concurrently restore said one of said indicator fingers and said cam member to their respective normal positions, an armature including a keying means controlled by said release magnet for unlocking said ratchet wheel in its operated position whereby said involute spring member restores said ratchet wheel and said other indicator nger to their normal positions.

19. In a printing telegraph set, a transmitter having a line-feed signal key, an indicator, means under the control of said key for actuating said indicator, said means including a ratchet Wheel, a spring urged pawl for engaging said ratchet wheel, an armature connected to said pawl, an electromagnet for actuating said armature, a circuit including a source of potential for energizing said electromagnet and a pair of normally opened contacts in directly engageable relation with said key for closing said circuit every time said key is operated, a second means including a spring urged pawl for holding said ratchet wheel in an operated position, a keying element in engageable relation with both of said spring urged pawls, an armature connected to said keying element, an electromagnet for actuating the secondmentioned armature, a circuit including a source of potential for energizing the second-mentioned electromagnet, a pair of normally opened contacts in said second-mentioned circuit, a third means including a member arranged to be set in a predetermined position and in engageable relation with the second-mentioned pair of contacts for automatically closing the second-mentioned circuit to operate the second-mentioned electromagnet when said ratchet wheel is operated to the position corresponding to that to which said member was predeterminedly set whereby said spring urged pawls release said ratchet wheel, and tension spring means for restoring said ratchet Wheel .to normal position While said ratchet wheel is in its released condition.

20. In a printing telegraph set according to claim 19 wherein said second means includes an automatically operated crank cooperating with said keying means in an operated position to lock said spring urged pawls in their released positions with respect to said ratchet wheel, and

wherein the first-mentioned armature includes an s f DONALD F. DE WOLFE.

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