US2209615A

US2209615A - Telephone system

Info

Publication number: US2209615A
Application number: US147831A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sengebusch Hans
Original assignee: Associated Electric Laboratories Inc
Current assignee: Associated Electric Laboratories Inc
Priority date: 1937-06-12
Filing date: 1937-06-12
Publication date: 1940-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 1957-07-30

Description

July 30, 1940. H. SENGEBUSCH TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed June 12, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet FIG. 1

Q INVENTOR HANS SENGEBUSCH BY v ATTORNEY5.

July 30, 1940. H. SENGEBUSCH TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed June 12, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E INVENTOR.

HANS SENGEBUSCH BY M 94m ATTORNEYS.

July 30, 1940. H. SENGEBL ISCH TELEPHONE SYSTEM 3 Shee ts-Sheet 3 Filed June 12, 1937 FIG. 8 v

. INVENTOR.

HANS SENGEBUSCH mpfinulug ATTORNEYS.

pulses in response to a single actuation thereof.

Patented July 30, 1940 UNITED STATES TELEPHONE SYSTEM Hans Sengebusch, Villa Park, Ill., asslgnor to Associated Electric Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application June 12, 1937, Serial No. 147,831

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to signalling apparatus, and more particularly to improvements in impulse transmitting devices of the type adapted to transmit a plurality of series of im- Several types of impulse transmitters of the form noted have been developed for use in telephone substations in lieu of the conventional impulsing device requiring repeated operations of a finger dial for the transmission of the plurality of series of impulses corresponding to a subscribers telephone number. The purpose of using a device of this type is to enable the subscriber to dial predetermined and frequently called substations by a purely mechanical operation and without consulting a directory to determine the telephone number identifying the substation being called. Such devices are of particular utilitywhen installed at the desk of any person who has frequent occasion repeatedly to call certain other subscribers. In the usual impulse transmitter of this character, there is provided, in addition to the impulsing springs of the conventional dial actuated impulsing device, a pair of impulse control springs connected in shunt with the impulsing springs and controlled by the mechanism of the device in a manner such that the impulses produced by a continuous operation of the impulsing springs are effectively transmitted over the line extending to the substation embodying the device only during predetermined intervals. These intervals are so related to the impulsing rate that successive series of impulses, each containing a predetermined number of impulses, are transmitted during each effective time interval. Thus, the device may be constructed so that the plurality of series of impulses making up any subscribers telephone number may be transmitted therefrom by a single actuation thereof. Shunt springs are also usually provided for short-circuiting, during the periods when the impulse springs are active, the transmitter and receiver embodied in the associated substation. For the purpose of control-' ling the operation of the impulse control springs, there is usually provided a plurality of disks mounted on a rotatable shaft, each of which corresponds to a particular subscribers telephone number. Arranged to cooperate with these disks to actuate the impulse control springs is an element which may take the form of a cam rider for following preformed camming depressions and projections formed around the periphery of the disks, these depressions being suitably formed to determine the impulses comprising each series transmitted from the device. ly to associate the cam rider with any particular disk, thereby to select the substation to be called, the cam rider is arranged to be moved over the disks to a position for actuation by a selected In order selectivedisk during rotation of the latter. Normally, the operating shaft upon which the disks are mounted is restrained in a home position by locking means adapted to be moved to its unlocking position through the actuation of a lever which also functions to store energy in a power spring for driving the mechanism. Release of the above-noted locking means is obtained only upon depression of the actuating lever to its extreme off-normal position, thereby to prevent false operation of the device and the transmission of impulses which would result in false routing of a call.

While prior art impulse transmitters of the general type briefly described in the preceding paragraph are reasonably satisfactory in operation, they are open to several objections with respect to the constructional features thereof, in that they usually embody an extremely intricate operating mechanism comprising a plurality of elements which require frequent adjustments. Moreover, these elements are not positively interlocked to prevent premature operation thereof, resulting in false impulse transmission.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved mechanism for locking .positively the control disks against movement until the actuating lever of the device is completely depressed, which mechanism functions not only to release the gear train following the release of the actuating lever, but also operates to control the shunt contact springs for shortcircuiting the transmitter and receiver of the substation in which the device is incorporated.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved and exceedingly simple mechanism for retaining positively the control element for the impulse control springs in a set position immediately the control disks start to rotate.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improved device of the character noted, which is of simple, economical, rugged and compact construction and. is entirely faithful in operation.

The objects as set forth above are in part attained in accordance with the present invention by providing an impulse transmitting device of the general character briefly described above, wherein the control element for the impulse control springs is mounted on a carriage, adapted to be moved over the disks, thereby operatively to associate the element with any selected one of the disks, and means cooperating with the carriage and responsive to operation of the mechanism actuating member are provided for locking the carriage in a selected position during rotation of the disks. More specifically, this locking means comprises a member included in the carthereof, a second member having teeth adapted to engage with the teeth of the carriage member to lock the carriage in any set position, and means responsive to the operation of the actuating lever for moving the second-mentioned member to bring the teeth thereof into engagement with the teeth of the carriage member.

In accordance with a further feature of the in-- vention, a pair of latching elements cooperating, respectively, with studs projecting from different gears of the gear train included in the mechanism are provided; one of which functions as the locking member for restraining the gear train in a position corresponding to the normal position of the operating shaft, and the other of which functions to control the transmitter and receiver shunt springs and to restrain the first arm in its operated position following a slight preliminary movement of the control disks.

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates a telephone substation having embodied therein an impulse-transmitting device constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top perspective view, partially in section, illustrating the mechanism of the device embodied in the circuit of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a top view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a side cross sectional view of the mechanism, taken along the line 4--4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a top view of the device when fully assembled; Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are views illustrating certain details of the mechanism shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4; and Fig. 9 illustrates a slightly modified arrangement of certain of the elements included in the mechanism.

Referring now to Fig. l of the drawings, there is illustrated the circuit of a subscribers substation adapted to be incorporated in an automatic telephone system and having embodied therein an impulse transmitting device constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention. In brief, the circuit comprises a telephone transmitter l0 adapted to be connected in series with a telephone receiver across the line conductors l2 and I3 by means of a hook switch l4 of conventional form. Bridged across the line conductors l2 and I3, in series with a coupling condenser I5, is a bell or signal device l6. For the purpose of transmitting impulses from the substation there is provided a finger dial-impulsing device ll of conventional form which includes impulsing springs l8, shunt springs l9 for shortcircuiting the transmitter l0, and receiver I during the impulsing periods, and a finger hole dial, not shown, for controlling the springs l8 and I9. Arranged for alternative use with the impulsing device I1, is a second impulse-transmitting device indicated generally at 20, which includes impulsing springs 2|, impulse control springs 22 adapted to shunt the impulsing springs 2|, and shunt springs 23 for short-circuiting the transmitter l0 and receiver continuously during the transmission of a plurality of series of impulses comprising the several digits making up a subscribers telephone number. This device also includes a mechanism for controlling the springs 2|, 22 and 23, which mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 2 to 9, inclusive, and described in detail hereinafter.

The apparatus embodied in the substation circuit as illustrated in Fig. 1, is with the exception of the impulse-transmitting device 20, entirely conventional in form and its mode of operation is well understood in the art. A detailed description of the operation of the apparatus is, therefore, deemed to be unnecessary and is omitted in the interests of brevity.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, there are illustrated the details of the impulse transmitting device schematically indicated at 20 in Fig. 1. The mechanism of this device, which is enclosed within a housing 24 comprises a rocker arm 25, pivotaliy mounted at 28, for actuating the impulse control springs 22 and arranged to be operated by a control element 29, pivotally mounted on a shaft 21 supported on a carriage 28. This carriage comprises a member 29, having a return bent portion 3|! slidably engaging a rod 3| fixedly mounted between two frame members 32 and 38, and a member 84 secured to the member 29 by a screw 35 and having downwardly bent arms 36 drilled to provide bearing surfaces for the shaft 21. The other end of the carriage member 29 is slidably supported on a second rod 31, also extending between the

frame members

32 and 33, by means of a pair of brackets, indicated at 40, integral with and bent upward from the member 29 at either side thereof. As thus arranged, the carriage 28 is slidably movable along the rods 3| and 81 relatively with respect to a plurality of control disks indicated at 4|, thereby selectively to position the control element 26 for actuation by any desired one of these disks. It will be noted that the rocker arm 25 is provided with an upper edge which is substantially coextensive with the disk assembly, thereby to .permit the element 25 to be positioned opposite any one of the disks while maintaining an operating connection between the two

elements

25 and 26. As pointed out in greater detail hereinafter, each'of the disks 4| corresponds to the telephone number of a particular subscribers substation, and for convenience in moving the carriage 28 thereby operatively to associate the control element 26 with a desired one of these disks, there is provided an arm 42 fixedly mounted on the carriage member 29 and extending through a slot 43 cut in a cover plate 44. This arm has mounted thereon, by means of a screw 45, a finger piece 46. A large opening 41 is formed in the top of the housing 24 to permit ready access to the mechanism enclosed therein, and the cover assembly for this opening includes, in addition to the plate 44, indice bearing plates 48 and 49 suitably marked to identify the telephone stations corresponding to the disks 4|, transparent plates 50 and 5| overlying the plates 48 and 49, respectively, and a top cover plate 52 provided with windows 53 and 54 overlying the indice bearing plates 48 and 49. The last-mentioned plates, together with the transparent plates 50 and 5| overlying the same, are secured to the cover plate 44 by

screws

55 and 56, and the cover plate 44 is, in turn, secured to the housing 24 by screws 51 and 58. The top cover plate 52, which preferably is chromium plated to provide a pleasing appearance, is secured to the housing 24 by

screws

59 and 60. Cooperating with the indice marked on the plates 48 and 49, to indicate the telephone number corresponding to the one of the disks with which the control member 26 is operatively associated, is a double ended pointer 6|, provided with a slot, not shown, snugly enclosing the arm 42.

In order to limit the movement of the carscrews 63 and 84, and having angularly extend-' ing extremities 65 and 68 which are adapted to ride over the top edges of

frame members

32 and 33, respectively. For the purpose of exerting a slight restraining force on the carriage, in each position thereof when the control element 25 is operatively associated with one' of the con- I trol disks 4I, there is provided a roller 61 suitably mounted on the free end of a powerful fiat spring 68, which spring is aflixed to the carriage member 29 by screws 69. This roller is adapted to be forced by the spring 68 into roller slots, not shown, formed at spaced intervals along the length of the rod 31. As indicated, the spring 68 is mounted on the bottom of the carriage member 29, and the roller 61, supported thereon, extends through an aperture I9 cut in the carriage member 29. The roller slots noted are so spaced along the rod 31 that, when the roller 61 is fully projected by the spring into any one thereof, the carriage 28 stands in a position such that the control element 26 is accurately positioned to be actuated by one of the control disks 4I. By this arrangement, an indication is given to the operator of the impulse transmitting device that the carriage is accurately located in the desired position each time the carriage 28 is set in a new position.

The control disks M are mounted on a shaft II in an improved manner described more particularly hereinafter, and the shaft 'II is, in turn, supported in bearings I2 and I3 mounted respectively on the

frame members

33 and 32. This shaft is arranged to be driven from a driving element comprising a gear segment I5 fixedly mounted on a sleeve I4 rotatably mounted on a shaft I4. The gear train embodied in the mechanism also includes a pair of gears 16 and 11 mounted on the shaft II and gears for driving a cam I8, which cam forms the actuating element for the impulsing springs 2|. Thus, the element I8 is fixedly mounted on one end of a shaft I9, journaled in bearing surfaces provided in the frame member 32 and a bracket 33' mounted on this frame member, and a small gear 89 is mounted on the other end of the shaft 19, which latter gear meshes with a large gear 8I carried by a shaft 82. Also mounted on the shaft 82 is a small gear 83 meshing with the gear I7. The shaft 82, upon which the gears 83 and 8| are mounted, is journaled in bearing surfaces provided in the frame member 32 and an intermediate frame member 84.

For the purpose of driving the above-described gear train, there is provid d a power spring 85 having its convolutions enclosing the driving shaft I4 and one end 88 thereof fixedly secured to the gear segment I5 in any suitable manner. The other end 81 of the spring 85 is held in an angularly extending slot provided in a member 89, which latter element forms one bearing for the shaft I4 and also a part of means for adjusting the tension in the power spring. The last-mentioned means also includes a second annular ring 89 mounted by screws 99 and 9I on the frame member 33 and provided with an opening through which the shank 88' of the member 88 extends, and a set screw 92 threaded into the ring 88 for holding the member 88 in any set position. The lower end of the shank 88' is squared to accommodate a suitable tension ad- Justing tool, not shown. As described in detail hereinafter, with the elements of the mechanism inactive, the gear segment 15 is restrained against movement in a clockwise direction, and, consequently, the tension in the spring 85 may be ad- Justed by the simple expedient of loosening the set screw 92, rotating the member 88 in the proper direction to increase the tension in the spring, and tightening the set screw 92 to hold the member 88 in its adjusted position.

In order to maintain the speed of the gear train constant during its operation to drive the shaft II and the cam shaft 19, there is provided a small speed governor, of the well-known centrifugal type, which includes fly balls 93 enclosed within a raceway 94 and mounted on a shaft 95 driven from a gear 96, mounted on the shaft I9 and meshing with a worm 91, formed on the shaft 95. As shown, the shaft95 is supported by surfaces provided in bearing caps 98 and 99, mounted respectively on the extending brackets I99 and MI. These brackets are integral with and pressed outwardly at right angles from the frame member 32.

Normally, the gear segment 15 is restrained by the power spring 85 in the position shownin Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, and in order to tension this spring for the purpose of driving the gear train described above, there is provided an actuating member I92 mounted by a cap screw I93 and a cylindrical member II9.on the end of a stub shaft I94. The stub shaft I94 is journaled in a bearing member I95 mounted on the frame member 32 and is held in its assembled position by a retaining ring I96 mounted on the end thereof. This actuating member is provided at its free end with a finger piece I 91 for convenience in depressing the same to transmit power to the spring 85. The power transmitting connection between the member I92 and the spring 85 is of the universal type and includcs a rod I98 fixedly mounted on the stub shaft I94 and extending through a slot I99 provided in the left annular portion of the cylindrical member II9. At its free end, the rod I98 is provided with a socket which forms a part of a ball and socket connection III between this rod and a second rod I I2. The other end of the rod II2 terminates in a loose pin and strap connection N3 the pin of which is mounted on the gear seg- During the operation of the actuating member I92 to tension the power spring 85, the shaft II must be restrained in its home position, corresponding to a predetermined angular position thereof, thereby to prevent the disks M from rotating. To this end, the gear I6 is not keyed tothe shaft II, but is mounted thereon for free rotation thereabout. This gear is formed integral with a ratchet wheel II5, which cooperates with a pawl II8 pivotally mounted at H! on the gear 11, to transmit driving power to the lastmentioned gear from the power spring 85 during the return movement of the actuating member I92, and following the actuation thereof to its fully depressed position. This pawl is biased into engagement with the teeth of the wheel II5 by a spring II8, mounted on the gear I! by means of screws II9. With this arrangement, and when the actuating member I92 is depressed to tension the spring 85, the gear I5 is rotated clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 4, and the pawl H6 rides over the teeth of the ratchet wheel I I5. When the actuating member I02 is released following the full depression thereof, the pawl IIB engages an associated tooth of the wheel II5 to transmit power from the spring 85 to the gear train, thereby to cause rotation of the control disks 4|.

As pointed out previously, it is necessary for satisfactory operation of the device to restrain the control disks 4| from movement until the member I02 is operated to its fully depressed position. In accordance with one feature of the present invention, this is accomplished by providing the improved mechanism illustrated more particularly in Figs. 4 and 6. This mechanism includes a latch element I20, cooperating with the gear 8| to hold the shaft H in its home or predetermined angular position during the operation of the actuating member I02, to tension the power spring 85. The latching element I20 is pivotally mounted on a shaft I2I, supported between the frame member 32 and the frame member 84, and has formed at one end thereof a finger I22 for engaging a stud I23 projecting from the side of the gear iii. The latching element I20 is normally biased by a spring I21, to

rotate in a counterclockwise direction'from the position shown in Fig. 4, thereby to position the finger I22 in the path described by the stud I23 during movement of the gear 8i. With the elements of the mechanism occupying their respective normal positions as shown in Fig. 4, such that the finger I22 engages the stud I23 to hold the gear train against movement and when the actuating member 102 is operated to its fully depressed position, the latching element I 20 is rotated to disengage the finger I22 from the stud I23 by means comprising a stud I24 mounted on the gear segment 15 and arranged to engage the free extremity I25 of the latching element I20. Movement -of the latching element I20 in a counterclockwise direction is limited by a second latching element I26, also pivotally mounted on the shaft I2I, and biased by means of the spring I21 in a direction for rotation in a clockwise direction. This second latching element I26 has a cam rider portion I28 formed along an edge thereof which cooperates with a stud I29 projecting from the side of the gear 11 to move the latching element I26 in a counterclockwise direction, thereby to permit the latching element I20 to rotate under the force of the spring I21 to a position wherein the finger I22 is positioned to be engaged by the study I23. At its right extremity the latching element I26 is provided with an offset portion I30, which is adapted to engage the lower edge of the frame member 32 to act as a stop for limiting the movement of the element.

As shown in greater detail in Fig. 6, the second latching element I26 not only functions to control the operation of the first latching element I20, but also functions to control the position of the switching device comprising the springs 23 for short-circuiting the transmitter and receiver of the substation, as shown in Fig. 1. Thus, the element I26 is provided with a finger I3I having mounted thereon a cap I32 of insulating material, which cap cooperates with springs I33, I34 and I35, included in the spring assembly 23. As will be pointed out with greater particularity hereinafter, the arrangement is such that, when the latching element I26 is rotated in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 4, the cap I32 is moved from engagement with the spring I33, so that a connection is made between the spring I34 and an associated spring I36, and between the spring I35 and an associated spring I31, thereby to shortcircuit the transmitter and receiver, of the substation in the manner described above. Obviously, the number of springs included in the assembly 23 will depend upon the type of substation circuit utilized. In the spring assembly shown, four contact springs are provided, only two of which will be utilized in the substation circuit illustrated in Fig. 1. These springs are supported on an extension I38 of the frame member 32 by means of a bracket I39, a pair of screws I40 and I4I, and insulating members I42 interspaced therewith.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 7 and 8, there are illustrated the details of the improved assembly for retaining the control disks 4| on the shaft 1|. This assembly comprises a disk supporting and aligning structure, mounted on the shaft by a screw I43, and including a disk aligning member I44, extending substantially parallel with the shaft II, and disk spacing members I45 spaced axially along the shaft. The aligning member I44 is supported on a pair of end members I46 and I41, which also have clamped thei'ebetween the disk spacing members I45, interspaced with spacing washers I40 snugly enclosing the shaft 1|. As shown in Fig. 7, each of the disk spacing members I45 is provided with a slot I49, the sides of which fit snugly over the shank of the screw I43 to prevent rotation of the spacing members with respect to the shaft II. The diameter of the spacing washers I48 is made equal to the width of the disk aligning member I44, this width also corresponding to the width of a slot I50 formed in each of the disks 4i, so that when any one of the disks is slipped onto the shaft, with the slotted portion thereof snugly straddling the sides of the aligning member I44 and one of the spacing washers I48, it is firmly restrained against relative movement with respect to the shaft H.

For the purpose of insuring an exact and even spacing of the disks along the shaft 1I, each of the disks is provided with apair of preformed resilient tongues I 5| and I52, pressed outwardly from the same side of the disk and positioned on opposite sides of the slot I50. These tongues are adapted to engage the side of one adjacent spacing member I45 as the associated disk is slipped onto the shaft 1I.

As pointed out previously, provisions are made for preventing the disks from being improperly assembled on the shaft H. To this end, each of the disk spacing members I45 is provided with a slot I53 having an opening I54 ofiset with respect to the plane passing through the axis of the shaft II and the axis of the aligning member I44. Each disk has a stud I55 projecting from one side thereof, which is arranged to slip through a slot opening I 54 of an adjacent spacing member during the positioning of the disk on the shaft 1I, only in the event the disk is properly disposed with respect to the shaft. Thus, if it is attempted to assemble any one of the disks on the shaft with the disk reversed from its proper position, the stud I55 carried thereby will engage one of the projecting fingers formed on either side of the slot I53 of an adjacent spacing member I45 to prevent the disk from assuming its fully assembled position.

In order to retain each disk in its assembled position on the shaft 1i, there is mounted on each of the spacing members I45, a spring I56 having fingers I51 and I56 arranged to grip the stud I55 carried by a disk positioned adjacently thereto. Each of these springs occupies the space between its supporting spacing member and the adjacent control disk formed by the pressure of the tongues I5I and I52 against the spacing member. and is mounted on a small stud I59 projecting from its supporting spacing member. For the purpose of facilitating the removal of the disks, each thereof is provided with a small aperture I60, adapted to accommodate the end of a disk removing tool.

The arrangement for mounting the control disks upon the shaft and for preventing improper assembly thereof, described above, is disclosed and claimed in applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 196,621, filed March 18, 1938, which is a division of the present application.

The impulse control springs 22 are mounted on a bracket I60 extending from the side of the frame member 33 and are suitably insulated from each other in the manner shown. As pointed out previously and shown in Figs. 1 and 4, these springs are arranged to be actuated by the control element 26 through operation of this element to rock the rocker arm 25. Such actuation is accomplished by cutting out portions of the periphery of each of the disks to form cam projections I6I interspaced with cam depressions I63 which cooperate with a cam follower finger I62, formed as an integral portion of the control element 26. With this control element positioned over a disk cut as shown in Fig. 7, and when this disk is rotated in a clockwise direction, the finger I62 alternately drops into the depressions I63 and rides over the projections I6I to rock the arm 25 back and forth against the bias produced by certain of the resilient springs included in the assembly 22. It will be observed that each time the finger I62 drops in one of the depressions I63, the springs of the assembly 22 are in their contact break position, such that the impulse springs 2|, as illustrated in Fig. 1, are no longer short-cir'cuited. Thus, by properly relating the length of the depressions I33 and the projections I61 to the rate at which the impulse springs 2I are opened and closed by the camming element 18, any desired number of impulses from 1 to 10 may be caused to be transmitted during each period when the finger I62 is riding in one of the depressions I63. Hence, by suitably forming the depressions I63 and the projections IBI' around the periphery of any particular disk, this disk may, during rotation thereof, be caused to control the springs 22 in a manner such that aplurality of series of impulses, corresponding to the telephone number identifying a particular subscribers substation, are transmitted from the device.

It will be apparent from the description in the immediately preceding paragraph that if the control element 26 is positioned over one of the control disks M, and this disk is started in operation to cause the transmission of the impulses included in the telephone number corresponding to the disk, the element 26 should be incapable of movement with respect to the disks until the plurality of series of impulses comprising the telephone number have been completely transmitted. In according with a further feature of the invention, this mode of operation is insured by providing, as shown in Fig. 3, a member I10 piv-' otally mounted on a rod I1I, extending between and supported by the frame members 64 and 63,

which member is normally restrained from engagement with the carriage 26 and is released during the initial movement of the actuating member I02 from its depressed position to its normal position, lockingly to engage a portion of the carriage 26. More specifically, this member is provided with teeth I6I extending along the upper edge thereof and throughout the axial length of the shaft II occupied by the control disks 4|. These teeth are adapted to engage with teeth I12 extending along an upwardly projecting portion I13 of the carriage member 29. With the elements of the mechanism occupying the position shown in Figs. 3and 4, the locking member I10 is restrained in a position such that the teeth thereof are out of engagement with the teetn I12 by means comprising an arm I14, mounted on the member I10, and cooperating with a stud I15, projecting from the side of the end member I41 included in the disk assembly structure as shown in Fig. 8. When, however. the shaft 1| is started in operation to rotate the disks 4|, the stud I15 rides from beneath the arm I14, so that the locking member I10 is rotated under the force of gravity to bring the teeth I6I into engagement with the teeth I12.

Thus, the carriage 26 and the control element 26 carried thereby are locked against movement relative to the disks 4| until such time as the shaft H has been rotated through a complete revolution to again bring the stud I15 into engagement with the arm I14.

In the operation of the device as described above, and with the mechanism thereof fully assembled as shown in Fig. 3, the telephone number of a desired subscrilziers substation may be selected by the simple expedient of grasping the finger piece 46 and moving the carriage 26 until the pointer 6| stands opposite a desired subscribers telephone number, in which position the control element 26 is operatively associated with the control disk corresponding to this telephone number. Following the positioning of the control element 26, the actuating member I02 is operated to its fully depressed position, thereby to tension the power spring 66. During this operation the gear segment 15 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 4 to drive the gear 16. This gear rotates about the shaft H, with the pawl II6 riding over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 5. If the actuating member I02 is released before it is fully depressed, the gear train is held against movement by virtue of the engagement of the finger I22 of the latching element I20 with the stud I23 carried by the gear 8|. When, however, the actuating member closely approaches its fully depressed position, the stud I24 engages the extremity I25 of the latching element I20 to rotate this latching element andv move the finger I22 from engagement with the stud I23. Thereafter,

and when the actuating member I02 is released,

the power spring transmits power through the segment 15 to rotate this segment in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 4. Immediately this occurs, the pawl II6 engages one of the teeth of the ratchet II5 to initiate the movement of the gear train. During the initial movement of this train, and the consequent rotation of the control disks M and the camming element 16, the stud I26 rides from beneath the camming portion I 28' of the second latching element I26, and the stud I16 rides from beneath the arm I14 carried by the lockingmember I10.

Hence, the last-mentioned member is released 5 2| are operated by the camming element 16 to and moves to bring the 'teeth IOI thereof into engagement with the teeth I12, thereby to lock the carriage 28 against further movement with respect to the control disks 4|. Substantially simultaneously, the second latching element I26 is rotated by the spring I21 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 4, to restrain the first latching element I20 in its operated position, and to actuate the cap I32 from engagement with the spring I33 of the spring assembly 23. This last-mentioned operation causes the shunt springs included in the assembly 23 to close and complete paths for short-circuiting the transmitter i0 and the receiver II as shown in Fig. 1. After a slight continued movement of the segment 15, the stud I24 moves away from the end I25 of the latching element I20, and as a consequence, the last-mentioned element is held in its operated position only by the second latching element I26. The rotation of the disks H and the camming element 18 continues, this rotation'being at a substantially constant rate of speed determined by the setting of the fly ball governor described previously. Thus, the impulsing springs provide a constant number of circuit interruptions per second. Not all of these interruptions are transmitted over the calling line, however, since the springs included in the assembly 22 are opened and closed in accordance with the depresslons I63 and the projections I6I oi the particular selected control disk 4| corresponding to the called subscriber's telephone number. Thus, the plurality of series of impulses making up this telephone number are caused to be transmitted over the calling line. It is pointed out that during such transmission the latching element I26 is continuously held in its operated position so that the shunt springs included in the assembly 23 are maintained closed.

When the last impulse of the last series of impulses has been transmitted, the gear segment 15 approaches its normal position, and the stud I29 rides into engagement with the camming projection I28. There results the rotation of the latching element I26 in a counterclockwise direction to permit the latching element I20 to be restored to its normal position wherein the finger I22 intersects the path of rotation of the stud I23. Almost immediately thereafter, the stud I23 engages the finger I22 to stop the movement of the gear train. vWhen this occurs, the camming finger I62 of the control element 26 rests in engagement with the top of the disk aligning member I44, so that the springs included in the assembly 22 are in their make positions. During the final movement of the gear train the stud I15 rides into engagement withthe arm I14 to actuate the locking member I10 thereby to disengage the teeth I9I from the teeth I12 and unlock the carriage 28. Thus, the elements of the mechanism are restored to their respective normal positions, and the device is in readiness for further use.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 9 of the drawings, there is illustrated a modified arrangement for controlling the operation of the ment 26 first drops off the left edge of the disk aligning member I44. This permits the rocker arm 25 to rotate slightly in a clockwise-direction and there results the engagement of the springs I34 and I35 with the springs I36 and I31, respectively, thereby to short-circuit the transmitter and receiver of the associated substation in the manner described previously. This first movement of the arm 25 does not open circuit the, impulse control springs I38 and I39 and, hence, the impulse springs 2I are held shortcircuited. Shortly thereafter and when the finger I62 drops into the first depression I63, arm 25 is caused further to rotate in a clockwise direction by the force exerted thereon by the springs I34, I35 and I39 and, as a consequence, the spring I is moved from engagement with the spring I38. As a result, the short circuit is removed from theimpulse springs M and impulses are transmitted from the device over the calling subscriber's line. When the finger I62 rides onto the next projection I6I the arm 25 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction only the required amount to again close the springs I38 and I39without opening the springs I34, I36 and I, I31. The impulse control springs I38" and I39 are thus opened and closed in accordance with the depressions I63 and the projections I6I. The enumerated shunt springs I34 to I31 are, however, maintained in their contact make positions continuously during impulsing and until the finger I 62 again rides onto the nonactive portion of the disk having a radius equal to the radius of the outer surface of the disk aligning member I44. This occurs only when the complete series of impulses has been transmitted and results in the sustained closure of the impulse control springs I38 and I39, and the movement of the springs I34 to I 31', inclusive, to their open circuit positions.

While there has been described what is at .present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made in the structure thereof and it is contemplated in the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a shaft, a plurality of control disks mounted on said shaft, a driving element, a gear train including gears for driving said shaft from said driving element, a power spring for rotating said driving element in one direction, an actuating member operable from one position to a second position to rotate said driving element in the opposite direction, without rotating said shaft, thereby to store energy in said spring, a latching element adapted to restrain said shaft in a predetermined angular position during such rotation of said driving element, means comprising said actuating member for operating said latching element to release said shaft only when said actuating member is fully operated to said second position and released, whereby said shaft is driven by said spring through said driving element and said gear train, said last named means being operative to hold said latching element in its operated position only during the preliminary movement of said shaft, and additional means for holding said'latching element in its operated position until said shaft is returned to its predetermined angular position.

2. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a shaft, a plurality of control disks mounted on said shaft, a driving element, a gear train including gears for driving said shaft from said driving element, a power spring for rotating said driving element, an actuating member operable from one position to a second position to rotate said driving element, without rotating said shaft, thereby to store energy in said spring, a latching element cooperating with one of the gears of said train to restrain said shaft in a predetermined angular position during such rotation of said driving element, means comprising said actuating member for operating said latching element to release said gear train only when said actuating member is operated to said second position and released, whereby said shaft is driven by said spring through said driving element and said gear train, a second latching element cooperating with a second of the gears included in said gear train, and means including said second latching element for restraining said first named latching element in its operated c position.

- 3. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a. shaft, a plurality of control disks mounted on said shaft, a driving element, a gear train including gears for driving said shaft from said driving element, a power spring for rotating said driving element, an actuating member operable from one position to a second position to rotate said driving element, without rotating said shaft, thereby to store energy in said spring, a latching element cooperating with one of the gears of said train to restlain said shaft in a predetermined angular position during such rotation of said driving element, means comprising said actuating member for operating said latching element to release said gear train only when said actuating member is operated to said second position and released, whereby said shaft is driven by said spring through said driving element and said gear train, a second latching element cooperating with a second of the gears included in said gear train, means including said second latching element for restraining said first named latching element in its operated position, and means including said second gear and said sec ond latching element for returning said first named latching element to its latching position when said shaft returns to its predetermined angular position.

4.A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a shaft, a plurality of control disks mounted on said shaft, a driving element, a gear train including gears for driving said shaft from said driving element, a power spring for rotating said driving element, an actuating member operable from one position to a second position to rotate said driving element, without rotating said shaft, thereby to store energy in said spring, a latching element cooperating with one of the gears of said train to restrain said shaft in a predetermined angular position during such rotation of said driving element, means comprising said actuating member train to restrain said first named latching element in its operated position.

5. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a shaft, a plurality of control disks mounted on said shaft, a driving element, a gear train including gears for driving said shaft from said driving ele- -ment, a power spring for rotating said driving element, an actuating member operable from one position to a second position to rotate said driving element, without rotating said shaft, thereby to store energy in said spring, a latching element cooperating with one of the gears of said train to restrain said shaft in a predetermined angular position during such rotation of said driving element, means comprising said actuating member for operating said latching element to release said gear train only when said actuating member is operated to said second position and released, whereby said shaft is driven by said spring through said driving element and said gear train,

a second latching element cooperating with a second of the gears included insaid gear train, said second latching element normally being restrained by said second gear to oneposition and 1 being released during the initial movement of said gear train to restrain said first-named latch-' ing element in its operated position, and means including said second gear and said second latching element for returning said first named latching element to its normal position when said driven shaft returns to its predetermined angular position.

6. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a shaft, a plurality of control disks mounted on said shaft, a driving element, a gear train.including gears for driving said shaft from said driving element, a power spring for rotating said driving element, an actuating member operable from one position to a second position to rotate said driving element, without rotating said shaft, thereby to store energy in said spring, a latching element cooperating with one of the gears of said train to restrain said shaft in a predetermined angular position during such rotation of said driving element, means comprising said actuating member for operating said latching element to-release said gear train only when said actuating member is fully operated to said second position and released, whereby said shaft is driven by said spring through said driving element and said gear train, said last named means being operative to hold said latching element in its operated position only during the preliminary movement of said driven shaft, additional means for holding said latching element in its operated position until said driven shaft is returned to its predetermined angular position, a switching device operable between two positions, and means including said last named means for operating said switching device from one of its two positions to the other.

'7. A mechanism for'use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a

shaft, a plurality of control disks mounted on said shaft, a driving element, a gear train including gears for driving said shaft from said driving element, a power spring for rotating said driving element, an actuating member operable from one position to a second position to rotate sa'd driving element, without rotating said shaft, thereby to store energy in said spring, a latching element cooperating with one of the gears of said train to restrain said shaft in a predetermined angular position during such rotation of said driving element, means comprising said actuating member for operating said latching element to release said gear train only when said actuating member is operated to said second position and released, whereby said shaft is driven by said spring through said driving element and said gear train, a second latching element cooperating with a second of the gears included in said gear train, a

means including said second latching element for restraining said first named latching element in its operated position, a switching device, and means including said second latching element for operating said switching device from one of its two positions to the other.

8. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a shaft, a plurality of disks mounted on said shaft, a driving element, a gear train including gears for driving said shaft from said driving element, a power spring for rotating said driving element, an actuating member operable from one position to a second position to rotate said driving element, without rotating said shaft, thereby to store energy in said spring, a latching element cooperating with one of the gears of said train to restrain said shaft in a predetermined angular position during such rotation of said driving element, means comprising said actuating member for operating said latching element to release said gear train only when said actuating member is operated to said second position, whereby said shaft is driven by said spring through said driving element and said gear train, a second latching element cooperating with a second of the gears included in said gear train, means including said second latching element for restraining said first named latching element in its operated position, a switching device operable between two positions, means including said second latching element for operating said switching device from one of its two positions to the other, a carriage relatively movable with respect to said disks and including a first member having teeth along an edge thereof, a control element carried by said carriage and adapted to be selectively associated with said control disks for actuation thereby, a second member associated with said first member and having teeth along an edge thereof, means for normally maintaining the teeth of said second member disengaged from the teeth of said first member and for releasing said second member to permit engagement between the teeth of said first and second members during the initial movement of said actuating member from its said second position to its first position, and means including said second member for locking said carriage against movement during rotation of said driven shaft.

9. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a shaft, a plurality of control disks mounted on said shaft, means including an actuating member operable between two positions for imparting rotary movement to said shaft, a carriage rela tively movable with respect to said disks and including a first member having teeth along a projecting edge thereof, a control element carried by said carriage and adapted to be selectively associated with said control disks for actuation thereby, a second member associated with said first member and having teeth along an edge thereof, said secondmember normally being restrained to a position such that the teeth thereof are disengaged from the teeth of said first member and being released during the initial movement of said actuating member from one of its two positions to the other to engage the teeth of said first and second members, and means including said second member for locking said carriage against movement during rotation of said shaft.

10. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of control disks mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, a plurality of circuit controlling elements, and means including a control member arranged to cooperate withany selected one of said disks for operating said circuit controlling elements, each of said disks having an active portion and a non-active portion and being so constructed and arranged relative to said circuit'controlling elements that when the disk is rotated to bring the non-active portion thereof effectively into cooperation with said control member a first and a second of said circuit controlling elements are moved to their normal positions, when the disk is rotated to bring the active portion thereof effectively into cooperation with said control member said first circuit controlling element is moved from its normal position to its off-normal position, and when the disk is further rotated with its active portion in continued cooperation with said control member said second circuit controlling element is moved from its normal position to its off-normal position without returning said first circuit controlling element to its normal position.

11. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of control disks mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, a plurality of circuit controlling elements, and means including a control member arranged to cooperate with any selected one of said disks for operating said circuit controlling elements, each of said disks having an active portion of one radius and a nonactive portion of a greater radius and being provided with camming depressions along its active portion arranged to cooperate with said control member to operate said circuit controlling elements, the radius of the active portion of each disk being so related to the radius of its nonactive portion and to said circuit controlling elements that when the disk is rotated to bring the non-active portion thereof effectively into cooperation with said control member a first and a second of said second controlling elements are moved to their normal positions, when the disk is rotated to bring the active portion thereof effectively into cooperation with said control member said first circuit controlling element is moved from its normal position to its off-normal position, and when the disk is further rotated with its active portion in continued cooperation with said control member said second circuit controlling element is moved from its normal position to its off-normal position without returning said first circuit controlling element to its normal position.

rotation of said driving element, means 'comprising said actuating member for operating said latching element to release said shaft only when said actuating member is fully operated to said second position and released, whereby said shaft is driven by said spring through said driving element, said last-named means being operative to hold said latching element in its operated position only during the preliminary-movement .of said shaft, additional means for holding said latching element in its operating position until said shaft is returned to its predetermined angu-. lar position, a switching device operable between two positions, and means including said last named means for operating said switching device from one of its two positions to the other.

13. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a shaft, a plurality of control discs mounted on said shaft, a driving element, a gear train including gears for driving said shaft from said driving element, a power spring for rotating said driving element, an actuating member operable from'one position to a second position to rotate said driving element, without rotating said shaft, thereby to store energy in said spring, a latching element cooperating with said gear train to restrain said shaft in a predetermined angular position during such rotation of said driving element, means comprising said actuating member for operating said latching element to release said gear train only when said actuating member is operated to said second position and released, whereby said shaft is driven by said spring through said driving element and said gear train, a second latching element cooperating with said gear train, and means including said second latching element for restraining said first-named latching element in its operated position.

14. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a shaft, a plurality of control disks mounted on said shaft, means including an actuating member operable between two positions for imparting rotary movement to said shaft, a carriage relatively movable with respect to said disks and including a first member having teeth along a projecting edge thereof, a control element carried by said carriage and adapted to be selectively associated with said control disks for actuation thereby, a second member having teeth along an edge thereof, said second member normally being restrained in a predetermined position such that the teeth thereof are disengaged from the teeth of said first member and being released during the initial movement of said actuating member from one of its two positions to the other for movement to engage the teeth of said first and second members, means including said second member for locking said carriage against movement during rotation of said shaft, and means controlled when rotation of said shaft is arrested for returning said second member to its predetermined position, thereby to unlock said carriage for movement.

15. A mechanism foruse in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of control disks mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, a plurality of circuit controlling elements, and means including a control member arranged to cooperate with any selected one of said disks for operating said circuit controlling elements, each of said disks having an active portion and a non-active portion and being so constructed and arranged relative to said circuit controlling elements that when the disk is rotated to bring the non-active portion thereof effectively into cooperation with said control member a first and a second of said circuit controlling elements are moved to their normal positions, when the disk is rotated to bring the active portion thereof effectively into cooperation with said control member said first circuit controlling element is moved from its normal position to its off-normal position, and when the disk is further rotated with its active portion in continued cooperation with said control member said second circuit controlling element is successively moved between its normal position and its off-normal position without returning said first circuit controlling element to its normal position.

16. In a mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, incombination, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of control disks mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, a plurality of circuit controlling elements, and means including a control member arranged to cooperate with any selected one of said disks for operating said circuit controlling elements, each of said di'sks having a non-active portion and an active portion including a number of projections spaced apart byiintervening depressions, the radius of the projections on the active portion of said disk being intermediate the radius of the non-active portion of said disk and the radius of the depressions in the active portion of said disk, the non-active and active portions of said disk being arranged to cooperate with said control member to operate said circuit controlling elements, each of said disks and said circuit controlling elements being so constructed and arranged that when any one of said disks is rotated to bring the non-active portion thereof effectively into cooperation with said control member a first and a second of said circuit controlling elements are moved to their normal positions, when the disk is rotated to bring one of the projections on the active portion thereof effectively into cooperation with said control member said first circuit controlling element is moved from its normal position to its off-normal position while said second circuit controllin element is retained in its normal-position. and when the disk is rotated to bring one of the depressions in-the active portion thereof effectively into cooperation with said control member said second circuit controlling element is moved from its normal position toits off-normal position while said first circuit controlling element is retained in its oil-normal position.

- HANS SENGEBUSCH.