US2258266A - Impulse transmitter mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 7, 1941. H. SENGEBUSCH IMPULSE TRANSMITTER MECHANISM Original Filed June 12, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet l 23 i l 20 I J 42-l 43 I o INVENTOR. HANS SENGEBUSCH M W A TTORNEYS Oct. 7, 1941. H. SENGEBUSCH IMPULSE TRANSMITTER MECHANISM Original Filed June 12, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

HANS SENGEBUSCH 49mm mqbama ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 7, 1941. H. SENGEBUSCH IMPULSE TRANSMITTER MECHANISM Original Filed June 12, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. HANS SENGEBU SCH ATTORNEYS.

IMPULSE TRANSNHTTER MECHANISM Hans Sengebusch, Villa Park, 111., asslgnor to Associated Electric Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Original application June 12, 1937, Serial No. 147,831, now Patent No. 2,209,615, dated July 30, 1940. Divided and this application March 18,

1938, Serial No. 196,62

(Cl. Fill-=94?) 17 Claims.

The present invention relates to signalling ap- ,paratus, and more particularly to improvements finger dial for the transmission of the plurality of series of impulses corresponding to a sub scrioers telephone number. The purpose of the impulses comprising each series transmitted from the device. In order selectively 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 dish during rotation oi the letter. Normally, the operating;- shaft upon which the dislrs 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 mac schism. Release of the above noted locking? means is obtained only upon de pression of the actuating lever to its extreme ofl normal position, thereby to prevent false op eration oi the device and the transmission of imusi a device of this type is to enable the slim pulses which would result in false routing of a scribes to dial predetermined and frequently call. in at least one form oi impulse transcelled substations by a purely mechanical oper 2o niittei of the general type noted, provision is etion and Without consulting a directory to determine the telephone number identifying the substation being called. Such devices are of par ticuler utility when installed at the desk of any person who has frequent occasion repeatedly to call certain other subscribers. in the usual i332 pulse 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 controlling the operation of the impulse control springs, there is usually provided a plurality of disks mounted on rotatable shaft, each of which correspondsto a particular subscribers telephone number. Arranged to cooperate with these disks to actuate the impulse control springs is an element whichmay 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 made whereby the control dial-is are readily ele techs-hie so that the telephones the device is capable of calling can be changed. at will by the insertion of new disks suitably formed to comespend to the numbers of the desired new teie phones.

While the general type of impulse transmitter briefly described in the preceding paragraph is reasonably satisfactory in operation, it is open to several objections with respect to the constructional features thereof. One such objection pertains more specifically to the above-noted arrangement wherein the control disks are detachable from the operating shalt. In the prior art arrangements having this feature embodied therein, no provision is made to prevent the disk from being assembled on the shaft in a reversed position such that a false operation of the im pulse control springs results.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a simple arrangement for assembling the control disks on the operating shaft of a device of the general character briefly described above which rcnders it impossible improperly to mount the disks on the shaft.

It is a further object of the invention to pro vide an improved impulse transmitter mechanism of the character noted, which is of simple, economical, rugged and compact construction and is entirely faithful in operation.

The improved impulse transmitter mechanism is utilized in a device of the general character briefly described above, wherein the control ele-' ment 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 coopcrating 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.

In general, the objects as set forth above are attained in accordance with the present invention by providing in the impulse transmitter mechanism a plurality of control disks, which are detachabiy supported on the operating shaft by means of an improved assembly so constructed and arranged that the disks can only be mounted on the shaft in one position. More specifically, a disk supported aligning structure is mounted on the operating shaft, which structure includes an aligning member extending substantially parallel with the shaft and spacing members spaced axially along the shaft.- Each of the spacing members is provided with a slot having an opening offset with respect to the plane extending through the axis of the shaft and the axis of the aligning member. Each of the disks is also slotted so that it may be slipped between two of the spacing members with the slotted portion thereof straddling the shaft and the aligning member. A stud is mounted on the side of each of the control disks, which stud is so arranged as to slip through the slot opening of an adjacent spacing member during the positioning of its supporting disk upon the shaft, only in the event the supporting disk is properly disposed with respect to the shaft. In order to secure an exact and even spacing of the control disks, each disk is provided with at least one preformed resilient tongue extending outwardly from its side for engaging the side of an adjacent spacing member as the disk is inserted between two of the spacing members. For the purpose of securing the disks in their assembled positions, each disk-spacing member has mounted thereon a spring having fingers arranged to ride over and grip the stud carried by an adjacent disk as the disk is moved to its assembled position. Further improvements pertaining specifically to the construction of the mechanism are pointed out with particularity in the following detailed description.

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 ob- Jects 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 inFig. 2; Fig. 4 is a side cross sec-.- tional 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. 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated the circuit of a subscriber's 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 I Ii adapted to be connected in series with a telephone receiver H across the line conductors l2 and II by means of a hook switch it of conventional form. Bridged across the line conductors l2 and I3, in series with a coupling condenser I5, is a bell or signal device It For the p p se of transmitting impulses from the substation there is provided a finger dial-impulsing device I! of conventional form which includes impulsing springs ll, shunt springs II for short-circuiting the transmitter I0, and receiver I I during the impulsing periods, and a finger hole dial, not shown, for controlling the springs l8 and I 8. Arranged for alternative use with the impulsing device I1, is a second impulsetransmitting device indicated generally at 20, which includes impulsing springs 2 I, impulse control springs 22 adapted to shunt the impulsing springs 2i, and shunt springs 23 for short-circuiting the transmitter ill and receiver ll continuously during the transmission of a plurality of series of impulses comprising the several digits making up a subscriber's 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, pivotally mounted at 2S, for actuating the impulse control springs 22 and arranged to be operated by a control element 2, pivotally mounted on a shaft 21 supported on a carriage 28. This carriage comprises a member 29, having a return bent portion 20 slidably engaging a rod 3i fixedly mounted between two frame members 32 and 32, and a member 34 secured to the member 29 by a screw 25 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 2! at either side thereof. As thus arranged, the carriage 28 is slidably movable along the rods ll and 39 relatively with respect to a plurality of control disks indicated at ll, 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 28 to be positioned opposite any one of the disks while maintaining an operating connection between the two elements 25 and 28. As pointed out in greater detail hereinafter, each of the disks ll corresponds to the telephone number of a particular subscriber's 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 2! and extending through a slot 43 cut in a cover plate 44. This arm'has mounted thereon, by means of a screw 45, va fin ger piece 46. A large opening .41 is formed in the top of the to the mechanism enclosed cover assembly for this dition to the plate 44, and 49 suitably marked stations corresponding to the disks 4|, transparent plates 50 and overlying the plates and 49, respectively, and a top cover plate 52 provided with windows 53 and 54 hearing plates 48 and 45. plates, together with the and 5| overlying the same, are secured 'tothe cover plate 48 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 M by screws 5t and 60. Cooperating with the indice marked on the plates 48 and 9, to indicate the telephone number corresponding to the one of the diskswith which the control member 26 is operatively associated, is a double ended iii, provided with a slot, not shown, snugly enclosing the arm d2.

In order to limit the movement of the carriage iii in. its two directions of movement relative to the control disss it, the brackets to are anranged to engage frame members 32 and respectively. Sudden engagement between. either of the two brackets and their associated frame members is prevented by providing a flat spring 62 affixed to the carriage member 29 by screws 63 and and having anguiarly extending extremities iii? and iii; which are adapted to ride over the top of frame members 32 and 33, respectively. li or the purpose of exerting slight restraining force on the carriage, in each position thereof when the control element 26 is operatively associated with one of the control disks it, there is provided a roller iii suitably mounted on the free end of a powerful flat spring 68, which spring is affixed to the carriage member 2% by screws 6%. 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 As indicated, the spring 68 is mounted on the bottom of the carriage member 29, and the roller 51, supported thereon, extends through an aperture cut in the car riage 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 2B stands in a position such that the control element 26 is accurately positioned to be actuated by one of the control disks 4|. 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 4i 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 Il mounted on the shaft II and gears for driving a cam I8, which cam forms the actuating indice bearing plates 48 The last-mentioned housing 24 to permit ready accesstherein, and the" opening includes, ina d to identify the telephone transparent plates overlying the indice element for the impulsing springs 2|. Thus, the element I8 is fixedly mounted on one end of a shaft l5, journaled in bearing surfaces provided in the frame member 32 and a bracket 33' mounted on this frame member, and a small gear II is mounted on the other end of the shaft I5, which latter gear meshes with a large gear "carried by a shaft 42. Also mounted on the shaftllisasmallgearllmeshingwithfthe gear 'lfl. The shaft 52, upon which the gears 83 and H are mounted, is iournaled in bearing surfaces provided in the frame member 82 and an intermediate frame member 84.

For the purpose of driving the above-described gear train, there is provided a power spring 85 having its convolutions enclosing the driving shaft I4 and one end' 58 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 88, which latter element forms one bearing for the shaft 14 and also a part of means for ad dusting the tension in the power spring. The last-mentioned means also includes a second aunular ring 89 mounted by screws so and on the frame member 33 and provided with an opening through which the shank 8d of the member 88 extends, and a set screw E32 threaded into the ring 89 for holding the member lit in any set position. The lower end of the shank 88; is squared to accommodate a suitable tension adjusting tool, not shown. As described in detail hereinafter, with the elements of the mocha nisin inactive, the gear segment I5 is restrained against movement in a clockwise direction, and, consequently, the tension in the spring 85 may be adjusted by the simple expedient of loosening the set screw 82, rotating the member 88 in the proper direction to increase the tension in the spring, and tightening the set screw $2 to hold the member $53 in its adjusted position.

in order to maintain the speed of the gear train constant during its operation to drive the shaft ii the cam shaft id, there is provided a small speed governor, of the well-known cen trifugal type, which includes fly balls 923 enclosed within a raceway mounted on shaft 95 driven from a gear :36, mounted on the shaft "it and meshing with a worm formed on the shaft G5. As shown, the shaft 95 is supported by surfaces provided in bearing caps 93 and 9&9, mounted respectively on the extending brackets Md and EM. These brackets are integral with and pressed outwardly at right angles from the frame member 32.

Normally, the gear segment I5 is restrained by the power spring 85 in the position shown in 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 I 02 mounted by a cap screw I03 and a cylindrical member IIU on the end of a stub shaft I04. The stub shaft I04 is journaled in a bearing member I05 mounted on the frame .i member 32 and is held in its assembled position by a retaining ring I06 mounted on the end thereof. This actuating member is provided at its free end with a finger piece Iil'i for convenience in depressing the same to transmit power to the spring 85. The power transmitting connection between the member I02 and the spring 85 is of the universal type and includes a rod I08 fixedly mounted on the stub shaft IM and extending through a slot I09 provided in the lef annular portion of the cylindrical member ilt At its free end, the rod I03 is provided with a' socket which forms a part of a ball and socket connection H'I between this rod and a second rod H2. The other end of the rod H2 terminates in a ball and socket connection H3 the socket element of which is mounted on the gear segment I5.

During the operation of the actuating member I02 to tension the power spring 30, the shaft H must be restrained in its home position, corresponding to a predetermined angular position thereof, thereby to prevent the disks H from rotating. To this end, the gear I3 is not keyed to the shaft H, but is mounted thereon for free rotation thereabout. This gear is formed integral with a ratchet wheel I I5, which cooperates with a pawl H6 pivotally mounted at I IT on the gear H, to transmit driving power to the last-mentioned gear from the power spring 05 during the return movement of the actuating member I02, and following the actuation thereof to its fully depressed position. This pawl is biased into engagement with the teeth of the wheel H5 by a spring H8, mounted on the gear II by means of screws H3. With this arrangement, and when the actuating member I02 is depressed to tension the spring 85, the gear 16 is rotated clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 4, and the pawl H8 rides over the teeth of the ratchet wheel H5. Wnen the actuating member I02 is released following the full depression thereof, the pawl H6 engages an associated tooth of the wheel I I5 to transmit power from the spring 85 to the gear train, thereby to cause rotation of the control disks 3 I.

As pointed out previously, it is necessary for satisfactory operation of the device to restrain the control disks H from movement until the member I 02 is operated to its fully depressed position. 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 80 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 I is pivotally mounted on a shaft I 2I, supported between the frame member 32 and the frame member 83, and has formed at one end thereof a finger I22 for engaging a stud I23 projecting from the side of the gear 8|. 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 I02 is operated to its fully depressed position, the latching element I20 is rotated to disengage the finger I22 from the stud I23 by means comprising a stud I23 mounted on the gear segment I5 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 I23, 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 I23 has a cam rider portion I28 formed along an edge thereof which cooperates with a stud I 23 projecting from the side of the gear 11 to move the latching element I23 in a counterclockwise direction, thereby to permit the latching element I23 to rotate under the force of the spring III to a position wherein the finger I22 is positioned to be engaged by the stud I23. At its right extremity the latching element I23 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 I23 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 I 23 is provided with a finger I3I having mounted thereon a cap I32 of insulating material, which cap cooperates with springs I33, I33 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 I23 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 I33 and an associated spring I33, and between the spring I35 and an associated spring I31, thereby to short-circuit 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 I33 of the frame member 32 by means of a bracket I33, a pair of screws I30 and I, and insulating members I32 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 3i on the shaft II. This assembly comprises a disk supporting and aligning structure, mounted on the shaft by a screw I33, and including a disk aligning member I33, extending substantially parallel with the shaft H, and disk spacing members I33 spaced axially along the shaft. The aligning member I33 is supported on a pair of end members I33 and I", which also have clamped therebetween the disk spacing members I33, interspaced with spacing washers I33 snugly enclosing the shaft II. As shown in Fig. 7, each of the disk spacing members I33 is provided with a slot I39, the sides of which fit snugly over the shank of the screw I33 to prevent rotation of the spacing members with respect to the shaft 'H. The diameter of the spacing washers I33 is made equal to the width of the disk aligning member I33, this width also corresponding to the width of a slot I33 formed in each of the disks 3|, 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 I33 and one of the spacing washers I33, it is firmly restrained against relative movement with re-' aasases positioned on opposite sides of the slot I". These tongues are adapted to engage the side of one adjacent spacing member I 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 1|. To this end, each of the disk spacing members I is provided with a slot I" having an opening I offset with respect to the plane passing through the axis of the shaft 1I and the axis of the aligning member I. Each disk has a stud I projecting from one side thereof, which is arranged to slip through a slot opening I" of an adjacent spacing member during the positioning of the disk on the shaft 1|, 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 thedisk reversed from its proper position, the stud I carried thereby will engage one of the projecting fingers formed on either side of the slot Ill of an adjacent spacing member Ill to prevent the disk from assuming its fully assembled position.

In order to retain each disk in its assembled position on the shaft 1|, there is mounted on each of the spacing members I", a spring I" having fingers I51 and IE8 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 iii 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 I80, adapted to accommodate the end of a disk removing tool.

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 imanner 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 IGI interspaced with cam depressions i63 which cooperate with a cam follower finger 32, formed as an integral portion of the control element 28. 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 W3 and rides over the projections IBI 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 M, as illustrated in Fig. l, are no longer shortcircuited. Thus, by properly relating the length of the depressions I63 and the projections IN 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 62 is riding over one of the projections iSI. Hence, by suitably forming the depressions W3 and the depressions Iti around the periphery of any particular disk, this 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 4i, and this disk is started in operation to cause the transmission of the impulses included inthe 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. This mode of operation is insured by providing, as shown in Fig. 3, a member I10 pivotally mounted on a rod I1I', extending between and supported by the frame members 84 and 33, which member is normally restrained from engagement with the carriage 20 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 28. More specifically, this member is provided with teeth I9I extending along the upper edge thereof and throughout the axial length of the shaft 1I occupied by the control disks 4i. 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. 3 and 4, the locking member I10 is restrained in a position such that the teeth thereof are out of engagement with the teeth 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 II is started in operation to rotate the disks II, 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 I9I into engagement with the teeth I12. Thus, the carriage 28 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 subscribers substation may be selected by the simple expedient of grasping the finger piece 46 and moving the carriage 28 until the pointer 5| 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 85. 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 ear rotates about the shaft 1|, with the pawl I I6 riding over the teeth of the ratchet wheel H5. 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 I22 carried by the gear ll. when. however, the actuating member closely approaches its fully depressed position, the stud I24 engages the extremity I" of the latching element I20 to rotate this latching element and move the finger I22 from engagement with the stud I22. Thereafter, and when the actuating member "2 is released, the power spring transmits power through the segment II to rotate this segment in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 4. Immediately this occurs, the pawl III engages one of the teeth of the ratchet III to initiate the movement of the gear train. During the initial movement of this train, and the consequent rotation of the control disks 4i and the camming element It, the stud I20 rides from beneath the camming portion I2l of the second latching element I26, and the stud I'll rides from beneath the arm I14 carried by the locking member I10. Hence, the last-mentioned member is released and moves to bring the teeth "I thereof into engagement with the teeth I12, thereby to lock the carriage 22 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 I2.

in its operated position, and to actuate the cap I32 from engagement with the spring I32 of the spring assembly 23. This last-mentioned operation causes the shunt springs included in the assembly 22 to close and complete paths for short-circuiting the transmitter III and the receiver II as shown in Fig. 1. After a slight continued movement of the segment II, the stud I24 moves away from the end I28 of the latching element I20, and as a consequence, the lastmentioned element is held in its operated position only by the second latching element I2. 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 fiy ball governor described previously. Thus, the impulsing springs 2| are operated by the camming element II to 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 depressions I63 and the projections I8I of the particular selected control disk I 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 I2! is continuously held in its operatedposition 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 I5 approaches its normal position, and the stud I29 rides into engagement with the camming proiection 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. When this occurs, the camming finger I62 of the control element 26 rests in engagement with the top of the disk aligning member I, so that the springs included in the assembly 22 are in their make positions. During the final movement of the gear train the stud I'll rides into engagement with the arm I" to actuate the locking member Ill thereby to disengage the.teeth I II from the teeth I12 and unlock the carriage 22. 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 springs shunting the transmitter and receiver of the substation during the transmission of impulses over the line outgoing from the substation. In this arrangement, theshunt springs, indicated at I34, I35, I38 and Ill, are included in the spring assembly 22' comprising the impulse control springs Ill and II! for shunting the impulsing springs 2I. The active portion of the periphery of each control disk H has a radius slightly less than the radius of the disk aligning member I as indicated by the dotted line are I40.

In the operation or the modified arrangement shown in Fig. 9 and when the disk illustrated is rotated in a clockwise direction from its home position, the cam finger Il2 of'the control element 2. first drops oi! the left edge of the disk aligning member I. This permits the rocker arm 2| to rotate slightly in a clockwise direction and there results the engagement of the springs IN and IS! with the springs Ill and. Ill, 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 Ill and Ill and, hence, the Impulse springs 2| are held shortcircuited. Shortly thereafter and when the finger I '2 drops into the first depression I61, arm 26 is caused further to rotate in a clockwise direction by the force exerted thereon by the springs I24, I25 and Ill and, as a consequence, the spring Ill is moved from engagement with the spring I38. As a result, the short circuit 'is removed from the impulse springs 2| and impulses are transmitted from the device over the calling subscriber's line. When the finger Il2 rides onto the next projection IlI' the arm 2! is rocked in a counterclockwise direction only the required amount to 88 close the springs Ill and Ill without opening the springs I34, I and I25, I31. The impulse control springs Ill and I 39' are thus opened and closed in accordance with the depressions Ill and the projections IBI'. The enumerated shunt springs I24 to III are, however, maintained in their contact make positions continuously during impulsing and until the finger I82 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 I. This occurs only when the complete series of impulses has been transmitted and results in the sustained closure of the impulse control springs I II and III, and the movement of the springs Ill to I11, 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 vention- What is claimed is:

fall :witbinthe true spirit and we. of the mstantially parallel with said shaft and disk spacits members spaced axially along said shaft.

each of saiddisks. being adapted to he slipped between any two of said spacing members with the slotted portion thereof straddling said shaft and said aligning member, and means carried by each disk'for cooperating with an adjacent one of said spacing members to prevent the disk from being improperly and reversely assembled on said shaft.

2. A mechanism comprising, in combination, a rotatable shaft, a plurality-of disks each having a slot" therein, a disk supporting and aligning structuremounted on said shaft, said structure including a disk aligning member extending substantially parallel with said shaft and disk spacing members spaced axially along said shaft, each of said spacing members being provided with a slot having an opening offset with respect to the plane extendingthrough' the axis of said shaft and the axis of said aligning member, each of said disks being adapted to be slipped beof said shaft and the axis of said aligning member, each of said disks being adapted to he slipped between two of said spacing members-with the slotted portion thereof straddling said shaft and said aligning member and being provided with at least one preformed resilient tongue for engaging the side of one of the adjacent spacing members, thereby to insure even spacing of the disks, and a stud projecting from the side of each of said disks, each of said studs being arranged to slip through the slot opening of an adjacent spacing member during the positioning of its supporting disk upon said shaft only in the event its supporting disk is properly disposed with respect to said shaft.

5. A mechanism comprising, in combination, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of disks each having a slot therein, a disk supporting andaligning structure mounted on said shaft, said structure including a disk aligning member extending substantially parallel with said shaft and disk spacing members spaced axially along said shaft, each tween two of said spacing members with the Islotted portion thereof straddling said shaft and said aligning member, and a stud projecting from one side of each of said disks, each of said studs being arranged to slip through the slot opening of an adjacent spacing member during the positioning of its supporting disk on said shaft only in the event its supporting diskis properly disto the plane extending through the axis of said r shaft and the axis of said aligning member, each of said disks being adapted to be slipped between two of said spacing members with the slotted portion thereof straddling said shaft and said aligning member, a stud projecting from one side of each of said disks, each of said studs being arranged to slip through the slot opening of an adjacent spacing member during the positioning of its supporting disk on said shaft only in the event its supporting disk is properly disposed with respect to said shaft, and a spring carried by each spacing member having fingers arranged to grip the stud carried by an adjacent disk positioned on said shaft, thereby to hold the disk in its assembled position.

4. A mechanism comprising, in combination, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of disks each having aslot therein, a disk supporting and aligning structure mounted on said shaft, sad structure including a disk aligning member extending substantially parallel with said shaft and disk spacing members spaced axially along said shaft, each of said spacing members being provided with a slot having an opening offset with respect to the plane extending through the axis of said spacing members being provided with a slot having an opening offset with respect to the plane extending through the axis of said shaft and the axis of said aligning member, each of said disks being adapted to be slipped between two of, said spacing members with the slotted portion thereof straddling said shaft and said aligning member and being provided with at least one preformed resilient tongue for engaging the side of one of the adjacent spacing members,

thereby to insure even spacing of the disks, a stud projecting from the side of each of said disks, each of'said studs being arranged to slip through the slot opening of an adjacent spacing member during the positioning of its supporting disk upon said shaft only in the event its supporting disk is properly disposed with respect to said shaft, and a spring carried by each spacing member having fingers arranged to grip the stud carried by an adjacent disk positioned on said shaft,

thereby to hold the disk in its assembled position.

6. A mechanism for use in an impulse'trans- I mitting device comprising, in combination, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of disks each having a slot therein, a plurality of disk spacing members spaced axially along said shaft, each of said disks being adapted to he slipped between two of said spacing members with the slotted portion thereof straddling said shaft, a stud projecting from one side of each of said disks, and a plurality of springs mounted on said shaft for gripping the studs carried by the respective adjacent disks when the latter are positioned on the shaft, thereby to hold the disks assembled on said shaft.

7. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, 3, r0- tatable shaft, a plurality of disks each having a slot therein, a disk supporting and aligning structure mounted on said shaft including a disk aligning member extending substantially parallel with said shaft and disk spacing members spaced axially along said shaft, each of said disks being adapted to be slipped between two of said spacing members with the slotted portion thereof straddling said shaft and said aligning member, a stud projecting from one side of each of said disks, and a plurality of springs mounted on said shaft for gripping the studs carried by the respective adjacent disks when the latter are positioned on said shaft, thereby to hold the disks assembled on said shaft in a predetermined angular position.

8. A mechanism for use in an impuls transmitting device oomprisingdn combination, a 1'0- tatable shaft, a plurality of disks each having a slot therein, a disk supporting and aligning structure mounted on said shaft including a disk aligning member extending substantially parallel with said shaft and disk spacing members spaced axially along said shaft, each of said disks being adapted to be slipped between two of said spacing members with the slotted portion thereof straddling said shaft and said aligning member, a stud projecting from one side of each of said disks, and a spring carried by each spacing member having fingers arranged to grip the stud carried by an adjacent disk when the latter is positioned on said shaft, thereby to hold the disk assembled on said shaft in a predetermined angular position.

9. A mechanism comprising, incombination, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of disks each having a slot therein, a plurality of disk spacing members spaced axially along said shaft, each of said disks being adapted to he slipped between two of said spacing members with the slotted portion thereof straddling said shaft, and a resilient tongue projecting from the side of each of said disks for engaging an adjacent spacing member when the associated disk is assembled on said shaft, thereby to insure proper spacing of the disks.

10. A mechanism comprising, in combination, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of disks each having a slot therein, a plurality of disk spacing members spaced axially along said shaft, each of said disks being adapted to be slipped between two of said spacing members with the slotted portion thereof straddling said shaft, and a resilient tongue integral with and bent out from the side of each of said disks for engaging an adjacent spacing member when the associated disk is assembled on saidshaft, thereby to insure proper spacing of the disks.

11. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of control disks adapted to be detachably moimted on said shaft, each of said disks being so constructed and arranged that it is properly mounted on said shaft only when it is assembled thereon in one predetermined position facing a given end of said shaft and bearing a fixed angular relation to said shaft, and means including interrelated parts carried mitting device comprising. in combination, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of disks each having a slot therein, a plurality of disk spacing members spaced axially along said shaft, each of said disks being adapted to be slipped between two of said spacing members with the slotted portion thereof, straddling said shaft. a stud projecting from one side of each of said disks, resilient means mounted on said shaft for gripping the studscarried by .the respective adjacent disks when said disks are positioned on said shaft. thereby to hold said disks assembled on said shaft, each of said disks being so constructed and arranged that it is properly mounted on said shaft only when it is assembled thereon in a predetermined position, and means for positively preventing each of said disks from being assembled on said shaft in any position other than said predetermined position.

14. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a rotatable shaft. a plurality of disks each having a slot therein. a plurality of disk spacing members spaced axially along said shaft, each of said disks being adapted to be slipped between two of said spacing members with the slotted portion thereof straddling said shaft, and resilient means for by each of said disks and by said shaft for positively preventing each of said disks from being assembled on said shaft in any position other than said one predetermined Position.

12. A mechanism for use in an impulse trans-.

mitting device comprising, in combination, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of disks each having a slot therein, a plurality of disk spacing members spaced axially along said shaft, each of said disks being adapted to be slipped between two of said spacing members with the slotted portion thereof straddling said shaft, each of said disks being so constructed and arranged that it is properly mounted on said shaft only when it is assembled thereon in a predetermined position facing a given end of said shaft and bearing a fixed angular relation to said shaft, and means including interrelated parts carried by each of said disks and said spacing members for positive- 1y preventing each of said disks from being assembled on said shaft in any position other than said predetermined position. 13. A mechanism for use in an impulse transurging each of said disks toward an adjacent one of said spacing members whm the associated disk is assembled on said shaft, thereby to insure proper spacing of said disks.

15. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of disks each having a slot therein, a plurality of disk spacing members spaced axially along said shaft. each of said disks being adapted to be slipped between two of said spacing members with the slotted portion thereof straddling said shaft, and resilient means for urging each of said disks into engagement with an adjacent one of said spacing members when the associated disk is assembled on said shaft, thereby to insure proper spacing of said disks.

16. Ameehanism foruseinanimpul'se transmitting device comprising, in combination, s rotatable shaft, a plurality of dhks each having a slot therein, a plurality of disk spacing members carried by said shaft and spaced therealong, each of said disks being adapted to be slipped between two of said spacing members with the slotted portion thereof straddling said shaft, and resilient means cooperating with said disks for retaining said disks on said shaft in predetermined angular positions and cooperating with said disk spacing members for retaining said disks in precsiletermitt ned spaced apart relationship along said 17. A mechanism for use in an impulse transmitting device comprising, in combination, a rotatable shaft, a plurality of disks each having a slot therein, a plurality of disk spacing members carried by said shaft and spaced therealong, each ofsaiddisksbeingadaptedtobesllppedbetween two of said spacing members with the slotted portion thereof straddling said shaft, resilient means carried by said shaft and cooperating with saiddisksforretainingsaiddisksonsaidshaft' in proper angular positions, and additional resilient means for urging each of said disks toward an adjacent one of said spacing members when the associated disks is assembled on said shaft, thereby to insure proper spacing of said disks along said shaft.

HANS SENGEBUBCH.

Images