US2293524A - Signal code and program sending system - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 18, 1942. J. w oc 2,293,524

SIGNAL CODE AND PROGRAM SENDING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 21, 1939 Sheets-Sheet l I 59 v 2 6/- 62 0 y p 34- "36 6 f F 22 L V @2 76 I W ZTW.

JOHN H. WHEELOCK 27 0. I AM SIGNAL CODE AND PROGRAM SENDING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 21, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 x 17 0 H i 5e 55 K-z 37 1.3 6

HIE 522% JOHN H. WHEELOCK,

Aug. 18, 19 42.

J. H. WHEELOCK 2,293,524 SIGNAL CODE AND PROGRAM SENDING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 21, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 JOHN H. WHEELOC/L fl/ ZQ $5M Aug. 18, 1942. J WHEELQCK 2,293,524

SIGNAL CODE AND PROGRAM SENDING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 21, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 EZ'C UZEW:

JbH/v Z2. WHEEL oc/s Aug. 18, 1942. H. WHEELOCK 2,293,524

SIGNAL CODE AND PROGRAM SENDING SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 21, 1939 720672269: JBH/v H. WZEELOCK Patented Aug. 18, 1942 UNlTED STATES PATENT @FEICE SIGNAL CODE AND PROGRAM: SENDING SYSTEM John H. Wheelock, Fitzwilliam, N. H., assignor to Signal Engineering & Manufacturing Com= pany, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Massachusetts 8 Claims.

The present invention relates to a signal code and program impulse transmitting system for controlling the operation of suitable devices for sounding or displaying signals at different locations throughout a building, or other establishment in which the system is installed. Calling and locating individuals by code number and the transmission of so-called program signals, to indicate time, or the existence of an emergency, are well known uses of such a dual system.

The object of the invention is to provide a fully automatic signal system of the above indicated character, that is adapted to transmit either a predetermined number of rounds of code sequences, as for locating individuals, under the control of a code determining device, or a given series of evenly spaced program impulses readily distinguishable from any of the code signal sequences, under the control of an auxiliary device, such as a time clock, or similar device. According to the present invention, the improved system is not only capable of selectively transmitting code impulses or program impulses, but also provides means for automatically preventing any possible interference between the code and program impulses, as well as for assuring successive transmission of complete sequences of either code or program impulses, entirely irrespective of whether the code determining device is operated before the program control contacts, or vice versa.

By reason of the circuits automatically established in the improved system, any one of the following operations may take place:

(a) Transmission of code sequences for a predetermined number of rounds, in response to operation of a code determining member, such as a key.

(12) Transmission of a predetermined number of program impulses, in response to operation of the program controlling contacts, as operated by a clock, or similar device.

Transmission of a predetermined number of complete rounds of code sequences, in response to actuation of a key, as in (a), automatically followed by transmission of a predetermined number of program impulses, in response to closure of the program contacts at any time during the transmission of code sequences.

(d) Transmission of a predetermined number of program impulses, in response to functioning of the program contacts, as in (b), automatically followed by transmission of predetermined number of complete rounds of code sequences, in response to actuation of a code determining key at any time during the transmission of program impulses.

Summarizing the above noted modes of operation, it is apparent that the entire system works on an automatically non-interfering and succession operation basis, irrespective of whether a code key or the program device operates first, to the end that a complete cycle of code sequences will be followed by a complete round of program impulses, or vice versa. The four modes of operation summarized above, will next be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: a

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic View, illustrating th system in its normal non-operating condition.

Fig. 2 illustrates the system of Fig. l, operatic to transmit a code sequence.

Fig. 3 illustrates the system of Fig. 1, operating to transmit program impulses.

Fig. 4 illustrates the system of Fig. 2, in condition to automatically follow the transmission of code impulses by the transmission of program impulses.

Fig. 5 illustrates a portion of the system of Fig. 3, in condition to automatically follow the transmission of program impulses by the transmission of code impulses.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View, illustrating a portion of the parts of Fig. 5 in different positions.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view, showing the mechanical relation between certain parts of the system.

Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive are fragmentary views illustrating parts of the code setting device in diiierent positions.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the system includes a code determining device of any suitable type, which is shown, for purposes of illustration, as comprising a key 2;, operable to set up different code combinations, with respect to associated contacts k-l, k-E, k'3, etc. Ihe l:eyactuated contacts k-l, k-Z, k-3, etc. are connected to correspondingly designated contacts cl c2, etc. of a commutating device C. The contacts cl, 0-2, etc. are in the form of projections spaced around the periphery of a ring l, but insulated from each other, and an arm 2 mounted on a shaft 3 passing through the ring, is adapted to sue essively. bear on the contacts c-l, c-2, etc.

A motor M serves to drive the shaft 3 which carries a second arm l, adapted to bear successively on a series of contacts 5 mounted on a ring 8 parallel to the ring I, with the contacts 5 formed and arranged identically with contacts c-I, c2, etc. and all connected to the ring 6. The arms 2 and 4 are connected together so as to turn in unison with the shaft 3, as shown in Fig. 7, with both arms being insulated from the shaft 3, and being equally flexed to maintain uniform contact pressure as they pass over the projections on the rings I and 3. The ring 6 is connected by conductor I to one of a pair of spaced master contacts 8, adapted to be bridged by a member 9 mounted on a pivoted arm II]. a

The arm It provides an extension lta bearing on a disk II, also mounted on the shaft 3. The disk I I provides a series of projections I2, having the same form as the contacts on ring 6, and the contacts cI, c-2, etc. on ring I, although spanning a smaller angle than the ring contacts, measured in either direction of rotation of the shaft 3. As a result of this angular relation between projections I2 and the ring contacts, the circuit between the master contacts 8 is made and broken by the bridging member 9, while the arms 2 and 4 are successively in engagement with the contacts c-I, c-2, etc. and contacts 5, whereby all arcing is restricted to the master contacts 8 during operation of the commutating device C.

The motor driven shaft 3 is connected to a control shaft I3 through reduction gearing I 4, so that the shaft I 3 makes a predetermined number of revolutions, three, as shown, for each revolution of the shaft 3. The shaft I3 carries a program disk I5, provided around its periphery with a series of projections I5 that are closer together than are the projections I2 on the master contactor disk I I, for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. An arm I! pivoted at We, bears on the program disk I5, so that rotation thereof is adapted to impart an oscillatory movement to the arm IT, to carry a contact I8 rapidly into and out of engagement with a stationary contact I9. The shaft I3 also carries a motor control cam 29, providing a notch 21 in its periphery, in which is normally received the free end of an arm 22 pivoted at 22a. An extension of the arm 22 carries an insulated contact 23, which is maintained out of engagement with a stationary contact 24, as long as the end of the arm 22 remains in the cam notch 2I.

One terminal of the motor M is permanently connected to a suppuy main S, suitably energized from a source of power, not shown, while the other motor terminal is connected by a conductor 25 to the contact 23 mounted on the arm 22, under control of the cam 20. The stationary contact 24 is connected by a conductor 26 to a second supply main S, energized from the same source as the main S. Therefore, closure of the contacts 23 and 24 by the control cam 20, is adapted to establish and maintain an energizing circuit for the motor M that will be broken once for each complete revolution of the cam 20, or three revolutions of the motor shaft 3.

A starting contact 21 is connected to the conductor 25 between the motor terminal and contact 23, and this contact 21 is adapted to be momentarily engaged by the key K when the latter is pressed all the way in, as indicated in dotted lines, to initiate the transmission of code sequences. The key contact k-I is connected by a conductor 28 to a stationary contact 29 that is normally engaged by a movable arm 30, forming part of a program relay, generally designated by the reference character P. The relay arm 30 is connected at junction point 3| to the conductor 26 leading to the main S, so that the key contact k-I is normally energized from the main S, as long as the program relay P remains deenergized. Depression of the key K to engage the starting contact 2?, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, thus completes a starting circuit for the motor M, to initiate the transmission of code sequences, as will be hereinafter described.

The program relay P comprises an energizing winding 32 and a main armature 33, carrying the arm 38 that is in engagement with contact 29 when the winding 32 is deenergized. The armature 33 carries a second arm 34 insulated from arm 33, with the arm 34 normally in engagement with stationary contacts 35 and 36, that are under a certain degree of fiexure, as indicated. These contacts 35 and 36 are connected by conductors 3'! and 38, in parallel with a pair of normally closed contacts 39 and 40, with the flexible contact 39 bearing at its end on an extension 4| movable with the arm ll, although insulated therefrom.

One terminal of the winding 32 of the program rela P is connected to the supply main S, while the other terminal thereof is connected through a resistance 42 to one of a pair of normally open program contacts 43. As will be her inafter described, these program contacts 43 are adapted to be momentarily closed at a predetermined time, under the control of a suitable clockoperated device, not shown, or they can be closed manually, or by any other means. The other program contact 43 is connected to the contact 39 which, as previously pointed out, is normally in engagement with contact 53 that is in turn connected by conductor M to the supply main S.

A pull-in circuit forthe relay winding 32 is provided around the resistance 32 between the junction points t5 and (it, which circuit includes a pair of relatively movable contacts 47 and 48, one of which is mounted on the arm 22 cooperating with the motor control cam 23, although insulated therefrom and also from contact 23. With the end of the arm 22 in the cam notch 2|, the depressed arm maintains the contacts l! and 43 in engagement, but as soon as the cam 20 starts to turn, the arm 22 rides up on the periphery of the cam to move contact 38 away from stationary contact 41, while at the same time closing contacts 23 and 24.

The program relay P provides a second or auxiliary armature 49 of considerably less weight than the main armature 33, so that the armature 49 will pull in when the winding 32 is traversed by a current such as will flow with the winding in circuit with the resistance 42. The strength of the current required to pull in the armature 49, while not sufficient to cause the main armature 33 to pull in, is nevertheless suificient to hold in the main armature 33, assuming that the latter has previously been pulled in by current traversing the shunt circuit around the resistance d2, through contacts 51 and 48. The aux iliary armature 59 carries a bridging member 50 insulated therefrom and adapted to engage a pair of spaced stationary contacts 5| when the armature pulls in. Thus contacts 5i are connected in parallel through conductors 52 across the normally open program contacts 43, so as to provide means for short circuiting these contacts whenever the auxiliary armature pulls in.

The contacts 23 and 24 in the holding circuit for the motor M are connected in parallel through conductors 53 to relatively movable contacts 54 and 55 that are normally maintained out of engagement by a pivoted latch 53, having one end bearing on the contact 55 so as to flex it away from the stationary contact 54. The latch 56 is normally held in the position shown in Fig. l, by a pivoted armature 51 under control of the winding 58 of a latch relay L. One terminal of the winding 58 of the latch relay is connected to the supply main S, while the other terminal thereof is connected to a stationary contact 59. The contact 59 is normally out of engagement with a movable contact 69, associated with a latch plate 6| bearing on the bevelled end of the key K when the latter is in non-code determining position, as shown in Fig. 1. When the key K is depressed and released, upward movement of the plate 6| before it drops into the key latching notch 62, results in a momentary engagement of contact (iii with contact 59. The latch contact 69 is connected by conductor 63 to a stationary contact 64 normally out of engagement with the movable arm 36 of the program relay, when the winding 32 is deenergized. Therefore, momentary engagement between contacts 59 and 6% resulting from operation of the latch plate 6| by depression of a key K, will have no effect on the latch relay winding 53, unless the program relay P has been previously fully energized to pull in the main armature 33.

The particular construction and mounting of the key K and its associated latching mechanism, forms no part of the present invention, such a latching mechanism being shown, for example, in Burdick Patent No. 1,823,585, issued September 15, 1931, for a Code setting device for signal sys tems. In order to simplify the showing of the circuits in the system of the present invention, the key K, and its latch plate 6|, are shown only diagrammatically in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, while the actual construction of these parts is illustrated in the several fragmentary views showing the parts in different positions.

The program relay P also provides a stationary contact 65, normally out of engagement with the arm 30, with the winding 32 deenergized, this contact 65 being connected to the motor circuit conductor 25 at the junction point as. When the contact 65 is engaged by the arm upon energization of the program relay P, there is provided a second holding circuit for the motor M, as will hereinafter appear from the description of the operation of the system to transmit program impulses.

The system also provides a master relay R, providing a winding Bl having one terminal thereof connected to the supply main S. The other terminal of winding til is connected from junction point 63 to one master contact 8 of the code sending mechanism previously described, so that opening and closing of the contacts 8 will result in operation of the master relay R, in accordance with a code sequence, as determined by the ke K. The junction point 68 leading from the master relay winding 61, is also connected to the insulated contact I3 carried by the arm I! bearing on the program disk [5. The cooperating stationary contact is is connected by a conductor 69 to one of a pair of spaced stationary contacts Hi adapted to be bridged by the arm 34 of the program relay P, when the winding 3?. is fully energized. Since the other relay contact it! is connected directly to the supply main S, opening and closing f the contacts i8 and i9 by oscillation of the arm ll as the program disk l5 rotates, is adapted to successively energize and deenergize the master relay winding 61, assuming that the main armature 33 of program relay P has previously been pulled in.

The master relay R provides relatively movable contacts H, one of which is connected to the supply main S, while the other is connected to the supply main S, in circuit with suitable signals i2, such as bells, horns or lamps. Consequently, successive energizations and deenergizations of the master relay winding 61, will cause operation of the signals 72, either in accordance with. a code sequence under the control of the key K and commutating device C, or in accordance with a series of program impulses under the control of the program relay P and program disk [5. Having set forth the construction and function of the various devices entering into the system, the operation thereof will next be described, under the several different conditions previously outlined.

(.4) Transmission of code sequences alone Upon full depression of the key K, a momentary circuit is established at contact 21, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and also in Fig. 10. The motor starting current then flows through the key K and conductor 28, through the engaged contact 29 and arm 39 of the program relay P, which is then in a deenergized condition. As soon as the motor starts, turning of the cam 20, driven from the motor shaft 3 through the reduction gearing l4, closes contacts 23 and 24, which maintain the motor circuit through the conductors 25 and 26 tothe supply main S during one complete revolution of the cam 20, which corresponds to three complete revolutions of the motor shaft, as illustrated.

The motor starting circuit through the contact 21, is immediately broken upon release of the key K, which becomes latched in code determining position, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 11, with the end of the key out of engagement with contact 21. The momentary closure of contacts 59 and 68 by the latch plate 6|, which results from depression and release of the key K, has no effect on the latch relay winding 53, owing to the fact that the contact 64 is out of engagement with the arm 30 of the then deenergized program relay P.

With the key K in code determining position, as shown in Fig. 2, certain of the key contacts, namely 10-3 and lc4, become energized from the supply main S through the common contact k-l, the particular selection of contacts shown being chosen to cause transmission of a code signal sequence corresponding to the numeral twelve. Corresponding contacts c-l, c-3 and c4 of the commutating device C, will also be energized from the supply main S, through the connections between the code determining device and these contacts. As the motor shaft 3 rotates, the connected arms 2 and 4 successively bear upon the contacts c-l, c2, etc. and contacts 5, so that the ring 6 becomes connected to the supply main S at intervals determined by the arrangement of the then energized key-actuated contacts kl, k3 and 7c-4.

Shortly after the arm 2 rides up on the first contact 0-1, the arm Illa also rides up on the first projection 12 on the disk I I so as to close the circuit between the master contact members 8. When this occurs, the circuit through the wind ing 6'! of the master relay R is completed, thereby energizing the signals 12 to transmit the first impulse of the code sequence. Since the projections I2 on the disk II have a smaller angular span than the ring contacts, the circuit of the winding 61 is broken at the master contacts 8, before the arms 2 and 4 leave their contacts; as a result, no arcing can take place at the ring contacts.

Continued rotation of the arm 2 to engage contacts c2, c3 and c4, will result in the transmission of a second and a third signal impulse, with a pause between the first and second impulses, due to the non-energized contact c2, to correspond to the signal sequence twelve. This signal sequence will be repeated as the shaft 3 makes a second and third revolution, assuming that the ratio of the gearing l4 between the shafts 3 and I3 is three to one. As the shaft 3 completes its third revolution, the arm 22 enters the notch 2| on the periphery of the control cam 20, thereby separating contact 23 from'contact 24, to break the motor circuit. The parts of the system thereupon come to rest in the position of Fig. 1, even though the key K remains in its latched position. The particular latching arrangement for the key K is shown merely for illustrative purposes, since the invention contemplates the use of any desired type of code determining device providing means for setting up different contact combinations in cooperation with the commutating device C.

During the transmission of signal impulses in accordance with the selected code sequence, as described above, the rotation of the program disk I 5, causes the contacts I8 and I9 to be successively closed and opened as the arm I! bears on the projections [6. Such operation of the contacts l8 and I9, however, has no effect on the master relay winding 61, since the contact l9 connected to the program relay contact 10 is disconnected from the supply main S", while the program relay P remains deenergized. Therefore, the system continually remains in a condition wherein closure of the program contacts 43 will cause transmission of program impulses, as will next be described.

(B) Transmission of program impulses alone Let it now be assumed that with the system in the non-operating condition of Fig. 1, program contacts 43 are momentarily closed, as by means of a suitable clock-operated device, not shown. When this occurs, a circuit is established for the program relay winding 32 from the supply main S through conductor 44, then closed contacts 40 and 39, to the junction point 46. From this oint, the circuit is through the closed contacts 41 and 48 to junction 45 and the lower terminal of the winding 32, thereby shunting out the resistance 42 and causing sufficient energization of the winding 32, as to pull in both the armatures 33 and 49. As the auxiliary armature 4&9 pulls in, bridging member 50 engages contacts thereby establishing a holding circuit around the program contacts 43. so that the subsequent opening of these contacts has no effect on the continued energization of winding 32.

Pulling in of the main armature 33, as shown in Fig. causes the relay arm 30 to disengage contact 29. thereby entirely disconnecting key K of the code determining device from the supply main S. This is followed by engagement of arm 30 with the stationary contact 65, to establish a circuit for the motor M from the junction point 66 of motor conductor 25 to main S. Turning of the control cam 2|! by the motor shaft 3, thereupon causes the arm 22 to ride out of the cam notch 2|, so as to disengage contacts 41 and 43 while engaging contacts 23 and 24, to establish a parallel holding circuit for the motor, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. Upon separation of the contacts 47 and 48, the shunt circuit around the resistance 42 is broken, thereby reducing the current flowing through the program relay Winding 32, but not sumciently to permit the main armature 33 to drop back.

Pulling in of the main armature 33 also causes the arm 34 to leave contacts 35 and 36 and engage the contacts l3, thereby establishing a circuit from the supply main S to the stationary contact is. Subsequently, rotation of the program disk 55 from, the position of Fig. 1 to the position of Fig. 3, turns the arm H as it engages a projection it, to engage the contact l8 with the contact l 9. When this occurs, a circuit is established for the master relay winding 61 from the junction point 68, thereby transmitting the first impulse of the program signal sequence. As previously pointed out, the program disk projections it are closely spaced, so that continued rotation of the disk l5 causes a series of evenly spaced signal impulses to be given in rapid succession and without code significance. The number of program signal impulses will depend upon the number of projections E5 on the disk l5, and as shown, the impulses are continued over a period greater than that required for sounding one round of code impulses.

As the program disk l5 nears the completion of one revolution from the position of Fig. l, the arm ll drops into a notch l5a on the periphery of the disk, thereby opening the circuit of the program relay winding 32 as the contacts 39 and 3 separate, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4. When this occurs, both armatures 33 and 69 fall back, thereby interrupting the motor circuit at the contact 65 and opening the previously bridged contacts El in parallel with the then open program contacts 43. The motor. however, continues to operate, due to the fact that the motor-holding circuit beyond the junction point 65 in conductor 25, is still closed through contacts 23 and 25. Consequently, the disk [5 turns through a few more degrees to bring it to the position of Fig. l, whereupon the motor stops as the arm 22 enters the notch 2| to cause separation of contacts 23 and 24. The resulting reengagement between contacts 39 and 49 has no effect on the program relay winding 32, since both pairs of contacts 43 and 5| are then open, and there is no way in which current can flow to the winding 32. All parts of the system are therefore restored to the condition of Fig. l at the completion of the transmission of the series of program impulses by the signals 12.

Having described the operation of the system to cause the transmission of code sequences alone, as well as the transmission of a series of program impulses alone, there will next be described the operation of the system, wherein the transmission of code sequences in response to initial actuation of a key, is automatically followed by transmission of program impulses, in

response to closure of the program contacts at any time during the transmission of code sequences.

(C) Transmission of code impulses followed by program impulses Let it now be assumed that during the transmission of code signal sequences in response to operation of a key K, as previously described with reference to Fig. 2, the program contacts 43 are closed momentarily. When this occurs, current from the supply main S, is unable to flow to the program relay winding 32, through the shunt circuit around the resistance 42, owing to the fact that the contacts 41 and 4B are then held separated by the arm 22 riding on the periphery of the motor control cam 25). Therefore, the current traversing the winding 32 is so limited by the resistance 42, that only the auxiliary armature 49 pulls in to close the contacts and establish a holding circuit for the partially energized winding 32, around the program contacts 43, when the latter are opened. Since only the auxiliary armature 49 has pulled in, as shown in Fig. 4, the program relay arm 30 remains down to maintain the connection of the code sending mechanism to the supply main S through the contact 29. Since the other program relay arm 34 also remains down, the contacts l3 and I9 under the control of the program disk i5, remain disconnected from the supply main S, so that transmission of the code impulses remains undisturbed, in spite of the closure of program contacts 43 and pulling in of the auxiliary armature 49. It is also to be noted that while the program relay arm 34 remains down, a shunt circuit is maintained around the then closed contacts 39 and 43, by reason of engagement of the arm 34 with stationary contacts 35 and 36.

As the program disk l5 near the completion of one revolution, coincidentally with transmission of the code sequences, the arm I! drops into the notch I5a so as to cause separation of the contacts 39 and 45. The opening of these contacts, however, does not permit the auxiliary armature 49 to drop, since the circuit to the program relay winding 32 through the resistance 42 is then maintained through the conductors 37 and 38 and the contacts 35 and 36, then bridged by the arm 34.

Consequently, when the motor M comes to rest at the end of the transmission of three complete rounds of code sequences, reclosure of contacts 47 and 48 as the arm 22 enters the notch 2!, reestablishes the shunt circuit around the re sistance 42 to cause full energization of the program relay Winding 32. The resulting pull up of main armature 33 thereupon restarts the motor M as contact 65 is engaged by relay arm 30 that is always connected to the supply main S, whereupon there follows the transmission of a complete series of program impulses, as previously described with reference to Fig. 3. In other words, closure of the program contacts 43 at any time during the transmission of code sequences, results in placing the system in condition to automatically proceed with the transmission of a complete series of program impulses as soon as the motor comes to rest at the completion of the last round of code sequences. It is to be noted that as the program relay arms 38 and 34 pull up, the initially flexed contacts 35 and 36 follow the arm 35, until after the arm 38 engages motor starting contact 65, and the program disk [5 has moved arm I! out of the notch 15a to close contacts 39 and 4% That is to say, the following contacts 35 and 36 are not disengaged from the upwardly moving relay arm 34 until after the motor M has been restarted to initiate a complete series of program impulses.

As previously pointed out, the system also contemplates the provision of means whereby the transmission of program impulses in response to closure of the program contacts 43, is automatically followed by transmission of three complete rounds of code sequences in response to actuation of a code determining key at any time during the transmission of program impulses, and there will next be described the operation of the system on this basis.

(D) Transm ssion of program impulses followed by code impulses Should the switchboard operator receive an incoming call during the transmission of pro gram impulses, as described with reference to Fig. 3, and desire to broadcast through the sys= tem a given code number for the person wanted,- the operator immediately pushes in the selected code key K, without waiting for the transmission of the program impulses to be completed.

When the key K is pressed all the way in, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, engagement of the motor starting contact 2'! by the end of the key, has no effect on the motor M, since at that time the stationary contact 2% of program relay P is disconnected from the supply main S, by reason of the main armature 33 being held up during the transmission of program impulses, see Fig. 3. However, as the key K is pressed in and released, the contact 63 is momentarily engaged with the contact 59 as the latch plate BI is moved upwardly to its extreme position, before dropping into the notch 62 to latch the key in code determining position. Since the stationary contact 64 of the program relay is at that moment connected to the supply lmain S through the then raised relay arm 39, engagement between contacts 59 and 69 serves to energize the winding 58 of the latch relay L, as shown in Figs. 5 and 9.

Energization of winding 58 pulls in the armature 51, thereby permitting the pivoted latch 56 to turn in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated, to cause engagement between contacts 54 and 5-5, and thereby provide a shunt circuit in parallel with the then closed motor-holding contacts 23 and 24. In other words, closure of contacts 54 and 55 places the system in condition for restarting the motor M, although at that moment, actuation of the code determining key K has no efiect, due to the disconnection of the contact 29 from the supply main '5, during the transmission of program impulses.

Continued rotation of the program disk [5, following the depression and latching-in of a key K, as described above, carries on transmission of the program impulses until near the completion of one revolution of the disk l5, whereupon the arm I? drops into the notch 15a to separate contacts 39 and 48. While the resulting deenergization of the program relay winding 32 permits the main armature 33 to drop, con-. nection of the contact 29 to the supply main S has no immediate eirect, since at that moment, the arm 2 is bearing on the periphery of the ring I and is therefore insulated from the energized commutating contacts c-l, c2, etc.

As previously pointed out, the angular relation between the notches |5a and 2| is such that the arm 22 enters the notch 2| very shortly after opening of the contacts i8 and H) has deenergized the program relay winding 32 at the completion of the transmission of a complete series of program impulses. When this occurs, the previously closed holding circuit .for the motor M is broken at the contacts 23 and 24, but the motor does not stop, owing to the previous closure of contacts 54 and to provide a shunt circuit around the contacts 23 and 24. Therefore, the continued operation of the motor M results in the immediate transmission of code sequences, as determined by the circuits established through the depressed key K. Obviously, the motor M will continue to operate through three complete revolutions of the shaft 3, due to reclosure of the contacts 23 and 2 1.

After the motor M has turned the cam 26 sufficiently to reengage the holding contacts 23 and 24, a pin 73 on the disk l5, engages the pivoted latch 56. It is evident from a consideration of Fig. 5, that when the latch 56 turns into position to permit closure of contacts 54 and 55, a beveled surface 56a on the latch will be disposed in the path of the pin it. Therefore, continued rotation of the disk l5, through a few degrees, following the automatic initiation of code sequences, as described above, will result in turning the latch back to the position of Fig. l, to separate the contacts 54 and 55, as shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, the system is restored to the condition of Fig. 1, upon the completion of the transmission of code sequences, and when the motor M comes to rest, with the arm 22 in the notch 21 of the motor-controlled cam.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the system of the present invention works on an of said device, means for transmitting a series of impulses with a different significance under the control of an auxiliary contact making device, a common driving means for said impulse transmitting means and connections between said impulse transmitting means for controlling the operation of said driving means and causing the transmission of one or more complete rounds of code impulses in response to initial operation of said code determining element, while preventing transmission of series impulses in response to operation of said auxiliary contact making device during the transmission of code impulses, with said connections between said transmitting means also serving to automatically cause continued operation of said driving means and the transmission of said series impulses upon the completion of the last round of code impulses.

2. A signal sending system, comprising in combination, a code determining device, means for transmitting code impulses under the control of a manually operable code determining element of said device, means for transmitting a series of impulses with a different significance under the control of an auxiliary contact making device, a common driving means for said impulse transmitting means and connections between said impulse transmitting means for controlling the operation of said driving means and causing the transmission of -a series of impulses in response to operation of said auxiliary device, while proventing transmission of code impulses in response to actuation of said determining element at any time during the transmission of said series impulses, with said connections between the impulse transmitting means also serving to automatically cause continued operation of said driving means and the transmission of code impulses immediately following the completion of the transmission of said series impulses.

3. In a signal sending system, the combination with a code determining device, a device for transmitting impulses according to a selected code of said determining device, a device for transmitting a series of impulses with a significance different from that of the selected code, and a common driving means for both of said impulse transmitting devices, of means for independently initiating operation of said driving means for transmission of either type of impulse over a predetermined period, and means for sustaining operation of said driving means while causing either type of impulse to automatically follow the other, irrespective of which type of impulse is intially transmitted.

4. In a signal sending system, the combination with a code determining device, a device for transmitting impulses according to a selected code of said determining device, a device for transmitting a series of impulses with a significance different from that of the selected code. and a common driving means for both of said impulse transmitting devices, of means for independently initiating operation of said driving means for transmission of either type of impulse over a predetermined period, and means for automatically preventing interference between transmission of the two types of impulses, irrespective of continued operation of said driving means and which type of impulse is initially transmitted.

5. In a signal sending system, the combination with a code determining device, a device for transmitting impulses according to a selected code of said determining device, a device for transmitting a series of impulses with a significance different from that of the selected code, and a common driving means for both of said impulse transmitting devices, of means for initiating operation of said driving means for causing transmission of code impulses over a predeter mined period in response to initial actuation of said code determining device, automatically followed by transmission of said series impulses in response to subsequent actuation of the series impulse transmitting device, at any time during the transmission of code impulses.

6. In a signal sending system, the combination with a code determining device, a device for transmitting impulses according to a selected code of said determining device, a device for transmitting a series of impulses with a significance different from that of the selected code, and a common driving means for both of said impulse transmitting devices, of means for initiating operation of said driving means for causing transmission of series impulses, over a predetermined period automatically followed by transmission of code impulses in response to subsequent actuation of the code determining device, at any time during the transmission of said series impulses.

7. In a signal sending system, the combination with a code determining device, a device for tranmitting impulses according to a selected code of said determining device, a device for transmitting a series of impulses with a significance different from that of the selected code, and a common driving means for both of said impulse transmitting devices, of means for initiating operation of said driving member for causing transmission of code impulses over a predetermined period in response to actuation of said code determining device, means for temporarily withholding transmission of said series impulses in response to actuation of said series transmitting device, at any time during the transmission of code impulses, and means for sustaining operation of said driving means to cause transmission of series impulses immediately following completion of the transmission of code impulses.

8. In a signal sending system, the combination with a code determining device, a device for transmitting impulses according to a selected code of said determining device, a device for transmitting a series of impulses with a significance different from that of the selected code, and a common driving means for both of said impulse transmitting devices, of means for initiating operation of said driving means for transmitting a series of impulses over a predetermined period in response to actuation of said series transmitting device, means for temporarily withholding transmission of code impulses in response to actuation of said determining member at any time during transmission of said series impulses, and means for sustaining operation of said driving means to cause transmission of code impulses immediately following the completion of the transmission of series impulses.

JOHN H. WHEELOCK.

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