US2332359A - Combined telephone and phonograph - Google Patents

Description

' Oct. 19, 1943.

H. R. VA'N DEVENTER 2,332,359 I COMBINED TELEPHONE AND PHONOGRAPH Filed Sept. 26, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 'ATTORNEYS Oct. 19, 1943. H. R. VAN DEVENTER COMBINED TELEPHONE AND PHONOGRAPE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 26, 1941 ddc/J INVENTOR Homer A? hm/flzm-A/rm ATTORNEYS Oct. 19, 1943. H. R. VAN DEVENTER COMBINED TELEPHONE AND PHONOGRAPH Filed-Sept. 26, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENTO R finer/P. Mm/fiwmrm BY 14W, 5 5% ATTO R N EYS Patented Oct. 19, 1943 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE COIWBINED TELEPHONE AND PHONOGKAPH Harry R. Van Deventer, New York, N. Y., assignor,

by mesne assignments, to Telephone Answering and Recording Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application September 26, 1941, Serial N 0. 412,409

33 Claims.

This invention relates to a telephone system wherein phonographs may be used at the subofice and under the control of an operator thereat.

A further object is to provide in the system of the class described a phonograph located at a sub-station and controlled by the ringer of the sub-set.

Other objects and some of the advantages of controlled over the. telephone lines to which they are connected by means located at the central the invention will be apparent from a perusal of the following specification where, byway of illustration, a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed. It will be obvious, however, that This can be ,once the inventive concept is understood, that.

ers line, but obviously if the subscriber is absent the starting and stopping of the phonograph must be taken care of automatically, as disclosed in pending U.'S. application Serial No. 333,268., filed May 4, 1940, now Patent No. 2,261,420, dated Nov. 4, 1941. Instead, the phonograph may; be controlled from the central ofiice, in which case it is highly desirable that the standard equipment commonly found in the'central oflice and used in connection with the operation of the telephone system can be employed. The following specification discloses how this can be accomplished.

Referring now to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the circuits in a common battery telephone exchange, to which telephone and phonograph equipment may be connected and operated;

Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of a condenser as used in the system;

Figure 3 is a front View of a ringer equipped with circuit control contacts;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the ringer on the line 44 of Figure 3;

Figures 5 to 10, inclusive, are circuit diagrams of a combined telephone and phonograph substation equipment; and

Figure 11 is a diagram of connections of a combined telephone and phonograph equipment.

In Figure 1 no attempt has been made to show these circuits in detail, and only suflicient of the circuits and apparatus have been shown to enable one skilled in the art to properly understand the operation of said circuits in connection with operating phonographs by remote control. It will be understood that the central office equipment -may be of any known character; usually in such exchanges there are a plurality of signaling devices. In the figure these comprise the usual four ringing keys commonly employed with systems of harmonic ringing where four frequencies are provided-usually of 16 33 50, and 66 cycles, respectively, these frequencies being supplied by ringing machines or interrupters so that when the operator depresses one of the ringing keys, ringing current will be applied to the called subscribers line for a predetermined period followed by a silent period. These four currents as just described constitute a plurality of signaling means, and are hereinafter referred to as such, and for further description of such harmonic party line systems reference is made to Page 423 of Telephonology by H. R. Van Deventer, Bubliszllied by McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, in 19 2.

It will be understood, however, that the plurality of signaling means may comprise some other signaling means thanthe harmonic frequencies just described. It may comprise the line-to-ground-system disclosed on page .175 of Telephonology above referred to, or the directcurrent-pulsating-biased-bell-system referred to on page 179 of Telephonology, or the high and low frequency system referred to on page of Telephonology, or in fact, any system in which there are a-plurality of signaling means at the central station" adapted either'by difference in the characteristics of the signaling current, or a difference in the strength and/or polarity thereof, or by reason of a diiference in any other manner, to enable such sources to selectively operate signal means located at the sub-sets. Therefore, the inventive concept herein disclosed comprisesthe utilization of whatever signaling means is present in the exchange to either ring the bell at the sub-set or operate, or start, or stop a phonograph instrument located thereat.

Referringto Figure 1, it will be observed that no special apparatus is necessary at the exchange, the circuits shown being of the general type in extended use for manyyears.

Referring to Figure l,-the numeral II] denotes a subscribers line hereinafter termed the calling line, and II and l I the wires of a subscribers line hereinafter termed the called line. The line and cut-off relays, line lamp and associated equipment is omitted in connection with line i0, but these parts are shown in connection with the called line I I I. It will be understood that line H) has the same equipment and that it operates in the usual way.

The operator's cord circuit is of any type and the various parts and their operation is well known.

Assuming that the calling line It) has called: The operator places the answering plug i2 in a jack of line H, H, depresses the listening key l3 and answers the call in the usual manner; upon being told that line H, H, is wanted, the operator then places the calling plug M in jack II and depresses the proper ringing key, say l5, thereby connecting |6 cycle ringing current to the called line via the plug l4. If machine ringing is used to operate the ringer at the telephone instrument |6 connected to the called line, it will ring at intervals until the called subscriber answers, whereupon the supervisory lamp I! in the calling cord will be extinguished.

If th called line is equipped with a phonograph, the jack or jacks connected thereto at the central office will be suitably marked as shown at |8, which the operator notes when making the connection, and should the called subscriber fail to answer, the supervisory lamp I! so indicating, the operator may then notify the calling subscriber by depressing the listening key I3 and saying: They do not answer, but there is a recording phonograph connected to the telephone and if you wish to leave a message, I will connect you; and if the calling subscriber so desires, the operator then depresses one of the ringing keys,-say W' -thereby connecting the 66 cycle ringing current to line H (any frequency can be used except that used to operate the ringer 20 at telephone l6, as just described). The 66 cycle current flowing in the circuit of the called line will operate the relay l9 responsive to this current only, and unafiected by the current used to operate the ringer 20.

When relay i9 closes contacts I9 IS", a circuit is established from the source of alternating current 23 (which may be the usual house lighting circuit), via conductor 24, winding 25 of a control relay 25, contacts 2|, 22, through contacts 26, 21, of cam switch 38, via contacts 28, 29, on ringer 20 to the other side 3|] of the source of current 23 (one side of the A. C. source of current 23 is shown grounded at merely to simplify the diagram).

The relay contacts 2|, 22, also close a. circuit through the phonograph motor 3| which begins operation.

Relay 25 has an additional pair of normally open contact 32, 33, which complete a circuit from line II, II, through one winding 34 of a repeating coil, the other winding 35 of which is connected to the input and/or output circuits of the phonograph driven by motor 3|. As the winding 34 forms a path for direct current from line H to ll, the supervisory relay 36 in the calling cord will operate and extinguish the supervisory lamp H. The supervisory lamp 3! in the answering cord is extinguished as the calling subscriber on line II! has the receiver off the hook. Thus both supervisory lamps in the cord circuit are extinguished during the operation of the phonograph.

The calling subscriber now speaks the message he wishes to record, and the voice currents travel in the usual manner over line it], through the connecting cord circuit and via line II, H through the winding 34 of the repeating coil and via winding 35 to the talking circuit of the phonograph. These circuits (not shown) contain the usual recording and reproducing means such, for example, as an amplifier and a cutter and pickup, acting in the usual way to record and reproduce speech upon the record being driven by the motor 3|. While these talking circuits could be connected directly to the line wires II, H it is preferable to use a repeating coil so that the circuits can be properly matche for impedance, etc.

When the calling subscriber on line If) hangs his receiver on the hook, thus operating the supervisory relay in the answering side of the cord circuit, supervisory lamp 3! will be illuminated and the operator knows the recording is completed. The operator thereupon depresses key I5, thus sending 16 cycle current out over line II, II. This operates the ringer 20 and opens contacts 28, 29, thereby opening the circuit through the winding 25 of relay 25 which opens the two sets of contacts 2|, 22 and 32, 33. The latter contacts open the circuit through the repeating coil winding 34, which releases the supervisory relay 36 in the calling side of the cord circuit and illuminates the supervisory lamp thereby notifying the operator that the phonograph has been disconnected from the line The contacts 2|, 22, open the circuit through the phonograph motor 3|, which ceases operation.

Thus a number of short messages can be recorded on the phonograph record. Such 8" records will record a total of about five-and-one-half (5 /2) minutes conversation. Should the end of the record bereached, the cam switch 38 controlling normally closed contacts 26, 27, operated at the proper time by motor 3|, will open the circuits from the A. C. source 23 through the motor 3| and the winding 25 of relay 25, thus disconnecting the motor and opening all contacts on relay 25. This opens the circuit through winding 34 on the repeating coil and operates the supervisory lamp i1.

The contacts 26, 21, may be so arranged that once opened, they will remain open until the cutter arm is moved, which it is necessary to do to place a new record blank on the phonograph. A detailed description of the operation of such a cam switch is given in the co-pending application before mentioned.

It will be noted that the normal operation of ringer 20 does not affect the operation of the phonograph which does not operate until relay 25 is operated. After the phonograph is started by relay 25, it may then be stopped by the actuation of the ringer 20. Thus the operator at the central office can stop and start the phonograph at will except when the record is exhausted and cam switch 38 is operated, at which time it would be impossible to start the phonograph until a record blank is placed thereon.

Also it will be observed that the operation of the phonograph does not affect the telephone l6.

- Should the subscriber here wish to answer while Condensers 39, 40, are placed in series with relay I9 and ringer 20 to render these opaque to direct current. If desired, these condensers can be combined into one three-plate condenser as shown at 4| in Figure 2, thus saving in space and equipment.

The contacts 28, 29, may be built into the usual telephone ringer, or can be applied thereto by means of an attachment constituting a circuit controlling device, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, wherein 2i) denotes the hammer of a ringer adapted to strike gongs 42, 43.

Suitably mounted on the frame of the ringer is the yoke 44 which is biased, as shown by spring 45 and operates the contacts 28, 29, 41. When the hammer is operated,the yoke is moved about the pivot 46 to cause one of the contact springs 29 to leave the contact 28, thus opening the circuit between 28 and 29, which circuit is normally closed.

If a make contact is desired, it is provided 'at 4'! and then when the ringer operates, a circuit is made between 29 and 41 for purposes hereinafter described in connection with Figure 10. The contacts can, of course, be operated by the armature 20 of the ringer, or in any other manner by the operation thereof, the showing in Figures 3 and 4 being merely illustrative of the broad idea.

Figure 6 shows an alternate form of operating circuit for the phonograph. Here the ringer 20R has two armatures 48, 49, the former carrying the bell hammer 20 and being responsive to a certain frequencysay 16 cycles-and the other responsive to some other frequency-say 66 cycles. The operation of this circuit is in all respects identical with that shown in Figure 5, except relay I9 in said figure is omitted.

Figure 7 shows an alternate form of operating circuit for the phonograph. Here the ringer 20 has in a normally closed circuit with its contacts, the winding of a holding relay 50 and the low-voltage winding 5| of a transformer, the other winding of which is connected to a source of A. current as shown. When the ringer 20 is operated, opening its contacts 28, 29, the relay 50 closes its contacts 52, 53. This completes a circuit from theA. 0. current source 23 through the heater coil 54 of a thermal relay having the normally open contacts 55, 56. adjusted that it will not close its contacts except after a predetermined number of machine ringing periods of current application have been made to ringer 29, which controls the circuit therethrough. In other words, this comprises a time delay mechanism and the operator can 011- erate the ringer 29 in the usual manner for a period ofsay one-half /2) minute, without it applying sufiicient current to the coil 54 to cause contacts 55, 56, to close. This enables the operator to operate the ringer 23 in the sub-set in the usual way.

.But if the called subscriber does not answer,

. the operator may so inform the calling subscriber,

and then if he desires to record, the operator again applies ringing current to ringer 2Ilior a sufilcient time to cause coil 54 to heat up and close its contacts. This operates the relay 25 which via contac opens the circuit through coil 54. Relay 25 locks itself in circuit with the current supply 23 as shown, via contact 58; armature 59 and contacts 60 and GI and the contacts 26, 21, of cam switch 38, thus starting the mo- Contacts 32, 33, on relay 25 also close the cir- This relay is so with preceding figures.

the record, as previously described.

With this circuit, the operator only starts the phonograph. It may stop itself by the operation of cam switch 38 controlled by motor 3I, at the end of a predetermined period, and then is automatically re-set in position awaiting the next call.

Any other suitable time-delay device can be employed other than that described here by way of illustration.

Figure 8 shows an alternative form of operating circuit for the phonograph. Her the ringer 20 has in series with its normally closed contacts 28, 29, a manually operated switch 62 in series in the circuit through the winding 63 of relay 64. A second winding 63 on this relay is connected to line I I via the condenser 65 and contacts 66, 61, on key 62. As the windings 63, and 63 are in inductive relation, the hum of the cycle current from transformer winding 5| will be reproduced in the winding 63 and imposedon the line II, II, so that the operator plugging into this line is immediately informed by th hum (the listening key I3 being thrown) that the subscriber is not at the telephone but has thrown switch 62 and, therefore, the phonograph is ready to receive a message. In all other respects this circuit may be like the ones previously described, the inventive concept here being the provision of the signal tone-thrown on the line'via switch key 62 (without operating the line lamp I I to notify the operator that the subscriber is away from the telephone and the phonograph is connected to receive messages.

Figure 9, an alternate form of circuit, shows the signal tone impressed on the line via a separate coil, the winding I53 of Figure 8 being omitted.

contact 33 in circuit across lines I I, I I with the condenser 68 and a winding 69 of a repeating coil having another winding I0 adapted to produce a distinctive signal tone produced by any suitable means such as interrupter H, the local circuit of which is controlled by contacts on switch 62 as shown.

With the circuit Figure 9, when the operator plugs in the line, the signal tone will be heard and this may be diiferent from the 60 cycl tone occurring with the circuit shown in Figure 8, which tone may be confusing to the operator, as it could be caused by induction or from other causes.

Upon hearing the signal tone, and learning that thecalling subscriber desires to record, the operator depresses the 66 cycle key I5 and operates relay I9 which starts the operation,of the phonograph as previously described in connection When relay 25 operates the signaltone circuit across lines II, Il is opened.

The phonograph is stopped by the operator operating ringer 20, or by the cam switch 38, as previously described.

Manual switch 62 is opened when it is not desired to use the phonograph.

Figure 10 shows an alternate form of, circuit using a commercial form of interlocking relay, shown within the dotted line I2 in position awaiting a call. When in this position, the subset is used in the ordinary manner.

Upon leaving the telephone, the subscriber closes switch 13 which completes a circuit from line H to line. Ila through the winding 14 of the signal-tone repeating coil, said winding being in inductive relation with winding 15 containing a suitable interrupter 15 for producing the tone. Wh the operator plugs into the line, this tone willfiye heard, thereby notifying the operator that he instrument has been set to record.

The operator now depresses key I511 thereby operating the relay l9 which closes its contacts momentarily, thereby completing a circuit from the A. C. source 23 through winding ll of the rev lease magnet 18 of relay I2. This draws the locking armature 19 of the right and releases the operating armature 80. Armature 80 contacts with BI and completes a circuit from the A. C. source 23 through motor 3| of the phonograph.

Contact 82 leaves contact 83, thereby opening the circuit from line H to Ila through winding 14, and re-establishing a circuit from line H via contact 84 through the winding 34 of the repeating coil, and the recording proceeds as previously described. I

At the termination of the recording, the phonograph either stops itself via the action of cam switch 38 under the control of motor 3|, or the operator stops the motor by depressing key l5 thereby operating ringer which closes contacts 29-41 thereby completing a circuit from the A. C. source 23 through winding This pulls armature 80 downward and same is held down by the locking armature 19. The contacts 80-81, 82--8384, are thus operated and the circuits are restored to waiting position, as shown in the figure.

While the telephone instrument I6 is shown only in Figure 5, it will be understood that this telephone instrument comprises the usual transmitter, receiver, hook-switch, induction coil, ringer 20, and condenser 39, maybe connected across the line circuit shown in any of the other figures and that the talking circuits of this instrument may be varied within wide limits.

However, it will be noted that in many installations the telephone instrument is portable and of the so-called French phone or Monophone type, in which theringer is located in the cradle or base of the instrument on which the handpiece comprising the transmitter and receiver is supported, and in connection with the operation of the phonograph instrument, some of the circuits Figures 5 to 10 inclusive, it is necessary that the circuitts to the contacts on the ringer be brought out of the Monophone. In Figure 5, dotted line 85 encloses the parts of the telephone instrument proper and it will be seen that a four conductor cord is necessary in order to bring out the necessary circuit connections. The four conductors of this cord are indicated by the numerals 86 to 89 inclusive. Eighty-nine (89) is shown as a ground connection for the sake of clarity, but it will be understood that it connects to one side of the A. C. source of current 23. It will be apparent from a study of the diagram that an ordinary four conductor cord can be used and that existing sub-sets equipped with two or three conductor cords can have their ringers equipped with contacts to operate in the manner herein described, using an ordinary four conductor cord to complete the circuits into the.

Monophone and that this conversion is easily done without removing the sub-set from the subscribers premises. Such telephones may, therefore, be connected without changing their external appearance, and when so converted their regular use and portability is not impaired. They may still be used on a table or desk in the usual manner, as they do not have to be physically associated or positioned in any particular way in respect to the associated phonograph.

Figure 11 shows how the sub-sets, generally indicated by the numeral 90, may be connected to the phonograph instrument, generally denoted by the numeral 9i, the four, conductor cord 92 oi a proper length being employed, the phonograph instrument 9| being equipped with suitable binding posts or terminals for the four conductors 86 to 89 inclusive of the cord 92 as Well as the terminals 93, 94, for the incoming telephone line wires II and H andthe terminals 95, 96, for the line wires 30, 30 leading to the local A. C. current source which may be the usual 110 volt lighting circuit commonly found in residences.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the installation of a phonograph to be associated with a telephone instrument is comparatively easy. It is customary to place the two instruments within easy reach of each other as the subscriber must manipulate the switches on the phonograph instrument such as the switch 62 and must also place record blanks thereon from time to time; although, it is obvious that the phonograph instrument 9| could be located, for example, in one room and the telephone instrument 90 in another, the instruments being connected together by suitable circuit wires, as shown in Figure 11.

While throughout this specification the phonograph has been described as used for recording only, it will be obvious that if the phonograph is equipped with a talkout record-that is to say, arranged to first deliver a message before recording onethat upon the operation of the phonograph, it would first deliver to the calling Ill subscriber any message that the called subscriber has left on the record in the instrument, and then, after having delivered said message, the phonograph would record any message the calling subscriber would care to leave. Such a phonograph instrument is described in detail in the co-pending application hereinbefore mentioned, and as the instant application is limited to the circuits and instrumentalities necessary to control the phonograph the construction of that instrument per se is not described in detail.

Obviously, the ringer 20, or 29, rthe relay 64 of Figure 8, with their associated condensers such as 39 or 65, can be made part of the phonograph equipment 9!, in which event the conductors 88 and 89 coming out of the Monophone are dispensed with and the Monophone would have the ordinary two conductor cord containing conductors 86, 8'1, in which event the Monophone would be equipped with an ordinary ringer and the functions herein described in connection with 20 or 20 would then be performed by equivalent relays. These relays, of course, would have the necessary resistance and impedance to be opaque to the voice currents flowing in the telephone line and would have no effect thereon.

In the event that the ringer of the sub-set is not used to control the phonograph instrument, then obviously when a phonograph instrument is placed alongside an existing sub-set no changes whatever need be made in the latter as the phonograph instrument is merely bridged across ,cluding said contacts, a source of current and means for operating a phonograph, a phonograph the telephone line. All of the equipment necessary to operate the phonograph is then mounted in one cabinet such as that indicated at St.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telephone system having a central office, a telephone line circuit connected thereto, a telephone instrument connected to said line circuit, a sound device associated with said telephone instrument, means connected to said line circuit and controllable from said central office for connecting said device to said line circuit, and means controllable from said central office associated with said device for disconnecting same from said line circuit.

2. In a telephone system having a central office equipped with a plurality of signaling means having difiering characteristics, a telephone line connected to said office, said line having a telephone instrument connected thereto including signal receiving means responsive to one of said signaling means, a sound device, means under control of another of said signaling means for connecting said device to said line, said device being thereafter disconn'ectable by theoperation of said signal receiving means.

3. In a telephone system including a central office having a plurality of signaling means, a telephone line connected to said central ofiice, said line having a telephone instrument connected thereto, a sound device, means connected to said line and under the cont-r01 of one of the signaling means at the central ofiice for connecting said sound device to said telephone line, and means forming part of said telephone instrument for disconnecting said sound device from said line, said last means being operable by another of said plurality of signaling means at said central ofilce.

4. In combination with a telephone line, a signaling device connected thereto, a condenser in series with said device, a circuit controlling device connected to said condenser, and a sound device controlled by said last device.

5. In combination with a telephone line, a signaling device connected thereto, a condenser in series with said device, a circuit controlling device connected to said condenser, and a sound device controlled by said devices.

6. In combination with a telephone line, a circuit controlling device connected thereto, a condenser having a plate connected to said line and another plate connected to said device, a second circuit controlling device connected to said line, a third plate in said condenser connected to said last device, and a sound recording device controlled thereby.

7. In combination with a sub-set having a ringer, a circuit controlling device associated with said ringer and actuated thereby, and 'a sound recording device having a motor serially included in circuit with a source of current and said circuit controlling device.

8. In combination with a sub-set having a ringer, a circuit and a circuit controlling device therein associated with said ringer and actuated thereby, a sound recording device having a motor serially included in circuit with a source of current and said first device, and a second circuit controlling means operable independently of said first means connected to said first circuit to control the same.

9. In combination with a telephone line, means including a telephone ringer connected to said line and having contacts mechanically actuated by the movement of said ringer, a circuit inincluding a motor driven from said current source and controlled by said last means, and means controlled by said phonograph for disconnecting said motor from said current source. v

10. In a telephone system, a central oiiice hav ing sub-set signaling means thereat, a telephone line connected to said office, a phonograph connected to said line, means adapted to be operated by said signaling means for starting said phonograph, and means for stopping said phonograph including a source of current independent of said signaling means and operable independently thereof.

11. In a telephone system, the combination with a telephone line, of a sub-set having a ringer, contacts controlled by said ringer, a phonograph instrument spaced apart from said subset, and circuit connections extending between said sub-set and said phonograph-instrument whereby the latter is controlled by the operation of said ringer.

12. The combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein the sub-set is of the portable type having the ringer in the base of the set, and the latter is connected to the phonograph instrument via a flexible conducting cord, whereby the subset is movable-independently of the phonograph instrument and usable independently thereof while remaining electrically connected thereto.

13. In a telephone system, a telephone line circuit, a phonograph connected to said line cir-- cuit, a telephone instrument connected to said line circuit, and means in said phonograph and telephone instrument for conjointly controlling the operation of said phonograph by means of current received via said telephone line circuit.

14. The combination as claimed in claim 13 wherein the means in the telephone instrument for controlling the operation of the phonograph instrument includes a telephone ringer.

15. The combination as claimed in claim 13 wherein the means in the phonograph instrument for controlling the sameincludes a relay, the'contacts of which control the driving motor of said phonograph.

16. In a telephone system, a telephone line, a relay device connected thereto having two separate armatures responsive to currents of difiering characteristics, a sub-set signal operated by one of said armatures, and a phonograph controlled by the operation of the other armature.

17. The combination as claimed .in claim 16 wherein the armature operating the sub-set signal also controls the operation of the phonograph.

18, Ina telephone system, a telephone line, a telephone instrument connected to said line, a phonograph instrument, a repeating coil having a winding connected to said phonograph instrument, said coil having a second winding, and means responsive to incoming current over said line for connecting said second winding thereto.

.19. The combination as claimed in claim 18 including means responsive to incoming current over said line for disconnecting said second winding therefrom.

20. In combination with a telephone line, a condenser and a relay having a winding in series with said line, a pair. of contacts adapted to be operated by said relay, a control relay having a pair of normally open contacts in series with said first relay contacts, said control relay contacts adapted when closed to complete a circuit through the winding thereof, the contacts of said first relay and a source of current, a third relay and condenser in series with said line, said third relay having a pair of normally open contacts serially included in circuit with said control relay winding and said source of current, and a repeating coil having a winding in series with a second pair of normally open contacts on said control relay and said line, and a phonograph inductively coupled to said repeating coil winding.

21. In combination with a telephone line, a condenser and a relay having a winding in series with said line, a pair of contacts adapted to be operated by said relay, a second relay having a winding in series with said contacts and a source of current, a circuit including a pair of contacts on said second relay, a heater coil and said source of current, a pair of contacts thermostatically controlled by contacts operated by said heater coil, a circuit including said last contacts, said source of current and the winding of a control relay, and a phonograph controlled by contacts on said last relay.

22. In combination with a telephone line, a condenser and a relay having a winding in series with said line, a pair of contacts adapted to be operated by said relay, a second relay having a winding in series with said contacts and a source of current, a circuit including a pair of contacts on said second relay, a heater coil and said source of current, a pair of contacts thermostatically controlled by contacts operated by said heater coil, a circuit including said last contacts, said source of current and the winding of a control relay, a phonograph controlled by contacts on said last relay, and a repeating coil having a winding in series with said telephone line and a contact on said last relay.

23. In a telephone system having a central ffice, a telephone line, a phonograph, and means partly at said central oflice and partly at said phonograph for physically connecting the talking circuits of said phonograph to said line and starting the operation of said phonograph.

24. In a telephone system having a central office, a telephone line, a phonograph, means partly at said central ofiice and partly at said phonograph for physically connecting the talking circuits of said phonograph to said line and starting the operation of said phonograph, and means controlled by the operation of said phonograph for disconnecting the same from said line after a predetermined time interval.

25. In a telephone system having a central office, a telephone line, a phonograph, means partly at said central office and partly at said phonograph for physically connecting the talking circuits of said phonograph to said line and starting the operation of said phonograph, and means partly at said central oifice and partly at said phonograph for stopping the phonograph and disconnecting the circuits of same from said line.

26. In a telephone system having a central office and operator, a telephone line, a phonograph, and means under the control of said operator for physically connecting the talking circuits of said phonograph to said line and starting the operation thereof including time delay means at the phonograph.

27. In a telephone system having a central oifice and operator, a telephone line, a phonograph, means under the control of said operator for physically connecting the talking circuits of said phonograph to said line and starting the operation thereof including time delay means at the phonograph, and means controlled by the operation of said phonograph for stopping and disconnecting the same from said line after a predetermined time period.

28. In combination with a line circuit, a phonograph, means for connecting said phonograph to said line circuit operable by current flowing in said line circuit, a power circuit including a motor for driving said phonograph controlled by said means, and means at the phonograph for impressing a signal tone on said line circuit when said phonograph is not in operation.

29. In combination with a line circuit, a phonograph, means for connecting said phonograph to said line circuit operable by current flowing in said line circuit, a power circuit including a motor for driving said phonograph controlled by said means, and means at the phonograph for impressing a signal tone on said line circuit when said phonograph is not in operation, said last means being under the control of said first means.

30. In combination with a line circuit, a phonograph, means for connecting said phonograph to said line circuit operable by current flowing in said line circuit, a power circuit including a motor for driving said phonograph controlled by said means, means at the phonograph for impressing a signal tone on said line circuit when said phonograph is not in operation, and means for disconnecting said phonograph from said line and connecting said signal tone thereto.

31. In combination, an interlocking relay having an actuating winding and a release winding and having an operating armature and a holding armature, a source of current connected to both said windings, contacts adapted to be actuated by said operating armature when said actuating winding is energized, control means in circuit with said current source and said actuating winding for completing a circuit to cause said winding to operate said contacts, a repeating coil. a first circuit serially including a line circuit. some of said contacts and a winding of said coil, a second circuit including other of said contacts and a motor, means for actuating said control means including current flowing in said line circuit to cause said actuating armature to move thereby operating said contacts, said armature being held locked, once current has been applied to its coil, said first and second circuits being held open by said contacts when said armature is in locked position, a second control means serially included in circuit with said source of current and said release winding, and means for actuating said second control means to close a circuit through said release winding and withdraw said holding armature to release and permit said operating armature to close the contacts in said first and second circuits,

32. The combination as claimed in claim 31 wherein said operating armature acts to close contacts and establish a signal tone circuit to impress a signal tone on the lin circuit when the contact controlling said first and second circuits are open.

33. In combination, a line circuit, a control relay having a winding connected to said line circuit, contacts on said relay adapted to control a motor circuit, a second winding in inductive relation to said first winding, means for impressing a signal tone on said second winding, a second control relay having a winding connected to said line, and contacts on said last relay for controlling said signal tone.

HARRY R. VAN DEVENTER.

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