US2386263A

US2386263A - Facsimile telegraph system and apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2386263A
Application number: US445690A
Authority: US
Inventors: Garvice H Ridings; Raleigh J Wise
Original assignee: Western Union Telegraph Co
Current assignee: Western Union Telegraph Co
Priority date: 1942-06-04
Filing date: 1942-06-04
Publication date: 1945-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 1962-10-09

Description

Oct. 9, 1945. s. H. mamas ET AL 2,386,263

FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS G H. RIDINGS RJ. WISE RNEY Oct. 9, 1945.

G. H. aromas ETAL FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 HHIIHII INVENTORS G H RIDINGS R.J.W|SE

ATTORNEY Oct. 9, 1945. e. H. renames ETAL 2,386,263

FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS 2m G.H.RIDINGS R.J.WISE l4 BY ATTORNE 1945- s. H. RIDINGS ETAL 2,386,263

FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Fild June 4, 1942 "r Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG, 8

INVENTORS G.H.RIDINGS R.J.W|SE BY Oct. 9, 1945.

G. H. RIDINGS ETAL FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. l3

ATTORNEY INVENTORS G. H. RI DI NGS R. J. WISE I L ,LT -1 I I I- I n [L2 I I I II B l IAC IN I I ,A I 5 I I I z I I g I I 2 IL I ,9 I 1 I 1 25 I I I I I 71: I I I 25I\ 388 I l l .u I El 286 384 I I I 248 279 I I k I I I I 276 I I 21a I I g I I I 1264 I I 253 I I I I I I I L Oct. 9, 1945. s. H. RIDINGS ETAL 2,336,263

FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVERTER AMPUHER AMPLFIER TO FIG.I3

212 mvsmoas u G. H.RIDINGS R .J. WISE Patented Oct. 9, 1945 2.386.283 racsmm-z rsmonarn svs'rnm m mam-ms Gal-vice H. Ridings, Summit, and Raleigh J. Wise, Dunellen, N. 1., asslgnors to The Western Union Telegraph Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 4, 1942, Serial No. 445,690

Claims.

This invention relates to automatic facsimile telegraph systems and apparatus. and has particular reference to a facsimile telegraph system in which means are provided for selecting a desired automatic recorder and transmitting a message or plurality of messages thereto.

. The novel system disclosed hereinafter as an important part of the present invention comprises a transmitter station employing an automatic facsimile transmitter and a plurality of receiver stations each employing an automatic self-loading recorder. The system is so arranged that any one of these recorders may be selected for reception of a message from the transmitter, and means are provided for automatically sending one or more copies of the message. A signaling device is included at each receiver station for sending to the transmitter station a predetermined identifying code to notify the operator at the transmitter station of the selection of the desired receiver station. This return or answer-back signal is or may be modified to indicate to the operator at the transmitter station that a previously transmitted message has been received by the proper person. It will be understood that the term message as used herein may refer to written or printed matter, pictures and drawings, or any other subject matter to be reproduced by the facsimile process. The system of this invention is particularly useful for railroad dispatching service, but its usefulness is not limited to this particular field.

An object of the present invention is to provide for transmission from an automatic transmitter to one of a plurality of automatic selfloading recorders, this communication being obtained by a selective process.

A further object ls-to provide an improved automatic facsimile telegraph receiver capable of being selected for communication purposes and of being controlled from a remote point such, for example, as a transmitter station.

Still another object is to provide an answerback arrangement whereby a selected receiver station automatically transmits a set of predetermined identifying signals.

Still another object of the present invention is to modify the answer-back signal so as to furnish information to the operator at the transmitter station.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide for predetermining the number of times transmission of a given message will be automatically repeated.

those skilled in the art and are accomplished by the present invention, one embodiment of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a facsimile transmitter for use in the system. of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary transverse section on line 2-4 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view on line 3-3 of P18. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view on line 4-4 of Fla. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation of an automatic facsimile receiver for use in the system of this invention, certain of the parts being removed for the sake of clearness oi illustration;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on line 8-4 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 1-1 of Fig. 8 and illustrates a detail;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 8-! of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 8-4 of Fig. "I;

Fig. 10 is a partial section on line l|ll0 of of Fig. 5;

Fig. 11 shows a recording blank for use in the machine of Fig. 5;

Fig. 12 is a wiring diagram showing one circuit arrangement for a transmitter adapted to control the selection and operation of any one of a number of receivers from the transmitting end of a communication circuit;

Fig. 13 is a wiring diagram showing one circult arrangement for selecting and conditioning a receiver for operation; and

Fig. 14 is a wiring diagram showing one circuit arrangement for controlling and operating the receiver.

The system of this invention comprises a transmitting station employing a transmitter Ill (Figs. 1, 2 and 12), a communication circuit L composed of line conductors LI and L2, a plurality of receiv- 8 stations at each of which is a selector and control mechanism It, diagrammatically shown by F sand a recorder M. the essential mechanical parts and electrical wiring of which are shown by Figs. 5 to 10 and 14. The transmitter may be installed at any point on a railroad line, for example, in the dispatcher's omce or in a railroad station, and the recorders may be placed in small, weather-proof houses along the railroad line at These and other objects will be apparent to f varying distances from the transmitter. The

transmitter il in the illustrative embodiment oi the system is similar to the sell-loading transmitter disclosed in Patent No. .2 granted to R. J. Wise et al. on November 11, 1941. The transmitting station is provided with a conventional impulse dialing mechanism I, which is common in telephone practice. and a special rotary switch il, shown in Figs. 1 to 4, for rendering the dialing mechanism efl'ective and for predetermining the number of copies which are to be automatically transmitted to a recorder selected by manipulation of the dial l. The recorder It may be similar to the recorder disclosed in the copendlng application of R. J. Wise et al., Serial No. 389,164, filed April 18, 1941. The structural and circuit details of the recorder not disclosed at the present time by an issued patent will be described hereinafter for the sake of completeness of this disclosure.

The conductors Li and L2 of the communication circuit L are used simultaneously for the transmission oi alternating current facsimile signals or message impulses, and, also, the direct current control signals by which the selection of the recorder and the operation of the transmitting and recording apparatus is controlled. The facsimile signals originate in the transmitter at the photoelectric cell is (Fig. 12) which is connected to an amplifier it, the output circuit or which is connected through a pair of clocking condensers II to the conductors LI and L2. The purpose of the blocking condensers is to isolate the alternating current facsimile signals from the direct current control signals. At the receiving station the line conductors are connected to a signal inverter II and an amplifier 22. A transformer II couples the amplifier to the recording circuit.

The polarity of the direct current potentials which are applied to the conductor Ll is controlled by apparatus at the receiving station for the purpose oi operating a polar relay ll connected to this conductor at the transmitting station. Similarly, the polarity oi the direct current potentials. which are applied to the conductor L2. is controlled by the apparatus at the transmitting station for the purpose of operating a polar relay II, forming a part of the selector apparatus. and a polar relay II oi a selected receiver. Each of these polar relays is of the threeposition type whereby the tongue is moved to one extreme contact in response to one polarity oi potential. to the other extreme contact in response to the opposite polarity of potential. and to a mid-position disengaged from both oi the extreme contacts in response to a tic-current condition.

Although Figs. 13 and 14 o! the drawings show only two recorders I 4 and Ila. it will be understood that a number of separate recording stations, each provided with a selector mechanism II, may normall be connected to a single communication circuit. The selector and control mechanism Ila associated with the recorder its is identical with the mechanism It.

In the present invention, the transmitter II at the transmitting station is located in a box or housing 21 adapted to be mounted on any suitable support such. for example. as a wall or pedestal. The mechanical features and details of the transmitter selected for purposes 01' illustration are similartothosedisclosedandclaimedlnlatent No. 2,202,715, above-mentioned, and reference is I made thereto for a detailed mechanical description. In the present disclosure. electrical circuit details necessary to a complete understanding of this invention are shown by Fig. 12. A slot 18 (Fig. l) accessible from the front of the box 21, is connected with a chute 20 which extends to a point adjacent a message scanning cylinder Ill adapted to be driven through suitable gearing (not shown) by a synchronous or other speedcontrolled motor 3!. The scanning cylinder, the motor and the remaining parts or the transmitter mentioned hereinafter are diagrammatically shown in Fig. 12 01' the drawings. The photocell I8, the exciter lamp 33 and the associated optical mechanism are mounted on a scanning carriage 34, which is movable longitudinally of the rotary cylinder Iii to scan a message thereon. A light chopper I8 driven by a motor 31 forms a part of the scanning mechanism.

The scanning carriage II is moved longitudinally oi the cylinder III in any known manner by a rotary feed screw driven by the synchronous motor 3! and adapted to be connected to the carriage by a half-nut which is brought into engagement with the feed screw by the armature oi! the half-nut operating magnet 38. The slot 28 giving access to the chute 29 is normally closed by a closure slide ll connected to the end of the armature 42 of a chute closure magnet II. A spring 44 holds the slide in the chute closing position when the magnet is deenerglzed. The scanning cylinder lll is preferably provided with a circumterentlal series or sheet holding teeth similar to the sheet holding teeth of the recorder shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing and the issued patent referred to above. These teeth engage a message sheet 41 led downwardly through the chute 2! and cause it to be wrapped in position around the cylinder 3!, as diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 12. As described in the above-mentioned patent, the sheet is preferably so formed as to require being inserted in the chute in the way necessary to insure its being properly positioned on the cylinder for correct transmission of the message subject matter. It will be understood. however. that any known means for securing the sheet on the cylinder 30 may be employed. when the sheet 41 is on the cylinder, it closes the contacts of a switch is. When no message sheet is on the cylinder, the operating arm Is for the switch II is accommodated by a groove in the cylinder 30.

when a message sheet on the cylinder II is to be removed, it is stripped from the cylinder by a stripper blade formed on or by the armature of a stripper magnet ll. Details or a similar stripper blade are illustrated by Figs. 5 and 8 of the drawings. The dimensions or the message sheet I! are such that a gap is left between the edges of the sheet that is wrapped around the cylinder. The message sheet is stripped from the cylinder by energizing the magnet 5i which moves the stripper blade into position against the cylinder so that its edge slips under the edge 01' the message sheet and peels it from the cylinder. when peeled from the cylinder, the sheet mererably falls into a bin or the like where it remains until collected by an authorised person having access to the bin through a locked closure or the like.

The copy selecting and starting switch I! of the present invention provides a means for automatically transmitting a desired number of copies to a recorder selected by the dial mechanism It and the selector and control mechanism It. The switch II is secured by lu s II to a channel member ll carried by the frame 01 the transmitter ll.

A shaft I0, rotatably mounted in the top plate member 31 of insulating material and a bottom member 03, carries a bridging contact wiper arm 50 which engages a series of contact studs 6|. A brush arm 32 slides on a collector-ring 03 and is electrically connected to the wiper arm 00. The brush arm and wiper arm are insulated from the shaft as shown. The range of movement of the wiper arm is limited, in the illustrative embodiment, to six contact studs by a stop arm 8 which engages the posts 33 separating the plates 31 and II. The upper portion of the shaft projects above the sloping top 01 of a cover member 00 and is provided with an operating knob or handle 00. A dial in the form of appropriate markings I2 cooperates with a pointer I3 formed on the handle I! or other suitable means to indicate the position of the wiper arm 33.

To provide for advancing the wiper arm 50 one step upon completion of a scanning operation, a ratchet wheel H having ratchet teeth I8 is secured to the shaft 50. A jockey roller ll carried by an arm 10 pivoted at 00 is pressed into the notches between the ratchet teeth by a sprin 10. The free end 3i of the pivoted armature 82 of a stepping magnet 33 is positioned to press against the flank of a tooth I3 of the ratchet wheel without interference from the adjacent flank of the next succeeding tooth when the masnut 03 is energized to advance the shaft angularly by an amount equal to the angular spacing between the ratchet teeth. A spring 04 biases the armature out of engagement with the ratchet wheel. When the stepping magnet 83 is deenergized, the wiper arm 39 may be manually moved over the contact studs without interference from the armature 32. A spring 30 keeps the end ll of the armature in positive laterally.

A pair of openings or windows 00 in the front of the box 20 is provided with

signs

31 and 83 for giving information concerning transmission of the message to the operator of the transmitter II. The signs are indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 12 and are illuminated at appropriate times by lamps l0 and iii controlled and operated by electrical circuits to be described hereinafter.

The recording apparatus shown in detail i Figs. to may, as stated above. be inst lled at outlying points or stations more or less remote from the transmitter I0, and these receiving stations need not have an attendant present when a message is received and stored in them. The recorder I4, which is identical with the recorder a and other recorders connected to the c mmunication circuit L, comprises a supoortin frame 03 having forwardly projecting side wal s II and a front panel 03 mounted on hinges 91, permitting the panel to be swung o en to give access to the mechanism mounted within the frame and also on the inner face of the panel. Anv suitable fastener or look 00 may be employed to secure the panel in c osed operative position. The. paper feed mechanism supported by the panel includes a roll 33 of individual blanks IOI supported, preferably in overlapping relationship as shown in Fig. 6. on an elongated belt I02 of any suitable material, the end of the belt bein secured to a mandrel I03. The belt nd supp r-ti blanks are rolled together around the mandrel to form the blank supply roll 00.

The opposite ends of the mandrel I03 are supported in inclined slots n reel supporting b ck t arms I mounted on the inner face of the hin ed panel I. A rod I01 extends betw en the arms and is engaged by the face of the supply reel.

As the reel is reduced in diameter through use, the mandrel will slide down the inclined slots, keeping the face of the reel in contact with the rod I01, which thus serves as a brake to prevent over-running of the wheel after movement of the belt has ceased. A guide plate I00 extends across the width of the reel and is pivotally supported along one edge on a pivot I00. The other edge rests on the reel under the run of the belt as it is drawn off. The plate prevents any blank from following the reel rather than being drawn 08 with the belt. A pair of guide strips III directs the blanks across and over an idle roller II2 rotatably supported by brackets II4 near the top of the panel 90. From the idler roller N2 the belt I02 passes downwardly around a second idler roller H3 rotatably supported by brackets Ii'I, through an elongated opening H0 adjacent the bottom edge of the panel, and from there to a belt take-up reel II! rotatably mounted on the spaced arms I2I of a bracket secured to the supporting shelf I22 provided at the bottom of the panel 00 on the outside. The take-up reel is received in slots I23 in the bracket arms I2I. With the above-disclosed arrangement of pivoted guide plate I00 and guide strips III, it is not necessar. to overlap the blanks on the supporting belt of the supply reel in order to feed them across the roller I I2, as the plate and strips insure this operation, Nevertheless, even when the plate and strips are employed, it will usually be preferable l to overlap the blanks in order to provide as many blanks as possible with a given length of belt. The arrangement of the plate I00 and inclined slots in the bracket arms I00 is such that the plate remains substantially tangent to the supply roll at all times.

The take-up reel may be driven by any suitable mechanism such, for example, as a motor I20 mounted on the outside of the panel 33 above the reel and operatively connected to it through gearing I20. The motor shaft I21 extends above the motor housing and is provided with a fan or the like I23 for ventilating and cooling the housing.

A third idler roller I20, generally similar to the idler roller H2, is mounted in brackets ill at the bottom of the panel 00 adjacent the panel slot IIB. An endless belt I32 passes over the vertically spaced idler rollers H2 and I20.

It will be apparent that the belts I02 and I32 form the moving side walls of a chute having stationary end walls I33 secured to the panel 00. The recording blanks pass down the chute to the recording mechanism which lies beneath. As illustrated. the belts diverge slightly from top to bottom. Obviously, operation of the take-up reel I I9 unwinds the belt I02 and the associated blanks from the supply reel 99, drawing them over the upper idler roller H2 and the belt I32, these parts moving together. As indicated in Fig. 6, unwinding of the belt I02 and the blanks NI releases the latter one at a time, permitting them to drop into position to be delivered to the recording cylinder under control of a phasing or framing impulse or other signal. This position is definitely determined by stops in the form of ledges I" at the lower ends of stop flnge. i3? extending downwardly from the shelf I22. A pair of cooperating fingers i30 extending downwardly from the bearing brackets ill is located to one side of the stop fingers I31 and guides the lower edge of the blank into engagement with the stops I33.

A recording cylinder I39 is mounted on a shaft Hi rotatably supporte'd in the side walls 00 of 'wall 88 through which it extends.

the frame 88. The shaft Ill is rotated from any suitable source of power such as a motor I42 through worm gearing I82. A circumferential series of blank holding teeth I extends around the cylinder I88 near one of its ends and projects beyond its periphery a sufficient distance to pierce a blank and hold it on the cylinder in the manner described hereinafter and in the patent referred to above. The shape of the individual teeth may be varied, but a more or less saw-toothed shape has been found to be satisfactory. The transmitter cylinder 38 (Fig. 12), as stated previously, is also provided with teeth similar to the teeth I.

A peripheral groove I88 is formed in the cylinder and receives a finger I41 secured to a rod I88 rotatably mounted in the adjacent frame side The projecting end of the rod I88 carries a switch actuating arm I88 for operating a switch I5I mounted on the side wall. A torsional spring I52 surrounding the rod I88 has one end secured to the frame side wall and the other to a collar I53 which is fastened on the rod I88 for normally pressing the finger I81 into the slot I88. Obviously, when a blank is in position on the cylinder I88, the finger I81 is held out of the groove I88, thus raising the switch actuating arm I48. The function of the switch I8I will be described in connection with a description of the operation of the entire system disclosed by Figs. 12 to 14 of the drawings.

A blank IIII, which is in the position shown in Fig. 8, with its lower edge resting on the ledges I38 of the two stop fingers I31, is delivered to the rotating recording cylinder I88 at the desired moment by a pusher mechanism which is illustrated as being composed of grooved rollers I84 rotatably supported on one end of a frame I58 connected to the projecting end of a core I81 of a solenoid I58 biased by tension springs I88 away from the recording cylinder. The rollers are grooved to accommodate the fingers I81. When the solenoid I58 is energized, in this instance through the medium of a phasing pulse received from the transmitter, the grooved rollers I88 are projected against the adjacent edge of the blank I8I, forcing it against the teeth I of the rotating cylinder which pierces the blank and draws it onto the cylinder.

A frictionally driven contact brush I8I (Figs. 7 to 9) cooperating with a stationary commutator ring I82 of insulating material having a contact segment I88 controls the time of energize.- tion of the solenoid I88 in accordance with the phasing pulse received from the transmitter. The insulating commutator ring I82 is secured by suitable fastening means, such as the screws I88. to the inside surface of the left hand side frame 84. The brush (8| is mounted on a ring I88 which is adiustably secured to the driven member I88 of a frictional driving device by screw I88 (Fig. 9) projecting through arcuate slots I88. The driving member of the frictional driving device is in the form of a sleeve or bushing I18 which receives a collar I1I secured thereto by a set screw I12. The sleeve I18 is slotted at I88 to receive a set screw I81 which secures the sleeve I18 and th collar I" to the shaft "I. The collar I1I maintains two friction members I18 and I88 in frictional driving engagement with the driven member I88 and the ring I88, respectively, by compression of a spider-shaped spring member I88. The driven member I88 is provided with a stop arm I18 which projects radially so as to engage the pivoted armature I18 of a clutch releasing magnet I18 (Fig. 5) secured on a bracket I11, which depends from the side frame 84. The angular position of the brush I8I with respect to the stop arm I18 is adjustable by loosening the screws I88. The sleeve I18 with its assembled parts may be adjusted axially of the shaft III by loosening the set screw I81.

A presser roller I18 (Fig. 6) is rotatably mounted on a stem I18 projecting outwardly from a bracket arm I8I supported on the side frame 84. A spring I82 draws the roller I18 yieldingly against the face of the cylinder to hold a blank I8I against twisting when it is stripped from the cylinder.

As soon as a blank is removed from the ledges I88 of the stop fingers I 81 and is delivered to the recording cylinder upon occurrence of a framing pulse, the take-up reel I I8 is operated, drawing the belt I82 oil the supply roll 88 until the next blank is deposited on the stop finger ledges. This serves to stop further operation of the takeup reel in a manner now to be described. The mechanism for controlling the operation of the take-up reel H9 through its motor I28 is shown in Figs. 10 and 14 as comprising a photocell I88 located in a housing I84 hung below the shelf I22 on the hinged panel 88. A lamp I88 for exciting the photocell is mounted opposite the photocell so that light directed from the lamp by a reflector I88, or other means, is cut of! from the cell by the presence of a blank on the stop fingers I81. This serves to open the circult of the take-up reel motor I24, as hereinafter described, and discontinues the feeding of another blank until the proper time.

A recording stylus I81 and its associated mecha'nism are mounted on and in a scanning carriage I88 which is supported for scanning movement longitudinally of the cylinder I38 on a rod IN by a beveled roller I82 mounted in a bracket I88 secured to the bottom of the carriage. An inverted U-shaped bracket I88 on the back of the carriage slidably embraces a guide rod I88. It will be apparent that the scanning carriage I88 can be easily removed from the machine merely by lifting it off the support and guide rods and be as easily replaced. The stylus I81 is connected by a wire I88 to the projecting end of the vertically movable armature I81 of a stylus magnet I88 also mounted on the scanning carriage III.

A half-nut I88 is located beneath the scanning carriage for vertical movement into and out of engagement with a feed screw "I, the latter of which is mounted for rotation in the frame side walls 88 and is driven from the shaft Ill of the recording cylinder I88 through gearing 282. A similar feed screw and half-nut is provided in the transmitter I8, as stated above. Other gears may be substituted for the gears 282 to vary the number of lines scanned per inch, and for this reason they are located in a readily accessible position on the outside of the frame.

Scanning movement of the carriage I88 occurs when a half-nut magnet 288 (Fig. 5), mounted on the carriage, is energized to shift the halfnut I88 into engagement with the feed screw 28I. Any conventional mechanism 288 such as that shown may be employed for operatively connecting the half -nut to the magnet armature. At the end of a scanning operation the half-nut is disengaged from the feed screw and the carriage returned to its original position at the left of Fig. 5 by a carriage return sprin 288 connected between the side wall 34 and the inverted U-shaped bracket IN secured to the carriage.

The circumference of the recording cylinder I39 is such that, when a blank 32 is wrapped around the cylinder for scanning, its edges overlap slightly to afford a smoother path for the stylus and to keep it from touching the cylinder. Each blank has a beveled corner 206 (Fig. 11) formed in such a way that, when the blank is on the cylinder. the bevel provides an open space between the edges at one end. This space per- Inits a stripping finger 201, extending upwardly from the armature 208 01' a magnet 23!, to be inserted through the open space and under a blank for the purpose of stripping it from the cylinder. The armature 233 is pivoted on a pin 2 and biased by a coil spring 2|2 into inoperative position. This magnet assembly is adiustably mounted in slots 2 in a bracket 2", the latter bein adjustably mounted by means of slots 2H on a hanger 2" below the frame 93. By this means the stripper finger is adjustable diametrically and longitudinally of the scanning drum. A chute or other receptacle 219 (Fig. 6) receives the mes sage blanks which are removed from the cylinder by the stripper finger. This chute may, if desired, be provided with a locked closure so that only an authorized person may have access to the recorded messages.

At the right hand end of the recording cylinder a guide plate 228 is provided for guiding the blank Illi as it is drawn onto the cylinder, and a circular guide strip 22! extends around a substantial part of the same end of the cylinder to keep the blank at that end from moving away from the cylinder.

Referring more particularly to Figs. and 6, the operation of the mechanical features of the recorder thus far described will be obvious. Assuming a blank to be in feeding position on the ledges i3i of the stop fingers I31, upon receipt of a framing impulse the magnet I58 is energized. causing the presser rollers F54 to be projected to the right in Fig. 6, pressing the lower edge of the blank into engagement with the rotating cylinder I39, the teeth I of which penetrate the blank and cause it to be wrapped around the cylinder with its edges overlapping except at the bevel 206. Removal of the blank from the stop fingers l3! uncovers the reflector Hi8, permitting the lamp I85 to excite the photocell I83 to close the circuit of the paper feed motor I24, causing the take-up reel to draw the belt I02 of! the supply roll 39 until the next blank has been released and drops onto the stop finger I31, cutting off light to the cell and discontinuing further blank feeding.

During the scanning operation the carriage i'eed screw 2III is rotated from the motor I42 through the cylinder drive shaft Ill and driving gears 282 to produce the necessary scanning movement 0! the carriage and stylus longitudinally of the rotating cylinder. Incoming fac-' simile signals cause the stylus to record the incoming messages on the blank in position on the scanning cylinder. When the scanning operation is completed, the half-nut is disengaged from the carriage feed screw. permitting the carriage to be returned to its starting position by the spring 234. Also, the stripper magnet 2" is energized, causing the stripper finger to strip the recorded blank from the cylinder.

It will be apparent that the entire blank reeding mechanism is mounted on the hinged front panel 86 and is readily accessible for adjustment or repair upon merely opening this panel. A safety switch 222 (Fig. 14) in the power line to the machine is operated to cut ofi power from the machine upon openin the panel.

In order that an attendant may be apprised of the fact that the supply of recording blanks is approaching the point of depletion, one expedient which is contemplated is the inclusion in the series of blanks of one having a different marking or color than the others. Such a colored blank may be placed in the supply roll so that it will be followed by a predetermined small number of other blanks before the supply is exhausted. Upon noting the appearance of such a distinctively colored blank, the attendant may make preparations for the substitution of a new supply roll of blanks in time to prevent the recorder from becoming disabled by reason of the exhaustion of the supply of recording blanks.

The operation of the system will be described in conjunction with Figs. 12 to 14 of the drawings taken together. It is assumed that the equipment shown by these three figures is idle and that the alternating current bus bars A and B at the transmitting and receiving apparatus are connected to a source of power. An operator at the transmitter desiring to send one or more copies of a message to one of the recorders ll operates the handle Oil of the copy selecting and starting switch 11 to the position marked "dial," operating a relay MI by reason of a circuit extending from the B bus bar through the collector ring 53, the brush arm 82, the wiper arm 59, one of the contact studs GI, and the winding of the relay 224 to the A bus bar of the alternating current supply. A make contact 226 of the relay 224 causes energization of a relay 22] from the bus bars A and B.

The closure of the make contact 223 or the relay 22? connects the A bus bar oi the alternating current source to a secondary bus bar which is labeled A. Connected between the bus bar A and the bus bar B are the exciter lamp 33, the driving motor 3| for the scanning cylinder 30 and the feed screw for advancing the carriage, which houses the optical scanning apparatus, and, also, the motor 31 for driving the light chopper disc 32. Also, a rectifier 229 for providing direct current signaling potentials is connected to the alternating current source. It is presumed that the amplifier I! is at all times conditioned for operation. The exciter lamp 23 being energized, an unmodulated carrier current of maximum amplitude is generated by the reflection of the light from the 7 cylinder 30 and is transmitted over the conductors oi the communication circuit L to be employed at the selected receiving station in a manner to be described.

Another make contact 23I on the relay 224 energizes an impulse producing dialing relay 232 from the bus bar B through the impulse producing contacts 233 of the dial mechanism I3 to the secondary bus bar A. The make contact 235 of the dialing relay 232 connects the line conductor L2 to the negative pole of the rectifier 229 by way of the break contact 231 of a relay 238 and the break contact 235 of the ground transfer relay 238. The relay 238 is deenergized at this time, since the tongue of the polar relay 2! is in its midposition. The relay 233 is also deenergized, since the circuit for its operating coil is open at a break contact 2" of the relay 221.

The dialing mechanism I3 is manipulated to transmit impulses to the polar relays 25 (Fig. 13) M ths recorders on the communication circuit L in accordance with the predetermined code to select the recorder 14 with which communication is desired. These impulses in the nature 01' interruptions oi the negative potential applied to L2 at the tongue and make contact 222 of the relay 222 operate the mechanism of a selector 242 (Fig. 13) irom the tongue and contact 5 of the associated polar relay 25. The selector 242 is oi the well-known Gill selector type which operates in response to the predetermined series of signals to close a set of contacting elements such as 244. The contacting elements 244 are normally open and close only after the operating coil 242 01 the selector has been energized and deenerglaed in a predetermined manner in accordance with a predetermined series of signals. Power for operating the mechanism of the selector 242 is obtained through a rectifier and filter combination 241 from an alternating current source which is connected to the alternating current bus bars A and B of Fig. 13.

Upon completion oi the dialing operation, the contacting elements 244 or the selector 242 are closed to energize a relay 242 from the alternating current bus bars. The first relay tongue and make contact 221 of the relay 242 connects the alternating current source to the recorder l4 by way or the operating coil of a load responsive relay 252 from which the circuit may be traced from Fig. 13 into Fig. 14 as a continuation oi the bus bar B to'the amplifier 224 and by way of switch 222 to the bus bar A. After the cathode heaters and filaments or the vacuum tubes in an amplifier 254 (Fig. 14) are heated, the alternating current signal generated in the photocell i2 and applied to the line conductors LI and L2 through the condensers 22 causes operation of a relay 2" from the output of this amplifier. Through a make contact 251 of this relay the input circuit of a vacuum tube 222 is energized to cause plate current to fiow in the plate circuit thereof, thereby energizing a relay 2M connected in series with the output circuit of the tube. The closure oi the make contact 262 of this relay connects the bus bar A through the panel saiety switch 222 to a conductor 222 which energizes the driving motor I42 for the recording cylinder 12! and the carriage feed screw 2M. The resulting increased flow 01' current in the operating coil of the relay 252 (Fig. 13), due to the operating load 01 the recorder l4, causes this relay to operate so that its tongue and make contact 224 bridges the tongue and make contact 22l oi the relay 242, permitting this last-named relay to be de-energized in a manner to be explained, without shutting down the recorder 14.

With a recording blank lfli on the ledges I26 oi the stop fingers I21 in readiness to be applied to the recording cylinder I22, the positive pole of a suitable source of direct current signaling potential is connected to the line conductor Li through the break contact 222 01' the blank supply control relay 21l, the break contact 212 of a relay 212, and the break contact 214 of the relay 2". A code disc 212 (Fig. 13) driven by a motor 211 identifies the selected recorder l4 by means of code teeth 212 which operate a pair of contacts 212 connected in the line Ll. The disc 212. for each recorder connected to the communication circuit L, has a distinctive number and/or positioning of the teeth 212. A condenser 221 provides a path for the alternating current generated in the photocell II of the transmitter ill.

At the transmitting station the tongue of the polar relay 24 vibrates against the contact M in response to the positive potential on line Ll to sound the answer code on a, buzzer 224 or other desired signaling device. The energizing circuit for the buzzer extends from the A bus bar through the tongue and contact M oi the polar relay 24, a make contact 222 of the relay 224 to the B bus bar. The code signal which is received from the selected recorder i4 assures the operator at the transmitting station that he has obtained communication with the desired receiver.

It will be assumed that he desires to transmit two copies of a given message to the selected receiver and therefore the copy selector switch l1 will be moved from the Dial position to the No. 2 position. This will release relay 224 and relay 222. The de-energlzatlon of relay 222 will remove the negative potential from the line L2.

The effect at the recorder of the removal of the negative potential from line L2 is to center the tongue of the polar relay 2!, thereby opening the contacts 244 of the selector 242 to re.-. lease the relay 242. The code motor 211 stops and the interrupter contacts 212 are short-circuited at a, break contact 222 of the relay 242.

De-energization of the relay 224 which, as just explained, occurred upon moving the switch II to the No. 2 position, connects the contact M of the polar relay 24 to the chute magnet 42. The chute magnet is energized at this time from the bus bar A, through the contact M or the polar relay 24, the break contact 2 of relay 224 and a break contact 22l of a relay 222 to the bus bar B. The tongue of the polar relay 24 is on its M contact because of the positive potential applied to line Li in the manner explained above. The Deposit message" sign '1 is illuminated by the lamp 22 connected in parallel with the operating coil of the chute magnet 42. Energization of the chute magnet 42 withdraws the closure 4| from the upper end of the chute 29 so that the message sheet 41, having a previously inscribed message thereon, may be inserted therein, after which it is conveyed by gravity to the scannim cylinder 22.

As soon as the message sheet 41 is mounted on the scanning cylinder. the switch 42 is closed. thereby energizing the relay 222 which causes de-energization oi the chute magnet 42 and extinguishes the "Deposit message" lamp 22. Thus the chute is closed to prevent the insertion of other sheets. Energization of the relay 222 connects the bus bar B to one terminal of the half nut magnet 22 through a make contact 224 of the relay 222. The other terminal or the half nut magnet is connected to the bus bar A" through the break contact 2 oi the relay 224 and the contact M of the polar relay 24. The half nut engages the feed screw thereby imparting scanning motion to the carriage 24 containing the scanning apparatus. The lamp II is connected in parallel with the winding of the half nut magnet which becomes illuminated to illuminate the e being transmitted" sign 22. The closure oi a make contact 228 of the half nut magnet 22 connects the positive terminal oi the rectifier 222 to the line L2 through the break contact 221 of the relay 222, a break contact 221 of the relay 222, a break contact 222 of a relay 222, and a make contact 221 of the relay 222. The relay 222 was energized at the break contact 241 01' the relay 224 upon movement oi the copy selector switch 11 from the Dial position.

At the recorder the tongue of the three-position polar relay 20 connected to the line conductor L2 moves to the contact M in response to the positive potential applied to the conductor L2 upon energization of the transmitter half nut magnet 33. The winding of a relay 303 is thus connected between the bus bars A and B and consequently is energized to operate its contacts. A make contact 304 of relay 303 is connected to shunt the break contact 239 of the relay 2' for a purpose to be fully described is scanned to generate an alternating current signal having a minimum amplitude. Reception of this signal at the recorder momentarily deenersizes the relay 25G, permitting closure of a break contact 3i. A circuit is thus completed for operation of the brush arm stop magnet H6 and extends from the positive terminal of a conven lent source of direct current through a break cntact ill of a relay 3l3, the magnet ili, break contact Iii of the relay 256, and the make contact 32! of the relay 303, to ground. The armature lli oi the magnet H6 is moved from engagement with the stop arm ill for the frictionally urged framing brush iii, and allows the framing brush to make one revolution. Durin this revolution the relay 3H is energized from the direct current source, the break contact 318 o! the relay 3", the segment I63, and the brush ill to ground. The closure oi a make contact 323 of the relay 3 locks this relay so that upon reoperation oi the relay 256 in response to alternating current signals having amplitudes greater than the minimum amplitude, the relay Ill is maintained energized independently of the relay 2". The break contact 309 of the relay 3H de-energizes the transformer 307 and extinzuishes the light I85 temporarily. The closure of a make contact 324 of the relay 3 completes a circuit from a source 321 of direct current through the winding of the phasing magnet I58. This magnet actuates the rollers I54 which force the blank l0l into a position where it is gripped by the teeth I or the recording cylinder l3! and is thus wrapped around the cylinder in position for recording. The removal of the blank ill from in front of the photoelectric cell M3 does not produce any result at this time because the light I" is extinguished. As soon as the advancing edge of the recording blank reaches the arm I", the switch l5l controlled thereby is closed. This operation connects the windin of the relay 3i! between the bus bars A and B, thereby operating the contacts of this relay. The opening 01' the break contact 3i8 deenergizes the relay ill, but connected in parallel with the winding of this relay is a condenser 32! which is of sufficient size to delay the release of the contacts of this relay until the recording blank is completely mounted upon the recording cylinder I33. After this operation has been completed the contacts of the relay 3 are released, thereby deenergizing the phasing magnet I58. The closure of the break contact 303 of the relay 3H again energizes the transformer 301 and operates the light I05 to excite the photoelectric cell I83, thereby energizing the input circuit of a vacuum tube 33L Connected in the output circuit of this tube 33l is the relay 2' which thus becomes energized to close its make contact 333, thereby connecting one terminal of the blank feed motor I24 tothe bus bar B. The other terminal of this motor is connected through the make contact 262 of the relay 2lil and the switch 222 to the A bus bar. The operation of this motor con veys one of the recording blanks llli from the supply roll 93 into a position to be mounted subsequently upon the recording cylinder, in which position the light falling upon the photocell I83 is interrupted. The vacuum tube 33l thereupon becomes inoperative, releasing the relay 2' to stop the motor I24. Release of the relay 2ll permits positive direct current potential to be connected through the break contact 259 of the relay 2ll, through a break contact 212 of the relay 2l3, and through the make contact 210 of the relay 26l, to the line conductor LI. as stated above, to provide the acknowledging signal.

The opening of the break contact 265 of the relay 2' in response to operation of the vacuum tube 33I opens one circuit from the positive source of potential. However, this potential is not disconnected irom the line conductor Ll by reason of the shunt path provided through the make contact 304 of the relay 303.

The operation of the relay 3|! in response to the mounting of the recording blank upon the cylinder I39 completes a circuit from the bus bar A through a make contact 342 of this relay, through windings of the half nut magnet 203 and the stylus magnet I38 in parallel, to the bus bar B. The stylus I8! is thus moved into recording position in contact with the blank I0! and the half nut is moved into engagement with the feed screw, thereby imparting a scanning movement to the carriage.

As the facsimile signals generated at the transmitter are received at the recorder, they are applied, after inversion and amplification, to the recording blank for the reproduction of the subject matter being scanned at the transmitter. These signals also are applied to the relay 256, which will vibrate as the amplitude of the signals varies between maximum and minimum values, but the closure of the break contact 3l6 of this relay is ineiiective to operate the relay 3i i, since the operating circuit of this relay is open at the break contact 3IB of the relay 3". The opening and closing of the contact 251 of relay 256 alternately energizes and tie-energizes the input circuit of the vacuum tube 258, but this circuit is provided with means for delaying the de-enerEiZatlon thereof during the interval of time that the contact 251 is open. This is accomplished by providing a condenser 343 connected between the grid of the tube and a source of negative potential. When the contact 251 is closed, this condenser is charged to a potential whereby the input circuit of the tube is energized. As soon as the contact 25'! is opened, the charge on the condenser begins to dissipate through a leak resistor 344 and after the lapse of a predetermined time, the potential of the grid of the tube becomes sufficiently negative with respect to its cathode that the plate current is reduced to a value which is insuflicient to maintain the relay 26l operated. However, the values of the condenser 343 and the leak resistor 3 are chosen so that the plate circuit of the tube 253 draws sufllcient current during the normal operation of recording that the relay 281 remains operated.

At the transmitter, when the carriage 34 containin the scanning apparatus has advanced to the end of its movement, a normally open switch 341, operated by the carriage, is closed, thereby closing a circuit from the bus bar B through the winding of the relay 293, and a normally closed carriage operated switch 343, to the bus bar A. Relay 299 is thus energized and locked at its make contact 349 to open its break contact 298 and thereby disconnect the positive potential from the line conductor L2. Closure of the contact 348, in addition to locking the relay 293, energizes the stepping magnet 33 of the copy selecting switch 11 to step its contact arm 59 from the No. 2 stud to the No. 1 stud.

At the recorder, the disconnection of positive potential from line conductor L2 disengages the armature f the polar relay 26 from its right hand contact M and thereby opens the operating circuit for the relay 303. The release of this relay closes a. circuit from positive potential, through a make contact 350 of the relay 3H, the winding of the relay 335, and a break contact 351 of the relay 303, to ground. Operation of the relay 335 closes a circuit through its make contact 352 to connect the winding of the blank stripping magnet 209 between the bus bars A and B. The sheet containing the recording is thus removed from the cylinder I33, permitting the switch III to open. Relay 319 is thus released and the closure of a break contact 353 of this relay completes a circuit from the bus bar A through a make contact 354 oi? the relay 336, through the winding of the relay 213, and a break contact 356 of a relay 351, to the bus bar B. Relay 213 is thus operated and locked through its make contact 353. When the relay 213 is energized and locked through its own contact, positive potential is removed from the line conductor Ll.

It will be noted that the operating circuit of the stripping magnet 289 includes the make contact 352 of the relay 336, which, at the time that the relay 3!!! is released by the opening of switch l5! controlled by the recording sheet, is de-energized by the opening of the make contact 350 of relay 3H3. However, a condenser 383 is provided in parallel with the winding of the relay 336 which delays the release of its contacts until after the sheet had been completely removed from the cylinder.

The removal of the positive potential from the line conductor Ll produces a response at the transmitter by the polar relay 24 whereby the armature of this relay is disengaged from its contact M to de-energize the half nut magnet 33, thereby opening the contacts 298 and permitting the return of the carriage 34 to its original position.

Energization oi the relay 213 (Fig. 14) also connects negative potential through the break contact 385 of the relay 3H3, the make contact 351 of the relay 213 and the make contact 214 of the relay "I to the line conductor Ll.

At the transmitting station, the negative potential connected to the line conductor LI eflects operation of the tongue of the polar relay 24 to its contact S. The normally closed carriage operated switch 348 is opened upon return of the carriage 34 to its starting point which causes the relay 239 to be unlocked. The bus bar A is connected to the winding of the relay 238 which is connected to the B bus bar via a break contact 388 or the relay 239. It is to be noted that the relay 238 cannot operate until the carriage 34 has returned to the starting position and the relay 283 has been released by opening oi the switch 348. A make contact 3H 01' the relay 238 connects the negative pole of the direct current signaling source 289 to line conductor L2. The pole changing relay 233 is disconnected from the bus bar A at the contact M of the polar relay 24.

At the recorder, in response to the negative potential on L2, the tongue of the polar relay 28 engages the contact S. A circuit is thus closed for operation of the relay 381 through a break contact 310 of the relay 338, the latter being de-energized at this time. Opening of the break contact 388 of the relay 351 opens the locking circuit for relay 213, thereby releasing this relay. The opening of the make contact 381 oi. the relay 213 removes the negative potential from the line conductor Ll. Positive potential is restored to the line conductor Ll from the break contact 283 of the relay 211.

The tongue of the polar relay 24 at the trans mltter is engaged with its contact M. In this manner the half nut magnet 30 is again energized and transmission of the message will be repeated since the relay 282 remains energized because of the presence of the message sheet 41 on the cylinder 30 thereby maintaining one terminal of the half nut magnet 33 in communication with the bus bar B. The positive terminal of the rectifier 228 is again connected to the line conductor L2 in the manner explained above.

In response to the positive potential on the line conductor L2, the tongue of the polar relay 26 again engages the contact M to energize the relay 303. The blank in position on the ledges I36 is applied to the recording cylinder ill in register with the message sheet 41 at the transmitter. The relay 3l8 is operated to energize the stylus magnet I38 and the half nut magnet 203.

At the end of the second transmission of the message inscribed on the message sheet 41, the carriage operated switch 341 is again closed to energize the relay 203 and thereby disconnect positive potential from the line conductor L2. The blank stripping magnet 203 at the recorder is energized by reason 0! the centering of the tongue of polar relay 28 which de-energizes the relay 303 in the manner described above.

Energization of the relay 288 at the transmitter also steps the contact arm ll of the copy selecting switch 11 from the No. l stud to the 012" stud. A circuit is thus established from the bus bar A through the winding of the sheet stripping magnet II and the contact arm 33 to the bus bar B. As soon as the message sheet 41 has been removed from the cylinder, the switch 48 is opened, de-energizing the relay 232. One circuit for the relay 221 extending between the bus bars A and B is broken when the contact arm 88 leaves the No. 1 contact stud. This relay remains energized, however, through a make contact 314 of the relay 232 until this last-named relay is de-energized following removal 01' the message sheet from the cylinder. De-energization of the relay 221 disconnects power from the machine by opening the connection from the bus bar A to the bus bar A.

The scanning apparatus which is de-energized upon release or the relay 221 no longer supplies carrier current to the line conductors LI and L2.

At the recorder the absence of carrier current causes release of the relay 2", and at a predetermined time following release of this relay, the timing apparatus associated with the input circuit of the vacuum tube 25! becomes effective to open the plate circuit and causes release of the relay 2". Opening of the contact 262 of this relay disconnects the bus bar A from the driving motor I 42 and the primary winding of the transformer ill, and unlocks the relay an. In this manner power is disconnected from the recording apparatus and it is restored to its idle condition. The loadresponsive relay in of the selector and control mechanism II (Fig. 13) will be released when power is disconnected from the recorder I so that in order to connect power to this recorder again, it will be necessary to repeat the dialing and selecting process described above.

As a result of the operation of the transmitter II and the recorder It Just described, two copies of the message inscribed on the message sheet 4'! 'will have been deposited in the chute 2!! adjacent to the cylinder I of the recorder Ill. The person or persons for whom these messages are intended will remove them from his chute and operate a relay 3" by moving its operating knob 31'! to the left as viewed in Fig. 13. This closes a pair of contacts 318 to energize a holding magnet 379 which attracts the armature 380 to maintain the contacts 318 and an additional pair of contacts Ill closed. A piece of insulating material 382 secured to the supporting spring for the armature Ill and the handle member 31'! operates the relatively movable contact of each of the pairs of contacts 318 and 38! respectively. A cam disc Ill, which is driven with the disc 216 from the motor 211, is provided with a cam projection 384 for closing a pair of contacts 388 once for each revolution of the disc in the example shown. The contacts 38!, when closed, bridge the cam operated contacts 386 across the cam operated contacts 219. The angular relationship between the cams 216 and 383 is such that the latter will not in any way alter the signal produced by the former but will add its own characteristic signal. In the example shown, the contacts 386 will add a long dash to the series of dots produced by the contacts 219. A push button may be employed to operate the relay 316, or if secrecy is desired, a switch operated by means of a key may be employed. Also, if desired, the relay 316 may be operated by a switch arranged to be operated when a closure for the bin H9 is opened to gain access to the copy or copies of the received messages. This switch will be effectively locked against unauthorized operation in installations in which the closure is provided with a key or combination lock. The relay 3" may also be used to indicate to the operator at the transmitter that the supply of blanks ilil is low or is exhausted, or other desired information may be furnished.

At any time following transmission of a message to a selected recorder, the operator at the transmitter may check pick-up of the message at the recorder by dialing the same recorder. No message need be sent to shut down the recorder after it has been selected for this purpose. If the relay has been operated at the recorder the identifying code followed by a long dash will be received. When the operator is satisfied that the message has been picked up, the selected recorder may be shut down by moving the switch 41 to any one of the numbered positions. This will release the relay 248 (Fig. 13) at the recorder in the manner described above. A break contact 388 of this ter, a plurality of recorders, a communication circuit for providing facsimile communication between said transmitter and said recorders, selective means one at each of said recorders responsive'to a predetermined coded calling signal for placing the recorder associated therewith in operative condition for facsimile reception, and means at said transmitter for initiating transmission of a message to a recorder when it is selectively placed in operation.

2. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorder interconnected for communication, each having a sheet supporting cylinder and means for conveying singly a succession of sheets to the respective cylinders, means for operatively conditioning said transmitter to generate a carrier current, selective means at said recorder operativeiy to condition said recorder, and means responsive to said carrier current to maintain said recorder in operative condition.

3. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorder interconnected for communication, means for operatively conditioning said transmitter to generate a carrier current, means capable of operation to transmit a coded signal to said recorder, selective means at said recorder responsive to said coded signal operatively to condition said recorder, means at said transmitter for disconnecting said coded signal transmitting means while maintaining said carrier current generating means in operation, and means responsive to said carrier current to maintain said recorder in operative condition.

4. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorder interconnected for communication, respective sources of power for said transmitter and said recorder for synchronous operation thereof, means for connecting said transmitter to its source of power to render it operative for facsimile transmission by generating an alternating current, means at said transmitter for sending a coded signal to said recorder, selective means at said recorder responsive to said coded signal for connecting said recorder to its source of power to render it operative for facsimile reception, and other means at said recorder responsive to said alternating current to maintain said recorder operative.

5. In a facsimile system, a transmitting machine and a recording machine interconnected for facsimile communication, one of said machines having a sheet supporting cylinder, means for holding a sheet on said cylinder, means for locating a sheet in predetermined feeding position adjacent said cylinder, and adjustable means responsive to a predetermined operation of the other of said machines for applying a sheet in feeding position to said cylinder to be engaged by said sheet holding means.

6. In a facsimile system, a transmitting machine and a recording machine interconnected for communication, said transmitting machine having apparatus for scanning subject matter, said recording machine having a blank supporting cylinder, means for holding a blank on said cylinder, means for locating a blank in predetermined feeding position adjacent said cylinder and framing means responsive to said scanning apparatus at a predetermined point in a cycle of operation for applying a, blank in feeding position to said cylinder to be engaged by said sheet holding means, said framing means comprising a stationary contact and a rotatable contact rotating with said cylinder and being adjustable in angular position with respect to said cylinder whereby to vary the time of applying said blank in feeding position with respect to said predetermined point in the cycle of operation of said scanning apparatus.

'7. In a facsimile system, a transmitting machine and a recording machine interconnected for communication, said transmitting machine having apparatus for scanning subject matter, said recording machine having a blank supporting cylinder, means for holding a blank on said cylinder, means for locating a blank in predetermined feeding position adjacent said cylinder and framing means responsive to said scannin apparatus at a predetermined point in a cycle of operation for applying a blank in feeding position to said cylinder to be engaged by said sheet holding means, said framing means comprisins a stationary contact and a movable contact, said movable contact deriving its movement from said cylinder and being adjustable in position with respect to said cylinder whereby to vary the time of applying said blank in feeding position with respect to said predetermined point in the cycle of operation of said scanning apparatus.

8. In a facsimile system, a transmitter and a recorder, each having a scanning mechanism, means operable intermittently to convey a succession of single sheets to the mechanism of said recorder, means for operating said transmitter through a transmitting cycle and said recorder through a recording cycle to transmit and record a message and means operative automatically upon the completion of a transmitting and recording cycle to effect a repetition of said transmitting and recording cycles whereby said message may be transmitted and recorded a plurality of times.

9. In a facsimile system, a transmitter and a recorder. each having a scanning mechanism, means operable intermittently to convey a succession of single sheets to the mechanism of said recorder, means for operating said transmitter through a transmitting cycle and said recorder through a recording cycle to transmit and record a message, means operative automatically upon the completion of a transmitting and recordin cycle to effect ,a repetition of said transmittin and recording cycles whereby said message may be transmitted and recorded a plurality of times and means for predetermining the number of successive scanning operations of said transmitter and recorder.

10. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorder interconnected for communication, means at said transmitter for generating and transmitting a coded signal to said recorder, selective means at said recorder responsive to said signal for starting said recorder, means for operating said transmitter through a transmitting cycle and said recorder through a recording cycle to transmit and record a message, means operative by said transmitter upon the completion of said transmitting cycle to transmit a signal to said recorder to terminate the recording cycle and means responsive to the termination of said recording cycle to restart said transmitter for a repetition of said transmitting cycl whereby said message may be transmitted and recorded a plurality of times.

11. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorder interconnected for communication, means at said transmitter for generating and transmitting a coded signal to said recorder, selective means at said recorder responsive to said signal for starting said recorder, means for operating said transmitter through a transmitting cycle and said recorder through a recording cycle to transmit and record a message, means operative automatically upon the completion of a transmitting and recording cycle to cause a repetition of said transmitting and recording cycles, and presettable means at said transmitter actuated upon each repetition of said transmitting cycle, said presettable means being operative upon a predetermined number of actuations thereof to terminate operation of said transmitting mechanism.

12. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorder interconnected for facsimile communication, means at said recorder operable to produce a repeat signal, a stepping switch at said transmitter, means for manually setting said switch to any desired position away from its home position, said switch being responsive to said repeat signal from said recorder so as to he stepped towards the home position with each successive operation of said repeat signaling means and means operative by said stepping switch when it reaches said home position to eiiect stopping of said transmitting mechanism.

13. In a facsimile telegraph system. a transmitter and a recorder interconnected for facsimile communication, means operable at said transmitter to produce and end-of-message signal, means at said recorder operable in response to said endof-message means for transmitting a repeat signal to said transmitter, and a stepping switch at said transmitter responsive to said repeat signal from said recorder to be stepped toward the circuit opening position with each successive operation of said end-of-message signaling means, means for presetting said switch a variable number of steps from said open circuit position and means operated by said switch when it reaches said open circuit position for interrupting operation of said transmitter.

14. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter, a plurality of recorders, a communication circuit interconnecting said recorders with said transmitter, selective means at each of said recorders responsive to a coded signal from said transmitter for connecting the recorder with which said selective means is associated to said communication circuit, means at said transmitter for producing coded signals, a combined switch at said transmitter for starting said transmitter and rendering said coded signal generating means operable for use when said switch is in one position, and control means for causing said transmitter to operate to transmit subject matter to a selected recorder when said switch is in another position.

15. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter, a plurality of recorders, a communication circuit interconnecting said recorders with said transmitter, means at said transmitter for producing coded signals, selective means at each of said recorders responsive to a predetermined assume 1 1 coded slsnal from said transmitter or connectativc when said switch is in another position for causing said transmitter to operate to transmit facsimile subject matter to a selected recorder and means operative when said switch is in a third 5 position to render said transmitter inoperative.

GARVICE H. RIDINGB. RALEIGH J. WISE.

. D i scLAiMER 2,386,263. Gar-vice H. Ridings, Suminit, and Raleigh J. Wise, Dunellen, N. J.

FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYs-rmu AND Arrsna'rvs.

Patent dated Oct. 9,

1945. Disclaimer filed Oct. 31, 1945, by the assignee, The Western Union Telegraph Company.

Hereby enters this disclaimer of claim '5 in said patent.

[Qflic'ial Gazette December 11, 1945] assume 1 1 coded slsnal from said transmitter or connectativc when said switch is in another position for causing said transmitter to operate to transmit facsimile subject matter to a selected recorder and means operative when said switch is in a third 5 position to render said transmitter inoperative.

GARVICE H. RIDINGB. RALEIGH J. WISE.

FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYs-rmu AND Arrsna'rvs.

Patent dated Oct. 9,

Hereby enters this disclaimer of claim '5 in said patent.

[Qflic'ial Gazette December 11, 1945]