US2392726A

US2392726A - Call transmitter

Info

Publication number: US2392726A
Application number: US415336A
Authority: US
Inventors: Crocker Ralph
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1941-10-17
Filing date: 1941-10-17
Publication date: 1946-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 1963-01-08

Description

Jan. 8, 1946. R, CROCKER 2,392,726

CALL TRANSMITTER Filed Oct. 17, 1941 INVENTOR. BY Raoh Cracker Attorneys Patented Jan. 8, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CALL TRANSMITTER Ralph Crocker, Swampscott, Mass.

Application October 17, 1941, Serial No. 415,336

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to call transmitters and more particularly to units for operating the finger wheels of telephone call transmitters.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a call transmitter of the key controlled type which is of improved construction and arrangement and which is thoroughly reliable in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unit for operating the finger wheel of'a telephone call transmitter which may be readily attached to the associated telephone set.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a telephone set supporting a call transmitter embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a face view of the dial plate of the call transmitter; Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the digit keyscarried by the dial plate shown in Fig. 2, illustrating the operated position thereof; and Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the digit key shown in Fig. 3, illustrating the released position thereof.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, there isillustrated a conventional telephone set-l of the desk type carrying a conventional call transmitter II on the front of the base or pedestal thereof, the call transmitter l l comprising a casing 12, housing the usual impulse transmitting mechanism, and a finger wheel [3 secured to a rotatable arbor 14 extending into the casing 12 and forming a part of the impulse transmitting mechanism. Also, there is illustrated a unit 20 embodying the present invention which operates the finger wheel [3 of the call transmitter ll The unit 20 comprises a supporting standard 2| which is detachably secured to the telephone set It! justabove the pedestal and just below the cradle thereof by a clamping arrangement including two screws 22'. The standard 2| supports an electric motor 22 disposed directly in front of and in spaced relation with respect to the finger wheel I3 of the call transmitter ll. Preferably, the electric motor 22 is of the single phase, constant speed, synchronous type of conventional construction and arrangement, and is provided with an operating circuit including a source of single phase alternating current of commercial frequency, not shown, and a control switch 23 of the snap action type. More particularly, the electric motor 22 comprises a casing 24, housing the usual motor elements and speed reduction gearing, not shown, and an operating shaft 25 which projects through the casing 24. The casing 24 of the electric motor 22 is secured to the standard 2| by an arrangement comprising a screw 26 and a plate 21 directly carried by the casing 24.

Also, the unit comprises a substantially U- shaped bracket member 28 provided with two substantially parallel spaced-

apart arms

29 and 30. The arm 29 of the bracket 28 is secured directly to the finger wheel 13 and the arbor I4 of the call transmitter II. More particularly, the lower surface of the arm 29 carries two projections 3| which are received in two of the finger openings provided in the finger wheel l3 of the call transmitter ll. Also, the arm 29 has an opening formed therein which receives the outer end of the arbor M of the call transmitter II, a nut 32 being threaded on the outer end of the arbor I4 in order to retain the arm 29 securely clamped in its adjusted position with reference to the finger wheel I3and the arbor l4 of the call transmitter H,

' The arm of the bracket 28 carries a dial plate or disk 33 arranged above and in spaced relation with respect to the casing 24 of the electric motor 22, the dial plate 33 being secured to the outer surface of the arm 30 by an arrangement comprising a screw 34. The outer end of the operating shaft 25 of the electric motor 22 has secured thereto a gear 35 which is arranged below and in spaced relation with respect to the dial plate 33. The arbor M of the call transmitter H, the operating shaft 25 of the electric motor 22 and the center of the dial plate 33 are arranged in alignment along a common center line, for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter. v

The dial plate 33 has ten circular holes 34 formed therein adjacent the periphery thereof, the holes 34 being equally spaced apart about a major portion of the circumference of the dial plate 33 and disposed in an annular row. Adjacent each of the holes 34 and disposed inwardly with respect thereto, the dial plate 33 carries the usual indicia in the form of the numerals I, 2, 3, etc., and the letters ABC, DEF, GHI, etc., in accordance with conventional practice. the dial plate 33 carries ten digit keys IK to 0K, inclusivejwhich respectively cooperate with the ten holes 34 formed therein. a

Preferably, each of the digit keys IK, etc., is of conventional rocking-bar over-center toggle construction. For example, the digit key IK comprises a rocking bar 36 pivotally mounted on Further,

.the rocking bar 33 comprises an; operating projection or tab 40 disposed on one end thereof and a releasing projection or tab 4| disposed on the opposite end thereof.

It will be readily understood that when the elevatedoperating tab 40 is depressed'the rocking bar 36 is rotated in a clockwise direction 7,

about the cotter key 31 in order to cause the releasing tab 4| to be elevated and the" toggle arm 39 to b oscillated about its pivot toward the ear 35, the elements mentioned being "moved from the positionsshow'rrin Fig; 4 to the'positions Shaw-h 3 with a shap' action; 1 on the "other h'arfd,"wheir the elevatedreleasin'g' tab 4| is de-' rssedthe" rockingb'ar'flfi isrdtated in a counterclockwise dire'ction about the cotter key 31 in order 'tobause the operatingtab 40 to be'elevated the toggle arm 39'to"beosci1latedabouti'its pivotaway from the gear 35, the elements 'men ti'oned lbeing moved' "from" the positions shown in 31othepositions'shown in Fig. 4 with a'snap action. The 'lower'endofthe toggle arm 39 carribs projection "42' which adapted to engage and disengage the teethprovided; on the periphery of "the g earf-3 5 when the toggldarr'ri' occupies its respective" positionsshown in"Figs. 3 and 4. Accordingly,it will beunders'tood-that when the elevatedoperatirfg' tab w'of any' one of the digit kys-'- IK; 'etc.,""is "depressed the" releasing tab 4| thereof is elevated "and the toggle" arm 39- thereof isoscillat'edabout itspivot in order to movethe' projection- "42' into engagement with" the t'eeth' provided about the periphery of the gear' 35, wherebythe dial plate '33 is clutched to the gear 35 ;P *on the? other "hand;"when" the 'elevated 're leasing taib 4| of anywne'of'the digit keys I K, etcl i'si-depressed theoperating' tab 40 thereof is elevatedand the toggle arm 39 thereof is 'oscil late'd'ab'out its? pivot in order "to move the pro jebtion" "42 out of engagement "with' the teeth provided? about the periphery of the 'gear 35; wherebyrthedial plate '33 is declutche'd' from the ear:35, i v

"fll inally, the unit 20 comprises a substantially U-sh'a'ped rela'sing elment43' provided with two substantially parallel spaced-apart arms 44' and 45:?1'Th'e"arrn 44 o 1'tlie "re1easing' "element '43. is' disposed below the dial plate 33 and secured 'to the standard by" the screw 26', while; the arm 4570f: the'irel'easing element 43. is disposed above the dial plate 33iandtprovided with an upwardly turhed outer end: 146 overhanging the annular row"-of digit k'eys- IK, etc;*lvl'ori-i' particularly, the. upwardly; turned outer" end 46 provided on the? arr'rr45 or: theireleasing'ielement 43 1 overhangs thefannul'ar, row of i releasing tabs 4| .carried. by the-rocking bars36 hi the digit keys |K,.etc.r The arirr 45 63? the releasing element 43 is space'd'above the-upper surface of the dial plate 3 3 a distance suificient t6 thefdepr'essed "releasing tabs 4| carried by the rocking bgfrs" 36"of the various digit keys IK', etc., to pass thereunden'incident tdrotation of the'dial plate 33', withoutengagehihtctherwit h w ger;"this; spacing or the upper surface of the dial plate 33 is such that an elevated releasing tab 4| carried by a, rocking bar 36 of any one of the digit keys IK, etc., will engage the upwardly turned outer end 46 of the arm 45, whereby the elevated releasing tab 4| carried by the rocking bar 36 of the digit key IK, etc., is depressed.

The finger wheel |3 of the call transmitter H has arnormal position and is adapted to be variably rotat'editherefrom" in a clockwise direction, as Viewed'in Figs. 1 and 2; iii accordance with the difierent digits to be transmitted, Subsequently, when the finger wheel I 3 of the call transmitter II is released it is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, back into its normal position by the usual spring motor; whereby the impulse transmitting mechanism"hou'sed in the casing I2 of the call transmitter transmits a corresponding number of impulses in accordance with conventional practice! The dial plate "3'3 'has'a normal "pa e tioiiand' is variably rotatabl' mar position in "the 01cc wi direction as v ewed in'Eig's. 1"and2, hr aeeerda e with'fthediffei'ent digits to Poe transmitted iri'fview' of the fact that thedia l plate 33 isdir'ectly andri'gidly geeureatt the finger wheel whr' the call 'tiahsmitter r by the bracket 23. When the control switch 23 i'sactuated'to"close theoperatingbirc-liit the electric 'ino'tor'. 22 the "meter 22 'bp'erates in" order to cause the operatingishaft 25 andifonsequ" lit the gear 351 to herctatuctntih ofislyfin clockwise direction, as viewed-"in Figs'fl and- "2; this operation of theelec'tric motor-f 21 an'd'tlie' consequent rotation "ot the operating shaft 25 and the gear, 35. earriedi'thereby continuing long as the operating circuit ot tlie electricnib'toi 22. is completed. b'ythe actuated 'position of the controlswitcli 23." I

Considering now the operation of -the unit 20 in; conjunction with] the call transmitter ll t'o transmit one or more digits from the telephone station provided with; theftelephone set lathe operatonfii'st actuates the control-switch in order? to initiatev operationv of :the electric motor 2212\nd. the consequent rotation oi the operating shaft 25 thereof and thei'gea'r 35 carried thereby," in the clockwise. direction, asviewe'd; in- 1 and: 2. r The operator thfen. effe c ts the trans: mission of the first digit;bydpfesSihgthelevatedu'operatingtab. 4BL'carried b-y the rocking bar. steer the ap'propriatewdigit key Ire, etc. when the elevated operating tabjtl carried by the rockingi-bar 35 .of the appropriate key-1K; eta, is thus depress-ed the releasing tabM carrier; by the rocking bar SBQthereof elevated and e toggleiarmmlther'eo'f is oscillatedhbout itipivot in order. toirnbve the associated=projectibn 425mg engagement." with. the teeth of thecon'staiitly: tatin'fg gear: 351,4 whereby: the dial plat: elutched tolthe gear '35 bytlieappropriate d -1 he 1K; "etc'l, mentioned! At this time," t e, dial" plate 33; being clutched to the gea'r'35fis rarefied; in the. clockwise diibti'ofi' therewith away from its normal positiorL Alsof'the finger whel li-l or the, callfti'ansfnitte'ifl i's'ro teaa a 'leckw-ise direction away from its'norrnal positiori, tdgether" with thedial p1ate'3'3, 'du'b' ta thiigid' ddhfle tioifcom'prising the"bTaCKet 'ZB Xtendingi twenrt'h'e finge'r eerlge"herthejeial platee i The dial i la'te 33 'is rot 'edfiif direction;a'predetermine W norin the operated dig1t{key' |=K- with H, the" other 'digit' k'eys in the" aml'illafr row? where -to transmit corresponding digits.

upon'the elevated releasing tab 4| carried by the rocking bar 36 of the operated digit key IK, etc., engages the upwardly'turned outer end' lfi carried by the arm 45 of' the releasing element and is depressed, as previouslyexplained. When the elevated releasing tab 4| carried by the rocking bar 35 of the operated digit key IK, etc., is thus depressed the operating tab 40 carried by the rocking bar 35 thereof is elevated and the toggle arm 39 thereof is oscillated about its pivot in order to move the projection 42 out of engagement with the teeth provided on the periphery of the gear 35. Hence, the dial plate 33 is declutched from the gear 35 in order to permit free rotation of the continuously rotating gear 35 with respect to the dial plate 33 at this time. When the dial plate 33 and the finger wheel l3 of the call transmitter I I are thus rotated in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, the mechanism housed in the casing l2 of the call transmitter H is set to transmit a corresponding digit and the spring motor housed therein is wound. At this time the spring motor housed in the casing l2 of the call transmitter ll returns the finger wheel 13 thereof and consequently the dial plate 33 in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, back into their normal positions. When the finger wheel l3 of the call transmitter H is returned in the counterclockwise direction back into its normal position the impulse transmitting mechanism housed in the casing l2 thereof operates to transmit the corresponding digit. At this time the elements of the call transmitter l l and the unit occupy their normal positions; accordingly, another one of the digit keys IK, etc., may be operated in accordance with the second digit to be transmitted from the telephone station.

In view of the foregoing explanation of the mode of operation of the unit 20 in conjunction with the call transmitter l I, it will be readily understood that each time one of the digit keys IK, etc., carried by the dial plate 33 is operated the unit 20 operates in order to efiect operation of the call transmitter H to transmit the corresponding digit; and that, by repeatedly operating the various digit keys IK, etc., carried by the dial plate 33, the unit 20 may be selectively controlled to govern the operation of the call transmitter l l to transmit a series of digits comprising the directory number of a called telephone station.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein which are within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A unit for operating the finger wheel of a call transmitter supported by a telephone set; said unit comprising a support adapted to be secured to the telephone set, a member adapted to be secured to the finger wheel of the call transmitter, a set of digit keys movable with said-member, a motor, and means selectively controllable by said digit keys for impartin variable rotation to said member from said motor, whereby the finger wheel of the call transmitter is selectively rotated in accordance with the operation of said digit keys in order to cause the call transmitter 2. A unit for operating the finger Wheel of a call transmitter; said unit comprising a member adapted to be secured to the finger wheel of the call transmitter, a set of digit keys movable with said member, a motor, and means selectively controllable by saiddigit keys for imparting variable rotation' to said member from said motor, whereby the finger wheel of the call transmitter is selectively rotated in accordance with the operation of said digit keys in order to. cause the call transmitter to transmit corresponding digits.

3. In a call transmitter, a first rotatably mounted member biased to a normal position and variably rotatable away from its normal position in accordance with different digits to be transmitted, a second rotatably mounted member, a motor for rotating said second member, a set of manually operable digit keys, means responsive to the operation of any one of said digit keys {or restraining operated said one digit key and for clutching said first member to said second member together for continuous rotation, whereby said first member is rotated away from its normal position, means responsive to the rotation of said first member away from its normal position an amount corresponding to said one digit key for releasing said one digit key, means responsive to the release of said one digit key for declutching said first member from said second member, whereby said first member is rotated back to its normal position, and digit transmitting means operated by the rotation of said first member for transmitting a digit corresponding to said one digit key.

4. In a call transmitter, a first rotatably mounted member biased to a normal position and variably rotatable away from its normal position in accordance with difierent digits to be transmitted, a second rotatably mounted member, a motor for rotating said second member, a set of manually operable digit keys disposed in a row and carried by said first member, means responsive to the operation of any oneoi said digit keys for restraining operated said one digit key and 40 for clutching said first member to said second member, whereby said first member is rotated away from its normal position, a release element, said digit keys in the row being brought successively adjacent to said release element as said first member is rotated away from its normal position, means including said release element for rel sin said one digit key when it is brought adjacent thereto, means responsive to the release of said one digit key for declutching said first member from said second member, whereby said first member is rotated back to its normal position, and digit transmitting means operated by the rotation of said first member for transmitting a digit corresponding to said one digit key.

5. In a call transmitter, a first rotatably mounted member biased to a normal position and variably rotatable away from its normal position in accordance with different digits to be trans mitted, a second rotatably mounted member, a motor for rotating said second member, a set of manually operable digit keys disposed in a row and carried by said first member, each of said digit keys being of the rocking-bar type including an operating projection and a releasing projection, means controlled when the operating projection of any one of said digit keys is depressed for restraining depressed the operating projection thereof and for elevating the releasing projection thereof, means responsive to the depression of the operating projection of said one digit key for clutching said first member to said second member, whereby said first member is rotated away from its normal position, a release element, the release projections of said digit keys in the row being brought successively adjacent to said release element-as said first member is "rotated away from its normal position, whereby the elevated releasing rojection of said one digit key is brou ht into engagement with said release element and depressed thereby, means responsive to the depression of the releasing projection of said one digit key for elevating the operating projection thereofimeans responsive to the elevation of the operating projection of said one digit key for, declutching said first member from said second member, whereby said first member is rota ted back to its normal position; and digit transmitting means operated by the rotation of said first member for transmitting a digit corresponding to said one digit key. t

6. A unit for operating the finger wheel of a call transmitter supported by atelephone set; said unit comprising a support adapted to be secured to the telephone set, a member adapted to be secured to the finger wheel of the 'call transmitter to rotate therewith, a set of digit keys mounted in anjanniilar' series to rotate with said member, a motor, a rotar member adapted tobe rotated continuously by said motor, and means selectively controllable by'said digit keys forselectively forming driving connections be tween saidmembers' to cause variable degrees of rotation of said first-named member depend ingjupon the position of the operated digit key. '7; In acall transmitter, a finger wheel biased toanormal position and variably rotatable away from that position in. accordance with diiferent digits to be transmitted, a second rotatably mounted member, a motor for rotating said last-- named member, a set of manually operated digit keys movable with said finger wheel, means re sponsive to the operation of any one of said digit keys for establishing a driving connection to cause said finger wheel to rotate to an extent determined by the position of the operated digit key. r p

a 7 RALPH CROCKER;