US2463688A - Code call mechanism - Google Patents

Description

March 8, 1949 K. W. GRAYBILL ET AL CODE CALL MEGHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 5, 1945 Ufcu m v low NOE INVENTORS KENNETH w. GRAYB|LL HANS sENsEauscr-a BY ATTORNEY March 8, 1949. K. w. GRAYBILL T AL 2,463,688

CODE CALL MECHANISM Filed May 3, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 FIGA C: g INVENTORS.

f H KENNETH w. GRAYBILL HANS sENGEBuscr-l ATTO RN EY March 8, T949. K. GRAYBILL ET AL 2,463,683

CODE CALL MECHANISM Filed May 3, 1945 3 SheetS-She 3 COMMERCIAL CIRCUIT' COMMERCIAL clRoulT INVENTORS.

KENNETH W. GRAYBILL HANS SENGEBUSGH ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CODE CALL MECHAN ISM Application May 3, 1945, Serial No. 591,732

4 Claims.

This invention relates to code call systems for controlling current for operating a group of bells, horns, whistles or a combination of these and other signaling devices, on the basis of code signals, each composed of a series of electrical impulses.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a simple and inexpensive mechanism for transmitting selected code signals, an apparatus which will be compact, dependable in operation and capable of easy, quick and flexible manual control.

One of the features relates to a novel mechanism for selecting the code. This mechanism is controlled by the rotation of a knob to locate the indicator opposite the code number to be sent, and also to set an arm underneath the top plate opposite the coded cam member which corresponds to the wanted code number.

Another feature is the means for displaying a colored signal during the time the code is being transmitted. This signal appears when the lever switch is moved, either to the right or left to start the motor, and disappears when the motor stops. Thus the operator has a visual indication when the machine is in operation.

Another feature is the arrangement of a spring set to maintain the current supply connected to the motor for an interval after the code has been repeated twice or more, to assure that the shaft on which the coded cam members are arranged will be rotated back to a so-called home position. This feature is effective whether the lever key is manually restored from the locked position or operated to the left to its non-lock position. In either case the motor will continue to rotate the shaft until said shaft is returned to its home position.

Other novel features relate to the means for locking the code selecting mechanism while the device is in operation and to the mechanism for selecting the proper code wheel and causing its operation to control a common member. Other features relating to the novel construction and relation of the various parts will be apparent from the following detailed description and from the drawings.

The drawings consists of 6 figures on 2 sheets.

Figure 1 is a View of the top or face plate, showing the code selecting knob, starting lever switch and space for a list of persons who have been assigned a code.

Figure 2 is a View from the left side of Fig. 1 with a portion of the cover removed.

Figure 3 is a view from the right side of Fig.

1 with the cover removed, showing the main shaft and the motor housing.

Figure 4 is a sectional View along the line A-A in Figure 1, showing the relation between the main shaft, the slidable arm and the impulsing bar and spring contacts.

Figure 5 is a bottom View of Fig. 1 with the cover removed showing the end of the main shaft, its pinion gear and the gear Wheel with a stud for operating the lock member.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the levers for setting the indicator opposite the code number and name, and simultaneously setting the transmitting arm opposite the code member.

Figure 7 is a typical circuit arrangement applicable to this invention.

In Figs. 4 and 5 the knob 3 and lever switch 1 on the top of the case have been omitted.

The top or face plate I, of the unit, displays a lined card 2 underneath a glass, on which a list of names may be typed or printed, of the persons who have been assigned a code number. The card can easily be removed and replaced by a new card whenever it is necessary to make new assignments or other changes. The portions of the top plate, IIJ for the subscribers list and portion 8 for the indicator, are cut away and the openings covered with glass. In the space 9, the code numbers are stenciled directly onto the top plate and this portion is not covered with glass. Another opening II, which is covered with glass, is for the display of a red signal 42, to indicate when the set is in operation.

The working parts of this code call mechanism are mounted on a frame-work of thin sheet metal see Figure 2, composed of a base plate I2, a top plate I3 and two end members I4 and I5. A cover member I6 is placed over the frame work and held in place by 3 screws, such as I1. This member IS covers the complete mechanism but leaves exposed a portion of the face plate I. It will be noted in Figure 2 that the rear member I4 is higher than the front end member I5, and when the set rests on the rubber feet, this results in the face plate being elevated at its top end, approximately 15 degrees, which gives the operator a clearer vision of the names and code numbers. The base plate is equipped with 4 rubber feet, such as 4I, to protect the surface on which the machine rests. The external impulsing circuit would be attached to the terminals 29 and 30. The motor, not shown, is enclosed in a housing 6, in Figure 2.

There are displayed in Figure 1, twoV moveable parts, a knob 3 for setting the indicator opposite the code which it is desired to transmit and a lever switch l, which is used to start the motor. To select a code the knob 3 is turned either clockwise or counter clockwise, this is dependent upon the position of the indicator 4. To move the indicator to a higher position in the space 8, the knob 3 would be rotated clockwise and to move the indicator to a lower position the knob 3 must be rotated counter clockwise. The method of selecting a code to be transmitted will be understood from Figure 6. Rotation of knob 3, on its axis 62, causes the arc shaped member 46, Which is underneath the top plate I and rigidly xed to the shaft S2, to also rotate in the same direction as knob 3. The arc shaped end of member 46 is provided with V-shaped notches to receive the projection 45 on lever 44, for the locking feature. The other end of member 46 is attached to one end of lever 66 by a pivot 63, on which lever 66 can rotate. In turn the other end of lever 56 is rotatably attached at the pivotal point `64, near the center of a second lever 67. One end of lever 6'! is rotatably attached to the top plate by rivet 65. The other end 59 of lever 5l is slotted and slidably attached to indicator 4. It will be understood that any rotary movement of the knob 3 will result in moving indicator 4 up or down in the space 8 and the red signal 5, on indicator 4, can be set opposite any one of the code numbers, such as 22 or 2,3. Attached to indicator 4 is a downward extending arm 3i which is slidably and rotatably mounted on the rod I8. The setting of indicator 4 opposite any code number, simultaneously adjusts arm 3I to its correct position opposite the code cam member, on the main shaft, which is designed to transmit the selected code. The lower end of arm 3l is now between the selected code cam andthe common impulsing bar 24, and one projection 32 of arm 3l is resting against the bar 24 and another projection 33 is in close proximity to the selected cam.

After the indicator 4 has been set to the code number which it is desired to transmit, the motor is started by moving the lever switch '5, shown in neutral position in Figure 1. A movement of lever switch 7 to the left, a non-locking position or to the right to a locking position will start the motor 34. A movement of lever switch i to the left will start the motor and after the selected code has been transmitted twice, the motor will stop automatically. A movement of lever switch 'l to the right will start the motor 3,4 and transmission of the code will continue until the lever switch "I is manually restored. It will be seen in Figures 3 and 6 that the hub 75, of lever key l, hasy a slot in the left side, as viewed in Figure 6, to accommodate a portion of end 43 of lever 44. A portion of lever 44 has been cut away so as to t snugly against one half of shaft 39 of lever key l. It will be seen, in Figure 6, that when shaft 39 rotates clockwise, as a result of lever key 1 having been moved to the left, the shoulder '54, in the slot of hub 15, will engage the lever 44 and move it to the left. Also, when lever key 7 is moved to the right causing a counter clockwise rotation of hub 15, the shoulder 'i3 will engage the lever 44 near its end 43 and, as before, the said lever 44 will be moved to the left. In this instance however, the pin 38, which is rigidly xed into the hub 75, will pass over the upturned end of spring 36 and will come to rest behind the shoulder 3l'. Thus the lever switch 'l is locked in operated position and will remain until manually restored.

The movement to the left, as viewed in Figure 4 6, of end 43 of lever 44, which is caused by the movement of lever switch 'I to the left or to the right, causes the projection 45, on lever 44, to engage one of the V-shaped notches in member 46, thus locking member 46 from any movement during the time the machine is in operation. At the same ,time that end 43 moves to the left, the other end 4B of lever 44 moves to the right, due to the pivot point 41. A bushing 66 as seen in Fig. 7 is provided and attached to lever 44 and moving therewith to close contact 6l in the motor circuit by causing engagement of springs 69 and 1D. Also, as end 48 moves to the right in slot 49, of the end member I5, it also rises, due to its own tension, and comes to rest behind the shoulder 50 and underneath the L-shaped end 5l of member 52. Member 52 is attached to member 53 by a rivet 54, on which 52 may rotate, the two members being kept;l in vproper relation to each other by the spring 55. One end of member 53 is attached to the end member l5 by a screw "III, but is free to rotate thereon. The lower arm 56 of member 53 will be engaged by stud 5l, once for each revolution of gear wheel ZI, and end 56 will be forced downwards and cause rotation of member 53 about its pivot l I. Member 52 will also be carried downward and the proper relationship will be maintained between members 52 and 53 by spring 55. The L-shaped end 5I of member 52, in being moved downward, will carry with it the end 48 of vbar 44 and when this end 48 is below the shoulder 50, it is free to move to the left (in Figure 5) and will so move under pressure of springs 59 and '50, provided that lever key l is not in a locked position. So long as lever key 'I is in locked position the engagement and movement 0f members 52 and 53 will not be effective to cause the motor to stop and therefore the main shaft I9 will continue its rotation and the selected code will continue to be transmitted. After lever key I has been restored to its neutral position, thus freeing end 43 of lever 44, then end 43 of lever 44 is also free to move to the left, in the slot 49. Therefore following the return of lever key 'I to neutral position, the subsequent movement downwards of L-shaped end of member 52 will move end 48 below the shoulder 59 and end 48 of bar 44 will, because of the pressure from springs 69 and 10, return to its original position at the left in slot 45, thus opening a part of the motor circuit at contact 5l as seen in Fig. 7. A second stud 58 on the face of gear wheel 2 l, passes over the curved end of spring l2, once for each revolution of gear wheel ZI, causing spring l2 to be pressed downwards far enough to open contact 59, which also is apart of the motor circuit. After .contact 6I shown in Fig. 7 in the motor circuit has been opened, the current is maintained through contact 59 until this contact is opened by the action of stud 5 8 which assures that the main shaft I9 will always be returned to its, so called, home position.

The motor rotor (not shown) is Connected through a reduction gear (not shown) to the main shaft I9. This shaft i9 is equipped with coded cam members, one for each code number. The shaft passes through both end members I4 and I5 and the lower end is fitted with pinion gear 2U, which meshes with gear wheel 2l, mentioned previously, wheel 2| however rotates at half the speed as pinion 20,

The selection of the code number as explained above, places arm 3l between the code cam member and the common impulsing bar 24 with bushing 24' attached thereto. It will be noted in Figure 2, that the impulsing bar 24 parallels the main shaft I9 and is rotatably mounted at the points 25 and 26. rIhe bar 24 will follow the im pulses from the selected coded cam, communicated to it through lever 3| and these impulses will be relayed by bushing 24 to the impulsing springs 2l and 28 as seen in Fig. 7. The function of the impulsing bar 24 will be effective regardless of which cam member has been selected, due to the fact that the arm 3l is always between any cam, such as 23, and bar 24. When the shaft I9 rotates, counter clockwise in Figure 4 and as seen in Fig. 7, the projections (such as 4U) of the selected cam member, press against end 33 of arm 3| forcing this end of the arm to the left (in Figure 4 and in Fig. 7), causing end 32 to move the impulse bar 24, on its axes 2'5 and 26. This action is repeated for each one of the projections, such as 40, on the coded cam member 23. The cam member 23, as shown in Figure 7, would transmit the code l5, and this code would be repeated twice or more dependent upon the position of the starting lever switch 1. As soon as the motor stops and knob 3 is free to be rotated to bring the indicator opposite another code number the set is ready for the transmission of another code signal.

Having described the invention, what is con sidered to be new and is desired to protect by Letters Patent will be set forth in the following f.

claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In an impulse sending machine, a shaft carrying a plurality of coded cam members mounted rigidly on said shaft, a bar of equal length to said shaft and parallel thereto carrying a bushing, a stationary spring set for controlling a code sending circuit, a rod of equal length to said shaft and parallel thereto, an arm slidably and rotatably mounted on said rod, means for moving said arm along said rod and locking same in a position opposite any one of said coded cam members, means for rotating said shaft with its said coded cam members for causing said selected coded cam member to intermittently actuate said arm in accordance with the code of the selected cam, said actuation of said arm causing said bar to actuate said bushing to operate said spring set to transmit an impulse for each actuation of said bar yfor transmitting a code signal throughout said code sending circuit.

2. In an impulse sending machine, a motor driven shaft carrying a plurality of coded cam members mounted rigidly thereon, a set of springs, a bar parallel to said shaft having a bushing for actuating said set of spring contacts for controlling a code sending circuit, a rod parallel to said bar having an arm slidably and rotatably mounted thereon, a rst lever for moving said arm to any position along said rod, a rotatable knob fixed to a second shaft, a second lever attached to said second shaft and movable in response to the rotation of said knob to cause said second lever to actuate said first lever to cause said arm to slide along said rod and come to rest opposite the selected one of said code cam members which has cams corresponding to the said selected code number, rotation of said motor driven shaft causing rotation of said coded c-am members and the operation of said arm by the selected code cam member, each actuation of said arm operating said bar and bushing to operate said springs to transmit an impulse to thereby transmit a code signal in accordance with the cams on the said selected code cam member.

3. in an impulse sending machine, a motor driven shaft equipped with a plurality of coded cam members, a spring set selectively operated by any of said members to send impulses, a lever switch for operating a lever member, a bushing on said lever member, a spring set operated by said bushing to close the circuit to the motor of the said motor driven shaft when the member is operated, a locking device responsive to the movement of said lever switch for locking said lever, a gear carrying a stud for releasing said locking device, a pinion gear mounted on the said motor driven shaft meshed with said gear, rotation of said pinion gear by the shaft causing said stud to release said locking device after two revolutions of said pinion gear.

4. In an impulse sending machine, means for selecting a code, a lever member, a lever switch for operating said lever member, a bushing attached to said lever member for operating a spring set, a colored signal attached to said lever member, means for locking said lever member in position to display said signal to indicate a busy condition, a shaft having coded cam members, means for electrically rotating said shaft for transmitting the selected code, means for releasing said lock and causing said signal display to disappear after the shaft has been rotated two complete revolutions.

KENNETH WAYNE GRAYBILL.

HANS SENGEBUSCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 452,026 Kintner May 12, 1891 1,023,875 Reynolds Apr. 23, 1912 1,056,269 Fastnacht Mar. 18, 1913 1,076,896 Lee Oct. 28, 1913 1,144,870 Sohm June 29, 1915 1,249,162 Mead Dec. 4, 1917 1,641,616 Blessing Sept. 6, 1927 1,707,909 Gullong Apr. 2, 1929 1,965,121 Kardorff July 3, 1934 2,061,273 Green NOV. 17, 1936 2,183,713 Field Dec. 19, 1939

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