US285342A - Signaling apparatus foe telephone exchange systems - Google Patents

Description

3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.) I J. H. GARY.

SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SYSTEMS.

' No. 285,342. Patented Sept. 18, 1883.

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J H. GARY. SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SYSTEMS.

No. 285,342. Patented-Sept. 18, 1883.

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J. H. GARY. SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE EXGHANGE SYSTEMS. No. 285,342. Patented Sept. 18, 1883..

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I ton, in the county of Suffolk and State of Mastion with signaling-instruments, and with a provided with a neutral armature is arranged UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES GARY, or BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE GARY TELEPHONE SIGNAL COM PANY, OF SAME PLACE,

SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE-EXCHANGE SYSTEMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,342, dated September 18, 1883,

' Application filed May 14. 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. CARY, of Bossachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Signaling Apparatus for Telephone- Exchange Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention constitutes an improvement in telephone signaling;. and its specific object is to provide an apparatus for automatically actuating and operating the signals of telephone-line circuits in cases where a number of sub-stations are connected together in one circuit, and where the signaling apparatus of the said sub-stations are of the class known as individual signals, wherein any one may be operated, and consequentlyany station signaled, at the will of the central-office operator, to the exclusion of the others.

I have embodied this invention in an apparatus especially adapted for use in connecsystem oi -signaling. invented by me and shown and described in Letters Patent granted to me October 10, 1882, No. 265,753, and in an application for Letters Patent filed March 12, 1883.

In the patent which I'have cited I have described an individual signaling apparatus in which at each sub-station an electro-magnet to rotate a ratchet with a step-by-step movement by means of successive electrical pulsations of definite direction, which are transmitted over the line from the central station. Each of these ratchets is combined with a circuit-breaking device, which, at a definite point or period in the rotation of the ratchet differing for each station, is brought into action and actuated to introduce into the main-line troduced, may be rung by rapidly-alternating currents transmitted from the central station.

In the application hereinbefore cited I have shown and described an amplification of and improvement on the said patent, which con sists in combining with a series of substations and signaling-instruments of the character described therein a second series of signaling-instruments in which the call-bell electro-magnet is included in a local-battery circuit normally open at two separate points, but

adapted to become operative only when the local circuit is simultaneously closed at the said two points. By this combination I am enabled to operate a much greater number of signaling-instruments upon one circuit than would otherwise be possible. In the operation of these signaling devices I have heretofore used a manual transmitting or actuating 6o apparatus consisting of suitable reversingkeys, combined with a magneto generator,

or with a voltaic battery and pole-changer, and adapted to transmit at will constant electrical currents of either direction, or constantly-alternating currents, according to the key pressed. It has, however, been ascertained,in the light of experience,that it is most desirable for the proper operation of such signals as I have described that the several elec- 7o trical impulses should be given with the utmost steadiness and uniformity. This requires close and unremitting attention and extreme care, accompanied with considerable delicacy of manipulation on the part of the operator; but by the use of my invention the manipulation of these signals is rendered a matter of extremely simple and easy character, and the care and precision of the manual operation are rendered unnecessary.

My invention for the regular uniform and automatic actuation of the foregoing system of individual signaling consists in certain arrangements and adaptations of apparatus and circuits by which either intermitting or constant currents of a uniform and given direction, constant, currents of the opposite direc tion, or currents of rapid alternating direction may be transmitted to the line, and, passing over the same, operate the several bells there- 0 of each in its own time and in its own manner.

In the present embodiment of the invention I inclose in a suitable case a propelling mechanism of the type ordinarily used in districtv telegraphs, which is operated by the running down of a spring wound up by the action of the operator immediately prior to setting the mechanism in operation-that is, the mechanism normally at rest is released from its detent and wound up by one and the same instanta- IOO neous movement, and by the act of runningv down expends its force, and once more comes to rest at its unison-point. Upon a rotating arbor actuated by this mechanism are fixed tw rotary break-wheels and a circuit-closing traveler. One ofthe break-wheels, arranged with equally-divided spaces of conducting and non-conducting material, subserves the purpose of intermitting a constant current from a suitable source of electricity, and so producing a constant succession of momentary impulses and cessations of electricity, which act-uate the ratchets of the several signal-bells with the step-by-step motion required. The other break-wheel is provided with two con tact -springs, arranged so that when one of them is in contact with a conducting-space the other is in contact with a nonconducting space, and as one of these springs leads from a source of electricity furnishing currents of constant direction,and the other froma source furnishing constantly alternating currents, this break -.wheel is adapted to determine which class of current may be sent to line. The circuit of the former spring is adjusted to close only at the same time that the circuit of the first break-wheel closes on its conductingspaces, and thus as long as the apparatus is in notion the straight current only can pass to line. The second spring only makes contact with its wheel when the circuit of the constant generator is open at the first break-wheel; hence the alternating impulses which it governs can only pass to line when some other way is provided for them. This is effected by the traveling circuit-closer hereinbefore referred to.

The instrument is provided with a number of spindles, each one representing one of the bells in the circuit. These are arranged in two circles. It will be understood that while all the bells in the circuit are brought to their ringing position by successive impulses of electricity, one series, when so brought into position, are adapted to be rung by rapidalternations of current, while a second series are adapted to be rung by a protracted electrical impulse of even direction. One of the circular series of spindles are adapted to ring one of these classes, while the other series of spindles are assigned to the other class of bells. This arrangement, however, is arbitrary, and merely adopted for convenience. \Vhen the mechanism is set in motion by the winding of its spring, the traveling circuit-closer rotates. By altering the normal position of any of the spindles, the traveler will be arrested by the spindle altered, and the bell represented by that spindle will thus be placed in position to ring, and will, moreover, be rung andcontinue to ring until the spindleis restored to its original posit-ion. The spindles may normally be all pushed in and adjusted to arrest the traveling arm when pulled out; or .they may normally be pulled out and adapted to become operative when pushed in; or, again, a portion of them may be normally pushed in and another portion pulled out, in either case being adapted to become operative by a changed position. In this case I have shown the latter alternative. One series of spindles are adapted to make electrical contact with the traveling arm, and thus complete the circuit of the alternating generator, transferring the impulses thereof to line and ringing the bell corresponding to the spindle manipulated. The other series of spindles merely make mechanical contact with the said arm, and their office is to arrest it in such a position that the springs of the first break-wheel are in contact with the conducting portions of the wheel, whereby the current of the constant-direction generator is directed to the line for as long a period as the arm is arrested, ringing that bell of the second series which corresponds to the spindle moved. WVhen in either case the signal has been given for a sufficiently-long period, it may be stopped and the bells instantly brought to unison by the restoration of the spindle in use to its normal condition. To release all the bells simultaneously from their unison-point, a key is provided which, when depressed, is adapted to send a single pulsation of electricity to line of a direction which, though constant, is opposite to that of the stepby-step currents used to actuate the several bell-ratehets. This actuates a polarized bararmature attached to all of the bells, as shown in the patent which I have hereinbefore cited, and releases the neutral armatures, whereby the ratchets may be moved.

I will now enumerate and describe the several figures which illustrate and form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is afront elevation of asignal-transmitting instrument embodying my invention, a part of the front or dial being broken away to show the operation. Fig. 2 is apartial sectional view of the traveling arm an d two of the governing-spindles, showing them in actual size. Fig. 3 represents a front view of the mechanism and of the several circuits, the front and sides of the casing being removed. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same, looking from the right, and Fig. 5 a side elevation looking from the left, of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a detail showing the starting and detaining devices, Fig. 7 is a detail of the propelling mechanism and escapement, and Fig. 8 a diagrammatical drawing representing the course of the several circuits. Fig. 8 represents a modification of the arrangement shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 9 is a modified detail, showing the apparatus as arranged for a continuous through-cicruit.

Referring to the drawings, the entire apparatus, with the exception of the starting-button, the reversing-key, and the controllingspindles, is contained in an inclosing-case, of which A is the front and B the back board. Upon the top of the case is a strap-key, E, provided with a back contact an d limit, f, and a front or anvil contact, 9. There is also a starting-spindle, D, provided with a fingerbutton, D, and normally projecting outward, as shown in Fig. 1, by the pressure of the spiral spring but capable of being pushed in, as shown by the dotted lines in the same ure.

The heads of the governing-spindles a and is 1) project from the front, and these spindles are of the outercircle arepushed in.

. capable of being pushed inward or drawn outward, as in Fig. 2. Normally, in this embodi-.

inwardly as far as shown by the dotted lines,

illustrated by Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

and thus lie in the path of the arm 0, Fig. 2. Conversely, when any of the spindles a are pulled out, assuming the position shown in the dotted lines, the contact-pin d, attached thereto, is brought into the path of the arm 0. A stop-pin, 10, passes through the inner end, 10, of the spindles b and prevents them from being pulled out too far. In like manner, at the point e a stop, (1, passes through the spindle a and serves the same purpose.

On the internal surface of the board A are a series of metal spring-plates, c", which are fastened to it, and which, with their free ends, press against the surface of the shank c of the outer circle of spindlesa, as indicated in Fig. 1', where a portion of the board is broken away to show the connections. All ofsaid plates are united with one another and with the other parts of the apparatus by wires 25 and 21.

The wire 21, by suitable frictionsprings, connects with the main-line binding-screw, and the wire 25 is of course normallyopen, except when the arm 0 in traveling comes in contact with any of the contact-pins d upon the spindles a.

InFi g. 1 the full circles represent the spin dleheads a, a, a a a a, and a and I), b, b b b bi, and b The small squares in dotted lines represent the holes in which the spindles slide,

and the springs 0 connected with the wire 25, are also shown in dotted lines in the outside circle.

The moving mechanism of the apparatus is It is affixed to the back board. B, and consists of two brake-wheels, both carried, together with a revolving arm, on a single arbor. This is driven by an ordinary propelling mechanism, of a character similar to that in ordinary use in district signaling-instruments, and well known to those skilled in the art of electric signaling. This propelling mechanism is placed in the box G, and is composed of a spur-wheel,

L, Fig. 7, placed upon the upper arbor, a, and gearing into a pinion on the lower arbor, 7c, which also, within the box G, carries an escapement-wheel, M. By the pallets O and weight N the speed may be regulated. Both of the arbors n and kproject outward from the box G, and carry other operating devices. The spur-wheel L is normally inoperative, its motive power being a spring, I, which is not in tension, except during the period of actual operation; but when the spindle D on the top of the box is depressed its inner end, D, presses upon the lever F, pushing it downward and .as it. is firmly fixed to the upper arbor, a, it gives that arbor a rotary moveallowing it to rise.

moving the pressure from the spindle D and The propelling spring will then unwind, and in doing so will rotate the spur-wheel L in the direction indicated by the upper arrow, 7, and the pinion, with the lower arbor,.will consequently participate in the motion, but in the opposite direction, and this motion, if unopposed, will continue until the arbor 26 has made a complete revolution, because the pin thas made too great an advance for the anchor-like detaining-lever to engage with it until it once more comes round to its normal place.

Fig. 6 shows the position assumed by the parts when the spindle D is depressed, I) being the shank thereof, F the lever which it presses, m the curved detaining-lever, and 2.

arbor by the bushing 3 The ofiice of the former break-wheel is to'alternately break and close the main circuit during the transmission of straight currents to line, for the purpose of intermitting those currents, and I may therefore designate this wheel as a rotary circuitbreaker. The office of the other break-wheel, I, is to change the circuit from the straighteurrent generator, and it may consequently be properly termed a circuit-changer.

I will now describe the arrangement of the several contact-springs. A non-conducting block, 12, carries a flat contact-spring, p, and this, with asecond con-V tact-spring, c, which is supported by a lower non-conducting block, J, is adapted to make contact with the conducting projections of the circuit-breaking wheel H, and they are so adjusted with reference to one another as to make contact simultaneouslythat is, the spring 1) makes contact with one projection at the same instant that the spring 1) makes contact with another projection of the same wheel, so that the two springs are thus virtually connected with one another through the substance of the said wheel H. The non-conducting block J supports also five other contact-springs. These are, first, the spring 0, which is adjusted to press outward and with its free endagainst a contact point or surface, an, upon the curved lever m. This contact, when the apparatus is at rest, forms the through-circuit from linepost to ground, and is broken by the first movement of the curved lever when the actuatingspindle D is depressed. Second, the springs q and T, which, though attached to different sides of the block J, areboth arranged to make contact with the smaller break-wheel or circuitchanger, are adjusted to do so at different times, r being adjusted to be in contact with the projections of the wheel I at the same time that the springs p and v are in contact with the other wheel, H, while, on the contrary, q is adjusted to make contact with the projections of thewheelI only when the circuit of the wheel H is open; third, the spring 8, which bears upon the boss of the insulated traveling arm 0; fourth, the spring a, which bears upon the hub or boss of the break-wheel I.

Six binding-screw terminals are provided, as shown in Fig. 3 and in the diagram Fig. 8. Leading from these screws externally are the following wires, partly indicated in Fig. 3, and fully in Fig. 8: from No. 1 a ground wire, 22; from No. 6 a line-wire, 23, which in practice is no actual individual line, but a normally incomplete wire, adapted for connection by a suitable switch with any required line; from Nos. 2 and 3 the wires 17 and 1.8, leading to the positive and negative poles of an electrical generator adapted to furnish constant currents of the direction required. From Nos. 4 and 5 wires 19 and 20 lead to an electrical generator adapted to evolve rapidly-alternating currents, such as a magneto-machine unprovided with a commutator.

Y is a base-board, upon which the respective generators are placed, T being the straightcurrent generator, which may be of any suitable character-for example, a magneto-machine provided with a straightening-commutator or a voltaic battery, and V being the alternating-current generator.

Internally the several wires connect the binding-screws with the contact-springs and circuit breakers, closers, and changers in the f0l-' lowing manner:

From ground-post No. 1, for a purpose which will hereinafter appear, a wire, 9, leads to a contact-spring, 9, under the strap-key E, and there remains normally incomplete. From the same post a second wire, 26, leads to the spring u, thus connecting the circuit-changing wheel I permanently with the ground. From binding-screw 2, which is connected with the plus pole of the straight-current generator, two wires lead inwardly-via, wire 7, leading to the anvil h of the strap-key, and wire 10, which leads. to the contact-spring p of break-wheel I-I-thus bringing the positive pole of the said generator to the intermittent circuit breaker. From binding-screw 3, representing the negative pole of the same generator, two wires also lead inwardly, wire 8 leading to the back contact, f, of the key E, and wire 11 leading to the spring 0, which is in normal contact with the curved lever m,- but one wire, 12, leads inward from terminal 4, which represents one of the alternating generator-poles,

severally correspond with the several conditions of the apparatus. When at rest, the line-circuit through the instrument takes the wire 16 to the fixed contact 1', against which the lever F presses when inert. This contact, like the one immediately below, between m and o, is broken when the actuating-spindle is depressed. A wire, 15, connects the spring 1 with the key E. \Vhile the instrument is moving and intermittent currents of constant direction are passing to line, or when the traveling arm is arrested by the spindles b of the under circle, the line-wire enters the instrument by wire 13, which leads to spring 0 of the break-wheel H. When the traveling arm is arrested by the spindles of the outer circle, the line-wire takes the route by wire 21 to the several spindles a.

The pin 01, against which in the diagram the arm 0 is resting, is in practice identical with the pin d of any of the spindles a, and is shown as in Fig. 8 merely to explain the connections.

I will now trace the several circuits and explain the operation thereof.

Let it be supposed that it is desired to produce a signal in a bell of the second class, in which, after the said bell is brought into ringing position, the signal is given by a protracted impulse of electricity, which closes a local circuit in which the bell magnet is included. The spindle of the inner circle, representing the bell which is to be rung-for example, 12 is pushed in, and the spindle D 011 the top of the apparatus is depressed. The action, as hereinbefore described and as shown in Fig. 6, is to press the lever F down, simultaneously releasing the pin 15 from the detaining-lever m and breaking the two contacts between i and F and between m and 0. The spindleD is at once released, flies back under the influence of the spiral spring 6, and the propelling mechanism, wound up by the depression of the spindle, runs down, rotating the circuit breaking and changing wheels H and I and the arm 0, until in due course the said arm strikes against the pushed-in spindle I). WVhile the motion is going on the action is as follows: The two springs 19 and o alternately make and break contact with the wheelI-I, and during a portion of each make the spring 1' is also in contact with one of the narrower projections of the wheel I, the spring q always coming into contact with the said projections when the former springs, p and v, are not in contact with the wheel H. Each time that the circuit closes its course takes the following route: ground-wire 22, screw 1, wire 26, spring a, wheel I, spring 1', wire 15, key E, back contact, f, wire 8, binding-screw 3, wire 13, gen-' erator T, wire 17, sending plus-current to line,

binding-screw'2, wire 10, spring 1), wheel H, spring 0, wire 13, binding-screw 6, and line, as before, by wire 23. Each time that the closing of the two springs p and o is coincident with that of the spring 1' a plus-current goes to line, to be intermitted, of course, by. the succeeding break, and by this means the ratchets of all the bells in the circuit are advanced step by step (one step for each electric pulsation) until the desired ringingpoint is reached. This occurs when the arm 0 reaches the pushedin spindle; and all of the spindles b of the inner circle are so placed that when the arm is stopped by any of them the circuit of the generator is completed, because the mechanism is arrested, leaving the springs 19 and o, and likewise the spring a", in contact with the projections of the two break-wheels. A steady current is thus transmitted to line, attracting all the bell-armatures, and therefore causing the bell that is brought to its ringing-point to give the signal, which continues so long as the spindle remains pushed in. hen it has been given for. a suitable time, the spindle may be withdrawn. The arm then passes round to its unisonpoint, where it is detained by the engagement of the pin it with the curved lever on, and the signal is discontinued.

To ring any one of the bells of the first class in which a normal shunt-circuit round a polarized bell is first to be broken, and the polarizedtbell afterward rung by rapid alternation, the process is similar. The spindle a of the outer circle, representing the desired bella, for example-is pulled out, and the mechanism set in motion, as before. The intermittent pulsations of the generator T go to line, as before, bringing the bell into position by breaking the shunt-circuit at the required point, this also, as before, occurring when the arm 0 is arrested by the pulled-out spindle a, the arm making contact with the pin d of the said spindle. This takes place at a moment when the springs 19 and o and also the spring r are all out of contact with the projections of the wheels H and I, but when the spring is in contact with the wheel I. The alternating currents of the generator V now pass to line over the following route: ground G, wire 22, binding-screw 1, wire 26, spring a, wheel I, spring q, wire 12, binding-screw 4, wire 19, generator V, wire .20, binding-screw 5, wire 14, spring 8, arm 0, spindle-pin d, wire 25, wire 21, binding-screw 6, and wire 23, to line. The alternating currents of the generator continueto pass to line and to give the signal on the distant bell as long as the spindle a remains withdrawn, and are discontinued by pushing in the said spindle when the arm runs round to its detent and the bells to unison. At the unison-point all the bells show a dial, which indicates that the line is in use. When the communication is finished, the bells are released from unison and made ready for another operation, and at the same time the line-in-use signal is withdrawn by a single and brief depression of the key E. This reverses the current of the generator T, 'sendinga single pulsation of negative sign to line over the following route: ground G, wire 22, screwpost 1, wire 9, spring key E, anvil h, wire 7, screw-post 2, wire 17, generator T, wire 18, screw-post 3, wire 11, spring 0, contact-lever on, spring z, wire 16, screw-post 6, and wire 23,

to line. The single current thereby transmitted reverses the polarity of the bell-magnets, and these, acting upon a polarized armature and lever, operateto withdraw the line-inuse signal.

I may, without departing from the spirit of my invention, use but one generator, T, as shown in Fig. 8, and four wires therefor, two of which connect through a commutator, 0 for the transmission of straight or uniform direction currents, while the remaining two are connected with the opposite ends of the arbor of the generator-armature, and are unconnected with the commutator, and are hence adapted to furnish alternating currents.

I am aware that other automatic devices have been heretofore used for individual electric signaling, but, so far as I know, they have been exclusively arranged and adapted to send successive currents of a given polarity or direction while running and a steady or continuous current of opposite direction when stopped at any bell. My apparatus is adapted, however, in addition to the transmission of successive impulses of definite polarity, bringing the several bells of two classes successively to their ringing position, to send to line after that position is attained either a steady current of the same direction as that used to advance the bells or a rapid series of alternating currents adapted for ringing of polarized bells, the character of ringing-current being determined by the arresting-spindle used; and by this arrangement twice the number over, although I have described a propelling apparatus consisting of a spring motor adapted to be wound up by the act of setting the machine in motion, such as used in districttelegraph boxes, I may, without prejudice to this invention, employ any mechanical equivalent therefor, such as a direct-acting weight, or a clock-train impelled either by weight or spring. V

Inasmuch as it is evident that the instru ment which constitutes the subject of my invention is to be used only whilesignaling is actually going on, I have not herein shown or described so far an arrangement adapted to constitute-a through short circuit. It is, however, equally evident that such a short circuit is, in the nature of the foregoing arrangement,

, of bells may be utilized on one circuit. Morealready constituted, with the exception of a I hiatus between the small circuit-changing wheel I and the spring T, which normally is .not in contact therewith. If for any reason it becomes desirable to provide a short through circuit cutting out the mechanism, this may be shown in Fig. 9.

readily done by modifying the construction, as In that arrangement the spring 1' is fixedupon a non-conducting block, 2'0, above instead of 011 one side of the wheel I, and is normally pressed against the periphery of the said wheel between its conducting projections by means of the heel X of the lever F, which heel is made of non-conducting material for that purpose.

I claim- 1. An automatic apparatus-for transmitting individual electric signals, consisting, sub stantially as hereinbefore described, of an impelling mechanism, an arbor or shaft capable of rotation and impelled thereby, a rotary circuit-changer in the main circuit between the ground and line wires, fixed upon the said shaft, but insulated therefrom, and adapted to alternately direct straight or alternating impulses to line, a rotary circuit-breaker, also fixed upon the same arbor and electrically connected therewith and included in circuit between the circuit-changer and the line-wire, whereby the straight current from said circuit-changer, when being transmitted to line, is broken up into successive impulses, a rotary arm, also carried upon the said arbor, but insulated therefrom and connected with a generator of rapidly-alternating impulses, and two series of arresting-spindles, each of the said spindles representing an individual signaling-instrument, and each adapted to arrest the motion of the traveling arm, the spindles of the first series being adjusted to arrest the arm when the circuitcloser and circuitchanger are in position to send a steady and constant current to line, and the spindles of the second series being provided with contact-springs and adjusted to arrest the traveling arm and make electrical contact therewith when the circuitchanger is in position to transmit alternating currents to line, for the purposes specified.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of means, as indicated, for producing and automatically transmitting successively electrical impulses of definite direction, devices whereby the number of such impulses may be automatically counted and de termined, and whereby, after the desired number are transmitted, the said successive impulses cease and a steady current of similar direction substituted therefor, and other devices whereby, after the desired number of successive impulses are transmitted, their transmission is arrested and a series of rapidly-alternating currents substituted therefor and transmitted to line, for the purposes de scribed.

3. The combination, substantially as described, of means, as indicated, for producing electrical currents of definite direction, means for interrupting the said currents and automatically transmitting the successive impulses so produced, devices whereby, after a desired number of the said impulses have been so transmitted, the transmission is caused to cease and an uninterrupted current substituted therefor, other automatic devices adapted, after the transmission of a desired number of successive impulses of a given direction, to

stop the said transmission and substitute there r for a series of rapidly-alternating currents, and other means adapted for manual operation, whereby a single pulsation of direction constant but opposite to that of the successive impulses may be transmitted to line, "for the purposes specified.

4. The combination, in an automatic appa ratus for transmitting individual signals, of an impelling mechanism normally at rest, a normal short circuit through the apparatus, a starting-spindle for the impelling mechanism, adapted by its first movementto break the said short circuit, a rotary circuit-closing wheel, normally short-circuited, but adapted to be introduced into the circuit when the instrument is in operation, and to transmit to line successive electrical impulses of definite direction, and a key normally maintaining through its back, contact the said direction, but adapted, when depressed, to send an impulse of opposite direction, for the purposes described. 7

5. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of a generator adapted to evolve currents of constant direction, a rotatin g circuit-breakin g wheel therefor,to produce intermissions in the said currents and cause the transmission of successive impulses to line, an electrical generator adapted to produce alternating currents, a rotatory circuit-changer fixed upon an arbor with the said circuit-breaking wheel, but insulated therefrom, and by suitable contact-springs adapted to make contact successively and intermittently with the sev eral generators, the spring being so adapted that the contact with the constant-current generator is made cotemporaneously with the closing of the circuit thereof at the circuitwheel, and the contact with the alternating generator being made when the circuit of the constant-current generator is open at that point, a rotating arm permanently in circuit with the alternating-current generator, fixed upon and rotating with the arbor of the said circuit breaker and changer, but insulated therefrom, and a series of stop-spindles capable of being placed in the path of the said arm to arrest the mechanism after a certain number of impulses have been transmitted, the said number corresponding to that of the spindle actuated, and to complete the circuit of the alternating generator, whereby rapidly-alternating impulses may be transmitted to line for the purpose of ringing the polarized bell represented by the spindle effectuating the mech- *anism after a definite number of impulses, differing for each, have been sent to line, at a time when the circuit of the straight-current generator is completed to line, whereby a steady current of definite direction may be transmitted to line for the purpose of ringing the neutral bells, as and for the purposes specified.

IIO

IIS

6. The combination, in an automatic signaling transmittinginstrument, of an impelling mechanism, an; electrical generator adapted to evolve constant currents, a second electrical generator adapted to emit alternating currents, a circuit-controlling wheel adapted to intermit the constant currents, a circuit changing wheel located in the main circuit, and by means of suitable contactsprings adapted to close the circuit of the constant generator through the circuit-controlling wheel to line, or to close the circuit of the alternatingcurrent generator, atraveling circuit-closing arm, and stopstherefor, each stop being adapted to arrest the said arm and the entire mechanism at a different period, the stops of one series being adjusted to stop the said arm when the circuit of. the constant-current generator is completed through the circuitchanger to line, and the stops of the other series being adjusted to stop the said arm and complete the'circuit of the alternating-current generator to line, when the same circuit is also closed through the circuit-changer, for the purpose 7. The combination, in an automatic appa thereon, but insulated therefrom, the traveling arm 0, also carried by the said arbor and and adapted as hereinbefore specified, where by successive electrical impulses of given direction may be sent to line to advance the ratchets of the several signal-bells, whereby when any of the spindles b is caused to arrest the progress of thetraveling arm a constant current of the same direction is sent to line, and when any of the spindles a stops the progress of the said arm alternating currents are sentto line, and whereby when the said key E is depressed a constant current of opposite direction to that of the successive impulses is sent to line, substantially as described,

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification,in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 10th day of May, 1883.

JAMES H. GARY.

Vitnesses 0. F. BROWN, A. L. Wnrrn.

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