US388631A - Electric fire-alarm signal-box - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

S. A. CHASE.

ELECTRIC FIRE ALARM SIGNAL Box.

Patented Aug. 28, 1888.

H H I WI l l l l l l l l lifiufi lll l IllI WITNESSES Eda/02, ZTZ ea/QZZ Attorney,

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

S. A. CHASE.

ELECTRIC FIRE ALARM SIGNAL BOX.

Patented Aug. 28, 1888.

INVENTOR,

WITNESSES, Eda/1 72, Z: yeweZZ -/1 ttorney PATENT OFFICE.

SIDNEY A. CHASE, OF EVART, MICHIGAN.

ELECTRIC FIRE-ALARM SIGNAL-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 388,631, dated August 28, 1888.

Application filctl March 3!, 1888,

.To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SIDNEY A. Cruse, a citizen of the United States, residing at Evart, county of Osceola, Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric Fire- Alarm Signal-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in electric fire-alarm signal-boxes; and it consists,substantially,in such features ofarrangcment,constrnction,and combination of parts as will hereinafter be more particularly described or pointed out.

The object of my invention is to provide an electrical tire-alarm signal-box of such construction that by the insertion of an instrument or key specially designed for the purpose the electric circuitof the system will be closed or established and the alarm thereby sounded.

Further, my invention has for its object to provide the interior of the box of a construction and arrangement by which the electric circuit of the system is maintained normally open and to prevent the sounding of an alarm except by the use of a circuit-closing key of special construction.

Further, my invention has for its object to provide a construction and arrangement of circuit-controlling devices for the boxes, by whieh,when the circuit-closing key is inserted for the purpose ofsounding an alarm, the said key will be caught or retained in such manner as to render it impossible to be removed until the box itself is unlocked, thus enabling it to always be discovered as to whether the party sounding the alarm is in rightful possession of circuit-closing key, and serving frequently to the detection of persons maliciously disposed.

Further, my invention has for its object to provide a lock for securely maintaining the box in a closed condition, and also for preventing withdrawal of the circuit-closing key until unlocked by a key of special construction held by the inspector or other party of authority, the said lock being much more secure and simple than many former inventions on the subject.

Finally, my invention has such other objects in view as will more fully hereinafter appear when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein- I Figure 1 represents a perspective view of an electric fire-alarm signal-box of my invention as it appears when closed and inacondition for Serial No. 269.1536. (No model.)

use or operation. Fig. 2 isasimilar view ofboth the box and its cover or casing, the latter being detached for the purpose of better illustrating the arrangement of the parts of the former which itincloscs. Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the specially-designed key for closing the electric circuit to sound an alarm. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the box, taken about centrally through the same, more clearly indicating the interior construction and disposition of parts contributing to my invention. Fig. 5 is a top or plan view of the lock with its casing attached; and Fig. (l is a view thereof with the casing removed, so as to more clearly show the interior. Fig. 7 is a top view of one of the interior blocks, the same indicating the manner of attachment thereto ofoneofthecircuitcontrolling springs. Fig. 8 represents a front view ofthe two interi( 1' blocks, showing the ends of the insulatorblocks and the shape of the opening into which the circuit-closing key is inserted. Fig. 9 is a view representing the shape of and attachment to the box of the key-hole guard. Fig. 10 represents in perspective a view of the specially-designed key for opening the lock on the under side of the box, and indicated at Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 11 represents in general the arrangement of a system of boxes of my invention, the said view also indicating the use and arrangement of a test mechanism by which the condition ofthe controlling-circuit may always be learned, and also by which defects of such circuit may be readily compensated for.

As will be understood before proceeding with a more full description, my invention is particularly designed for use in connection with such electrical fire alarm and other signals as are employed in large manufacturing establishments, depot-grounds, millyards, hotels, and the like, as well also as municipal and like signal systems; and I desire to state that an electric fire alarm signal box constructed in accordance with my invention is not adapted particularly to any one system alone, but is equally applicable to any electricsignal system where a normal open circuit is maintained.

In carrying my invention into effect I pro vide the back of the box with suitable holes for the passage of screws for holding the box to the side of a wall or other support, and east or formed therewith isa flange or projco tion following the general shape or contour of serving to permit of a nmch more ready insersaid back. To the inner side of this back or wall-piece 1 secure two blocks of wood or equivalentnoncondncting materiahhcld apart by an intermediate smaller block,cach of said two blocks being formed centrally with a slantlug or inclined channel or groove, forming bei tween thetn an opening of sufticient capacity to admit of the necessary movement or play of the eircuit'closin; springs and their attached insulator-blocks. The circnit'closing springs are secured to the contiguous sides of the upper and lower blocks of wood, and secured to their outer or free ends in any snitable manner are b ocks of gutta percha or other insulating material, each of whi h is; formed with a cavity or opening leading to l the springs, so that on insertion of the speci l ally-designmi circuit-closing key of conductl ing material the circuit will be closed or cs tablishcd and the alarm thereby sounded. Each of theinsulatocblocks is also formed in its upper front edge with a cavity or recess of such shape as that between the two an open int, is formed for the ready admission and guidance of the circuit closing key.

4 Normally the electric circuit is maintained in an open condition by virtue of the inter mediate block keeping the springs from contact with each other. To the inner ends of the springs, attachment is made of the two wires forming the elect riceircuit, which wires will be understood as being also in proper liattery-conncction. lt isbythe actofinserting the circuit-key that the electric circuit is established, and it is due to the particular form or shape of the insulator-blocks that such key is prevented from withdrawal until the box is unlocked or opened, and this latter can only be accomplished vby aspecially-prepared key in the hands of the proper one in authority.

The case or cover of the box is provided in its front side with an opening coinciding with the cavities or depressions in the insulated bloeks,and it is through this opening that the circuit-closing key is inserted. Surrounding said opening is a guard,preferably made sepal rate and attached by screws and having, formed thereon the number of the box or alarm. This form is preferred for chcapncss in casting, the number,and since the two sides of the circuitclosing key are ilat I prefer to form the two sides ofthc opening in the keyhole guard of l a beveled or slanting}, nature,such eonst ruct ion tion and guidance of said key to its place.

To the under side of preferably the lower springholding block 1 locate or arrange the locking mechanism for maintaining the box closed orlocked against any attempt to tamper enable thesaid casing to be removed.

therewith, and this mechanism also securely prevents the withdrawal ofthe circuit-closing key until unlocked. The said mechanism conl sists of two pivoted hooks or catches held to l engagement with a stud on the inside of the cover or casing by means of suitable springs,

l i thereby securing said casing in place, and it i is by insertion of a key through an opening in the casing that said pivoted catches are forced apart against the action of their springs to ()u removal of the casing the circuit-closing key can be easily withdrawn from between the insulator-blocks by simply giving to the same a tpiartcr-turn to the right. or left. This lock ing device is contained within the box and cannot be tampered with by persons maliciously or otherwise disposed.

For the purpose of ascertaining at all times the conditions of the elect ric circuit of the sys tent, l resort t certain devices, which will be described more particularly hereinafter.

'tet'erencc being had to the several parts by I the letters marked on the accompanyingdrawings, A. represents the back of the box, the

; same bcin formed or provided with aproiee tion or tlange, u, and having suitable holes for the passage of screws 1 I. for securing thebox to a wall or other support.

3 represents the cover or casing of the box, which, as shown, is so constructed as to be received by the projection or tlange on the back of the box.

Secured to the inner side of the back A are two blocks, 0 c, of wood or other equivalent noncondueting material, between which is arranged and secured an intermediate block, (I, of similar material. The said intermediate block is shorter than the others, and the latter are each provided with an inclined chanad or rccess,c, the two i Ollllittg between them a tlaring or bell-shaped opening, f,to admit of the necessary movementor play of the circuitcontrolling springs and their attached instr later-blocks.

(PIC/represent the ci rcuit-cont rolli ug springs, they being, attached by screws, as shown, to the corresponding sides of the upper and lower blocks, 0 e. 'lhcsespringshave titted to or secured upon their outer or free ends, in any suitable manner, blocks l), of rubber or other proper insulating material, the said blocks being formed with an opening, 1 reaching to the springs, and having also in their tops, at the forward end, a beveled opening, ll, acting to receive and guide the circuit-closing key when the same is inserted through the key-hole in the front of the casing of the box. Before the ends of the blocks I prefer to employ a guardplate, such as is rc 'n'csented at 2, Fig. 2; but this, however, is not essential.

The use of a speciallydesigned key is nee cssary in the practice of my invention-such as is shown in Fig. 3- and when the same is inserted between the insulated blocks its conical or arrow-shaped end will be. caught be tween the two blocks and thereby held, while at the same time the electric circuit is closed or established by reason of the edges of the key coming in electrical contact with the two springs G (i, such contact being permitted through the openings in the blocks, into which the end of the key slips.

The lock for the box consists of two hooks IIU or catches, m m, pivoted, as at n n, to the under side of, preferably, the lower block a, which hooks engage with a stud, 0, secured to the inner side of the cover or casing, and are maintained to such engagement by theaction of two bent springs, pp, secured to the lock, as shown. Asmall stud, q, is provided on the back of the lock, and, being between or intermediate of the catches, serves to prevent such catches from becoming overlapped at their ends, which might occur in the event. of one spring being stronger than the other, and this would interfere with a free and perfect operation. The said stud q effectually prevents any such trouble.

The cover or casing E of the lock is formed or provided with a slot or opening, 8, to admit of the passage therethrough of the pin or pro jection 0 on the inner side ofthe casing of the box, and with which the two spring-actuated hooks or catches engage for maintaining the box in a locked condition. The said'cover or easing E of thelock is also formed or provided with an additional slot or opening, 14, of approximate T shapeffor the entrance of the key for effecting the release of the springcatches from their engagement with the stud o.

The key for the lock is of special construction, and is shown in Fig. 10. The said key is formed with two projections, 4 4, and the manner of releasing the lock is by inserting this key through the opening it, then turning the same, and sliding it along such openin whereupon the projections et 4 will act to sepa rate the catches, and thus enable the cover or casing of the box to be removed.

The lock shown and described herein is such as is preferred by me in the practice of my invention; but it will be understood that other locks could be employed and still permit of the accomplishment of the same results from the other parts of the box. 2

From the foregoing description it-will be seen that when the cover or casing of the box is slipped over the blocksrinto place'the said cover or casing will become locked automatic ally. It will further be seenthat when the circuit closing key is inserted between the in sulator blocks the alarm will be at once sounded by virtue of the electric circuit thus established, and also that such key will be trapped and held against removal until the lock of the box has been opened.

In Fig. 11 'I have shown one general an rangement of systems with which my improved boxes are proposed to be used, and in connection with such arrangement I have shown what I term a testing device for enabling it to be ascertained at any time whether the conditions of the electric circuit are good or correct. It frequently happens with these systems that from various causes the circuit gets out of order and no alarm is sounded when wanted, thus causing delays and damage to both life and property:

My testing device consists of a wire, F, additional to those completing the general circuit but in connection therewith electrically. Then I employ another wire or conductor, G, in electrical connection with a bell, H, which in turn is in electrical communication with the battery J, the said conductor G having at its end a push-button, K. By this arrangement it is simply necessary to ,l'orce the button K into contact with wire F, and if the circuit is in proper order the bell II will sound'an alarm or signal the same, as it will do on the sounding of an alarm from any one of the boxesof the system.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an electrical fire-alarm signal-box, the combination of two springs forming a part of the electric circuit, blocks 0 c of insulating material for supporting said springs within the box, and an intermediate stationary or immovable block of insulating material for maintaining the springs apart, substantially as described.

2. In an electrical tirealarm signalbox, the combination, with two springs insulated from each other and forming a part of the electric circuit, of insulators attached to the springs and having openings reach'ing thereto, and a key for closing the circuit, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. An electrical fire-alarm signal-box having arranged therein two springs forming a part of the electric circuit, the said springs having attached thereto blocks of insulating material, having openings therein adapting them to receive and interlock with a key substantially as described.

4. An electrical fire-alarm signal-box having arranged therein two springs insulated from each other and forminga part of the electric circuit, the said springs having attached thereto blocks of insulating material formed with openings reaching to the springs, and having bevel shaped recesses in their outer edges, so as to adapt them to receive and in terlock with a key, the end of which is conical or bevel shaped, substantiallyas described.

5. In an electrical firealarm signalbox, the combination, with the box and a suitable lock therefor, of two springs forming a part of the electric circuit, the insulators attached to the springs, and a key having a conical or arrowshaped end for making electrical contact between the springs, substantially as described 6. In an electric fire-alarm signal-box, the combination,.with the box and a suitable lock therefor, of the blocks 0 c and d, the springs O C, the insulators attached to the springs having openings communicating therewith, and a key for closing the circuit, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. V

Witnesses: SIDNEY A. CHASE.

E. EVERETT ELLIs, CURTIS LAMMOND.

ICC

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