US477068A

US477068A - Fire-alarm system

Info

Publication number: US477068A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1892-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 1909-06-14

Description

(No Model.)

PIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

No. 477,068. Patented June V14., 1892.

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THE cams pinzas co., PHoTumo., wnsmmrron. D. c.

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 2. L. G. ROWAND.

PIRE ALARM SYSTEM. No. 477,068. Patented June 14, 1892.

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L. G. ROWAND. PIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

No. 477,068. Patented June 14, 1892.

(No Model.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

L. G. ROWAND.l PIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

Patented June 14, 1892..

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L. G. ROWQAND. FIRE lALARM SYSTEM.

No. 477,068. Patented June 14, 1892.

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 6.

L. G. ROWAN'D.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

No. 477,068. Patented June 14,1892.

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4 L. Gf ROWAND. FIR-B ALARM SYSTEM.

No. 477,068. Patented'June 14, 1892.

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LEVIS G. RAOVAND, OF CAMDEN, NElV JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO HENRY C, TERRY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FIRE-ALARM SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 477,068, dated J' une 14, 1892.' Application tiled December 14, 1891. Serial No. 415,053. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, LEWIS G. ROWAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Camden, New Jersey, have invented certain Improvements in FireAlarm Systems, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in that class of fire-alarm systems in which an alarm is sounded at a central station or other suitable pointby thecompletion of a circuit by a thermostator switch or from some disarrangement of the circuit caused either by the grounding or breaking of one or other of the main or local lines in a building connected with the system, the arrangement of the system being such that different alarms are sounded from different causes and the recording of the alarms so sounded will distin guish an alarm of fire from an alarm caused by the breaking or grounding of one or other ot' the circuits.

In carrying out my invention I propose to place in the building one or more series of systems provided at suitable intervals with thermostats or switches, the lines all terminating at a box or local station in the building, atwhich box the main-line wires are connected and which carries the alarms, local batteries, and connections, this box being preferably placed on the exterior of the building for the convenience of the firemen, linelnen, and inspectors. In this box or local station is a series of instruments, hereinafter termed mechanical signaling-alarms, which are employed to sound different signals arising from different causes, and a series of annunciators are employed to show on what floor or circuit the alarm has been sounded from.

This system is especially arranged with a View of sounding an alarm of ti re under various conditions of the wires or circuits, which may be enumerated as follows: first, with main outside line broken; second, with main outside line grounded; third, with main outside line short-circuited; fourth, with main outside line broken and grounded; fifth, with main outside linebroken, grounded, and shortcircuited; sixth,with main outside line grounded and sl'xort-circuited; seventh, with main outside line broken and short circuitcd; eighth, with main inside line broken; ninth,

circuited; nineteenth, with main outside lineV grounded and main inside line broken and short-circuited; twentieth, with main outside line short-circuited and main inside line broken; twenty-first, with main out-side line shortcircuited and main inside line short-circnited; twenty-second, with main outside line shortcircuited and main inside line broken and short-circuited; twenty-third, with main outside line broken and grounded and main insidelinebroken; twenty-fourth, with main outside line broken and grounded and main inside line short-circuited; twenty-fifth, with main outside line broken and grounded and main insidelinebroken and short-circuited; twentysixth, with main outside line broken', grounded, and short-circuited and main inside line broken; twenty-seventh, with main outside line broken, grounded,andshort-eircuited and main inside line short-circuited; twentyeighth, With main outside line broken, grounded, and short-circuitcd and main inside line broken and short-circuited; twenty-ninth, with main outside line grounded and shortcircuited and main inside line broken; thirtieth, with main outside line grounded and short-circuited and main inside line shortcireuited; thirty-Iirst, with main outside line grounded and short-cireuited and main inside line broken andshort-circuited; thirty-second, with main outside line broken and short-circuited and main inside line broken; thirtythird, with main outside line broken and short-circuited and main inside line shortcircuitcd; thirty-fourth, with main outside line broken and short-circuited and main inside line broken and short-circuited; thirty- IOO fifth, With main outside line broken and main inside line broken and building-line broken; thirty-sixth, with main outside line broken, main inside line short-circuit-ed, and buildingline short-circuited; thirty-seventh, with main outside line broken, main inside line broken and short-cireuited, and building-linebroken and short-circuited; tliirty-eighth, with main outside line grounded, main inside linebroken, and building-line broken; thirty-ninth, with main outside line grounded, main insideline short-circuited, and building-line short-circuited; fortieth, with main outside line grounded, main inside line broken and shorteircuited, building-line broken and short-circuited; fortytirst, with main outside line short-circnited and main inside line broken and building-line broken; forty-second, With main outside line short-circuited, main inside line short-circnited, and building--line shortcircuited; forty-third, with main outsideline short-circuited, main inside line broken and short-circuited, and building-line broken and short-circuited, forty-fourth, With main outside line broken and grounded, main inside line broken, and building-linebroken; fortyifth, With main outside line grounded, main inside line sl'iort-circuited, bu ilding-line shortcircuited; forty sixth, main outside line grounded and broken, main inside line broken and short-circuited, building-line broken and short-circuited; forty-seventh, main outside line broken, grounded, and short-circuited, main inside line broken, and building-line broken; forty eighth, main outside line broken, grounded, and short-circuited, main inside line short-circuited, building-line shortcircuited; forty ninth, main outside line broken, grounded, and short-circuited, main inside line broken and short-eircuited,building-line broken and short-circuited; tiftieth,

main outside line grounded and short-circuited, main inside line broken, building-line broken; fifty-first, main outside line grounded and short-circuited, main inside line shortcircuited; fifty-second, main outside line grounded and short-circuited, main insideline broken and short-eircuited,`and building-line broken and short-cireuited; fifty-third, main outside line broken and short-circuited, main inside line broken, building-line broken; fifty-fourth, main outside line broken and short-eircuited, main inside line short-circuited, building-line short-circuited; fiftyfit'th, main outside line broken and short-circuited, main inside line broken and short-circuited, building-line broken and short-circuited; lifty-sixth, main inside line broken, building-line broken; titty-seventh, main inside line broken,building-line short-circuited; fifty-eighth, main inside line broken,buildingline broken and short-eircuited; fifty-ninth, main inside line short-eircnited, building-line broken; sixtieth, main inside line short-circuited, building-line short-circuited; sixtyiirst, main inside line short-circuited, building-line broken and short-circuited; sixty-second, main inside line broken and short-eircuit.ed,building-line broken; siXty-third,main inside line broken and short-circuited, building line short-circuited; sixty-fourth, main inside line broken and short-circuited, buildingline broken and short-circuited; sixty-fifth, main outside line broken, building -line broken; sixty-sixth, main outside line broken, building-line short-cireuited; sixty-seventh, main outside line broken, building line broken and shortcircuited; sixtyeighth, main outside line grounded, building-line broken; sixty ninth, main outside line grounded, building-line short-circuited; seventieth, main outside line grounded, buildingline broken and short-cireuited seventy-first, main outside line short-circuited, building line broken; seventy-second, main outside line short-circuited, building-line short-circuited; seventy-third, main outside line shorteircuited, building-line broken and short-circuited; seventy fourth, main outside line broken and grounded, building-line broken; seventy-fifth, main outside line broken and grounded, building-line short-circuited; seventy-sixth, main outside line broken and grounded, building-line broken and shortcircuited; seventy-seventh, main outsideline broken, grounded, and short-circuited, building-line broken; seventy-eighth, main outside line broken, grounded, and short-circuited, building-line short-circuited; seventy-ninth, main outside line broken,grounded, andshortcircuited, building-line broken and short-circuited; eightieth, main outside line grounded and short circuited, building -line broken; eighty-first, main outside line grounded and short-circuited, building-line short-circnited; eighty-second, main outside line grounded and short-circuited, building-line broken and short-circuited; eighty-third, Imain outside line broken and short-circuited, building-line broken; eightyfourth, main outside line broken and shortcircuited, building-line short-circuited; eighty-fifth, main outside line broken and short-circuited, building-line broken and short-circuited. In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a diagram of the house or building system, together with a diagram of the local station or box and the instruments employed for sending the alarm. Fig. 2 is a general diagram of the instruments employed at the central receiving-station. Fig. 3 is an elevation of one of the mechanical signaling-` alarms. Fig. -1 is a longitudinal section ot the same on the line 0c x, Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is an end View of the instrument, looking in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 3. Fig. G isaperspective View of a portion of theinstrument. Figs. 7, S, and 9 are detached Views illustrating different positions of portions of the mechanical signaling-alarm. Figs. 10, 11,12, 13, 14, and 15 areperspective Views of different forms of circuit-breakers used on the mechanical signaling-alarms. Figs. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 are diagrams illustrating the construction IZO `o'f'tleNcircuit-breakers shown in Figs. 10, 11,l

12, 1,5;"14, and 15, respectively. Fig-22 is a. plan view of the telegrapbkey for communieating to the central station. Fg.23 isasidey view of the same.

#the relayin the local station. Fig; 25 is a sectionahview of the same .on the line 'y y, Fig."2'4f. 26 is a'sideview,partly in sec-2. tion', of 'on'eof the tioor-annunciators'. Fig.; 27 is a view of a form of' lightning-arrester which may be employed, and Fig. 28 isa sectional view of one form of thermostat which may be employed inv carrying out my invention. Y `,In the box or local station are placed three -f mechanical signaling-alarms of preciselysimilar construction, but provided with' circuitbreakers of derent character, as more fully described hereinafter. 'lhese alarms are for* convenience marked 1, 2, and 3, respectively, in the diagram Fig. 1,and each has atrain of gears, an electro-magnet normally preventing the movement of the same, and two circuitrbreakers, as will be more clearly seen on ref- 'being identical, land the different uses to:

which they are put depending altogether on the construction of the circuit-breakers they carry.'l The circuitfbreakers 4 and 5 (shown in Figs. 10 and 11) are carried by the alarm 1, the circuit-breakers l6 and 7, Figs. 12 andl v13, are carried bythe alarm 2, and the circuit`

breakers

8 and 9,. Figs. 4 and 5, are carried by the alarm 3, as shown in diagram'Fig. 1.

10 10 'are suitable side plates, inwhichare v journaled the shafts of the train of gears which actuate the mechanical alarm, 11 representing the main or primary shaft, which carries a spring 12 and a gear-wheel 13, the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of a gear-wheel14, the shaft 15 of which extends outside the frame-work and carries one or other of the circuit-

breakers

5, 7,or 9. 'lhe gear-`wheel13 also serves to impart a rotative motion at a greater speed to a shaft 16 through the medium of a pinion 17, the shaft 16 being rotated four times while the shaft 15 is rotated once.

The shaft 16 extends outside thev framework and carries one or other of the

circuitbreakers

4, 6, or 8. (Illustrated, respectively, in Figs. 10,12, and 14.) 0n ashaft 18 is mounted'a pinion engaging with the teeth of a wheelk o n't'hefs'haft 16, and also mounted upon this shaft is an escapement-wheel 19, with which eigages an ordinary -form of escapement 20, fixed upon a shaft 21, on which is also carried the governing-fan 22.

Fig. 24 is a p lanview of The gear-wheel 14, which is vmounted. upon `the shaft-15, is provided, preferably on its op- :posite faces, with disks23 and 24, in @which are cut notches 25 26, the4 notch 25 in the diskf 23 being at an angle of about ninety-.twodagrecs from the'notch 26 ,in .the dskf24. '-11 Suitably mounted in the .frame-work 'is a.

vided at itsv lower end with an armature 29 `underthe control of an electromagnet 30,

the upper end of the lever 28 beingnormally in engagement with one of the wings of the' governing-fan 22 and acting through the fan to prevent the movementof the train of gears. On this shaft.27 is likewise secured an arm shaft 2'7, on which is carriedz a lever 28, pro- 31, the upper end of which is normally in engagement with the notch 25 in the disk 23 fand being held inengagemeut therewith by a spring 32,- extending from the lower end of the lever 28 toa tixed point on the frame, theV tension of the spring being adjusted by any suitable mechanism. f

On a shaft 33, extending between'the opposite sides of the frame, is mounted a lever 34, one end of which is provided with a toe 35, normally pressed against the periphery of the disk 24, and held in contact therewith by a sprlng 36, the tension of which may be adjusted.v This toe 35 is adapted to enter into engagement with the groove or notch 26 in the ldisk 24.

The various circuit-breakers shown in Figs. 10 to 15, inclusive, are secured'to theprojecting shafts 15 16 ofthe mechanical signalingalarms, two circuit-breakers being used on leach alarm.,v Tosnitable insulated blocks 37 ICO 38 arev secured contact-brushes, which bearY upon the circuit-breakers, to which the vari'- ous line-wires are connected 'and through which the circuits are alternatelymade and broken y in sending signal-alarms.

Referring now to the diagram Fig. 1, 39

represents the thermostats or switches, which are placed at suitable intervals throughout the building, the series of thermostats or switches on each floor being preferably in one circuit, and any number of circuits for different doors may be used, although 'for convenience I have illustrated but three in the dia gram Fig. 1.

In the diagram Fig. 1 the `heavy straight lines indicate the main line, through which the current is constantly passing, the direction of the current being indicated by arrows for the sake of convenience, although the direction. of current may of course be reverse, if required. The building-circuits are indicated by straight lines, the ground-wires are indicated by heavy waved lines, and the testing-lines for testing the circuit are indicated in, light waved lines.

40 is the main outside 1in e, leading from the central station to the lightning-arrester 4l in.

'the box orA local station.

yno

-alarm in case of'a broken wire in the main' inside line.' 44is a branch of the main circuit, which is used when telegraphing to the central station, the operation of the telegraphkey causing the short-circuiting of the main inside line, so that the current passes through the branch 44 to the key and 'from thence by a ground-line 45 to the earth.

The general arrangement of the main inside line in the building is such that it parallels the house-line of each iioor and is in electrical contact with one of the terminals of each thermostat or switch 39.l The house-lines on the various oors'formin themselves complete circuits extending from terminal to terminal of the variousthermostats or switches, and the circuit being normally closed through a switch 46 and a contact-point 47. The switch 46 may be in the form of a spring the tendency of which is to keep it at all times in contact with the contact-point 47 and maintain nor-I mally a closed circuit for each fioor.

When one ot' the'house-lines or one of the building-lines is grounded accidentally, the alarm 1 is operated. In sounding the alarm of fire the alarm 1 is first operated, and this vfis is followed by the operation of the alarm 2; but when one of the main inside lines is broken the alarm 3 only is operated.

In following out the'house-circuit from the first floor through thealarms, 48 represents a wire extending from the contact-point 47 to the helix of an electro-magnet 48- of anannunciator, preferably of the character illustrated in Fig. 26, and thence extends to one of the contact-brushesy marked49. Thence the circuit is established through the conducting portion of the circuit breaker 6, through a brush 50, to a wire-51, which passes from thence to a switch-lever 52, normally in contact with a contact-piece 53 and provided with a wire 54, extending to a brush 55, which is at all times in electrical contact with the conducting-surface of the circuit-breaker 5. (Illustrated in Figs. il and 17.) The circuitis continued through a brush 56 and a wire 57 to an Aelectro-magnet 30, which controls the mechanical alarm l. From the electro-magnet 30 the circuit extends to a battery 58, preferably located inA the box in which all of the instruments are placed,.and from thence passes to the ground-wire 59, leading to the main ground-wire 45. The circuit of the second door is formed by a wire 60, extending from its contact-point 47 through the helix of an electro-magnet48b of its annunciator to a brush 61 on the Icircuit breaker 6, the circuit being th rough the circuit-breaker and the brush 50 to the electro-magnet 30 of the mechanical alarm 1 and the wire -51, as previously described. The circuit of the third floor is through the wire 62, through the helixof its electro-magnet 48c of the annunciator and a brush 63, through the brush 50, and from thence through the wire 51, as before described. These comprise the circuits, which are normally closed and which when brought into contact with the main inside wire 42, constantly in circuit, will cause the energizing of the annunciatormagnet in theproper circuitand the energizing of the controlling-magnets 30 of the mechanical alarms 1 and 2.

The energizing of the electro-magnet 30 of the mechanical signaling-alarm 2 will (referring to Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6) cause the attraction of the armature 29 and will move the legears and will effect the movement of the circuit-breakers in the direction ofthe arrow,

Fig. 3. The sounding oiV an alarm in this manner will first be described with reference to the mechanical 'signaling-,alarm 1, since all the local connections of that alarni have been described. The main inside line connection with this alarm is through contact-

brushes

64, 65,66, and 67, the brushes 64 65 being` used on the lower side 68 of the circuit-breaker on the ingoing wire 42 and the brushes 66 67 being used on the upper side 69 of the circuitbreaker on the outgoing wire 42. The two portions Iof the 'circuit-breaker. are insulated from each other; but in rotating both parts come into electrical contact with a -brush' 70, connected to the ground-wire 59, so as to make and break the circuit through the ground to the central receivi 11g-'station The additional brushes 66 67 and the double circuit-breakers are used in case of the reversal of the current, which will be done under circumstances hereinafter set forth. The ground-wire brush 70, it will be observed, normallyrests on an insulated portion 7l of the circuit-breaker 4, as shown. As previously described, the

circuitbreakers

4, 6, and 8 are rotated four times at each operation of the mechanical alarms, and

as they rotate will cause the breaking and making of the circuit of the main inside line- 42, the circuit being made'and broken as many` times as it is required to signal the number by which thebuilding is known at the central receiving-station. The present alarm is constructed to signal the number f 42, and the circuit-

breakers

4, 6, and 8 are therefore provided with`a number of insulated portions which break and make the lcircuit four times, rest, and then break and make the circuit twice, thus signaling the number 42. Considering now that one of the local building-lines-say on the iirst floor-be accidentally grounded, a circuit will be established through that floor-line, switch 46, wire 48, annunciator magnet 48,- brush 49, circuitbreaker 6,

bru'sh

50,4 wirel51, switch 52, wire 54, brush 55, circuit-breaker 5, brush 56, magnet 30, battery 58, to earth, resulting in the energizing of the

magnets

48a and 30,. the release of the train of gears, and the consequent I-Io rotation of the circuit-breaker 4. At thetrst -lar circuit on which the alarm is being sounded. This closing of the circuit also raises the tape into contact with the printing-disk of the usual printer 73, Fig. 2, and it remains in contact with the tape while the main circuit is broken by the passage ot' the insulated portions of the circuit-breaker under the brushes 65 6G, the circuit being broken four times,

`then twice, and then for a comparatively long time while the ground-line brush is passing over the insulated portion 71, printing a long dash and indicating a ground on the house-line. The circuit-breaker -t rotates four times and sounds the alarm, printing on the tape at the central receiving-station the number of the box four distinct times, and between the numbers prints a long dash, signifying that the line is in trouble. XVhile the circuit-breaker e is completing its fou r revolutions the circuit-breaker 5 has nearly completed one revolution, the rotation of the train of gears being stopped (when the metallic portion 7i of the circuit-breaker5 comes into the same position as that previously occupied by the portion of the circuitbreaker) by the engagement of the toe 35 of the lever 3 with the groove or notch 2G of the disk 2l. The position of the circuitbreaker is such that the circuit through the brushes 55 5G between the wires 54 and 57 is broken and the circuit is established between the line 5li and the brush 55 through the portion 7a of the circuit-breaker, a brush 76, and a wire 77 to a brush 7S, through the metallic surface of the circuit-breaker 7 to the brush 79, and from thence by the wire 8O through the controlling-magnet 30 of the mechanical signaling-alarm 2, the circuit from thence passinnr to the wire 8l to the main ground-wire 4o. After the mechanical signaling-alarm l has been operated by the grounding ot the housewire (the system being energized by the local batteries) the signal will stop at this point, for the electro-magnet 30 of the mechanical signaling-alarm 2 will not be energized, since in the circuit extending between the circuitbreaker and the circuit-breaker 7 there is no battery, the only means of energizing said circuitbeing by a connection with the main inside line. The energizing of this circuit, therefore, will only occur in case of an alarru of fire, when the thermostat or switch has operated to connect the main inside line with one of the house-lines.

Coming now to thecircuit-breaker G, which is operated only in case ot fire, the circuitbreaker proper is divided into three portions 82 83 84, the portion 82 being provided with contact-brushes 85 86 on the ingoiug wire of the main inside line t2 and acting to make and break the circuit through said line when rotated. The portion 83 is precisely the same in construction as the portion 82, is insulated therefrom, and is provided with contactbrushes 87 88 on the main outgoing wire. The portion St ofthis circuit-breaker is comparatively broad and has a conducting-surface extending entirely around its circumference, on

which bears the brush 50. i This circuitbreaker receives the

brushes

49,61, and 63 of the rst, second, and third floor circuits, respectively, and is made broad enough to take in as many brushes as there are circuits in the system. On the surface of this portion of the circuit-breaker are blocks of insulatinp` material, which act to break the circuit and sound the number of the building, 42, the blocks being of the same character and in precisely the same positions with respect to the brushes as the blocks of insulating material on the portions S2 83. This portion Si is likewise provided with stepped ribs of insulating

material

89, 90, and 91, 011e rib being used for each floor and being so placed on the circuit-breaker that if the tire-alarm be on the circuit of the first iioor its brush Lt9 will cross the rib S9. It the alarm be on the secondtloor circuit, the brush Gl of that circuit will cross both the ribs S9 and 90 and the circuit between the brush 6l and the brush 50 will be twice broken in addition to the numbcrof breaks required in sounding the alarm. If the alarm be on the third floor, the circuit between the brush G3 and the brush 50 will be broken three times by the

ribs

89, 90, and 91.

The circuit-breaker 7 is so arranged that a circuit is always established from wire 77 and a bl'ush 78 to the conducting portion of the circuit-breaker 92, which projects from the main ring and on which rests the brush 79, connected to wire 80 and the helix of the electro-magnet 30 of the mechanical alarm 2; but after the circuit has been energized and the train of gears released the first movement of circuit-breaker 7 breaks t-he connection between

brushes

78 and 79 and establishes the circuit between the brush 78 and a brush 93, (which had previously been resting upon a block of insulating material 9t,) and thence through the wire to the electro-magnets 96 of a stroke-gong 97, and from thence by wire 98 to the ground-wire 59. The bringing of this gong into the circuit causes the sounding ITO of the alarm in the local station, the number of the building, 42, being first struck, and this is followed by the number of the iloor or circuit in which the tire has occurred. The tape at the central station receives a corresponding number of marks, the length of the floor-marks depending on the width of the ribs S9, 90, and 9i and the length of time for which the circuit is broken. These ribs are therefore preierablymade as narrow as possible, and in practice it has been found desirable that the door should be designated merely by dots on the tape.

alarm 3, which is connected with the main inside line 42 by a shunt-circuit 43, thence through the brush 90, brush 100, brush 101, and the brush 102 to the controlling-magnet 30 of the alarm 3, and from thence back again to the return-circuit of the main line..

This magnet is of a resistance greater than the resistance of the entire building-circuit, so that the current will normally pass through thebuilding-circuit in placeof passingthrough the magnet. vVhen the wire is broken, however, the current passes through the shunt and the electro-magnet 30 is energized and by attracting its armature causes the release of the train of gears which operate the

circuitbreakers

8 and 9 and cause the making and breaking of the circuit between the brushes and 100 the necessary number of times to sound the number of the station, 42, and after the number of the station to print a shortdash on the tape by the passage of the brush over the insulated portion 102, thus serving to indicate at the central station that the main line in the building is broken. Aft-er the circuit-breaker has rotated the necessary four times and the circuit-breaker 0 has completed a partial revolution the circuit is broken between the brushes 101 and 102, leading to the controlling-magnet and is established between the brush 101 andthe brush 104, thus cutting out the magnet and keeping the line intact without the resistance of the magnet-coils. In the box or local station at the point where the main-line wires 40 enter is a relay (illustrated more clearly in Figs. 24 and 25) having two electro-

magnets

105 and 106 of equal power, the electro-magnet 105 being on the ingoing wire and the electro-magnet 100 being on the outgoing wire of the main inside line. Between these electro-magnets is an armaturelever 107, pivoted at 108 and acted upon by springs 109, which, aided by the equal attraction of the electro-

magnets

105 and 100, keep the armature-lever central. Leading from the pivot-point 10S is a line 110, extending to a switch-lever 111, and from thence passes a wire 112 to a brush 113 on the portion 75 of the circuit-breaker 5. The outer end of the armature-lever 107 is adapted to come into contact with either the contact-

point

114 or 115 when attracted by either electro-magnet, so that in the event ot the current of the main building-line being grounded the current will on entering and passing over the electro-magnet 105 of thc relay pass from thence through the main inside line to the ground, so that while the current is cut off the helix of the electro-magnet 106 the electro-magnet 105 is energized, causing the attraction of the armature 107 of the relay in the direction of the arrow, and thus establishing a circuit through the wires 112 and the circuit-breaker 5, and from thence through the wire 57 to the electro-magnet 30 of the alarm 1 to the battery 5S and ground. The controlling-magnet is energized, the mechanical signaling-alarm operated, and an alarm is sounded. The printer at the central station, however, will simply print the number of the building, 42 and Will not print the long dash before the number, as is the case with a ground on the circuit on the houseline, as before described, this being due to the fact that the current passes from the brush 05 to the brush 66 and from thence through the main line 42 to the ground in the building which caused the sounding of the alarm, the narrow ring o1` insulating material being spanned by the brush 70 and the current passing through such brush to the building-ground as offering the least resistance.

In order to provide for the sounding ot' the alarm in the event of the breaking of the ingoing line and the consequent reversal at the central station of the current, theextra brushes G6 and 07 are provided, the current in this case passing up through the main line 42 in the opposite direction to that indicated by the arrows, and in the event of a tire the circuit being completed by a thermostat or switch 30 from the main line to the houseline on the upper floor and from thence passing out to the ground on the

lines

51, 54, 57, and 59, as before described. The brushes G6 and 67 cause the establishment of the circuit and the alarm being sounded by the making and breaking ot' the contact between the brushes G6 and G7. Y

11G represents a strap-key for telegraphing and aiding in testing some of the lines, the key being connected to the'ground-wire 45 and having immediately under its free oriinger end two contact-points 117 11S, connected by the wire 44 with the main inside line.

In operation the current passes over the wire 4 4 to the contactpoints 117 118 and from thence when in contact with the key to the Wire 45 to the ground. In operating this key for telegraphing to the main station it is necessary in order to prevent any action of the mechanical signaling-alarm 1 to openthe switch-lever 111, breaking the con nectionbetween the

wires

110 and 112. If this were not done, the grounding of the currentby the key would cause the attraction of the armature 107 and the passage of the current through the armature, the

wires

110 and 112 to the circuit-breaker 5, and the consequent operation of the alarm 1. This circuit is convenient for testing the mechanical alarm 1 and relay-contacts when necessary. In the event of the reversal of the current at the main station when the ingoing Inain line is broken, the magnet 100 of the relay will be acted upon in the same way as the magnet 105 in the action just described.

As previously described, the system is especially arranged with a view of sounding alarms of lire under various conditions of the circuits. That condition (hereinabove num- ICO IIO

bercd 49) in which the main outside line is broken, grounded, and short-eircuited, the main inside line broken and short-circuitcd, and the local or building line broken and short-circuited presents the greatest number of d isarrangements of the circuits under which an alarm can be sounded. The other conditions (numbered from 1 to 85, respectively) are other combinations of these disarrangements.

To describe, first, the sounding` of an alarm with the incoming Wire of the main outside line broken, this would present no difficulty, as in such an event the operator at the central station receives duc notice of the fact and reverses the current through the Wires by thc employment of a second set of batteries and receiving-instruments, so that the current then passes into the building by the Wire heretofore described as the outgoing Wire. In the event of the grounding of the main outside line the ground at the central station is thrown off and the ground on the line acts as the ground for the central station. The short-circuiting of the main outside line cannot prevent the sounding of an alarm, since when the line is grounded by an alarm of lire the current Will naturally pass through the ground-line as offering less resistance than the return-Wire of the main line. lith the main inside line broken after the mechanical alarm 3 has sounded the circuit is established through the shunt 43 and the resistance of the electro-magnet 30 of the mechanical signaling-alarm 3 is cut out. Vhen the main inside line is short-circuited at a point outside the box or local station, the result is practically the same as with the short-circuiting of the main outside line, the current seeking the ground as offering less resistance than the return through the main inside line and the main outside line. When the buildingline is broken, the current Will travel in either direction from the break, according to the side of thei break on Which the thermostat or switch operated is located, the licor-circuits being at all times closed. The short-circuiting of the building-line Will have no effect, as the building-line is at all times closed and is normally not energized. The system Will sound an alarm with any one or with any combination of any of these difiiculties or disarrangements of any and all of the circuits which may occur.

The system is so arranged as to provide for its being tested from time to time, and in order to provide for this testing bythe inspector from the box or local station I employ the switch-lever 52, by which a connection with the ground-line 59 may be made, the groundline being connected to a contact-piece 119 for that purpose.

Supposing the lever 52 to have made contact with the ground-line, a circuit is partially established, as follows: from groundwire and battery 58 to switcl1-lever 52, through Wire 51 to brush 50, and toall of the

branches

49, 61, and 63 on the floor-circuits. Now if it be desired to test the circuit on the first floor the switch-lever 46 is moved from the contactpoint 47 of the first-floor circuit and is moved into contact with a contact-piece 120 and a ci rcuit established through the house-line onthc iirst floor down through the switch-lever 46, through the contact-piece 120 and a test-line 121 to a switch-lever122 and a Wire 123 to the battery, and from thence to the ground-Wire 59, establishing a circuit which the battery energizes and causes the energizing of the electro-magnet 48a and the consequent operation of its annunciator.

If the system of the second floor is to bc tested, the current passes, as before, through the ground-wire 59, the contact-piece 119, the switch-lever 52, the Wire 51, the brush 50, the metallic surface of the circuit-breaker, the brush 01the Wire 00, the electro-magnet 48h, the contact-piece 47, through the second-floor circuit, and from thence down through its switch-lever 46 to a contact-piece 124, to the test-Wire 121, leading to the switch-lever 122, the Wire 123, and from thence to the battery and the ground-Wire 59. In thc event of a break in the house-line the circuit will not be completed andthe magnet of the armature Will not be energized, the inspector receiving notice by that means of a broken Wire in that particular circuit, and if all of the magnets fail to operate it will indicate that the battery has failed or that the connection from the battery to the test-line is broken. The connections leading to the third or other floors are exactly the same as those described for the first and second floors.

If itbe desired to test the system and the mechanical signaling-alarms With a view of ascertaining that the circuits and alarms are in operative order, the switch -lever 122 is moved into contact With a contact-piece 125, establishing a circuit from the main line 42 through the contact piece 125 and from thence through the testing-line 121 to the contact-piece 120 or the contact-piece 124. or other contact-piece on any one of the floorcircuits from which a circuit can be established to the floors, and by moving one or other of the levers 46 the circuit is established from the main line directly through the houseline and from thence through one or other of the

Wires

48, 60, or 62, and from thence passing through the system to sound au alarm, as before described.

If it be desired to test only the mechanical signaling-alarm 1, the contact is made only for a sufficient length of time to set that instrument into operation, and the circuit is then broken, and as there is no battery or energizing force on the circuit between the alarm 1 andthe alarm 2 the alarm 2 Will not be operated unless the testing-switches are held closed for a sufficient length of time to operate this instrument 2 also.

In Fig. 26 I have shown a form ofA annunciater which may bc used, it consisting simply of an electro-magnet and an armature 126,

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having a projecting toe 127, which is normally in engagement with an arm 128 on a weighted shutter 129.

.Fig 27 shows an ordinary form of lightning-arrester which may be employed, and Fig. 28 illustrates a sectional view of a thermostat which I may employ in carrying ont my lnvention, although any ordinary or wellknown form ot' thermostat or switch may be employed.

Referring now to Fig. 2, which represents the instruments commonly employed at the central station, the ingoing wire 42 to the central station passes through one side ot a lightningarrester and switchboard 130, from thence to a resistance-coil131, a con tact-point 132, an armature-lever 133, from thence to the main wire 42, to the main battery 133, to a vstrap-key 134, through relaymagnets 135,

through an ammeter 136 forindicatingthe strength of the current, and from thence out through the lightning-arrester and switchboard 130 to the system in which is the build- 111g to be protected. Then an alarm of` tire or trouble from a building comes in, thecurrent is directed from the outgoing wireot` the central station through the mechanical signaling alarm or alarms at the local station and from thence to the ground, from the ground through the lightning-arrester and switchboard 130 to the wire 59, through aswitch-lever 137, and from thence through electro-mag- .net 138 on the annunciator to the main wire 42, leading to the main battery. The energizing of this electro-magnet will cause the 'shutter 72 of the annunciator to fall, indicating the circuit in which the alarm has been sounded, and the annunciator is provided with an arm 139, which when the shutter falls presses against the armature 133 and breaks the contact between the contact-point 132 and the armature-lever 133 untilthe trouble in that circuit has been attended to. The construction of this annunciator, however, forms the subject of a separate application for patent, filed of even date herewith, Serial No.

415,056. The com pleting of the circuit through the

wires

59 and 42 and the relay-magnets 135 causes the attraction at all times of the armature 140 of the relay. When, however, this circuit is broken by the making and breaking of the circuit by one of the mechanical alarms in the building, the armature-lever 140 is released from the control of the relaymagnets 135 and is then operated upon by a spring 141, which moves it into contact with a contact-point 142, the length of time lfor which it remains in contact with the contact-point 142 depending on the length of time for which the circuit is broken, while the continuous making and breaking of the f corresponding movement of the armature-lever 140. This movement causes the closing and opening ot a circuit from a local battery 143 through a wire 144, a switch-lever '145, and a wire 146, leading from one end of the armature-lever 140, through the electro-magnets 147 of a stroke-gong to the printing-register. 73, the electro-magnets of the register being energized for the same length of time as the main line is broken and the alarm printed on the tape. If the incoming line to the central station is broken, the magnets 135 ot the relay are not energized, and the armature-lever 140 then rests normally against the contact-point 142, the main circuit in this case traveling from the main battery out through the relay and am meter to the break and remaining open until it is closed by the operation of vone of the mechanical alarms, which causes the grounding of the main circuit and completes the circuit through the relay, energizing the magnets ot' the relay and causing the attraction of the armature 140 to a contact-point 14S. In this event the switchlever 145 is thrown over to a contact-point 149 and the local circuit from the battery 143 remains normally open until it is closed by the contact of the armature-lever 140 with the contact-point 142, causing the closing ot the circuit and the consequent operation ot the printing-register` 73. V

Throughout the specification and claims the term main line or main outside line is used to designate that line extending from the box or local stat-ion to the central receiving-station. The term main inside line7 or main building-line is used to designate the main-line wire or wires connected normally to the main outside wire at the box or local station and extending therefrom through the building. The term building-line or local line is used to designate those circuits connecting the thermostats, the annnnciators, and circuit-breakers and indicated in light lines in the drawings. The term test-line has been used to designate those lines which are energized from the battery when it is desired to test portions of the local line, and the term grou nd-line is used to designate those lines shown as extending from the various instru ments to the earth and illustrated by heavy waved lines in the drawings.

Details of construction may be varied-as, for instance, in the forms of switches, alarms, and. other instruments.

By the term circuit-breakerI wish to include anything in the nature of a wheel or disk.

In applications filed of even date herewith, Serial Nos. 415,054 and 415,055, I have described and claimed the features of construc- IOO IIO

tion of the mechanical signaling-alarms and to thelocal station and through the building,

`the building-circuits, a thermostat or switch normally open and having one of its ends connected tothe main line and its opposite end connected to the building-circuit, a mechanical sign aling-alarm operating a circuit-breaker, said mechanical signalingalarm being normally locked, an electro-magnet in the bination of the receiving-station and its instruments,the mainline extending therefrom to the local station and through the building, the building-circuits, a thermostat or switch normally open and connected to the main line and tothe building-circuit, a mechanical signaling-alarm carrying a circuit-breaker, said mechanical signaling-alarm being normally locked, an electro-magnet in the buildin g-ci'rcuit controlling the locking devices of said mechanical signaling-alarm, and a second circuit-breaker operated by the mechanical signaling-.alarm and normally connected to the main line, substantially as specified.

In an electric tire-alarm system, the combination of the receiving-station and its instruments, the mainline ext-ending therefrom to the local station and through the building, the buildingcircuits, brushes thereon in elecrical contact with a circuit-breaker 5, the circuitbreaker 5, a mechanical signalingalarm carrying said circuit-breaker 5, an armature-lever controlling the rotation of the same, an electro-magnet in the building-circuit controlling said armature-lever, a circuitbreaker 4, contact-brushes on the main line in contact with said circuit-breaker4, and a means of indicating a ground on the main inside line, comprising', in connection with the aforesaid mechanical signaling-alarm and its circuit-breakers 4 and 5, a relay-magnet 105 on the ingoing wire of the main inside line, a relay-magnet 106 on the outgoing wire of said line, an armature-lever mounted `between said magnets and'normally acted upon by said magnets with equal force, a branch of the main line extending from said armature-lever to the circuit-breaker 5, a contact-point 114, and a contact-point 115 on the main line, whereby on the grounding of the current at a point on the train inside line the current is diverted to the ground, substantially as specified.

4. In an electric tire-alarm system, the combination of thc receiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefrom to the local station and through the building, the building-circuits, brushes thereon in electrical contact with a circuit-breaker 5, the circuit-breaker 5, a mechanical signaling-a-larm carrying said circuit-breaker 5, an armaturelever controlling the rotation of said circuitbreaker 5, an electro-magnet in the buildingcircuit controlling said armature-lever, a circuit-breaker 4, and contactbrushes on the main line in contact with said circuit-breaker 4, substantially as specified.

5. In an electric tire-alarm system, the coinbination of the receiving-station and itsinstruments, the main line extending therefrom to the local station and through the building, the building-circuit, a thermostat or switch adapted to connect the main line to the building-circuit, a circuit-breaker 6, mechanism for rotating the same, brushes in contact with said circuit-breaker, the building-circuits electrically connected to said brushes, circuitbreaker, mechanism for revolving the same, a brush 55 in contact with said circuit-breaker and electricall y connected to a brush 50 in contact with the circuit-breaker 6, an electro-magnet in a circuit of which a brush 56 in contact with the circuit-breaker 5, forms a terminal, a battery in the magnet-circuit, the circuit-- breaker4, brushes electrically connected tothe main inside line and in contact with said circuit-breaker, a brush '76, normally in contact with the insulated portion of the circuit-breakm .er 5 an electro-magnetin a circuit of which the brush 76 forms a terminal, said electro-magnet controlling the mechanism for revolving the circuit-breaker 6, and a conducting portion 74 on the circuit-breaker 5, which when brought into contact with the brush 7G serves to complete the circuit through the electromagnet controlling the rotation of circuitbreaker (i, substantially as specified.

6. In an electric fire-alarm system, the coinbination of the receiving-station and its instruments, themain line extending therefrom to the local station and through the building, the building-circuits, thermostats or switches adapted to connect the main line to the building-circuits, a circuit-breaker 6, a series of brushes in contact therewith, one of said brushes being electrically connected to each building-circuit, stepped ribs of insulating material on said circuit-breaker 6, a contactbrush 50, mechanism for rotating the circuitbreaker (i, and an electro-magnet adapted to lock said mechanism, said electro-magnet being in a normally-open circuit extending from the brush 50 to the ground, with means for closing the circuit and energizing the said. electro-magnet to effect the release of the mechanism, substantially as specified.

'7. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of the receiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefrom to the local station and through the building, the building-circuit, thcrmostats or switches adapted to connect the main line to the building-circuit, annunciator magnets on said IOC IIO

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building-circuits,a circuit-breaker G, a series of brushes in contact therewith, said brushes being electrically connected to the buildingcircuit, stepped ribs of insulating material on said circuit-breaker (3, a brush 50, normally in contact with said circiLiit-breaker, mechanism for rotating the circuit-breaker G, and an electro-inagnet normally acting to lock said mechanism, said magnet beingin a noi'mally-open circuit extending from the brush 50 to the ground, with means for automatically closing the circuit and energizing the said magnet lo effect the release of the mechanism, substantially asspecified.

8. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination of the receiving-station and its instrumentS, the main line extendingtherefrom tothe local station and through the building, the building-circuits, thermostats or switches adapted to connect the main line to the building-circuit,`a circuit-breaker 6, a series of brushes in contact therewith, one of said brushes being electrically connected to each building-circuit, contact-brushes electrically connected to the main line and in con tact with the circuit-breaker, a contact-brush 50, mechanism for rotating the circuit-breaker (i, and

' an electro-magnet adapted to lock said mechanisin, said electro-magnet being in a normally-open circuit extending from thebrush 50 to the ground, with means for closing the circuit and energizing said electro-magnet to effect the release of the mechanism, substantially as specified.

9. Inan electric fire-alarm system, the combination of the receiving-station and its instru ments, the main line extending therefrom to the local station and through the building and normally forming a closed circuit, a circuit-breaker G, through which said circuit is closed, means for rotating said circuit-breaker, and contact-brushes on the main line in electrical contact with the circuit-breaker G, whereby on the rotation of the circuit-breaker the circuit through the main line is alternately broken and made, substantially as specified.

10. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of a central receiving-station and its instruments, the `main line extending therefrom to the ,local station and through the building, the building-circuits, thermostats or switches adapted to connect the main inside line to lthe building-circuits, a circuit-breaker ti, comprising rings S2, S3, and Si, insulated from each other, alternate insulated and cond uctingportions on said circuit-breaker (5, contact-brushes on the main inside line in contact With said insulated portions S2 and 83, stepped ribs of insulating material on the portion Si of said circuit-breaker, a series of brushes on the building-circuits in contact with said portion Si, a brush 50, mechanism for rotating said circuit-breaker an electroxnagnet controlling said mechanism, said electro-magnet beingiin a normally-open circuit extending from the brush 50 to the groundJ and means for automatically closing said cir- -cuit and energizing the said electro-magnet to effect the release of the mechanism, substantially as specified.

11. ln a fire-alarm system, the combination of the receiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefrom to the local station and through the building, the local lines, a thermostat or switch between such local line and the main line, circuit-

breakers

6 and 7, mechanism for rotating the same, contact-brushes on the main line in contact with said circuit-breaker 6, brushes on the local line in contact with said circuit-breaker', and an electro-magnetic bell, the conducting and -insulating portion ofthe circuit-breaker 7 being so arranged that after the,circuit-breakers have started their rotation the current will.

be directed through the circuit-breaker 7 to the electro-magnets of the bell, substantially as specified.

12. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of a receiving-station and its instru- `men-ts, the main line extending therefrom to the local station and through the building, the local lines, a circuit-breaker G, mechanism for rotating the same, an electro-magnet for controlling the movement of said mechanism, brushes on the local lines in electrical contact with the conducting-surface of the'circuitbreaker G, and a norm ally-open circuit extending from the circuit-breaker 6 through the electro-magnet to the earth, substantially as specified.

13. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination of a receiving-station and-its instruments, the main line extending therefrom to the local station and through the building, the circuit-breaker 6, the local lines, brushes on said local lines in electrical contact with the conducting-surface of said circuit-breaker G, `annunc'iator-magnets on said local lines, annunciator for the floor-circuits operated by said annunciator1nagnets, mechanism for rotating said circuit-breaker 6, an electro-magnet controlling said mechanism, and a normally-open circuit extending from said circuit-breaker through the electro-magnet to the earth, substantially as specified.

14:. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of a receiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefrom to the local station and through the building, the local lines` a circuit-breaker, mechanism for rotating the same, and an electro-magnet con- -trolling said mechanism, said circuit-breaker having a series of ribs of insulating material stepped in length, with brushes on the local circuit under which said ribs pass, and a normally-open circuit extending from said circuit-breaker through the electro-magnet to the earth, substantially as specified.

15. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of a receiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefrom to the local station and through the building, a circuit-breaker in said local station, the main ingoing wire having its circuit completed IOS through one side of the conducting portions of the circuit-breaker and the main outgoing' line having its circuit completed through the conducting portions of the opposite side of the circuit-breaker, and a ground-wire, and a brush on said ground-Wire normally in contact with the insulated portion of said circuit-breaker and so arranged as to come into contact with both of the conducting portions of said circuitbreaker on the rotation of the latter, substantially as specified.

1G. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination oi the central receiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefrom to the local station and through the building, a shunt on said main line, an electro-magnet ot' high resistance in said shunt, a mechanical signaling-alarm controlled by said resistance-magnet, and a circuit-breaker adapted to make and break the main-line circuit through the shunt, substantially as specified.

` 17. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination of the receiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefrom to the local station and through the building, an electro-magnet, a shunt on said main line on which said electro-magnet is placed, a mechanical signaling-alarm controlled by said electro-magnet, and circuit-breakers carried by said mechanical alarm, the arrangement of conducting-surface of one of said circuitbreakers being such that after the electromagnet has once been energized the current through said electro-magnet is cut oit, substantially as specified.

1S. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of a receiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefrom to one or more local stations, and a means of indicating a break in said main-line wire, comprising a shunt-circuit, an electro-magnet therein of a higher resistance than the resistance through the main line, a train of gears, an armature-lever under the control of said electro-magnet normally locking such train of gears, and a circuit-breaker carried by said train of gears, substantially as specified.

l5). In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of the receiving-station and its instruments, the mainline extending therefrom to one or more local stations, and a means of indicating a break in said main-line wire, comprising a shunt-circuit, an electro-magnet therein of a higher resistance than the resistance of the main line, an armature-lever under the control of said magnet, a mechanical alarm normally locked by said armature-lever, and circuit-breakers carried by said mechanical alarm, one of said circuit-breakers being provided with alternate insulating and conducting portions and adapted to make and break the ci rcuitthrough said shunt and main lineand theotherofsaidcircuit-breakersbeing adapted to cut oi the flow of current through the electro-magnet after it has once-been energized, whereby the resistance of such magnet to the passage of the current is avoided, substantially as specified.

20. In an electric fire-alarm system,fthe combination of the main line, the local lines, a ground-Wire, a local batterybetween such. local lines and the ground-wire, and annunciators on said local lines with switches for connecting the local lines tothe ground-wire and battery for the purpose of energizing the circuit, substantially as'specitied.

21. A fire-alarm system comprising the main line, the local lines forming closed circuits, thermostats or switches between such local lines and main line, annunciator-magnets on said local lines, a-battery, and a test-line having contact-points extending to said batter 7, with switches for connecting the local lines to the contact-points of such test-line,substantially as specified.

22. In a fire-alarm system,the combination of the mainline, the local lines, thermostats or switches betweem said main line and the local lines, a circuit-breaker 6, mechanism for rotating the same, an electro-magnet controlling said mechanism, contact-brushes on the local lines normally in contact with said circuit-breaker 6, the circuit-breakers i and 5, brushes on'the main line in contact with said circuit-breaker 4, brushes on the local lines in contact with said circuit-breaker 5, mechanism for rotating said circuit-breakers 4t and 5, an electro-magnet controlling said mechanism, and a normally-open circuit extending from said circuit-breaker 6 through the electro-magnet to the ground, substantially as specified.

23. In a lire-alarm system, thecombination of the main line extending from the central. station through the building, the local lines, thermostats or switches between said main lineand the local lines, a circuit-breaker 6, brushes on the local lines in contact with said circuitbreaker 6, mechanism for rotatingsaid circuitbreaker, a circuit-breaker 4, brushes on the main line in contact with said circuit-breaker 4, mechanism for rotating the same, an electromagnet controllingsaid mechanism, and a normally-open circuit extending `from saidfcircuit-breaker 6 through the electro-magnet to the earth, substantially as specified.

2l. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination ofthe main line extending from a receiving-station through the building, the local lines, thermostats or` switches between said local lines and the main line, annunciator-magnets on said local lines, the circuitbreaker 6, brushes on the local lines inA contact with said circuit-breaker G, mechanism forrotating said circuit-breaker, a circuit-breaker 4, having insulated and conducting portions brushes on the main line in contact therewith, mechanism for rotating the said circuitbreakerfl, an electro-magnet controlling said mechanism, and a normally-open circuit eX- tending from said circuit-breaker 6 through the electro-magnet to the earth, substantially as specified.

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25. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination of the receiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefrom to the local station and through the building, the local lines, thermostats or switches between the said main line and the local lines, the circuit-breakerI 6, having ribs of insulating material stepped in length, brushes on the local lines in contact with said circuit-breaker, a circuit-breaker 4, brushes on the main line in contact therewith, mechanism for rotating said circuit-breaker 4, an electro-magnet controlling said mechanism, and a normally-open circuit extending from said circuit-breaker 6 through the electro-magnet to the earth, substantially as specilied.

26. In an electric tire-alarm system, the combination of a receiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending therefrom to the local station and through the building, the local lines, thermostats or switches between the said main line and the local lines, the circuit-breaker 6, having ribs of insulating material stepped in length, brushes on the local lines in contact with said circuit-breaker 6, a circuit-breaker 4, brushes on the mainline in contact with said circuit-breaker 4, mechanism for rotating said circuit-breaker, an electro-magnet controlling said mechanism, a normally-open circuit extending from said circuit-breaker 6 through the electro-magnet to the earth, and a battery on said normallyopen circuit, substantially as specified.

27. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of a receiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending to alocal station and through the building, local lines, thermostats or switches between said main line and the local lines, a circuit-breaker 6, comprising insulated rings S2, S3, and 84, contact-brushes on the local lines in contact with the portion 84,a circuit-breaker 4, brushes on the main line in contact with said circuitbreaker 4, mechanism for rotating said circuit-breakers, an electro-magnet controlling said mechanism, a normally-open circuit extending from the portion S4 through the electro-magnet to the earth, and contact-brushes on the main line in contact with the portions S2 S3 of the circuit-breaker 6, substantially as specified.

28. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination of a receiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending to a local station and through the building, the local lines, thermostats or switches between said main line and the local lines, a circuit-breaker, a ring 84 thereon, mechanism for rotating the same, contact-brushes on the local lines in contact with said ring S4, a circuit-breaker 4, brushes on the main line in contact with said circuit-breaker 4, a circuit-breaker 5, mechanism for rotating said circuit-

breakers

4 and 5, an electro-magnet controlling said mechanism, a normally-open circuit extending from the portion S4 through brushes in contact with the circuit-breaker 5 and from thence through the electro-magnet to the earth, an electro-magnet controlling the mechanism for rotating the ring S4, and a normally-open cirlcuit extending from a brush 7G, in contact with the insulated portion of said circuit- `breaker 5, through the electro-magnet controlling the mechanism for rotating the portion 84 to the earth, and a conducting-surface 74 on the circuit-breaker 5, through which the y circuit is completed on the stopping of the circuit-breaker, substantially as specified.

29. In an electric fire-alarm system, the combination of a receiving-station and its instrul ments, the main line extending to the local station and through the building, the local lines, thermostats or switches between said y main line and the local lines, a circuit-breaker 6, a ring S4 thereon, mechanism for rotating the same, contact-brushes on the local lines in contact with said ring S4, a circuit-breaker 4, brushes on the mainline in contact with said circuit-breaker' 4, a circuit-breaker 5, mechanism for rotating said circuit-breakers 4 and 5, anelectro-magnet controlling said mechanf ism, a normally-open circuit extending from the portion 84 through brushes 55 and 56 in Contact with the circuit-breaker 5, and from `thencel through the electro-magnet to the earth, an electro-magnet controlling the mechanism for rotating the ring 84, and a normally-open circuit extending from a brush 76, in contact with the insulating portion of said circuit-breaker 5, through the electro-magnet controlling the mechanism for rotating the portion 84 to the earth, and a cond ucting-surface 74 on the circuitbreaker 5, through which the circuit is completed on the stopping ofthe circuit-breaker, the circuit-breaker 7, and the electro-magnet 96 of the electric bell 97, substantially as specified.

30. In an electric lire-alarm system, the combination of a receiving-station and its instruments, the -main line extending to the local station and through the building, the local lines, thcrmostats or switches between said main line and the local lines, a circuit-breaker 6, a ring 84 thereon, mechanism' for rotating the same, contact-brushes on the local lines in contact with said ring S4, a circuit-breaker 4, brushes on the main line in contact with said circuit-breaker 4, a circuit-breaker 5, mechanism for rotating said circuit-

breakers

4 and 5, an electro-magnet for controlling said mechanism, a normally-open circuit extending from the portion 84 through

brushes

55 and 56 in contact with the circuit-breaker 5, and from thence through the electro-magnet to the earth, an electro-magnet controlling the mechanism for rotating the ring 84, and a normally-open circuit extending from a brush 76, in contact with the insulated portion of said circuit-breaker 5, through the electro-magnet controlling the mechanism for rotating the portion S4 to the earth, and a conducting-surface 74 on the circuit-breaker 5,

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through which the circuit is completed on the stoppiug'of the circuit-breaker and the

portions

82 and 83 of the circuit-breaker 6, substantially as specified.

3l. In an electric tire-alarm system, the combination of a receiving-station and its instruments, the main line extending to a local station and through the building, the local lines,

thermostats or switches between said main line and the local lines, a circuit-breaker 6, a ring 84 thereon, mechanism for rotating the same, contact-brushes on the local lines in contact with said ring 84, a circuitbreaker 4, brushes on the main line in contact with said circuit-breaker 4, a circuit-breaker 5, mechanism for rotating said circuit-

breakers

4 and 5 an electro-magnet controlling said mechant ism, a normally-open circuit extending from the portion 84 through

brushes

55 and 56 in contact with the circuit-brcaker 5, and from thence through the electro-magnet to the earth, an electro-magnet controlling the mechanism for rotating the ring S4, and a normally-open circuit extending from a brush 76, in contact with the insulated portion of said circuitbreaker 5, through the electro-magnet controlling the mechanism for rotating the portion 84 to the earth, and a conducting-surface 74 011 the circuit-breaker 5, through which the circuit is completed on the stopping ot the circuit-breaker, and the annunciators on the local circuits, substantially as specified.

n testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEWIS G. ROWAND. Vitnesses:

JNO. E. PARKER, HARRY SMITH,