US509171A - William h - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

W. KIRNAN. BLEGTRIGSIGNAL 350311733..-

No. 509,171. Patented Nov. 21, 1-893.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

\VILLIAM H. KIRNAN, OF BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE GAME- VVELL FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC-SIGNAL RECEIVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 509,171, dated November 21, 1893.

Application filed April 17, 1893. Serial No. 0, (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. KIRNAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bayonne, county of Hudson, and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Electric-Signal Receivers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of re-' trolled or operated by a magnet energized by the impulses of current sent from the transmitter, and to also record the time of receiving each message upon the same or another strip or tape, by means of a time printing device, consisting of type-wheels which are turned at intervals by a clock mechanism to bring the type indicating the correct time into printing position, and a time printer op- 2 5 erated by a magnet controlled by a circuitcontroller, whose operation is in turn controlled by the clock mechanism.

The object of my invention is to simplify the construction and operation of such apparatus by preventing the time printer from acting to print the time except when a message has been recorded, as distinguished from printing it at the expiration of every interval of time at which the circuit-controller in the 3 5 clock operates; and also to prevent the time printer from operating to print the time for each of two or more messages or signals which may be recorded during the same interval. In other words, the time printer in my appa- 4o ratus prints the time, only when a message has been recorded, and does not repeat the same time for each of two or more messages arriving during the same interval, but gives only one time impression for both or all of 45 such messages. I accomplish this by providing a disabling device for the time printer, placed in its disabling position or condition by the operation of the time indicating mechanism, but removed from such disabling po- 5o sition so as to put the time printer into operative condition, by the operation of the sig rial-receiving mechanism. Th us when a message has been received, the operation of the signal-receiving mechanism puts the time printer in condition to operate at the expiration of the pro-determined interval of time during which the signal is received, and at the expiration of that time the operation which causes the printing of the time to be performed restores the disabling device to its normal position in which it renders the time printer inoperative, and it remains in that position until the reception of another signal affects it. The time printer is thus caused to operate by the successive action of, first the signal-receiving mechanism,and next the time mechanism, and requires both of these successive steps in order to perform the operation of printing.

My invention is illustrated in the aocompa- 7o nying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a diagram of the preferred arrangement of circuits and mechanism embodying myinvention; Fig. 2, a front view of the disabling device; Fig. 8, a diagram of a disabling device, constituting a modification of my invention; Fig. 4, a detail view of a part of the same; and Fig. 5, a diagram showing another modified form in which the disabling device is an electrical, instead of a 8c mechanical, one. 1

Referring first to Fig. 1, A is a message or signal box or transmitter of any ordinary type, and 1, 2 is the main circuit extending from such transmitter to the receiving station, at which is placed the relay B controlling the local circuit 3, 4. In the circuit 3, 4,

I have shown the magnet O, which controls the operation of the registering or message recording apparatus, which may be of any 0 ordinary type and which I have not considered it necessary to illustrate any further. In the same local circuit 3, 4, I place an electro-magnet D, which responds to the operation of the relay B in the same manner as 5 does the magnet O, or which, in other words,

is energized upon the reception ofa message or signal. These parts, namely, the relay, if such is employed, the registering magnet and the magnet D, together with such accessories I00 as may be employed in practice for the complete and e'fiicient reception and indication of the signals or m cssages, constitute the signalreoeiving mechanism.

E is a rotating circuit-controller, operated in the usual manner by clock mechanism, (not shown.) The spring a rests upon the insulating part Z) of the segment E until the segment is turned so that the spring falls upon the metal portion 0, whereby the circuit 5, 6, is closed. This operation, as will be well understood, is performed at pre-arranged intervals, which may be of one minute or five minutes, or any other length desired. The circuit 5, 6, also includes a magnet F (see Fig. 2), whose pivoted armature K is adapted under certain circumstances, as will be presently explained, to enter beneath the pivoted lever (Z and by pushing the same upward cause the closing of the circuit '7, 8, at c. This circuit 7,8 includes the magnet H, whose operation is to cause, by moving the printing pad or otherwise, the impression of the time printing type-wheels to be made upon the paper. The magnet I in the circuit 5, 6 represents the magnet or magnets which, in the ordinary manner, control the position of the typewheels, such type-wheels being turned by the operation of such magnet whenever the circuit is closed by the clock circuit-controller, whereby the type-wheels, which, as will be understood, have on their faces type indicating successive times, are successively placed in position to print the current time. These parts, that is to say, the clock circuitcontroller, the type-wheel magnet, the mag net F, circuit-controller e operated thereby, and magnet H by which the printing is finally accomplished, constitute with their necessary or suitable accessories, not illustrated, the time indicating mechanism. It is to be understood, however, that in using these expressions hereafter in the specification and claims, I do not confine myself to any special form of signal-receiving mechanism or of time indicating mechanism, but intend to include any devices of the same general character, employed for accomplishing the same or substantially the same operations and results.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the disabling device which prevents the operation of the time printer is the pivoted lever (Z. This lever is pivoted on the posts fbehind the two magnets D and F, which are placed side by side, as indicated in Fig. 2. The lever (Z extends above these magnets, and projects in front of them, having at its outer end a tooth g. The magnet D is provided with a pivoted armature h, which has attached to it an arm 2, which extends up into a position to be engaged by the tooth g of the lever cZ when the armature 7b is attracted toward the poles of the magnet D, as shown in Fig. 1. The magnet F has a similar armature 7a, which is provided with an arm Z, longer than the arm 11 and extending into proximity to the end of the lever (Z. The operation of these devices is as follows: Iormally both the armatures 7L and 71':- are retracted away from the magnets D and F by their springs, and the lever (Z rests with its tooth 1 upon the top of the arm Z. Thus the closing of the circuit 5, (S, by the clock circuit controller, while it effects its operation of changing the position of the time printing type-wheels, does not affect the time printing magnet itself, because although the magnet F is energized, the arm Z being against the end of the lever (Z is prevented from moving toward the magnet F and, therefore, from raising the lever cZ so as to close the circuit at 6. Thus so long as no message is received, no time is printed upon the tape. Upon the reception of a signal or message, however, at the relay B, the circuit 8, a, which includes the magnet D, being closed at the relay, the armature 7L and arm 2' are instantly drawn toward the magnet D, so that the upper end of the arm '5 is held behind the tooth g. This raises the lever (Z, not suiliciently to alfect the circuit-controller 6, but so that the beveled end of the arm Z comes opposite the beveled surface of the tooth g, instead of being opposed to the end of the lever, and the armlis thusin position when moved by the magnet F to raise the lever ti and close the circuit at c. This takes place when the current interval of time has passed and the circuit is closed by the clock cirouit-controller. The magnet F being thus energized, draws the armature 7a and arm Z toward it to a sufficient extent to cause the circuit to be closed at 6, whereby the magnet II is energized and the printing of the timeis accomplished. The same movement releases the end of the arm i from its engagement with the tooth g, and the arm i is retracted by the armature spring and moves forward so that the tooth 9 again falls in front of the arm Z and once more disables the time printer from operation. If during the time that the arm z'is holding the lever (Z in its partly raised position to enable the time printer to be operated when the right moment arrives, other signals or messages are received, these do not affect the operation of the time printer, since the parts remain exactly as they are until the circuit is closed at the clock, and the time is then printed forall the messages or signals which have come in during the preceding interval. It will be seen that the lever cZ thus constitutes a de vice which normally disables the time printer from operation, but which is removed from its disabling position bythe operation of the signal-receiving mechanism, whereby such operation enables the time thereof to be recorded; and that such disabling device is restored once more to its disabling position by the operation of the time indicating mechanism and remains so untilanother ceived.

The arrangement shown in Figs. and 4 constitutes an apparatus of a similar oharac signal is reter, but differing in certain details from that just described. The magnet D which forms part of the signal-receiving mechanism is placed opposite the magnet F, which, as before, is in the circuitof theclock circuit-controller. The disabling device consistsin this case of the arm or lever 'm, pivoted at 0 between the two magnets and carrying the double armature n. The lower spring 6' of the circuit-controller c has formed at its outer end a pair of lugs, between which is pivoted a pin 19 provided with a retracting spring (1 and extending down into the path of movement of the lever m. Between the lugs is situated a stop 7, which prevents the movement of the pin 1) on its pivot in one direction, but allows it to rock in the opposite direction.

In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 3, the disabling device is in its disabling position, because the impulses which may be communicated to the magnet F by the closing of the circuit at the clock can have no effect upon the circuit-controller e, the arm m being already against the magnet F. If, however, a signal or message is received and the magnet D is energized, the armature n is attracted and the lever m is drawn toward the magnet D, moving the pin 19 and passing underit. By this operation, the signal-receiving mechanism has removed the disabling device from its disabling position and placed the time printer in a position to operate. At the expiration of the current interval of time, the magnet F becomes energized by the clock cir cuit-controller, and draws the armature n and arm on toward it. The pin p being stopped from backward movement by the stop '1", the arm m in order to pass the pin raises the lower spring e of the circuit-controller and closes the circuit to the time printing magnet at e, and causes the operation of printing the time to be performed. It will be seen that the re sult in this case is the same as in that first described. The time is never printed except when the reception of a signal has put the time printer into operative condition, and the reception of more than one signal during the same interval of time does not cause the repetition of the time printing operation.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 5, instead of mechanically disabling the time printer, I make use of an electrical disabling device, in which the disabling is effected by the opening of the circuit, the circuit being closed and the time printer made operative by the operation of the signal-receiving mechanism. The magnet D is in the signaling circuit, and the magnet F in the time circuit, as before. The magnet D is provided with an armature lever 5, which carries at its end a pawl s, which engages with a toothed wheel K. The magnet F has an armature lever t carrying a pawl t, which also engages with the toothed wheel K at one end, and at its other end engages and controls the operation of the circuit-controller e, which, as before, controls the circuit of the time printing magnet. Upon the same shaft as the toothed wheel K, is a smaller circuit-breaking wheel u, with whose toothed surface a spring 12 makes and breaks circuit as the wheel revolves. This device is also included in the circuit 7, 8 of the time printing magnet, the circuit passing through the spring 1) and wheel a to the shaft of the wheel, and thence by a wire to the circuitcontroller e.

In the position shown in Fig. 5, the circuit is closed at both points, the magnet F being energized by the clock circuit-controller, this being the position at the moment of operation of the time printer. This circuit being immediately broken, however, the arm t falls back and the pawl t turns the wheel K the distance of half a tooth, which causes the pawl s to ride over a tooth of the wheel and fall upon the wheel behind the tooth and in position to move the wheel when the magnet D is energized. The same movement breaks the circuit at o by moving the tooth of the wheel uaway from the spring 41. At this time, therefore, the disabling device is in operation,preventing the operation of the time printer, because if the magnet F becomes energized, while it will close the circuit at 6, it cannot move the toothed wheel K, and the circuit, therefore, will remain open at 1;, so that the time printer will not be operated. The reception of a signal or message and the consequent energizing of the magnet D, however, by moving the pawl 5', turns the wheel K sufficiently to again close the circuit at o. The signal-receiving mechanism having thus removed the disabling device from its disabling position, the next time the magnet F is energized the closing of the circuit at e thereby is made effective, and the time printer operates. At the same time, the pawl 26 is drawn back over the next tooth behind it on the wheel K and is in position when retracted by the armature spring to turn the wheel forward a half tooth, break the circuit at o and once more disable the time printer.

What I claim is- 1. The combination of a signal-receivin g mechanism, a time recording device, a clock mechanism, arranged to operate said time recording device so as to record the time at intervals, and a disabling device for said time-recording device removed from its disabling position by the operation of the signal receiving mechanism, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with signal-receiving mechanism and time indicating mechanism, of a disabling device for the time indicating mechanism, removed from its disabling position by the operation of the signal-receiving mechanism and restored to such position by the operation of the time indicating mechanism, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with signal-receiving mechanism and time indicating mechanism including a time printer, of a disabling device for the said time printer, removed from its disabling position by the operation of the signal receiving mechanism and restored thereto by the operation of the time indicating mechanism, substantially as set forth.

4t. The combination of a signal receiving circuit, a magnet therein, a time-recording device, a clock mechanism arranged to operate said time-recording device so as to record the time at intervals, and a disabling device for saidv time-recording device situated in proximity to said magnet so as to be moved thereby from its disabling position, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of a magnet in the signaling circuit, a magnet in the clock-controlled circuit, and a disabling device for the time indicating mechanism afiected alternately by said magnets and moved thereby respectively out of and into its disabling position, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with the clock-controlled circuit, of a magnet therein, a circuit containing a time printer, a circuit-controller for the time printer circuit operated by the magnet in the clock-controlled circuit, a dis abling device for said circuit-controller, and a magnet in the signaling circuit controlling the position of said disabling device, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with the clock-controlled circuit, of a magnet therein, a circuit including a time printer, a circuit-controller for said circuit, an armature for said magnet adapted to engage said circuit-controller to operate the same, a stop for said armature, and a magnet in the signaling circuit for moving said stop, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with the circuit containing the time printer, and the circuit-controller therein, of a pivoted lever for operating said circuit-controller, a magnet in the signaling circuit adapted to move said lever into operative position, and a magnet in the clock-controlled circuit, adapted to move said lever to operate the circuit-controller, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with signal-receiving mechanism, and time indicating mechanism including a circuit containing a time printer, of a normally inoperative circuit-controller in said time print-er circuit, means operated by the signaling mechanism for placing said circuit-controller in operative condition, and means operated by the time indicating mechanism for operating said circuit-controller, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination with the magnet in the signaling circuit, the magnet in the clockcontrolled circuit, the circuit-controller in the time printer circuit, and the lever for moving said circuit-controller, of the arm carried by the armature of the signaling circuit magnet for moving said lever into operative relation with the circuit-controller, and the arm moved by the time circuit magnet for moving said lever to operate the circuit-controller, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination with the time-printer of a device for operating the same, so as to print the same a signal receiving circuit, a magnet therein for moving said device into operative position, a time circuit containing a circuit controller operated at intervals by time mechanism, and a magnet in said time circuit for completing the operation, substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 13th day of April, 1893.

WILLIAM H. KIRNAN.

Witnesses:

EUGENE CONRAN, W. PELzER.

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