US554141A - randall - Google Patents

Description

(NoYModel.) 2 Sheets--Sheet 1.

C. A. RANDALL.

' tlELlaPlolqY.

No. 554,141. `Patented Feb/4, 1896.

lJNTTnD STATES PATENT Ori-Ton.

CHARLES ADAMS RANDALL, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

TELEPHONY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 554,141, dated February 4, 1896. Application filed December 31, 1894. Serial No. 533,449. (No model.)

T0 aZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES ADAMS RAN- DALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at London, England, have invented new and useful Improvements in Telephony and Apparatus Connected Therewith, of which the following is a specification.

Provisional patents for Great Britain were applied for in March, 1894, Nos. 4,554 and 4, 572, and complete applications filed December 3,1894; also patents applied for in France and Belgium in September, 1894, for France, No. 228,167; Belgium, No. 85,383.

This invention relates to a novel plan or method for utilizing through a telephonie transmitting apparatus an electric current from a battery or batteries or other source of electric power, whereby an electric current adapted to the work to be done, such as the reliabletransinission of articulate speech over long circuits, cables, and the like, can be util` ized without sparking or other detrimental effects, the invention also relating to new and improved apparatus adapted thereto and to use in telephony generally.

In the drawings accompanying this speciication, Figure 1 represen ts a plan view of the lower or bottom side of a telephonie transmitting apparatus with the circuit-connections therefrom to the batteries, induction-coils, and main-line circuit. Fig. 2 represents the transmitter in normal position, showing part side and sectional views and side view of an induction-coil and its support. Fig. 3 represents modified arrangements of Fig. 2, also` partly in section. Fig. 4 represents a modified form of construction, support, arrangement, and adjustment of electrodes shown partly in section. view of modified form of construction and arrangement of electrodes and other parts of the apparatus.

Like Iigures and letters represent corresponding parts.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 represents a frame, base or part of a box or case for containing the devices, to which the ring2 is secured by screws 3 3', and also the induction coil or coils 4, as at 5. The ring 2 is provided with a threaded recess 6, into which the annular clamping-piece 10 is adjustably fitted. The lower part of the ring 2 forms a seat 7,

Fig. 5 represents sectional' that supports an` annular washer, of felt or similar material 8, upon which rests the diaphragm 9, preferably of carbon,the diaphragm being held in place and with proper tension by means of the clamping-piece 10 when adj usted into correct position upon the diaphragm or an annular pad or washer thereon.

1 A supporting-piece, of vulcanite or other non-conduotin g material 11, is secured adj ustably, by means of suitable soft-rubber pieces 2 and screws 13 13, to the ring 2. The piece 11 is provided with one or more openings 14 to 14', eight openings being shown in this case, through or in which the electrodes pass or are contained that contact directly or otherwise with the diaphragm.

In Fig. 2 two sections of the transmitter 14 144, taken on the line oc zo, Fig. 1, are shown, in which the electrodes 15 15 are attached to suitable flat springs 16 and secured to 11 by screws 17, said springs being adjustable by means of adjusting-screws 1S passing therethrough into the piece 11. The electrodes 15 15, shown partly in section, are preferably of carbon and concave or hollow at their upper ends, and surrounded by a tubular piece of felt or rubber 19 and an annular washer or pad, of cotton-wadding or other soft material 20, that bears upon the diaphragm with suitable pressure, such washer serving to act as a dampener upon the diaphragm and also to keep in place the granulated carbon or other suitable granular pieces of conducting material 21, interposed between the diaphragm 9 and the electrode 15, the proper nominal contact of the conducting parts or electrodes 15 21 9 being obtained by the adjustment of the spring 16 by the screw 18. A suitable mouthpiece 22, shown broken oft, is provided and secured to the frame 1.

In Fig. 3 certain modifications are shown and the position of the parts reversed. In this form of construction the supportingpiece 11 is adjustably arranged, similarly as in Fig. 2, but above the diaphragm '9, the mouthpiece 22 being below the same. The diaphragm, as shown, rests upon a suitable annular washer 8 in the recess or seat in the ring 2, and is held in place by two or more` spring-lingers 23, secured to ring 2 by screws 24, although any other convenient means may be employed.

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The electrode 26, of metal or carbon, tubular in form, is attached to a spring 16, secured together with the metal piece 27 to the support 11 by the screw 2S. A suitable soft washer 2O is provided, preferably secured to 11, and arranged to surround the electrode 26, and to rest or bear with suitable pressure upon the diaphragm 9, the pressure being obtained by the adjustment and position of 11. Interposed between 9 and the electrode 26, and partly and loosely contained within the electrode, is a small quantity of granulated carbon or other suitable material 21, the proper contact between the granulated material lying between the diaphragm and the end surface of the electrode 26 being obtained by the adjustment of the spring 16 by the screw 18 in the piece 27, the material contained within the electrode loosely, and resting upon the diaphragm, forming at the same time a microphonic contact between the parts 9 and 26, which are thus maintained continuously in light normal contact, whereby the rupturin g of the circuit, sparking, and harsh noises or imperfect articulation are prevented and the conducting and varying of the total current of the battery, or thereabout, is practically obtained. A inodicat-ion of this form of construction is shown in Fig. 3, section 14', in which the electrode 29 is supported upon a spring 16, the screws 30 30, which pass through the spring into the support 11, serving to carry 29 toward the diaphragm 9, which movement is limited bythe screws 31 31in the pieces 32 32 on the spring 16 bearing upon the support 11, whereby the proper pressure-contact of 29 directly upon the diaphragm 9 is obtained in a manner well understood. The electrode 29 is tubular, or partly so, and arranged to contain a determined quantity of granulated carbon 21, that makes a light normal contact between the two electrodes, similarly as described with reference to section 145. A modification of this form of construction is represented in Fig. 4, in which, in the piece 11, two openings are shown, 142 143, containing the electrodes 15 15. In this form, in section 142, the electrode 15 is supported upon a Hat spring 16, secured to piece 11 by means of a screw 17, the electrode 15, preferably of carbon, being provided with one or more cone-shaped points that rest upon or enter into the loose granules 21 underneath the same, the proper pressure-contact between the electrode 15 and the loose granules of carbon or other material being obtained by means of the adjustable screw 18. In section 142 the electrode 15' is held upon a spiral spring 16', the pressure-contact being obtained by means of the spring 16 and adjusting screw 18 in the cap In Fig. 4 the circuits are from the batteries B4 B5, as follows: From B4 wire 34, screw 35, wire 36, cap 33, spring 16', electrode 15, granules 21, diaphragm 9, wire 37, back to battery 38 by line or local circuit, and from B5 wire 39, spring 16, electrode 15, granules 21, diaphragm 9, wire 37, back to battery as before.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modiiication representing various ways of producing a variable contact of the electrodes. In sections 42 43 44 I employ metal tubes which contain granulated carbon (shown by small dots) surrounding metal or carbon contacting-pieces, which may be of various forms of construction. In section 42 a cap or cover 49 is provided, to which is secured two or more downwardly-projecting pins 52, said cap and pins being free to be rotated, if desired, for the purposes of adjustment in the particles of carbon surrounding them. In section 43 the granules surround a cone or other shaped piece of metal or carbon 54 secured to the diaphragm 9, a cap 50 being provided to irmly close the tube to keep the material in place. In section 44 the granulated carbon surrounds an adjustable screw 53 held in the cap 51. In these forms the metallic contact-pieces serve to increase the surface and preserve contact and also serve to prevent the packing of the loose carbon.

The supporting-piece 11 is held adj ustably to the ring 2 by meansof the screws 40 40 4l 41 passing therethrough into the ring 2.

The plan or method for utilizing the electric energy and also the circuit as used will be best understood from the following description, reference being had to Fig. 1, in which, as shown7 the same pole or side of the eight batteries B to B7 are connected respectively to the inside primary wires of the eight induction-coils 4, the several outside primary wires being connected respectively to the several electrode carriers 16, thence from the electrodes to diaphragm 9, to ring 2, and by wire D, contact E, spring-key F, wire G to II and connections therefrom back to the batteries. The secondary wires of the several induction-coils are preferably connected up in parallel, the inside wires to the conductor K and the outside wires to the conductor L, that are respectively connected to line L or earth E' or to a metallic circuit M M, which may include any suitable receiving-instrument N. Under this plan the current from the different batteries passes over the primary of its respective induction-coil and the electrodes in the circuit therewith, thence back to battery, the induced currents from the several induction-coils combining as a whole or acting conjunctively and in unison, whereby the working current is in proportion to the number of sections of the transmitter employed, thus largely increasing the results at the receiving apparatus.

It will be understood that a single transmitter may have any number of sections proportioned to the diameter of the diaphragm and the size of the electrodes, and that all of the electrodes are actuated and controlled simultaneously and the current carried thereby varied by the movement of a single diaphragm.

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By means of a suitable circuit-closing key, as at E F, included in the battery-circuit, telegraphing and calling or signaling can be accomplished by the use of the battery or batteries, thereby dispensing with the necessity of magnets, bells, or other signaling devices.

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

l. A telephone-transmitter characterized by a single diaphragm in electric contact through the medium of interposed carbon granules, or similar material, with and actuating two or more electrodes insulated from and independent of each other, arranged to conduct the current from two or more independent batteries to the Vdiaphragm in electric contact therewith and the return-circuit to the batteries, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus for the electrical transmission of articulate speech, the combination of two or more independent batteries connected to their respective electrodes, two or more induction-coils having their primaries in circuit with two or more independent electrodes insulated from each other, and with independent batteries, and their secondary coils connected in parallel in another circuit, and a single diaphragm or other vibrator in electric contact with all of the independent electrodes and actuating the same, substantially as shown and described.

3. An apparatus for transmitting speech having in combination a single diaphragm, or other vibrator, in electric contact with the return-circuit of one or more batteries, and two or more independent electrodes insulated from each other, in electric contact with their respective batteries, and also with the diaphragm or other vibrator through the medium of granules of carbon or other similar material interposed between the independent electrodes and the diaphragm.

4. In a telephonie transmitter, the combination with a diaphragm, of means for supporting and securing the same under proper tension, one or more spring-supported electrodes below the diaphragm but not in contact therewith, a ring or washer of suitable soft material surrounding the end ofthe electrode, granulated carbon or other suitable conductor interposed in the space between the diaphragm and the electrode, and adjustable means for obtaining the proper pressure-contact between the electrode granulated material and the diaphragm, as and for the purpose set forth.

` 5. In a telephonie transmitter, the combination with a diaphragm, of suitable means for supporting the same,tubular electrode springsupported and arranged opposite the diaphragm, granulated carbon or other similar conducting material interposed between the diaphragm and the tubular electrode, and partly contained within the electrode,with adjustable means obtainin g the proper pressurecontact between the diaphragm, the electrode,

and the granulated material, whereby a desired normal contact may be obtained between the diaphragm and the electrodes by pressure and simultaneously therewith, a light or microphonic contact obtained between the same by means of the loose granules contained within the electrode, as and for the purpose set forth,

G. In atelephonic transmitter, a diaphragm 9, a hollow or partly hollow or tubular electrode 29, fiat spring 16 provided with lugs 32, 32, adjusting- screws 30, 30, 3l, 31, granulated material 2l, whereby a desired normal contact may be obtained directly between the electrode and the diaphragm, and simultaneously therewith a microphonic contact between the saine by means of the loose granules contained within the electrode, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. A telephonietransmitter having in combination, a containing box or case, a diaphragm of ,carbon 9, a diaphragm-holder 2, with means for securing the diaphragm, a non-conducting piece l1 sectionally divided, adj ustably supported opposite the diaphragm by the screws 40, 40, 41, 4l, and arranged to carry two or more independent battery-electrodes, such as 46, 49, 52, or 48, 5l, 53, or 47, 50, 54, granulated carbon or other suitable material 2l interposed between the independent battery-electrodes and the diaphragmelectrodes, a sectionally-divided washer of felt, cotton-wool, or like material 20, secured to ll, and arranged to rest upon the diaphragm 9 and to hold the loose conducting material in place, all constructed and arranged substantially as herein shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES ADAMS RANDALL. Witnesses:

G. A. nn KATON, T. F. BARNES.

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