US691060A - Telephony. - Google Patents

Description

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(Application led Apr. 15, 1901.)

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(No Model.)

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No. 691,060. Patented 1an. I4, |902.

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TELEPHONY.

` (Application filed Apr. 15, 1901.1 I :No Model.) 2 sheets-shear z.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR 49%,

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nnrrniu retries Parent ficticia ISIDOR KITSEE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TELEPHONY.

:SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 691,060, dated January 14, 1902. Application filed April l5, 1901. Serial No. 55,939. (No modem To a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ISIDOR KITSEE, of the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephony, of which the following` is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in telephony, and has more special reference to an improvement in party-lines.

In a telephonie system of to-day, consist ing of a central or exchange station and a series of outlying or subscribers stations, the custom prevails of providing two or more subscribers Whose phones are very seldom busy-for instance, in dwelling-houses-with one common circuit. These lines are called party-lines. Efforts were made to prevent on such lines one subscriber from listening to the conversation of a second subscriber. So, also,were efforts made to prevent the alarm of one subscriber ringing it another subscriber is called up by the central. In practice so far all these efforts have proved not very successful, especially not if a great number of subscribers-forinstance, six, eight,and ten-are connected to one and the sameline. A partyline to be successfullyoperated should be provided with devices as follows: First, a device to prevent the calling up of central by a subscriber if the line is already busy-that is, if a second subscriber has already called up central or is connected by central with another line for the purpose ot' intercommunication; second, a device to prevent one subscriber from listening to the conversation of asecond subscriber if this second subscriber does not wish to comm unicate with the first-nam ed subscriber; third, adevice to prevent the alarm of one subscriber ringing if the office calls up a second subscriber, and, fourth, a device to allow central to place two subscribers on the same line in intercommunication with each other and to ring up for that purpose one of these two subscribers after the other of these two subscribers has called the central for this purpose. All ot' the efforts made so far have, besides others, the great disadvantage that normally all of the individual subscribers circuits connected to one and the same line are normally closed and in multiple are as to each other and the current-carrying circuit. In my experiments I have found that it is hardly possible to successfully transmit messages over a line-wire having two or more stations normally closed and connected in multiple arc as to each other.

It is the aim of my invention to overcome all these difficulties and to provide a partyline with all the advantages enumerated.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure lis a diagrammatic view showing two subscribers stations, one of the subscribers having removed the receiver from the lever. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the device placed at the central station.

l and 2 are the circuit-wires.

la is part of the circuit-wire l turned backward for the purpose as will be hereinafter specified.

3 represents the transmitters of each station; 4:, the receivers; 5, the levers on which the receivers are normally supported.. This lever is electrically connected through wire 7 with the line-wire 2.

6 is a contact-point designed to connect with the lever 5 when the receiver is removed. Lever 5 is preferably provided with the indentation, as shown in the drawings, adapted to receive the lower point of the contact 6 ifthe receiver is removed.

Inserted in series in line l is for each station The electromagnet l2. This electromagnet is provided with the armature 9, normally held by spring ll away from the core of said magnet. This armature is provided with a non-conducting piece l0.

Connected to the line-wire 2 through wire 35 is the alarm device 13. The coils of the electromagnet of this alarm consist of two parts connected in a manner so that they normally oppose the action of the current on the armature. It is unnecessary for me to refer more specifically' to the connection of the coils, as it is well understood by persons versed in the art how to wind the electromagnet of an alarm device so that the two parts of the windings are opposed to each other in a manner so that theinfluence of the electricimpulses on the core should be nullited. Normally, therefore, it' a current is sent through wire 35 and through both pairs of the coils of the alarm device 13 this alarm device will not be actuated, and to ring this device it is necessary to shunt one pair ofthese coils, and

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. one of the contact-brushes 24.

`the devices of the other stations.

for this reason these coils are provided with the shunt-wires 13a 13, terminating in the brushes 23 23. In series with the alarm device 13 is -placed the electromagnet 19, provided with the armature 17, held away from the core of said electromagnet by spring 18. This armature is provided with the pawl 16, constituting, with the wheel14, a modification of the well-known step-by-step devices. This wheel is provided with the teeth 15 and the insulation 20; but each wheel has ata predetermined point the insulation cut away for the purpose as will hereinafter be specified. These points are numbered 21 and 22, respectively. These points 2l and 22 difier in location in the wheels of the various stations. The wire 35, with its alarm device 13 and electromagnet 19, is grounded at G.

To the wire connecting contact 6 to the receiver 4 is connected wire 24, terminating in The other of these contact-brushes 24a is connected to contact-point 8 in proximity to the lever 5.

In Fig. 2, is the battery normally connected t0 the circuit. 25 is a contact-point electrically connected with one arm of the 'spring-jack, consisting of the two arms 26 and 27. 29 is a plug connected by the cord with the conducting-rim 31 of the make-andbreak device 30, the movable lever 33 of which is connected with the battery B2, grounded at G. To the conducting-rim 31 are connected the contacts 0 to 14, inclusive.

In a party-line in which two or more subscribers stations are connected it is of importance that the operation in one station should affect all the instruments in every other station in a manner so that the same cannot be used for telephonie purposes. It' this circuit consists only of two line-wires and if the devices actuating the different stations in a manner as aforesaid are to be placed in series, it is obvious that if the subscriber nearest to the central removes his receiver for the purpose of calling up central the other devices will not be actuated at all, for the reason that the transmitting and receiving instruments are placed in multiple arc and the current therefore would take the shortest cut and return to the central without flowing through For this purpose it was necessary that one of the line- Wires (in the drawings line l) should be turned back in a manner as indicated in Fig. 1. This short wire (designated in the drawings as l) is not in realitya third wire. Supposing that the particular party-line is carried live miles from the central and at the end of the five miles the different subscribers to be connected to this line are located in one and the same house or in one and the same block, then that part of the wire designated by l needs to run only along the block or house, as the case may be. In other words, the turned-back part of wire 1 should only run from the location of the rst to the location of the last subscriber. Normallythat is, when none of the stations are in usethe circuit consisting of line-wire 1 and of,line wire 2 is entirely open. No device placed in multiple arc as to this circuit is connected normally with both wires, and therein lies the irst advantage of my invention. In a partyline to the circuit of which two or more subscribers are connected in multiple arc it is necessary that the devices and arrangements of same should be entirely alike, and if the devices are normally connected, even, as is usuallyA the case, through condensers, with both lines, then it follows if one party tries to communicate with the central or through same with a subscriberon another line all or part of the transmitting-waves will be shunted through the devices of the other stations, because it is a well-established fact that, concerning telephonie waves, condensers are no hindrance at all. As long as allstations are at rest the wire 1 will be connected to one pole of the common battery at the central, and the wire 2 will be connected to the other pole of the same battery. The circuit itself will remain open, for the reason'that as long as the receiver rests on the lever the connection between the lever and the contact 6 is broken.

I will now describe the operation of the device placed in the line when one of the subscribers is calling.

The subscriber in the act of calling removes his receiver from the lever, and the lever, released of its weight, will press upward, and the lower part of the contact 6 will be inserted in the notch with which the lever is provided, thereby establishing a path for the current from the battery through wire 1, wire 1a, transmitter 3, receiver 4, contact 6, lever 5, and line-wire 2 back to the battery. As soon as the current-dow commences the cores of electroni-aguets 12 will be energized, and the armatures of these magnets will be drawn toward their respective cores and in a position as indicated in the dra-wings at the left-hand station-that is, the non-conducting part 10 of the armature will be pushed between the contact 6 and lever 5. The armature of the particular station calling will always tend to assume the position of the armatures of the other station and to place the non-conducting piece 10 between the contact 6 and the lever 5; but as the contact has to be inserted in the notch of the lever before the circuit is l established and before the cores are energized The subscriber calling has a free.

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upward movement will encounter the nonconducting piece 10, which eifectually bars its electrical connection with contact b'. It is therefore obvious that no matter how many subscribers'are connected to one and the same line only one subscriber can at one and the same time converse with the central or through the central with a subscriber on another line and that no other subscriber can listen to the conversation of the subscriber talking.

I will now describe the modus operandi of calling up one of the su bscribers connected to this party-line. Y

At the central is placed the make-and-break device 30. This make-and-break device consists, preferably, of the conducting-rim 31 and a series of contact-points connected to said conducting-rim. The make-and -break device is provided with the movable lever 33. I have illustrated in the drawings the movable lever as to be adapted to be moved by hand; but it is obvious that this lever may be actuated by any of the well-known motive powers. Normallytheleverrests,asisshown in the drawings, at Zero-that is, at the contact-point O. If central wants to call a subscriber connected to the line, the operator iirst ascertains what particular number on that line the subscriber to be called has. Suppose in this line there are fourteen subscribers and the one to be called up is the fourth on the line*that is, is designated by the numeral 4. The operator connects the linewire 2 through plug 29 with the conducting-rim 31 and then moves the lever from the contact-point O to the contact-point 4. This operation will break and make the circuit four times. At each subscribers station is located the step-by-step movement as described above. This step-by-step movement is provided with two pairs of contact-brushes, (designated, respectively, 23 and 24a.) The contact-brushes 23 are designed, as clearly set forth above, to shunt that part ot' the coil of the alarm device 13 which neutralizes normally the effect of the currenttlowing through said device. Let us suppose that the lefthand station is the station 4 called up by the central. The step-by-step movement at this station will be actuated till the conducting part 22 of the wheel 14 comes in contact with the brushes 23, thereby short-circuiting the brushes and through them the opposing parts of the coils of the alarm device 13. The operator at the central having moved the lever of the step-by-step device to point 4 connects the terminal of his magneto-generator with wire 2 of the circuit, the other terminal of the generator being connected to the ground. The alternating impulses of the generator will therefore iiow through wire 2 and will pass out each station from wire 2 through Wire 35, coils of alarm device 13, and electromagnet 19 to the ground. These alternatingimpulses are not of sufficient duration to operate the electromagnet 19; but they are of sufcient electromotive force to operate the alarm device 13. 4In all stations with lthe eX- ception of station 4, wherein through the electrical connection of the brushes 23 the opposing coils are shunted, the electric impulses will iiow through both pairs of coils of the alarm device 13, and, as described above, the action of these coils is such as to neutralize the effect of the current on the core. Itis evident that all the alarm devices, with the eX- ception of the alarm device of station 4, will remain silent, but the alarm 'device of station 4 having only one set of coils in active service, the other set of coils being shunted, will be actuated and the bell will ring, calling the attention of the subscriber of station 4 that the office wants to communicate with him. No matter, therefore, how many subscribers are connected to the line, only the alarm device of the subscriber with which the central wishes to communicate will be actuated.

I will now describe the steps necessary for the purpose of advising one subscriber that a second subscriber on the same line `Wishes to communicate with him.

The subscriber calling goes through the operation as described, removing his receiver from the lever 5 and bringing the lever in connection with contact 6. He makes, as usual, the operator at the central acquainted with his wishes. The operator in calling up another subscriber on the same line acts in the same manner as if a subscriber of another line has called up this subscriber. Itis again supposed that subscriber No. 4is being called. The operator moves the lever from the contact 0 to contact 4. This brings again the wheel in such a position that the contact 22 connects the brushes 23, shunting the opposing coils of the alarm device 13. The operator again rings up the station 4. The subscriber in answering the call removes his phone from the lever and allows the same to resume a position as indicated in the righthand station of the drawings; but the lever will not be able to make an electrical connection with contact 6, because the non-conducting material 10 has already assumed a position as indicated in the left-hand station of the drawings. To obviate this difficulty and to allow the station called up by the central to make connection, even if another station connected to the same line is calling, the wheel 14 is also provided with the contactpoint 21. This contact-point is in alinement With contact-point 22 and is adapted to shortcircuit the brushes 24 at the same time that the-brushes 23 are short-circuited through the contact 22. When therefore central has brought the step-by-step movement of station 4 to the position that the alarm device of this station is actuated through the shunting of the opposing coils, the brushes 24a are also brought in electrical contact with each other, and as through the removing of the receiver from the lever this lever is brought in con- IOO IIO

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tact with connecting-point 8 it establishes a second path between wire 2 and wire l, this path consisting this time of wire 7, lever 5, contact 8, contact-brushes 24% connected electrically through contact 2l, wire 24, receiver has answered or if two subscribers on the same line communicate with each other after the communication has ceased. It is obvious, however, that in so adjusting the make-andbreak device the same continues to a complete rotation to maintain all of the step-bystep mechanisms in unison or proper receiving condition.

From the drawings and explanations it is evident that in accordance with my invention a party-line may have any number of subscribers stations connected thereto without one station interfering in the least with the other stations..

A party-line arranged and provided with the devices according to my invention has the following advagtagcs: First, a subscriber .connected to the line will always tind the line open and unobstructed to his conversation;

second, a subscriber on the line can call up central and can converse with central or other subscribers without fear that his conversation will be overheard by another subscriber; third, central can ring up any one of the subscribers connected to this line without the alarm devices of the other stations on the line being actuated; fourth, a subscriber on this line is able to converse with a second subscriber on the same line without a third subscriber being aware of this fact, and, fifth, central can call up and connect any one of the subscribers, no matter if the line is free or .already in use, without disturbing the subscriber using the line or calling the attention of the subscribers not using the line.

As my invention relates only to party-lines and method of operating the same, but does not relate to the mode or method of connecting one line to the other, and as this part of the-operation is well understood by persons versed in the art, and as my system of operating party-lines is applicable to the various systems in use to-day, no matter how far they differ in connecting two lines to each other, I have not illustrated or described either the usual spring-jacks, connecting-cords, and supervisory or other signals. In fact, I have omitted for the sake of clearness and better understanding all devices necessary or used in an exchange to-day and foreign to my own invention, and I have illustrated and described this invention only in so far as to enable persons versed in the art to make and use the same, leaving it understood that different means may be employed to accomplish the same results without departing from the scope of my invention.

I have illustrated in Fig. l the'step-by-step device as consisting of a movable wheel-and an armature provided with a hinged pawl; but it is obvious that any of the well-known step-by-step devices may be substituted for the one illustrated. I have also described and illustrated the contact-points 2l and 22 as being part of the wheel, which is otherwise provided with an insulating-surface; but it is obvious that these contacts may consist of conducting-strips placed on or secured to the wheel; but in all cases care should be taken to present a smooth and even surface of the wheel to the brushes, as otherwise the movements ofthe wheel may be obstructed.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated part of the circuit-wires l and 2 as being connected with battery B and being provided with the movable jacks 26 and 27. I did this for the purpose so as to show one method of bringingin electrical connection line wire 2 with the make-and-break device; but it is obvious that when the usual jacks are employed this particular jack, consisting of the parts 26 and 27, can be dispensed with.

The battery B vis made to represent the usual common battery to which the incoming circuits are connected. rIhe battery B2 is the special battery provided for the purpose of actuating the step-by-step movement.

I have illustrated the diferent stations as to be provided simply with the transmitter and-receiver and have omitted the inductioncoil usually employed. rlhe cnice of this coil is well understood,and the same may be placed in the line or may be omitted from the same;

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but in some systems the insertion of the in y duction-coil is a necessity. I omitted to illustrate the same for the reason that my invention does not embrace any particular sending or receiving devices.

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

l. In a telephone system, the Acombination with a party-line, of a series of subscriberstations connected in multiple arc therewith, each of said subscriber-stations including telephonie devices and a switch,and electromagnetic devices connected in series with the party-line and adapted to prevent the establishment of a circuit between the telephonie devices of each station and the switch thereat when such circuit has been established at one of the stations.

2. In a telephone system, the combination with a party-line, of a series of subscriberstations connected in such manner with the party-line as to be normally open, each of said subscriber-stationsincluding telephonie devices and a switch, and electromagnetic devices connected in series with the partyline and adapted to prevent the establish- IIO senese ment of a circuit between the telephonic devices of each station and the switch thereat when such circuit has been established at one of the stations.

3. In telephony, a party-line, two or more subscriber-stations connected in multiple arc as to each other and said party-line, each of said stations provided with an electromagnetic device connected in series as to one of the line-wires constituting the circuit of said party-line, said electromagnetic device adapted to prevent the closing of the circuit in the remaining subscribers stations, after the circuit in one ofthe subscriber-stations has been established.

4.. In a telephone system, the combination with a central station, and a party-line, of a series of subscriber-stations connected in multiple arc to said line, a signal device for each of said stations, each of said devices being provided with opposing pairs of coils so woun d as to neutralize the effect of the currenttlowing through the signaldevice,ineans forshunting one of the pairs of said coils, and means at the central station for actuating said shunting means.

5. In telephony, a party-line, two or more subscriber-stations connected to said partyline, an alarm device for each of said stations, said alarm device provided with opposing coils so wound as to neutrali-.ze the eiect of the current flowing through said alarm device, in combination with means to open or shunt the opposing coils of said alarm device at the will of the operator located at the central or exchange.

(i. In telephony, a party-line, two or more subscriber-stations connected in multiple arc to said party-line, an alarm device provided with opposing coils so as to neutralize the et'- fect of the current flowing through said alarm device, a step-by-step movement for each of said alarm devices, and means located at the central or exchange to actuate said step-bystep movement, said step-by-step movement provided with means to close or open the shunt-circuit with which said alarm device is provided.

7. In telephony, a party-line, two or more subscriber-stations connected in multiple arc as to said party-line, means at each station to connect electrically one line-wire of said partyline through the transmitter with the other line-wire of said party-line, and means at each of said stations to connect the two line-wires, including the transmitter, of` each station through a second circuit, normallybrolzen but lelectrically connected at the will ot' the operator at the central or exchange.

S. In telephony, a party-line, two or more subscriber-stations connected in multiple arc las to said line, a step-by-step movement for each subscriber-station, said step-by-step movement provided with means to close a shunt-circuit of the alarm device with which said station is provided, and to connect the normally broken parts ot a .circuit adapted to make connection between that part ot' the circuit connected to the lever and that part ot the circuit connected to the transmitter.

9. In a telephone system, the combination with a party-line, and a series of subscriberstations connected in multiple arc therewith, of an auxiliary circuit formed bya shunt located at each of said stations and including the transmitter and the receiver-hook, and means controlled by the central station and cooperating with the receiver-hook for opening and closing the auxiliary circuit.

10. In telephony, a party-line, two or more subscriber-stations connected in multiple arc as to said line, means for each station to prevent the flow of the current through the telephonie devices placed at said station, if the circuit is closed at a second station, an alarm device for eachl station, said alarm device provided with means to nullity the effect of the current impulses on the movable parts of said device, means for each of said alarm devices to make ineffective said nullifying means, and means at each station to closel the circuit of said party-lines including the telephonic devices at said station, through an auxiliary circuit with which each station is provided.

ll. In a telephone system, the combination with a party-line, of a series of subscriberstations connected in multiple arc with said line, an auxiliary circuit located at each of said stations and including a signal device, means for controlling said auxiliary circuit, a second auxiliary circuit located at each ot' said stations and adapted to establish connection between the line and each of said stations independentlyof theotherstations,said second auxiliary circuit including the transmitter and the receiver-hook, and means cooperating with the receiver-hook for opening and closing the second auxiliary circuit.

l2. In a telephone system, the combination with a party-line, of a series ot subscriberstations connected in multiple arc with said line, an auxiliary circuit located at each of said stations and including a signal device, means forcontrolling said auxiliary circuit, a second auxiliary circuit located at each of said stations and adapted to establish connection between the line and each of said stationsindependently of the other stations, said second auxiliary circuit including the transmitter and the receiver-hook, and means controlled by the central station and cooperating with the receiver-hook for opening and closing the second auxiliary circuit.

13. In a telephone system, the combination with a party-line, of a series of subscriberstations connected thereto and each including telephonie devices, an auxiliary circuit located at each of said stations and including a signal device', a step-by-step mechanism also located at each of said stations and controlled by said auxiliary circuit, a second auxiliary circuit located at each of said stations and adapted to establish through the step-by-step IIO seines armatures provided with means adapted to beinterposed between the stationary contacts and the switches to prevent the establishment of the telephonie circuits.

In testimony whereof I hereby sign my name, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses, this 12th day of April, A. D. 1901.

ISIDOR KITSEE.

Witnesses EDITH PSTILLEY, CHAs. KREssENBUcH.

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