US762695A - Signaling apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

No- 762,695. PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904.

A B. A. FALLER. SIGNALING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.14. 1903.

THE Nonnls versus co, vac-mums. WASHINGTON. n

PATENTEDJUNE 14, 1904.

' B. A. PALLBR.

SIGNALING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED 00T.14, 1903.

I am my IV i flizaszflfikf INVENTOR WITNESSES;

'1 WORNEY N0. 762,695. I PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904.

E. A. FALLER. SIGNALING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 0013.14, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES: flzzasiflfZ/fr INVENTOR ATTORNEY UNITED STATES Patented June 14, 1904.

P TENT OEEIcE.

ERNEST AUGUST FALLER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE FALLER AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE EXCHANGE COMPANY, A COR- PORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

SIGNALING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 762,695, dated June 14, 1904.

Application filed October 14, 1903. Serial No. 176,975. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ERNEST AUGUST FALL ER, a citizen of the German Empire, residing in New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, haveinvented a new and useful Signaling Apparatus, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

The object of this-invention is to provide suitable means for the sending of a number of predetermined electric signals. These signals preferably consist of a greater or lesser number of dots and dashes such as used in Morse telegraphy. The main feature of the apparatus which distinguishes it from all apparatus now in use consists in the means intended to prevent the misuse of the instrument or the sending of an incorrect signal. Variable-signaling instruments are not new in the art; neither are looking devices for such instruments intended to prevent the misuse of the same or incorrect signaling. It has never, however, been proposed to effeetfrom one simple manual operation or a unidirectional movement, such as the movement of a pushbutton, key, crank, ..or lever, the operation necessary to provide the motive power for the sending of a signal and the selecting and sending of one of the variety of signals the apparatus is capable of transmitting and the locking of the mechanism against duplicate use or against the sending of a second signal until after the first has been sent and the apparatus restored to normal position.

There are signaling apparatus known of a similar character; but they either are not selfoperating or rely upon outside supply ofpower for their operation orcontain magnets or lack one or more of the essential features of the invention underlying the present application.

The apparatus is inclosed in a casing, so that its operating mechanism is inaccessible to the ward and outward stroke, and any partial movementof one or more of the keys will not anumber of keys at one time; but this will not in any way interfere with the correct sending of the signal, as in this case the signal corresponding to the highest-numbered key depressed will be sent, while the other signals will be ignored.- The full depression and release of any one key causes the release of a retarding device, sending the signal in proper time, as Will be shown; but this release only takes place after the mechanism accessible to the user has been locked, so that a repetition of the signal or the sending of an y other signal While the apparatus is in the act of sending one becomes impossible. Upon the completion of any one signal sent the signal-keys are released and ready for another operation.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the apparatus looking from the inside of the. casing. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus attached to the front wall of the casing and looking from the left of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 8 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view on line 4: I of Fig. 1 looking from the right of the same. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic developmentof the character wheels or disks, and Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the apparatus looking from the left of. Fig. l and showing the position of parts with one key depressed.

The apparatus obviously can be divided into two distinct groups of mechanism, one group of which is of a collective nature and the other of a selective nature.

The collective group comprises mechanism which must be made operative each time a signal is to be sent and is common to all the sets of selective devices, being affected each time a key is fully operated. The selective group comprises means whereby either of a plurality of signals may be chosen by the operator depressing the proper key. The collective group embraces the clock-wheel train a, winding lever 5, mainspring c, character-whecl shaft d, eseapement ef, escapement-detent g, intermediate locking-lever /L, key-locking lever 2', keylock or locking-frame 7r, connecting-rod Z, actuating or collective contact-lever m, switchcontrolling bar 11, and cut-out lever 0.

The selective group of the instrument embraces the following mechanism: signalingkeys p,contained in a suitable housing q; intermediate signaling-levers r, loosely fulcrumed on the shaft of the winding-lever Z); switch-levers 8; contacts 2.; contact-springs or, adapted to engage sections 2* of the character-wheel m. The contacts 2, are individually connected to their contact-springs a that is. the right-hand contact If is connected to the right-hand spring u, &e. The housing w of the switch-levers s is in metallic connection with the line 80, as is also cut-out 0 with the other end.

Referring more particularly to these groups of mechanism, it will be seen that the stems of keys p slide through plates 21 22 of the housing (1, fixed to the front wall of the box or casing, and the inner ends of these stems bear upon the intermediate signaling levers or arms a, which are arranged side by side upon the shaft 23 of the winding frame or lever 7). This shaft is journaled in bearings 24. These intermediate lever-arms a are loosely arranged on the said shaft and each is capable of indepench ent movement under the action of its key. At their upper ends these arms bear upon the cross-bar 25 of the winding frame or lever, and when either of the keys is operated the corresponding lever-arm I will move the windingframe inwardly. This will have the effect of winding the mainspring c, which is coiled about the shaft of the winding-frame, one end of said spring being held by a pin 81 and the other end engaging a pin 26 on the hub of the sector 2, fixed to the shaft of the winding-frame. Another result of the inward movement of either of the intermediate signaling-levers 0- under the action of its key is to move inwardly the key-locking frame 711. This frame comprises the key-lock arm is proper, which is fixed to a rock-shaft 28, journaled in bearings 29, an arm 30, and a cross-bar 31, which extends across in the rearof the upper ends of the levers r. The key-lock arm 7:: is provided with an areshaped upper end, which is intended to control the locking-lever i and the escapement, as hereinafter will be set forth. A still further result of the inward movement of either of the intermediate signaling levers or arms '1 is the movement of its corresponding selective switch-lever s into engagement with its contact 2,.

The selective switch-levers s arearranged side by side on a cross-bar 32, supported in arms of the housing 20. Theswitchlevers are of right-angular form, their downwardly-projecting arms 34 extending into range of the upper ends of the intermediate signaling-levers r to be operated thereby, while their forwardly-projecting arms 33 lie normally above the spring-contacts 2, to engage therewith when the keys are operated. These parts, the switches, and the contacts t establish electrical connections to select the signals, as will be hereinafter set forth. These contacts 25 are carried by an insulatingbar 36, supported in any suitable manner on the framework. All the parts are returned to normal position by springs, the keys by the springs 38, the intermediate signaling-levers 1* by the springs 27, the key-locking frame by the spring 82, the winding-frame by the mainspring c unwinding, and the switchlevers by the springs 35. The selective mechanism also comprises the series of contactsprings 20, which, as before stated, are connected separately to companion selecting-contacts t. These springs overlie the character or signaling disks 4., forming the characterwhecl m, fixed to the shaft (Z, which is controlled by escapement and wheel-train mechanism hereinafter described. A suitable controlling-barn also forms a part of the collective mechanism, it being operated at each signaling operation. This-bar is arranged adjacent to the arms 34 of the switch-levers s and is carried by a shaft 37, journaled in bearings 38. The bar is normally held away from the ends 34 of the switch-levers .e by an arm 39 on its shaft 37, which is pressed downwardly by a roller or stud 40 on an arm 41, secured to the shaft 42 of the actuating and collective eontactlever on, which lever is moved to normal position(shown in Fig. 2) by the spring 6. In this normal position of the parts the signaling-circuit is broken both at the selective contacts s t and at the collective or common contacts 10 12. When a key is pressed in to send a signal, one of the selecting-switches will be moved into engagement with one of the selective contacts a, and at the same time the arm 41 will be raised by the link Z, which is connected at its lower end with the arm 44 of the key-lock frame /i:, and this will free the arm 39 of the controllingbar a from restraint, which will then swing outwardly under tension of its spring 45, and thus it will catch and retain the operated selecting-switch s in engagement with the contact 2/. The link Z has a slotted connect-ion at its upper end with the arm 41, so that after this arm is raised and the contact made at s t and 10 12, respectively, the link Z, with the key-lock frame 70, will be free to return to normal position under the action of the spring 82. It will be understood from what is described hereinafter that to send a signal it will be necessary, in addition to the rotation of the character-wheel, for one of the selective contacts to be closed and, further, that the contact at 10 12 be closed also, as in Fig. 6. After the signaling is over the circuit is automatically broken at 10 12, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and the movement of the actuating and collective contactlever m back to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 will cause the rotation of the shaft 42, the downward movement of the arm 11, and through it the downward movement of the arm 39, and the withdrawal and retention of the controlling-bar a away from the switchlevers 8, allowing the lever or levers which have been operated to return to normal position under the action of its spring, and consequently the breaking of the circuit at this point also.

The character-disks form part of the collective mechanism and have contact-points 18 thereon, one disk having one point, the next two points, and so on to the highest, which may have nine points. The disk on the right of Fig. 1 has no points thereon, this being the zero-disk. Each disk has a plane peripheral surface which is adapted to be borne upon by its contact-spring a after the same has made contact with all points on said disk in succession. The points represent dots in the signal, and the plane surface represents a dash, and this plane surface is on the zerodisk as well as on those having the contactpoints.

The movement of the shaft (Z and the character-wheel is the same at each operation of the apparatus, and each contact-spring u engages with all the contact-points and plane surface on its corresponding disk; but the signal will be sent through that spring and disk only which has been selected by the depression of the appropriate key, or if more than one key is depressed the signal of the key having the highest numerical value will be sent, the other signals, having a lesser number of dots or strokes, of course being embodied or incorporated in the signal of the higher numerical value or greater number of dots or strokes and being consequently ignored.

The collective mechanism or that which is common in, its function and operation to the different sets of selective devices comprises, in addition to the parts mentioned, the wind,- ing-frame-b, before described, which is operated each time a key is depressed, the winding-spring 0 thereon, the toothed sector 2, a pinion 3, meshing with the sector, and the character-wheel shaft (Z, to which the pinion is rigidly fixed. A pawl 1 engages this pinion and holds it in any position to which it may have been rotated through either the full or partial inward stroke of one of the keys. This pawl is carried by a gearwheel 5, loose on the shaft (Z and controlled by an escapement mechanism consisting of the escapenient-wheel e on a shaft 50, the pinion 51 of which meshes with the gear 5. A pallet f controls the movement of the escapementwheel while the same is under the action of the mainspring. This pallet has its shaft 52 journaled in bearings 53, and it has a pendulum-arm 54 extending into engagement with a detent g, Fig. 2, by which the wheel-train will be held stationary against the tension of the mainspring c after the same is wound and until the full inward and outward stroke of the key has been completed,the contacts made to establish the signalcircuit, and the key-lock set to prevent the further operation of any key. The detent r is pivotallysupported in bearings 51, and it is controlled through a link 55, connected with the intermediate locking-lever 72.. Both the pallet and the pendulum are fixed to the shaft 52 and are thus rigidly connected together. This lever it has its shaft 56 journaled in the frame, and an arm 18 on this shaft has a pin 57, which engages aforked arm 19, carried by a rock-shaft 59, journaled in bearings 60. This rock-shaft carries the locking-lever 2', having a nose 8, adapted to be controlled by the. arc-shaped head of the key-locking arm while the key is making its stroke and in turn adapted to fall behind the saidhead, as shown in Fig. 3, when said stroke is completed to lock the same with all the keys and at the same time to release the escapement-detent 9, both of said operations-wl a. locking the keylock frame and releasing the detent-being dependent upon the operation of the lever 71. when the spring 6 is distended and places the said lever under tension. This distension takes place during the stroke of the key through the movement of the locking-frame if. and the resulting operation of the lever 'm. from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the circuit-closing position-of Fig. 6. The spring 6 is connected to these two levers, and in the position shown in Fig. 2 it is relaxed and inactive; but when the lever 12?. is moved into the position shown in Fig. 6, which results from a complete inward movement of a key, the spring 6 is distended and places the lever it under tension ready to act to cause the locking of the keys and freeing of the escapement when the lock-frame Z1 returns forward from the position shown in Fig. 6. The cut-out lever 0 is carried by a shaft 61, journaled in bearings at 62. A spring 63 tends to throw the cut-out lever so that its shoulder 11 will be in the path of'the end of the arm 10 of the lever on. Normally, however, the said lever is pressed away from this position by the shoulder 15 on the sector 2 engaging an arm 16 on shaft of the cut-out lever, Fig. 2. A spring 7 is employed to return the intermediate locking-lever it to normal position when the spring 6 is relaxed upon the release of the lever m, as will be hereinafter described.

The battery is shown at 65, and the circuit connections may be traced as follows, suppos ing one of the selective contacts is made and also the collecting contact: From pole of battery, line 80, bearing 1/), switchlever s, contact If, one of the lines 72, contact-spring u, character-wheel shaft (Z, supporting-frame, actuating or collective contact-lever m, contact 10, insulated contact 12 on cut-out lever 0, line 68, bell 69, to long-distance line 71, and thence back to pole of battery.

Having thus described the apparatus, the operation of the same is as follows: The depression of a key causes the corresponding intermediate lever r to press upon and carry around through a certain are the winding-lever and also the key-locking frame 77. This causes the mainspring 0 to be put under tension and also through sector 2 and pinion 3 a backward revolution of the character-wheel shaft (Z and its eharacter-wheel. The balance of the clockwork is not affected, as the teeth of the pinion 3 simply slide under the pawl 4.

' Paw] 4, as before stated, is fastened to wheel 5, which turns loosely upon the characterwheel shaft (Z, to which pinion 3 is fixed. The locking-frame K", through its connecting rod or link Z, has also caused the actuating or collective contact-lcvcr m to assume its working position-that is, the actuating-lever is moved from the position of Fi 1 to that shown in Fig. 4. As the sector 2 begins to -move, as above described, for turning the character-wheel shaft backward it has the effect of withdrawing its shoulder 15 from the arm 16 of the cut-out lever 0, thus liberatin'g said lever and allowing the spring 63 thereof to operate it toward the actuating-lever m, so that when the latter lever reaches its extreme position of work its arm 10 will be engaged by the shoulder 11 on the cutout lever and held in this working position with its arm 10 in electrical contact with the spring 12, carried by the cut-out lever. This contact between the actuating-lever and the n; spring 12 may be termed the controlling or collective contact. It must be made when either of the variable signals is sent. It is common to all the selective devices. As distinguishii'ig them from the collective or common contact, the contact-springs 1' may be termed the selective contacts. Another result of the moving of the actuating-lever in into working position is to put the spring 6 under tension by distending it. This spring, as before stated, is normally relaxed, and consequently inactive, and this condition prevails when the actuating-lever m is not in working position, as shown in Fig. 1. At this time the intermediate locking-lever h is held in normal position by the spring 7 to keep lever with its nose up, so that the apparatus is open for operation. This spring, however, is weaker than the spring 6 when thelatter is active or distended. hen the intermediate locking-lever is in the normal position of Fig. 1, the nose 8 of the locking-lever '1' will be in the position shown in Fig. lthat is, above and out of the path of the are-shaped head 66 of the lock 71, which renders the machine open or free for operation. When the actuatinglever in is moved to the position shown in Fig. 6, however, the tension of the spring 6, which is now distended, will tend to move the intermedlate locking-lever b, so as to throw the nose 8 of the locking-lever 2' downwardly to engage and hold the lock k to lock the apparatus, and it will also tend tothrow down the detent-levcr 7 to release the eseapement. These actions are resisted, however, at this time by reason of the fact that the locking-arm 7?, having been moved from normal position by the inward movement of the key, presents its arc-shaped surface or tread 66 to the nose 8 and obstructs the downward movement of the nose, as shown in Fig. 6, so long as the key remains pressed in. Another action resulting from the inward movement of the key is the setting of the proper switch-lever 8 into engagement with the proper contact-spring t and its retention in that position by the retaining-bar n, so as to select the signal, the said rctaining-bar being operated to engage and hold the switch-lever by its spring 45 at the same time the collective contact-lever m is operated to close its contact and set the spring 6 ready for action. There are now existing in the apparatus the following conditions, the key having been pushed in, as described, and not having returned to its position of rest: The mainspring 0 has been wound; the lock or locking-frame has been moved, so as to obstruct the movement of the nose 8, and thus to prevent the release of the eseapement; the character-disks have been set or turned back ready for operation, which will take place as soon as the eseapement is released; the selective connection has been made between the line and the proper signal or character disk through the setting of the proper switch 8 in engagement with its contact t, and the collective or common contact has been established between the spring 12 and arm 10 by the operation of the actuatinglever m. Further, the spring 6 for operating the eseapement-detent and setting the key-locking lever 71 has been brought into action, ready to operate these parts through the lever It. If the key is now released and returns to its forward or normal position, the intermediate lever 1', and following it the key lock or frame, returns to a position of rest, where the latter is locked by the nose 8 falling over the end of the arc-shaped surface 66 under the tension of the spring 6, which now exerts its force and throws down thelockinglever h, thus locking the keys. The operation of this lever 7L also throws down the detent g and releases the eseapement-lever or pendulum. Consequently the eseapement is released and the character-wheel left free to rotate about its axis, which it does through the power of the mainspring transmitted through the train of gearing. The rotation of the character-wheel now sends the signal desired. The actuating-lever m remains in working position during the rota-tion ot the character-disks, as it is held by the cut-out lever 0, and the circuit is maintained through the collective contact. At this point of the operation there are now existing in theapparatus the following conditions: The key has been operated and has returned to its position of rest, where it and all other keys are locked by the nose 8 of the locking-lever 71 holding the locking-frame in against movement; the contacts remain established between the proper selective switch 8 and its corresponding contact-spring z, and also at the collective contacts 10 12, the character wheels or disks being rotated by the tension of the mainspring 0, and the. escapement is operating and controlling this rotation. The sector 2 is returning to its position of rest. As the signal is completed the sector 2 in the final part of its movement toward normal position brings its shoulder against the arm 16 of the cut-out lever 0 and throws it out of connection with the collective contact-lever m. The spring 6 now acts to throw the-lever m into the position of Fig. 2, and thus breaks the circuit at this point, and themovement of the lever m is imparted through the shaft 452 to the arm 41, which presses upon the arm 39 and throws back theretaining-bar n, so as to release the selective switch-lever s from engagement with its corresponding selective contact t. The circuit has now been broken both at the selective contact and at the collective or common contact. NVhile this return of the circuit-closing means to normal position is being efliected the lock is being opened or released, so that the apparatus may again be operated, and the escapement-detent is being reset for holding the escapement, together with the operating-train of the character-wheels, against action. These effects-are secured through the pull of the weaker spring 7, which, spring 6 being now relaxed, returns the intermediate lever 72 to normal position, and thus through the described connections 18 19 operates the locking-lever 2' to normal position (shown in Fig. 2) and through the link draws up the detent 9 into the path of the pendulum of the escapement.

The whole apparatus is now in normal position ready for another operation.

To recapitulate, the operation in brief is as follows: The inward stroke of the key closes the appropriate selecting-contact s, it winds the mainspring 0 to place the operating-train of the character wheels or disks under tension, it establishes the collective contact 10 12 through the operation of the lever on, it stores power in the spring 6, designated to set the key-lock and to operate the escapement-detent, and it also. moves the-locking-frame so that through the arc-shaped head obstructing the movement of the nose 8 of the locking-lever c'the escapement and driving train will not be released until the key has returned all the way forward and with it the locking-frame. The contacts have now been closed ready for the operation of the character wheel and power has been stored in the operating-springs designed to operate the parts. Now when the key is released and returns to normal position the escapement will be released and the character-disks set in rotation as soon as the arc-shaped head of the locking-frame returns forward and releases the nose 8, so as to allow the spring 6 to throw out of action the escapement-detent g and into action the nose 8 tolock all the keys, and then as the wheeltrain completes its movement it acts through the cut-out 0 to break the circuit at 10 12, and the release of the lever in causes the breaking-of the selective contact at s t, the release of the lever on also relaxing the spring 6 and allowing the weaker spring 7 to operate the lever h to reset the detents and bring the locking-lever 2', with its nose 8, into the position shown in Fig. 2, thus leaving the apparatus entirely open ready for another operation.

It will be seen from the above that the adjustments or setting operations resulting in the apparatus from the pressing in of a key are cumulative-21 c. adjustments are effected of a number of operative or actuating devices,

and these devices then carry out their operations in a certain order upon the return of a key to normal positionthat is to say, the inward movement of the key closes the contacts, stores power in the mainspring and in the spring 6, and then upon the return of the key to normal position these parts perform their functions, the spring 6 acting first to lock the keys bythrowing down the nose 8, then releasing the escapement by depressing the detent g, and thereafter the mainspring performs its function and rotates the character-wheel to send the signal. All these operations result from a single manipulation on the part of the user 91. a, the movement of a single key. It will be noticed that the apparatus will either send a correct signal or none at all. The contacts will not be closed unless the key is pressed all the way in, nor will the spring 6 be set to release the escapement. Again, supposing the key has been pressed all the way in and the parts just mentioned have been set, there will be no effect until the key is returned all the way forward and all the keys are locked, as only at this time will the escapement-detent be released.

The partial operation of a key will have no effect in sending a signal, nor will it derange the mechanism. Such partial operation will simply give a partial winding movement to the mainspring 0 and a partial backward movement to the character-disks, in which TOO position these parts will be retained by the pawl 4; but as soon as this key or any other key is moved inwardly the additional amount of movement which the said parts must make will be given. A partial movement inward of any key will not close any of the contacts, nor will it set the spring 6, and consequently neither thekey-lock nor the detent will be operated. The partially-operated key will be free to return to normal position, which it will do when released.

If several keys are pressed at one time, the signal sent will be that of the highest-marked key, for while the contacts of the lower-numbered keys will be closed and their characterdisks will be operated dots and dashes resulting therefrom will coincide with those of the longer-continued signal.

The contact-springs a are supported on an insulating-piece 75, which is carried by a bracket 76, secured to the box- Wires 77 extend from these springs to binding posts or screws 78 on an insulating-block 7 9, which is supported on the frame of the box.

In the hereinabove-given description the term character-wheel is used solely for convenience. N o limitation is intended to the specific form of it as illustrated and described nor to a rotary body generally, as other devices may be used instead having a different movement from that shown. This character-wheel may be termed the signaling device, as its function is tov determine the character of the signal by causing more or less impulses to appear therein.

Where the term key is used herein, a push-button form of key is meant or any equivalent thereof which may assume the form of a lever, crank, handle, or other suitable device. It will be seen that the keys have a fixed limit of movement, or, in other words, their working stroke is constant or uniform, and it requires but one manipulation of one of the keys to enable the machine to go through one complete cycle of operations and restore itself to normal condition. 1

The collective contact 10 12 is for the purpose of preventing the circuit from being closed until after the character-wheel has been rotated backwardly far enough to make the contact-springs a overlie the space of the wheel. The springs uwill make contact with the pawls as the wheel is moving backward, and if at this time the selective contacts were closed a current would flow over the line, thus giving an improper signal; but by using the collective contact, which is adjusted to close only when the key has been pushed in to a certain extent, any such incorrect signaling is not possible. The selective contacts need not be adjusted to make engagement at one point only, as should either of these contacts be made a little earlier in the stroke of the key than intended nothing will result until the common or collective contact is closed,

and this contact is the only one which need be in exact adjustment.

The bell is intended to give audible signals to the user whereby he can verify the signal actually sent.

The apparatus as shown is used in connection with an open circuit; but it is obvious that it can be employed in connection with a closed circuit, in which case a short-circuiting device may be employed to cut out the box when not in use.

A multiple signal may be sent by this apparatus by pressing keys in succession, the dash subdividing the signal in the recording instrument and enabling it to be read with certainty. This dash is of uniform length and is not under the control of the user.

A suitable recording device may be employed in the circuit to record the signal sent and enable it to be read at any time.

The pendulum f may be provided withv a weight 84, adjustable to different positions on the pin 85, carried by the pendulum by means of a set-screw 86. By this means the speed of movement of the pendulum may be varied.

What is claimed as new and useful, and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent, is

l. The combination in a signaling apparatus with a signaling device adapted to send a variety of signals, of motor mechanism for operating said device, a plurality of selective contacts, connections between said contacts and the signaling device, a plurality of keys with connections to the motor mechanism whereby energy is stored therein when either key is operated, the said selective contacts being arranged to be closed by the operation of the keys, means for holding the motor mechanism against action on the signaling device while a key is being operated and for releasing said motor mechanism when the key returns to normal position, and, means for locking the keys while the motor mechanism is operating the signaling device.

2. The combination in a signaling apparatus with signaling devices adapted to send a variety of signals, of a plurality of selective contacts, keys for closing said contacts, a motor for operating the signaling device, a powerspring for said motor, connections whereby said spring iswound when any key is operated, a detent for holding said power-spring and motor against action, a lock for the keys, a spring for operating the detent, and lock connections whereby the movement of any key will place said spring under tension, and means for moving the key to hold the lock inactive and the detent against release while the key is returning to normal position and for then allowing said spring to act to set the lock and release the main motor-spring.

3. The combination with a signaling device,. of a motor mechanism therefor, a series of selective contacts, one for each of a plurality of keys, a collective contact comprising a leverarm, a spring arranged to be placed under tension by the movement of said arm when the collective contact is made, and controlling means tobe operated by said spring when under tension.

4. The combination with a signaling device, of a motor mechanism therefor, keys, a series of selective contacts, one for each key, a collective contact comprising a lever arm, a spring arranged to be placed under tension by the movement of said arm when the collective contact is made, and controlling means to be operated by said spring when under tension, said controlling means comprising a detent for the motor mechanism and a lock for the keys.

5. The combination in a signaling apparatus with a signaling device, of a plurality of selective contacts, a collective contact-lever, motor mechanism for the signaling device comprising a mainspring, a second powerspring arranged to be placed under tension by the movement of the collective contact-lever to close the contact, controlling means adapted to be operated by said spring, means operated by the return of the motor mechanism to normal position for throwing the second spring out of operation, and means for returning the controlling means to normal position when the said second spring is thrown out.

6. The combination in a signaling apparatus with a signaling device, of a motor mechanism, keys for setting the motor mechanism ready to act, and connections between the keys and the motor mechanism arranged to permit a partially-operated key to return to normal position, said connections holding the motor mechanism in its partially-set position until the same or another, key is operated to complete the setting of the motor mechanism.

7. The combination in a signaling apparatus with a signaling device, of a motor mechanism, keys for setting the motor mechanism ready to act, connections between the keys and the motor mechanism arranged to permit a partially-operated key to return to normal position, said connections holding the motor mechanism in its partially-set position until the same or another key is operated to complete the setting of the motor mechanism, a key-lock, and means for operating the same upon a full movement of a key.

8. The combination in a signaling apparatus with a signaling device, of motor mechanism for driving the same, keys, an electrical contact, connections whereby said contact is closed from the operation of the keys, a motive-power device dependent for its energy upon the movement of the parts necessary to establish the said contact, a detent for the motor mechanism, and connections operated by said motive-power device to release the said detent.

9. The combination with a signaling device, of motor mechanism, a detent therefor, keys, connections between the keys and the motor mechanism, a key-lock, selective contacts, one for each kev to be operated thereby, a collective contact comprising an actuating-lever and a cut-out lever, an intermediate locking-lever connected with the key-lock and the detent for operating the same, a spring connecting the actuating-lever and intermediate lever normally relaxed and placed in tension when a key is operated, means for preventing said spring from acting until the key is returned to normal position, the said cut-out lever being arranged to be thrown out of connection with the actuating-lever when the motor mechanism completes its movement whereby the said springconnected with said lever returns to normal position and itself becomes relaxed, and a spring for operating the intermediate lever with the key-lock and the detent back to normal position. i i

10. The combination in a signaling apparatus with selective contacts, keys for operating the same, one contact for each key, a retaining-bar for the said contacts, connections "from the keys to control the setting of said bar in operative position, and means for moving said bar out of contact with the selective contacts when the apparatus is restored to normal position.

11. The combination in asignaling apparatus with keys, of selective contacts, one for each key, a collective contact, connections whereby said contacts are set when the keys are operated, retaining means for the selective contacts, means for breaking the circuit at the collective contact after the signal is sent, and connection between one of the parts of the collective contact to the retaining means to move the same back to normal position when the collective contact is broken.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 15th day of September, 1903.

ERNEST AUGUST FALLER.

1n presence of RALPH JULIAN SAorinRs, M. SHAPIRo.

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