US766806A - Individual selective system. - Google Patents

Description

No, 766,806. I PATENTED AUG. 9, 1904. B. BROOKS & H. F. METGALI'. INDIVIDUAL SELECTIVE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28, 1903.

H0 MODEL.

FIILZ I wvibywom UNITED STATES Patented August 9, 1904..

PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN BROOKS, OF SPRINGFIELD, AND HOWARD F. METOALF, OF HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS.

INDIVIDUAL SELECTIVE $YSTEIVI.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Fatent No. 766,806, dated August 9, 1904.

Application filed February 28, 1903- Serial No. 145,480. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, BENJAMIN BRooKs, re-' siding at Springfield, and HOWARD F. MET- OALF, residing at I-Iolyoke, in the county of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, citizens of the United States, have invented a new and useful Individual Selective System, of which the following is a specification. 7

Our invention relates to improvements in telephone or other systems in which there are selective means for individual stations; and it consists of the devices and mechanisms substantially as hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of our improvement is to produce comparatively simple but positively operating means for calling the desired station without alarming the other stations on the same circuit.

A further object of our invention is to provide practicable and efficient means for the purpose above noted. and to this end we employ as an essential and valuable feature of our invention a ponder-able body, as a ball or weight, which can be impelled from the field of action for a limited time and will upon its return operate a ratchet-retaining pawl or detent, the return being brought about by gravity.

We attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front view of the entire mechanism; Fig. 2, a plan view of the detent, and Fig. 3 a plan View of the peculiar pawl which is used in the present construction.

Similar letters and figures refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Before describing our improved mechanism in detail it should be stated that in practice each station in a given circuit is provided with mechanism similar in every essential particular save one with those at the other stations and all are operated to a certain extent at the same time, but only the one in the station which it is desired to call is sufliciently influenced to produce or bring about a cognizable result. Such difference will be hereinafter pointed out.

Proceeding now with a detailed description of the device as a whole and as illustrated, it will be seen upon reference to Fig. 1 that a plate A has mounted thereon a toothed wheel or ratchet 10, a retaining pawl or detent 11, electromagnets 12 12, and an armature 13, provided with a pawl 14. The ratchet 10 need not have teeth around its entire periphery and is cutaway at 15 15, so that one part shall be heavier than the other to insure the return of the wheel to a given position when released. Said ratchet is mounted to rotate on a stud 16 between the plate A and a bracket 17, secured thereto. A contact-point 18 projects from the serrated periphery of the ratchet 10 below the horizontal plane of the axis of said ratchet and at the left of the vertical plane of said axis when the ratchet is in normal position. The normal position of the ratchet is determined by ascrew 19, adjustably mounted in a post 20,'set into the plate A, a projection 21 on the unbroken portion of the ratchet-periphery encountering the end of said screw when the ratchet is allowed to rotate back into position and there resting until the position of the ratchet is again changed.

A bracket 22, attached to the plate A, supports the electromagnets 12 below the ratchet 10, and a bracket 23, also attached to said plate, assists in supporting a stud 24, which serves as a pivot for-the armature 13, which stands in a substantially vertical position and is of some considerable length. The pawl 14 is pivoted at 25 to the front of the armature 13 and has a nose 14, which is adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet above the horizontal plane of the axis of said ratchet. Said pawl also has downwardly and rearwardly projecting fingers 14 and 14, between the rearwardly-projecting portions of which the armature extends. A spring 26, extending between the pawl-finger .14" and a screw 27, adjustably mounted in a bracket 28, fastened to the plate A, normally draws the pawlfinger 14 into contact with the adjacent edge of the armature 13 and swings said armature to the left into contact with the limiting or regulating screw 29,adjustably mounted in a post 30, rising from the plate A.

In this position the pawl clears the ratchet. A resilient contact-piece or selector 31 extends upward from a post32, set into the plate A, between the ratchet and a projection 33 on the adjacent edge of the armature, normally out of the path of travel of the contactpoint 18. The upper terminal 13 of the armature 13 is insulated from the main portion of said armature.

The detent 11 is of peculiar construction and, taken in connection with the means for operating the same, constitutes a valuable feature of our invention, as hereinbefore intimated. This detent comprises a long arm which extendsupward and then forward at its free end to form a bifurcated rest 11 and a short arm extending intoproximity to the ratchet-teeth. The stud 34, which is carried by the plate A and a bracket 35 attached thereto, serves as a pivot for the detent, passing through .the same at or near the junction of its arms. The swinging motion of the detent is limited in one direction by a screw 36, adjustably mounted in a post 37, rising from the plate A, and in the other direction by the ratchet, the short arm of the detent vibrating between said screw and ratchet, and the long arm with the rest l1 having a corresponding up-and-down motion. A spring 38, having one end attached to a pin 39, projecting in the rear of the short arm of the detent, and a screw 40, adjustably mounted in a post 41, rising from the plate A, have a tendency to draw said arm into engagementwith the ratchet-teeth; but such tendency is overcome and the arm held against the end of the screw 36 through the medium of a ball 42,

which is received upon the rest 11. The rest 11 inclines downward to the left and causes the ball to bear against the armature-terminal 13. The ball is heavy enough to overcome the resiliency of the spring 38 when upon the rest 11.

A receiver 43, which may be made in the shape of a trough or assume some other form, as desired, is supported by hangers 14 44: against the face of the plate A at the right of the ball 42 when the latter is on the rest 11. The receiver 43 inclines upward from left to right more or less, as required and the ball is adapted to roll upon either the floor or upper edges of the same. In the present instance it rolls upon the edges. The hangers 44 are secured in position by means of set-screws 45 4:5, which enter suitable slots provided in both the plate A and the hangers to enable the receiver 43 to be adjusted at the proper angle.

A suitable signaling device, as an electric bell B, is associated with the mechanism previously described.

It is to be understood that either the plate A consists of some suitable non-conductor of electricity or else the several parts and members which enter into the circuits and those which would produce short circuits must be insulated from said plate or from each other. Binding- posts 46, 47, and 48 are located at the lower right-hand corner of the plate A. The local circuits are made up as follows: a is one of the main wires, running to the binding-post A6. The wire Z) connects said binding-post with one pole of the electromagnets 12. The Wire 0 connects the other pole of said magnets with the binding-post 47. and the main wire (0 runs to the lastmentioned binding-post. Said magnets are thus brought into the circuit from the main line. A wire (Z connects the binding-post 46 with the armature-terminal13. A wire econnects the binding-post 18 with the post 32, to which the selector 31 is attached. The wire f connects said binding-post 18 with one of the binding-posts of the bell, and the other binding-post of said bell isconnected by the wire g with the binding-post 17. It will be noticed that the bell-circuit is incomplete and, must so remain until certain electrical and mechanical actions take place, as hereinafter described. 7

Assuming the number to be 3 of the station at which the mechanism shown in the drawings is located and that it is desired to sound the bell B and call up said station, the operation will be as follows: The operator at the central station by means of a telegraphkey or other suitable instrument completes the circuit which energizes the magnets 12,

when they draw to themselves the armature 13 with sufiicient force not only to cause the, ratchet 10 to be actuated for a distance equal to one tooth by the pawl 1 1, but also to drive the ball 42 from the rest 11 onto and along the receiver 13 for some distance. As soon as the ball 12 rolls onto the receiver the detent 11 is released to the action of its spring 38, and the free end of the short arm of said detent engages the adjacent tooth to hold the ratchet and permit the pawl 14 to be withdrawn from engagement therewith as soon as the current by which the magnets were energized is broken. When the current is discontinued or at the end of the pulsation, the spring 26 draws the pawl 14 out of engagement with and away from the ratchet-teeth. A second and a third pulsation succeed the first, and each time they occur the ratchet is actuated the distance of one tooth in the manner already described. The third pulsation brings the contact-point 18 into position for engagement by the selector 31, which is forced against the same by the projection 33 at the time the armature is attracted to the magnets. These three pulsations take place before the ball A2 has had time to roll back into its initial position. The operator holds the circuit closed the third time long enough to permit the ball to roll down onto the rest 11 against the terminal 13; but under these conditions the detent is not affected by the ball, for the tact-point 18, the selector 31, and the wires previously described. As soon as the circuit is broken by the operator the bell ceases to ring, the armature becomes separated from the magnets, so that the pawl is withdrawn from engagement with the ratchet, the ball overcomes the resistance of the spring 38 and causes the disengagemcntof the detent from the ratchet, and the latter at once returns to normal position, ready for a repetition of the previously-described operations.

When the operator desires to call station 4,

for example, four pulsations are given while the ball is on thereceiver, so the contactpoint 18 encounters the selector 31 at a time when the local bell-circuit is broken by the absence of the ball from the rest, and at the time the station 4 call is made said contactpoint has passed beyond said selector, so, of course, the bell B does not ring. The positions of the selector and the contact-point on the ratchet determine the number of pulsations required to ring the bell.

The pulsation should be given with considerable rapidity; yet it has been found in practice that with a receiver of moderate length and arranged on the proper incline the ball will remain away from the rest long enough for a large number of pulsations to be given.

The object of the bent fingers 14: and 14 on the pawl 14 is to positively provide for the actuation of the ratchet 10 the distance of one tooth each time the armature 13 is drawn to the magnets. As the latter operation takes place the pawl 14 turns upon its pivot until the finger 14L is brought into engagement with the adjacent edge of the armature, the resiliency of the spring 26 being overcome at this time by the upward pressure of the nose 1r against one of the ratchet-teeth. Upon the release of the armature the spring 26 at once draws the finger 14 back into engagement with the adjacent edge of said armature. From the foregoing it will be readily seen that the movement of the pawl upon its pivot is limited by the fingers and that if such limited. movement corresponds to the movement of the ratchet for adistance of one tooth then the pawlcan never move the ratchet a greater distance at one time nor can the movement be less when the parts are properly adjusted.

It is obvious that the circuits may be dif ferently arranged and that numerous changes in construction, location, and arrangement of the several parts which enter into our invention may be made without departing from the nature thereof. As a notable example of a modification which falls within the scope of our invention a pendulum consisting of a swinging member having a weight at the end may be used in lieu of the ball and receiver shown and described. This amounts to no more than a mechanical equivalent of the ball and receiver and is sought to be covered by the claims.

WVhat we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an individual selective system dependent for action upon a step-by-step motion and electrical pulsations, the combination of a ratchet, an armature actuated by said pulsations, a retaining pawl or detent for said ratchet, a ponderable body normally supported by and in direct contact with said armature and detent and adapted to be actuated by the former, said ponderable body when at its point of normal rest throwing the detent out of engagement with the ratchet and so retaining the detent, but while in motion allowing the latter to engage the ratchet, and an independent or separate receiver onto which such body is impelled by the armature when actuated.

2. The combination, in an individual selective system, with a ratchet-retaining pawl or detent and an armature, of a ponderable body normally supported by said detent and arma-' ture, for operating the former, and adapted to be impelled under the force of a blow from said armaturelrom the field of action and to remain away for a limited period.

3. The combination, in anindividual selective system, with a ratchet-retaining pawl or detent and an armature, of a ponderable body normally supported by said detent and armature, for operating the former, and adapted to be impelled under the force of a blow from said armature from the field of action and to remain away for alimited period, the ponderable body with the contacting portion of the armature forming part of an electric circuit. 4. In an individual selective system, a ratchet, means consisting in part of an armature to impart a step-by-step motion thereto, a detent therefor, and a ball adapted to normally rest directly upon and hold the detent out of engagement with the ratchet, also to normally be in the path of said armature whereby it may be actuated to release the detent.

5. In an individual selective system, a ratchet provided with a contact-point, means to impart a step-by-step motion to said ratchet, a detent for the latter, a ball adapted to rest upon and hold the detent out of engagement with the ratchet, means to cause the ratchet to rotate back to the starting-point, when released, means to remove the ball by a blow from its holding position, and a selector adapted to be thrust into the path of travel of said contact-point.

6. In an individual selective system, a ratchet provided with a contact-point, means to impart a step-by-step motion to said ratchet, a detent for the latter, a ball adapted to rest upon and hold the detent out of engagement with the ratchet, means to remove the ball by a blow from its holding position, a selector adapted to be thrust into the path of travel of said contact-point, means to enable the ball to make and break a circuit at the point of rest, and means to enable the selector and contact-point to make and break a circuit.

7 In an individual selective system, a ratchet, means to impart a step-by-step motion thereto, a detent therefor, aball adapted when in its normal position to rest upon and retain said detent out of engagement with the ratchet, a stationary receiver for said ball, and means to throw said ball by a blow onto the receiver and release the detent for engagement with the ratchet.

8. In an individual selective system, a ratchet, an armature carryinga pawl adapted to imparta step-by-step motion to said ratchet, a detent for the ratchet, a ball adapted when in its normal position to rest upon and hold said detent out of engagement with the ratchet and to be in contact with said armature, and a stationary inclined receiver positioned to receive said ball when actuated by a blow from the armature and to return it again to engagement with the detent and armature.

9. In an individual selective system, a ratchet carrying a contact-point, an armature provided with a pawl adapted to actuate said ratchet by a step-by-step motion, a detent arranged to coact with said pawl and to retain the ratchet in position, a ball normally supported by said detent and armature, adapted to be impelled from its pointof rest by said armature, a receiver for the ball when so impelled, and a selector arranged to be thrust by the armature into engagement with said contact-point, the selector, ball-contactingpart of the armature, ball, detent and ratchet completing an electric circuit when the selector and ratchet contact-point and the armature and ball are in engagement.

10. In an individual selective system, a ratchet carrying a contact-point, an armature provided with a pawl adapted to actuate said ratchet by a step-by-step motion, a detent arranged to coact with said pawl and to retain the ratchet in position, a ball normally supported by said detent and armature, adapted to be impelled from its point of rest by said armature, a receiver for the ball when so impelled, a selector arranged to be thrust by the armature into engagement with said cont-actpoint, and means to cause the ratchet to rotate back to the starting-point, when released, the selector, ball-contacting part of the armature, ball, detent and ratchet completing an electric circuit when the selector and ratchet contactpoint and the armature and ball are in engagement.

1 1. In an individual selective system, a ratchet, an armature provided with a pawl adapted to impart a step-by-step motion to said ratchet, a detent bifurcated at one end to receive the upper terminal of the armature and having its other end adapted to engage the ratchet, resilient means to bring about such engagement, a ball adapted to rest upon said bifurcated end, in contact with the armature, and a stationary receiver for said ball when impelled from its position of rest by a blow from the armature.

It testimony whereof we'have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BENJAMIN BROOKS. HOWVARD F. METCALF. WVitnesses:

F. A. CUTTER, A. L. STEVENS.

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